Delivery Run

Posted on Mon Jun 30th, 2025 @ 8:07pm by Commander Grace Vetur & Lieutenant Commander Yivliph Ra-Gruvloveii & Lieutenant Commander Anahera Chernova & Lieutenant Commander Aaron Marcus & Lieutenant Xavier & Lieutenant Amanda Rose & Lieutenant Robin Maxwell & Staff Warrant Officer Madelyn Steele & Lieutenant JG T'Avia Espinosa

1,541 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Preservation Instinct

It took a day longer than expected to get the cargo together and loaded onto the Ontario. The station quartermaster had a few questions, and, in spite of sending an urgent message to the colony, he didn't get the expected reply. But, after a day of delays, he decided to send them off with the initial order and guess at what he thought they meant by some of the items on the list.

"Helm, inform Riversong we're ready to depart," Grace said, settling into her seat after one final conversation with the quartermaster.

Xavier sat on the bridge, barefoot, his socks and shoes tucked under his seat, his hands checking and double checking everything when Grace's voice carried through to him. "Riversong, this is Ontario, we're ready to depart. Please begin departure process."

The voice called back, =/\= Ontario, confirming. You're clear to depart. Docking clamps will detach in ten seconds. You might feel a slight shake...we're working out a few bugs=/\=

Xavier smiled. "Copy." He waited the ten seconds and the ship gently rocked as the thunk of the clamps detaching filled the area. "Riversong confirming clamps detached. Gentle thrusters pushing back."

The ship pushed away from the dock slowly turning around to face the direction they were going. They would need to drift slowly for a few moments to be safe enough to engage a higher setting of the thrusters. Right now, it was a gentle push forward. "We'll be ready for next thrust faze in a few moments."

He felt the hum of the ship and the gentle rumbling vibrations of the ship. Kian, as he'd named the spirit of the ship, was a bit sluggish. Xavier gently ran a hand over the side of the panel. "Steady Kian," he whispered. "Gentle and steady my friend."

While he was busy with that, his little companion Phobos, the raven, hopped over to Grace and with a quick flip of his wings landed on her lap where he head butted her hand asking for a head scratch.

Grace looked down and chuckled softly. "Hello there." She obediently gave the bird head scratches. "Did you want to see how things looked from this perspective?"

Lieutenant T’Avia Espinosa glanced over to see the raven. It belonged to Xavier which was glaringly obvious. His esthetic was peculiar.

Xavier looked over to see his Raven and shook his head. Phobos wasn't the type to make friends but he seemed to like the Captain and the counselor and that was good enough for Xavier. He noted the comfy matt under his feet and somehow, had a feeling that his new CO had gone above and beyond. He'd have to thank her. He oddly felt chocked up. Perhaps Tolsen had been right about this place. He'd said, 'less a ship, more a family'

"Yiv, inform all stations to prepare for launch."

Distracted by the aviary that had previously been the Bridge, Yiv took a moment before hitting the internal com. The alert whistled in everyone's ear. 'Now hear this,' he intoned formally, 'all stations to launch positions. Repeat, all stations to launch positions.'

His job done, he nodded his satisfaction, and re-assumed his seated pose, trying his best to hide his horrified fascination with the fact their helmsman opted for bare feet on duty.

Grace caught his gaze and nodded. She understood how he felt, but she'd given the new pilot permission to fly barefoot. She'd even added a large, soft mat for his feet to be more comfortable. It also had the advantage of keeping the bare feet in a cleaner space.

"Security and Tactical, ready, Ma'am." Anahera reported.

"Science department reporting. All divisions checking in" reported T'Avia. "Bridge officer ready" she added referring to herself.

When they got the final approval from the station, Grace gave the order. "Lieutenant Xavier, take us out." Brief breaks at a planet or starbase were nice, but she was happy to be heading back to the stars, even if it was a simple supply run.

"Aye Captain." Xavier's lip pulled into a tiny smile as the ship began to hum fully to life.

Maxwell entered the bridge, casually measured strides towards the Captain with a PADD in hand. coming to the right side.

"Captain...' He gave a proper bow per her station. "I have some casual reading to fill the idle time from now to the Outer Marker." He said as he offered PADD. "Nothing much of a threat value since it is Agricultural Colony it is not likely the Orions will be involved for quick resources and the Romulans are really not close enough to pose any real threats."

"Thank you." Grace took the PADD. As soon as they cleared the station, she'd have a look.

From Engineering station, Madelyn answered. "Warp Engines are operating at a hundred percent. The Ontario is ready and wanting to be given full rein." the engineer saying this with a straight face.

Amanda sat in her counselor's chair on the bridge. She said nothing for the moment, content to watch the crew doing its work efficiently.

Aaron sat in the mostly empty Sick Bay and was glad for it. He heard the message that the ship would make way shortly and was even gladder for it. If the ship was moving, then people were at their posts, which meant that they would not be in Sick Bay bothering him. For the time being he went into his office to enjoy the solitude and continue his research. All the while listening to Who Are You by The Who.

Sadly, the doctor's peace was interrupted by Tox who entered the office to deliver a sickbay ready report. "Hello my fave Grumple Dumple! Doctor Boss, Sickbay is clean and like suuuuuper sanitized and ready for happy customers ... er... not that we're hoping for any but heck you could eat off the floors. I also alphabetized the meds and cleaned the instruments and sorted the instruments for easier reach. Also did the schedule for the nurses for the next month. Also, the surgical unit, as per your instructions, is sparkling...no real sparkles used." He gave a small bow. He loved his new boss. He was a pile of grump you just wanted to hug! He had in fact...at their first meeting and then he'd pretty much run before the doctor could blow his top. "Nurses are all ready, too, and everyone will be busy so you can hermit and read and flex that beautiful mind."

"Thank you for the report Lieutenant. If there is anything else needed, I will let you know. For the moment you are dismissed." Returning to the blissful silence of his office was all Aaron truly wanted. He would have commented on the nicknames that Tox used. However, it seemed that Aaron’s hypocrisy had some boundaries.

[Bridge]

Once the ship jumped to warp and they were on their way, Grace took out the PADD Robin gave her and began to read the information he'd gathered on the colony.

Madelyn watched as the stars turned into streaks of light as the Ontario was heading to its next destination, she was curious as to where they were going, and decided to check on it via the console.

Grace pulled out the PADD and began to read.

The planet was called "New Kelian" with a population of 2500.

The report given by Maxwell highlighted the lack of any 'real significance to the planet as a strategic strike point, The lack of raw minerals or resources would keep the Orions, Klingons and Romulans from bothering the deployment of force, There were no really unusual fauna; just a prime planet for an agricultural Colony.

The systems of communications work as designed; remote functions appear intact. And yet, there had been few communications of late, but so far nothing to cause concern.

There was also mention of a research station outside the colony where they were working on a more robust grain.

Amanda listened to all the information. Why Maxwell was allowed at this station against her advice, she did not know. He was a danger to everyone. So, she focused on him while taking in the information.

Madelyn noticed the redhead, from what the manifest had stated was the counselor, Amanda Rose. She was watching another officer, rather pointedly. Whatever was going on there she wasn't certain. It did though make Madelyn a little bit uncomfortable. She turned her attention back to the console.

Once they were at warp, Grace stood. "Yiv, you have the bridge." Then she walked into her ready room to see if she could learn more about this planet. It was always good to be prepared.

A Post By

Commander Grace Vetur
Commanding Officer
USS Ontario

Commander Yivliph Ra-Gruvloveii
Executive Officer
USS Ontario

Lieutenant Xavier
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Ontario

Lieutenant Endymion Tox (NPC)
Head Nurse
USS Ontario

Lieutenant Amanda Rose
Chief Counselor
USS Ontario

Lieutenant Commander Anahera Chernova
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Ontario

Lieutenant Commander Aaron Marcus
Chief Medical Officer
USS Ontario

Lieutenant Robin Maxwell
Chief Intel Officer
USS Ontario

Staff Warrant Officer Madelyn Steele
Chief Engineer
USS Ontario

Lieutenant T’Avia Espinosa
Acting Chief Science Officer
USS Ontario

 

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