Lt. Cmdr. V'Len Kel - Here I go again on my own

[Don K]

((VIP Shuttlebay, Deck 13, USS Ronin))

V'Len tried to engage with Toryn in their reminiscing about their climbing expedition, but there was no question he was distracted.  He'd never heard of a  Captain and a First Officer both leaving a vessel and the Second officer taking command except under the most desire of circumstances.  V'Len was not even sure what the pair would be doing apart from briefing high level Starfleet Officers.  It seemed like a meeting that could easily be a subspace communication.  

Niac: Gentlemen, looks like it's about time for Toryn and I to be off.  How's the yacht? You sure there's no explosives aboard this time?  

Raga: There shouldn’t be. Not unless the individuals who pranked your ready room PADDs got past the security locks on the yacht.

V'Len shook his head.  

Kel: I've asked Lt. Kessler to begin investigating.  I'll hope to have a result when you return.

V'Len could only hope that was the biggest challenge he faced while the two senior members of the crew were gone.

Niac: In that case I suppose we should get aboard but all the same...you go first.  ::He fished a padd out of his uniform jacket and passed it over.::  Lieutenant Commander, here are my official orders placing you in command of the Ronin.  You've already been briefed about the survey mission the Ronin is to conduct while we're gone...with any luck we'll catch back up to you in a month or so.  

V'Len took the padd with a curt nod.  

Raga: Oh sure, let the first officer explode first. ::he said dryly:: The ship’s in good hands, V’Len. Cool winds guide you.
 
Raga placed his hand on V'Len shoulder firmly.  

Kel:  Thank you commander.  Good luck to you as well.  

The captain's yacht began to whine as the engines powered up.  Light on the hull came on and the air around the vessel began to stir ever so slightly.  

Niac: Let me offer you one small piece of ancient wisdom, passed one Captain to another since ships rode wind and wave. ::He leaned in and whispered with a smile:: Take care of the ship and she'll take care of you. ::He stood and offered the man a firm handshake:: Safe voyage, Acting Captain Kel.  

V'Len tried not to let his shoulders slump as the wait of his new position sunk in.  He smiled as best he could at Karrod hoping to reassure both the man and himself.  

Raga: And remember, if you break anything everyone will bring it up forever and ever. Trust me.

V'Len gave a dry chuckle.

Kel:  I'll take good care of her. She, she won't get a scratch.  

The two men disappeared into the vessel and V'Len took several steps back as it rose and headed out the shuttle bay door.  He looked around the bay as several crewmen casually finished their duties. The shuttle bay was not large before but now it seemed like an immense and very empty cavern.  He took a long breath and let it out. It was a month, maybe two.  Everything would be fine.  

[[End scene for V'Len Kel]]