Pulling Out The Chair

Posted on Fri Nov 10th, 2017 @ 8:37am by Commodore Jason Myers & Captain Michelle Bartlett

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/3
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: June 18, 2399 @ 1004

Michelle was back awake and taking a moment of quiet as the worst of everything was over. Lo'Mah and Gul Kasella were off the ship, the negotiations were back on track and reports indicated that the Dalacari and the Klingon Empire had agreed to the non-aggression treaty and the demands of the government. The Ts'usugi were happy and Lieutenants Nyx and Mordin would be back on duty tomorrow. The crew was busy planning the memorial for the 11 murdered senior officers now that there were finally chances to say goodbye.

She walked into Captain Ross' ready room. So many times she'd sat on that couch or sat at his desk discussing her department's response to diplomatic concerns. And so many times had she counseled him on how to proceed on delicate matters. And he always had counseled her when needed. This time, she didn't take a seat. She simply stood in front of his desk, and looked at his empty chair.

"We did it, sir." Michelle said. "We got the people who did this to you. And to the rest of the senior staff. I have no idea what comes next and I can imagine if you were here you'd have some clever and insightful thing to say. I hope we made you proud. I hope we avenged you and showed that you were right to believe in all of us. I just wish you were here. Turns out Commander Bowman is missing. She's probably dead if Kasella tied up loose ends. If that's the case, I hope she's reunited with the rest of you. And maybe a little more herself" she said, sighing and simply taking in the quiet and emptiness of the room. She stayed quiet and still for several seconds, recalling all the times she'd been in this room. That silence was interrupted by a door chime.

"Come." Michelle called out by force of sheer habit.

Jason walked in and saw Michelle standing at the desk. "Sure feels empty in here.."

"Agreed." Michelle said, sighing. "How did you find me?"

"You weren't in the diplomatic suite. The Computer told me where you were." Jason said. "I'm sort of surprised."

"I just needed a moment in this room again. I guess i needed to be in here to brief.... well, whatever part of him is left in this room." Michelle said.

"There's a lot, I'm sure." Jason said.

"So... What happens next?" Michelle asked.

"The Dalacari have signed the agreement and the Klingons accepted it. I've ordered the ship back to New Earth for supply and proper repairs. The Cardassians and the Klingons made it back across the wormhole. Via heavily armed escort."

"Good." Michelle replied. "Are you sure we have to go back to New Earth?"

"I need to pick up my wife. And my belongings. I've decided to make this my flagship." Jason said.

"Your flagship? Well... I will definitely prepare the new Captain for that. Any ideas you have in mind?" Michelle asked.

"Just one. Although, I must confess I've no idea who we'll assign if my preferred choice doesn't accept." Jason said. "It would be a terrible situation for them to put me in."

"Who is it?" Michelle asked. "Anyone I know?"

"Some days, I don't think you really do." Jason responded. "It's a former science officer I served with, turned First Officer of mine who walked away to become a diplomat and who I think loves the chair more than she lets on."

Michelle smirked a little. She knew exactly who he was referring to. "Then maybe you should ask her."

"She's too stubborn for her own good." Jason said. "But maybe you're right. So...Here I am. I'm pulling out the chair for you. This crew needs you. It needs someone who has been here, who they can relate to. Who's as devastated as they are and can take them out of this slump they're in. I won't order you. I won't beg. But please... This isn't the time to run. You want to really honour Captain Ross's memory? Don't stall on this. I know that you're not a career-minded person. I mean you took what many would view as a demotion to come here, but... This time I think you're ready."

Michelle crossed her arms, looked to the left and smiled. It was the same trait Jason knew that meant she wasn't going to argue and was in agreement but she just couldn't find the words yet. He looked at her. "That's a yes, then?"

"It is. You've got yourself a CO." Michelle said. "You know, Captain Ross said it would probably take something like this to get me in the chair. I wish he was kidding, but... I suppose for now we have to re-establish a chain of command. When do I start and when do we inform the crew?"

"Give it an hour or so." Jason said. "In the meantime, I believe this belongs to you now." he said, taking out a box with an extra pip. "Commander Michelle Bartlett, for service and faithful performance of your duty to the Federation, by the power vested in me as Task Force Commanding Officer under the General Orders of Starfleet, I hereby promote you to the rank of Captain. With all rights and privileges of the said rank, thereof." he said. "And I further hereby request you to assume command of the USS Wellington as of this date."

"I accept." Michelle said, as Jason applied the pip to her collar, then pulled up the console on the CO's desk and input a code. "Command codes are transferred. Permission to come aboard, ma'am?"

"Granted." Michelle said, grinning. "So you're coming aboard eh?"

"I think this ship needs someone to just keep watch over it. Plus, it's a Sovereign Class. It'll be one of the biggest ships in the task force and it's capable of far more as a lead ship than the other ones." Jason said.

"How many ships in the task force?" Michelle asked.

"All of D Squadron, will be assigned to me." Jason replied. "Which means I now have 25 Captains barking in my ear about everything. But... Being aboard a ship makes it a smidge more worthwhile. God, Shelly.. I can't tell you how much I missed being aboard a starship. Even I didn't realize it."

"I warned you that you'd never be happy sitting just behind a desk." Michelle replied. "Though of course you are going to need a new adjutant. Unless you're keeping the old one."

"I think their skills will be best suited to serving with the new Captain or Commodore in charge of Security for that squadron." Jason said. "Bring them up to speed and what not. Though there is one of your crew I do have in mind."

"Oh?" Michelle asked. "Who might that be?"

"Ensign Gervais. He did rather well on the station assisting me." Jason responded. "I know that he'd be your third pilot gone in three days, but... I think he could do more."

"I haven't appointed him as acting chief yet anyway. Yesterday was a bad day to make crew appointments. I don't even have a new Marine CO yet. Hopefully General Pyle assigns or recommends one soon. Also quite frankly, half the Marine detachment and at least 1/4 of Security need replacing"

"I'll ask him to get right on that." Jason replied

Michelle then went behind the desk and stood for a moment. "Fortunately, Engineering did a lot work getting everything up to speed but the damage report indicates that we're going to have a bit more work to do. It'll allow everyone a chance to breathe, I hope." she paused. "I'll inform Lieutenant Tink she'll have to make herself available for any counseling services the crew may require. And then I suppose there's the matter of picking a First Officer." she paused for a moment to take it all in. "It would probably be Commander Meru if she were still here. I need Commander Lawson where he is. Though I have someone in mind off ship who could do the job." she added as Jason simply looked there with a bit of a satisfied grin.

"What?" Michelle asked.

"You look good back there." he said, observing as she smirked a little herself. "You should take your new seat, *Captain*."

Michelle hesitated a moment. She felt odd, and yet she knew if she was ever to move on, they'd have to let Captain Ross go too. She could hear Captain Ross already... 'Just sit in the damn chair, Bartlett.' "Captain... That's going to take some getting used to." she said as she took the seat.

"The first few times I was called that, I looked by instinct in the direction of the command chair on the Yorkshire. Only to realize that I was the one sitting in it." Jason said. "So... don't feel too bad."

Michelle chuckled a bit, getting comfortable then sighing. "Oh my god, Jason... How the hell did we get into this mess? When I think of all the begging you did to get me to go into command and come out to the Delta Quadrant, I could toss you out an airlock." She said as they both laughed.

"How do you think I feel?" Jason said. "I'm the one that has 25 CO's to deal with."

"Well... It'll be good to work with you again." Michelle said to her former Captain. "We can get someone else to man the support craft. If Gervais is agreeable to being your adjutant, I'll sign off on it. At least *he* doesn't have to replicate a new uniform."

"Bridge to Commander Bartlett." a voice came through the commbadge

"Go ahead." Michelle replied.

"Ma'am, the Dalacari delegation will be arriving in 10 minutes with Commander Tang accompanying. The Ts'usugi will follow shortly after. We've cleared Docking Bay 2."

"Acknowledged. Bartlett out" Michelle said. "Shall we?" she said, getting out of the chair.

"Let's get this over with." Jason said. "Allons-y, Captain. We've got guests."

Michelle simply laughed and headed out alongside Jason. Hopefully this next bit would go smoothly.

END

Captain Michelle Bartlett
Commanding Officer
USS Wellington

Commodore Jason Myers
Task Force Commanding Officer
Starfleet Command