Surprise arrival

Posted on Fri Dec 20th, 2024 @ 10:22pm by Commander Jason Elliot & Lieutenant Hamlyn Ambrose

712 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: A new era - Time for change
Location: Bridge - USS Columbia
Timeline: Day 1 1422 hrs

On:

Jason had signed off on a few of the repairs that were completed in order to move on the the major projects that would take up the schedule for the next several weeks, then a yeoman walked over handing him a pad, This was unexpected. he quickly thought, he set the pad down on the command chair, something he hadn't really sat in yet. An engineering team arrived to bring up equipment that had been brought over from the nearby fabrication facilities, Jason stepped aside as a technician moved a pallet into place.

Stood awkwardly to one side of the of the Engineering team was Hobb. Duffel bag slung over one shoulder, he had come straight to the Bridge to report in with his new Commanding Officer. Not noticing Jason dancing around the pallets the team were bussing around the Bridge, Hobb was taking a moment to study their work.

Jason noticed the new arrival, "Can I help you lieutenant?"

A smile flitted across his face as Hobb nodded, 'uh, yeah. Lieutenant Hammlyn Ambrose, the Columbia's new Chief Engineer.' He pointed in the direction of the superior officer's pips, 'I think I'm looking to report to you for duty, Captain.'

Jason paused trying to think, he was interupted by a yeoman handing over a pad, "Looks like starfleet personel came through, I just got handed your orders."

Hobb's crooked smile widened, 'good to know Starfleet Personnel is as just-in-time as Starfleet Operations' resupplies. It's a pleasure to be aboard, Captain. I read the mission profile for the Columbia on my way over. No exaggeration to say I'm, uh, looking forward to seeing deep space again.'

Jason smiled, "The fact that you've arrived in the early hours of the refit is a welcome surprise, some of these new systems and upgrades should have a chief engineer present for their installation." Jason said.

'I read something in the transfer notes about the ship needing some work. You're re-speccing the ship, I take it?' Hobb looked around at the controlled chaos, experienced eyes taking in the efficient work of the engineering crew as they carried on around them.

"Computer upgrades, the weapon systems as well, plus the navigation fixes for the quantum slipstream drive." Jason paused "...and the Fleet formation system, over some objections I raised."

'I'm all for the Quantum Drive,' Hobb replied, shaking his head at the latter part. 'That Fleet Formation System ... not my favourite bit of kit we've brought out. Hopefully out on the frontier we won't have to activate it, and we'll be far enough out that it won't effect us if Command does.'

Jason was already impressed, "When we did the system test about a month ago there was a navigation glitch that left the system in limited use for us until they could find a fix, which meant a full refit to the navigation systems," Jason paused as he sidestepped and engineering team moving one of the crates "Also the launch system for the Aquarius ship is getting an upgrade so we can launch it at warp."

'The Aquarius, Sir?' Hobb queried as he tried to recall the notes on the Oddyssey-class vessel he had read on hte transfer over.

Jason smiled "The aquarius class were part of the original design of the Odyssey class as a support ship that it could launch for missions or in support of other activities, it launches out of the aft areas of the secondary hull, we've only used it a few times with Columbia."

'I can't wait to have a look at it, Captain. Handy to have another ship out there with us bigger than a runabout.' Hobb looked around the expansive Bridge, then back to the Captain, 'any other surprises I should be on the look out for?'

Jason smiled "An invite for a senior staff dinner party planet side in a few days, Welcome aboard Chief."

'A pleasant surprise,' Hobb replied with a grin, 'that, uh, definitely makes a change I can tell you.' He extended his hand to his new Commanding Officer, 'happy to be aboard, Sir.'

Jason smiled shaking hands "Welcome aboard Chief." he said with emphasis.

End

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