More Bad News

Posted on 29 Jul 2023 @ 9:30pm by Captain Bane Plase & Captain Erik Larsen

1,684 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Outbreak
Location: USS Cygnus
Timeline: Several hours after "The Reveal"

ON

As the shimmering dissipated, the view that Captain Bane took in was no longer the atrium to the Office of the Tashi, but Transporter Room 5 aboard the ship. "Petty Officer," Bane said in way of greeting to the transporter control operator.

"Captain, welcome back," she said simply, standing in a formal, but relaxed, position, which was custom in Starfleet when the rank of Commander or above came into, or in this case, appeared, in the room.

Nothing more was said nor needed to be said between the two crewmembers. Bane stepped down from the transporter pad and made his way out of the room.

He was tired, almost bone-weary tired. The last several days, he had been on the surface almost constantly, working with the Tashi of the planet and making preparations for her to reveal to her people that there were indeed intelligent life beyond their soil. Earlier today, she had made the reveal, and he gave his short, but heart-warming speech to the people of Antioch III.

In the aftermath, he had helped the many members of the senior government offices field answers to questions, had made recommendations for the logistics of getting those that wanted it access to the ship and to the crewmembers on the planet, helped Lieutenant Bast continue to coordinate the beamdown of additional crewmembers to the planet and to coordinate the relief effort for this strange sickness that was rapidly spreading among the local population. Dr. Elodin, Dr. Winters, Dr. Kin'Fuji and Counselor Morak had been instrumental in that effort, as well.

For now, Bane wanted to check in with Lieutenant Commander Larsen, get an update, then he planned to head to bed for a few hours of much-needed rest. As he made his way to the bridge, his mind raced with all the details and all of the tasks that still needed to happen with this First Contact mission, make no mention of the mountain of paperwork that he needed to do, and to review, from those that would write their own reports on the mission. First Contact was a sacred duty, and one that every Captain coveted to do. Most never get to. Bane knew that he and his crew were damned fortunate.

The doors to the turbolift hissed open to reveal the bridge. A cursory glance around, he noted that Lieutenant Lisald was at the Science Station talking to two other crewmembers. He couldn't hear what was being said, but he knew it was something important Mr. Spangler had tasked him out to do. He saw Ensign Jin'tok at Tactical, simultaneously looking both alarmed and bored. At Operations sat Ensign Veenak, covering down for Lieutenant Bast while he was on the surface. Lieutenant Roberts was at Conn, doing whatever it was Conn people did when in orbit of a planet. In the center seat sat his friend and First Officer, Commander Larsen.

As the sound of the turbolift doors opened, Larsen turned his head to look. From the center seat, he had clear vision of all four turbolift doors to the Bridge. The two forward ones were easy enough. The two aft, he had to turn his head and look through the horseshoe panel that dominated the bridge behind him, the tactical station, or better, all of the tactical stations. Indeed, there were a total of five stations on the horseshoe. It was through that opening that Larsen saw his Captain and stood immediately. "Welcome back, Captain. I've kept the chair warm for you," he said, motioning to it with his hand.

Bane held his own hand up in a stopping motion, unintentionally mimicking a famous Admiral in Starfleet. "No need, Commander. The bridge is still yours. Here just to get an update, then will be headed to bed for a few hours," he informed.

Larsen nodded. "Of course, sir. Starfleet Command has been informed of the positive nature of this First Contact," he began. "They are also aware of the epidemic that is going on here, and that the Antiocians have formally requested our assistance. Crew morale is at an all-time high. People are excitedly talking about being able to beam down and be able to explore and experience this brand new culture. We have several teams of Antiocians aboard ship. They seem to be struck in awe and wonder at the high level of technology we have. You know, it's funny; they keep making assumptions on what some of our systems do based on what their own technology is. More often than not, they are wildly incorrect about it. It's very humorous when we tell them what it does and they are so surprised."

Plase nodded. It was good that they were actually being for real scientists now. Their last mission ended in failure, at least on paper. Having been tasked with a First Contact mission then as well, it was discovered that the Crystalline Entity beat them to the planet, and had destroyed the entire race. The Cygnus was instrumental in destroying the creature before it made its way into Cardassian space, saving potentially billions of people, but still, they had failed in their original mission. This time, it was a success, and again, it felt wonderful. "Good, good. I appreciate you keeping Command notified during this process. I know the role reversal, with you here on the ship and me on the planet is somewhat unusual. I hope you are viewing it as practice for the eventual day that you get your own command," he said, smiling at the compliment he had just given.

Larsen, unfortunately, did not return the smile. "Sir, there is something else. During our last debrief with Starfleet Command, they gave me some shocking news."

The smile was erased as rapidly as it had appeared on the Bajoran's face. "This is ominous. Go on." Through his peripheral, he could see that everyone on the bridge had stopped working and was actively, and without hiding it, listening in on the conversation.

Larsen nodded, then looked down with his last nod, trying to find the words. "I've been reassigned."

It was like a sucker punch to the gut. Plase had specifically picked Commander Larsen to be his XO, and he had made great strides in training him to be an Executive Officer, and an eventual Commanding Officer. "What?!"

Larsen nodded again, and looked at his Captain. "As soon as we are finished with this mission and return to Deep Space Nine, I am to catch a transport to Zeta Omega IX colony as Executive Officer and Chief Science Officer. Admiral Brexx made it clear that if I did as well there as I have done here, and that is thanks to your mentorship, that my promotion to full Commander is assured."

Plase wrinkled his nose and brow. "Is this something you want, Erik? If not, I can fight it. I know Admiral Brexx has been in some hot water lately. Maybe I could pull some strings."

"And risk you exposing yourself to the Admiralty? Calling in favors? Captain," Erik said, softening his voice, "I appreciate that, but as your Executive Officer, I could never allow you to do that. I asked to stay, but he said Starfleet needs me elsewhere. And who knows, I could come back. If not, then you have a powerful ally in the Fleet."

Bane made a face, then nodded, forced to see the logic in the statement. "You aren't wrong." He paused, then continued. "Damn, man. I wish this weren't the case. Your new CO is getting an exceptional officer." He inhaled and then exhaled deeply. "Alright, well, do you have any recommendations on who would occupy your position when you leave?"

Erik nodded. "Yes sir. I've been thinking about it since I got the news. If I had to pick my replacement to serve this ship and serve as your Executive Officer, and that officer not be me, then I would pick Lieutenant Bast."

Plase pursed his lips. "Interesting choice. He only just came on at the beginning of this mission. Why him?"

"He is the obvious choice, in my opinion. He knows starship operations, has experience backing up his rank and position, is willing to do what it takes to get the job done, and is a wealth of untapped knowledge, with the inherent knowledge he possesses because he is a Trill."

"You are racially profiling?"

Erik smiled, a small laugh escaping. "No sir, not at all. Just saying that because of his species, you will be able to draw on several lifetimes of knowledge. To let that resource slip through your fingers would be a terrible waste of a valuable resource."

Bane nodded. "I was just messing with you," he said, then cracked a grin. "When he comes back aboard ship, start training him in your duties and responsibilities. I will figure out who to replace him in Operations later, I suppose."

"Aye sir, will do. Captain, it's been a privilege serving with you."

Bane shook his finger side to side. "Ah ah, Commander. You aren't getting off that easily yet. You are still assigned to this ship as Executive Officer. You can say goodbye later on, when it is time. Until then, I expect you to perform your duties to the level in which I have become accustomed."

Erik grinned, picking up on the playful tone that the Captain was using. "Aye aye sir. Then, as your Executive Officer, I must inform the Captain that it has come to the attention of the Executive Officer that the Captain is tired and exhibiting the beginning signs of exhaustion, and said officer must inform the Captain that he is to report to his quarters for rest for no less than four hours uninterrupted rest and relaxation," he said back in equally playful tone.

Plase grinned inwardly. "I see. Then, all I can say is, 'Aye aye, sir. The Bridge is yours. Goodnight, Commander."

"Goodnight, Captain. Rest well."


OFF

A JP by

Lieutenant Commander Erik Larsen
Executive Officer
USS Cygnus

and

Bane Plase, Captain
USS Cygnus, Commanding

 

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