Posted by Colonel Calvin Harris (Commanding Officer) in Shore Leave: Cal & Molly

Posted by Captain Molly Holloway (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Shore Leave: Cal & Molly

Posted by Colonel Calvin Harris (Commanding Officer) in Shore Leave: Cal & Molly
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻
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

It was exaggerated, it was over the top, and as far as Molly was concerned, it was unnecessary. Still, her gaze followed Harris through the whole ordeal and after, as he walked towards her.

At his words, Molly rolled her eyes ostentatiously and groaned, quickening her pace to the maglev that would take them to the civilian side of the starbase. She knew Cal was behind her in every step. Sometimes she could see him by her side out of the corner of her eye. He wasn’t going anywhere.

Harris once more followed his love dutifully, a soft grumbling whisper of “Lord have mercy Holloway… you never can take a joke.” With a snort, he sped up to stay near her side.

As the shuttle zoomed through the starbase, Molly glanced at the people around them. Most of them were Starfleet, some of them were station personnel, and only a few were in civilian clothes, but there was no telling whether they were actually civilians. As an Intelligence officer, Molly’s paranoia was on high, especially in such a crowded space. She had moved her backpack to her front and clutched it hard against her chest. There were a few glances in her direction, but the black division color on her uniform and the four solid gold pips in her collar usually made them go away.

Keeping a head on a swivel, Harris noticed when eyes fell on Molly and then quickly found a bulkhead… a passing maglev luggage cart… a playing child… anything to divert the gaze of a fiery redhead O-6 in Monster Blacks. The smirk was subtle, he was incredibly proud of the woman she had become but considering this was the first time not in and around an environment Harris could control, his own paranoia was through the roof. He couldn’t wait to be planet side where most threats he could handle with his fists.

With a small tone and a spoken warning, the maglev shuttle came to a halt. Molly left the moment the doors opened, stopping just outside of the train to allow Cal to catch up with her. Here there were a lot more people in civilian attire, and the place was incredibly busier.

Following the signs, it wasn’t hard to find the next shuttle to San Francisco. As usual, there was a line of people queuing to the small waiting area to board the shuttle.

“Starfleet personnel, Ma’am?” The voice came unexpectedly, and Molly’s gaze met the smiling stewardess at the small counter. “This side.” Molly returned the smile and stepped in the direction she had been told. “If you wouldn’t mind standing there.” A small camera scanned her face. “Captain Holloway, are you traveling alone today?”

“No, Colonel Harris is coming with me.” She gestured towards her traveling companion.

Cal smiled a normal, charming smile… unfortunately, that ‘normal’ smile would set most women on fire and he couldn’t stop the playful wink when the stewardess met his gaze.

“Very well.” There was a slight pause, an almost inaudible gulp, and the slight biting of her lower lip. Molly rolled her eyes yet again and huffed softly in annoyance. It was like the Marine turned all the women into idiotic teenagers, and it was starting to get old. Where was Jersey when she needed her? “If you would please stand here.” The woman finally spoke to Cal, motioning for him to do the same Molly had just done. There was a slight blush on her cheeks.

Doing as instructed, Harris flashed one more smile as the edge turned green confirming his identity. “Thanks hun” His Okie accent clear in just the two words.

“Very well, you’re in seats 15A and 15B. Here’s your boarding pass. Enjoy your flight!”

Molly snatched the PaDDs from the woman’s hand without a second glance. “You too.” The words escaped her lips before she could stop them. She kicked herself mentally. It happened every time.

In the small waiting area, Molly found two sits together and sat on one, her bag still tightly against her chest, her eyes locked on the boarding gate. Once again, she waited for Cal to join her.

Molly

Harris stowed his bag and settled next to Molly. With a playful shrug, Cal smiled the most innocent Molly had ever seen on his face. “I swear to God, I don’t do it on purpose! I was just trying to board the damn shuttle Mols’”

Cal

Molly harrumphed but said nothing. Her eyes on the gate away from Cal, waiting for the boarding to start, as her right heel tapped nervously on the floor.

It didn’t take long for them to be called in to the shuttle and for a line of people to form. Swinging her bag over her shoulder, Molly didn’t apologize when it hit Cal’s arm. It was heavy, almost as if it was full of actual books, which knowing Molly, it probably was.

As Starfleet personnel, the pair was one of the first to board. Looking for seats 15A and B, Molly stowed her bag overhead and took the window seat. Not before taking a PaDD from her bag, that she promptly turned on and immersed herself on as she sat.

The Starfleet Intelligence’s logo turned on the screen before her personal workspace came up. Over Molly’s shoulder, Cal would be able to see the contents of the PaDD. Molly tapped her personal messages where a few new ones had piled in the last few hours. Most were reports and notices, that the Dresden’s Intel Chief skimmed quickly, and one was tagged with the name ‘York, Ryan’ as the sender. Cal would probably recognize the name.

A soft smile formed on Molly’s lips as she opened the missive:

Hey Red,

I know it took me a little to respond, but I had to let my anger subside before I could get back to you or I have no idea how this message would have been. Don’t think that the thought of taking the Thresher and hunting that Morak bastard didn’t cross my mind. And you have no idea how hard it was not to do it, and the names I still call him in my head. Death is too light of a punishment for what that S.O.B. did to you. But I thought about what you wrote and you were right.

I wish I could tell you I would be heading home too for some much needed shore leave, but unfortunately Command still wants us out here for the time being. Maybe I can see if I can convince them to let us off soon, but I wouldn’t count on it too much. God, it’d be great to see you though. In person, not in a holotransmission. Have a coffee at the Blue Note for me, will you? I wish our last meeting was under better circumstances…

By the way, is Harris treating you well? Because if he’s not, you know, just say the word and I’ll be there. No questions asked.

Keep in touch, Red. I’ll see you around.
Ryan

Molly