The Rise of Risa

Posted on Tue Nov 22nd, 2022 @ 4:40am by Captain Devin Hadenbeer & Commander Sandy "Phantom" Risa

1,416 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Into The Void
Location: ready room

Devin exited the officer's lounge and headed down the corridor, the ache in her thigh had returned and she was starting to wonder just how serious a problem she had on her hands. She knew it was not a matter of if but when she needed a proper physical...but if that happened it had to be in secret: the last thing the crew needed to see was her in any kind of weakened state.

She did not say anything to lieutenant Commander Risa in the turbolift as they headed to deck one. She led Risa into the ready room and she sank gratefully into the chair behind her desk.

Hadenbeer's ready room was more or less normal, save for the fact that she had a display of canes on one wall, set in what looked like some sort of large wheel. The chair the captain now sat in was arguably the decadent conceived: High backed with a large neck/head rest, with arm rests full of controls. On the was a holo of an attractive woman in a Starfleet uniform, it cycled through images of her laughing, looking annoyed, looking pensive, various other moods. Judging by her eyes she was likely Betazoid. On another wall was a plaque displaying some sort of academic award.

"Feel free to use the replicator," the captain replied as she manipulated the controls at her fingertips," I realize your breakfast was cut short. Feel free to provide something for your furry friend as well."

There was the faintest hum and the captain closed her eyes as a smile crossed her face...

"Dad has one of those ancient things at home. Mom is always complaining about him using the damn thing and she always threatens to get rid of it," Sandy said chuckling. Sensing the gratitude of the captain, she allowed Smithy to hang out around her neck while she got some eggs and a bagel for which Smithy was eagerly waiting on bits stuffed with eggs. Plate in hand, Smithy happily chomping, did Sandy speak again while sitting.

Hadenbeer's eyes snapped open, she glanced down at the arm rests.

"My first command was the first Lionheart; the captain's chair had a hole blown through it and I had told my new Operations officer to get me a replacement. I was not particular about where she got it from."

She frowned, "Now I am beginning to wonder if this was stolen from some display at Starbase Nine. They had a nice 'pirates of the Federation' display, if I recall."

She shut the chair off, "The children loved it."

Hadenbeer shrugged, "I suppose you might be curious as to my reluctance regarding the assigning of a Chief Flight Control officer, Commander?"

"Well.....yes in a way. I was on Gabriel Station waiting for my assignment to the Akira class USS Samson when the shit hit the fan and well here we are. Now being a CAG does not mean I can't fly starships, quite the contrary. I have flown Starships when not flying in my fighter. They are only bigger and take a little longer to maneuver but I get it done on short order. Do you need a CFO/CAG?", Sandy said as Smithy finished his food snd rolled over on her lap for his belly rub.

"Technically...no," Devin replied as she called something up on her monitor, "Personnel who man the helm could report directly to the Executive Officer, it is really a matter of preference on behalf of the captain. On ships with a large number of support craft chief of conn is actually necessary because it helps to define the responsibilities of the pilots and flight control officers. The Lionheart A was an Akira class. I had two very experienced junior lieutenants and..."

Hadenbeer hesitated, then shrugged, "I might tell the story to you at a later time, perhaps when I know you better and I am more than a little drunk," she turned the screen so Risa could see what the ship she was on looked like, "That is a Chariot class, Commander. I assure you that getting to understand how she maneuvers is going to take a little getting used to..."

"Well...as my dad would say....'There is no time better than the present' so.....when do you want me to get started in learning her?" Sandy said smiling.

"No time like the present," Devin replied with a nod as she turned the screen back around. She tapped her comm badge, "Ensign Toelau, are you sleeping?"

"No, sir!" a young female voice replied, perhaps a bit too quickly, "I'm up!"

"Excellent! Report to auxiliary control as soon as is you can."

She smiled at Risa as she finished, "You will have the rare pleasure of teaching a lieutenant Commander how to fly a starship."

Devin cut the connection and sighed, "I have admit, I am going to miss this a bit. The eccentric behavior, the canes," she nodded at the display on the wall, "All misdirection, you see. If I slipped people would just attribute it to me being, well, weird..."

"No more weirder than I, captain. You should see my collection of ancient earth fighters..." Sandy said chuckling.

"I might, someday," Devin noted, "I am assuming some conscientious crewperson will be careful and properly log them when Gabriel Station gets shut down and they put them in storage."

Devin stood, "Just a note; we are currently short on fighter craft at the moment. Our runabout is wrecked and the closest thing we have to what you are used to is a scout ship," she frowned, "I am rather fond of it; I would hate to see it come to harm..."

"Not to worry captain, she will be protected from harm. You will eventually understand why I am the way I am with all types of space craft. My fighter is sitting on Gabriel Station and will be ferried here. We have both been through a lot. They are like children and always need care and protection. 'When you hurt them, you are hurting me too' and I've heard that from somewhere but the point is that I am like that," Sandy said.

Devin cocked her head, she rubbed her nose.

"Commander," she finally said, "Perhaps Elle did not adequately explain it to you? We are...elsewhere. This ship possesses a dimensional drive, as far as I know the only one in Starfleet."

The captain waved to the window, "You want strange, new worlds? Right outside is a galaxy in its infancy, with bright stars, no planets as yet. Elle dragged us here to avoid capture. In your spare time I suggest you head down to the pub and talk to Jones; he would have more than a few interesting stories regarding the voyage of the second Lionheart. There is a mural on the wall down there, it would make for some...interesting conversation..."

"I think I will take your advice. I could use a drink about now. Can I interest you in a drink with me?? I would enjoy your company captain," Sandy said , walking to the window looking out into the stars.

It was indeed a new universe, pregnant with shining blue and white stars and a plethora of bright nebulae. Devin stood herself and said, "Another time, perhaps. And right now you have a date with an ensign who will no doubt be eager to show you how this vessel handles.

"Over the next few weeks you might find conditions...vary from universe to universe. Hopefully we will be able to avoid the more...exotic ones."

"Agreed captain, and now I think I should get my backside down to this Ensign and my...lesson?" Sandy said chuckling.

Devin nodded and watched the lieutenant Commander depart. Hopefully she would get along with her new subordinates. After a moment she sat down and opened up a desk drawer. She pulled out an older model padd and accessed the menu, stopping at "Brec". Images appeared of a dashing young Bajoran in Starfleet red, his face often sporting a cocky smile. The last image was of him and a group of young officers and crewmen posing in front of a pair of parked scout ship, the caption beneath reading "Lionheart Scout Squadron. The cat's whiskers".

Damn it, she muttered as she felt her eyes start to water. She would have to speak to Elle about the environmental controls; something was obviously irritating her eyes...

 

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