Breaking the News

Posted on Wed Feb 3rd, 2010 @ 5:28pm by Vice Admiral Iluvar & Commander Earlond & Commander Christopher McNeil & Commander Fala Awen & Commander Michael Evans M.D. & Lieutenant Samuel Bishop & Lieutenant JG Hannah Andeti & Lieutenant JG Margaret Winchester & Zander Whyte

Mission: Episode 1.1 - "Now Boarding"
Location: Mess Hall, USS Tethys
Timeline: MD01, 0900

ON: [[Mess Hall, USS Tethys, MD01, 0900]]

The doors to the mess hall parted and Iluvar entered the room at a brisk pace. He immediately moved to the front of the group of officers assembled, standing so that they could all see him. Some of them had been with him since the day the Tethys launched while others had come aboard quite recently. It had been two years since he assumed command of the Tethys and now, after all they had been through together, he was about to ask them to take a leap of faith.

“Thank you all for coming on such short notice,” he began, addressing the assembled group, “Two years ago, Starfleet Command ordered me to assume command of this vessel. Some of you were there and can remember what those first days and weeks were like. Others, who have joined us along the way, have heard the stories and written their own chapter into the greater story that is this crew.”

He paused to look around at the faces of those who had gathered, picking out his senior officers among them. After a moment, he continued, “It is now time for us to turn the page to a new chapter in our story. Earlier this morning, I met with Admiral Meyer (NPC). He has informed me that the Tethys has been ordered to undergo a complete refit. After two years in the field and on the front lines, she has endured quite a beating.”

Earlond nodded. They had been in quite a few engagements, many of which ended up causing severe damage to the Tethys. She needed a rest. Earlond wondered what that meant for them, though.

Surprised when the admiral had convened a number of the crew in the mess hall, Oliver (NPC) figured that he might as well see what it was all about. He knew that Iluvar had been aboard the station to meet with Admiral Meyer, but there had been no indication as to what that meeting had been about until now. The yeoman looked around at those assembled and wondered what they were thinking about Iluvar's words. From the sound of it, the Tethys was about to be put up for refit, which meant that they'd either be receiving other assignments or they'd be staying with the ship. Although he wasn't quite sure which he preferred, Oliver was almost certain that, should the opportunity present itself, that he wanted to continue to serve under Iluvar.

Andeti wasn't surprised to hear the Tethys was in need of a refit. Considering what she had been through it certainly seemed well earned. She leaned back in her chair and glanced sideways at Margaret, who was sitting next to her. Could this be the dreaded transfer that they had theorized about? She felt herself frowning but returned her attention to the Admiral she hoped to continue serving under.

Standing quietly next to Chris, Kiral (PNPC) listened to Iluvar. She'd arrived slightly early and had certainly been curious as to why they had been assembled once again. Of course, Kiral had heard the rumors of a transfer - her source indicated the entire crew would be going to a new vessel. The source was fairly reliable, but still, one never truly knew with StarFleet.

McNeil stood silently, expression blank. He knew pretty much the entirety of what Iluvar was going to announce. The only matter he didn't know was what ship they would specifically be getting. The last time he'd heard from Admiral Meyer the choices had been narrowed to three, each having specific strengths and weaknesses and each having a case for becoming Admiral Iluvar's new flagship.

Awen and her department had met up previously and arrived as a group. They now stood off to the side, able to watch both the Admiral and the crewmembers during the meeting. The Bajoran had made sure that they would appear as a team and was rather satisfied with the results. She could practically feel the tensions rising from her department about what Iluvar's news would mean to them - especially since they had just started really working as a team...they were worried the department would be split up.

Tyreel walked in with 2 of the other ships Pilots. it looked like a big shingdig was going down, when he remembered that the Admiral had called a meeting of the crew. He and the pilots moved over to viewports. He looked out at massive station, thinking about what the meeting might be about.

Zander had been incommunicado during the Tethys' time at the starbase. In actual fact he had been following up on a few contacts in both strategic operations and the Corps of Engineers. What had they told him? Very little of any consequence but he was beginning to get an inkling as to what the meeting might be about.

Jenni wasn't surprised at all that Starfleet had decided to send the Prometheus class ship through a refit. Even in just the short time that she had been aboard, the ship had taken a severe beating. The issue of a refit did however bring up concerns about what would be happening with her, and the rest of the crew.

"As of this moment, I have been ordered to assume command of the USS Pandora," Iluvar said slowly, "Starfleet has acknowledged the accomplishments we have achieved together. That is why they have granted my request that you all be offered the chance to transfer to the Pandora as well. This decision is entirely up to each of you individually. I only ask that you inform your department heads of your decision as soon as possible so that we may begin to account for those who will be transferring and those who will not. Department heads are to submit the list of transfers to Commander Earlond." At this point, he paused and scanned the room again. They were a good crew and, although he knew that many of them would likely be coming along, he couldn't help but wonder how many would choose not to follow.

Jenni was visibly relieved at the news of the transfer offer for the crew. This crew was her first, and she didn't feel ready to move on to another CO, and another crew yet. She was perfectly happy with who she was with right at this moment in time, and she hoped to continue serving with them for quite some time to come.

Nodding, Kiral was glad, though not surprised, that her source had indeed been correct. The source had indicated that the class of ship was one of three, but not which one. A Luna class could certainly be interesting and she hadn't been on the Tethys long enough to really be attached to it.

McNeil showed no reaction. He had been betting on the USS Dauntless getting the final nod, as the Intrepid was a very well-balanced design between the needs of an exploratory vessel and combat capability. Plus, it was one of Admiral Meyer's personal favorites. He hadn't even considered the Glamdring, as the Excalibur, while capable as a command vessel, was just too large and intimidating for most purposes.

Doctor Evans paused mid-sip as Admiral Iluvar announced his reassignment, then resumed his swallow as the offer of transfer was made. Externally Michael appeared impassive, unphased by the news. Internally he was so excited he felt he might leap out of himself. He really liked the Tethys, but the possibilities of a brand new Luna class were thrilling. He continued leaning and sipping as he mulled the possibilities.

Hearing Iluvar confirm the transfer to the Pandora, Awen's eyes shifted to glance at her department members. She didn't know all of them well enough to determine if they would stay on with the crew or request a transfer, but the Bajoran was reasonably sure that a good portion of them, at least, would stay. As far as she was concerned, she still had more to do with the crew....and she'd waited so long for the transfer to the Tethys; Awen didn't want that to occur again so soon.

Margaret gave an internal sigh, one of both relief and frustration. She had only been with the Tethys a year but she had already begun to think of the ship as home. *At least they're keeping us together.* she thought, but then another thought crossed her mind and she cringed. *I just got sickbay the way I like it, now I'm going to have to break in another one.*

"It has been a privilege and an honor serving with you all," Iluvar concluded, "and I wish you all the best, whatever your decision may be. Dismissed." With that, Iluvar turned and headed right back out the way he had come in, leaving the news to settle upon the crew. He had a lot of work to do if he was going to be ready for this transfer and he wanted it to be as smooth as possible.

Earlond looked around to assess the crew's reactions, as many others were doing. As for himself, he was somewhat unsurprised, though he was not at all happy to see the Tethys go. Still, given a choice of Iluvar or the Tethys, Earlond was staying with Iluvar.

The counselor grinned at the Admiral's dedication to his crew and found herself excited at the prospect of moving aboard a new ship. She would certainly be going with him and whoever else decided to go along. He kept things interesting, just the way she liked things to be.

As the rest of the crew milled about and the hum of conversation slowly built to a roar, McNeil edged towards the side of the room. He wanted to be available if anyone specifically wanted to speak with him, but preferred not to be in the middle of an active crowd. And besides, it would be easier to get out from a spot to the side once he was sure he was finished here. He wanted to get in his request to remain under Admiral Iluvar's command as soon as possible.

OFF

A JP by

Rear Admiral Iluvar
Commanding Officer
USS Pandora

Commander Earlond
Executive Officer
USS Pandora

Commander Christopher McNeil
Mission Advisor/Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Pandora

Lieutenant Commander Michael Evans
Chief Medical Officer/Second Officer
USS Pandora

Lieutenant Commander Fala Awen
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Pandora

Lieutenant Kiral (NPC)
Assistant Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Pandora
Played by: Lt. Cmdr. Fala

Lieutenant JG Jennifer Lockheart
Chief Operations Officer
USS Pandora

Lieutenant JG Hannah Andeti
Chief Counselor
USS Pandora

Lieutenant JG Margaret Winchester
Chief Surgeon
USS Pandora

Ensign Tyreel Keloas
Assistant Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Pandora

Crewman Oliver Patterson (NPC)
Commanding Officer's Yeoman
USS Pandora
Played by: RAdm Iluvar

and

Mr. Zander Whyte
Federation News Service Correspondent
USS Pandora