Starbase 307- A little R&R

[Ephrem Santos]

The USS Excalibur's viewscreen showed the outline of Starbase 307, which was a most welcomed sight to the crew. They had been through a very hard time with the lost of the captain and first officer. Many argued against coming back to port without them, but they were all overruled. That was almost two weeks ago.

"Commander, we are in range of the starbase," a crewman reported.

"Open a channel." Ephrem said ...

=^= USS Excalibur to Starbase 307 ... Permission to dock .... =^=

=^=Excalibur, welcome to Starbase 307, Admiral Torres wishes to speak with you and the rest of the senior staff as soon as your available=^=

=^=Understood=^=

Ephrem was not in the mood for meetings, but he should of known they were coming. He looked at the youngest member of the senior staff CPO Mira Green. He knew that she had taken the lost of the Captain hard and wondered how she was coping.

"Chief after we dock please talk to Doctor Mann and come up with a suitable time for these meetings," Ephrem ordered.

<Tag Mira>

Ephrem took his station and coordinated with the other departments. They couldn't risk shutting down all the systems in there current state; it would have to be a gradual shut down. After meticulous work every major system was shut down and the Excalibur was now in the capable hands of the base engineers.

"Good job everyone," Ephrem said and ordered them off the ship and to enjoy themselves. "You deserve it."

[green]

Mira nodded in response, relieved that the ship was back in dock, where it belonged with the amount of damage it had sustained. "Will there be a memorial service for Captain Roberts and Commander Vegeta?" she asked, her voice almost inaudible, as she turned at the turbolift doors.

At Santos' quiet nod, she offered him a weak but appreciative smile and stepped into the turbolift. Gripping the handle, she told it to get to sickbay's deck and she felt the accelleration of the car as it soomed down the shaft towards sickbay.

The teen found the chief medical in his office going over reports. Quietly, she knocked on the door to get his attention. "Santos wants me to confer with you about suitable meeting dates. Starfleet Command wants us in for debriefing, but is letting Santos decide when it suits us. Also, want to join me on shoreleave? I want to introduce you to my brother, who's currently also on leave."

This time she smiled a little more heartfelt as she circled her arms around John's shoulders, pressing her cheek against his. "You'll like Francis," she whispered.

[Deleted]

"Santos wants me to confer with you about suitable meeting dates. Starfleet Command wants us in for debriefing, but is letting Santos decide when it suits us. Also, want to join me on shoreleave? I want to introduce you to my brother, who's currently also on leave." She smiled a little more heartfelt as she circled her arms around John's shoulders, pressing her cheek against his. "You'll like Francis," she whispered.

"I hope he likes me," said John, reaching up and taking hold of Mira's encircling arms. "I don't have any plans, and I'd love to join you, of course."

"You'd better," said Mira in a psuedo-dark voice. John chuckled. "So I'll just tell Santos that your schedule fites with mine?"

John started to shrug, but given the present circumstances he found it was better to simply reply verbally. "Oddly enough. Do you need to go back to Santos right this moment?"

"It would probably be a good idea," replied Mira. "But I'll be back soon enough." She began to stand up, and John gave her a quick kiss on the cheek as she left.

"John!" yelled Wundt, storming into the office. "Lt. Cochrane isn't letting me- oh." He stopped short at the sight of Mira. "I'll, um, be right back, I left the... report in my, um, on the biobed."

"Oh, I was just leaving," said Mira. "Besides, it isn't like you stumbled across some deep, dark secret. I'll be back soon, John."

John nodded and stood up to meet the latest problem Wundt had brought to him.

[green]

She blew a kiss at John before disappearing. "I won't be long," she promised with a smile, the first genuine smile since days. She jogged back to the bridge, where she found Santos sitting in the captain's chair. "John's going to join me on leave," she informed him, "I'm meeting my brother and I want to introduce them both."

The teen blushed deeply. "I ah....could it be arranged that his schedule coincides with mine?" At his nod, she leaned in and gave him a quick but awkward hug.

Then her face fell as she thought about their captain. "Is there going to be a memorial service?" she asked softly, "I'd like it if there was going to be one. Even though it's not certain they're dead. Nobody is believing they'll ever return, including me. We...searched so long, we looked everywhere."

Mira sank down in the nearest chair. "Where could they have disappeared to? Or if they're dead, why didn't we recover their bodies? What would make them disappear? Dead or alive?" Mira desperately needed closure, of all crewmember she was taking it the hardest, and she was still trying to cope. At least John was extremely patient with her, and trying his best to be supportive, but even he was no comfort to her loss. James had been like a father to her, had shown confidence and trust in her that no other had. He had even confided Klingon fighting techniques to her.

Her vision swam as tears welled up in her eyes and she furiously wiped them away, not wanting to cry in front of the senior officer. "I'm sorry," she whispered, wiping her eyes once more and took a couple of deep breaths. Her miserable feeling passed and she felt better again. "I'm going to seek help," she promised, "I can't deal with this alone."

She patted Santos on the shoulder. "Who're you going to spend shoreleave with?" she asked, smiling again, "anyone special?"

[Ephrem Santos]

"Is there going to be a memorial service?" she asked softly, "I'd like it if there was going to be one. Even though it's not certain they're dead. Nobody is believing they'll ever return, including me. We...searched so long, we looked everywhere."

It was a rather strange feeling. A second ago he was happy that he was able to grant Mira her wish to spend time with John on leave and now he felt sadder than ever. A memorial service meant that they would never be found. They would never be able to enjoy life, see their families or love again.

"We're not sure yet, Starfleet has them MIA, but I'm pretty sure it will be updated soon," Ephrem said as he sat down in his chair. "I have spoken to the Captain's and Commander's next of kin and they have invited the entire crew to their services."

<Tag Mira>

"I'm sorry," she whispered, "I'm going to seek help," she promised, "I can't deal with this alone. Who're you going to spend shore leave with?" she asked, smiling again, "anyone special?"

"First of all there is no reason to be sorry," Ephrem said," everyone on this ship feels saddened by their loss and I'm pretty sure that many of us will look for support."

"I'm sure your right,"Mira said," but you didn't answer my question."

It was now Ephrem's turn to blush. He rarely shared his emotions, but he decided that it was time that he let people in, even though in the long run they may hurt him.

"Well I was thinking about asking Barbara to join me," Ephrem said still blushing," it has gotten pretty serious between us and I was hoping to enjoy some time being together."

After his response there was an awkward silence for a few seconds which he ended when he informed her that there briefing would be in five days and that there they would meet their new captain.

<Tag Mira>

[Ephrem Santos]

OOC: Okay, guys you can all still write about your experiences during R&R, but I want to get the briefing's out of the way and possibly start our new mission by next week.

IC:

The cloudy skies reflected the feelings of the Excalibur crew who were silently listening to the eulogy of Captain Robert James. The feeling of sorrow was evident throughout the service and tears flowed freely. As the service ended, an Admiral that Ephrem had never met called all Starfleet personal to attention. As the empty coffin of Captain James was lowered into the ground, his faithful crew saluted their leader.

"I'm sorry we couldn't find you," Ephrem whispered as he passed the grave site and dropped his extra set of pips. Ephrem couldn't remember the last time he cried, but he knew that no one would think any less of him because of it.

"What do we do know?" Barbara asked after wiping away her tears.

"I don't know just yet, but we have to return to Starbase 307, our new orders will come there," Ephrem said as he walked hand in hand with Barbara.

Five days later- Starbase 307

Ephrem and the two remaining senior staff members, Mira Green and John Mann, were waiting for Admiral Torres to arrive. Normally a ship would have at least seven senior staff members, but nothing was as it should be. As the doors to the conference room opened Ephrem called the room to order.

"At ease, there is no need for formalities," Torres said as he took his seat," as you know Starfleet has formally announced Captain James and Commander Vegata as dead. The Republic and Cook were unable to find anything as well."

"Sir, we already know this," Ephrem said annoyed," we have heard this countless of times already."

"I know Commander," Torres said," which is why it is time for the Excalibur and her crew to move on from this horrible incident."

"So I'm guessing that you have chosen a new Commanding Officer for the ship?" Ephrem asked.

"Yes, after much consideration we have picked a suitable officer to lead your fine ship," Torres responded.

"May I ask you?" Ephrem asked.

"Of course," Torres said,"Commander Santos, I am hereby authorized by Starfleet Command to offer you the post of Commanding Officer of the USS Excalibur."

Ephrem was about to laugh, thinking it was joke, but he quickly realized that the Admiral wasn't joking.

"Um.....yes....I would be honor to command the Excalibur," Ephrem said as looked at his senior staff.

"Good, very good," Torres said," you will be given leeway to choose your XO and your orders will be give to you shortly. We also have to discuss some other matters...."

OOC: Okay, I'm still looking for more crew and an XO. I have already contacted a few members and a ship member as well. As for the other matters at the end of my post. You guys can come up with anything.

PS: The mission outline should be out soon. Captain Elaurs Voran will be joining us throughout the upcoming mission as well.

[green]

Mira sat sobbing through the entire eulogy that was delivered for Vegeta and Robert James. It seemed so final now that Starfleet had finally decided on declaring them dead. Mira hadn't wanted to believe that they were dead and somewhere she still couldn't believe it. However, no matter what she had decided on prior to the service, she couldn't hold back her tears any longer.

She felt John slip his arm around her shoulders, silently pulling her towards him. She appreciated his support but she feared he might start to find her current depressed mood a liability. She had promised to go find professional help to deal with the loss, and she would make good on her promise.

After the service, Mira kissed John goodbye and told him what she was going to do. And she found a counselor on Starbase 307, willing to listen to her. After talking for hours, Mira left his office feeling relieved and less stressed. At a more lively pace, she walked through the base corridors and crossed a fly-bridge over a busy promenade.

She paused in the middle, leaning over the railing to look down. Now, after talking to Counselor Ramon t'Cael, she felt she'd do James' memory more justice by moving on and not forget the important lessons he'd taught her, about life, and in combat. She smiled as she watched people walk by below and leaned over a little further to see if she could spot any of her friends.

She waved as she spotted Santos, who was accompanied by a human-looking individual. She ran to the end of the bridge and flew down the stairs to catch up with them. "What good news I've just heard," she cried, beaming up at Santos, "is it true? Is it really true?" She didn't acknowledge the humanoid with Santos, being too excited. "Ooh I gotta tell John, wait till he hears this!"

She wrapped her arms around Santos' neck in enthusiasm as she kissed him on the cheek. "Congratulations! Now, I gotta go....bye!" She ran off, and nearly ran her boyfriend over as she rounded a corner. "Guess what!" She grinned, her eyes gleaming happily as she grabbed Mann's hands. "Santos has been made captain!"

[Deleted]

"..and so," droned on Commodore (retired) Greg DuPiers of Starfleet Medical, "that is why I believe that we really could start performing surgery on every Starfleet officer - hell, every enlisted person, too - and provide them with biological failsafes. Of course, no one else at HQ liked my ideas. Thought I was a senile old man. But they did like my work on the regenerative white blood cells. I was using what was new technology at the time, but even so..."

Please, just let it end, thought John as he aided the elderly man through the Starbase. He had met a couple of Academy friends almost two hours ago (Mira had been at a counselor's office), when suddenly the highly acclaimed Commodore had arrived. John, not knowing the man on a personal level, had not exited the cafe as quickly as his friends had, and the Commodore had latched onto him like some old, blood-sucking barbaric form of psuedo-medicine used on Earth centuries ago. The Commodore had excused himself by promising John that he'd 'put in a good word for the young man' if Starfleet Medical ever asked his opinion, which John privately and energetically hoped would never happen.

Just when John felt sure he would implode with the effort of listening to the slow-walking man continue his monologue endlessly, Mira barrled into him. "Guess what!" She grinned, her eyes gleaming happily as she grabbed Mann's hands. "Santos has been made captain!"

The Commodore realised (finally) that John had more important things to do, and with a knowing smile bid a quick farewell. "Really?" asked John surprised. "Where is he?"

"Follow me," said Mira, leading him to Santos. Ephrem, accompanied by a young woman, was walking their way. His cheeks were slightly red, most probably from embarrasment, but the woman's features were a bit odd for the occasion. They seemed dark.

"Congrats, Ephrem," said John, holding out his hand, still confused by the woman's slightly hostile expression.

[Ephrem Santos]

"Congrats, Ephrem," said John, holding out his hand

"Thank you John, I just hope that I can be a tenth a commanding officer as Captain James," Ephrem said taking John's hand."That also means that we are about to receive our mission orders. I will try to keep you together for a few more days but I can't promise anything."

This statement made John's cheek go red and Mira to avoid his eyes. Ephrem found it ironic that just a few seconds ago he was in there situation.

"For now enjoy yourselves, and John I think it's time for the crew to undergo physicals," Ephrem said as he winked at Mira and then walked away with Barbara in hand.

"Do you know what this means?" Barbara said a bit steamed.

"The entire ship will know about us," Ephrem said smiling.

"What! I thought you wanted to keep it secret," Barbara said a bit surprised at his change of attitude.

"I did, but I realized that it didn't matter, I want to be with you and nothing will change that," Ephrem said as he gave her a small kiss.

"Plus, being the captain's girlfriends will have its perks," Barbara said smiling.

"Really, I didn't know that," Ephrem said laughing. They talked for a few more minutes until Ephrem received a message from Admiral Torres.

"Understood, Admiral, I'll be there shortly," Ephrem said saddened that he would have to leave Barbara for now. "I got to go."

"I know," Barbara said," I'll meet you at the diner later."

"Ok," Ephrem said as he gave her a goodbye kiss and hug. A few moments later Ephrem arrived at his destination.

"Hello Captain Voran," Ephrem said.

<Tag All including Voran>

[evoran]

BACKPOST - Several Days Ago...

Captain's Log (USS Constitution NCC1700): Most of my crew are currently on starbase enjoying some recreational time, however strange readings in a nearby sector have forced my starship to be recalled into duty prematurely. Not wanting to interrupt shoreleave, and over my objections, starfleet has ordered the ship to investigate the anomaly with a skeleton crew. Furthermore, both I and first officer Sentelek must also stay here on starbase because of our obligations to a diplomatic conference. I can only hope that my ship encounters no problems.

Sitting in his temporary quarters on Starbase 307, Captain Elarus Voran heard the door buzzer.

The door opened to reveal his Vulcan first officer and science, Commander Sentelek.

"Sentelek, come in." Said Voran, "How did you enjoy the concert last night? You've been my first officer for 14 years and it's the first time you've seen us play."

"It was...diverting. You are an accomplished vocalist. However, I do not believe I understood all the lyrics to the songs. For instance, what does it mean, 'You shook me all night long'?"

Voran chuckled, "Well, it's...um...well, let me put it this way, Vulcans get 'shaken' every seven years."

"Ah," said Sentelek, "I believe I comprehend. But, the last song you played, how is one able to live on a prayer?"

Voran laughed again, "It's a twentieth century concept. It depicts a young couple, they have little money, posessions, in effect, they're living on nothing except hope."

"Intriguing." Said Sentelek, pausing for a moment as if considering the concept further, then he looked back at Voran and said, "However, that is not the matter I came here to discuss. Is it true that the Constitution is being sent on a mission with only a skeleton crew?"

"I'm afraid so, Sentelek. I objected, but Starfleet overruled me." Said Voran, frowning.

"And without you or myself?" Said Sentelek.

"Yes, it's a bit worrying, but Delren is a capable officer."

"I have no doubts in Lieutenant Commander Sh'mar's command abilities, however, to put him in command of a skeleton crew..."

"It is felt that a hostile encounter of any kinds is...unlikeley."

"Indeed..." Said Sentelek, raising one eyebrow, "Very well. I shall see you at the conference tomorrow."

He turned to leave and then turned around at the door, when Voran stopped him, "Oh, Sentelek, Doctor Sloyan and I are having dinner tonight, would you care to join us?"

Sentelek inclined his head by way of accepting the invitation and then left Voran's quarters.


-------------------------


Following on from Ephrem's post...


"Hello Captain Voran," Ephrem said.

"Commander Santos, congratulations on your new assignment," Said Voran, shaking his hand, "this is my first officer, Commander Sentelek and my chief medical officer, Doctor Sloyan."

The Vulcan inclined his head by way of greeting, but the grey-haired human doctor shook Ephrem's hand and cheerfully said, "Pleased to meet you, Commander."

<Santos>

[Ephrem Santos]

"Hello Captain Voran," Ephrem said.

"Commander Santos, congratulations on your new assignment," Said Voran, shaking his hand, "this is my first officer, Commander Sentelek and my chief medical officer, Doctor Sloyan."

"Pleased to meet you, Commander."

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well Captain, Commander," Ephrem said as he offered his hand to the Captain and a Vulcan salute to the Commander and Doctor.

"It is my understanding that my crew and I will be escorting you and your staff to the Camus System," Ephrem said, "Captain we leave tomorrow at 0900 hours."

OOC: Please post on the new Mission Thread