New Navigator Finds His Way In...

Posted on Sat Nov 2nd, 2024 @ 1:51am by Commander Lucy Heartfilia & Ensign Jason Reece
Edited on on Mon Nov 4th, 2024 @ 9:48am

0 words; about a 1 minute read

Mission: Mission 5: The Price of Paradise
Location: Deck 1: Main Bridge
Timeline: M5 MD07 (2268.07.30) 0930

As the ship was docked to the Starbase, Jason made his way aboard, through the attached gangway. After checking in with the security nco, he made his way up to the bridge. First step, was to report in.

A few moments after coming aboard, the turbolift doors slid open, depositing the young navigator onto the bridge of the mighty Constitution Class starship. He looked around with wide eyes filled with excitement.

With Captain Faust not needed on the bridge, Lucy was currently in command. Unlike the Captain however, she opted to work from the Science Console today. The bridge officers still reported and asked for orders from her, however she still had work to finish and sitting in the Captain's chair wasn't going to get it done.

Looking over, Jason saw the ship's Executive Officer. As he didn't see the Captain anywhere, he moved over and spoke up. "Apologies for the interruption, Ma'am?"

"Hmm?" Lucy replied as she looked away from the console for a brief moment. "You needed something?" she asked.

Handing over the yellow data card that vontained his personnel file and transfer orders, Jason then stood at attention. "Ensign Jason Anderson Reece, reporting for duty as one of your new navigators, Ma'am!"

"Ah, so you're one of our new navigators. Welcome aboard the Midway," Lucy replied.

"Thank you, Ma'am, " Jason replied excitedly as he glanced over at the station he would be occupying. "It's and honor to be here, Ma'am!"

"Have you served on a Constitution Class before?" Lucy asked curiously.

He shook his head as he replied. "No, Ma'am. This will be my first assignment. Although, I did receive full ratings on this class from my instructors at the Academy, Ma'am."

"First assignment out of the Academy huh." Lucy said. "That's means you must be good. Not everyone gets a Ship of The Line as their first assignment."

She pointed over to the Navigational console. "Why not show me what you can do?" She asked. "Relieve Lieutenant Rillak there, and replot our course."

He nodded respectfully, then moved over to the Conn position. After relieving the lieutenant, and doing a quick once over of the current settings, he looked back at the XO. "Which course would you prefer, Ma'am?"

Lucy walked over to the navigation console and pressed a button on its surface. The console beeped as the active memory was wiped. "Whichever is the fastest and most fuel efficient." Lucy said in response.

Jason frowned slightly. "Begging your pardon Ma'am, however, as we are still docked, and I don't know where you wish us to go, I will be unable to carry out your instructions." He blushed heavily, certain that this was either a prank, or he was about to have the shortest career in Starfleet.

Lucy smiled. "Plot the fastest route to Quo'nos," she said simply.

Finally hearing a destination, Jason nodded, "Aye, Ma'am!" He then worked the controls on the navigation console like he had been doing it forever. In less than seven seconds. He had the route on the screen. "Given the fact that the Klingons would fire on us if they caught us in their space, I had to run the course through several nebula, to hide our approach. At maximum warp, and a major amount of luck in not being detected, we could be in orbit of the Klingon homeworld in fifty pont three hours."

"And you're perfectly fine with plotting such a course?" Lucy asked curiously.

Jason looked the XO in the eyes and nodded. "If it is a lawful order to do so, yes Ma'am, I am." He hoped that he had said the right thing. The fact that it was how he actually felt did not enter into it.

"Interesting," Lucy replied. "And how do you know if it's a lawful order?" She asked. "There's more to being a Starfleet Officer than blindly following orders. I like my officers to be able to think first." Lucy explained to him. "Not that you should question every order you're given, in history that has led to some terrible things."

Jason was quiet for a few beats as he looked down at his console and considered the question. He then looked back up at the XO and replied honestly. "I suppose..it would depend on the situation, Ma'am. If there was supporting actions or information before-hand, it would be easier to recognize the order as being lawful. If the order seemed to come from out of nowhere...I might have more unease about it, Ma'am." He was starting to feel a little nervous as he spoke, suddenly fully aware that all eyes on the bridge were currently resting on him.

"Good answer," Lucy replied. "Well you have passed the test Ensign. Well done."

Jason felt a surge of pride warm his chest and face as he heard Lucy's praise. It caused him to sit a bit straighter in the seat. "Thank you, Ma'am!"

Lucy gave him a nod. "Well, since you're here. Stay at the navigation console. Get familiar with the controls and the ship." She said softly. "Carry on Ensign."

Jason nodded, smiling excitedly. "Aye, Ma'am!" He then gazed over the controls in front of him, looking at them, as a child looks upon their favorite toy on Christmas morning. He set the controls in standby mode, as he performed a level one inspection of the systems.

"Carry on," Lucy said to the rest of the bridge. She turned back to the science station to resume her work now that the new navigator had been sorted.

~OFF~

Commander Lucy Heartfilla
XO
USS Midway

&

Ensign Jason Reece
Navigator
USS Midway

 

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