Change of Mission
Posted on Sat Nov 16th, 2024 @ 8:51pm by Captain Mira Rodale & Commander Kevin Lance
Edited on on Sat Nov 16th, 2024 @ 9:17pm
Mission:
Red Matters
Location: USS Chuck Norris
Timeline: One Week After The Start of a New Trip
on:
[Bridge, Deck 1]
Mira returned to the bridge to find Kolar sitting in the pilot’s seat of the Flight Control console. Kevin was standing behind their son but she was mildly shocked that the boy was playing his hands blithely across the colorful controls. “Your letting Kolar fly the ship?” she asked quietly.
Kevin slipped an arm around her waist. “Not really,” “I transferred flight control to the Captain’s Conn and loaded a training simulation I modified for him. He was bored and I thought that this would be entertaining.”
Mira was relieved. The trip had been uneventful in the week since leaving Starbase 364 and Kolar was clearing running out of things on the small ship despite Zimia’s best efforts. Kolar’s attention was intently focused on the flashing color of lights as his hands hit the controls in response.
“The engines are getting too red,” Kevin pointed out to Kolar, “You need to do something about that.”
Kolar’s hand moved to rapidly tap the console and the red lights on the display changed from red to amber to green. “Did I do good dada?”
“Yes you did Cub,” Kevin praised, “but you don’t have to hit the controls so hard. Playing with the ship is like playing with Ashla. You have to be nice to her.”
Kolar preened under his father’s praise.
“How is Ashla?” Kevin asked.
“Fed and asleep,” Mira replied, “It will give me some time to get through the reports that had been plying up.”
“Not too much of that,” Kevin pointed out, “Walker is still chasing down power fluctuations. Seems that as soon as he repairs one, another pops up. Truth be told, I think that he is rather distracted.”
Mira smiled knowingly, “Best to not pursue that line of inquiry.”
“I have been thinking that the ship isn’t the best environment to raise the children,” Kevin’s expression turned serious, “I agree that being with us is the safest place but they need something more stable. It might be time to consider transferring to a planet-side or base assignment.”
Before Mira could respond, Ensign Chin interrupted. “Captain, you are receiving an eyes-only communication from Star Fleet Command.”
“I’ll take it in my Ready Room,” she informed the communication officer, “I wonder what they want?”
“Could be anything,” Kevin shrugged.
Between the unexpected communication and Kevin’s sudden statement, Mira’s mind was a mixture of confusion as she entered her Ready Room and sat at the desk. She worked her way through the authentication procedures and was rewarded with connection to a face that she couldn’t fail to recognize.
Her mouth opened in surprise. She was in a mix of shock and disbelief.
"Ambassador, what can I do for you?"
Later, Mira returned to the bridge, her brow knitted in concentration. Kevin was still standing behind Kolar, his hands clasped behind his back as he said, “That is very good, Mister Lance.”
“Kolar,” Mira forced a happy tone into her voice to cover her true feelings, “why don’t you go and play with Venus. Mama needs to talk to dada.”
“Okay,” Kolar replied brightly as he jumped down from the pilot’s chair. Kevin looked at Mira with a confused look on his face.
Mira activated her comm badge. “Diana, would you look after Kolar for a little while?” she asked. The Tactical Officer’s wife replied that she would.
Once Kolar had departed, Mira turn to Kevin. “We need to change course,” she said quietly.
Now it was Kevin’s turn to look surprised. “Change course? Where to?”
“I don’t have a destination,” she replied, “Only a heading.”
Kevin closed the simulation on the Flight Console and reactivated control of the helm systems. He sat at the console and plotted the new course. It was taking them in the direction of the Romulan Star Empire but to the periphery, not to any of the core worlds. “Course plotted, Captain,” he announced.
Mira stood close to Kevin as she whispered, “I need you to keep the course secret. Ensure that only those with a need to know have access to the information.”
That was surprising. “What did Star Fleet tell you?” he asked.
Mira hesitated. “I can’t share that information yet.”
That was concerning but within her purview as Captain. “I understand,” Kevin said.
“Engage at maximum warp.”
“Aye, Captain.”
:off
Captain Mira Rodale
CO USS Chuck Norris
and
Commander Kevin Lance
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris
