Finding the Groove

Posted on Saturday, 23 October 2021 - 7:46pm by Captain Pippa Whitley & Lieutenant JG Hayashi Hamura

Mission: Operation: Mirror of Madness

ON:

Hamura, an extra spring in their step, hurried over to the turbo lift. The music was horrendous but Hamura found themselves tapping their foot to the beat. it didn't take long to get tot the bridge and float across it to the ready room. Hamura's hand pressed the call button and they waited to be let in. Curiosity about the new CO was...a little more then pouring out of every corner of their being.

Pippa had managed to get the hang of the security measures and modern technology quicker than her predecessor, triggering the doorway to part, unveiling a view of the bridge and the individual Pippa was hoping to meet sooner or later. "Ensign, come in. I was just preparing to go find you."

"And here I am...spooky." Haya said as she entered. "I should salute here right?"

"Only if we want to waste time or make this excruciatingly formal," replied Pippa. "I am not one for having my crew walking on eggshells with a stick up their rears. If an Admiral comes aboard, we will play the game. I like the finer things In life, but time is not something a Captain nor Chief Engineer tend to have in abundance."

"Good! I like you already … although sticks up rears is a preference." They grinned as they sat down. "Welcome to the Bear, I have no filter when I speak."

Pippa nodded. "Yes, I believe that was covered in one of your recent evaluations though with a bit more professionalism in the description," the Commanding Officer noted. "That will be just fine, ensign. I have some concerns with this converting of one of the cargobays into a care facility for children aboard. I am not opposed to having one, but the location is not ideal. I don't want to lose the cargo space, and that section of the ship is prone to attack in nearly every simulation I ran. I want it in an area that is safer and closer to life rafts and escape pods."

Hamura thought a moment. "Yeah I'm not a fan of that one myself. Honestly, this ship isn't built for kids." They sat back a moment and thought. "Can I borrow your holo projector...the desk one?"

"By all means," Pippa replied gesturing to the desk. "It certainly was not designed for nor constructed for kids to be aboard nor families in general for that matter, but with reason. They wanted something fast, maneuverable, and able to land a blow to piracy within Federation borders and along shipping lanes. The Merian class is nearly the embodiment of perfection in that regard, a godsent for merchants who have been losing out to the increased presence of pirates and marauders."

"Yeah I'm not big on the kids on ship thing either but I've learned, over my life, that adaptation is key." Hamura brought up the deck breakdown of the ship a 3D model. "Okay, so I have a couple of ideas. Might be a bit safer." She looked up at the new CO, "Might also be easier to convert, there is just one issue."

Pippa cocked her head. "What is the issue?" the Captain asked not immediately seeing one though Pippa was not as well-rested as she preferred to be. "I don't mind children aboard if I feel that they can be kept safe. I don't feel that was present. "

"Well we need a school teacher, caregiver. As for the place I have some creative ideas. Currently, if you look here the Library is on deck two. As you know this deck has security, escape pods, and transporters and is shielded better than any other. We could move the Library to another deck and convert the space into a school slash daycare center. Also, Deck three is way.... more protected than any other on the account of being Diplomatic storage. We can convert the diplomatic centre … do we really need diplomats and can't they slum for a day or two? Finally, we have deck five...which is not the best given the state now but we can combine the officer's mess with the enlisted mess and then have the enlisted and officers eat together. There is more than enough room or move the officers to deck five for the mess facilities and use the officer's mess on deck 3 as the kiddy care centre."

Pipp shook her head "I have no issue moving the library. It does not serve many purposes aboard to be honest, just in lieu of having a grand recreational area. A few consoles and workstations do not really scream library to me. I'm not married to its location," explained Pippa. "A teacher aboard would be suitable for a ship of exploration or science, even a starship with diplomatic missions at its forefront, but the Standing Bear and Merian class starships were not made for that, we are not likely to get a civilian assigned here. Though an educator in Starfleet with additional duties aboard is a possibility. I think we could swing that request."

The half-Efrosian gestured to the 'diplomatic centre' which was more accurately described the way Pippa put it. "The VIP storage closets are frivolous. We only have that space designated for diplomats in the event we are ferrying aboard, but no diplomat in their right mind is going to be taking a Merian class starship. They will wait for an old Galaxy class starship or an Obena class" stated Pippa. "We only would be taking a diplomat under an emergency situation, and frankly put, we do not have the room to participate in evacuating even a small colony. I would rather keep the children safe and provide ample education and care than pander to the needs of diplomats."

"Then I can begin with the conversion." Hamura smiled. "VIP storage closets? I knew I'd like you as the new CO."

"Hardly anything aboard this ship is larger than a walk in closet. I've seen Klingon vessels with more luxury to them," teased Pippa. "No complaints from me. I spent several months aboard a Defiant class once. Compared to that? This is a fortress."

Hamura laughed. "I love the Defiant class. Or it could be that I love my Defiant self." Grinning Hamura shook their head. "Sorry, I am the Queen/King of bad jokes."

"Your jokes are welcome. If anyone has bad jokes, it is the person who thought putting diplomatic space aboard a modern day 'patrol boat' made any sense."

Hamura snorted. "That's true." Hamura deactivated the desk holo and sat back. "Captain...may I speak freely?"

Pippa nodded "Yes, of course. I will probably have to let everyone aware of my preferences, but I like am open dialogue with my Senior Staff. If we are going to be working together, I want blunt honesty behind closed doors unless admiralty is present."

"Fair deal. So, about Soral. I think I know him better then most. This...this isn't him. This is not the real Soral, something is very wrong. I mean Soral has always written about Vulcan leaving the Federation BUT not because of Earth or their inability to protect Vulcan but because Vulcan has lost the ways of Surak. In some ways there is a reverting to pre Surak times. He's also always advocating reunification but that's because he agreed with the reasons of Admiral Spock and others like him. This...display something is off."

"I do not know Soral, but I have read several mission reports. I have combed through as much information as I could in the past 72 hours or so. I've spoken with Vali and others...the general consensus is that Soral has not acted like himself."

"No and I can verify that one hundred percent. Soral and I share....a Katra, he used part of his to save mine and we're bound that way I can sense his moods. It's hard to explain the ceremony to someone not Vulcan and hell I don't even understand how it works but...this Soral is dark. I have never felt such darkness from him. It's him but it's not... and Stillwater going there...well I have a feeling that won't help matters."

"It was convenient that Captain Stillwater left abruptly and was not here for my arrival. I see you have deduced his intended destination." Pippa smirked.

"Kind of figured he's as hot headed as anyone. He's the kind of man who'd see Soral's actions as an affront to him and their friendship. I maybe a quiet one but I can people read … and the Betazoid blood helps."

Pippa nodded. "Captain Stillwater seems like a very structured man. I cannot say I have ever met him personally. I was looking forward to it, but he had other plans...clearly. I suspect his blood runs hot over Soral right now. Otherwise, my observation of Stillwater is that of a strategic minded man with a clear ethical compass."

Hamura snorted, "Does anyone really have those anymore." They sighed. "Well, we've talked about it all shall we address the other Elephant in the room?"

"Go ahead, feed the elephant." Pippa crossed her arms. "What is it?"

"An Ensign in charge of Engineering. I know it's weird but it doesn't reflect my knowledge and skills."

"No, it does not. Even on a starship this...quaint. Don't worry about it. As soon as I noticed it, I made the decision to inform Starfleet Command of my plans."

Pippa chuckled. "Go on. Left side, top drawer. There's a small box with your name on it...not literally, but it is yours."

Hamura raised an eyebrow. Slowly, they got up and opened the drawer. Settling back in the chair Hamura placed the box on the desk. "Please tell me that's chocolate."

"Chocolate, no" Pippa replied. "Though if you have an appetite for small circular metallic things, then there's one waiting for you, lieutenant." She looked at Hamura. "Before you try to refuse promotion for a what will it be your fourth time? Consider it. Another rank on your collar will help keep you here."

Hamura sighed. "That sounds familiar." They grinned. "I remember a similar conversation when I got the ensign rank was totally content with the senior cadet ranking..." Hamura pulled a face. "Alright...I can roll with it...but keep me with this added Pip for a while huh?"

"I have no intentions on promoting you further than this," Pippa replied. "At least not for a good long while. We just simply can't Harry Kim you for very long. An Ensign running Engineering will complicate matters. This makes a bit more sense to me."

"Ouch, an optics not a deserving promotion." But there was no sting there. Hamura was smiling. "I guess I better tell the girlfriend...sort of girlfriend...it's complicated."

Pippa made a hushing noise. "Shh...between you and I? Roughly 90% of promotions are optics. 5% are to get people behind a desk. The rest is because someone 'deserved' it" she winked. "Most relationships tend to be."

True enough." Hamura decided that they liked this captain, a lot! “Well I should go. Captain, welcome to the love boat.” Hamura laughed and held up a finger, “Doc and Scarlet, Alex and Soral, Mac and Haru, myself and your yeoman, Vali and Raith,” Hamura winked. “If your XO ever does make it back without a court martial, my advice be weary. He fancies himself a matchmaker. If you suddenly notice yourself stuck in a turbo lift with someone or repeatedly running into them…chances are he’s match making.”

That is not happening thought Pippa. "Thank you for the advice. Dismissed, Lieutenant." Pippa watched as the Chief Engineer headed out. As the ship's new Commanding Officer, Pippa would need to find her groove.