Bridge Training: Distress Call (Part II)
Posted on Sun Jun 25th, 2023 @ 11:57am by Cadet Senior Grade Meghan Stefani & Cadet Senior Grade Daniel Weaver & Cadet Senior Grade K’tarra Smythe & Cadet Senior Grade Dain Helepeiros & Cadet Junior Grade Emma Mendez & Cadet Junior Grade Shafin Todenhöfer & Commodore Peter Murphy
1,393 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission: The Cadet Cruise
[PREVIOUSLY]
"That's all you are being told." Commodore Murphy replied, looking around at the cadets. "Out here, Cadets, sometimes there are missions where you have everything and others where you have little to nothing. The true test, both here and in the field, is how you respond. How you react to the change in the mission is sometimes your best asset. No matter the mission, whether given to you by Starfleet Command or introduced to you on the fly, you must remember that you..." He pointed to each of them. "... are representing Starfleet and the Federation, so your actions may be the first and only identification of who we are and what we represent."
[CONTINUED]
Daniel looked at the others and let out a sigh. The Commodore was making it obvious there was more to this than what appeared so they were being tested on how they solved the problem they setup. He gave Megan a look before shrugging. He was glad she was here. It made him less nervous, but the moment their assignments were handed out, and the bridge crew left, he had a feeling it would change.
"Cadets... Take a few minutes to talk amongst yourselves." Commodore Murphy said before turning back to his first officer.
Meghan's eyes went to Daniel. She was growing more attuned to him and it was easier to pick up his emotions. He was expecting...something. A twist. Yes. That was it. Her smile broadened. She didn't want to say it out loud, but this looked like a puzzle, and she liked puzzles. She especially liked puzzles that included nebulae.
K’tarra had noticed how close Meghan and Daniel were becoming. She decided to let them speak, standing alongside them and listening. She quietly thought about as much of the ship’s statistics as she could. She’d have to be ready to deal with any number of Ops or Engineering situations.
Daniel crossed his arms over his chest and looked around again. He let out a deep sigh before walking over to Meghan. "He has something planned... he all but admitted it." He said softly as he eased slowly to her. "We should expect some kind of surprise."
She nodded. "I assumed as much," she replied softly. "But I think we'll be up to the challenge. And if he makes it too tough, we'll just do the best we can." She met his gaze for several seconds. "You know I have faith in you, right? You'll be fine."
He looked back at her, smiling as he met her gaze, before replying softly. "Thanks. That makes one of us." Daniel added a slight, and quick, laugh as he moved his hand closer to hers before pulling it back. As he cleared his throat he added. "Try to keep on your toes. I'll be counting on you for the Science-y stuff, obviously."
"Thanks." She had a lot of book learning, but not as much practical application. She really wanted to do her best. She hoped she would do her best...
"I can probably assist, logically of course," Shafin commented. "An auxiliary station, secondary science console or monitoring life support systems. Wherever my disciplined concentration would best elevate your performances."
Daniel looked over to Shafin and gave a slight smirk. He nodded his head and replied, in a slightly sincere and sarcastic tone. "I'm sure you will be very helpful... brooding in a corner somewhere." He looked back to Meghan before focusing on the tall Vulcan again. "I'm kidding. We'll probably need all the help we can get."
"Thanks, Shafin." Meghan smiled at the Vulcan. "If this goes the way we think it will, your help will definitely be helpful."
She turned her gaze back to Daniel. "And your leadership."
“I’ll be keeping an eye on Ops… and Engineering. There are a few things I can do from the bridge”, she said through the excitement in her voice. “It might be tricky if I any simulated repairs need to be made.”
For some reason unknown to Dain he was called to the bridge and Cadet Th'Thane removed from this exercise. Something to do with a family emergency and as he was next in line for the next training exercise he was pushed into this one. He listened to the bridge crew, all cadets with a smattering of proper officers, and smiled at the comradery being shown. "There is an auxiliary station I can change to simulate medical... not that I can do much physically up here but I will do what I can with what we are thrown."
Commodore Murphy stood at the center of the bridge until his combadge chirped. "Commodore... We're ready down here, Sir. You may proceed."
He tapped his badge and quickly answered. "Thank you, Lieutenant. I'll debrief the Cadets. Commodore Out." He tapped his badge against as he turned to face the Cadets. "Cadets... The bridge will be all yours in a few minutes, but first your assignments." He placed his hands behind his back and took a deep breath. Cadet Jager the helm is yours. The controls are set to respond to you as if we were in motion. However, keep in mind this scenario will respond according so... don't try to break the warp barrier unless you plan on exploding some consoles."
"Speaking of Engineering. Cadet Smythe. There are three Engineering consoles in the back of the bridge. You will find each console is similar to the ones you would find in Engineering. You can use that to keep an eye on the Warp Core and various systems. Just like the helm... you will find the console will act accordingly. Cavalier's Chief Engineer will be monitoring your activity and may throw you a few challenges." The Commodore smiled before adding. "Conquer them with honor. Qapla'."
The Klingon snapped to attention as Commodore Murphy addressed her. She nodded in her rigid position, letting her eyes drift to note the location of each station. She was pleased to know that there would be stations similar to those she’d worked with in Engineering. She spent some recent time working in that section of the Cavalier and felt confident. She was relieved to have more than an Ops station.
“Aye sir”, she said through a wide, sharp-toothed Klingon grin. “I will not let the Cavalier down.”
Commodore Murphy made his way up to the tactical console. "Cadet Mendez. Tactical is yours. The Cavalier has been adjusted so you won't waste any torpedoes, but you will find she will respond to your commands. Your reactions and targeting will be observed so make it count. I hope you, and Cadet Jager, have familiarized yourselves with your tactical maneuvers so you'll know how to adjust your targeting accordingly."
Emma nodded. "Yes sir" she replied answering for both of them. She was looking forward to actually working a real tactical console, even if it was just a simulation.
He looked to Meghan and Daniel, glancing briefly at his son before focusing on the other Cadet. "Cadet Stefani... You will man the Science station." As the Commodore began to approach, Daniel slowly eased away, to give them space. "I have been told by your instructor that this anomaly is challenging. This console will have everything you need to figure it out. The rest is up to you and your studies." He placed his hand on the science console and smiled a bit before adding. "I wish you luck. Try not to break anything." Commodore Murphy added with a slight chuckle. "She may have been upgraded, but she still an old girl and a bit temperamental."
"Thank you, sir," Meghan replied, trying not to let him intimidate her. "I think she's looking forward to the challenge as much as I am." The science station had been responsive so far. She took it as a good sign. Meghan liked puzzles, but she knew her limits and would likely need the computer's help if there was going to be any sort of twist to this bridge training.
(To be continued...)
Commodore Peter Murphy
Commanding Officer
Cadet Senior Grade Daniel Weaver
Command and Security
Cadet Senior Grade Meghan Stefani
Science
Cadet Senior Grade K'tarra Smythe
Engineering
Cadet Senior Grade Shafin Tödenhofer
Counseling
Cadet Senior Grade Dain Helepeiros
Medical
Cadet Junior Grade Emma Mendez
Security
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