Distant Early Warning - Part One

Posted on Fri Mar 20th, 2020 @ 3:50pm by Captain Tolian Brevik & Captain Erin Archer & Commander Malcolm Walters

Mission: Mission 103: The Rumblings of Discontent
Location: Various Locations - USS Solemn Penance
Timeline: 0900Hrs - August 23rd, 2393

Seated behind his desk, in his ready room, Captain Brevik sighed softly. "Captain, with respect, my people have worked their asses off the last few days, they are string out and tired," he explained evenly. "My report covers all of this," he explained evenly as he addressed Captain Erin Archer, she sighed softly as she looked at Brevik.

"I am not questioning your crew's skills, their work ethic or their dedication. You said you can't get to a port in a reasonable timeframe." the Human woman explained, she regarded Brevik as he looked like he wanted to lose his temper. Walters regarded his commanding officer and then he switched his attention to the woman on the screen. "Ma'am. Its been almost four months since this crew has had any serious time off. We were promised a week off-"

"But you can't get to a post any time soon." The Human woman repeated her earlier statement.

"There is nothing wrong with the slipstream drive aboard the Solemn Penance," Walters answered evenly. "Besides with the exercise finished, we can return to Vanguard for crew rotation and a week's leave for the crew."

"Is this a priority request?" Archer inquired.

Brevik and Walters shared a look. They were overdue for shore leave as they had been out for over three months without any planet call, with no chances to give the crew a chance to stretch their legs. "Ma'am, perhaps. I didn't make myself clear." Walters commented. "The regulations say that we can't be out in space for over three months without good reason, wartime. etcetera. It's also up to the Captain's discretion." Walters knew he was taking a major risk here as he could easily be charged with insubordination but the crew was getting angry and frustrated with the issues presented before them.

"Captain. We're not sitting here telling you this for the good of our health, the crew under my command has earned their time off, they also worked hard for it and I intend for the record to reflect all of this," Brevik added a moment later.

"I am not arguing with you, Captain. I do understand where you are coming from." the Human answered evenly.

Brevik raised an eyebrow as he considered what their conversation was about. It was an argument over when the Solemn Penance could return to port for her crew's much-needed shore leave. "So what's the problem with my concern then?" Brevik inquired.

"All of the other ships are returning back to port and we need you to look after the border area for two weeks, then you can get your time off," Archer responded evenly. So there it was, the issue come to the fore at last.

"No," Brevik answered bluntly. "We should have been at the top of the recall list, we've been out the longest. Some of those ships are fresh from spacedock, tell one of them to do it," he answered bluntly.

"I can't, a lot of those ships are crewed by reservists," Archer answered.

"Yes. So is mine. Did you lose sight of that detail?." Brevik inquired a sardonic tone in his voice, one that indicated that Archer had neither his respect or his affection on any level whatsoever. "I also still don't have my full crew compliment yet," Brevik answered. "I am keeping these reservists away from home and all of this is against the rules and regulations," Brevik added. "Get someone else to do it because I am not going to ask my crew to go along with this as you can't be bothered to do your job," Brevik growled as his self-control finally began to meltdown.

"You are being unfair Captain, get another ship out here as this crew is entitled to this leave, skipping leaves is very dangerous for crew morale as you well know and I have over a hundred reservists on board that is already demanding to be sent home. They were meant to be here a month and they've been here three and a half now."

Archer paused. "You have your orders Captain, carry them out." and with that, she hung up on Brevik.

Brevik blinked. "This is bullshit," he growled softly before he turned to Walters. "Well, that could have gone better."

"It could also have gone worse skipper," Walters answered quietly. "She didn't budge."

"Nope... So they want me to remain out here for another two weeks. The crew is going to go crazy when they hear this." Brevik sighed softly. "Alright, would you mind breaking the news to them. I'm going to contact Alexa Phobos-Hunter and inform her of the situation." Brevik explained. "On Second thought, no. I'll do it." he sighed softly. "Head back to the bridge and relieve the Master Chief." he paused. "We're going to have a lot of angry souls aboard."

"Aye, we are." Walters sighed softly.

Brevik tapped the display on his table. He was rewarded with the sounds of a loud whistling sound which sounded off for a couple of seconds. "Attention all hands, this is the Captain speaking." he paused as he considered what he wished to say. "I know you were all promised leave time, I know all you reservists were promised you were going to get to go home. But command wants us out here on patrol for another two weeks, yes, you've heard this before I know." he paused. "I understand your anger and your frustration, I share it. I am going to explain our situation to people higher in the chain of command because I've been reading the reports your department heads and section heads have been sending to me. This is a crew that has served very well and I am proud to serve as your Captain, now we might be on patrol but I intend for everyone to work reduced hours and the like, I will not expect a hundred percent from you when the command doesn't give us a hundred percent." Brevik knew he had hit a few nails on the head with that one but he opted to press along anyway.

"I will keep you all informed of the situation. Brevik out." and with that, he tapped the display a second time, closing the com channel. "Well, we're in it the shitstorm now... I just kicked over the hornet nest." he sighed. "Fucking people..."