[Mission Teaser] (JP) Lt. Cmdr Hopper, Lt. Cmdr Iko, Capt. Ashwood, & Capt. Ertmo – Reflections of the Past
Robin Hopper
// Begin Recording //
Hopper: First Officer’s log, stardate 204305.10.
Robin sat at the desk in her quarters, the simulated early morning sun filtering in through a fenestrated houseplant sitting in her window. She was in uniform – a rarity for what would normally have been her day off – but today was exceptional. As she eyed the recording screen in front of her, her brow furrowed slightly and she clasped her hands on the desk’s surface.
Hopper: I should feel excited… shouldn’t I? ::Chewing her lip:: This is a good opportunity. A great opportunity, really. It’s quite the honour, being given the chance to earn another solid pip. To be a Starfleet Commander. ::Sigh:: And the fact that Captain Ashwood is the one invigilating – I should be over the moon, but…
She spun in her chair, leaning her head back and looking up at the ceiling. The plain bare ceiling. The most boring part of her apartment.
Hopper: I get the sense that she’s not nearly as excited about this as I am. Should be. In fact, I think she might kind of… hate me. ::Her lips tensing, keeping in her emotion:: No, don’t be silly. She just doesn’t know me the way I know her – because she’s Captain Nicolette Ashwood and I’m… Doesn’t matter.
Tapping her fingers on the desk, she finally got to the point of the log.
Hopper: Captain Ashwood has informed me that my Command practical will be overseeing the USS Kepler’s inaugural mission in the Delta Quadrant – charting the Binnar Sector, which the USS Voyager passed by thirty years ago but never explored in-depth. There have been reports of some conflicts in, or near the sector, but things have seemingly been pretty quiet lately. Nonetheless, it should prove interesting – and at least the nerds will get to study some planetary systems.
A slight smile came to her face.
Hopper: And, even if everything else about this whole thing feels a little off, at least I get to stand on the bridge of an Intrepid Class ship again…
// End Recording //
((Terminal A – Amity Outpost))
Stepping off the train, with a hot caramel macchiato in hand, Robin could almost be mistaken for a woman brimming with confidence. While her stomach might have been a bit notted with anxiety, she nonetheless had talked herself up into an outward emotion closer to anticipation. Striding forward, with purpose in her step, she turned to the
Hopper: You know, Bec, the red look on you… it’s not bad. Not bad at all.
She smiled encouragingly at her second in command for the mission who, despite her protestations, Robin thought looked every part the model First Officer in that moment.
And there had been multiple protestations. Most notably a flurry of language when she’d gone to the replicator that morning (which Annamae had seemed to have been thoroughly entertained by) and a general sort of grouchiness that had persisted to about now, when it was finally dying off.
This all was not to say that Bec did not want to be Robin’s first officer. She just wanted to do it while wearing gold. She hadn’t earnt the “command red” uniform yet. And while the role of Second Officer was getting more familiar, it still didn’t entirely feel like she deserved that either. Maybe that was because of all these Acting First Officer stints—from the storm to sitting in Ops as the Vaadwar attacked.
But Robin loved starfleet “fashion” for a lack of a better word, and the science officer had jumped into red as soon as she’d had the opportunity, and if Bec wanted to be her FO, she was going to have to do the same.
Iko: I still dunno if I like it.
Even if she commonly wore red off duty ((OOC: Which was totally not a completely intentional ooc decision to prevent a change from gold to red from being too jarring))
Hopper: At least you’re going from a warm tone to a warm tone. When I made the switch from blue to red I had to throw out half of my lipsticks… They don’t tell you about that part in the Command SOPs. ::Chuckling::
Iko: You certainly suit the red tho.
She smiled. The compliment was made earnestly.
Taking a sip from her macchiato, Robin continued waxing on about the current arrangement – its strangeness and its excitement – while lamenting one particular fact.
Hopper: It’s too bad Wil can’t join us, though. I think he’d get a kick out of this. Leave it to Ambassador Turnbull to take him and Keehani away at such a pivotal moment, hmm? ::She shook her head, perpetually irritated with the Ambassador and her constant thievery:: Why’d they have to pick this day to host the Talaxian delegation on the Shelby, hmm?
Iko: Because Ambassador Hoity Toity is, and will never be, half as good as Rivi? I dunno.
Hopper: Then again, I guess he’d probably rather stay closer to Amity anyways. Idrustix is still close to home. After all, someone’s still gotta be the CO here while you and I are both off-station, galavanting.
Bec was glad not to be that person.
The pair walked along, side-by-side, rounding the gentle curve of the terminal into the open hangar with its numerous berths. It was a sight that never failed to impress.
Hopper: There she is… The USS Kepler.
Robin stopped in her tracks, pausing to admire the ship in all its glory. An intrepid class, the ship’s bones were old – but she had undergone an extensive refit and upgrade before relocating to the Delta Quadrant to ensure she’d be up to snuff. Combined with the nostalgia Robin still felt for the Voyager, having closely followed the story of its crew when she was a child, the refit Intrepid Class almost seemed to outshine its newer sister, the Pathfinder, in Robin’s eye.
Iko: Now this is what Wil's missing out on.
Hopper: Isn’t she a beauty? ::Grinning now:: And she’s all ours. ::Pause:: Well, the vessel is still Captain Ashwood’s – technically – but for the next few days it’s effectively ours.
Hopper would be the vessel’s Acting Commanding Officer, with Bec Iko as the ship’s Acting First Officer – Ashwood, for her part, would remain on the bridge as well in an observational and advisory capacity as she oversaw Robin’s command acumen and then, ultimately, would make the decision to either support or oppose her promotion.
Hopper: Oh, and before I forget – XO, here is the duty roster for our voyage. While most of the ship’s crew will remain in their usual roles, Captain Ashwood did allow me to make a few temporary changes…
She passed a PADD to Bec, which included the Kepler’s updated crew compliment. Joining Robin and Bec for the mission would be a number of Amity’s senior officers, as well as some of its newest crewmembers – after all, Robin figured it’d be a fun way to put them through their paces as well (and would make a memorable experience!)
Robin sipped from her macchiato as Bec nodded and reviewed the manifest. After seeing a fair few familiar names, she looked up at Robin and smirked.
Iko: How many changes?
Hopper: Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First things first, we’re to board via the main airlock and make our way to the bridge – I hope you’ve been studying the ship’s layout. ::Smirk:: We’ll meet Captain Ashwood there to officially transfer command and receive our assignment. After that we’ll get started on the crew transfers. ::Pumping a fist in the air:: Let’s do it!
((Captain’s Ready Room – USS Kepler))
Lettie had the thankless task of finalising the handover of her ship to Lt. Commander Hopper, a thought that made her more uncomfortable with each passing second. At least she'd be here to make sure the woman wouldn't crash the ship on some planet in the DQ.
Truth was, it wasn't entirely about Hopper. Being the Captain was who she was, it was a challenge to think of herself as surplus to requirements on her own ship. Which was why she was glad that Hopper had selected from Amity's crew complement for her senior officers. It would make it easier for Lettie.
The door chime sounded, heralding the arrival of Hopper and Iko.
Ashwood: :: frustrated :: Enter.
As the door slid open, Robin was the first over the threshold – excited not only to be aboard the ship, but also to be in Captain Ashwood’s distinguished presence yet again, despite her misgivings. Her cerulean eyes darted around the room, taking note of the various mementos Ashwood had collected throughout her many years as CO of the Kepler, each one representing a mission that would grace the pages of Starfleet’s history books. It was all she could do to keep from squealing in delight as she recognized a number of artifacts from some of the Captain’s missions she had read about years earlier.
Instead, she used every ounce of self-control to enter the room calmly and stand in front of Ashwood’s desk at a rigid attention. (Thankfully she had finished off the macchiato and disposed of it in the ship’s mess hall – otherwise she would have had a terrible time figuring out what to do with a half-filled cup of coffee and cream while attempting to stand at attention!)
Hopper: Captain Ashwood, Lieutenant Commander Robin Hopper reporting as ordered, ma’am.
Interestingly enough, Bec had not needed to pull Robin by the collar of her uniform and and prevent her from completely fangirling like she had thought she might have had to, given the warnings she had recieved.
Iko: And Lieutenant Commander Bec Iko, reporting as Hopper's first officer.
Lettie sat back in her chair and assessed both women before her, drawing the moment out as long as she could. No words, just a very considered look.
Ashwood: :: almost dismissively :: You can relax. You're making me uncomfortable just looking at you both :: to Bec :: Nice to meet you, Commander :: to Hopper :: Shall we begin?
Another pause as she laid her hands on the desk and she stood. She removed the framed photograph of P’Lara, on the desk. There was no fanfare; she simply slipped it under her arm and began to stride towards the bridge.
Nodding, Robin relaxed her posture – but only barely – as she followed Ashwood back out onto the bridge of the ship. The Kepler’s unfamiliar bridge crew turned to eye their temporary would-be CO with visible curiosity and skepticism, but Ashwood’s presence kept them disciplined as she carried out the necessary procedures and transferrals.
Ashwood: Computer, formal orders received, as follows: “to Captain Nicolette Ashwood, Commanding Officer of the USS Kepler NCC-74680. Received [insert stardate] You are hereby requested and required to relinquish command of your vessel to Lt. Commander Robin Hopper, First Officer, Amity Outpost as of this date until [enter stardate]. Signed, Admiral [Issuing Officer].” Computer, transfer all command codes to Commander Hopper. Voice authorization: Ashwood-Beta-Delta-Epsilon-9-4-7-9.
Computer: Transfer complete. Lieutenant Commander Robin Hopper is recognized as Commanding Officer of the USS Kepler for the specified duration.
And just like that, Lettie wasn't the captain of the Kepler anymore. It was an unsettling feeling to give over command of her ship.
Hopper: Thank you, Captain. I accept Command and designate Lieutenant Commander Rebecca Iko as my First Officer. ::Slight smile:: I relieve you, Captain.
With a hand placed on the top of the chair.
Ashwood: Take care of her :: slight pause :: Captain.
It was over – or rather, it had actually begun now. It felt so sudden, so devoid of excitement. Professional and almost cold. Nonetheless, Robin felt a surge of excitement within her as she moved towards the Captain’s chair, scarcely daring to sit on it. It felt almost sacrilegious – like sneaking out of bed on Christmas eve to catch Santa in the act.
Hopper: Well, as the first act of business, Bec I’d like you to liaise with the ship’s quartermaster and ensure that we and the other temporary transfers are properly onboarded and–
She sat. Almost immediately an alert sounded. Robin bolted back up, out of the chair, utterly convinced she had done something wrong and this was a ‘buzzer’ to indicate some failure on her part – but Ashwood seemed just as surprised by the sound as Hopper was. In fact, everyone on the bridge seemed startled.
HCO: ::Turning to Ashwood:: Captain, we are receiving a subspace message. It appears to be–
Ashwood: :: smiles politely and turns towards Hopper :: Captain Hopper is in charge now. You can direct your message to her.
The Vulcan communications officer quirked his brow and rotated a few degrees further to look, instead, at Robin – who stiffened and gulped at the sudden attention.
HCO: Captain Hopper, we are receiving what appears to be a Starfleet distress call…
Hopper: Uhh– Appears to be? ::An uncertain look at Bec, before shifting back to the HCO:: What do you mean?
Bec also looked to the Helm officer, with the same demanding-answers look.
HCO: Well, ma’am, the signal is encrypted using significantly outdated protocols that haven’t been widely used in over twenty years… They are, nonetheless, hailing ‘any Starfleet Vessel receiving them’... The signal is quite weak and significantly degraded, they must be nearby for us to be receiving it at all.
Bec furrowed her brow. As far as she knew, Voyager’s story of going missing way off in the Delta Quadrant was adored because it was not a common one.
Iko: Can you tell who it is?
HCO: No sir, they are not transmitting with any known Starfleet registry ID code.
Instinctively sitting in the Captain’s chair now, Robin adjusted her uniform unconsciously before giving her first order.
Lettie moved to the mission ops station, more to get herself out of the way and it offered a better place to observe from.
Hopper: Take us out of the terminal, Ensign. If they’re close, I want to see who they are…
Turning back to the conn, the HCO quickly entered the sequence of commands that disengaged the Kepler’s mooring and moved them safely out of the Terminal. As the ship backed out, Robin’s fists clenched on the armrests of her seat.
HCO: Long range visual sensors now have a lock, ma’am.
Hopper: On screen.
With a tap of a button, the view switched from Amity’s terminal, directly ahead, to a distant vessel approaching the Barossa nebula from an unexpected vector – almost as though she had gone around, rather than through. As the image resolved and the ship appeared larger and clearer, it was clear that it had sustained heavy damage of some sort. oO That accounts for the distress call… Oo Robin considered, chewing her lip again.
Hopper: That’s no Starfleet ship I’ve ever seen. ::A glance at Iko, then at Ashwood:: Bec? Captain?
Bec just slowly shook her head.
Iko: Nup.
Ashwood: I agree with that assessment.
HCO: Captain, they are now within range to properly resolve the transmission.
With a nod, Robin pointed towards the viewscreen.
Hopper: On screen, Ensign.
An unfamiliar alien appeared on the screen in… what could only be described as a Starfleet Uniform. Robin’s eyes widened. No, that wasn’t a Starfleet uniform. It was a… crude approximation of one. Like a budget Halloween costume, or a low-budget community theatre production based on a Starfleet crew – even more peculiarly, if she had to guess where they had gotten the design from, she’d have to say… oO Looks almost like the uniform from the early 2370s… Oo
Hopper: What the–?
Lettie grabbed hold of the edge of the console to quieten herself.
Iko: I thought we just dealt with fudged First Contact stuff.
oO Bloody Janeway Oo And to answer your question, yes, Bec would have phrased that differently if Ashwood had also not been on the bridge. And no, she did not like Ashwood. But she didn’t want to make an enemy of Robin. Defending Wil’s beard was enough.
Then, even more surprisingly, the alien spoke in untranslated Federation Standard.
Ertmo: This is Captain Ertmo of the United Alliance of Worlds vessel Enterprise, requesting urgent assistance from any Federation ships nearby. ::the lights flickered out behind him.:: My ship will disintegrate within hours, and my crew are dying. I need your help to save them.
TBC
((OOC – Act 1 Sim + Mission Briefing & Team Assignments coming tomorrow!))
==
Lt. Cmdr Robin Hopper
Acting CO, USS Kepler
V239806K11
Lt. Cmdr Bec Iko
Acting FO, USS Kepler
A239810RI3
Captain Nicolette Ashwood (Cmdr. Ava Munro)
Command Practical Proctor
A240004LL2
Captain Ertmo (First Secretary Aitas)
CO, UAW Enterprise
O239307A10