A Ship in Harbor

Posted on 01/29/2020 @ 3:25pm by Captain Cian D'Anvers
Edited on on 02/28/2020 @ 6:58pm

Mission: S1E1: Out of the Barn
Location: Bridge, USS Crazy Horse
Timeline: Day 1 at 0800

Two officers stand on an oval-shaped bridge. Neither fits the brochure image of a starship captain and in one case, the standard misconception is actually true. He is an engineer with years upon years of experience. He stands 6'1" tall, broad-shouldered, with a mane of curly gray hair, rough calloused hands and a spanner hanging half-in and half-out of his pocket.

"Attention to orders," he says as he picks a PADD up off the Captain's chair and begins to read. "To Commanding Officer Jason Elias Hayden. Stardate 239401.13. You are hereby requested and required to relinquish command of your vessel to Commander Sidonie Ysayne as of this date. Signed, Commodore Savek."

He set the PADD down, drew breath, and said, "Computer, transfer all command codes to Commander Sidonie Ysayne. Voice authorization delta psi gamma 34."

The computer responded at once. "Transfer complete. The USS Crazy Horse is now under the command of Commander Sidonie Ysayne."

The second officer standing on the quiet bridge, surrounded by engineers and incoming crew, shared no commonalities with advertising poster captains. At 5'6" and 110 pounds, she was by no means physically imposing. Her skin was literally white as was her waist length hair, currently drawn up in a twisted bun at the nape of her neck. And yet, she presented a striking image. Blue green eyes, snapping with intelligence, dominated a youthful appearance that belied her age but more than that, it was her hair.

The invernian people were natural empaths though that had come as a surprise to those that first traveled off world. No one had noticed because Invernians could easily read what others felt merely by looking at the skin or in Sidonie's case, their hair. Emotion as color was a much a part of an Invernian as their predilection for neutral fashion choices. Where that appeared was unique to every individual; for Sidonie, the glow of her emotions emanated from her scalp lending her straight soft hair a very subtle glow, at the moment a twisting combination of grays and oranges.

She spoke now in a voice that sounded a bit like music. "I relieve you, Sir."

"I stand relieved," Hayden answered and added with a quick wink, "Take care of our ship, Commander."

"What was that quote," Sidonie said, head canted slightly to one side as she searched her memory, "A ship in harbor is safe ..."

"...but that's not what ships are for," Hayden finished. The deep voice rumbled as he spoke. "I understand. It's the sad truth we engineers have to face every day. That’s … uh … Grace Hopper, right?"

"John Shedd," Sidonie answered with a rueful shake of her head. "Lost on bet on that quote once. From the book, Salt From My Attic." Her expression turned serious. "I understand you and your team will remain until our Chief Engineer reports on board?"

"Aye," Hayden answered. "We'll be available after about twenty-four hours of uninterrupted sleep, that is. Your Ready Room is … well … ready. We’ve completed the final reports and once your Chief Engineer arrives, he’ll have access to all of the equipment logs.”

“Thank you, Commander. Please let your team know how much I appreciate their work in getting the Crazy Horse ready and here on time.”

Hayden nodded and headed off the Bridge, picking up his last case of tools has he went, and then, for a moment, Sidonie had the bridge entirely to herself. She stood in front of the Captain’s chair and looked out the view screen. One day soon, this would be a working ship. She was ready but she could be forgiven perhaps if she wished that those she had known on the Steady were here; they had been more than shipmates, they had become a family in the years they served together but she saw the wisdom. However reluctantly, she understood that together, they had been Watanabe’s crew. Now, she needed one of her own.

The moment passed and Sidonie turned toward the Ready Room. There were many, many things to do before the ship was ready to leave port. Time to get started.

OFF:

Commander Sidonie Ysayne
Commanding Officer
USS Crazy Horse