Infinity's End - Part Ten

Posted on Mon Feb 28th, 2022 @ 7:16pm by Division Admiral Thomas Lasky & Captain Kayden Nell & Commander Alyssa Temetti

Mission: Mission 108: Grains of Sand
Location: Various Locations - Starbase Vanguard / USS Gallant
Timeline: 1300Hrs - October 28th, 2393

The time had come and so Alyssa Temetti was now wearing her new uniform, with command red and three solid golden pips, all of which made the tall female realize that she no longer recognized herself in the uniform. "I hope this goes well." she mused to herself before she tugged on the new boots that she had replicated specifically for this occasion before she set off for the Admirals office.

Alyssa Temetti smiled as she found herself almost running into Captain Kayden Nell, the man who would be her new commanding officer for the Gallant, the ship that they would command together. "Nell. Hows things...?"

"I'm doing alright..." Kayden answered, he knew his relationship with Sarah Horner was an open secret and he would manage without her as best as he could but he missed her, both in his bed and without as she would be a hard one to replace.

The two officers reached their destination, they were permitted entry as Temetti nodded to Lasky. Lasky rose to his feet. "It's almost old home week, you are the first of the two sets of Infinity officers to get their commands off of me today. Its almost old home week," he added with a wide grin.

Kayden regarded Lasky as he nodded. "Yes indeed," he answered. "I was hoping someone I knew would be the one to give me my command and I got my wish..." he answered with a wide smile on his lips.

"Are you ready to go over to your ship Captain?" Lasky inquired of the Bajoran officer before him.

"Yes, Admiral. I am so prepared," Kayden responded with a smile.

Lasky nodded his head. "Alright, lets head on over to your new command." as he came out from behind his desk, then past the two officers and out of his office, Temetti and Kayden both followed in silence.

The two of them stepped into a nearby transporter room and they emerged next to a hanger bay. "Some traditions are best kept around, wouldn't you agree?" Lasky inquired of the two officers beside him.

Kayden nodded his head. "I do." he regarded him as the three entered a shuttle, it was one of the now elderly types eight shuttles that had now seen almost twenty years of service, these new type eights were almost a different design than the originals that had been deployed when he was a fighter pilot on the Courageous. Lasky smiled as he slid his fifty-year-old body into the pilot's chair, he nodded to Temetti who sat down next to him. He sealed the hatch behind them which slammed shut with a gentle clanging sound.

Lasky smiled as he tapped the display. "Hanger eleven tower, this is the shuttle, Red three-three, request permission to launch, the destination is the USS Gallant," he commented.

"Red Thirty-three, confirmed, clearance to depart, granted. smooth sailing Admiral." came the response from the tower. "The skies are clear, you can depart any time you're ready," he added.

Lasky activated the engines as the shuttle left the deck before she moved in silence out of the hanger, the only sound that could be heard was a hissing zapping sound as the shuttle pierced the hanger forcefield. Lasky turned his attention to the two other officers in the shuttle beside him. "I am not sure of where you will be assigned Kayden but I do know it's not with the Ninty second or in the Taurus Reach area.

Kayden paused before she smiled. "Alright, well Alyssa, and I will be fine," he commented in a rather soft tone. "Is there anything special I ought to know?" she inquired.

"Yes, the usual stuff. Talk to your senior staff, get to know them, and let them trust you," Lasky answered. "Don't be one of those idiots who keep their crew at arm's length and don't undervalue them, let them know that you value and appreciate them," he added. "If you can do all of that, then you must remember to respect your crew, your first officer, and your senior staff. Not all in that order of course." as he indicated Temetti who was nearby.

Kayden smiled as he listened to him speak, he processed all of what Lasky was saying to him. "Sounds good sir," Kayden answered while the shuttles passed the various docking scaffolds that had been clustered together in high orbit over Utgarde Four as they approached a Champion class starship that was floating free from any constraints. "There she is, your new command. Make sure to treat her like a lady and she will always bring you home Captain."

Kayden nodded his head. "Yessir." while Lasky tapped the display. "This is shuttle Red three-three to USS Gallant tower control, requesting permission to land.?"

"Confirmed, decks yours, come on down Admiral." came the unexpected answer.

Lasky smiled while he gently guided the shuttle around the Champion class ship before he guided the shuttle to its landing in the main hanger. He then opened the hatch as Yamaguchi exited first, she took in the scene before her with over two hundred souls all standing in rows several layers deep. She smiled as she nodded to them, several of the people gathered nodded back to her, these would be her crew and she was happy to see them.

Lasky went over to the podium that had been set up for this occasion. "Attention on deck," he commented as Kayden moved to take his space before the podium while Lasky rattled off his speech for the occasion, most of it was short and sweet. "So Today. The USS Gallant gets her official Captain and Executive officer," he commented before he went over to stand before Kayden as he handed the tall Bajoran before him a PADD. Kayden accepted the PADD and began to read aloud. "To Captain Kayden Nell, you are hereby requested and required to assume command of USS Gallant, effective Stardate Seven One Eight Two Three point Two Eight," he explained. "Signed Admiral Jake Yamaguchi, Starfleet Command." before he lowered the PADD.

Lasky smiled. "Computer transfer all command codes to Captain Kayden Nell. Authorization Lasky Nine One Nine November Foxtrot."

The computer's answer was quick. "Command codes transferred. USS Gallant is now under the command of Captain Kayden Nell." came the response.

Kayden's smile was telling in of itself. "I relieve you, Admiral."

"I stand relieved," Lasky commented. "She's all yours Kayden. Now go enjoy the fancy feast the messhall staff put together for you." the tall human male commented before he gently shook Kayden's hand with his own. He withdrew to stand next to Commander Alyssa Temetti. "I had no idea you could ever let yourself be parted from Kolar. However, I think you'll do great Alyssa. When next we meet, I expect you will be wearing your forth pip and a command of your own, same as Kolar."

Temetti grinned. "Kolar and I have endured worse, we will be fine Tom," she answered. "I look forward to it. I'll bring a bottle of wine and Kolar will bring his own... It'll be a night to remember."

"I look forward to it," Lasky answered with a grin.

Meanwhile, Kayden went to the podium as she decided to address the crew. "Hello everyone, this is the best greeting I've ever had, thank you all for coming out to greet me on this fine morning," he commented. "I'll meet the rest of this crew as time permits. While I will strive to lead you, I will also remember that you guys are the heart and soul of this ship and I am humbled to serve with each and every one of you. Thank you. Dismissed." and with that, the crew turned and departed in order.

Kayden smiled before she turned and went over to her new senior staff, the dozen or so personnel who were clustered together. They all turned to face him in silence as the senior ranking officer nodded. "Welcome aboard Captain."

"Thank you, I'm happy to be here. I hope I can be worthy of you." Kayden smiled at the gathering.

"Worthy?" the female medical officer regarded him, with a gentle grin on her face. "Not what I was expecting you to say, skipper. It's we who should be worthy of you."

"Well. It'll be educational to serve with each other.." Kayden answered.

Kayden responded as she smiled. "Where do we stand with the ship's shakedown?" she inquired. "What about the crew?"

"The paperwork is in your ready room skipper, do you want to go over it now or do you want a tour.?" the exec answered with a smile.

Yamaguchi smiled. "I'll take the tour first and settle in." she paused. "Let's see if we can give the crew the day off, I want them to realize that I am not the average and I am not going to work them to death," Kayden responded.

"Everyone, this is Commander Alyssa Temetti, our new first officer." as the Asian female came over to the gathering. "Hello everyone," she commented.

There were welcomes and handshakes all around while various people introduced themselves. "Also. Since the first job will be to finish our shakedown... I want to give the crew some extra time off, I want to work the ship but not kill the crew with overwork."

"Sounds great skipper. I'll see to it." the second officer answered. "Shall we start the tour?" the younger male asked of Horner

"Lead on, let's go and see the ship." Kayden grinned like a child when he had gotten that one toy she had been asking for all year. Temetti followed along in silence, one step behind everyone else as always.