USS Pathway:- Rescue Mission Elysium

Posted on Sat Mar 11th, 2023 @ 10:39pm by Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Sector 001
Timeline: Present
3147 words - 6.3 OF Standard Post Measure

ON

NCC 77703 USS Pathway sat awaiting her first mission, her Captain, Miranda Andrews, stood on the bridge as the ship sat silently awaiting her crews arrival. Miranda Andrews is a 42 year old from Fort Lauderdale, she stands 5’ 6” with auburn hair and green eyes. Her ship the USS Pathway was one of the new Searcher class ships, also know as the triple seven class because all of the ships carry a triple seven number. Around the size of an Intrepid class but much more heavily armed and with a slightly smaller crew of only 135. The class has many attributes of larger vessels like the Sovereign class, but in a much smaller hull. Miranda now heard the doors of the turbo lift open, turning to see who it was she saw her First Officer exit and approach her. Commander Christopher Simpson is a 38 year old from Salisbury, standing at 6 feet tall with blonde hair and deep blue eyes.

“Permission to come aboard sir”, he said as he stopped in front of her. Andrews smiled, “Permission granted Commander, welcome to the Pathway. We need to ensure we get the crew aboard as quickly as possible, please see to it”. Simpson spun on his heel and re-entered the lift, “I’ll get right on it sir, I believe most of the engineering staff arrived on the same shuttle craft as myself”. Andrews tilted her head to one side, “Shuttle? Why didn’t you all beam aboard?” Simpson now smiled, “Oh I thought I’d like to arrive in one piece instead of millions, I’m kind of funny in that way”. The doors closed before Andrews could ask another question. Slowly the ship came to life, as more and more of the crew took station. Lieutenant Commander T’espera stood in the shuttle bay as other members of the Pathways crew sought to find their way around the ship, as the new security Chief T’espera knew she must learn quickly if she was to succeed at her job. At 5’ 8” she was a typical Vulcan and conducted her self as such, the fact her mother was human didn’t factor in to her psyche.

Simpson appeared in the shuttle bay, and T’espera headed for him, “Lieutenant Commander T’espera reporting for duty, I am the security Chief for this vessel”. Simpson glanced quickly at her, “Welcome aboard, I suggest you report to the Captain. She will inform you of your duties aboard the Pathway”. Simpson then moved further into the bay and the confusion which abounded. Finding a cargo container he stood on it, “STAND FAST people, lets get this mess sorted out”. All movement ceased and Simpson now continued, “I am the First Officer of this vessel, and I would like to report to our new Captain that her new crew can get things sorted out professionally and quickly. Now can we all just do that, without all the shouting and problems”. T’espera still standing by the exit waited for Simpson to reach her, “Commander, logic dictates that your last statement was unhelpful to all concerned”. Simpson stopped and turned to her, “Lieutenant Commander T’espera, logic plays no part in the commissioning of a star ship, madness, confusion, and out right stupidity does. Oh and shouldn’t you be reporting to the Captain?” T’espera looked back at Simpson, “If I knew where I was going, I would do so. I was hoping you would assist in that matter, as you seem to know your way around the ship”. Simpson shook his head, “Only been on board around ten minutes myself, but in answer to your request. Follow this corridor to the next junction and turn right, the turbo lift is just a bit further down on the left”. T’espera looked back into the shuttle bay, “I will report that your efforts in assisting the crew seemed to work, Thank you Commander”. As she walked away Simpson felt a push in his back, turning around brought him face to face with Lieutenant Carrie Ann King.

Lieutenant Carrie Ann King was the Pathways new Engineering Chief, hailing from Amarillo Texas she was 5’ 6” tall, red headed and red tempered. Pathway was her latest assignment having been posted off her last ship for telling its Captain ‘To get the hell outta my engine room’, it was hoped that a new ship could mean a new start for her. Simpson looked at King, “And who might you be Lieutenant?” King responded, “Oh hell, I’m just lookin’ for the damn engine room. You got a location for that Commander?” Simpson stifled a grin, “No I don’t but it must be around here somewhere, as we have life support and lights”. King didn’t get his humour, “If you ’aint gonna help, then get the hell outta my way. I ’aint gotta whole lifetime to mess about with fool’s”. Simpson now replied, “Name Lieutenant, what’s your name?” King realised that she had already got herself in trouble, “Sorry sir, Lieutenant King reporting for duty”. Simpson nodded, “Thank you Lieutenant King, this fool will leave you to find the damn engine room as he has other duties to perform. I think if you follow the corridor and turn left at the junction, you might be getting warm”. King looked at the ground, “Thank you sir, I’ll do that right away”. Leaving the shuttle bay and the confusion behind Simpson made his way back up to the bridge, as he re-entered he noticed that more of the crew had arrived and taken their allotted stations. He looked for the Captain and found her in discussion with T‘espera, he waited until they finished before he approached.
“Well this place has filled up since I left”, he stated as he got to the Captain. Andrews nodded, “Our new security Chief seems impressed with you, what did you do to warrant that honour?” Simpson held up his hands, “Don’t have a clue sir, but you may want to check out any visits to the engineering department with your new Chief engineer”. Andrews smiled, “And what’s that all about?” Simpson continued, “Oh I just met her, and lets say she left an impression”. Andrews again tilted her head to one side, “You going take some getting used to Commander, or may I call you Chris?” Simpson nodded, “Chris will do fine, along with hey you or some other address”. Andrews now smiled and shook her head, “Oh yeah, I’m really going to have to work on understanding you. That English accent and sense of humour, gotta be worth exploring”. Around them the ship gained life, and after some eight hours of crew arrivals Pathway nearly had her full crew and now only needed a mission to complete her transition from dockyard to active service.

James London sat at the helm of the Pathway and ran his hands over the control panels, he knew that bio-memedic neural gel pack connections made response times almost instantaneously and he longed to get the ship out into deep space. Andrews looked towards Simpson, “Number 1, have we gathered all our wayward crew members? Or are we still awaiting more arrivals?” Simpson turned and smiled at Andrews, “All our lost sheep are safely gathered in sir, we can depart when ever you want”. Andrews moved to her command chair and sat down, “Helm, engage manoeuvring thrusters and impulse engines. Take us out nice and slow one quarter impulse lieutenant, don’t damage the paint work”. Lieutenant London moved his hands swiftly over the control panels and the ship began to move, a close proximity alarm sounded but quickly went silent as London seemed to shunt Pathway sideways as she moved clear of the space dock. Pathway now took a long lazy starboard turn and her bow soon pointed towards open space, Lieutenant London now brought the ship to a halt as he awaited further orders. Andrews stood up and went to her ready room, she required orders and a mission the time to get them had arrived. As Andrews sat down an incoming message appeared on her console, Admiral Janeway now spoke. “Good afternoon Captain, I presume your ship is now ready to take her place in the scheme of things?” Andrews answered, “Yes Admiral, we ready and awaiting our orders”. Janeway now continued, “Miranda, as you are aware things in and on Romulus are not exactly pleasant right now. We need ships to monitor the situation and both you and the USS Seeker are to take station on our side of the neutral zone. Seeker has her mission to get on with, yours will be patrolling the Rigel system sector. Now I don’t need to tell you what is expected of you, but you will not engage in any crossing of the zone nor interfere with any Romulan ships loyal to a certain Captain Donatra. Is that clear?” Andrews nodded, “Crystal Admiral”. Janeway carried on, “You’ll be sent information on how to identify Donatras ships, good luck and safe journey. Janeway out”. Andrews sat for a moment thinking and then stood up and returned to the bridge.

As Andrews re-entered the bridge she gave her orders, “Helm, course 195.65, warp 6, Rigel system. Engage. Commander Simpson, you will organize battle drills and damage control exercises between now and when we arrive at our duty station”. Simpson nodded as Andrews continued, “All communication on and off this ship is now subject to censure, anyone caught disobeying this order will find themselves in the brig”. Andrews scanned the bridge to see if anyone didn’t understand her orders, seeing no dissention she returned to her ready room. On the main bridge people sat somewhat dazed, they had expected a shakedown trip. But what they got was a full on mission into a possible war zone. Simpson stood up and went to the Captains ready room, “Sir permission to speak freely?” Andrews was sitting at her desk, “Commander, we do not have the luxury of being able to know how the other handles these kinds of situations. Maybe in time, if we get the chance we will. But for now I need you to trust me, please speak freely”. Simpson now spoke, “Sir, the crew was expecting a short shake down trip. But this is just a little off the wall even for me, your expecting this vessel to perform like a seasoned veteran. I can tell you now, that won’t happen”. Andrews nodded, “I expect this crew and ship to perform to the best of their abilities, Star fleet on the other hand expects them and wants them to be 100% professional. I need you to get me as close to that as possible, Chris I know you can do it. And I know this crew will step up to the challenge, I only pray we get the time to prepare”. Simpson looked straight at his Captain, “I’ll do my best sir, but I still think this is a bad idea. Someone in Star fleet has a very strange sense of humour, or is just not thinking straight”. Simpson now turned to leave but Andrews now spoke again, “Strange as it may sound Commander, I agree with you. But we both have our orders, dismissed”.

Down in engineering, Lieutenant King stood looking at her new domain. The rest of her staff checked that all was ready in case the bridge asked for main engines, King now gave her orders, “Ok people now listen in, I ‘aint but gonna say this the once. When you get an order from me you better jump to it, I’m a peaceable sort but I chew ass when riled. Now lets get this show on the road, I’m kinda thinkin’ we have ourselves away’s to go on this ship”. The staff stood looking at each other, just what was this officer on about? King noticed a lack of a response, “Stand by to engage main engines, monitor the plasma flow and the coolant levels. These are new engines, don’t break ’em”. The engineering staff began to monitor and control the engines as Pathway sped along at warp 6, King visited every corner of the engine room and spoke to every crewman and Ensign she met. They may not understand her speech but they quickly learned that she knew her job inside out, and she picked up problems as fast if not faster than they could. Back on the bridge Chant was monitoring communication traffic, he suddenly picked up Pathways call sign. After taking a message he spoke, “Captain, incoming message from Star Fleet. Captains eyes only”. Andrews stood up, “Patch it through to my ready room”. All the bridge staff watched her head quickly towards her ready room, *Now what?* most of them thought.

In her ready room Andrews switched on her computers view screen, “Admiral Mendez, what a surprise. What seems to be the problem sir?” Mendez coughed and then spoke, “Captain Andrews, I’m afraid we have a change of plans for you. You’re not to report to the neutral zone after all, we have a situation which we’d like you to undertake”. Andrews sat back in her chair, “A situation? Admiral there are far more experienced Captains around which could do that job better than I, also this is a very inexperienced crew I have here.” Mendez now smiled, “Captain, we have a missing ship. The USS Elysium, she's overdue but nothing has been heard of her for day's”. Andrews sat thinking then replied, “I still believe we’re the wrong choice sir, but if that’s what Star Fleet wants who am I to argue”. Mendez just nodded his head before he continued, “Andrews, you can do this. I will send all relevant information to you shortly, we’re still collating most of it as we speak good luck Captain. Mendez out”. Andrews switched off her view screen, “Andrews to Simpson, please report to my ready room”. As she sat and waited for Simpson to report, her mind turned over the new challenge which now confronted her command. The door chime on her ready room door went off, “Enter” Andrews said. Simpson came through the door and stood before her, “You called for me Captain”. Andrews nodded, “Please sit down Chris, we have a change of destination”. Simpson sat down looking confused, “A change of destination? I hate to think what they’ve lined up for us now”. Andrews flicked her computer back on as the details Admiral Mendez promised appeared, “We have a missing vessel and it would seem we are the best Star Fleet have to sort it out”. Simpson sat his mind agog, “Now just hold on Captain, how the hell can anybody possibly think a green crew. The best possible answer, to that kind of situation?” Andrews nodded, “Hey Chris, I’m with you on this one. I said the same thing to Mendez, but he reckons we can handle it. ” Simpson sat back, “Seems like Admiral Mendez wants us to fail spectacularly, I smell a rat here or am I being paranoid?” Andrews just sat and nodded slowly, “You sure your not a mind reader? That same idea crossed my mind as well, but I have nothing to back it up”.

Simpson returned to the bridge as Andrews began reading her new instructions, as she read the mission notes she wondered if her new First Officer wasn’t psychic because his interpretation of the mission was spot on.
Meanwhile on Starbase 82, reports were coming in about the Elysium. Only two other Federation vessels were in the area, USS Anne Bolyne and USS Nevada both Nebula class ships. On the Pathway Lieutenant London had put the ship onto its new heading, his large frame seemed almost to float over his domain in front of both the Captains and First Officers seats. London had in the short time since launching learned Pathways little secrets, he was as the security Officer had once put it, “At one with his vessel”. This fact wasn’t lost on Andrews nor anyone else who cared to open their eyes, this was one thing which would stand Pathway in good stead later in her deployment. Andrews now asked Simpson to rejoin her in her ready room, “Number 1, we need to plan our strategy”. Simpson and T‘espera now sat in front of their Captain as she briefed them, “Our mission is to find the USS Elysium, we’ll have two other ships to assist us the Nevada and the Anne Bolyne”.

On board the USS Anne Bolyne, Captain Simpson and his First Officer Commander Colin Forty sat discussing the orders they had got from Captain Andrews of the Pathway. George Simpson was not a happy man, “We have a missing ship no clue of what the hell has happened and what does Star Fleet Command do? Send us a diplomat and a green crew with a new ship straight outta the box, lord help us on this one." Commander Forty now responded to his Captain, "With due respect Captain, let her try and fall flat on her pretty behind. Then we can either do something about it or go home”. George Simpson stopped and looked at Forty, “Commander, if anyone else had said that they’d be in the brig by now. But yeah your right as usual, lets go meet our new Leader”.

On board the Nevada the scene was almost the same, as the senior staff talked over their new orders, Captain Eric Bahlsan and Lieutenant Commander Joyce Donnison sat in the briefing room working out the fine details. Bahlsan was a 40 year old veteran who had been in command of the Nevada for around four and a half years, his first Officer Donnison had served aboard almost as long having transferred four years earlier from USS Repulse. She was a 35 year old Borg war specialist, their combined experience would be a useful addition in the coming deployment. The Nevada its self was showing signs of wear and tear, as systems needed extra support and fixing. Even the main hull needed repairs, but the shortage of ships meant they had to make do and mend as best they could. This was the situation that now awaited Andrews and her crew.

Pathway was approaching Starbase 82 both of the other ships had arrived earlier. A message was passed to her regarding a meeting in the main Commanders office, Miranda headed there. What ever had happened to the Elysium, this small rescue force had to find and recover her. Just how long Star Fleet would allow for that rescue, who could say.

Captain Miranda Andrews
NCC 77703 USS Pathway
Officer in Charge of Rescue Operations

Commander Lia Taylor
Chief Security Officer
USS Elysium

TBC Possibly??