LTCmdr. Quentin Collins - Preamble
Justin Partridge
((Interior. U.S.S. Arrow, Deck 1. Captain's Ready Room.))
Shayne: Next time I’ll leave a sock on the door.
The Captain glanced up towards Quentin Collins. Both men giving each other a wan, but warm smile. He still felt like he had intruded somewhat, but The Captain, bless him, was taking it all in a brilliant stride. His color coded power attunements could wait.
But the adventure that awaited them...that would wait for no one. And as per usual, Quentin Collins had questions.
Collins: So...Chalnoth space, is it? We haven't heard from them since the "Big Six" meeting. S'all rather exciting!
The Captain didn't much share his excitement, but had a similar sentiment at least. Quentin stood at a loose attention as The Captain started to move around a bit more, likely finally regaining his strength.
Shayne: I suppose. The Chalnoth do have a way of being… exciting, don’t they.
The Captain was playing it slightly cagey, thanks to the incoming briefing possibly. But as a whole, The Chalnoth were still a relatively unknown quantity. And had usually kept to their own space and engaged in rigorous defence of their holding borders. But with all the upheaval in the Isles and the encroaching threat of the Sheliak spreading like an inkblot across the stars...maybe things really had changed?
But still, what would the Chalnoth want from Starfleet? Whatever would or could they ask of them that they couldn't ask of their own forces? Quentin was terribly interested in it all.
And couldn't help just a few more questions.
Collins: Have they given any indication of what they...want from us, sir?
Shayne: I’m afraid, betwixt us, I don’t know much more than you. But, equally betwixt us, if there’s a situation in which we could even remotely justify the use of the Forge, I’m taking it. I want to see that baby in action.
A wider and sunnier smile started to spread across the pate of Randal Shayne and Quentin couldn't help but join in. The Captain, as always, was The Captain. He had to be. Quentin and the others depended on him to be as such. Especially now after an entire mission of scrambling to get him and Ash back to them. They would do well to actually see and hear him on the Bridge throughout this likely strange and unexpected mission.
But to see these glimpses into Randal Shayne the man...to Quentin it was one of the most trusting things he could have done. That spark of him...the zeal of a younger officer, excited about their new facilities and how that would improve their operational capacity. Quentin Collins hoped he never lost it. But knew, deep down, he never would.
He was, after all, The Captain.
Collins: You and I both, sir. Can I get you anything else, Cap?
He warmly waved away Quentin's latest query.
Shayne: I’ll be back on the bridge presently. Thank you for your concern, Commander.
Quentin nodded thoughtfully and started toward the door.
Collins: No thanks needed, Captain. As far as I'm concerned, it's part of the job. See you out there.
Quentin swept up and out of the Ready Room, even more confident in His Captain and their hearty crew.
Whatever was awaiting them...they would be ready for it.
For they had each other. What else could they possibly need?
--Lieutenant Commander
Quentin Collins III
Chief Science Officer
--
U.S.S. ARROW NCC-69829
ID: E239512QC0
--
F.N.S. CONTRIBUTOR