LTCmdr. Quentin Collins - Quentin III and the Million Mystery Messages

[Justin Partridge]

((Interior. U.S.S. Arrow, Deck 1. Bridge.))

Quentin Collins stepped onto the Bridge an entirely new person.

Graced with a crisp new Command uniform, impeccably trimmed goatee beard (now a sharp blonde Van Dyke cut, something Quentin had ALWAYS wanted to try, but was too scared to ever attempt...until NOW), and a fresh cut and color of his hair (once again a stark white blonde to contrast with his beard, a parting gift from Starbase 821's barber) Quentin felt like a whole new man. A whole new and wholly activated version of himself.

He still, of course, carried the sadness of his loss and the slight disconnection he felt with his own feelings, but even that wasn't enough to fully undermine the palpable charge and excitement he felt stepping onto the new, and vastly improved Bridge. The turnaround Command expected of the ship was...immense. Even in the best of circumstances. But to the 821's credit, they had completely transformed the ship into a gleaming, sturdy example of old-school shipbuilding at it's finest.

Though the Juneau is and was an staggering achievement. Both of design and function. There was something about the tactility of this new ship and her slightly fussy, but wholly reliable systems.

oO Well, at least reliable NOW...Oo

When Quentin dreamed as a child of sailing the stars on a starship, the older classes were always the ones he dreamed about. The Mirandas. The Ambassadors. The Excelsiors. And now, here he was commanding one of the ship's that won them the Dominion War. And they said dreams didn't come true.

Shayne was already holding court from the single Command Chair in the center of the new Bridge. Quentin momentarily was glad he didn't have a "home" as it was on the Bridge. The somewhat "black box" set up of the new Bridge would allow him to wander, to expel the nervous energy he felt as he worked problems and found solutions. This way, he was available to anyone that needed him. But for now he found a loose attention to Shayne's right hand, on the upper side of the railing separating the upper part of the Bridge from the lower level housing the Command Chair and Helm controls. 

But from even a cursory look around the Bridge spoke to a readiness to get underway. From the crew and systems. The Commander started to call for reports. A boatswain's whistle called through the ship as he keyed through a ship-wide comm uplink.

Shayne: =/\= This is the captain speaking. Well done, each of you. Prepare for departure procedures. =/\= 

Shayne quickly settled into his seat and Quentin tried to stifle a smile seeing him do so. Shayne was the picture of a First Officer and direct XO back on the Eagle and Juneau. Quentin could now only imagine what kind of Captain he was about to become.

Shayne: Ensign Caden, request permission from the dockmaster to depart. ::he tapped his commbadge:: =/\= Bridge to Engineering- prepare for warp speeds. =/\=

Caden/Nakada: Response 

Shayne faced forward, toward OPS and the Helm Station.

Shayne: Ensign DeBarres, final maintenance check on all systems. I don’t want us falling apart at Warp 5. Lieutenant Waters, prepare to take us out, thrusters only. 

DeBarres/Waters: Response 

He tapped the panel on his chair. 

Shayne: =/\= Shayne to Sickbay; what’s our status? =/\=

Selara/Kim/R’Ariel: =/\= Response =/\= 

The second channel closed, and he swiveled around in his seat to address the rear of the bridge. 

Shayne: Science, security- status? 

Serinus: Security and Tactical consoles online and functioning, and assigned duty personnel are at their stations, Captain.

Quentin nodded solemnly at Mister Serinus. Even in the jumble of the last few months, Mister Serinus had been a constant rock of respect and consummate duty. Now that he was in a position of Command, he was making a mental note to make sure he was properly recognized for his tireless efforts and stability as an officer.

Traenor: Response 

Caden’s voice rang out on the bridge. 

Caden: Response 

The final checks had been made and cleared. The heaviness of the moment sat with him. More than likely with them all. Commander Shayne was silent for a few moments before turning to him, causing a sudden blushing in his cheeks.

oO He wouldn't...Oo

Shayne: Commander Collins, take us out.

oO He bloody well did...he honors me more than he could never know...Oo

Pivoting to face the Main Viewer full, he folded his hands behind his back and spoke his birthright as a Collins.

Collins: Mister Waters, Reverse Impulse 1/4th. Once we are cleared of the Starbase, turnabout heading 180-mark-65 and set course for Atlas Base, best possible speed.

Waters: RESPONSE

He shot her a sly wink from his upper landing.

Collins: Engage, Leftenant.

As the ship rocked comfortably into motion, Quentin crossed upward to the corner of the Main Viewer, producing a slim PADD from his trouser pockets as he stepped limberly across the deck plating.

Collins: If I can have your eyes for a moment, crew...I'll introduce you to...

He paired the PADD silently with the Main Viewer and inlaid a holo interface over the now moving Starbase docking interior superstructure which was then quickly replaced with an open star field.

Over the beautifully inky vista, Quentin "threw" up an image of Atlas Base, complete with a few scrolling data points next to the silently spinning layout of the base's three-ringed structure.

Collins: Our current destination: Atlas Base. Currently overseen by aaaaaa ::He raised the PADD to his eyes, currently cursing his leaving his glasses in his new quarters:: Doctor Frederick Immelmann, Atlas is part research station, part colony. It is also one of the only wholly Federation installations currently operational in the "Alpha Isles", a section of the Alpha Quadrant that is home to a little over a dozen independent cultures and races. By last count, the station's occupant limit is a little under 100 and it's currently unknown how many souls now reside on board now. Just under a day ago, Atlas started broadcasting a general distress signal, which was then joined by a little OVER of a million other distress signals cropping up throughout the area. 

He took a beat, allowing them to internalize what he had just said.

Collins: Our objective is three-fold. 1. Make contact with Atlas Base and assess their situation. 2. Render general aid. And C...or...3...Investigate the Isles further to ascertain the veracity of the 999 thousand other messages. Everybody savvy?

This was usually when the questions came. Quentin Collins couldn't wait.

Any: RESPONSE

-- 

TAG/TBC

LIEUTENANT COMMANDER 

QUENTIN COLLINS III

FIRST OFFICER

U.S.S. ARROW NCC-69829

ID: E239512QC0

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