Arrivals - Part One

Posted on Fri Mar 20th, 2020 @ 6:16pm by Fleet Admiral Heather Duval & Commander Beth Woerner & Post Captain Tirion Fordring

Mission: Mission 98: Building Our New Home
Location: Various Locations - Starbase Vanguard / USS Daedalus
Timeline: 1300Hrs - September 6th, 2393

The stars flashed and the starlines snapped back to points as the USS Daedalus emerged from warp near the Starbase, on the viewscreen the planet appeared going from nothing to filling half the screen almost instantly, as the Starbase appeared before the ship. Woerner smiled. "Take us in Jerome, nice and slow..." she turned to the Asian woman at Operations. "Fukumi, get us clearance to dock, Starfleet will have a field day with what we have for them." the small Frenchwoman commented.

"Helm, drop our speed to two hundred kilometers a second," Ral commented.

Antilles nodded his head. "Two Hundred KPH, aye Commander," he answered in clipped tones.

Lieutenant Fukumi Zhang-to-Tothit tapped the display before her. "Approach control, this is Daedalus, ready for docking maneuver."

"The answer was quick and simple. "Daedalus is cleared to dock."

Woerner nodded her head. "Lock on."

Antilles worked his pannel as he smiled. "Systems locked."

The lights around the bridge seemed to dim while turning from their usual color to a deep blue tone.

Ral grinned softly to himself. "Vanguard, you have control."

The answer from the Starbase was clear and quick. "Affirmative Daedalus, enjoy the ride and welcome home."

Woerner answered this time as she shifted her position in her chair. "Daedalus confirms."

The Daedalus slowly moved through the massive hulking slabs of metal that passed for the spacedock doors, Antilles smiled as he watched the displays on his pannel. "Vanguard is moving us into position."

"Stand by to Dock," Ral commented from where he was seated.

"Ready to dock sir," Zhang-th'Tothit answered in her usual crisp tones.

Ral watched the display on his own pannel as he nodded. "Engage mooring beams and lock off..."

Antilles nodded. "Aye Commander." he slowly smiled as several new sounds could be heard throughout the massive ship as she came into position.

"And... Docking complete." as a loud series of booming sounds could be heard as the Daedalus physically connected with the Starbase.

"Thank you, number one." Woerner smiled as she rose to her feet. "Well done everyone. I know this has been a trying mission, we've all suffered losses but we came through when the time came and others are alive because we acted. It's been my privilege to serve as your Captain and when you get to The Heavens Devil's Bar, the first round.. is on me." she paused. "Commander Ral, Lieutenant Zhao, you two come with me... Everyone else, help offload our guests onto the Starbase and see to the safety of all hands."

Antilles nodded. "Yessir." and with that, he departed the bridge, Natalie Di'Tomasso following him while Woerner and Ral went into another turbolift. "Primary Airlock," she commented in an even tone of voice.

Ral held his silence while the lift started to move. "This will be an interesting debriefing."

Woerner nodded her head in agreement. "Aye, it will be... Still, the crew performed magnificently for a new green crew, wouldn't you say?"

Ral smiled. "Oh, without question," he answered in an even tone of voice, the turbolift door opened in the middle of his answer before Woerner moved out into the hallways, Rall followed in silence as the third member of their party came from around a corner. "Captain, Commander, fancy meeting you two, on this fine September day..." Zhao commented evenly, with a large PADD in her delicate looking fingers.

"Indeed El-Tee. The weather is a balmy seventeen degrees with a chance of rain for later." Ral answered her in the same tone as she had addressed him and Woerner. The Captain for her part simply chuckled in amusement while the three of them reached their destination. "Here we are..."

"Starbase maintenance team approaching the main airlock." was the voice from the Chief, a male voice rather than the usual female voice that people were used to.

"Thanks, Chief, open the airlock and allow them to board," Woerner commented evenly.

The hatch opened as two people stood before the assembled welcoming committee, one was a massive looking white-skinned male and the other was an older female with dark skin, she smiled as she nodded to Woerner. "Permission to come aboard Captain?"

"Of course Admiral, welcome. This is Lt Commander Ashur Ral, my first officer, and Lieutenant Min Zhao, my Chief Engineer."

Duval nodded to both of the other officers. "This is Captain Tirion Fordring, he is the Starbase Chief Engineer and he'll be looking after your third child for the next few weeks while we sort out the mess that we've been presented."

"I did the best I could sir," Woerner answered quickly.

"I know Captain, I read the reports you and your crew submitted last night, it made for fascinating reading. I've stuck in requests for replacement personel to replace your losses but it will be a few days at least. In the meantime, however. I'll see about getting your crew some time off, they earned it."

"Thank you, Admiral."

"Now. Why don't we let our Engineers get to know each other, Captain, Commander... You two, come with me." and with that Duval turned and departed the Daedalus as Woerner and Ral followed. Zhao looked up at the man who was twice her size. "Well, umm... Hi, welcome aboard. Can I show you around?"

"Sure El-Tee." Fordring smiled down at her. "Let's drop by Main Engineering and I can see how bad your damage is, and arrange for Daedalus's proper tender loving care."

Zhao walked beside the massive man beside her. "You almost sound like a parent... What species are you... There is no way, that you're human..."

"Nope. I am a Vrykul. Physically we look alike to humans, we can have children with them as three of my children have families with humans." he explained with a gentle and happy smile. "Galiaan and I have much to be happy about and proud of with our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren," he explained with a smile, enjoying the smaller female's reactions to his comments.

"Oh wow, you look good for your age," Zhao answered, for lack of anything better to say.

"Thanks." Fordring grinned at her. "You are quite the beauty yourself."

"Umm... Thanks.." Zhao answered for lack of anything better to say, as she shook her head, having no idea of what to say. "Err... This way, lets .... Engineering is this way." the smaller female stammered, Fordring followed, with a soft grin as he laughed softly while he walked beside her. "Lieutenant, I like you. Most don't have a sense of humor but I like you."

"I try..." Zhao answered as she turned a shade of deep brown.