In the Interim

Posted on Wed Sep 22nd, 2010 @ 10:02am by Vice Admiral Iluvar & Commander Fala Awen

Mission: Episode 1.3 - "The Time of Trial"
Location: Ready Room, USS Pandora
Timeline: Mission Day 03, 0800

ON: [[Ready Room, USS Pandora, MD03, 0800]]

The turbolift door slid open and Jake (NPC) emerged onto the bridge. He paused just to one side for a moment to take a look around. This was his first time serving aboard a Luna-class starship and he knew that it was going to take him a little while to get used to the ship's layout, especially after having spent considerable time as the Frontier's chief engineer.

He'd spent much of the trip from Starbase 214 going over the specifications for the USS Pandora in hopes that he might better prepare himself for his assignment. There was a big difference between studying specifications and actually seeing the ship for himself, he knew, but he wanted to be able to put his best foot forward when he met with the Pandora's commanding officer.

That was the other reason he had taken this assignment, despite having been told it was only a temporary one. When he'd learned that Rear Admiral Iluvar was commanding the Pandora, he knew that it would be worth it. He remembered the first time he had met Iluvar aboard the Tethys while on his way to his assignment aboard the Frontier. It was because of that encounter that Jake was so willing to accept this assignment.

Once he realized that Iluvar was not among the officers on the bridge, Jake turned and started across the room toward the door that led to the admiral's ready room. Being that they were at Deep Space Four and the ship wasn't going anywhere, he figured that would be the next best place to look for the commanding officer.

[Ready Room]

It was still odd to Awen to be in Iluvar's Ready Room as Acting CO. She felt like an intruder, but for the time being, she tried to just think of it as a place to work. Glancing down at another PADD, part of her almost wished for the relative simplicity of life in a Resistance Cell; it was dangerous, to be sure, but she knew her place and what was expected of her. As Acting CO, that had all been thrown out the airlock. Frowning slightly, she looked up as she heard the door chime, "Enter."

Another door parted and Jake stepped across the threshold into the ready room. Turning toward the desk, he fully expected to see Iluvar seated behind it. He was surprised to see a Bajoran woman in services gold seated there instead. A little surprised, he did his best not to appear like a confused schoolboy.

Awen frowned slightly at the very young looking Lieutenant in Services Gold who had entered the Ready Room. He looked more like he should be a cadet, rather than a Lieutenant, but perhaps he was from a race who looked much younger than they truly were. Regardless, here he was. "Yes, Lieutenant?"

"I apologize, commander," Jake said, maintaining his composure, "I was expecting to find Admiral Iluvar."

Debating for a moment how to explain the situation, Awen replied, "For the moment, I am the Acting Commanding Officer of the USS Pandora...Lieutenant Commander Fala. What can I do for you?"

The woman's response explained why she was here, but it didn't really give Jake any idea as to why the admiral was not. This was not the time and place to be asking such questions, though. He was here to report in with the Pandora's commanding officer and if this woman was the acting commander, then he was in the right place. "Lieutenant Jacob Warrington," he said by way of introduction, "I've been ordered to report to the Pandora as interim Chief Engineer."

Awen thought back about the various PADDs she'd already read. There had been one about Samuel....now that she thought about it, he had been transferred to work with Vice Admiral Manley. Apparently this Lieutenant was his replacement. "Welcome aboard, Lieutenant. Have a seat."

"Thank you," Jake replied, moving to sit in one of the chairs opposite the desk.

"When did you get your transfer orders? I just found out about Lieutenant Bishop's transfer; I must say I'm a bit surprised StarFleet already found a replacement," she said.

"Interim replacement, ma'am," Jake said, making sure to emphasize the difference, "Starfleet Operations made it perfectly clear when they gave me this assignment that I shouldn't get too comfortable."

Awen nodded, "Of course, interim replacement. Either way, you're here for the time being. What was your last assignment?" She had a feeling she should probably start a new PADD to mention everything that was going on while she was Acting Commanding Officer. Vaguely she wondered about Iluvar's yeoman...perhaps if he was still around and not busy helping Iluvar. But considering the circumstances, he could be.

"I was the Chief Engineer aboard the Frontier, ma'am," Jake replied. The question wasn't really out of the ordinary, especially for someone who was serving as the acting commanding officer. If he had thought about it more, he might have made an effort to 'call ahead'.

"The Frontier...Intrepid Class as I recall... Have you served on a Luna class before?" If he had been on the Frontier for a considerable amount of time, he probably hadn't, but she thought it would be a good question to ask. Awen wondered what Iluvar would be speaking to Jacob about if he were there instead of her.

"No, ma'am," Jake replied, "I've not had the privilege of doing so, but I am looking forward to the opportunity to." He'd heard a lot about the Luna-class from other engineers. She was a ship designed for true exploration. Hopefully, he'd at least have time to get to know her well before he was called to move on.

Nodding slowly, she tried to think of what other questions she should ask him. Not coming up with anything, Awen asked, "Do you have any questions, Lieutenant?"

"To be honest commander, I haven't been aboard all that long," Jake admitted a little sheepishly, "In fact, I haven't even had a chance to poke my head into engineering yet. I figured that it would be better to report in before I started poking around at things. If I come up with anything, I will let you know."

"Of course," she replied. "I'm sure you'd like to get a feel for the ship, and Engineering, but as you mentioned, let me know if you need anything. It was a pleasure meeting you, Lieutenant."

"The pleasure was mine, commander," Jake said with a smile as he rose to his feet. Taking this to be the end of their little meeting, he nodded politely to her and headed for the door. A moment later, he was gone.

OFF

A JP by:

Lieutenant Commander Fala Awen
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Pandora

and

Lieutenant Jacob "Jake" Warrington (PNPC)
Interim Chief Engineering Officer
USS Pandora
Played by: Capt Iluvar