After an awkward exchange with the Chief of Security, Ensign Shau returned to the auxiliary tactical station at the edge of CIC. My official check-in with Lt Reid is probably going to be messy. There’s nothing I can do about that now, though.

At the aux station, MJ played a supporting role. He coordinated with the security personnel as they upgraded the weapons with the nebula radiation. Between updates to the COS, he scoured all the sensor logs the Flotilla had on this biomass Entity. His goal was to establish the baseline of capabilities and limitations, both for the Entity itself and for the tainted vessels it controlled.

MJ was looking for anything that might give them a tactical edge in future engagements.

Of course, his attention was divided as the mission onboard the Pickett progressed. He heard the updates from the Marine contingent as it reported in, and saw the skirmish the rest of the Flotilla was having with the Entity’s fleet of stolen ships.

He found he was holding his breath as the shuttle launched from his old ship. Ensign Shau’s fingers were on the phaser controls in the event the radiation wave from the deflector failed… but it worked perfectly.

Which meant MJ had a front-row view of the holo-display as the U.S.S. Pickett exploded, taking many of the nearby biomass fighters with it.

The chatter and activity in CIC faded into the background as Ensign Shau stared at the display. The Pickett had been his first ship. It had been his home for the last few years. Most of his friends… most of the crew… even the ship’s experimental AI… it was all gone.

It left him feeling hollow, and even the silver lining was bittersweet. It’s a better fate than living on as part of that monster’s biomass.

MJ was one of a few dozen survivors… and most of the others were still on the Tribute. Some were still too injured, and others weren’t mentally ready to take up their duties again. Commander Thol was a fighter, of course… but his job now was taking care of the other survivors. They need him more than I do.

Ensign Shau though, he needed those duties. He needed to stay busy. That was why he asked to be transferred to the Chimera so soon.

For better or for worse, this was his ship now. These people… soon enough, they would be his new family.

And he was determined not to let this family down.

Ensign MJ Shau - Security Officer - USS Chimera