Lets get out of here

Posted on Sun Mar 23rd, 2025 @ 10:39am by Captain Alexander Johnson & Commander Onofron Zuir & Lieutenant Colonel Savannah Sorrel & Lieutenant Commander Qual'tez Jones & Lieutenant Sayori Summers & Lieutenant Jade Celes-Johnson & Lieutenant JG Charlotte Soller M.D.

1,828 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: New Crew, New Mission
Location: Bridge

Alexander walked out onto the bridge, the ship was ready for its test flight. Their new slipstream drive was a go. Engineering on starbase had given the green light. "Alright people, you ready to see whats out there."

Qual'tez Jones manned the tactical station as he waited for the Captain to start giving out orders. Unless engineering messed up somewhere, the Commander anticipated this being a quick trip around the block.

Savannah stood behind the captain's chair, for the launch of the ship all senior staff was expected to be on the bridge which was fine with her.

Jade was on the bridge as well, she wasn’t going to miss being present for departure even though she knew Commander Zuir wouldn’t appreciate her being there. As a member of the senior staff she had that right, and she intended to exercise it.

Sayori stood at the engineering console, a wide grin affixed to her bright face. "Ready, Captain!"

Ono sat stiffly in the captain's chair, his posture ramrod straight, as though the weight of the chair’s authority demanded nothing less than absolute rigidity. It was plain his focus was more on his own internal monologue than the dazzling starfield on the viewscreen before him. The furrow of his brow reflected how deeply his thoughts were caught up in the delicate balance of discipline and chaos that would determine the Iroquois’ success—or failure.

It wasn’t until Sayori’s bright voice rang out, her enthusiasm practically crackling through the air like static discharge, that he snapped back to the present. His expression betrayed the faintest flicker of annoyance before he smoothed it over into a mask of stoic professionalism. Perhaps nobody noticed.

"Captain on the bridge!" Ono announced as if Alexander had not already made his presence known. After jumping aside with military formality, he moved aside to allow Alexander to take his rightful place in the captain’s chair, nodding sharply as he stepped back. "The ship and her crew stand ready for departure, Captain," Ono said. "Clearance from Starbase Command is pending your order."

"Thank you Commander." Alexander replied, he was about to sit, however paused, then turned, and walked over to the helm. "Helm, signal the starbase indicating our departure."

"Aye sir." The ensign replied. "Confirmation received, we are cleared to go."

Alexander nodded, "Take us out. Nice and slow." As soon as the ship started slowle moving from her dock he walked over to his seat, finally taking it. "So Commander... hows your inspections coming along..."

"Thus far, Captain, the ship and crew have met expectations," Ono replied, his words deliberately glowing without crossing into outright praise. "All systems are operational, and the crew is performing admirably under the accelerated schedule. However," he added, his tone firm but polite, "I recommend conducting an additional round of inspections once we jump to warp. Achieving readiness in a controlled environment is one thing, but maintaining it during a live operation is quite another."

In truth, Ono was uncertain. The glowing report was, in part, a shield for his own doubts. If anything was amiss, he was determined to uncover it before it could escalate. His eyes flicked briefly to the viewscreen, watching the starbase recede as the Iroquois slipped into open space, and he allowed himself the faintest exhale of relief.

"That is good to know Commander." Alexander replied, "Our first destination is the terellian sector, from there, we will engage slipstream drive, for two hours, come around, and head to our main destination. The conduit. Once there, we will do a diagnostic of the slipstream drive before heading through the conduit."

"I recall the mission briefing," Ono said blandly, "but thank you for the summary. I'm sure one of the less than competent members of staff will find it helpful."

Savannah almost rolled her eyes. She was so glad that she would not have to see too much of him even if that meant taking the midnight watch on the bridge.

The Chief Security Officer looked over to the Commander and then the Captain. Honestly, he wondered of the Captain would ever address the First Officer's behavior and slick comments. It was obvious that everyone was on edge around the man. The half Human half Klingon didn't mind him wanting to hold the crew to a certain standard. But the last thing he would tolerate was outright disrespect.

"Helm, set course for the Terellian Sector warp five." Alexander replied looking at his read outs. "Engineering, what's the status? Slip stream ready to go?"

“Ready and set to go, Captain!” Sayori cheered. “The kinks have been worked out, the wrinkles ironed smooth. The legs…starched?” She furrowed her brow and shook her head. “Sorry, lost the metaphor there. The slipstream drive is on standby and ready to be activated on your orders.”

Slipstream was going to be a first for Jade, and she had no doubt it was the same for others too from the nervous energy around the ship.


(Sickbay)

Sitting at her desk, Lotte was monitoring the crews health. She wasn't sure how slipstream would affect them. "Sickbay to bridge. We're all ready down here."

"Understood." Alexander replied with all others reporting in shortly after, the trip to the Terellian Sector would be a quick one. Then the real test would begin. He looked around the bridge. At all the department chiefs that were present. "This is the first step of the rest of our lives. I know we are all new to each other. Still getting used to each others quirks, and knowing each others tolerances. Just the same as any new ship does, it takes time to mesh, and become part of a whole. I personally look forward to learning from each one of you as we start our new mission."

Sav nodded. "I am looking forward to a good working relation between navy and marines, sir."

It took mere minutes to reach the sector, and the ship came to a stop, away from any planets or suns, there were other ships with the device. None so big, it was mainly used for reconnaissance small ships that can get in and out without being noticed. But the Iroquois, one of the larger ships... won't go unnoticed. "Helm, prepare for slipstream Lets head for the Delta quadrant, then turn around 180 and head back to the destination. Engineering, keep running diagnostics. Any questions before we test."

"Aye sir." Came the Helmsman. "Arriving at the sector now... engaging slipstream in 5...4...3...2...1... Slipstream engaged."

Within seconds the ships view went from starts to a new sight from the view screen. Looking like a tunnel in space so to speak rather than stars whizzing by. "All hands, keep an eye on your stations, and each other... report anything that stands out of the ordinary." Alexander replied as he looked at the readouts from his chair.

“What do you class as out of the ordinary Captain?” Jade looked at her husband curiously. “Most of us are travelling slipstream for the first time, so how do we know what’s ordinary and what isn’t?”

"Anything thats not operating at normal output." Alexander replied as he looked over. "Hell I heard of some drastic evolutionary changes occuring in some cases."

“Evolutionary changes!” Jade’s hand went protectively to her rounded stomach. “No one mentioned any risks to unborn children did they?”

Ono exhaled sharply through his nose, the undeniable sound of a man who had predicted this exact scenario and been summarily ignored.

"This," he said pointedly, his tone flat but laced with irritation, "is precisely why Starfleet captains should not allow their mating partners onto the bridge."

He turned slightly in his chair and leveled a withering stare at Alexander, then flicked his gaze toward Jade with equal parts exasperation and restraint.

"The First Officer’s log will reflect that the slipstream drive is being operated by technicians and specialists who are familiar with the technology and that all procedures for safety and best practices were outlined in the senior staff briefing packet." His voice grew increasingly clipped as he continued. "Including any and all medical risks."

His eyebrow twitched as he stared at Alexander expectantly, nodding his head at Jade in a pointed manner, recalling their previous conversation in the captain’s ready room.

Most of the crew was not permitted on the bridge during slipstream activation for precisely this reason. Ono’s expression darkened further, his usual controlled demeanor beginning to visibly fray. His posture stiffened, and his hands clenched behind his back. He was visibly flustered. And he hated it.

Sav looked at Ono, Jade and the captain. It was very bad taste for the first officer to lecture his captain in front of the whole bridge crew and she felt for the captain. But also for Jade who was caught in the middle of this. So she stood up. "you are out of order, commander." she said flatly. "Counsellor, if you would join me please. My duties on the bridge are done and I have something to discuss with you. Captain, commander I suggest you take your further communications to the ready room."

“By all means Colonel” Jade nodded as she stood up to join Savannah. “Commander my log will state that I find your attitude combative, and extremely rude even towards your Commanding Officer.” She turned to look at Alexander. “Captain” with that she headed on her way. The sooner Starfleet decided to move Ono on elsewhere the better she’d feel.

There was a palpable awkwardness on the bridge that Sayori couldn’t abide. She wanted — needed — to break the silence that would doom them all to social collapse. “Good news, Captain! Commander! Everything is green across the board! All variances well within tolerance. Engineering is reporting that things are going smoothly. Um, permission to go supervise them directly?” Not said: Permission to get the hell out of here?

Alexander turned to the engineer. "Thank you Lt. Permission granted." He sighed. He was hoping that time would bring both sides to an understanding towards what each brought to the table. The Commander being very strict and stick to it hardcore kinda deal was what something he admired, and he too strived for that, but that was before he realized that some leeway was needed. The other officers, were accustomed to a less strict way of things. Some could very well need to tighten their britches. The fact that the officers defended themselves against a higher ranking officer, that he hoped would at least dent something in the commander, to understand they weren't all weak and afraid to stand up for themselves. To him that was commendable, as it took guts, as to follow every whim of a higher ranking officer could spill disaster if the officer didn't have all information, or if there were ill intentions... unfortunately wasn't unheard of. But thankfully, far and few between.

 

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