Posted by Captain Molly Holloway (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Shore Leave: Cal & Molly
With her backpack hanging from her shoulder by a single strap, Molly leaned against the tactical console with boredom in her face. She knew the procedure. In fact, she knew it well. And watching Cal punching his codes on his command console, was not the most entertaining activity.

Cal silently cursed to himself as he went through the various out-processing and Command stand-down procedures before leaving his first Fleet starship command tour. It was much more complicated than the four single-page forms the Corps gave their CO’s when leaving station. Harris suddenly paused for a moment, snapped a growling “Frack!”, then started over for a third time on what Molly would know was one of the final steps before the systems of the Dresden completely stood down and transferred the Administrative Command of the warship to the yard dogs of Starbase 1. When he punched in the next set of numbers, the console Molly was leaning against chirped softly and the sections which would allow one control over the Dresden’s powerful armaments went offline.

They were the last out. Well, Calvin was the last out. Molly was only waiting for him. They had planned for this after her short leave with her uncle a few months prior – that the next time they were planetside, they would take the time to meet each other’s families. However, fate had dictated that such opportunity came after one of their most complicated missions and after a disagreement they had not yet gotten back from. In fact, this was the first time in months, Molly had allowed herself to be alone with Harris, and so far, she hadn’t uttered a single word.

Running his fingers through his hair, the Marine punched in the final codes… taking the Warp Core offline and shifting the power supply of the warship to the Starbase. From that moment on, until Harris or Fleet Command entered the correct Command Authority Codes, the Dresden was nothing more than a bristling extension of the massive Starbase. There was a slight flutter in the ship’s lighting as it transferred to the Starbase and after a slow, deep breath, Harris brought his gaze up to meet Molly’s.

As he lifted his head from his work, Molly’s light brown gaze met Cal’s blue eyes, and she knew he was finally done. Turning, she headed out of the Bridge and towards the corridors that would eventually take them out of the Dresden and into Starbase 1. Molly didn’t have to look back to know Cal was following.

When Molly turned away from him, the Marine followed dutifully… knowing damn well the woman was still cross with him. She had got to the lift first and kindly held it for him and then tapped the keys for the umbilical’s attachment point to the ship. However, the second the door hissed open, she was off and quickly rounded the corned ahead of him. As he walked at a normal pace, Harris knew why she scooted ahead and he couldn’t keep from snickering at the realization.

That’s when she spotted the enlisted men lining up outside, neatly on the two sides of the Dresden’s main hatch. Molly rolled her eyes and hurried her pace. She knew what was coming and she didn’t want to be a part of it.

Harris heard the two dozen sets of heels snap together as Molly stepped off the ship and hurried on to avoid the coming pomp and circumstance that came with the disembarking of a Ship of the Line’s Commanding Officer.

Stepping outside of the ship she had called home for the past three years, Molly walked through the lines of enlisted men and hurried down the access tube that would take them into the main Starbase. The sideboys saluting her as she passed. Reluctantly she returned their salute. An annoyed expression on her features. When she was past them, she leaned against the wall of the corridor and waited for Cal to join her.

Molly

Harris tugged his uniform straight as he stepped to the ceremonial spot just inside the hatch and awaited the trill of Boatswain’s pipe. As he came to a stop, the Chief Petty Officer on his right raised the pipe to her lips and sounded the signal for a Disembarking CO. The second the pipe sounded, it was broadcast to the speakers near the umbilical’s attachment point to the Starbase, bringing all movement and discussion to a stop. The Side Party snapped to attention and the sole officer, a Commander in Ops Gold, stepped smartly forward and turned sharply to face Harris.

After a quick deep breath, the Chief Petty Officer spoke smartly in a firm tone carried through the same speakers as before.

“Disembarking… Colonel Calvin Alexander Harris, U-S-S Dresden, Commanding.” As she piped the tone again, the Side Party snapped a sharp salute that Harris returned as he stepped through the hatch. The second he cleared the Dresden’s outer hull, the ship’s interior lighting shifted from the standard running lights to a slightly brighter setting with a blue band running throughout the corridors at chest height… as the ship herself acknowledged the departure of her Commander and shifting to the authority of the Starbase.

Walking down to one step past the end of the Side Party, which dropped their salute and went to Parade Rest. The Commander in Ops Gold gave a crisp salute to his Senior and Harris returned it. As the pair dropped the salutes, the Commander cleared his throat and said with a smile. “Welcome to Starbase 1 Colonel. The Starbase stands ready to receive the Dresden for refurbishment, replenishment, and refuel. We estimate a 90 day turn around for your vessel. Have you relinquished Administrative Command Authority to Starbase Command & Control and stand ready to be relieved?”

The Marine gave a slight nodded and spoke clearly. “I have… and I am ready to be relieved.” The Commander then replied formally. “Computer… let the record show that at…” The officer looked quickly at his wrist chrono. “… 1525 hours GMT, Colonel Calvin Alexander Harris, Commanding Officer of the Federation Starship USS Dresden NCC 1837-D has relinquished Administrative Command Authority of said starship to the stewardship of Starbase 1 for the purpose of refurbishment, replenishment, and refuel… to be returned to either he or other authorized Command Authority upon completion of mission prep in approximately 90 days. Receiving Officer, Commander Phillip J. Miller… Starbase 1 Operations Department Head. End notation.

The Commander then once more saluted Harris and said smartly. “I relieve you, sir.” Harris returned the salute and responded, “I stand relieved.”

With that, the formalities ceased and the Commander extended his hand with a warmer smile. “I promise, Colonel… we won’t so much as scratch the paint.” Harris grinned and shaking his hand, laughed. “You better not Phil… I’ve grown pretty fond of her. You take care.” The Commander nodded. “Not a scratch Raven. Take care.” The two officers then passed one another, Harris toward the Starbase and Miller to the Dresden. As Harris walked up to Molly, he smiled. “Hey, look at it this way… if I was a One-Star… the Side Party woulda featured a goddamn band!” He laughed as he looked into her eyes. “That woulda been ridiculous!”

Cal