Delays

Posted on Sun Mar 27th, 2011 @ 7:46pm by Captain Benjamin Byrne & Commodore Jovi Varela

Mission: Kingdom Come
Location: USS Endeavour - Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: MD01

Benjamin was just replacing the photo of him and his family, taken on Pacifica and in its newly-replicated frame after the last one was smashed, to its resting place near the corner of his desk when the double-bleep which signified a visitor chimed from near the door. The room itself was pretty sparse, as the engineers, during the trip back to Starbase 427 after propulsion had been restored, had stripped the damaged furniture and components in order to replace them. Currently the room only contained the bulkhead cover panels (with a few exceptions, as circuitry was still requiring work), a replicator, a clean carpet, Benjamin's desk and his chair.

Turning to the door, Benjamin was reminded about how the thing was stuck open - while the engineers had been performing repairs to the circuitry in the room and on the bridge, they had somehow managed to short-circuit the closing mechanism, and so the chime was simply a courtesy by his visitor. "Commodore," he said, walking around his desk to meet her. "Thank you for coming. Can I get you anything?"

"Captain," she nodded in returned greeting. "Um.. No, thank you." Jovi stepped in, glancing about at some of the damages to the room still evident. "How has the crew been fairing?" she questioned with concern.

"Well, for the most part," Benjamin responded, moving to the replicator himself. "Coffee, hot, double sweet." As the whine of the replicator faded, he picked up the beverage from the alcove and moved with it back to his desk. "I have about a dozen or so that are off duty, due to speak to a counsellor at the earliest opportunity, but thankfully the crew who were attacked have all had the lava removed from their wounds now. We're still rebuilding ourselves, especially with the casualty list, but we'll pull through. It's a strong crew." He lifted the cup up to his lips and took a tentative sip, wincing at the piping hot temperature. "Unfortunately, we don't have much time to wait at Starbase to recoup. We were due to transport a number of diplomats to the Nevarra Cluster for important trade discussions, and that assignment is still on the table."

Jovi nodded. "Yes, I am aware of your mission. That is part of the purpose of my presence. Starfleet Command has requested that I observe the proceedings and I agreed. It would not hurt to have a chance to brush up on my own diplomacy skills of course," she smiled. "It is on the course to my final destination after all, so two birds, one stone, yes?"

Benjamin smiled. "And here I was ready to do a full song and dance to explain to you how you're going to be delayed in getting to your destination." He chuckled slightly. "I presume Starfleet wants you to include your observations in one of the courses at the Academy, then?"

"You presume correctly," she smiled. "I would also like to observe how your crew interacts and works with the cadets you have serving during this semester rounds. I promise I won't get in the way of your officers' duties."

"Excellent. Well, I've got quite a bit of work to do getting the ship ready," Benjamin said, politely signalling the end of the meeting. "Let me or Mister Ballard know if there's anything you need."

--------------------
Captain Benjamin J. Byrne
Commanding Officer
USS Endeavour

&

Commodore Jovi Varela
11th Fleet Academy Commandant
Guest Character