Captain Addison MacKenzie - Recall the Crew
Addison MacKenzie
(OOC: I’ll have a separate sim soon for awards. We’ll have about another week or so to wrap up any outstanding scenes and the awards, and then we’re looking to jump into our fleet blockbuster likely next weekend!)
(( Captain’s Ready Room – Deck 1, USS Artemis-A ))
Per usual, the two command officers of the Artemis were in alignment: Frontier Day, its pageantry and their participation in it were not a good use of the ship’s time and resources, but they also didn’t have an out. DS9 was on schedule (if not ahead) with their repairs, and if they couldn’t come up with a significant excuse for a delay, it was expected that they would arrive at Earth to celebrate in the festivities.
They needed something catastrophic to happen.
…or, at least, the perception of something catastrophic.
As she looked out the window of her Ready Room at the massive Cardassian pylons. She turned back to him, and the pair started to commiserate.
MacKenzie: ::flatly:: Welcome to the bureaucracy of command. Isn’t it great?
Dakora: I think I liked it better when it was someone else's problem…
She nodded in short, quick gestures – one of the hallmark displays of her agitation.
MacKenzie: I don’t suppose there’s anyway we can drag our feet here? Have something unexpectedly come up?
Talos cocked his head, considering the idea. It was unlikely that anything could be blamed on the Artemis or DS9 technicians. Despite her meticulous adherence to protocol, they promptly submitted all maintenance records to Starfleet Command and the Corps of Engineers. If that didn’t also occur in this instance as well, it would immediately cause some raised eyebrows.
Dakora: No… unfortunately, no. ::He sighed.:: I've already transmitted our maintenance and upgrade records to HQ. Anything we tried wouldn't hold up to scrutiny.
MacKenzie: You’re right…
They continued to think until, after a very long pause, Talos finally eased back into the sofa. His body language was a clear signal of his resignation.
Dakora: Our only real hope is that something big enough pops up in our A.O. and we're obligated to respond. :: He shrugged :: Though I'm not really sure that's preferable…
Her lips pulled taught slightly to one side and she shook her head.
MacKenzie: No, I would say not. And I’m sure there isn’t likely to be any galactic catastrophe occurring in our neck of the woods that might necessitate our response… I guess that means we’re out of options?
He grinned mirthlessly.
Dakora: Other than that, I guess we start prepping for the damn thing. ::He met her gaze.:: Anyone specific on your sh*t list? We'll need a group to go out and spot clean the hull plating. I want our girl to look shiny.
She nodded slowly, a non-verbal signal of her own resignation.
MacKenzie: I suppose that means we’re going to head to Earth for a bit, then.
Addison slapped her knees, a signal of “well, let’s go get it then,” and she stood up.
Dakora: Response
MacKenzie: Well, if nothing else, I guess this means I get to see my family. I haven’t had time for the long trip back to Earth since I got assigned to the Borderlands.
Dakora: Response
She rocked her head back and forth. If she’d needed to get back home, she could have – would have – but her work and the situation in the Borderlands didn’t lend itself to taking much personal time, and certainly not that would have afforded her the opportunity to travel all the way back to Earth.
How wonderful they’d be participating in Frontier Day…
MacKenzie: Well, I suppose we’d better recall the crew. We have some business to take care of before we get underway…
Tag, and TBC!
Captain Addison MacKenzie, M.D., Ph.D., FASFS
Commanding Officer
USS Artemis-A
Captains Council Member at Large
V239601AM0