{Snip}

“Helm, I will require you to plot a course for the most thorough and effective search of the entire Caradthian Expanse at an optimum Warp factor. We will be the only ship involved in the search and the location of the search object is unknown. In addition, I can’t give you a target visibility range for the search object. Given the dangerous nature of the Expanse, both from hostile threat ships, and from natural phenomena, there is a possibility of getting thoroughly lost inside it, so my best suggestion would be to choose a search pattern that only has ninety degree course alterations, and which could be easily reversed. In my own experience, that means we will be looking at being limited to doing parallel track searches. The starting point may be wherever you think best, I’ll leave that entirely at your own discretion. You have twelve hours, starting now. Any questions?”

The Ensign at helm swivelled his chair around as soon as the Captain addressed him and listened carefully but with an audible gulp at the orders. “Aye sir. I will also try to create a search pattern through the worst of the expanse’s navigational hazards. Starfleet Scientific Operations did send us the coordinates for the Vey’lan Aperture so I will make a search pattern from the outskirts of the Caradthian Expanse toward that.”

The young Betazoid waited for the Captain’s response before turning to begin his task.

“They sent those already, did they?” Glen asked rhetorically. “That sounds good! And I want to depart in twelve hours. As long as you have our starting position and some idea of the first few days, you can produce the rest of the search pattern as we go. Yes, let’s do it!”

Glen then made a ship wide announcement. =/\= This is Captain Glen. The Merrimack has received its updated orders from Admiral Stone and will be departing Deep Space K-5 in precisely twelve hours. Our current assignment is to conduct a comprehensive survey of the Caradthian Expanse. This mission will demand the full attention and expertise of both the Science and Astrophysics departments; however, all crew members are to remain vigilant and prepared for any developments.

Logistics and Operations are to ensure that all systems are fully functional prior to departure, with particular attention given to navigational arrays and sensor calibrations. Medical and Engineering should coordinate to perform final checks on life support and emergency protocols. As we will be operating in largely uncharted territory, a heightened state of readiness is expected from all personnel.

Further mission details will be provided during the pre-departure briefing at 0700 hours. All department heads are required to submit updated status reports by 0600. Let us approach this assignment with professionalism and diligence, upholding the highest standards of Starfleet conduct as we venture into the unknown. Thank you for you attention. Bridge Out. =/\=

Cross submitted the status report and send it to the Captain ,she had long lost count of how many times the CMO did this .

=/\= Cross to Captain....update of status report send =/\=

=/\= Acknowledged, received with thanks! =/\= Glen replied.

M’Mera wandered onto the bridge as well, her loping Caitian walk looking quite relaxed. She carried a padd which she offered to Glen. “I am rrrunning ssecurrity drrills and weaponss checks as we sspeak, Captain. Ssecurrity will be prreparred for anything.” She purred confidently, her tail lazily sweeping back and forth behind her.

“Thank you,” Glen replied, taking the PADD. “Indeed, I’ve heard about your imaginative obstacle courses and laser tag games. I was thinking of suggesting those in my Starfleet Command monthly operations reports as I’ve never heard of anything similar. Would you mind?”

=/\=Mullins here. Engineering is preparing the report as requested. I will have it sent to the captain’s station as soon as its prepared. I am also running a diagnostic on the engines to make sure they are in the best shape possible and running most efficiently. =/\=

=/\= The next mission is unlikely to be very taxing for your department, however, I had some ideas for ship alterations, based upon the problems we had during the last mission when the Gravity went offline. Dr. Cross gave me a few more for Sickbay. Just things such as ladders in the vertical Jefferies Tubes rather than those huge great rungs, so that equipment could be transported more easily. I was going to ask the Admiral if we could have it done at DS-K5 but we don’t have time, so if I send you my list, I wonder if you can work on it yourself instead? =/\=

Stella had finished the checks on her comms as soon as she had gotten back from the station. So, she had saved the data pad and now sent the info to Glen.
=/\= Captain Glenn this is Lieutenant Gagnon , I’ve sent you my report for the comms and everything is optimal. =/\=

=/\= Acknowledged, received with thanks! =/\= Glen replied.

As the Captain was receiving the Departmental readiness reports, the Communications board pinged with the incoming Mission packet from Admiral Stone. https://www.star-fleet.com/core/stf6/merrimack/posts/283290/?page=1.

Captain Glen toyed with the idea of asking Majel, Merrimack’s AI computer, to access the restricted and locked Library database files which were loaned to them by the NX Memorial ship, but which the Merrimack surreptitiously copied and held onto. The NX Memorial had come from the future and so the files hold all kinds of information about space and civilisations that have not yet been discovered. While Captain Glen really wanted more information about the threat from the Shiarain, he had sworn not to alter the Timeline and only to access those records when the Timeline was put in danger. He couldn’t access them every time he felt like he needed a little help as that was likely to result in him himself being the cause of an altered Timeline. To be honest, the weight he felt on his shoulders from carrying the access code to this Library database was growing heavier. Sometimes he wished that someone from the future, some kind of ‘Starfleet Time Cops’ or else some extra-dimensional being, would release him from it. For the moment, Glen resisted the idea to access the database once more. It was also sufficient personally, for him to know that the USS Merrimack itself survives for another hundred years to become a space museum without knowing his own individual future outcome.

M’Mera moved over to her duty station after giving the Captain her departmental report just as the Communications station dinged with an incoming packet. She glanced over at Stella in curiosity.

Lt. M’Mera COS

Once all the DH reports were received, Glen told Stella, “Please have a DS-K5 station announcement made for the crew to return and make ready for our departure. Once the DS-K5 station announcement has been made, please ask to ensure all pre-departure checks are completed promptly so we can proceed according to schedule and avoid unnecessary delays.”

Glen wondered where his Yeoman had got to today. He also wanted to arrange for a DH meeting, and Faith usually did all of that arranging for him. So, Glen also asked Stella, “Could you also schedule and announce a Departmental Chiefs meeting for 1200 hours today, please?”

• Glen, CO

Stella who had just seated herself and gotten her headset on snapped to quickly saying to Glenn.” Aye Captain.” She then took out her toy green alligator with a large toothy smile and hung it over her control station. She then blew a breeze upward toward her forehead trying to move a stray strand of hair. All the time her acrylic fingertips, a nice orange and black. Danced across the buttons in front of her accessing the various frequencies for the many departments on the station. She finally had to use a hand to take care of that darn loose strand of hair. But as she did, she finished her task with one hand accessing the stations command channel.

She announced the volume so that she didn’t need to speak loudly and interrupt any conversations on the bridge. Only snatches could be heard. ” Yes.. ,,Yes Captain Glenn Asap. She stopped then waiting for someone or somebody. Then she nodded her head and said.” That’s correct. Checks as soon as they are here. Boss is in a hurry.” She smiled then and said,” Ok thanks. Merri out.”

Without another word said there was more tapping on keys by Stella. She stopped to consider something for a moment finished what she was doing and then turned toward the captain saying,” All done sir. Messages set on the station, and I’ve left messages for all the DH’s about their meeting at 1200 hours today.”

Stella Gagnon Lt.jg Comms

“Thanks!” said Glen to Stella. “You’re very efficient today as always.”

Glen chuckled softly, appreciating her unwavering dedication, and the comfortable camaraderie between them filled the room with a gentle warmth.

• Glen, CO