Overture

Posted on Sat Jan 29th, 2022 @ 4:39am by Captain Devin Hadenbeer & Lieutenant Commander Dorian Sheppard & Lieutenant Commander Ull Arkyn & Lieutenant Commander R'elle & Lieutenant JG Alia Fitzgerald

3,759 words; about a 19 minute read

Mission: Into The Void
Location: Bridge
Timeline: Mission Launch!

Bridge Layout

Devin felt that now familiar lead weight in the pit of her stomach before mission departure. She stared at her collection of canes and it all seemed so...silly. Every time she felt under stress she constructed one and now she had this...ridiculous display before her. She idly spun the wheel and it came to a stop of a matte black cane.

"Ominous," she murmured as she slid it free of the housing. Outside the new staff was assembling on the bridge, in a few minutes time they would be heading out on their new mission. A group of strangers save for one. She spared one brief glance at the ceiling and strode toward the doorway to the bridge...

The turbolift doors opened and a young ensign hesitantly stepped out. She glanced about the bridge uncertainly as she eyed the bridge full of strangers...

******

MELL

As I directed my hover platform onto the bridge I was pleasantly surprised by the science station. It was already configured my hover platform to dock properly at it. Not a big change to the hardware over all but one that was very helpful. I made a mental note to thank the head engineer when I met them.

The ensign at my station looked only mildly surprised by me. It was going to take my team a bit to get use to me but it would seem that they were making good headway on that front. Before too long I may even be able to take up walking through the halls with out worrying about being stepped on.

The ensign nodded and went off to another bridge station to keep up with his busywork. I tapped a few keys and the station reconfigured itself for my use. I took a moment to make sure all was running correctly before looking around at the rest of the bridge, I could feel some eyes on me, wondering what in the world this “cat” was doing on the bridge, dressed like a science officer and riding a custom hover platform that looked like a small rounded feline throne with a low back.

This was the third revision of my platform. It had red velvet cushions with purple lining that formed a low back behind me. I really wasn’t a fan of the cushion color scheme but I did make some concessions to the designers who seemed to be endlessly amused by trying to make me out to be some sort of feline royalty. The bottom was a bit deeper than the old one and some of the cushions folded back and I could sit in it like a small throne almost if I shifted to stand on my hind legs. The rest of the platform was a neutral gray color that thankfully wasn’t as gaudy as some of their alternate proposals. The controls had been refined even further with my feedback and were the best yet. A few members of the engineering team that designed the original had kept up with me over the years and had transmitted plans for this one shortly after I got promoted. I opted to use the variant with out the gold lining and jewels studded everywhere. That was bit over the top. I not only got plans for a new self assembling cat tree but a surprise delivery of said new cat tree. It seems that joke wasn’t going to die any time soon. Though to be honest, the built in scratching post on all of the cat tree’s provided had proven to be useful. Shedding old claws could be a hassle some times and scratching, while considered a bit primitive was still a very satisfying method of shedding them. Here I was, mind wandering like a week old kitten again...

My eyes darted over to the door to the captain’s ready room as she walked out. I straightened up automatically at attention as I waited for her to speak.

******

-// swish //-

The turbolift doors open to the bridge and for a moment Sheppard stands in the lift just watching. Everything seems to be sublime, in stark comparison to the Yellowstone when he last saw her.

He glances around the area, only stopping his attention when his eyes come across who can only be Lieutenant Mell’Una. He clears his throat gently and approaches her. “Excuse me, Lieutenant,” he says professionally. “Is the station adequate for your needs?” he asks courteously. “Oh, sorry,” he quickly apologizes. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. Uh, hi. Sheppard. Chief Engineer,” he introduces himself, offering a handshake before realizing ‘duh, she has paws’ and pulling away awkwardly, tucking his hands under his arms with a blush. “Uh, the station is dual control- touch and acoustic- programmed to respond to your specific, Uh, purr?, Uh, signature?…”

He pauses, uncomfortably- eyes pleading for understanding. It’s obvious he’s never met a Leth’ann before and he’s trying to make a good first impression.

MELL

Have I mentioned before that humans are so cute when they are confused? At least I think it was confusion… I will admit that I still had trouble reading human social queues but I was getting better. I was use to GIANT humans walking up to me now and easily suppressed the instinct to flatten my ears and adopt a defensive posture. I was proud of my self for that.

At his somewhat awkward introduction I flexed my right hand out, fully exposing five functional fingers and an opposable thumb that ended in claws. My peoples front “paws” looked much like normal polydactyl cat paws, five toes and a “thumb”. When fully extended they were fully prehensile hands. I had a brief moment of regret that I wasn’t ever able to complete the research into my peoples genetic history on board this vessel the last time I was stationed here. Turns out my people’s genome was frighteningly similar to the standard Terran cat with some advanced modifications. Not that my people would ever admit it...

“Lieutenant Mell’Una.” I said by way of introduction.

“Hand shakes are fine. I find the custom rather interesting. Shaking hands with a species like mine that has claws indicates an impressive and clear level of trust.” I said as I reached my fully extended hand out.

I followed up with “The station is perfect. Thank you for getting the docking clamps and umbilical hookups for my hover platform installed so quickly at this station. It will make my job a lot easier.”

The young ensign had taken in the room full of complete strangers-each one out ranking her, and thought perhaps to slink back into the turbolift, when she spotted a famliar face! She quickly stole over to the science station and saw the man she was talking to was a lieutenant commander-almost royalty-and winced but she was committed.

"Lieutenant Mell?" Dare said hesitantly, "Um, it's Dare? I'm not sure if you remember me but I was on board when you were here last?" she glanced at the other officer, "I'm sorry, cad-acting ensign Hadenbeer. Sir."

“I vaguely remember you yes. It’s nice to have people around who know to watch under foot for me as I won’t always be using my platform to move around the ship.” Mell replied.

“Hadenbeer?” Sheppard asks. “Any relation to our Captain?”

The turbolift doors opened and Ull stepped onto the bridge. He looked around and noted how different it looked now that stations were starting to be manned. His gaze paused for a moment on Lt. Mell'Una. He had heard about the Leth'ann, but has never seen one in person. He walked on to the Tactical station and started logging in and checking systems statuses and making sure all munitions we're stored.

MELL

I saw our tactical officer walk in and suppressed a flinch. So that’s why our captain was insistent that my trophy collection be as hidden as possible. I slow blinked and nodded my head in a salute as our eyes met. I had respect for Orions, I was also slightly scared of them. It was honestly only luck that I managed what I had done and if this guy was in Star Fleet then my own emotional reactions aside, he was part of the crew and I *WOULD* manage my own reactions.


ALIA

Alia arrived on the bridge five minutes before her shift. She had fought endlessly with herself exactly HOW early she would be and finally decided on ten as the ideal amount. Any later and she feared it would mark her as a nigh-tardy clock-watcher, any earlier and she might be forced to engage in social activities with people she didn't know at all. If she was even earlier than THAT, it might send a different sort of wrong message about that new 'brown nosing Operations officer'. In the end, she almost third-guessed herself and became late by default so five minutes turned out to be correct.

Unlike her first time on the bridge, she could feel the quiet efficiency like an infrasound hum that you could barely detect if not hear. it was so unlike the corralled enthusiasm of Starfleet Academy or the entirely uncorralled and hyper-frenetic pace of the Daikyu. People all had a place and a purpose, laid out and known to themselves and everyone else. It felt good to have a place, even if it wasn't permanent.

She wore a discreet computer over her left ear with a single monitor in front of her left eye. It was entirely transparent from the outside but would display information for her when necessary. She had picked it up while on a cadet cruise and modified it to better suit her purposes. She used it on the Daikyu as she frequently had use both her hands and reference materials at the same time and now wore it while working. In this case, she had it activated just as a supplement for her meager knowledge of non-human species. Level-1 knowledge, almost level-0, so it wouldn't distract her unduly.

As she glanced around the room, messages popped up and automatically dismissed themselves. *Orion male* *Leth'ann female* She found it hard not to stare at Mell 'Una who looked startlingly like the Captain's pet. Of course, the acts of TALKING and operating machinery already separated her from that category but the resemblance was still impressive.

Alia spoke calmly to the man at the Operations console. *Ensign John Thayer* her monovisor displayed unnecessarily as she had already reviewed the members of her department. "Afternoon Thayer. Anything to report?"

"No Chief, all is well. All cargo and supplies are stowed and stored." It didn't take an empath to notice the new head of Operations was both nervous and excited.

"Good. Schedule a general operations meeting that most of the department can get together in the next 24 hours. Any time that's free on my calendar."

"Aye aye." The ensign, though young, was a Starfleet Officer and well used to alien species. Working under an officer that looked like a teenage girl was odd enough, though, that even his well-earned savoir faire was sorely tested. "I'll make sure to do that."

She nodded. "I'll take it from here."

"Yes ma'am." He debated asking to stay but having been clearly dismissed, he exited gracefully not wanting to overstay his welcome with his new boss. If he knew how similar his thoughts were to hers, he'd either be amused or surprised, possibly both.

DARE

Dare had been about to answer the lieutenant Commander's question, when some new arrivals had come onto the bridge. Orions were pretty rare in Starfleet, but the woman with the...apparatus on her head was almost as unusual.

"Oh," she turned back to the man, "I'm sorry, sir. Yes, ah, I am the captain's niece. I was hoping to talk to her before we got under way to discuss where she wanted to place me; this was all very last minute, you see. One minute I am at the Academy, the next..."

Dare shrugged, "I just hope I don't find myself, ah, under foot, as it were."

Chief councilor r'relle stepped onto the bridge. She loved the hustle and bustle of the crew going about their business. She saw so many new faces. Lt cmdr Ull Arkyn, the orion tactical officer. He rather stood out. Very few orions in starfleet. The same for Lt Mel'una, the Leth'ann. As far as she knew Mel'una was the only one. She had to admit, she was fascinated by the diminutive feline. Rather unique yet they were both feline. Well sort of. Technically R'relle was a felinoid by she still considered herself a feline as well as female.

Devin exited the ready room and paused when she spotted Dare. She forced a smile and said, "Ah, ensign. I see you are getting reacquainted with our Chief Science Officer and Chief Engineer. It is good to see you again."

"Yes, Captain," Dare replied, "Is it possible-"

"No," Devin looked about the bridge, frowned when she spotted R'relle.

"Counselor," she noted cooly, "I am certain we can find a seat for you...somewhere," she directed her attention to the others.

"Mister Arkyn, have the last of the loiterers departed the ship? Last thing I need are stowaways."

Ull waited a second as he checked his console before he responded. "Yes, sir. All storerooms have been checked and all registered visitors have departed the ship."

"Very good. Mister Fitzgerald, I trust that thing on your head is supposed to improve performance and you have not developed some issue with your vision? Contact dry dock personnel and confirm everyone is accounted for and is well away from the ship when we depart."

"It's not corrective, Ma'am. I modified a Cardassian device to provide information so that I can access information 'hands free' while working on things. It was very handy on the Daikyu for... a lot of reasons. I can tell you about them when we have more time. And I'll be sure to run the manifest before we leave."

"Very good. Mister Sheppard, the ship is going to need a bit of a shakedown so I am going to be pushing the engines a bit. We have a rendezvous to to make and I do not want to be late."

“Aye, Captain,” Sheppard confirms. “Ensign Rabahk is on standby awaiting my mark.”

"Excellent!" Dare turned to the Science Officer, "Mell, I realize this is short notice and she is not wearing the right color, but if you could take ensign Hadenbeer in paw for a time until we can determine where we can fit her in, I would appreciate it. The alternative is to put her at helm and according to her instructors that might prove catastrophic..."

"I'm standing right here," Dare muttered under her breath.

MELL

I looked over at R’elle. I’d met a few Caitains before but they never failed to strike a bit of envy in me. Felinoid and giant. Good combination. I was trying not too be to jealous.

“Of course. That won’t be a problem. I’m sure I can find things to keep her busy and learning.” I said in reply to the captain's request, then to Dare “For the moment if you could take the station next to mine and monitor the passive sensors for activity around the ship that would be helpful. Also could you keep an eye on the starboard lateral sensor array and note the readings in the log report I’ve created for that task? I suspect it may be coming out of alignment and I want to get ahead of that if there’s any trouble with it.”

Dare glanced past the CSO at the other station, she hoped her nod didn't reflect her desperate gratitude to having something to do while all these senior officers and department heads were about.

"Yes, lieutenant," she replied as she scooted past the Chief Engineer and checked out the auxiliary science station. Maybe it was busy work but she would do her best.

Once Dare's back was to her Devin gave Mell a slight nod of gratitude and was about to say something more when she spotted someone exiting the conference room.

Commander Qetzal emerged from the conference room after a rather frustrating call. She had taken the call in private shortly before the bridge crew assembled and now she managed to compose herself, appearing as though she had no worries in the universe. She arrived on the bridge as Hadenbeer began addressing the crew and Qetzal slid into position silently.

"Commander!" Devin said with a nod, "We are making preparations for getting under way. This is Counselor R'relle, Mell'Una is out Chief Science Officer, and this is lieutenant Commander Sheppard, our Chief Engineer. Over there is lieutenant Commander Arkyn, our Chief Tactical Officer, and the person with the accoutrement," she waved at her own head with her free hand, "is lieutenant Fitzgerald, Chief of Operations. The rest are, well, ensigns. I am quite certain I will recall their names, in time."

Sheppard nods politely as his name is called.

Ull nodded and gave a slight smile to Qetzal as his name was called.

Hadenbeer smiled, "Oh, but wait! That's why I have you here, isn't it?"

Following along with the introductions, Qetzal nodded to each of the officers. Knowing their faces from their Starfleet records was not the same as actually meeting them. "That checks out," Qetzal concurred with Hadenbeer. "I am good with names."

"Some names might become more memorable than others," the captain murmured. Dare glanced over her shoulder and grimaced, then returned her attention back to her screens.

"That is good to know Commander. A nice thing to have."R'relle said. "I am very pleased to meet all of you. I look forward to getting to know you all. I hope you all will drop by sometime. My door is always open so to speak. I am very happy to aboard the Lionheart!"

Alia looked over and saw a *Female Caitian* message pop up and then go away after a second. The woman's uniform and rank reminded Alia that the Caitian was the ship's counselor. As R'relle made her rounds of the bridge, Alia nodded and smiled, "Welcome aboard, Commander." She grinned, somewhat uncomfortably. "That seems odd to say as I've probably only been aboard hours before you."

Devin gave the XO a nod and said, "Commander, would you like to do us the honors?" she waved her cane towards The Big Chair.

Qetzal looked at the Captain with an expression which was very difficult to read. She turned and took the offered seat, checking the display before addressing the Chief Flight officer, "Ensign Toelau, confirm all docking tethers have been detached and prepare to leave dock. Lieutenant Fitzgerald, please account for all crew aboard the ship. Lieutenant Commander Sheppard, please prepare engines for departure." Qetzal ordered.

Sheppard taps his comm. “Rabahk, engines are go.”

=“Acknowledged,”= comes the reply.

Sheppard checks his PADD, bringing up the impulse system visual display and Warp Core readings. Satisfied with the data and confident in his Ensign’s abilities, he stays where he is and silently observes the bridge crew during the ship’s exit from Spacedock.

Alia tapped a control and murmured, "Computer confirm all personnel on manifest are aboard and no others are on the ship."

"Affirmative," it responded in the same hushed tone after running a picosecond scan of the interior of the ship.

Alia returned to a normal conversational tone. "All present and accounted for, ma'am!"

Devin gave a short, almost absent-minded nod as her eyes scanned the bridge, then her attention returned to the XO.

As the affirmatives were returned, and the Lionheart moved a safe distance from its dock, Qetzal said, "Lock in coordinates and take us to impulse. Once we're out of the system, let's take the engines up to warp three. Engineering, let me know when we're ready to increase to warp six."

R'elle walked over to Mell'una. "Well Lt. I have been wanting to meet you ever since I read your record. I have never heard of the Leth'ann before. I admit to being fascinated by you. I am curious, why join Starfleet? " The counselor asked.

MELL

I looked over at R’elle. “As far as I know I’m the only Leth in Star Fleet though I’m hoping that will change over time. It’s good to meet you sir. I joined because I’m a runt. Far to small to be considered important to my people. We’re recovering from being a warrior peoples. Society is changing but not fast enough for my tastes. Ironically despite my size in relation to the rest of you giant races, I fit in better here than I do at home. Here the only thing that’s mattered to most folks is my intelligence. In the process of succeeding out here among the giants of the galaxy I’ve stuck a blow for all the runts everywhere at home. I’ve proven that out here, among giants that even Klingons can come to respect a runt of my size.”

I resisted the temptation to make a joke about how giant races also give some of the best back and ear scratches I’ve ever had… I wasn’t really sure how that would go over in this situation.

I extended a paw, fingers flexed out as an offer to shake hands. Sure that she at least must realize the extent of trust this tradition required, even if most humans didn’t think anything of it.

"I admire your courage, Lt. It takes a lot to join up with a bunch of giants. Maybe you are a runt Physically, by your people's standards, but I think you will find a good home in Starfleet. Your physical size isn't important. Oh, and don't call me sir. R'elle or counselor will do just fine. " She shook mell's paw. "I am very pleased to met you Mell'una! I hope more lethans are inspired to join starfleet. "

Devin gave a sigh as she heard the familiar hum of the engines, she felt the slightest shift of the deck beneath her feet as the vessel jumped to warp speed. Lionheart was free to roam again and for just one moment Devin could forget her troubles...

 

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