Part II Roller-coaster Shuttle Ride

Posted on Thu May 29th, 2025 @ 6:16am by Commander Grace Vetur & Lieutenant Xavier & Lieutenant Endymion Tox

1,709 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Preservation Instinct
Location: Various

[PREVIOUSLY ON Walking the Ravens...]

The co-pilot stepped forward. "Why don't you ask him how he knows? Those rosters are restricted."

Xavier sighed. "Really?"

The copilot smiled. "Mr. Pretty eyes there knows a lot more then how to fly a ship." He gave the Commander a wink.

Xavier bristled. "Shall we go in Ma'am?"

"No. Keep your distance. Why won't he talk with me directly? Why ask for us to land in the only shuttle bay not damaged?" She shook her head. "I need more assurances than that. Scan the ship. How old is that damage?"


[AND NOW THE CONTINUATION....]

It took him moments. "Their coms is out they only have voice we can hail them. Damage is showing at least three days which is when they send a message asking for a shuttle."

"Hail them," Grace said. "We aren't that far from the station. My question is, why are they still here if they sent out a distress call?"

"They are reporting all engines down. Channel is open Commander."

"This is Commander Vetur of the USS Ontario. How can we be of assistance?"

"Commander! Welcome to ... a mess. My apologies. We have crew that needs off the ship and a ship that was damaged during training exercises. An ensign who...pressed the wrong button, bloody idiot." There was a pause. "Feel free to come on in. We'll have a drink and I can dump the world’s most annoyingly happy Nurse on you."

"We're only a shuttle," Grace countered. "I could have a ship here shortly, if you need it." While she spoke, she verified that it was, indeed, the captain. After their encounter with Kilgore, she wasn't going to take any chances.

"We actually have an engineering ship on the way so...should be here in three days but we wouldn't make the ships leaving the Starbase. We have several crew here ready, including one for your ship. Please take him...."

There was a noise in the background. "Aww, Cappy I know you love me despite your gruffness. Do you need a hug?"

There was a muffled curse. "Captain I beg you take your crewmember, shuttle bay please, now!"

Grace didn't like the sound of that. "Coming in now, captain. Vetur out." She turned to Xavier. "Take us in. I just hope I won't regret this." But, if that person was as bad as they sounded, she might just leave them on the station--if she could.

Several tense minutes later the shuttle landed quietly in the bay. As soon as the doors opened they were greeted with a myriad of sounds, one of which was an overly cheery voice. "Oh, by the Gods of the Federation...er...well all the Gods really! You're actually Grace Vetur, aren't you?" A man walked up to the Commander. Xavier, had opted to stay inside the shuttle and check on the equipment and power supplies.

The greeting took her by surprise. "I...yes. And you are?"

He grinned. "I am Endymion Tox." He paused for dramatic effect and then said, "Your new Head Nurse!" He studied her. "Egads! I saw the crew roster whomever was in charge of the pictures was a ninny. You are gorgeous! The photos don't do you justice and I'm guessing the same is for the crew! I wasn't expecting the transfer but I am looking forward to a new adventure." He slipped his arm through hers. "I have been instructed to deliver you to the CO." He whispered. "Fair warning, he's a grumpy bear. I've been working my magic of course but there are not enough Hugs in this universe to make that man smile."

Hugs. The new head nurse was a hugger. Doctor Marcus was going to have kittens. Grace couldn't blame the captain of this ship, either. "Yes, please take me to him." The new nurse was going to be an interesting addition to the crew. Not a bad one, just...interesting. Then she smiled. Amanda could use a huggy nurse.

They made their way to the bridge with Tox stopping to great people on the way. "This is one of the best medical ships in the fleet...err...usually. The training accident... well. Poor Ensign Waters is all shaken and the Cappy's a bit crabby because of all the damage...but it is what it is." They entered the ready room where a tall man with grey hair sat massaging the bridge of his nose.

"Aww, Cappy head still hurting. I could..."

The man stood holding his hand. "You'll do nothing. Go pack and get off my ship."

Tox snorted. "Commander Vetur,, The Captain. We call him Ahab."

"TOX!"

Tox sighed. "Alright, I'm gonna go but admit it, you'll miss me."

"Yes," the Captain said. "With every phaser blast from a type two. Git!" He watched the nurse leave and shook his head but his lip twitched. "That kid..." He sighed. "Hello Commander, my apologies for making you come all this way to pick up...that." He motioned to the door, where Tox had just left. "Have a seat, the replicators work, can I get you something?"

Grace had been watching the nurse leave. At the captain's words, she turned to him. "No, thank you. But help yourself." She glanced at the door again. "I would like to hear more about Mr. Tox, though. What do they say, forewarned is forearmed?"

He snorted. "Ah yes. In all honesty I have mixed feelings about letting him go." He walked over to replicator getting a cherry juice. "He's a hell of a nurse, and thanks to that slug in his stomach he's... got other experiences. Tactical, excellent mind for that, seems to think of things nobody else does." He seated himself back in his chair. "He can fly a shuttle thanks to his previous host. But the negatives, he's a dreamer, one of those hopeless romantics." He sighed. "The ship calls him Mr. Sunshine and I swear I've seen people just walk up and hug him. He's ... a hugger. He thinks he can hug the grumpy out of anyone." He snorted again. "I'd like to say he failed with me but honestly...I think sometimes I'm grumpy just to see his sunshine." He sighed. "He is annoying, can talk a mile a minute but a solid crew member with a loyalty bone that can't be broken. He'd rather walk into a fire himself than see someone else suffer." He looked at Grace. "That said there is something I have been keeping an eye on."

"Good to know. Thank you. I have a counselor who could use some hugs." The thought of the nurse hugging Amanda made Grace smile. "However, I don't think the doctor would appreciate that. Is there anything my ship can send you while you're waiting for help?"

He sighed. "We'll be alright." He leaned back in his chair his exhaustion showing. "Actually, maybe there is something you can do. My daughter is on the station, she's the XO of the USS Beltolin. She'll probably leave before I get there. Maybe you can take a message to her for me?"

"I'll be happy to." She was sorry he wouldn't have a chance to see his daughter, but taking a message was the least she could do to help him out.

He smiled. "Thank you." He opened a drawer and handed her a Padd and a box. "It's my wedding band. She is going to propose to her boyfriend and this has been passed from my great-grandfather. My daughter was never one to sit idle. She wishes to get married and she is determined to propose." He laughed. "I was supposed to give it to her when we met but like I said she will be leaving before we can get there."

Grace took them carefully. "I'll hand deliver it to her as soon as we get back." She smiled as she added, "And I'll ask her to contact you to let you know she got it." She always carried a messenger bag or cross pack when she left the ship. Now, she slipped the two inside to keep them safe.

Before he could respond a voice filtered through the door. "Knock, Knock, knockety knock!!" That was followed by the chime.

The captain groaned. "If your doctor has a shot to make him less...." He waved his hand at the closed door. "Less that...I suggest using it. Shall we get you on your way and Mr. Sunshine off my ship so I can...re-grump?"

"My doctor is going to hate him." Grace shook her head. That was a problem for once they got back on the Ontario. "Yes. I shouldn't delay the inevitable. And I do want to get this delivery to your daughter as soon as possible."

He gave her a smile. "I thank you for your help."

The journey to the shuttle was filled with Tox's constant chattering. It took slightly longer than expected as Tox pointed out several local points of interest on the ship that had his current captain rolling his eyes. When they arrived, the captain held out his hand to Grace. "Well, best of luck, and apologies for the inconvenience to you and your doctor."

"Not your fault." Grace smiled and shook his hand. "Best of luck to you and your crew with the repairs."

Then she turned to Tox. "Ready to meet your new crew?" And the poor doctor. He might never forgive her for bringing the nurse on board.

He grinned as he slipped his arm through hers. "Absolutely! New adventure and I found a new friend...and you're pilot is very handsome." He mock-whispered.

"I suppose he is. Like you, he's a new arrival." Grace hoped the new nurse would help the new pilot feel more welcome. She had a feeling he could use a friend.

On the shuttle, Grace chose to sit behind the pilot so the nurse could take the front. She thought he'd like getting a good view of the Ontario as they approached, and he could talk to Xavier.

OFF:


Commander Grace Vetur
Commanding Officer
USS Ontario

&

Lieutenant Xavier
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Ontario

&

Lieutenant Endymion Tox
Head Nurse
USS Ontario

 

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