First Day

Posted on Sun Apr 26th, 2026 @ 10:14pm by Captain Lorut Vila & Commander Jonah Barnes & Lieutenant Commander Frasier Greene & Lieutenant Jackson Barnes & Lieutenant Bethany Rhodes & Captain Maxwell Culver & Lieutenant Commander Chester Ripley

1,643 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Pathfinder Shakedown Mission

J(ust a quick staff meeting to kick us off!!)

Vila had called the Senior Staff to the Ready Room.

Commander Barnes walked in. He nodded to the captain and then sat down in one of the chairs.

Chet had requested to be assigned to the Pathfinder and taken the role of Chief Helmsman. As was typical of his career, it was always one step forward, two steps back. Not that it mattered, he certainly didn’t want to be captain any time soon. Especially where they were resuming their duties. He took his seat with his typical, friendly smile.

In a typical fashion, Dr Greene was the last to arrive; punctuality had never been one of his strongest features. He nodded respectfully to the new members of the crew and took position near the rooms viewpoint. He stole a quick glance outward to turning his attention to the Captain. Perhaps after this hurried start he'd be able to talk to her on a personal level to understand where they stand within their relationship and how it should be approached with the rest of the crew.

"Our first mission is a simple one. We lead the Intrepid on her way to do a an extraction and rescue mission. An SOS was sent, one person alive as far as we know," she said. "In the meantime, that will help us to determine any problems, any issues, and what outstanding staff we still need to address," she said. "Doc, I need you to run a full simulation in Sickbay. In case there's more than one survivor, OR if they are in need of isolation, it may be better for them to come here. With a skeleton crew, there is less opportunity for spread, I think," she said, looking to Frasier.

"Understood Captain," the new CMO nodded in reply. Considering the extreme lack of crew at the moment running the drill would be simple enough. It was reassuring that the Intrepid was travelling should the situation change and Gocx could aid.

"As for you, Lieutenant Barnes. Please ready a team, as much as you can. Security is our most staffed department right now," she said, "and we need to be on full alert this mission. We're heading into parts unknown." She spoke with her usual frankness.

"Right away, captain. As soon as this meeting ends, I will get security humming." Barnes then looked at his uncle.

"Great, thank you," she said. "Mister Barnes, anything to add?" She said, addressing the elder one.

Commander Barnes nodded. "If everyone does their job properly, then the mission will be a success. That's all."

“Do we have much more detail about whom or what has sent the SOS?” Chet asked, feeling like there was more to the story.

Vila shook her head. "All we know is that there is one life sign spotted by the Counselor on the Intrepid; she's Betazoid. The signal was apparently issued several days ago but took this long to reach someone. Luckily, that someone was US," she said. "It's a simple extraction mission, that's all." She sighed.

"Miss Rhodes?" Vila asked the Engineer. "Do you have anything to add?"

Bethany, not Beth, never Beth, took a moment to purse her lips. She anticipated the captains request, but liked to be sure of any response. Ultimately she shook her head. "Truthfully, there are many things that could be discussed. However, nary a thing to do about it, Captain."

That aid she straightened in her chair and came a holo schematic up in the center of the polished table.

"Pathfinder is operating at 89%, due to crew shortage and the fact that power grid systems are still being load tested. I have every confidence that we shall not encounter any undue issues, given current mission criteria." She tilted her head a scant few degrees tonone side, "assuming that does not change, of course."

"I would like to go. Lt. Barnes, why don't you join me? Commander Barnes will have the Bridge, and Dr. Greene can assist with Ops," she said. "You've been cross training, Doctor. I have faith that you can handle it. Anything else?" She asked. She was ITCHING to shoot something, or just...DO something. Sitting in the big chair was a fantastic thing but sometimes? She got bored.

Commander Barnes responded. "Understood captain."

Lt Barnes stood up. "Thank you, captain. I am eager to be on this mission." He nodded at his uncle.

Greene felt himself tense at the suggestion that Vila wanted to lead the on away party and she'd ordered him to assist on the bridge at Operations. He glanced at Commander Barnes having expected him to object to Vila's desire to leave the ship and put herself at risk. If this was going to be the norm Frasier would need to control his concern - the incident at the Cardassian Outpost had left him emotionally scared deeper than he'd cared at admit and would move mountains to keep her safe.

Vila looked at Frasier. "Dr. Greene, stay behind after, please," she said. They could talk a little; the look on his face worried her. She turned then to Chet.

"Of course," Frasier replied evenly and made a mental note to build a stronger poker face for these meetings.

"Mr Ripley? Would you like to come along or do you prefer to stay behind and assist Commander Greene?" She asked.

Tag: Chet

After everyone had been dismissed, Vila turned to Fraiser.

"If you really don't want me to go, I will stay. You can take my place," she said. "I've just been a little bored with sitting in the Command chair recently. But I know...we're still recovering from the thing with the Cardassians." She said. "I don't want to hurt you further, so. I can hear your opinion." This was one of the hard things about being in a relationship with a crew member-you had to take your personal feelings AND professionalism into account. She couldn't just do something without affecting him, and she recognized that. She figured this would always be a thing they did-have to re-set boundaries and talk about things.

"It's not that," Frasier moved closer. "You're the Captain, you can do, pretty much what you want." he began. "I just need to live with that. I need to remember that the Cardassian outpost was just a one off and won't happen again." he felt himself sigh. "In other words I need to work on my poker face and stop trying to shield you from everything."

Vila laughed lightly. "I appreciate that you worry about me. I will do my best to keep myself safe and alive. I promise. Is Ops ok?" She asked him. "Of course, keep the Sickbay prepped, in case, but I think the Intrepid will handle that," she said. She placed a hand on his face for a moment. "I love you. Don't be late to your console, I heard the Captain's a real hard-ass," she said, and winked.

"So I've heard," he smirked. "I love you too." Placing his hand over hers Frasier continued: "I can handle Ops until you have a replacement, proving I'm not needed elsewhere. Sickbay is pretty much ready to go. Given how light we are at the moment I'm relying on many of the automated functions including the EMH. We can manage a handful of patients but anything more Grocx will have to take over."

She nodded. "I know. I also know you can handle it," she said. She removed her hand from his face. "Better get to it," she said, stepping out onto the Bridge.

"Ops, open a channel to the Intrepid, please. Find out if we're ready to go," she said.

"Aye ma'am," Frasier acknowledged after taking over at the station. A few taps and seconds later he turned, calling out over his shoulder: "The Intrepid is ready, waiting on your command."

"Thank you. Initiate undocking procedures." She took a seat.

=/\= Ms. Rhodes. Pop the tubes. We're heading out. =/\= She looked to Fraiser then.

Bethany was studying the MSD, when the call she had been waiting for came through. She tapped her stylus to against her PADD and her crew, the engineering elite of any civilization, was ready.

"You heard the captain, spool reactor up to cruise output. Double check magnetic interlocks, impulse reactors to standby, set deflector to flight configuration, shields to minimum ready!"

Each soft, confident command was greeted with a chorus of "Aye, ma'am" nothing rushed, nothing missed. Coming down from the briefing room she told her department this was coming and, with baited breath and excited buzz, they waited. Pathfinder was heading out.

=/\= "Engineering to Bridge. All systems Go, ready when you are, Captain. " =/\=

=/\= Excellent work, Lieutenant. Thank you and your team.=/\=

"Ops. We're ready to launch. Please open a channel."

Once the channel was open, Vila spoke aloud.

=/\= Good morning all crew and civilians. This your Captain speaking. Please prepare for launch. Non-critical civilians will remain in their quarters until alerted. Thank you. =/\=

She clicked off and let out a breath. She wished Rena were here to do this for her; Vila was still struggling to find words that sounded professional and...nice.

"Helm? Set a course to follow the Intrepid. Let's get airborne."

"Aye captain." Lt. Barnes tapped the controls and set the course and speed. The Pathfinder started following the Intrepid. "We're underway, captain."

Lt. Rhodes kept an eye on all drive readouts. All good so far. She allowed herself a small smile. Never too much too soon. Bad luck.

Back on the Helm, Vila watched as the Pathfinder drifted away from the docking port and into the open air.

"When we're about 20 kilometers out, drop into warp, please, Fraiser," she said.

There it was. Her first command on her own ship.

 

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