Rest & Recreation and Regrets

Posted on Thu Jan 7th, 2021 @ 3:56am by Lieutenant Commander Yivliph Ra-Gruvloveii & Captain Elijah Michaels

1,204 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Into the Unknown
Location: USS Ontario - Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: Current

Twirling at an ivory-coloured mustache absentmindedly, Yiv waited for the turbolift doors to open. Though the Ontario had been fully refitted a few years ago, it seemed that the turbolifts had a habit of opening a half-second after you expected them too. In his early days aboard the vessel, he had almost collided with the turbolift doors several times.

It had put a dent in his romantic designs on that Deltan Engineer, that was for sure.

Stepping out on to the Bridge, the Ontario's Chief Intelligence Officer glanced at the Main Viewer, still feeling a sense of release at seeing the inside of a Starbase. The Ontario had just returned from a Deep Space mission after nine months, something the Efrosian had never really experienced before. It had been a steep learning curve, not helped by the circumstances of his transfer. Still, I'm glad I've had the experience he decided. And on balance, he was.

Professional satisfactions aside, he was looking forward to some brief shoreleave time, and hoped it would be granted. Yiv stepped lightly across the Bridge, and to the door of the Captain's Ready Room, a place he rarely frequented unless he was specifically asked to be there. According to the Main Computer his CO was still in there, so he rang the chime.

"Come in." Elijah said as he looked towards the door. He wasn't expecting any visitors so he sat back to see who was visiting him.

Yiv released a soft sigh as he squared his shoulders and stepped through the door. 'Captain, I hope I'm not disturbing you,' he began in a stiffer and more formal manner than he would normally. The Efrosian stood awkwardly just inside the door. Michaels was the source of his absent fiddling with his mustache. 'I'd just like a moment of your time to request a short shoreleave whilst we're in dock. If it's not too much trouble,' he continued, realising he was babbling slightly.

"Denied." Elijah responded to him. "Lieutenant you and I need to have a serious talk." Elijah daid turning round to the Efrosian.

Damn I should have just transmitted the request, he thought with an inward groan. 'Captain?' Yiv felt the best defence was a good offence, 'have I not performed to requirements?'

“You’ve been doing a good enough job to warrant me keeping you on the Ontario whilst the rest of your peers have been moved on to other assignments.” But then he changed his tone. “But I am aware you didn’t relish being assigned to this what did you call it? ‘Antiquated museum?’ But I’m not bitter or vindictive.”

'I don't think you are, Captain,' replied Yiv sincerely, 'you have treated me fairly, despite the fact I neither asked for, nor wanted a transfer to the Ontario. The mission profile was simply not in my area of expertise, and I feel harshly treated. I've tried to maintain a professional standard as I'm proud of my work. In my personal interactions, however, I may have been ... wanting.'

"Alright I accept that." Elijah said with a nod. "Now is the chance for a completely clean slate because we have a new mission that I think could enhance both our skills." He said offering him the seat opposite.

Yiv looked at the seat. I was really looking forward to a break. He sat down and nodded, bringing up a fresh, empty file on his PADD. 'You're the boss - I'll take the clean slate, and adjust the attitude, sir.'

"Alright." Elijah nodded his head. "It would appear that deposits of an exceedingly rare mineral have surfaced in an uncharted sector and this has sparked quite a lot of buzz from a variety of governments and academics."

'Well that is fascinating,' replied Yiv, interest growing in the new assignment. 'I take it with the buzz around it, the mineral has some commercial and strategic benefits to those who can control its flow?' The Efrosian made a mental note to request more specific intelligence relating to the governments and entities that would be interested in the production of this mineral.

"Indeed though we don't know with what regulation has been placed upon the mineral, we also dont know what the political landscape of the area is," Elijah responded.

'Ah, has Starfleet Intelligence not got any assets inserted as of yet?' His curiosity was growing by the moment. Yiv's ambition was not far behind either. It was rare these days that Starfleet had such scant information on resources, factions and political settlements. This could be the make or break for his career.

"We haven't had a probe in 80 years, a ship in 50 years." Elijah responded. "The only information is passed around by third and fourth parties."

'This is quite the assignment, then. I can't imagine they wouldn't give us the job of following up on this information if they didn't think the Ontario was up to it.' He looked at the Captain, 'this is all the information they've given you, sir?' Given the length of time since Starfleet's last pass through the area, it was highly likely that any information they had gathered would be next to useless. Still, it may be worth perusing any old reports.

“Take a look at the Ferengi commerce records and also the civilian logs they are where the vast majority of our information comes from.” Elijah nodded.

Yiv let out a laugh, 'why am I not surprised the French got there before us?' The Intelligence Officer was feeling much better compared to earlier. 'I'll get to this right away - any word on when we're leaving for the assignment?'

“As soon as we receive the last of our supplies and staff.” Elijah commented. “There’ll be a senior staff briefing to follow.”

The Efrosian eyed the chrono. About four hours of the shift left. 'Very well - if you don't mind then, Captain, I'll get to work trawling through any older reports I can come across, see what I can't dig up.' He paused, then decided to plunge in. 'May I take the liberty of changing my shoreleave request to a six-hour pass? I'd like to take a look at the station - particularly if it's the last stop before we head off into the unknown.'

"Granted." Elijah responded. "I'm told they have a vintage book shop that you might find.....Enlightening?"

'A book shop?' echoed Yiv, intrigued, 'one of those godsforsaken paper bookshops the rest of you like, or one with proper audiobooks?' He was teasing now. 'Nevermind, if you think it may be enlightening, I'll be sure to go have a look.' The Efrosian made to get up from his seat, 'if there's nothing more Captain, I really would like to get to grips with this information.'

"Dismissed Lieutenant." Elijah nodded politely."

Getting to his feet, Yiv gave the Captain a nod, and retreated from the Ready Room, feeling lighter than he had in a long while.

Captain Elijah Michaels
Commanding Officer
USS Ontario

Lieutenant Yivliph Ra-Gruvloveii
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Ontario

 

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