New Ground - Part Three

Posted on Fri Mar 20th, 2020 @ 5:35pm by Fleet Admiral Heather Duval & Captain Robert Connor & Lieutenant Melody McKnight-Yamaguchi

Mission: Mission 98: Building Our New Home
Location: Various Locations - USS Yuri Gagarin / Starbase Vanguard
Timeline: 0915Hrs - September 3rd, 2393

The space around Starbase Vanguard was quiet on this fine day, There were six ships from the fleet in the various dockyards with their crews on leave across the Starbase and the planet below, as there was a sudden flash of light while another Federation ship marked its arrival. Commander Malcolm Fitzgerald smiled as he watched Utgarde appear on the display, quickly moving from nothing to taking up almost the entire screen before him, the Starbase also appeared at about the same time. Fitzgerald tapped his combadge. "Fitzgerald to Connor. We've arrived," he explained for the other man's benefit.

"Thank you, Captain, I'll head for the transporter room right away."

"Sounds good." Fitzgerald paused. "Admiral Magruder wants us back right away so we'll be departing as soon as you leave."

"Of course, out," Connor answered as he reached his destination. "One to transport to the Starbase. Please, chief."

The young woman smiled. "Take a pad, any pad and I will send you to your desired location," she commented with a gentle smile as Connor did so, he knew that Fitzgerald would not be along to see him off, the man needed to get back to the Scorpious Wall as soon as possible and that was still over two days away via quantum slipstream drive. He could only hope that Captain Antilles and her crew were getting along.

Meanwhile on the Starbase. Fleet Admiral Heather Duval stood in silence as the transporter operator regarded her with a nervous air. "Ummm... Ma'am, we have one person to transport from the USS Yuri Gagarin," he explained as he took a moment to admire her form.

Duval turned her head as she smiled at him, she had caught him admiring her, which she didn't mind in the least. "Transport him aboard please Chief."

"Yes, ma'am." the man answered, he went about his work and a moment later the transporter effect appeared before releasing Captain Robert Connor who regarded the Admiral. "Permission to come aboard?" he addressed the Admiral before him.

"Granted," Duval answered with a smile. "Welcome aboard Rob... Mind if I call you Rob?" she inquired.

"Of course. I find being on a first name basis helps me to bond with my people Admiral." Connor answered. "I will miss the USS Massachusetts but this assignment was honestly too good to pass up," he admitted.

"That's good to know. I try to be more than a simple cardboard cutout with my people." Duval answered with a nod of her head.

"Yes, Celeste speaks very highly of you. I hope I do not cause her more issues while I am here."

Duval nodded. "Yes, she did mention that you two had unfinished business... But she did not tell me why I did not ask though." the older woman explained. "I could tell she had things she needed to vent and I try to help my people when I can, with their issues. Happy people are productive people, productive people make me very happy." Duval grinned at him. "would you like the tour or should we go and find your new home?"

"I'd like to find my new home Admiral. I do not wish to distract you from your workload." Connor answered. "I'd like to go and settle in."

"My workload can wait. Part of the perks of being me." Duval answered. "Jake and Valerie are handling matters, I was blessed or cursed with Jake... He's a workaholic like few others but I know he has a lot on his plate, he's on good terms with most though."

Connor nodded his head. "Jake Yamaguchi is a good man, I've worked with him before."

"I know," Duval answered. "It was his seal of approval that landed you this job," Duval answered as the two exited the transporter room and began moving down the hallway, towards the nearest turbolift. Duval pressed the turbolift call button and the door opened a moment later, the car was thankfully empty. The two stepped in. "Quartermasters office," Duval commented as Connor held his silence.

The turbolift started into motion, the silence was deafening but Connor did not mind, as he took a moment to gather his thoughts and take in the ambiance. The doors opened a moment later as Duval stepped out, Connor followed still in silence.

"Bravo Rob." Duval commented a moment later.

"Sir?" Connor inquired of her.

"You knew to shut up and enjoy the silence, most eggheads wanna talk it away... Your stock just went up a few points." Duval explained with a smile.

"That's good to know sir," Connor answered, a gentle smile on his lips. "Not every moment needs to be filled," he added.

"I think you and I are going to get along just fine," Duval answered with a nod.

"I will do what I can but I will also need to deal with Celeste... I do not need to make issues for her."

"Do not be troubled about Celeste. I think she will accept you in time."

"Hopefully," Connor answered as the two walked into the quartermaster's office. Connor moved to the main desk as the young woman regarded him with a cheery smile. "Captain, what can I do for you.?"

"I'm looking for my new home." as he handed the younger female the PADD in his hands.

"Ahh... Let's see... Oh, your the Admirals new Chief of Staff... Let me see what I got for you." the young woman turned. "Melody?"

A younger Vulcan-looking female came over. "Sir," she responded as she was handed the PADD. "Ahh, let's see..." and with that, she went to work, Yamaguchi-McKnight paused as she made a few notes on a PADD. She then rose to her feet and moved over to Connor. "Welcome aboard Captain, your new home is on level 60, under the armored citadel, the area for all of the senior staff." as she handed him back the two PADD's. "You'll need that second PADD to let yourself into your new home sir. New security procedures, I apologize."

"You do not need to apologize for doing your job Lieutenant, not to me at least," Connor answered. "Thanks for the door keys, I'll get outta your hair now."

"Fair enough, again, welcome to Vanguard." and with that, Connor turned and departed in silence. Duval followed in silence. "You know her... Lieutenant Yamaguchi-McKnight I mean."

"Not her, I knew her mother," Connor commented. "Talon is a friend of mine and I try to get along with her, even if she is unusual. But while she is odd, her methods do work."

"Fair enough," Duval answered. "Shall we go check out your new home?"

"Sounds good to me Admiral," Connor answered with a smile on his face.