Back In The Game

Posted on 18 Oct 2017 @ 11:46am by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Commander Scarlet Blake & Commander Aren Ban

1,470 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 15 - Emanation
Location: Earth - San Francisco, Starfleet Academy
Timeline: MD 85, 0918 hrs

[ON]

The frosted transparent-aluminum window in Rear Admiral Vega's office was only partially limpid, letting in a small dose of sunlight in an otherwise dark and sparsely garnished room. With one hand holding his steaming mug of morning coffee and the other grasping a PADD, he looked through the cadet deployment orders one final time while he waited for his requested commanders to arrive.

Aren stood just outside the Admiral's office. A small part of himself couldn't help but feel like a first year cadet every time he was summoned to meeting with upper level officers. He gave himself a final once over, making sure his uniform was in order before pressing the admittance button, requesting entry from the Admiral.

"Yeah, come in," barked the middle-aged man from the other side of the door.

Aren entered the office, moving to stand before the Admiral. "Commander Ban, Aren reporting as ordered." Aren said, glad to be a Starfleet Academy again. He didn't make eye contact with the Admiral, he was reporting in so his eyes were a fixed to a spot on the wall just behind the Admiral. The summons hadn't included any specifics. It was because of this that Aren's curiosity was peaked.

Vega whirled around and grunted when the joined Trill entered and announced his presence. "Ah, Ban!" he called out in a gruff voice before stepping forward to extend his hand for the commander to shake. "Admiral Vega, Academy Vice Commandant," he introduced himself. "Have a seat, I just got done reading your file. Helluva a past year you had yourself, what with the Kreanus situation and the loss of the last two ships you were on. And that Orion..." he shook his head, "what a disaster."

Aren shook the Admirals hand. "A pleasure sir. And technically it was one ship and a shuttle. The Tian an men is currently near the Klingon Neutral Zone, but yes sir, it has been a turbulent year." Aren said, releasing his hand, as he pursed his lips together into a line. His first year as a commander had been full of challenge and definitely a-typical.

Vega grunted and plopped his slender frame down in his desk chair. "That's how it always starts -- first a shuttle, then a transport, then a full blown starship. If we can't get a handle on the quadrant, this whole thing's going to hell," he griped.

The chime of the door went for a second time and there was only a pause long enough for a response before Scarlet Blake moved in. Her hands clasped behind her back, she walked towards the desk, nodding briskly to the Admiral. "Sir..." her tone was soft, having met the man a few times during her time instructing at the Academy. She had hoped this meeting was to do with her new promised posting to a ship, but she started to doubt that when she realised they were weren't alone. She glanced towards the other man, curious, but not showing it on her features.

The vice commandant watched the familiar dark-haired woman enter the room then gestured with an open hand to her. "Commander Blake! Good, you're here. This is Commander Aren Ban, formerly of USS Tian an Men but currently unassigned. Ban, this is Scarlet Blake, she's been helping us at the Academy the past few months," he introduced.

Aren turned towards the human women as the vice commandant introduced him. He extended his hand towards her. "A pleasure miss." Aren said to the rather stunning women. While he was sure that the Admiral would explain the nature of there association soon, he had a sneaking suspicion as to why the vice commandant, an academy instructor, and an unassigned commander were gathered.

"Likewise," Blake took the hand, giving it a brisk, single shake as she nodded to him, taking the chance to take him in. She unknowingly shared his thoughts on what could be bringing them together. If it meant something a little more hands on, she was game.

"I brought you both here for an assignment," Vega quickly revealed, "figured each of you can use some time back in space. We've got operational training scheduled next week for sections 001 and 002 of OPTR 499. I want you both to take the cadets out and run them through their evaluations. Not the most exciting, I know, but someone's got to do it and 7th Fleet Command wants you back in the saddle soon."

"Looking forward to it, sir." Aren said as he nodded in understanding. After the Ryn mission he was wondering when he would be getting more time back in space and hopefully back in the chair. "What is our purposed OP area?" He asked, already running through mental checklists.

The vice commandant took a sip of his coffee and looked up under his brow. "The usual route, quals on the Axanar and Wolf 359 courses," he explained. "Most of the cadets are seniors but there's a couple juniors and a sophomore in one of the sections."

Aren nodded again. Inwardly he smiled as he remembered his own cadet cruise. It had been an enjoyable and quite the learning experience. "When is our projected report in and departure date?"Aren asked.

"You leave in one week," Vega answered. "I've got an old Constellation-class, USS Hathaway, finishing up a minor refit in orbit. She's a good ship and should be perfect for the job."

The flag officer took another drink of coffee from his mug then leaned back in his chair. "I took the liberty of assigning your crew, as well," he then revealed, pushing two PADDs across the desk for Blake and Ban. "Most of them are former Galileo personnel...including the commander here," he gestured toward Scarlet. "Look, I know what you've all been through and I know Starfleet gave you some time off. But now we need all you back in the game. I added some other personnel to the list too, a few officers and NCOs that are between assignments. I trust you two can get everyone dusted off and ready for assignment in the next few days?"

Scarlet took the PADD quickly at the news, looking down over it with curiosity. She nodded slowly in thought, and then quicker as she came back to the present. "Of course, Sir," she assured softly. It was music to her ears, to be working with crew from the Galileo again...however, with Lirha's situation, it also felt wrong.

Aren followed Scarlets example and took the second PADD. "Yes sir. Between the two of us it wont take much time at all." He said as he skimmed over the information. He made a mental note to look at Scarlets file. He suspected she was a complicated officer to say the least.

"Good, good. I'll have the cadet dossiers and transcripts sent to both of you by the end of the day." Vega was a succinct man; not necessarily one of many words, but one eager to get his point across quickly. "Well, that's it. Unless either of you have questions?"

Aren shook his head. "Nothing that isn't covered in the written briefing." He said as he gestured a the tablet. He glanced over at Blake, wondering if she had any questions. This was the first time he had met this women and he was sure that would have the chance to get to know one another better in the near future.

Scarlet gave a single, brisk shake of her head as she lowered the PADD to look first to Aren and then to Vega. "No questions," she assured softly, looking back to Aren. They could liaise once they'd had the chance to go through it all properly. She had to admit, she was looking forward to it. This was a unique mission that tied in with what she'd been doing the last months. It was a chance to get back on a ship, but also see a little more from the young people she'd been working with...she was intrigued to see how this played out.

"That's what I like to hear, always ready for duty," Vega approved with a waggle of his finger towards both of them while he chugged the last of his coffee. "Make sure you get your department heads briefed. And I'll leave it to you to recruit the crew's newcomers. Dismissed."

Scarlet gave a firm nod to Vega before standing quickly, tugging her jacket before heading for the door. She hesitated outside of it for Aren however, offering a small smile as he came through the door. "This should prove enlightening...for cadets and crew alike."

[OFF]

--

RADM Julio Vega
Vice Commandant
Starfleet Academy
[PNPC Saalm]

CMDR Scarlet Blake
Instructor
Starfleet Academy

CMDR Aren Ban
Executive Officer

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