Arrivals and First Encounters

Posted on Thu Aug 1st, 2019 @ 3:42am by
Edited on on Mon Aug 5th, 2019 @ 10:27pm

Mission: For Whom The Bell Tolls
Location: Shuttle Theros / Shuttle Bay
Timeline: MD03, 1100
1245 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Shuttle Theros
MD03, 1100

"Miss Leblanc, we'll be arriving to the Majestic shortly," the shuttle pilot said from his seat, looking back at his passenger.

Cassie lifted her eyes from the PADD; she had been perusing the crew manifest and its current mission briefing for some time now. "Thanks, Eddie."

There had been so many unforeseen delays since she left Paris: her lift to Utopia Planitia had been late, her transport to Station 281 had been delayed, and it had taken longer than planned to get there. By the time she shad arrived at the station, the ship had already left for the Claddin Empire. She had been careful to send status reports to the Majestic, but she still found it unacceptable to be almost a week late, especially since the ship was already en route to its destination. She'd have that much more work to catch up on when she arrived on board.

The shuttle dropped out of warp, and suddenly, there she was: the ship she'd be living and working on for the foreseeable future. While this wasn't her first time on a Starfleet vessel, this was certainly the first time she served on one. "Well, would you look at that..." she mused.

"Pretty impressive, isn't she," Eddie commented as they approached the ship. Cassie heard him tap a few commands on his control panel. "USS Majestic, this is Shuttle Theros requesting permission to board."

"Permission granted, Theros. Welcome back," she heard the flight control officer say cheerily from the other side, then saw the shuttle bay doors slowly open to let them in.

Cassie tucked her PADD in her travel bag and sat back, marveling at the smooth boarding and landing procedure. At least this, she thought, was going without a hitch.

"Here we are," Eddie declared. "Welcome to the Majestic, Miss Leblanc. Thank you for using Theros Airways, and I hope you enjoyed your flight."

Cassie laughed as she stood and hoisted her bag on her shoulder. She grabbed her blazer almost as an afterthought. "Thanks for having me, Eddie. I'm holding you up for that poker game, yeah?"

"Sure thing, Cassandra." He tapped a few more commands and shuttle door opened for her.

Alright, showtime.

With an electro-pneumatic hiss, the door opened revealing the Majestic's shuttlebay to the occupants within. The ship was still cruising towards the upcoming negotiations with the Claddin Empire, so the level of activity on the flight deck was at its usual leisurely pace.

"Hello everyone, welcome to the Majestic. It's my pleasure to welcome you on board." The officer of the deck was a young ensign dressed in Ops yellow. He stood at attention, seemingly reciting a script so easy was the manner in which he delivered his words. "The manifest shows one Miss Cassandra Leblanc-Reed," he turned his attention towards her. "To you, ma'am, a most special welcome. We have been expecting you."

Cassie smiled and nodded. The Ensign looked so young, she was certain this was his very first assignment. "Thank you, I'm glad to finally be here." She noticed the young man was still standing at attention. "At ease, Ensign," she said as she extended her hand. "Call me Cassandra."

"Hello Cassandra, my name is Arvel, it's nice to meet you." A quick handshake completed the ritual. The ensign appeared to relax, if only minutely.

"A pleasure, Arvel." Once the brief introductions were over, she slung her blazer over her shoulder bag, and walked towards the shuttlebay doors. "If I remember correctly, I have an appointment with Captain Saulitis shortly before noon, and I'm meeting Lieutenant Tadez at 1400 hours, right?"

"That is correct, ma'am," Arvel replied with a nod. "Lieutenant Sullivan will be by shortly to be your escort to the bridge. The captain is aware of your upcoming meeting and is expecting you.

"Glad to hear it. I was also wondering if, considering the logistics issues I've been having recently, if my belongings made it on time?"

"That I am not sure about. Lieutenant Sullivan may have more information about that."

At that moment, Lilith stepped through the double doors onto the shuttlebay floor. Covering the short distance between them with a light and purposeful stride, she approached the duo with a noticeable smile.

"Ah," Arvel quipped, "here she is now."

"Thank you and hello again Arvel. We meet again!" It had been less than twenty four hours since Sullivan herself had arrived in much the same fashion. "So that means that this must be Ms. Leblanc-Reed, it's a pleasure you meet you ma'am. Lilith Sullivan, at your service."

"Cassandra. Nice to meet you, Lieutenant. A moment please," Cassie turned her attention back to the young ensign who had greeted her earlier. "Thanks for everything, Arvel. Made my arrival that much more pleasant." She smiled as the young man, albeit not that much younger than she was, beamed with pride.

A moment later, she was keeping pace with Lilith. "Lieutenant, I was wondering. I've come across certain logistics issues since I left Paris. Mostly bureaucratic red tape, et cetera. Would you happen to know if my luggage made it here on time?" she asked as they walked down the corridor.

"Oh please, call me Lilith if the occasion allows and if it suits you. You're among friends here. In time, friends come to call me Lily," Sullivan replied with a friendly smile.

"Lilith, love the name. People call me Cassie all the time," she answered, returning the smile.

"Now, as for your belongings. I'm happy to be the bearer of good news! They were sent over on the same ship that brought me out here. The fine folks on the Gatineau and here in our operations department saw to them, and I believe you'll find them in your quarters when you make it there."

"That is great news! Wouldn't want to come aboard empty handed, especially since I missed the Captain's wedding ceremony," she said, blushing. Cassandra was already embarrassed by her tardiness - she should have boarded the ship days ago - but would have been doubly so had she not been able to give the Captain her wedding gift at their first meeting. "Do you mind if we pass by my quarters for a minute? I'd like to pick up something before meeting the captain."

A faux-grimace crossed Sullivan's face at being reminded of the similar predicament she had been placed in. Many days passed with little to do except read mission briefs and personnel files during her journey to the Majestic, but at no point had Lilith been made aware of the fact that the commanding officer would be renewing her vows almost immediately upon her arrival to the ship. She was still mortified at the thought of her parents finding out that she had attended an event of that magnitude without so much as a card to give as a gift.

"Yeah, about that," Sullivan inhaled through her teeth. "It kinda caught me by surprise too. No one really told me until I just about walked into the ceremony. Thankfully I had a dress uniform ready, which I owe requisitions a big thank you for. But sure, we can swing by Deck 5 on our way up to the bridge."

OFF:

Cassandra Leblanc-Reed
Diplomatic Officer

and

Lieutenant Lilith Sullivan
Chief Flight Control Officer