One Door Closes, A New One Opens
Posted on Fri May 8th, 2020 @ 12:07pm by Commodore Tyler Malbrooke
Edited on on Fri May 8th, 2020 @ 12:18pm
961 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
Episode 10 - New Home, Same Pioneers
Location: Ready Room - Deck 1 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD001 0730 hrs
Tyler was about to leave the bridge in the capable hands of the duty officer, and take some much needed leave aboard Empok Nor. He had scheduled some time with Kat in one of Zulg's holosuites. He had taken two steps toward the turbolift when he was informed that Rear Admiral Oliver Lancaster was hailing him. What the hell does the Task Force CO want? he asked himself. He had the call routed to the Ready Room and took his seat behind the desk. When Tyler opened the call there was the face of Oliver sitting behind a desk in what seemed to be a newly furnished office. "Admiral Lancaster. What can I do ya for?"
"Hope I didn't catch you at a bad time, Captain?" Lancaster cocked an eyebrow "What's the local time?"
"Not at all Admiral..." Tyler smiled and leaned back in his chair. "It is 0730 hours station time and I was just leaving. But taking a moment to speak to a friend is always a nice way to kick off some time off. How is everything with the main body of the fleet?"
"Dull, but that's why they assigned me this position." Oliver said "Less likely to get into trouble. But I'm still trying which is why I'm contacting you."
"Well I will say things have been anything but dull around these parts. We finally got things to settle down. What can I do do you?" Tyler knew now that something was up. The Task Force CO does not call you simply to say hello. There was an uneasy feeling in his bones.
"Your assignment to that sector is over, effective immediately." Oliver replied "I'm moving Pioneer to join the rest of the Task Force. Frankly, Starfleet took the stance that 72 has that sector handled a long time ago but I kept misplacing the paper work for your transfer, if you catch my drift. However, since there has been more activity from the Klingons of late, we want all available ships on this side as a show of strength."
Tyler sipped his coffee, which was actually an effort to hide the frown at the news of the new orders. A second later he composed himself and placed the cup back down on the desk. "Admiral I know it is not worth arguing with you. However, you must know that the work here is no where near done. Is another ship coming to relieve us? Where exactly are we to be heading? I have heard rumblings from the Romulans as well as the Klingons."
"I'm glad you know it's not worth arguing, saves time." Oliver quipped "As for another ship to relieve you, that is entirely up to Starfleet Command. You're to report to me on Starbase Sirius, at which time we'll give you your orders."
Tyler's brow furrowed at the mention of the new base that had been built on the Romulan border. "Sirius us built near the old Neutral Zone. Are the Romulans really stirring the pot that much. The last I had heard they were still rebuilding from the relocation project."
"All will be cleared up in due time." Oliver replied "I'll explain more when you arrive."
Tyler leaned on his elbow as he pondered these new orders. "Admiral the crew was just granted some much needed shore leave. How soon do you need us there?" The less he knew about this change, the more he hated it. However, he knew Oliver Lancaster to be a fair man and as such would not force this change without good reason.
"What's your ETA at maximum warp?" Oliver ask "You don't have to tell me. Just take the figure and add a week."
Tyler smiled at the Admiral's comment. "At warp 9 we can be there in a couple of weeks but that would push the engines. It would also breach protocol. That is unless you are giving your authorization Admiral?" Tyler's smile broadened. He rather enjoyed the friendly manner in which Oliver led the Task Force. "Say, you think I can have one of those new Quantum Slipstream Drives when I get there?"
"I'll add you to the list." Oliver replied "You'll want to get here ASAP if you don't want to be put on a waiting list."
"As much as I do hate cruising into the unexpected, it is why we signed up for the fleet. Admiral you better keep a bay open for us and we will see you shortly." Tyler smiled but the smile hid a mix of sadness and anger. Both of which he hoped would subside before he saw Lancaster in person.
"I'll look forward to it." Oliver nodded, smirking as he added "Oh, and by the way Captain? Work on your poker face. You've got a tell. Lancaster out."
The screen blinked out and Tyler let out as close to a primal scream as he could without attracting attention. He liked the idea of new discoveries, and new missions. However, he hated unfinished business. Tyler looked out the window at the station beyond and centered himself. He knew he had a lot to do to get the crew on board with this new mission, and only a matter of hours before they leave.
Perhaps Oliver was sending them into another difficult situation, perhaps he wasn't. Either way the fleet was pulling into itself, and Tyler did not like it for one minute. His personal mission was now to learn why the fleet amassed.
A Joint Post By
Rear Admiral Oliver Lancaster
Commanding Officer, Task Force 47
Obsidian Fleet
Captain Tyler Malbrooke
Commanding Officer, USS Pioneer
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