Bridge Training: Diabolus Ex Spatio Lacrimae (Part II)

Posted on Tue Jan 21st, 2025 @ 9:26am by Cadet Senior Grade Meghan Stefani & Cadet Junior Grade Ruby Rojas & Cadet Senior Grade Daniel Weaver & Cadet Junior Grade Emma Mendez & Commodore Peter Murphy & Archibald 'Archie' Dorrian

1,471 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: The Cadet Cruise
Location: Bridge

[PREVIOUSLY]

Archie placed his hand on Daniel's shoulder and smirked slightly before whispering to the cadets. "Take from an old timer, Cadets. This ain't the Maru. If they think they have all the answers..." He said before leaning in slightly. "Change the questions." Archie gave a wink before proceeding to the turbolift with a pleased smile.

[CONTINUED]

Meghan smiled as he passed and nodded. She could do that. For Daniel, she could definitely do that.

K'tarra chuckled with hints of bold, Klingon laughter. Adrenaline had begun to pulse throughout her as the reality of setting off into space sunk in. To K'tarra.. This was more than one mission. This was the start of the cadet's collective first foray into space.

"It will be an honor to set sail with you all", K'tarra said happily. She smiled as she looked from Meghan to Daniel. Cadet Smythe could tell how close those two had grown. It seemed like so long ago since they'd first arrived, having done a lot in a short time. She quietly returned to the Engineering console.

As the doors to the turbolift closed, the Commodore stepped away from his command chair, and made his way to the cadets gathered. "Cadets... Today, you will be participating in a scenario that can become a standard mission given to you by Starfleet Command. A Non-Federation planet has sent out a distress call saying they are under attack. Attackers are unknown until you reach your destination. You are to defend the planet from the attackers or find a peaceful solution where both parties are satisfied."

Daniel nodded his head, looking around at the other Cadets before looking back to the Commodore, awaiting for the other shoe to drop. "Alright. Shafin, as XO, I-"

Shafin did not appreciate Daniel shanghaiing him into being his right hand for an encore performance of daddy issues. Shafin cleared his throat and was ready to speak but was cut off.

"Actually, Cadet Todenhöfer will not be serving as your First Officer for this scenario. Cadet Mendez will be." The Commodore interjected.

Of course, he wouldn't let Shafin work with Daniel, Meghan thought. They worked well together. It just proved the commodore wanted to break Daniel.

Shafin contained his smirk the best he could. How very entertaining thought the Vulcanoid. "An excellent choice, Sir."

Emma stood at the tactical console, a little surprised that she was going to be XO for this exercise. "Erm... Yeah... sure..." she said with a hint on unease as she made get way towards the command area.

And there was the other shoe. Daniel looked over from Shafin, to Emma, then back to the Commodore. Shafin and he did great on the last training mission, but I am sure, that's why his father changed it over to Emma. To get Daniel out of his comfort with getting help from Shafin and forcing him to work with someone he had not worked with before. He shook his head and replied. "Sir, with respect, Cadet Todenhöfer has had experience as the Executive Officer and would be more familiar with what the Cadets are capable of."

"You are correct, Cadet." The Commodore replied, with a smile, which confused Daniel for a moment. "However, Captains are seldom afforded the luxury of picking who they work with and, above all else, this training to determine how well you adapt to change. You must get used to the fact that, not everything, will be in your favor."

Correct? No. No, he is not thought Shafin. I have one simulation as First Officer. I'm barely familiar thought Shafin.

Daniel scoffed slightly before replying softly under his breath. "Believe me... I'm already used to it."

"What was that, Cadet?" The Commodore asked firmly.

"Nothing, Sir. Just stating that you have a point." Daniel said replied with a smile.

"May I be of more use off the bridge during this exercise?" inquired Shafin. "Unless you have bridge plans for me."

Emma stood next to Daniel. "Don't worry Daniel. We'll get through this," she whispered to him.

All the while, Finn stood there and observed the exchanges that were happening. It perplexed him greatly to see the breakdown of what was happening. "Uh, Commodore sir," Finn began as he slowly raised his hand to be recognized. Once he got the commodore's attention, he lowered his hand and spoke. "Is there a role on the bridge that Cadet Todenhöfer and I will be needing to fill for this particular training?" Again, he wasn't even sure why he was summoned to this, he wasn't going to be on a bridge, at least not for the foreseeable future. But he also didn't want to stand there like a lump and just observe... whatever was going on.

The Commodore looked around the room before replying. "You can never determine whether your skills will be needed on any mission, regardless of whether you are aware of the details beforehand or not, but I do have an assignment for you two." He said firmly before continuing on. "Should you, or Cadet Todenhöfer, bear witness to any officer who is not able to do their duties due to some kind of medical or emotional reason, you are within your power to have them removed from the bridge. I will then expect a report at the end of this exercise."

That seemed, well... extreme, at least in Finn's mind. He knew the protocols, and he knew the regulations for removing an officer from duty, but he never thought as a cadet, he would be handed such a task. He wanted to question it, but of course held his tongue. Instead, he gave a quick nod and said, "aye sir."

Meghan didn't like the sound of that. Was it a way for the commodore to have Daniel removed as acting captain? The commodore seemed determined to make Daniel fail. First changing the ship in the nebula to be commanded by Daniel's grandfather and now removing Shafin as his acting first officer.

Cadet Smythe continued to monitor the ship's display. A set of codes on her board flashed from yellow to green. K'tarra turned and stood at attention. She cleared her throat before speaking in a voice with hints of a regal Klingonese accent. "Sir, Main Engineering reports all systems are fully operational and at the ready."

Meghan smiled at K'tarra. She didn't dare wave in case the commodore chose to remove her from the bridge as well.

K'tarra caught Meghan's glance. It caused her expression to brighten into a half smile as she gave a quick nod to her fellow cadet. It eased the tension caused by waves of anxious excitement that she fought to restrain.

Shafin had appreciated that Finn joined him in his attempt to escape the bridge, but of course the Commodore had countered them both and gave them a task that kept them on the bridge. Shafin raised his hand like a child in a classroom.

"Yes, Cadet?" The Commodore asked, his hands remained behind his back, as the look on his face began to show he was displeased by the constant interruptions.

Meghan was secretly amused, but she kept a calm demeanor and didn't make eye contact with Daniel, Shafin, or the commodore.

"There has already been an established pattern of irrational, emotionally driven, and questionable decision making displayed by an officer. I dare infer that given certain observations it could be they are genetically predisposed to it" said Shafin. "Nevertheless, I'll continue to monitor them, Commodore."

"You have your orders, Cadet." Commodore Murphy replied, looking at Shafin sternly before looking around the bridge. "You all do." He walked toward the turbolift. "Cadet Weaver... You have the conn. Senior Staff, with me." He said as he stepped in.

As the doors closed, Daniel looked around and walked over to the command chair before giving Shafin a look. He couldn't help but think that genetically predisposed comment was directed toward he and the Commodore. Of all the people tired of dealing with this situation, Daniel was at the very top of the list. They were dealing with this only recently. Daniel has dealt with it his whole life and his every attempt to shoot it down was thwarted. At this point, he might as well leave Starfleet and go join another the Bajoran Militia like his mother. At least his father’s reach couldn't go that far.

(To be continued...)

Archie Dorian
Mentor

Cadet Senior grade Meghan Stefani
Science Cadet

Cadet Senior Grade K'tarra Smythe
Engineering Cadet

Cadet Senior Grade Daniel Weaver
Command Cadet

Cadet Junior Grade Emma Mendez
Security Cadet

Commodore Peter Murphy
Commanding Officer

Cadet Junior Grade Shafin Tödenhofer
Counseling Cadet

Cadet Senior Grade Finn Walsh
Medical Cadet

 

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