Departure

Posted on 10 Dec 2025 @ 2:55pm by Captain Jasmine Somers FCapt & 1st Lieutenant Joseph Tabor & Lieutenant Commander Remington Dodd & Lieutenant Commander Leland Hawksley & Lieutenant Thex sh'Zoarhi & Lieutenant Paul Winchester & Lieutenant JG Faith Benson & Ensign Alexi Michelle Brevet & Chief Warrant Officer Glenn Stone Mr

2,972 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: S04 Episode 02 The Hackers Backdoor (Main)
Location: USS Tomcat Various
Timeline: MD: 00

[ON]

With the briefing completed, Jasmine arrived on the bridge, whose lights came on automatically. She sat in her chair, taking in the newness, "Ah, the fresh smell!" She said.

Then, the next on the bridge came her First Officer, "Ah, Commander Dodd, how are things, and what do you think of the new bridge, not much different from the old one, but there are some differences, like the white throughout the ship?" She asked.

"Well, this is a nice-looking bridge. This seems familiar but more sleek and much brighter." Dodd replied. "I will come to enjoy bridge duty more."

"Indeed", she answered, then looked up to see Hawksley arrive "Welcome to the new bridge, Commander. I know you were probably here during the upgrade, but now you will be on the bridge when she takes flight, if you take the after Engineering Station Commander!" Somers said with a smile.

"Thrilled to be here for the maiden run, ma'am. Bridge upgrades are a thing of beauty—integrated those Mark XII sensor arrays. Should shave a full millisecond off our tactical response loops." Hawksley tapped a few commands, pulling up a holographic schematic that bloomed above the console, coolant lines glowing blue and steady.

"I'll keep an eye on the dilithium matrix from here; she's purring, but I wouldn't mind a quick EPS relay purge before we hit full throttle-might throw a harmonic if we push her too hard out the gate." Hawksley chuckled, leaning into the station like an old friend, oblivious to the moment around him.

Dodd was in the XO's chair reviewing a PADD, which he had downloaded all the advancements that were now part of the Tomcat. He was marvelling at the new, sleek design of the interior of the ship that had been his home for a good length of time. As he reviewed the details, he monitored the crew coming onto the bridge and the conversations happening all around him.

Then others arrived on the bridge, Ensign Michelle looking a little lost "Ah, Ensign, welcome, take the communications station if you will, Somers said.

Alexi nodded, feeling totally out of place, "Yes, Sir." She glanced around for a moment at the others on the bridge before moving to her assigned station. She logged in as she took a seat.

"Mr Winchester, kindly take the helm if you will," the Captain said, looking at Winchester.

"Aye, Sir," replied Paul, taking his seat at Helm and starting his pre-flight checks. He then said," We are clean and ready to go, Sir." He finished, " Just give the word."

She nodded as Benson finally arrived and took up her station at tactical. She looks back at her. "Welcome to the new bridge, Lieutenant", the Captain said with a smile.

Faith looked around and moved to what should be the Tactical station. "Thank you, Captain, my Captain."

With a nod in response, she faced front again, "Commander Hawksley, power her up slowly, bring the warp core online, let me know when and if all green", she said.

Commander Hawksley nodded crisply from his station at the conn, fingers dancing across the interface with practised precision. "Aye, Captain. Initiating slow power-up sequence. Engineering, stand by for warp core ignition."

He tapped his combadge, his voice steady and authoritative over the open channel. "Hawksley to Thex. Lieutenant, we're green across the board up here. Commence warp core initialisation at twenty per cent output. Ramp to full over the next five minutes. Monitor for any fluctuations in the dilithium matrix or plasma injectors. Report anomalies immediately, and keep containment fields nominal. Hawksley out." Leland scrutinised, his eyes watching all metrics at once.

Down in engineering, the ship's Sapphire, Andorian, was like a kid in a candy store with all of the new upgrades. Even still, she was over at the warp controls in seconds. " Twenty per cent coming up." She said her fingers were dancing over the controls. The reading jumped into life, and the sign of all systems green was music to her antenna.

The bridge thrummed with the familiar, deep resonance as the warp core engaged. A low, building hum that vibrated through the deck plating, coaxing life into every console and panel. Auxiliary lights flickered on in sequence, and the ambient lighting shifted to its warm operational glow.

Hawksley glanced at the diagnostics scrolling across his screen, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as the readings stabilised. He tapped his com badge once again. "Thex, how are we looking?"

" Everything looking great down here, Commander," the Andorian's voice came. "Everything is running smoothly down here."

Hawksley leaned back at his station, the tension easing from his shoulders like a warp core finally purring at full efficiency. He pressed the com badge with a nod of genuine relief.

"Outstanding work as always, Thex. Couldn't ask for a steadier hand in the engine room—tell the team they're the backbone of this ship. Hawksley out."

With that, a hum sounded as the warp core came online, and systems began to power up; the sound was reassuring to her ears.

Hawk straightened, turning his head toward the captain's chair. "Warp core online and stable, Captain. All systems green across the board—eighty per cent and climbing smoothly."

*Smiling* "Excellent *looks to Benson* how is tactical looking Lieutenant?" She asked.

Faith glanced up for a moment, "Other than a few fluctuations in the phaser grid, all good."

"Excellent *turns to Michelle, who looked a little uncomfortable* Ensign Michelle, notify Starbase 51 that we are ready to switch to Internal power", Somers said.

"Yes, Captain," Alexi replied as she nodded and looked at the console for a few seconds before finding the right buttons to press to open the com. =/\= Starbase Operations, USS Tomcat is ready to switch to internal power. =/\=

With that, she realised that with Winchester at the helm, she was missing a navigator. She discovered her COB had some basic Navigation training for ship duty. She sighed, so she opened a channel =/\= Somers to Chief Stone, report to the bridge pronto =/\= she said.

Tapping his badge =/\= On my way Captain =/\=

Turning to the flight deck. "Make sure everything is tied down, Lieutenant, before we leave. This is a shake-down cruise. We don't want anything moving around on the flight deck." Ordered Stone as he left.

Arriving on the bridge, stepping out of the turbo lift, he walked in front of the Captain. "Reporting pronto as ordered, Ma'am. What can I do for you?" He asked, standing, waiting for orders.

She looked up at him, "Your file says you have navigation training for a Starship, something to do with your Spec Ops training, yes?" the Captain intoned.

"Yes, Captain, I have some training and have worked on some courses, I am qualified ah...." he looked around, seeing navigation open, then back at the Somers. "Yes, Ma'am, I can operate Starship Navigation," he replied.

"Good, I like my Crew to be able to be more than they are," she said. "Then sit at Navigation, Mr Stone," She finished.

"Yes, ma'am," replied Mr Stone. He moved with purpose to the navigation station and sat. His hands danced across the panel, with different parts of it lighting up as the data showed. "Captain, destination of travel?" he asked.

"Galen System", the Captain answered.

"Aye, Galen System, plotting course, no known navigation hazards. Flight plan clearance has been approved, and all data has been transferred to Lieutenant Winchester," announced Mr Stone.

Leland paused and turned to Faith, “Lt. Benson. I am pulling up the phaser systems.” He paused, seeing what Faith had commented. “Initial ST4 phaser assembly sets up and syncs with the new phasic generators installed. This will level out once we’ve reached standard flight mode.” Hawksley assured Benson and the Captain.

"Alright, Leland," giving him a nod. "Good job." Faith gave him a smile. She gave a check to make sure. It wasn't that she didn't trust him. Always better to be safe than sorry.

"Commander Hawksley, are my engines ready to switch to internal power?" She asked her Chief Engineer.

“Capt. Somers. Only if you assure us, we will not be testing warp 9.9997.” Leland had a cheeky look. He added, “Systems are already migrated to internal power. The core is operating at peak efficiency, Ma’am.”

Sits forward and twists her chair to look at Leland "I am crazy, but not that crazy. No set for warp one when clear of any gravity wells, we will build up from there," she said with a smile.

Leland replied with a simple "Acknowledged, Captain." As he breathed inward, he then lent a slow release. After months of working with Paul on the retrofit, the project was finally nearing completion, except for the data, which would be scrutinized after the initial test flight.

Paul knew he might have to leave the bridge to go to medical, and being with his wife was about to give birth to their children. He asked, " Captain, if I get a call to go to medical, may I be excused from my duties?"

She looked at him and tapped her Commbadge oO oh boy! Oo, she said to herself =/\= Somers to Tabor =/\= she began.

- The Pilot Quarter -

Joseph Tabor was relaxing in the fighter pilots section on the Tomcat when his Commbadge went off with the Captain's voice =/\= Tabor here Captain =/\= he said after tapping his badge.

=/\= Lieutenant, get your rump up to the bridge. I need you to take over for Lieutenant Winchester at the helm. His wife has gone into labour =/\=

The Captain responded, he sighed =/\= on my way, Captain, Tabor out =/\= after closing the link, he quickly left. This was only the third time he had been asked to pilot the Tomcat with the retrofit, and the upgrades to her flight profile had drastically changed.

- Bridge -

She looked at Winchester. The moment Tabor arrives, you can go, okay!" she said to Winchester.

Paul replied," Thank you, Captain," as he waited for Tabor to arrive so he could be there for the birth of his firstborn. This was the next chapter in his life: being a father.

A few moments later, First Lieutenant Joseph Tabor arrives on the bridge. He heads to the helm in response to the Captain's head motion. He stops, Lieutenant Winchester, Sir, I am here to relieve you from your station," Tabor said.

" Paul replied. I am relieved," formally relinquishing the helm to Tabor, as he exited the bridge, he said," Sickbay," as the lift doors closed upon him

"Stage 5 is ready," Faith glanced up a little bit, sending the information to Hawksley.

As things were all but ready. She looked at him, "So Commander, what do you think of the new look colour scheme of the bridge? They could have gone with grey or off white, I think", the Captain said.

Well, Captain. I believe the colour scheme will help our crew work more efficiently. The brightness of the bridge seems to make everyone feel focused and more alert. From my observations since stepping onto the bridge, I can say that the crew appears to be full of vim and vigour. I know I am looking forward to the new adventures on this little ship, and serving my duty hours on the bridge will not be dull with this vibe going through the ship.

"Leland and Paul Sharpe did a wonderful job, don't you think, Remy? I mean, I am dubious about a holographic modified warp core created to generate extra energy in an emergency, hope we do not have to test it. Also, the holoemitters throughout the ship are a boon, too, what you say?" The Captain.

"Yes, Leland and Paul did an amazing job. I only wish I were part of the mix, as I really miss getting my hands dirty with engine grease and grime." Dodd replied as he turned his head to look at the captain. "I do like the addition of holo-emitters throughout the ship. That is an amazing upgrade for all sorts of new tasks and such. I was just reviewing the specific details about the holographic warp core and feel it is a good addition, and yet I do hope we never need to actually use it."

*nods* "disengage Starbase power cables and umbilicals", she said, then looked to Michelle at the communications station, "Ensign, please notify the Starbase we are all green and ready to depart, and to open the space doors", she instructed.

With a curt nod, Alexi acknowledged the order. =/\\= Starbase Operations, Tomcat verifies all systems green and ready to depart.=/\\= The response came quickly, =/\\= Tomcat, acknowledged. Safe travels and God Speed?=/\\= She turned to the Captain, We are cleared for departure.

With that done, looking at Helm, "Mr Tabor, one-quarter thruster speed until we exit Starbase," She said.

"Yes, Captain", Joseph responded and suited actions to words.

"Mr Stone, set heading for Galen IV outside the system", she said to the navigator.

"Aye, Ma'am, Galen IV outside the system set. plotting course, no known navigation hazards. Flight plan clearance has been approved, and all data has been transferred to Lieutenant Tabor," announced Mr Stone.


The viewscreen showed the ship slowly moving. "Commander Hawksley, when clear of the Starbase, I want Warp One to start, then increase speed gradually, using your own judgement", she said.

Faith looked up from her console, making sure that everything was nominal on her end. Just another time to be sure. With their luck, something was going to go down even if it shouldn't. "Hold on to your butts."

Hawksley turned from his station, confident that there would be no issues. “Just a run around the block,” he mumbled to himself. His expertise was assured. “Understood, Captain,” Leland replied. He pre-cycled the injectors and was satisfied with the readings.

Slowly, the ship moved, and eventually the saucer section stuck its tip out into space as the rest of the ship followed "helm increase to one-half Impulse", the Captain said.

"Aye, Captain one-half Impulse", Tabor responded and suited action to words.

She stood up and turned to face the bridge crew "Okay, people, this will be a standard Shakedown Cruise. We will be heading to Galen IV. It is a short hop, I know, but the engines on this ship have been stripped down, retro-fitted and put back together again, and as we are the only combat-oriented ship in the sector, the last thing we need is to explode or have a failure somewhere and be stuck in deep space." She pauses as she looks around the bridge.

"I know a few of you are new to bridge duties, but on this ship it pays to have a broader skillset, so if you are at an unfamiliar station" she looks at both Stone and Michelle "do not worry to much, you would not be on the bridge if I did not want you here, thank you for listening" she said and sat back down.

"Captain, we have cleared the Starbase flight permiter", Tabor announced.

"Excellent, go to full Impulse until we get outside the station's defence perimeter, then Mr Stone, make sure we are locked in to Galen IV", she added.

Mr Stone wanted to do more than navigation. even though this was one of his duties as the chief of the boat. He had some training in the CON before every team had to be trained in their positions on a ship, just in case they had to run one after taking it over. But that was life in special operations.

"Aye, Ma'am, Galen IV is set, ship is on course, and the course is still clear," reported Mr Stone.

There was a tilt of her head a little bit, "So uh...what station are you moving me to?" Faith asked.

She looked around at Benson, "What do you mean, I am not planning to move you to another station, Lieutenant Benson?" the Captain said, confused.

"You just said you were initiating floating departments," Faith motioned a hand out gesture.

"Captain, we have passed the Station's defence perimeter" Tabor announced.

"Very good, Lieutenant Warp One, ENGAGE", she said, and the ship entered warp "Commander Hawksley, we will be increasing to warp two, then to six, keep an eye on those engines", she said.

Leland’s left ocular implant visualised the metrics on his bio synthesis readout. He nodded at Captain Somers’ orders. The engines would be good. He was more interested in the integrated bulkhead systems.
“Aye, Captain.”

"Okay, Mr Tabor, increase speed to Warp two and then up to Warp six at your discretion", Somers said.

"Aye, Captain", Tabor said and suited action to words.

[OFF]

 

RSS Feed