The Ship A Full of Motion

Posted on 28 Mar 2025 @ 12:28pm by Lieutenant Colonel Alexandria Somers & Master Chief Petty Officer Lucy Armitage & Lieutenant Commander Remington Dodd & Lieutenant Vivian Corsair & Lieutenant JG Thex sh'Zoarhi & Lieutenant JG Shoniara T’ghann Dex & 1st Lieutenant Gavin Ross Dr. & Lieutenant JG Margeurite "Maggie" LeFebvre & Ensign Alexi Michelle Brevet & Ensign Angelica Wright

4,857 words; about a 24 minute read

Mission: S04 Episode 01 Captive State Part 2 (Incidentals)
Location: The Themistocles
Timeline: current time

[ON]

The Bridge was full of movement as the crew got into motion to get to work.

The medical department was to have one member of the lead staff constantly monitoring the away team. The engineering department was to be on full alert for a quick departure and also to monitor the system to beam up technology from the surface or to remotely disable and inert any technology not able to be beamed up. The intelligence department was to monitor all transmissions between not only our crew but any other signals that they could detect. The security and tactical staff were to be ready for any action that may arise as the Orion Syndicate could arrive at any time we needed to be fully prepared.

Dodd was doing his best, but with the recent break up with and departure of Ensign Cole and the departure of Captain Falk, Dodd had to shuffle and adjust his mission and have it modified once more as news of the Orion Syndicate staking an unquestionable claim to this sector, particularly Arth's solar system. He hoped for the best of what this mission was now. Getting Lieutenant Lee back on the ship and then booking it home. Lt. Lee and her team would likely be kept in sickbay for a day or two to help them get readjusted after being on Arth for many months.

Once again MCPO Lucy Armitage was asked to cover the Tactical station on the bridge, she was beginning to find that she liked it, but still felt a little self-conscious as most on the bridge were Officers. She tapped a few things into her station "Tactical all green Captain, offensive and defensive systems all green" she announced.

"Roger, Armitage. Thank you for being on that station." Dodd replied as he knew she was still adjusting to that aspect of bridge duties.

From her Station, Armitage asked, "So Captain, do we know anything more than having to rescue one of ours on the planet and then returning to Starbase 51 due to the Syndicate arriving in a few days?" "On most ships, the Captain's Yeoman has basic duties due to their position. On the Tomcat, I know more than I should, as the Captain entrusts me with most confidential stuff, as she knows I will not repeat it, in case you are wondering how I know," Armitage added.

"We have been advised that the head of Starfleet Intelligence got word that the Orion Syndicate had staked claim to a relatively unknown system. The coordinates have it as this very system. The other information obtained was that there were at least two planets that could support life and one was inhabited and was on the verge of developing space flight. That all coincides with Arth. The last report I got that changed our mission to merely an extraction of Lt. Lee's team stated that a large armada of Syndicate ships was en route to the system. We will leave our location as soon as the away team is back on the ship at warp 6 and if necessary, we may have to defend ourselves until we get our people back." Dodd replied as he realized the crew needed to know what was to be expected of them.

Wide-eyed "Wow my possible first Pew Pew battle, is it wrong that I am excited?" Armitage said with a smile.

"No it is not wrong, you always have an emotional response to stimulus and it is natural to have that sort of feeling to this possibility," Dodd replied.

*Smiles sheepishly* "Well, I think it is strange," Lucy said, returning to her task at Tactical.

- Engineering -

Down in engineering, Thex was observing the main console. Everything was looking great across the board. She'd really worked her magic with the older ship.

Hewitt tapped in a few key command updates that the system needed a frequent shunt pattern called "five blocking," which anyone in Engineering knew. This allowed the core to emit an easier regression effluent on the mains.

Hewitt had turned from his console and reported to Thex.

- Themistocles Sickbay -

Gavin Ross was in his sick bay, overtaking the orders and situational analysis of the state-of-the-art potential of viruses, etc. This was an extraction mission, and he was informed to be ready anytime.

Testing equipment, Gavin checked in punching in LCAR algorithms to various departmental and medical parameters mission-wise.

“Level 04 Analysis complete.” The computer reported on the status of the sickbay bacterium, if possible. It was part of a new study Ross was about to create.

“Report R-Nucleotide Analysis Quad 87.8889.” He replied as Ross sat back in his medical department office and checked his main computer.

“Time 2304 Hours. Negative. No correlates indicative N Factor = -34% +/- 2-3 %.” Ross rolled the numbers, or lack of numbers, around. He cocked his head raised his brow, and then took a drink from his mug of coffee, kicking his feet up on the office desk.

Shon was taking the day-to-day strain of sickbay. Sprained ankles, torn hamstrings, infections and a case of Vulcan measles. She kept looking towards the office, however, in the hope that she might be needed.

Gavin communicated from the med labs. =/\= Gav to Doc Shonaria. "I need your help if you're available, " Gavin said, sounding defeated. "We've had a failure of bio stasis units 1-3. I... I don't understand it. We've got to re-set the system and check for failures immediately or we won't have Class Delta IV drugs." He communicated with his coworker, an amazing Doctor herself.

Shon had just finished surgery when she received the communication. "That's strange, they were all passed as complete and working four hours ago. I will go right now. I will report back to you as soon as I have any information. Dex out. =/\=

She grabbed some articles, a paDD, and a diagnostic tablet that she had invented for bio stasis, that might help her in diagnosis and, feeling troubled she entered the area that contained the bio stasis units.

A technician turned to look at her. "Thank goodness Doctor, I have no idea what has gone wrong. I have attempted every diagnostic I know and...."

"It's okay," Dex said calmly. "when did you last have a break?"

"I..I cannot remember I think about eight hours ago."

Dex smiled "Then I order you to get out of here for at least an hour. I will sort this out."

The technician looked as though she might argue, but seeing the look on the doctor's face, she nodded thankfully and left. Shon, preferring to work alone on this kind of problem, began her diagnostic list. After a short while, she began to think there was, in fact, nothing wrong with the system, but every time she reset it, there was a cascade failure.

"Surak V'ol'tanar!" she swore as she eventually got down and crawled underneath bio stasis unit one. "Automate nucleic acid QC and run SDS Invitrogen protein analysis," she asked her paDD.

In a few seconds, the reply came back. Analysis completes the molecular chaperones that cause the diapause dormancy are out by 1.2 microns, droned her paDD.

She pushed her hair out of her eyes as it had come down sliding under the unit."Cryptobiosis!" she exclaimed as she had an idea. "Computer regenerate the cryptobiosis deuterostomes on bio stasis pods one through three."

There was another pause. 'Regeneration completed diapause dormancy now sealed and complete.' intoned her paDD. She breathed a sigh of relief and tapped her combadge. =/\= Dex to Ross, stasis units now working it was a problem with the cryptobiosis deuterostomes designed to contain the molecular chaperones for each unit. they should all work now =/\=

Gavin's heart raced as he processed what Dex had just communicated. The implications of her success were cerebrally satisfying, and for a moment, he struggled to find the words.

=/\= I mean, that’s incredible work, Dex! I can hardly believe you solved the issue so quickly, =/\= he finally stammered, his voice tinged with awe. =/\= This could be revolutionary for our studies on suspended animation and gene preservation.

=/\= He could hear the enthusiasm in his voice, a stark contrast to the usual practicality of his usual research discussions. Moments like this reminded him of why he had devoted his life to the sciences—a spark of discovery igniting the way forward.

=/\= Let’s meet at the lab in fifteen minutes. I can't wait to see the retrofitted stasis pods with my eyes! =/\=

Shon made a couple of last-minute adjustments, this was what she loved feeling as if she were always on the verge of something big. She remembered her Academy micromolecular biology teacher Pewler Brown and the day he told her he could no longer teach her anything. 'You have an aptitude, no it's greater than that Dex, you have the ability to explore, and find a way to complete the impossible.' She smiled, her mind reaching out for the next impossibility, "see it and do it," she said out loud to the bemused technician who had returned. "Keep an eye on the temperature of the micrometre and everything will be fine."

She stood, adjusted her hair and uniform and left to find Gavin.

“Shon!” Gavin's voice echoed from the adjacent lab, tinged with excitement.

“Hey, everyone! This is Shon, our resident genius!” Gavin beamed, interrupting passing officers in the hallway. “She’s on the verge of some groundbreaking discoveries. She could procure applications for new medical technology and biomechanics!” He stated matter-factly to the passersby, turning and grinning at Shon.

Gavin smiled, the glint of excitement in his eyes unmistakable. “I’ve been experimenting with enzyme pathways for years. What you did was genius!”

Shon was embarrassed at Gavin's hyperbole but was still pleased to receive the encouragement. "It's just something I have been interested in for as ever as can can remember. I just seem to see problems and am able to solve them. Hey everyone is good at something." she smiled already thinking about something new.

“I am thankful that you worked out a new incubation and processing capacity for new biotechnology-advanced drugs that we would otherwise be out in the mission.” Ross truly felt relieved. This was one thing that he no longer had to worry about.

He chuckled to himself. “I heard you had a knack for solving problems, Shon.”

Shon laughed, “Sometimes it involves an old Earth saying, ‘on a wing and a prayer’ but I have always loved viral and biotechnology medicine but ‘Do not harm’ is my constant partner. As your ACMO I intend to take as much of the daily strain from you. If you can have faith in me I will be an able partner.

Ross felt surprised. Of course, he had faith in her. She had proven herself studious and project-oriented already; this was a good thing. Ross shuddered thinking of his fellow medical school friend Doctor Travis serving as a Doctor on the USS Artemis, full of morons and imbecilic, according to.

Gavin had lucked out. He was thankful, relieved, intrigued…

“Viral, you say.” Gavin piqued interest once more. “I find viral pathology and emerging trends fascinating. I would love to hear your thoughts.” Ross gestured. “Let's go to ten forward and have something to eat. I could use a break. We will consider it a working lunch.” Gavin crossed his forearms in a serious, mocking manner and winked.

Shon was not one to give up time to discuss her love. They found a table sat and she ordered a tea and continued “So you see Gavin the simple Stages of Pathogenesis to cause disease, the fact that a pathogen must successfully achieve all the stages of pathogenesis: exposure contact, adhesion colonization, invasion, and infection. Exposure and contact we can do nothing about but the others provide infinite opportunity to break the cycle of pathogenesis.” She sipped her tea……”and, am I the single most boring woman in the galaxy?” She laughed self deprecatingly. “Tell me about yourself?” She asked.

Ross smiled, leaning back in his chair as he sipped his coffee, the rich aroma mingling with the comforting scent of Shon's tea. Her passion for medicine had matched his interests. It was great.

“Boring? Not!” he replied, Gavin’s voice warm and inviting. “I find your discussion on pathogenesis quite fascinating.” He set the coffee cup down. “It’s refreshing to be around someone who knows their subject so well and is willing to share it. In a way, it reminds me of my work in infectious diseases. Each patient’s story is like a unique pathogenesis, detailing exposure, invasion, and sometimes a surprising recovery. It’s a puzzle I never tire of."

He paused, a playful glint in his eye. “Shon. I suppose I’m a bit addicted to the brain, its physics, and manifestations of time-spatial neuronal consciousness. It's an ongoing area of study that doesn’t get as serious as other studies.”

Gavin leaned forward slightly, his tone shifting to one of genuine curiosity. “But enough about me. What about you excites you the most in your research?” Gavin took a drink from his mug and enjoyed the chat. “I’d love to hear more about the challenges you face. That, I promise, would never be boring.”

- Hangars -

Maggie made the rounds around her shuttle to ensure that it was in flying condition. It was ready, at least visually. She climbed in and checked the cockpit. All systems were go. She pushed her sunglasses back up on her head and popped her gum before she hit her comms badge, and jumped out of the bird.

=/\=Hangar is ready. =/\=

=/\= Great, thanks for the status update. =/\= Dodd replied.

=/\= Dr Ross in Sickbay Reporting Commander. We are A-OK down here, Sir. =/\= Ross spoke, reporting on their situational readiness. Gavin checked through his advanced medicines in the trays in the sick bay computer incubators.

=/\= Thank you for the update, Doctor. Appreciate you and your team being on the ready at all times, keep up the great work. Dodd out. =/\= Dodd replied and was looking for more updates to keep coming in.

"Navigator, please keep this ship in a steady orbit and just out of range of any possible sensors the planet may have. But please have a plotted course set for when we have to get out of here. I want to be able to jump to Warp 6 at a moment's notice." Dodd requested. Then he took a look around the bridge and was happy to see all the crew so attentive to their duties. He was nervous that this mission would be going sour but he had to keep the faith it would be successful.

- Engineering -

"Lieutenant." Hewitt had turned to the Chief. "Thex. I am having an issue with the redundant warp core throttles." He alerted Thex.

"I would imagine it's not anything huge," Hewitt ascertained as he looked at the screen data before him, the engineering cores flashing a blue hugh across the readout. "What do you think?"

" Hum." Thex was puzzled as she brought up the data on her own screen. " The last thing we need is the power going out right now. Check the backups and see if we can switch to them while we replace the throttles. "

After passing the engineering bridge station, Dodd got up to walk around the bridge. He noticed an indicator that indicated something was wrong with the warp core redundancy system.

Tapping his combadge. =/\= Dodd to Engineering. All right down there? I noticed a sensor reading in the redundancy system for the warp core. The engineer in me had to reach out. =/\=

=/\= We have a problem with the redundant warp core throttle Commander. We're swapping over to the secondary backup till we get it fixed. =/\= Thex replied already hard at work.

=/\= Thank you and great work, I know this ship is not our Tomcat but you are making it happen and I appreciate that, Lieutenant. Keep up the great work with your staff. =/\= Dodd replied.

Dodd was still not used to being in the command seat, so he kept walking around the bridge. He realized this made the rest of the crew a little nervous, but he was trying not to stand over anyone's shoulders and kept to the center of the bridge.

"So can anyone verify that we are still undetected? I have a feeling we are not alone here and I seldom get this feeling." Dodd was now at the secondary tactical station reviewing scans of the system. There was something just not right and he was sensing thoughts or emotions that just did not seem to come from the ship. They were in the depth of his mind, but they were not normal to what he felt from the crew. "I think there is a ship in a counter orbit on the far side of Arth mimicking our readings to hide. Can you detect anything on your readings, Armitage?"

Hands scrambling over the console surface "Captain I am detecting a Syndicate ship arriving, earlier than expected, its trajectory is taking it past the Away Teams landing zone, so it is a good chance Captain Somers has seen it" Lucy announced "Putting it up on viewscreen" She added

"Wow, keep us out of any detection range if possible. Maybe the away team will be undetected. Set up to rotate the shield frequencies to help camouflage us from any of their scans or at least it will confuse them long enough to let us complete this mission." Dodd commanded of the bridge crew. "Armitage, keep a watchful eye on the Syndicate ship and please make that your top priority."

=/\= Now hear this, I am placing the ship on full tactical alert and setting the system to Red Alert status. The Orion Syndicate is here and thus we are likely going to see some action. I want all crew at their duty stations and when not on duty, you are to be in your quarters but prepared for anything, Dodd out. =/\= Dodd sent this to the whole ship. He had to resist contacting the away team to keep the signal from being detected. He had to be sure to keep the ship safe and get the full crew out of this situation once the away team was complete with their task.

=/\= Master Chief Petty Officer Michelle, please report to the ready room, I need to talk with you. =/\=

Dodd then headed to the ready room.

Lucy looked up puzzled then shrugged and returned to her duties it was not her place to comment.

Alexi was down in her little alcove for investigations. Having finished patrol rounds, she had just arrived and was ready to look at whatever information was to be had about Arth and the mission at hand. She didn't even have time to sit when the message from Dodd came in. She acknowledged the com as she turned on her heel and quickly made her way to the Ready room before ringing the chime.

The door chimed, "Come in" Dodd stated and turned to face the door. That is when Michelle entered.

"I'm Glad to see you. I have something to talk to you about," Dodd said as he greeted Michelle.

"Of Course, Sir," Alexi replied as she stood before him, "What is it that needs to be accomplished?"

"It is my understanding that a while back we got an encrypted data dump from a terran empire base. I wanted to assign you the task of cracking that encryption and providing me that data. I know it seems like it may not be related to this mission, but something tells me that it will be useful data for helping us with the Orion Syndicate. Would you be up for this task?" Dodd asked of the Master Chief.

Alexi didn't take long to internally debate the request. She was good at getting information from several sources. Many of which had encryptions she'd had to crack. "Of Course, Sir. I'll get right on it. If you feel there may be a connection, I'll find it!"

"Great, I knew I could count on you. Make this your top priority but be aware that I may need to pull you off of this task if we get attacked. The Orion Syndicate is going to find us sooner or later." Dodd replied. "I would like an update in an hour if that is possible. You can set up a shop where you can work the best. Dismissed."

Alexi nodded, "Understood, If they attack I will immediately report to my assigned battle station. Report in one hour." She turned and exited the room, deciding the best place to work on this might actually be in the privacy of her quarters where there was less chance of distractions, other than her roommates, who seemed to know when she was working on something important and left her alone for the most part. Sometimes only interrupting her to make sure she got something to eat.

Sometime Later...

- Bridge -

While her shuttle was being repaired Alex decided to visit the bridge, so leaving the main shuttlebay she stepped into the lift when the doors closed "Bridge" she said and the lift whisked her up to her destination. As the doors opened onto the bridge she remained in the lift and looked over at Dodd.

"Permission to enter the bridge Captain?" She asked standing at parade rest.

"At ease and permission granted," Dodd responded. "Glad you are here. What brings you to the bridge?"

Alex enters the bridge. "I just arrived with Master Chief Warrant Officer Glen Stone, the Tomcats' new Chief of the Boat. An expert shuttle pilot was needed, and as strange as it is for a senior officer to transport a Noncom, I am the best shuttle pilot in the sector," Alex says with a smile.

"Well, you are a perfect addition to our situation. Glad you arrived when you did. The Orion Syndicate has made it here and for now, we believe we have not been detected and I hope we can keep it that way." Dodd replied. "The ship is going to remain at Red Alert until we leave this sector and have all the away team back the ship."

"Commanding a ship is not as easy as you had hoped is it?" The Colonel asked.

"I did not expect this sort of complication as acting captain. Captain Somers slid into the Acting XO when Captain Falk departed. But while Captain Somers is off the ship with the away team, I would value you as my secondary acting XO, I know I can count on you." Dodd replied.

She raised her hands "Sorry Captain, I have to take the Delta shuttle back to Starbase 51, my forward duty like this is complete, well at least for now, I just come up to see how things are doing and trust me they are well, I found it easier to command a Regiment than a ship, so I know how you feel Captain, at least you do not have enemy ships shooting at you on your first command, unlike me. But anyway it is nice to see you again Mr Dodd, we shall meet again" Alex said as her PADD bleeped she pulled it up "Ah my shuttle is fully charged and torpedoes replenished, I must be going" the Colonel said.

"You are just like your cousin, full of sassy and yet, I look forward to your return with bated breath. I knew you were just here for a respite. Have a swift and safe journey back." Dodd replied with a quick grimace.

*Smiling* "Thank you Mr Dodd, tell Jasmine I said hi," Alex said and left the bridge and headed back to the shuttle bay.

- MCPO Michelle's Quarters -

Alexi sat at the terminal in her quarters, her fingers furiously typing at the controls as she attempted to get past yet another layer of encryption. She found it oddly amusing that a Terran station felt a need to encrypt everything, although some of the data she had already recovered was more in line with regular maintenance like the waste recovery systems analysis. Although she did find some data useful, for instance, she could tell when ships had docked by the increased usage. She'd kept a log of those items on a separate PADD. While she thought at some point it would be usable information, until she could identify the vessels as well, she felt it was merely coincidental information. She tilted her head back and forth a little to crack her neck and ease the tension from her shoulders.

There was a chime at Michelle's door. Outside stood Ensign Wright.

Alexi looked up at the sound of the door chime. A quick movement turned off the terminal screen, shielding it from prying eyes. She stood and moved to the door and opened it to see an enlisted rank on the other side, "Can I help you?"

"Hello, Commander Dodd asked me to check in on you as he knows this could be a stressful task," Angelica stated. "I brought you a bottle of calm. That is what I drink when working on a task that takes a lot of mental energy. It is a blend of herbal teas from Risa that helps the mind remain calm and focused. I figured it would maybe help you in the encryption process." Angelica then offered the beverage to Alexi.

"Thanks," replied Alexi as she took the offered drink. "Perhaps I will find it useful, but I do not feel it is warranted just yet. " She stepped back into her quarters. "If they are looking for an update, the answer is not yet"

"He just wanted me to check in, as he sensed tension and other emotions. So he asked me if I would stop by since I was going to pass your quarters. I will leave you to your work. I did not mean to interfere, " Angelica said as she stepped back and started to turn to go about her way.

Alexi raised her eyebrows. "I didn't realize I was projecting my feelings so strongly that Dodd felt the need to intervene." She gave Angelica a smile. "I could use a bit of a break. If you have a few minutes, we can share the tea."

"It was not necessary for him to feel the need to intervene; he merely wanted you to know you are not alone. He knows you are likely going to find this task overly trying on your abilities and just wanted me to check on you. But we can certainly share this tea." Angelica replied as she shared a kind smile.

Alexi let out a deep breath.. "They are indeed trying and frustrating. Please come in and sit. I think pulling my mind away from this for even a little bit of time will allow me to come back to it with a fresh eye, so to speak." She stood to the side and waved Angelica into the room. "Please sit, and let's talk about something else for a bit."

Angelica stepped in, "Well, I see you have a simple taste in decor." Trying to make a joke as they were only on this ship for a temporary time. "I will be happy to be back on the Tomcat. How about you?

With a small nod of agreement Alexi smiled, "It will definitely be nice to be back on the ship, even if the quarters are a bit cramped." She sat back wondering what the future held for all of them.

Fade to Black...

[OFF]




























 

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