Posted by Captain Johann Dvorak (CO) in Bridge - The Second Day (tag Dvorak)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Stephen Stous (XO) in Bridge - The Second Day (tag Dvorak)

Posted by Captain Johann Dvorak (CO) in Bridge - The Second Day (tag Dvorak)
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻

SNIP

Stephen frowned. In general “running into something” was exactly what a research vessel was supposed to do. Of course, the NE probably meant “run into anything hostile,” but the comment still struck him as odd. He chose to dismiss it as something to do with the Europa’s exploits prior to his arrival.

“Nothing yet, anyway.” He smiled, attempting to alleviate any stress caused by his presence - a tactic he’d picked up years ago on the Callisto, back when he’d received his first promotion. Glancing over to the primary science station, Stous noted the NLt. J.G. there much more engrossed in his console than would be expected while at warp in familiar territory. “Science, anything to report?” he queried.

~ Stephen Stous - XO

The NE at the helm gave a smile back, but it was obviously painted on, with an awkward sound that was a mix between a sigh and a laugh. There wasn’t anything wrong with what Stephen said, but maybe it didn’t quite go over the way he intended it to. Whatever happened with Europa’s exploits prior to his arrival was probably not that reassuring.

The officer at the science station looked up at Steven and was a lot more positive. “We’re getting pretty good readings on a class-2 comet, sir. If we maintain our current course and speed, we should be able to-“

The turbolift doors parted, and the Captain walked onto the Bridge, and walked straight to the conn station.

“Captain on the Bridge,” the Science officer said first.

Johann took a moment to look at the viewscreen, somewhat pleasantly surprised that the ship’s course was already up to review. He usually did that subtly at the command chair or before actually walking in here. Regardless, there were no surprises except the one he was bringing.

“Helm, new course. One five zero mark three four five. Increase speed to Warp factor six.”
“One five zero mark three four five, Warp six, aye.”

The science officer gave a slight frown. There went his comet pictures. Meanwhile, on the viewscreen, the projected path of the Europa changed, bending away from Black Rock and toward the far edges of Federation space.

Johann walked over to the science station, mainly to talk to Stephen.

“New orders,” he explained. “We’re going to the Beta Zorcal star system. The Federation has a diplomatic agreement with the non-member inhabitants of the fourth planet there to keep a science ship in orbit, in order to engage in scientific collaboration. Galileo has to leave before Cassini’s is scheduled to take over, so we’re filling in until they relieve us. It’s expected to be a month.”

He did not explicitly state that “Beta Zorcal IV” was better known by its common name of “Tenra.” Nor did he call attention to why that would be a significant detail.

– Johann Dvorak, CO

Stephen turned to face Johann, bringing himself to partial attention, his back fully straightening until the man spoke. It was odd to feel - and be - so utterly close to the man in charge. It was certainly a dynamic that would take some time to get used to, but for the moment he just did his best to think through the Captain’s orders.

“I imagine the crew won’t be happy with that. Why’d Galileo have to leave early?” He made a mental note to personally research Beta Zorcal IV, as he’d never heard of such an agreement with a non-member planet. Species, not planet, he reminded himself, thinking back to his studies of the struggle on Kaminar.

~ Stephen Stous - XO

“Fleet Command didn’t exactly say. Something about them needing to be somewhere else earlier than originally planned.” He shrugged. “These things happen sometimes. It’s not really the worst re-assignment we’ve ever gotten, even though being in orbit someplace for a month isn’t most people’s idea of excitement.”

“There’s going to be a briefing on it later, once we get some mission reports from Galileo.“

I should just say it… he thought. People are going to figure it out sooner rather than later.

“Lieutenant Zorell will likely participate in the briefing; you might have heard of ‘Beta Zorcal IV’ also be referred to by its more common name of ‘Tenra.’”

– Johann Dvorak, CO

A connection or two clicked into place in Stephen’s grasp of the situation. “I see. It may not be as boring of a trip as one might think, then.” He pointedly did not mention Johann’s connection to Zorell or Tenra. “Anything in particular we should be doing in preparation? Sounds like a combined diplomatic and scientific mission.”

~ Stephen Stous - XO

“That’s the idea. As for anything in particular…”

He seemed to think about this for a moment. He had to spell out literally every detail, even the ones that he otherwise would not mention or consider relevant. It was important for Sous to know how to run things. He stepped slightly away from the science station and lowered his voice slightly.

“We’ll have to tell the crew about it. I mean with like an announcement. You don’t want people guessing why the ship turned around. They’ll invent reasons if we don’t give them one. It’s part of mankind’s struggle to understand the universe. You can write a little text message but if it’s something important or cool and it’s not late at night you can do a little speech on the intercom. The important part is to know what you’re going to say before you say it, so you don’t babble like a moron in front of everybody. If I know I’m going to do an intercom speech I usually practice it in the Ready Room a few times when nobody’s looking. You know, filter out the whole ‘thing’ and the ‘stuff’ and ‘like’ and all the other things that sound perfectly fine in normal conversation but sound really dumb over a shipwide sound system.”

– Johann Dvorak, CO

As soon as Dvorak lowered his voice, Stephen knew he should be listening intently, taking mental notes, nodding at each point. It wasn’t until the CO finished, though, that Stous realized that he expected him to deliver the message, at which point the XO’s mind began to race even faster than before.

“I…” his voiced cracked slightly, and he made a point of clearing his throat. “Of course. I appreciate the advice. Do you… I assume I don’t have time to practice just now?”

~ Stephen Stous - XO