A long-awaited reunion [backpost]

Posted on Fri Aug 9th, 2013 @ 3:27pm by Commodore Samantha York & Colonel Damon Raine
Edited on on Mon Aug 12th, 2013 @ 1:36pm

1,303 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Tabula Rasa
Location: Transporter room & Raine/York quarters
Timeline: Right after arriving at Athena Shipyards

ON

At long last the Calypso was back at Athena Shipyards. It had been six months since the crew departed after their battle with the Borg Rhombus. Typhon was back, looking a little worse for wear.

As the ship had recently resupplied, they stopped long enough to pick up new crew, drop off those waiting for transfers and, most important for Sam, pick up Colonel Raine.

His two-week meeting to discuss changes in the way the fleet handled Marines turned into a long-drawn-out overhaul.

Sam waited eagerly in the transporter room for Damon to arrive.

The transporter pad burned with light for a moment before dissipating and revealing the form of Damon and three other Marines flanking him.

The marines each carried their pack which they quickly dropped on the pad before turning and saluting Damon.

Damon allowed a quick smile to his waiting wife before turning to the marines and returning the same smart salute.

"You are dismissed. Find your way to the marine deck and check in with Lieutenant Bourne. Tell him that you are with me and to expect further clarification when I come down to talk to him. He will assign your bunks. Get a good rest, we will meet at 0530 to get started." He said.

"Yes Sir." Came the unison response. They quickly gathered their packs and briskly walked out of the room.

Damon waited for them to vacate the room before smiling again. He briefly ran his hand over the beard he had been growing for the last few months before and walked over to Samantha.

"Brought some people with me, hope you don't mind." He said a moment before embracing his wife.

Long moments later Sam ran her fingers over Damon's beard. It would take a little getting used to, but she liked the way it looked. "Of course not. I'm just glad you're back for a while."

She slipped her hand through his arm and walked with him out of the transporter room. She'd already caught him up on recent events, including the departure of the Chief Science Officer. "For an exploratory ship we can't seem to keep department heads in science. I'd put Ronnie back in the position, but she's been gone almost as long as you have. I really don't have anyone that could fill the position, but I can rotate through the more senior officers until we get someone."

"Well you do command the Theta fleet flag ship, i'm sure someone will come along eventually. Besides, considering all that has happened to the Calypso i'm not surprised people keep coming and going, It's a stressful assignment."

"I know I'd be a lot worse off if I didn't have you," she said.

They stepped onto the turbolift and she took the opportunity to hug him. "I missed you. So, how did the Marine reorganizing go?"

"I've missed you too, Love." He took a moment to enjoy the hug. "We have done all we can in terms of planning, all thats left is implementation. Actually, that part involves you to some extent."

"In what way?" Sam asked. The turbolift doors opened and they stepped onto deck 9 and headed for their quarters.

"There are a number of new programs for the Marines and these need to be field tested. It is to some consensus that the Calypso would serve as an excellent test bed. I expect you to get a call from the Admiralty about it shortly."

Sam's eyes lit up. "Does this mean you'll be around for a while to implement the changes?" She opened the door to their quarters and went to the replicator to get them both something to drink.

"That's the hope. I have to admit, I was thinking a fair bit about that when the option of the Calypso came up." He grinned. "I get the sense General Khan was throwing me a bone there. especially considering that there is still some going back and forth for updates in the future and also the Ontario which needs it's shakedown."

Sam sat down on the couch and set the two drinks on the coffee table. "I've read the reports. The Ontario shakedown has been pushed back to implement this new Marine structure. Test it here then implement it on the Ontario. At least that's what I've heard. How much of it is actually true?" she asked.

"That's pretty much spot on." He seated himself beside his wife and reached for the drink. "That and experience pilots are difficult to come by these days. We are trying not to drain the rest of the fleet of talent while still filling our our wings. The Ontario carries a LOT of fighters. So it makes sense to hold off for a while while the SFMC retools."

Sam wrapped her arms around his free arm and lay her head on his shoulder, content to sit like that for several long moments. "It sounds interesting. I think Lieutenant Bourne will appreciate the changes."

"He might like the changes, though I don't think he will relish the idea of having me back on board." He tilted his head so that it rested on Sam's.

"He'll adjust because I plan on keeping you for a few months before you have to go off with the Ontario."

She cuddled for a while, enjoying having Damon back. "Oh! Admiral Burke called in a favor -- the one where she married us and kept it confidential." She chuckled softly as she recalled the event. "She and Admiral Hunter got married on the Calypso. It's classified, but I know she won't mind my telling you as she knows you're the one person I don't keep secrets from."

"Really?" Damon lifted his head off Sam's for a moment to look to see if she was serious. "Wow. Well good for them! I have to say, though, that they are two people who are guaranteed to have it worse than us. Their offices are on shuttles."

Sam nodded. "Burke travels a lot, but nothing like Hunter. He's here right now as Acting Chief Intelligence Officer while Wolfe is on assignment," she added. "I think we're starting a trend. Secret marriages. I just hope theirs goes as well as ours has so far."

"Well we have been through a lot together. Constant danger and threat of life does a lot to keep people in the moment."

He had a point. "But I like to think there's more to it than that. I like to talk things over with you as well. Situations are often clearer after I talk them over with you." Her smile turned impish. "And there are other ... advantages ... to being here with you, too," she teased.

Damon laughed and squeezed her arm. "Yeah, there's always that. Speaking of which, what are your plans for the evening?" He gave her a sly wink.

"I left orders not to be disturbed unless it's an emergency until tomorrow. So, for tonight I'm all yours," she replied, giving him a flirtatious grin.

He had an almost injured look on his face. "All I get is tonight?" He moved in closer.

She rubbed her nose against his. "Of course not, but you have to get up early. You have EVERY night, mi querida," she assured him.

He kissed her softly. "I may have to push back my appointments." He then leaned in and kissed her again, more deeply this time.

"I think I can handle that," she teased. She took his drink and set it on the table beside her own and then kissed him again. It was quite likely they would both have to push back their morning appointments.

OFF

Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer

Colonel Damon Raine
Chief Strategic Operations Officer

 

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