CPT Mei'konda Delano & CMDR Serala - Change of Command (Part 2)
Serala
(( With this sim, Jim and I are pushing us forward into shore leave. Congratulations on a successful mission, everyone! Please mark any sims you’ll be sending that take place prior to the communication with the Astraeus as backsims. ))
(( Ready Room, Deck 1, USS Astraeus ))
Once they were inside the Ready Room, Serala took a seat in one of the chairs facing the Captain’s desk and looked at the Captain with a mischievous grin.
Serala: I believe that is your seat, Captain. Or will be once we complete the transfer.
Twitching his ears upward and with obvious curiosity on his expression, Mei made his way around to the chair on the far port side of the ready room. He recognized the seat, one which had been, like the center chair on the Bridge and the ones in his quarters, specifically redesigned to accommodate for his tail.
There was really only one thing that this could mean. It would certainly be a dramatic way for Serala to let him know Starfleet Command’s response to a request he’d made months ago - and serendipitous timing, considering what had just happened aboard the Chin’toka.
Mei’konda: So… I’m getting the feeling that you and the Astraeus are not just here on a rescue mission, then?
Serala: No, sir. We’re not. I was actually recalled from leave and ordered to return to the Utopia Planitia Shipyards to assume temporary command of the Astraeus for the sole purpose of bringing it out here and transferring command to you. There are transfer orders for you and most of the Chin’toka crew here :: she indicated a datapadd that had been resting on the desk, left untouched since she’d placed it there following her departure from the Sol system ::, including all senior officers. Most of the crew that came with me were meant to take over the Chin’toka, but it appears that they’re probably going to need a tow back to Earth before they start their next assignment.
As Serala spoke, Mei exhaled a slow breath, let his arm drift out to rest on the glossy wooden desk in front of him, and closed his eyes for a moment to process the Romulan’s statement. After a moment, he nodded slowly in acknowledgment.
Mei’konda: I’m glad to hear it. There are ten officers and crew members who I wish could have been here to see this traansfer happen. But they gaave their lives to protect hundreds of millions. Well, I understand, Commander. We’ll haave to tow the Chin’toka back to Shemsh for the time being, and from there, send a request to Starbase 118 for a tug vessel to bring her back to drydock. It will giive us time to stabilize her condition, and for our command staff to begin learning the Astraeus’ systems.
Mei glanced out of the thick transparisteel window to his left, where he could see the starboard edge of the Chin’toka, held securely in tow by the Astraeus’ tractor beams.
Mei’konda: And what about you, Commander? Will you be returning to New Romulus?
Serala: Actually, Captain, those are not my orders. I am to resume my duties as your First Officer, pending your approval of course. Which means that I really hope you are not enamored with my replacement. Commander Isa is to be reassigned at your discretion. Otherwise, I will assume whatever duty post you deem most appropriate for me.
Mei thought it over for a few moments. Though Jaelyne Isa had done a very good job, in his opinion, he’d never sensed the same command ambition or enthusiasm from her that he had from Serala or from some of the other officers he’d served with. She struck him as an officer who was doing her very best in a position that she didn’t really want to be in. But that also didn’t mean he was about to push her to the side without a consultation. He tapped his fingers thoughtfully on the desk.
Mei’konda: I’ll haave to have a conversation with Commander Isa first. She’s a hiighly competent officer, very much capable of handling the job, and just like I wouldn’t have with you, I won’t push her out of the First Officer’s seat if that’s where she wants to be. That said, Serala, it will be very good to have you on board again.
He reached out, picked up the PADD that Serala had indicated to him, and looked it over.
Mei’konda: So. Shall we get the formalities out of the way then, Commander?
Serala: Of course, sir.
Serala looked upward, as if the computer could tell she was trying to address it and spoke.
Serala: Computer, this is Commander Serala. Open a shipwide channel through the Chin’toka and Astraeus.
There was a beep indicating acknowledgement as the bosun's whistle rang through both the Chin'toka and Astraeus, and Serala once more spoke into the air.
Serala: All hands of the Astraeus and Chin’toka, attention to orders. This is Acting Captain Serala. :: Serala punched a command into her own PADD and began to read ::
//
To Commander Serala, Acting Commanding Officer USS Astraeus, Stardate 239911.27. You are hereby requested and required to relinquish command of your vessel to Captain Mei’konda Delano, Commanding Officer USS Chin’toka as of this date. Signed, Commodore Sal Taybrim, Starfleet Command, Starbase 118. Computer, transfer all command codes to Captain Mei’konda Delano. Voice authorization, Serala Gamma-Two-Three-Green.
//
Computer: Transfer complete. USS Astraeus is now under the command of Captain Mei’konda Delano.
Mei rose to his feet from behind the desk, and stretched a hand to shake Serala’s once, a slight smile once again on his feline muzzle.
Mei’konda: I relieve you, Commander.
Serala: I stand relieved.
Serala gave the Captain a big smile and waited for him to determine the next course of action.
Serala: Congratulations, Captain.
Mei’konda: Thank you. Though the last few daays have been bittersweet, we’ll be able to do a lot of good in the Par’tha Expanse with the Astraeus. The Chin’toka really showed us what she was made of in the laast few days, though, and soon enough, she will be in the care of another crew. I haave a feeling this trip back to Shemsh won’t be the last time we see her. Don’t you?
Serala: I hope not, Captain. I had the honor of being its first CO, if only for a few days, but I came to consider that ship my home. I would like to return to him someday. Maybe as its Captain one day. Who knows?
Setting the transfer-of-command orders back down on the desk, Mei stepped out from behind it, thumped Serala companionably on one of her lean, but powerful shoulders, and began to head for the Ready Room’s exit alongside her.
Mei’konda: I can thiink of few officers more qualified, Commander. Let’s get back to work.
Serala: Khlinae arhem, Leih. (Thank you, Captain.) Let’s do it.
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Captain Mei’konda Delano
Commanding Officer
USS Astraeus, NCC-70652
M239002M10
and
Commander Serala
First Officer
Training Team Member
Image Collective Member
Chat Team Moderator/Facilitator
Academy Statistician
USS Astraeus NCC-70652
A239412S10