Lieutenant Udas - "The Field" (TAGS: Herrera, Eerie, Tagren, T'Mihn, Pavlova, Ryan, Avery, Adair-Walker, Jaxx)

[Josh Faust]

((Main Bridge, Deck 1, USS Vigilant-A))

::Udas sat at the battered science console, waiting for the next orders from the Captain.  The bridge was emptying out as officers went about their tasks.  If Starfleet was anything, it was industrious.  The Andorian ran a hand through his hair absentmindedly and looked around.  Everyone looked tired, but not a single face looked angry or upset at having to continue their work.  It was part of the job, Udas was coming to realize.  Long hours and getting shot at by alien species.::

Herrera: Prepare for redocking with the central section... and then set a course for Deep Space 6. I think our work is done here.

Udas: ::trying for some banter:: This wasn't another day in the office, sir.

Herrera: Yeah. I have a lot of thinking to do before I make my report to Starfleet, that's for sure.

::The Science Officer processed what the Captain said slowly, wondering if there was anything else behind the words.  A Captain's mind was always a flurry of activity, Udas conjectured.  Knowing that it was neither the time, nor especially the place, to bring anything up or pry for details, the Andorian smirked.  He had a million things running through his mind as well.  His own people had attacked a Federation ship.  As a result, countless had died at the hands of his fellow crewmembers.  And for what? Romulans?  The thaan was a mix of emotions.  His mind jumped to Denji.  The Counselor would probably be seeing a lot of crewmembers after this mission.  Pushing the dark thoughts aside, Udas focused a smile and replied::

Udas: Trust me, I understand Captain.

::There was a commotion near the Andorian, causing him to turn towards its source::

Ki'Kay: Sir, we're getting a message through from Lieutenant Commander Tagren on the central section.

::Udas smiled to himself, filled with a deep sense of relief.  Tagren and taJoot had been on that section of the ship.  They were the last ones to report back safely and the Andorian was thrilled that they had made it through the battle in one piece.  Udas realized just how attached he had grown to the talented First Officer.::

Tagren: =/\= Central section is ready to reconnect with you guys when you are ready. =/\=

Herrera: =/\= We're ready now. See you in a few minutes, Commander. =/\=

::He cut the communication off and glanced over at Chief Eerie.  The stoic Brikar had taken his position at Tactical.::

Herrera: Condition blue. Let's get this ship back together so we can get out of here.

Eerie: Response

Udas: ::bringing the console controls up::  Deep Six never sounded so nice. 

::The joke was mostly to himself, so he wasn't surprised when no one answered.  Udas watched on a small screen located in the center of his console as the Central Section of the Vigilant slowly redocked and connected itself to the main ship.  They were whole again. Moments later, the turbolift doors hissed open and a number of officers, including the First Officer, emerged.::

Tagren: I am glad to see everyone in one piece. Were you able to rescue anyone from the station?

Herrera: We have Romulan evacuees in Cargo Bay 2. Irina just went to check on them.

Tagren: Response

Herrera: How about you? Is everyone from the central section still in one piece?

Tagren: Response

::There was a slight moment of reflection that appeared across the Captain's face.  Udas noticed it, but it was gone in a flash.  The Andorian sat, hands resting on the console, waiting for his next order::

Herrera: Ki'Kay, set a course for Deep Space 6, warp 8. I think we've been in Romulan space for long enough. ::He stood from his seat.:: Meanwhile, I'd better get my report submitted while all of this is fresh in my mind. You have the bridge, Ari.

Tagren: Response

::Udas smiled to himself.  He had yet to see the First Officer serve as commander of the ship.  In fact, Udas had had the privilege before Ari even had.  She was a capable officer, there was no denying that much.  It seemed like ages ago that they had battled on the plains of Prak Zel together.  It actuality, it had only been six months::

Udas: ::jokingly:: Let me know how the seat feels, First Officer.

Tagren: Response

Eerie: Response

::The Science Officer watched as Diego took a few steps towards the ready room and paused.  The Spaniard reached up and tapped his communicator badge.::

Herrera: =/\= Herrera to all senior staff. Report to the ready room in 30 minutes. Herrera out. =/\=

::Udas listened to the orders closely. They were being called to the ready room to report.  In the meantime, Udas had a dozen scans and reports to run over the ship in those thirty minutes.  Time was something he didn't have enough of these days.  Suddenly remembering the gash on his forehead, he made a mental note to get that looked at following the debrief::

((FAST FORWARD THIRTY MINUTES))

((Main Bridge, Deck 1, USS Vigilant-A))

::The Andorian Science Officer had spent the past thirty minutes running every scan he could think of in order to test the Vigilant's capabilities after the battle with the Andori...his people.  Losing himself in the work had been the best medicine for both his exhaustion and the nagging pain from the previously sustained head wound.  It had also allowed him to push past his thoughts of Narenna.  Even if she had survived and was below decks somewhere, he wasn't exactly sure if he wanted to see her.  Her actions, or the at least her associate with the actions on the station, had cost good, Andorian lives.::

::During his scans, Udas had spoken to a number of his science department officers, including the intolerable Grant, getting detailed updates of functionality. The Science Department was relatively unscathed through it all, so the Andorian had ordered any superfluous personnel to report to Sickbay and offer their assistance.::

::The Vigilant would be headed back to Deep Six where she could be repaired and refitted.  But something hung in the area, something unknown or unseen.  Udas couldn't put a blue finger on it, but he felt something.::

oO Add it to the list of concerns Oo

::It wasn't long before the thirty minutes were up, leaving Udas with a more questions than answers, truthfully.  The Andorian rose from his science console and took the short journey to the Captain's Ready Room.  As he passed First Officer Tagren, he smiled.::

Udas:  Care to join me, Commander?

Tagren: Response

((Captain's Ready Room, Deck 1, USS Vigilant-A))

::The Andorian, his antennae moving happily, walked the rest of the short trip to the Ready Room. Udas stood before the doors and they hissed open. Standing aside politely and allowing Ari to enter first, Udas's antennae twitched.::

::The Captain was waiting.  Udas offered him a short smile and ran his hand along the tops of the assembled seats, selecting one close to the young Spaniard.::

::The thaan took a seat to the left of the Captain, leaving the right hand position for the First Officer.  Udas let a sigh escape his lips, immediately regretting his decision::

Herrera: Response

Udas: ::coyly:: Me? No, never.

Herrera: Response

::Running a hand through his hair and smiling, Udas leaned forward in his chair, resting his elbows on the conference table before him, the cool touch of the wood seeping through his uniform.  He tugged at his collar, spinning slightly in his chair::

Udas: Tough day, sir.  That's all.

Herrera/Tagren: Response

Udas: I am still struggling with it, to be honest.  Andorians....

::The words seemed to slip from his mouth reluctantly.  The broad shouldered science officer shrugged and looked to the Captain::

Herrera: Response

::Udas nodded, not really sure how to respond.  Luckily, a number of other senior staffers were beginning to make their way into the roam.  Quickly, Udas ran through who was absent.  Valaine, wasn't there, probably below decks talking to the surviving Romulans, getting any info he could from them.  deMarc was also missing, maybe running security over the Romulans.  Lieutenant taJoot was missing as well, but that came as no surprise.  The ship had taken a real beating and his engineering knowledge would be needed literally everywhere.  The poor Catullan wouldn't get a good night's sleep in days.::

::Udas turned back to the room.  General banter and quiet discussion filled the air around him as they waited for the Captain to speak::

T'Mihn/Avery/Ryan/Adair-Walker/Eerie/Pavlova/Jaxx: Response

TAG/TBC

Lieutenant Udas

Chief Science Officer

USS Vigilant-A