A Puzzlement (part 1)
Posted on Sun Aug 30th, 2015 @ 8:18am by Commodore Samantha York & Lieutenant Commander Jennifer Tate & Commander Hans Munich
1,032 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission: Of Gods and Men
ON
Munich sat in the First Officer's chair watching the bridge while it was on final approach to the planet in question. He kept more of an eye upon the Communications Officer as that was the representative of his department. Not that there would be a lot for the communications at this stage. It was a good thing Munich had taken the mandatory Bridge duty Training; he could easily bring the ship into a stable orbit from his position as XO.
York was due on the bridge soon to relieve Munich; he was just 'minding the ship' while dropping out of warp and going into the system. The eleven planets of this system made it rather dense and it was the forth planet that should be the one that is habitable according to the probe survey. Of course how much can an automated probe really get on a pass?
"Prepare for routine scans when in range." Munich ordered.
The science officer nodded. "Aye, sir."
"Three quarters impulse if you plase."
"Aye, sir," the young officer at helm replied.
Sam heard the engines slow and finished her report. She paused for a moment to make sure it was sent properly, then headed out onto the bridge. "Report," she said, taking her seat beside Munich.
Jennifer stepped onto the bridge having offered to help the Calypso with intelligence duties in the absence of their chief. She stood in the back behind the tactical console looking on as she, too, was curious of the happenings. She was also curious how the crew performed on a day to day basis.
Jennifer's entrance was followed by a young frantic female ensign adorned in command red's scurrying onto the bridge looking about for something seemingly of dire importance. Whatever this was, it seemed to deviate the ensign's attention from where she was. Most officer's of sound mind would not enter the bridge in such a fashion.
"Excuse me, has anyone seen my cat?" The ensign called out.
Sam turned to her. "Why would your cat be on my bridge and not in your quarters?" she asked.
The ensign instantly became paralyzed. Her muscles froze in fear and each tendon tightened. Her eyes widened, her jaw dropped as she froze in place. She was being addressed by a Commodore. What would she do? Why was she on the bridge? Whiskers was a devious feline but why did she come all the way to the bridge.
"Uhhhhhh." was all she was able to say.
"That's not an answer, Ensign..." Sam said, her tone softening a little at the woman's obvious fear.
"I....I don't know ma'am." The ensign replied. "I'm sorry." she said as she began to sob.
Jennifer could see the woman was hugely intimidated by a flag officer. The rank was foreshadowing Sam's tone. All the woman saw was the gold strips, it was a wonder she was still standing. "Oh dear, ensign." Jennifer cooed as she walked over to the poor young girl. The girl was a slender framed red head who looked to be not a day older then nineteen. Her eyes were now moistened by tears and her mascara began to run slightly. Jennifer gently placed her hands on the girl's shoulders. "Come now, have a seat here."
The young girl hesitantly followed the commander to a station at the rear of the bridge. She had never seen this commander before, but she also had not travelled much of the ship. Was she the XO? Had she just embarrassed herself in front of both the bosses? None of that seemed to matter when she looked into the commander's deep brown eyes. They were so warming and inviting. She felt at ease for some reason.
Jennifer helped the young girl to a seat. The ensign's legs quivered as she lowered herself. Tate surmised the girl was either brand new or had never ventured onto the bridge.
Jennifer knelt down to bring her eyes to the girl's level. "Ok ensign, you need to breath. Deep breaths." Jennifer began to take breaths to demonstrate rhythm to the ensign. The woman soon imitated Jennifer as the pair breathed in sync. "Ok. Now let's start simple. Please tell the Commodore your name and position here."
The woman gulped looking coyly to the Commodore. "My name is Jenna Stevens. I'm a flight control officer." Her tone was soft but audible enough so Sam could hear her.
Jennifer's hand remained on Jenna's shoulder in support.
"All right, Ensign Stevens, when did you last see your kitten?" Sam asked.
Jenna's face lit up as she even snickered, The woman seemed more comfortable now. "I left him in my quarters when I went on my shift. He's always such a mischievous kitty." she giggled.
"And he was missing when you got back?" Sam asked.
"Uh huh...I mean yes ma'am." she stated nodding her head.
"Computer," Sam said. "Scan the ship for all cats not in personnel quarters."
"There are three cats that are not currently inside personnel quarters," the computer replied.
"Computer, location of the three cats," Sam asked.
"First cat is in the lounge," the computer intoned. "The second cat is in sickbay, and the third cat is in the kindergarten room."
"Show all three cats on the viewscreen."
When the three cats appeared, Sam turned to the Ensign. "Are any of those cats yours?"
"OH there he is." Jenna exclaimed pointing to the view screen excitedly. "He's the one in sickbay. Wow....he's so big. I never thought I'd see my cat on the main viewer."
"I suggest you hurry down to sickbay and retrieve your cat," Sam said. "While you are there, have one of the doctors implant a sub dermal tracking device so you can keep track of him. You may also want to consider a special forcefield that will allow you to enter and leave your quarters but keep the cat from slipping out behind you."
The Ensign nodded. The turbolift doors opened and she ran back off the bridge.
(To be continued...)
Lieutenant Commander Hans Munich
Acting XO
Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer
Lieutenant Commander Jennifer Tate
Intelligence Officer
Ensign Jenna Stevens
Flight Control Officer
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