Priority One

Posted on Tue 23rd Oct, 2012 @ 1:58pm by

570 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: http://sb109.sim-station.net/index.php/sim/missions/id/2
Location: Main Ops
Timeline: Boarding + 28 Hours

ON:

People say that you have to be in the right mood to drink... they say that if you're tired or fatigued then, often, you'll be forcing yourself to drink and won't enjoy it. If this is true then the same must be said, ten fold, about whiskey. Both Winchester and Drake being avid fans of the stuff, knew this premise better than most.

After what seemed like the longest day possible... a glass and a half of scotch seemed to make things worse. Sleep became impossible to Ops seemed the only reasonable place to go. If he was going to be awake... he may as well be useful.

Upon stepping out of one of the forward turbolift the first thing that struck him was the quietness. The night hours were still quiet, even in space. The hustle and bustle that a Starbase experiences through day, seems to die down in the evening.

A young Junior Lieutenant was sitting in the main command centre, tapping buttons on the armrest of one of the chairs. He must have been the Duty Officer for Gamma Shift.

"Lieutenant" Winchester nodded and smiled at him, as he approached.

"Sir" The young gold adorned officer, replied.

"How goes the night shift?" He carried on.

"Quiet... very quiet, sir" Came the reply.

The relationship between Commissioned Officers and NCO's in Starfleet was a strange one. When it was came to CO's, rank came before anything. But when the two mixed, it became more about experience and less about rank.

Junior CO's would follow instructions and 'orders' given to them by a high ranking NCO. Indeed, a high ranking NCO could have the authority to do so in their position alone. So whilst, technically, they were a lower rank - their position gave them the power. Similar to two Commanders... one a Head of Department and the other Executive Officer. Whilst, technically, they were the same rank - the XO has authority over the other.

Senior NCO's were not expected to call Junior CO's, 'sir'... but Junior CO's were expected to call Senior NCO's by the same title.

"Winchester's the name" Graham extended his hand.

"I know, sir. I'm a bit of a fan... truth be told. I served under you briefly on the Sovereign and have been excited about serving with you once again. I'm Lieutenant Junior Grade Lee... Chief Ops Officer" He shook the Sergeant's hand, like an excited school child.

"Ah well... pleased to hear it" He couldn't, for the life of him, remember this young looking Operations Officer... he had served with too many people to remember individual faces.

Winchester had just realised that the natural conversation had drawn to a close... anything more would have to be carefully constructed... his mind was at a loss.

The interruption came as a saving grace.

"Sir, we're receiving a Priority One distress call" An even younger officer in the Comms. section informed the pair of them.

"Play it" Winchester retorted out of instinct, before Lieutenant Lee could get a word in.

"This is Lieutenant Colonel Ashton Drake on the USS Bretagne. Out Runabout has been destroyed and our oxygen is low. Requesting immediate assistance".

Within a second, still running on instinct, Winchester shot up out of the chair and was almost running to the turbolift. Striking the comm. badge on his chest, a simple order was given.

"Winchester to Renown... prepare for immediate launch".

OFF:

 

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