Departing Log

Posted on Thu Oct 2, 2025 @ 10:06pm by Captain Richard Winchester & Lieutenant Commander Ziq Chura & Lieutenant Commander Tihduk Verquh & Lieutenant Cuyu Reeza & Lieutenant Saelihn Valenis

1,087 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Episode 0,1 - The Privateers
Location: Bridge, USS Columbia
Timeline: MD01

The Captain exited his ready room at pace, with the Chief Science Officer following very quickly behind. A sense of urgency on both their faces.

"Lieutenant Mundy, prepare for immediate departure." the Captain ordered as he flicked a report from a PADD he held in his left hand, onto the computer terminals of his bridge crew.

"A Vulcan Merchant convoy has been mired in a class 3 ion storm in the Cetlik system and has requested Starfleet's assistance. I've just been in contact with Admiral Wolff, who has agreed to dispatch the Columbia."

Winchester strode across the bridge towards the central command chair.

Mundy taped the helm console. "Course laid in for Cetlik, captain."

In her office, Cuyu Reeza had gotten the Captain's request across the computer for her to appear. She quickly made her way to the turbolift and, from there, to the Bridge. "Captain, Dr. Cuyu Reeza, reporting as requested," she said. The atmosphere of the room seemed tense and she cast a quick glance around. Bajorans hadn't yet figured out empathic powers but it didn't take a Betazed to recognize something was wrong. "Do I need to prepare for triage?"

"The situation is not yet fully known Doctor, it might be an idea to prepare medical teams to transport onboard the vessels to render aid." The Captain responded to the Doctor's question.

She nodded. "I understand, sir. I'll be on standby," she said, settling into a console seat.

As the Captain briefed the doctor, Lieutenant Commander Tihduk Verquh approached his workstation on the Columbia's Bridge. Quickly logging in, the Arkenite accessed the data that was available in the ship's computers on the Cetlik System. The presence of an Ion Storm, let alone a Class III one, was a serious concern for any vessels who encountered them. He would have to keep a very close eye on the sensors during their travels to ensure that it didn't become too much for the Columbia to handle.

"All systems are in the green and we're ready to depart, Captain." Ziq reported from the engineering console. "I'd like to also report that the new comm system is up and running and, at the moment, working as it should but I will continue to monitor it."

The Commanding Officer nodded at the Chief Engineers report, "Excellent news, Mister Chura." As he took his seat in the centre chair.

"Lt Commander," he continued to address the Chief Engineer, "the Executive Officer has been recalled to Andoria. I will need you to cover their XO role." the Captain spoke mater of factly before turning his attention to the helm officer.

"Mr Mundy, clear all moorings and take us out when you're ready." he said.

Reeza had sent a message via the PADD system to the ACMO, letting them know that the Medical Bay was in Standby, and she was remaining on the Bridge for a bit, just in case she was needed. She watched everyone carefully; as an officer, she had been trained in basic Bridge duties but it was still cool to watch.

"Aye captain." Pressing multiple buttons, Mundy made sure that all the moorings were released, and contacted the drydock for departure. Permission was granted quickly, and Mundy started piloting the ship out of drydock, and when he was a sufficient distance away, he raised his head and looked at the captain. "We have cleared the drydock, captain."

Ziq had noted the first officers absence but put it down to being on other ships business. He hadn't realised the Commander had actually left the ship. "Of course, Captain." He said before looking back at his station.

Reeza watched Jules work, and then the others. It really was impressive.

"Speed, captain?" Mundy looked at the captain.

"Maximum warp Mr Mundy." The Captain spoke, as he raised his right arm, and then swished it forward, "Engage."

Reeza held on a bit, feeling silly-you couldn't, in theory, feel warp, but her brain always insisted it could. She smiled, though. It was always exciting, and always renewed her love for this job. Watching the heavens pass by at flank speed was amazing and gave her a new perspective-she was just a small speck in the vastness of the Universe, but still, she could impact the future in some pretty awesome ways.

"I shall return to Sickbay unless you need me further, Captain," she said, getting to her feet.

Mundy engaged the engines at maximum warp. "On course at maximum warp, captain."

Having remained quiet since his arrival on the Bridge, Lieutenant Commander Tihduk Verquh hadn't felt the need to add any additional details to the conversation yet. Instead, the alien had taken his spot at the Science station and was actively scanning the space before them as they traveled at warp. Reviewing details available regarding the Vulcan Merchant Convoy, the Arkenite began programming the sensors to try to locate the vessels through the ion storm.

"Captain, I'm pleased to report there's no problems and the engines are operating at 100 percent." Ziq reported from his console as he turn his seat around to face the Captain as he spoke.

The diminutive redhead was already at the TL, headed up to the medical bay. Another successful launch, another exciting future ahead. She'd go see Soja at her lunch hour, provided nothing untoward happened. She'd been around just long enough to know that you could never bank on the first few days being quiet.

Saelihn had remained silent at her tactical station on the bridge. There was not much input that she needed to give that the Captain did not already know. That and right now it was a rescue mission. Hopefully there would be no need to phasers and torpedoes.

Her mind cast the to departure of her boss, Commander zh'Kela. Her departure had came swiftly and without warning but with Saelihn being her understudy it made sense for her to fill in until a replacement was found. This was solely for security of course, not the XO duties, she did not covet that position just yet.

Saelihn watched the streak of the stars on the viewscreen as they passed on by. For a moment she could get lost in their light, but she shook her head and refocussed on her console.

The Chief Science Officer took a moment to speak from his workstation, "Sensors show the path ahead is clear of obstacles. We are prepared to scan through the disturbance, but scans may be impacted due to interference."

[[ ... Mission Log Corrupted ... ]

 

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