Back in the Saddle
Posted on Wed Aug 29th, 2012 @ 4:32am by Commodore Samantha York
947 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
The Enemy Within: Lying in Wait
Location: York's Ready ROom on the Calypso
ON
Sam and the others who'd been hijacked spent the first two weeks back on the Calypso going through a series of psychological and physical examinations to determine if they were fit for duty.
It was a necessary evil that made Sam chomp at the bit to get back into space. At least she had Damon back. And with them practically confined to quarters they took advantage of the opportunity to be together. It was the closest thing they were likely to get to a honeymoon.
Sam had changed over the past weeks. Whether it was for the best or not was yet to be seen. She was harder, tougher and more stubborn. Damon had changed, too, in similar ways. But, fortunately, some of the harder edges began to smooth out for both of them.
In spite of the testing, it felt good to be home. She spent some time just walking through the ship, familiarizing herself again with the smell, sounds and feel of her Baby.
At the end of the two weeks, she and her crew were allowed to return to active duty as long as they meet once a week with a counselor.
Sam was in her quarters, working on her computer when her combadge chirped, startling her. Another thing she'd gone without over the weeks.
"Burke to Captain York. Could you please meet me in your ready room?"
Sam stopped for a moment, surprised by the Admiral's summons. "I'll be right there." She turned and headed for the nearest turbolift. She'd already filed her report, giving as many details as she could on the mine and its location. She hoped there wasn't a problem with it, or with her crew.
She rang the door chime on her ready room. It felt a little weird asking to be admitted into her own office. When the door opened she stepped inside. "Hello, Admiral. What can I do for you?"
"I read your report," Burke said. "We sent a ship to the planet to see if we could gather any Intel on the group running it. There isn't much left. The mine has been abandoned. Everything of value has been stripped. We'll send routine patrols, but I doubt we'll find the people behind it."
Sam sat down and ran a hand through her hair. "I'm sorry to hear that. I'd hoped..."
"As had I," Kathryn agreed. "They must have gone in immediately. The place looks like it's been abandoned for years." The admiral took a sip of her drink. "Forgive me. Would you like something to drink?"
Sam shook her head. "No, thank you. When will the Calypso be ready to leave the shipyards?" She needed to get back in the saddle, so to speak, get back to exploring so she could begin to put her life back together. Having Damon back went a long way towards that end, but getting back to business would put everything back on track.
"That's the other reason I wished to talk to you. The USS Columbia went down over Tiberius IV. I need you and your crew to leave immediately to rescue them. You've been there before; you know what you're getting into. You're the best chance they have."
"What about Typhon itself? Doesn't it have ships en route?"
"Something or someone is attacking this sector. Typhon disappeared an hour ago. Shortly after, the Columbia, which was heading to Tiberius V to prevent more rioting sent a mayday. We lost contact ten minutes ago. It is believe they crashed on Tiberius IV."
Sam sat up straighter. Typhon was missing? She looked at the Admiral, wanting to ask a dozen questions. But she also remembered what Tiberius IV was like. The strange sand, the caves. If a ship went down there, they'd have to be rescued immediately. "I'll leave as soon as possible," she assured the Admiral.
Kathryn stood. "I'll leave you to it then." She pulled out a small box and set it on the desk. "Oh, and this is for you. For a job well done. Although we didn't find the people responsible, you managed to uncover an illegal mine and a slave ring. Sometimes it's how we play the hand we're dealt that matters. Starfleet is most grateful and you deserve it." Kathryn smiled at Sam. "Congratulations, Commodore."
Burke pulled out a second box. "This is for Commander Raine. General Jonds is most impressed with him." She paused for a moment before continuing. "You may be getting a new XO in a few months. Commander Raine will be called upon from time to time to command the Ontario. The Vikrant spends most of its time in spacedock, so he'll be based here. I'm not going to separate the two of you after what you've been through. Good luck to both of you." She picked up her PADD and walked out the door.
Sam stared at the first box for several moments, not sure how to react to the news. Slowly she picked it up and removed the pip. Enslaved, forced to work in a mine and she's given a promotion. The irony was not lost on her. But she'd long ago learned not to question why Starfleet chose to give commands -- or promotions -- to people. Most of her career was based on strange events like this.
Later it would sink in. She slipped Damon's box in her pocket. She'd pass on his promotion at the first opportunity. Now, she had to get the ship to Tiberius IV>
OFF
Admiral Kathryn Burke
Commander, Theta Fleet
Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer
USS Calypso