Posted by Lieutenant Commander Serena Stone (Executive Officer) in Velocity of Change - Alt. Timeline

Posted by Captain Orvos Legen (Commanding Officer) in Velocity of Change - Alt. Timeline

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Serena Stone (Executive Officer) in Velocity of Change - Alt. Timeline
The Athena was only a couple of hours out from Starbase. Behind them, another ship, the U.S.S. Velocity was paralleling them. It was a Sunlight-class fast frigate, and anyone watching long-range sensors would see it closing on them at breathtaking speeds. Built to be the fastest things in Starfleet’s main fleets, it was clear she was doing just that. Not long after, a message came through that the Velocity was carrying new orders and personnel for the Athena and would catch up shortly.

There was no need to change course and speed.

Less than an hour later the Velocity was drawing alongside the Athena, matching warp bubbles and then dropping back to impulse power.

A minute later the transporter pad shimmered, and as the light faded a redhead wearing Command red with lieutenant commander’s pips stepped off the pad. “I’m Lieutenant Commander Stone. I have orders to hand-deliver to Commander Legan and Captain Wallace.”

NE Higgs nodded and secured his station. “You’re expected. Right this way, ma’am.” Pushing back from the console he quickly escorted the new arrival to the nearest turbolift.

Serena ignored the fact that neither had been there to greet her. This was all very unusual and sudden, but she supposed that was the nature of emergency priority missions. Reaching up she tugged at her collar. It was too freaking tight, and the top didn’t want to sit quite right. She was going to have to have a word with the replicator later.

The doors peeled open and she stepped into the hum of the bridge. “Captain, permission to come aboard?”

“Granted.”

Serena made her way toward the front of the bridge. “Captain. Commander. I have orders from Starfleet, eyes only. If we could go to the Ready Room?”

A moment later, all three were inside. “Apologies for the sudden nature of all this.” She fished a black PADD from her pocket and passed it to Captain Wallace. “Ma’am. My transfer orders and orders for you from Starfleet.” She fished out another Padd, and this one she gave to Orvos.

“My transfer paperwork for you, and… a few updates for you, sir.”

The information was the same for both. The padd for Wallace had her transfer orders off the ship to a crucial emergency mission she was assigned to, with the principal briefs she needed to get started. They were coded to her biometrics and wouldn’t open for anyone else, to ensure even Miss Stone didn’t read them.

For Orvos, they had a few details of Wallace’s transfer, the need-to-know stuff. It also detailed that he was hereby promoted not to acting captain but a full captain. He was ordered to relieve Wallace of command of the U.S.S. Athena by the powers that be for the time being. Lieutenant Commander Stone was to be his executive officer for at least the cruise, or until he found someone better. Or she was dead. That latter one always hung unsaid but was still there.

As she let the two officers read over the paperwork she stood to the side, hands behind her back. Out of sight, her grip around her right wrist was tight, white-knuckled. Sometimes people wanted to shoot the messenger. Others might feel that this was her fault, even though she was just as bent over the table as they were. And not quite happy about it either. She did her best to keep her hazel blue/gray eyes neutral, but there was still tension in her jawline and shoulders that anyone could see.

Wallace sighed and stuffed the Padd in her pocket. As Orvos relieved her of command, she nodded. “I am relieved.” She said her goodbyes quickly, then began making her exit, transferring her things to the Velocity.

Quietly, she stood there, knot in her gut, waiting for whatever blow might fall.

Lt Cmdr Stone

Orvos was, for a brief moment, stuck within the transition still. He hadn’t been overly fond of the move from Chief Engineer to First Officer, but he agreed with Wallace that the move made sense, so he reluctantly agreed. Now, Starfleet, for all they were worth, was thrusting him instead to the center seat. Full command of the Athena was now his.

He exhaled the breathe he had been holding and briskly moved to the seat in behind the desk of the captain’s ready room. After the computer confirmed the transition quickly, Orvos then turned his eyes to his new executive officer. He smile appeared on his face as he sensed the woman’s feelings. “Please, at ease, take a seat Commander. And don’t worry, please.”

He waved his hands about the room. “I’ve seen crazy things on this ship before. This is mildly tame.”

Orvos stood and moved to the replicator, hoping that the replicator wasn’t broken this time. “Sweet iced tea.” Looking to Stone, he asked. “Drink?” he asked with a light grin.

-Captain Orvos Legen, CO

“Make it two,” she said, letting out a breath she wasn’t aware she was holding. Slowly she made her way over to the chair opposite of his and sat. Despite his smile, she still looked as if she were perched on a ledge. When he brought the drinks back she accepted hers with a quiet ‘thank you’.

“And worrying is what I do best, I suppose,” she said. “Keeps me prepared.” She paused long enough tot take a short drink then set the tea aside,. It was cold, refreshing, and the sweetener, whatever the replicator used, was enough to give a small dopamine hit and take the edge off, just a little. Idly she stuffed her hands into her lap, crossing one leg over the other, sandwiching her long fingers to keep them warm. And to keep down any nervous fidgeting. “I wish things were happening under better circumstances. I know you just got here a short time ago. And now being blindsided with this and saddled with somebody you do not know. It’s not great.”

Lt Cmdr Stone, XO

“Well,” he nodded thoughtfully. “I’ve been on the Athena for some time, but you’re right about moving into different positions quite quickly. But what’s life without a curveball every now and then eh?” he said with a hint of joviality.

He took a sip of his iced tea as moved to the seat and sat down. “But no need to worry! We’re all adaptable and all will is still well. I imagine these were surprising orders for yourself. Is there anything you wish to know about myself or the ship? We’re a team now, you and I… A supposed dynamic duo aboard a great big ship in the stars. Best we start to get know each other a bit, eh? Please, speak freely.” He leaned back in the chair, almost as if he had been there before, but getting reacclimated to the feel of it.

-Captain Orvos Legen, CO