One Step Closer to the End

Posted on 03/08/2020 @ 7:37pm by Captain Cian D'Anvers
Edited on on 03/08/2020 @ 8:03pm

Mission: S1E2: The Plomeek Soup Conundrum
Location: Ready Room, Deck 1, USS Crazy Horse
Timeline: Day 5 at 0900

"Ysayne to Othran. Commander, if you could join me in my Ready Room for a moment," Sidonie said quietly.

"On my way, Captain," Alvar said. When he arrived at the Ready Room doors, he pushed the door chime. Upon being directed to enter, he went in and said, "You wanted to see me?"

"Yes, I did," Sidonie said as she gestured toward the one of the two chairs facing the desk. "Please have a seat."

She waited until he was settled, using the time to find the words, to hope that the right ones would come, the ones that put this all into perspective. She understood it all, the message, the import, but there was a part of it, the weight of it all, that hadn't quite hit as yet. Life changes between one heartbeat and the next and they were right. There was no preparing for it.

She folded her hands in her lap, beneath the level of the desk, held them tightly together as she spoke. "Negotiations for membership in the Federation with my world have ended. Invernia won't be joining and if that isn't enough, according to the preliminary agreement between both sides, those of us in Starfleet are to be sent home ... immediately."

Alvar thought for a moment. "That is...unfortunate news," he said after a few moments, unsure of what else to say. "Has Starfleet assigned a replacement for you yet?"

"He's already en route," Sidonie said. She consulted the information on her monitor though there was little need. He was taking her command; it was hard to be neutral about it. About any of it. "Commander Cian D'Anvers. Captain of the Zheng He for the past fourteen years. Do you know him?"

"The name doesn't sound familiar," Alvar said. He was wondering what had prompted this particular change. Deciding not to join the Federation was one thing - heck, Altimar had waited several decades after First Contact before even thinking about joining the Federation - but to recall all members serving as personnel as well? "I imagine that his arrival will be soon?"

"Apparently, he's being recalled from leave and yes, close enough. We will do the transition once he arrives." She paused for a moment, as though coming to a decision, and added, "There have been attacks on our shipping routes. Many victims, my father among them."

"My condolences," Alvar said gravely. Certainly, if it was one thing Altimarans understood, it was the importance of family. "Would you like some time alone, or is there anything else that I can do to prepare for the transition?"

"Fair question," Sidonie said. "Gather the senior staff for a briefing, say, in an hour's time and arrange with Operations for the changes he'll require. In the meantime, I'll get things ready in here."

"Of course," Alvar said.

A Post By:

Cmdr. Sidonie Ysayne
Commanding Officer
USS Crazy Horse

and

Lt. Cmdr. Alvar Othram
Executive Officer
USS Crazy Horse