Warm Welcomes and Looming Shadows

Posted on Tue Aug 4th, 2020 @ 5:27pm by Lieutenant Commander Batu Ra-Ejine MD & Commander Temperance Zachary

Mission: Episode 04: "Tempest"
Location: Transporter Room 1
Timeline: Day 1 at 0000

Temperance was standing in the transporter room waiting. She had received the notificiation that the Chief Medical Officer had been able to meet them after all, and she wanted to be there when he arrived to welcome him.

Glancing around the room, she tried to suppress a shudder. Even though she wasn't being transported herself, the fact that she was in this room, about to watch someone who's molecules were being scattered into millions of billions of pieces before being reassembled just made her feel increasingly uneasy.

"Are you alright Ma'am?"

With a smile, Temperance turned toward the crewman manning the transporter controls. "Of course, thank you Crewman Aevin. Any idea how much longer it will be?"

"He's ready for transport now Commander. Energizing."

A blue swirl filled the transporter pad as Batu appeared from his now former vessel. Dressed in his Starfleet sciences uniform, his hair was tied back in a bun and in one hand was a medical kit. Fully materialized his green eyes locked right onto Temperance and a smile flashed across his face.

"You must be Commander Zachary. Lieutenant Batu Ra-Ejine, permission to come aboard ma'am?" the Efrosian Doctor requested as he stepped down from the transporter pad and offered his free hand in getting.

"Granted, of course," Temperance said warmly, taking his hand as he stepped down. "Welcome aboard the Vesta Lieutenant, I'm glad you were able to catch us before we got too far away. I hope your transport wasn't terribly traumatic?"

“Not at all, in fact I had a surprise send off. The joys of working with a smaller crew like I did.” Batu replied as he eyed the much larger transporter room just to begin with. Returning the smile to Temperance he assessed her appearance and admired it for a moment. Something truly he couldn’t help. “I have to admit I wasn’t expecting anyone to meet me here, I’m flattered Commander.”

"I heard you were scheduled to transport aboard so I wanted to make sure everything went smoothly. We're almost far enough away from Starbase now that anything going awry could have untold consequences, besides, I personally think it's nice to be welcomed by a friendly face, not that Crewman Aevin here isn't friendly." Temperance paused and offered a nod and a warm smile at the younger crewman. "Thank you Crewman, please have Operations transport the Commander's personal belongings to his quarters, they should be in the cargo hold now. I'll see to everything else."

"Of course Commander," Aevin replied easily.

"Now, Commander, if you don't mind, right this way and we can get you properly aboard." She cast one last glance back at the transporter pad, an involuntary shudder running through her as she motioned the new CMO toward the door leading into the corridor.

Batu eyed the Executive Officer as she looked warily at the transporter pad and wondered if his new executive officer had a phobia of them. That was something he'd have to look into though at a later time. For now he began to follow Temperance. "I appreciate the kind gesture none the less. I do have to agree it is nice to have such a lovely face welcome you when you come aboard." Nodding to the Crewman as he passed the man, they walked out of the door and into the corridor. "So tell me Commander how long have you been aboard the Vesta? Were you part of her original crew?"

"No, actually, I came aboard about a year ago when the Vesta was stopped over at Montgomery Station. I've been aboard since. It's a good ship and a good crew. I'm sure you'll find it enjoyable serving under Captain Drell," Temperance said with a smile as they walked.

"To be honest it's the largest crew I've taken care of since my medical internship. If the ship is half impressive as what I've read about..." Batu trailed off as they approached the end of the corridor and arrived at a turbolift entrance. Curiosity left him wondering where the tour was taking him next. "Where to Commander?"

"Actually, we're heading to the Observation Lounge," she said with a smile. "Going to throw you straight into the fray," she laughed softly. "We're on our way to the Tholian Border Region. Captain Drell has called for senior staff to meet with him to discuss our mission."

Batu paused as they walked together, the thought of heading right to the border with the Tholians for some reason sent a shiver down his spine. A moment later he caught up with the Commander and walked next to her again. "Such a reclusive people who have always been hostile to us. Do you happen to know why we are heading that way at all? It sounds to me like I might need to take inventory of the medbays supplies sooner than latter."

"That, Commander, is what we're about to find out," Temperance said warmly. "We should be fully stocked in sickbay but if you need anything let me know as quickly as possible and I'll see what we can do. Other than that, it's always a good idea to be prepared. Even the most mundane of activities can become sinister in the blink of an eye."

"Very good then Commander." the Doctor acknowledged as they stepped into the turbolift. "While I would personally hope for things to be calm and collected one cannot deny that shadows always lurk behind the corner. Thankfully I have enchanced vision." Tapping the side of his forehead so his finger pointed to his eyes as a gesture to his ocular implants he smiled and waited. This was it, time to meet the rest of the crew and the Captain. Hopefully whatever this Tholian issue was it would be as sinister as the Commander worried about. Hopefully.