S12 - M10: Humility's Right Hand

[Don Damien Addams]

(Starbase Promenade)
As he shook the hand of the senior officer, a lot of things became clear.
The Lt Cmdr had been negotiating with Mr. Addams about rejoining Starfleet. Obviously Elias couldn't estimate the chances of success for that endeavour. But Mr. Addams, he concluded was still involved in starfleets matters even if he didn't wore the uniform. But depending on his skill and qualifications he had no doubt, that Lt Cmdr Wu's offer would be quite tempting. A commission, maybe even a senior one? He had read, that in earlier times, deals of that nature came often with a certain economic bonus. Money. Today this was not really en vogue or even an option for the most part. And Addams didn't look like a Ferengi.
Also, it wasn't Elias' business.
Nevertheless he was curious about this man, that got a private re-recruiting session with the Ops-Chief.

"Well Mr. Addams, nobody has ever accused me of declining an invitation for a small drink and I think I got a bit of time before I make my official, let's say debut, with higher ups on the Discovery."

Don held his pawn up to the man.  "You can call me Don," he introduced himself. "Not sure about higher ups." He chuckled.

With permission, he would tap the young man with the back of his hand. "Now, lets go have a drink. So are you really fresh from the Academy? Is Natasha Yield still teaching flight there?" He asked.

He was confident, Addams would know where to get a good drink.

[Ardyn Jaeger]

[Bridge]

"I'm good! I mean, as good as can be I suppose. The time off was good, I started working on my father's old project, to build an android, and..." Her eager chattering died off as what Ardyn had said sunk in slowly. "Wait..."

She tried to make sense of it. Morning sickness? That couldn't mean anything else could it? Ardy didn't drink, so she wouldn't be hungover...

"Ardy, are you pregnant?" Subtlety wasn't her strong suit, as she blurted out her realization. If her eyes were visible under her VISOR, they would be as wide as saucers, and then some. She'd never taken Ardy for the motherly type. Or the tied-down type either. Crooking a brow, she forced herself to stop jumping to conclusions, waiting for her to answer. Hopefully she actually was pregnant, and Ariste hadn't just insulted her to her face..

[Bridge]
Ardyn nodded, affirming what Ariste was saying. "Yup, I am. Three months, to be precise, and I only really found out just last month." She said, shrugging to Ariste as she made some last minute adjustments to the conn panel before nodding to Tekin as he handed the bridge to her. "It's a long story how that happened, Ari, I'll tell you that." She changed the subject, "Did you say you were building an android?"

[Ariste Stark]

[Bridge]
Ardyn nodded, affirming what Ariste was saying. "Yup, I am. Three months, to be precise, and I only really found out just last month." She said, shrugging to Ariste as she made some last minute adjustments to the conn panel before nodding to Tekin as he handed the bridge to her. "It's a long story how that happened, Ari, I'll tell you that." She changed the subject, "Did you say you were building an android?"

[Bridge]

Artiste nodded hesitantly at Ardyn's answer. It was a bit vague, but she supposed she'd just have to wait until they were in a more private location. "Congratulations! She offered, hopeful that that was the right response. Smiling sheepishly, she straightened up.

"Of the record of course," she responded, grinning and lowering her voice. "When I went back home, I gathered my father's notes. I've been working on this for some months, even while I was aboard the Shrank, but didn't have the ability to continue." She paused, leaning forward, like an eager kid telling a story. "But now that I do, and I have my parents' plans, I'm closer than ever. Both were involved in cybernetics, and I always wanted to continue that path, even though the wanted me to join Starfleet.." A brief shadow passed over her face, but the instant it was there, it was gone.

"I.. I wouldn't normally let people in on personal projects like this, but whenever you're off duty, swing by my quarters. I'd love to show you it sometime." She let the offer stand, turning to move to her station, monitoring the updates being preformed. Hopefully she wouldn't get in trouble for this..

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

[Admin Office]

The Vulcan's already sharp features had a pinched look, as she tried very hard to repress the odd mix of amusement and consternation she felt. On the one hand, she felt it was fitting that the little AI gave Adeyemi a difficult time as well, given his overindulgence of her capricious whims. On the other, such behaviors were very inappropriate in the presence of higher ranking officers unfamiliar with her, eccentricities. She gave Tekin a respectful nod as he departed before turning her attentions on the Admiral.

"I believe she is in a mood because both you and I will be departing the station soon."

At the reminder, the little girl resumed her ear-piercing cry of "WEEEEEEEEeeeEEEEEeeEEKKKK!" T'Prina held the bridge of her nose between two fingers. The sound was unpleasantly loud and more than a little painful to her very acute sense of hearing.

"Squealing like that will not change anything, little one." She gave Adeyemi a look as if to say Do Something, believing his coddling contributed to the girl's willful attitude. Her hands on her hips, jutted at just a slight angle, she was the very picture of Vulcan sass.

[Admin Offices]

Sensing impending disaster, Adeyemi scooped up Analyn in his arms. She wriggled in distress for just a bit and then went completely limp. Passive resistance. The admiral narrowed his eyes.

He bounced the little girl on his hip as if she was a child much smaller. The tantrum continued.

"WEEEEEEEK!" Analyn squealed like a distressed ferret.

"We are here now, my love," Adeyemi said soothingly. "Let us make the most of it before we have to depart. Perhaps your mother would like to join us for our fights and food?"

"Mama Pwina will watch 'em fight with us!?" Analyn weeped, flailing. "I want to watch the fight and have milkshakes with Mama Pwina!"

"She will definitely join us," The admiral said, and shot T'Prina a look that said Two can play at that game.

"Shall we, ladies?" Adeyemi asked them both with a sweet smile. Analyn was now cooing contentedly and singing a little song to them both.

[Alexander Wu]

[USS Discovery: Flight Control Office]

Having wholly failed in finding T'Prina out of the presence of either Admiral Adeyemi or their prodigy daughter/AI, Alex had returned to Discovery after leaving a message for the science officer to report for duty the following morning. To his amusement, though not unexpected, there was a short communique waiting on his own workstation.

Lt. Cmdr Wu,

I will accept the offer to re-join Starfleet.

Thank you

Don Damien Addams

What did come as a surprise was the active application Alex found when he pulled up Addams' records in order to submit his endorsement. Mildly annoyed that the pilot hadn't told him on the Starbase that he had already made up his mind, Alex filed the recommendation anyways. Leaning back in his chair and eying the reports regarding their new complement of shuttlecraft, he sighed softly while regarding the ceiling above him. Somewhere up there on the bridge were two people who hadn't left his thoughts for a week.

Glancing at the chronometer, he idly considered visiting before shaking his head, chuckling at the sentiment. Sitting back upright, Alex pulled the pile of PADDs closer, determined to actually have some spare time later.

[Tekin Nevir]

(TIME JUMP)

[Bridge - USS Discovery - 0900]

After spending a half hour in his... new... office, the Captain finally exited the Ready Room to the Bridge.  The quiet was reduced a bit as all stations were manned to get ready for a new shakedown run with field test.  Power systems were redesigned and protected from control, and defensive capabilities were upgraded.  All in all, the ship was ready.

Nevir took his place at the chair he was familiar with, but never thought of it as truly his until this moment.  He glanced over to the XO station that he used to man, smiling as he mentally reminded himself to visit T'Ra in Sickbay.

"Alright... begin warp startup sequence.  Disconnect clamps and tethers.  Helm, take us out of docking and set course for 234 mark 46.  We'll start this nice and slow, one quarter impulse while was warm up the multi-cores." he said, taking a deep breath afterwards.  It was weird... he wasn't relaying the order... he was giving them.  He watched the back of Ardyn's head; having specifically ordered her to take helm control to take the ship out instead of Alex.

Once he felt the ship start moving, he tapped the comm button on his chair.

"Attention all hands.  This is Captain Tekin Nevir.  Most of you have known me as your first officer, for some of you, this will be your first time with our family.  Our ship has one mission; to expand our horizons.  You should be familiar with the Federation mantra: to boldly go where no one has gone before.  Even as we work aboard better armed and protected vessels, even after wars and conflict, we are above all explorers.  Our mission seeks to push the boundaries of our known space into the Delta Quadrant.  This is the true unknown, and we won't have the benefits of a space station guarding the only point into the quadrant.  I want everyone on their game.  We will encounter danger, but we will also encounter wonders that you will be able to put your name next to in history's records.  Before we start, however, we will be doing a shakedown run.  This ship has been upgraded and I personally do not want to get into a position to find them not working.  Take this time to get familiar with your teams, your departments, and your stations.  Tekin out." 

He took a look around the bridge... already feeling a difference between how the ship was functioning before, and now after it's refit.

"Helm... once you get the green light from Engineering, take us out.  Maximum Warp.  That should hold us for about 10 hours."

"Engage."

[Ariste Stark]

[Bridge]

Ariste bounced up and down like a little kid, as she rushed around to get everything ready. She conversed back and forth between main Engineering and the Bridge, keeping one eye - or one artificial light receptor - on the readings. Her stomach buzzed, fluttering and flipping happily as everything clicked into place with ease. She remembered this feeling, from when the Shran first launched. Newly christened and fresh out of the warehouse, zooming off at warp speed.

"The ship is ready to depart, Captain!"  She chirped, reporting in as ordered. Moving back to her monitoring, she listened with one ear as the Commander began a heartwarming speech about the ship, as well as the crew, explaining the procedure of a shakedown run.

As his speech reached the tail end, and he asked for a green light from Engineering, she nodded, giving helm the signal. Bracing herself, she turned to look out the view screen as they prepared to go into warp. The first one was always a bit janky, so she liked to be stabilized a bit. Like jumping on a Turbolift after being in the ground for a long time.

"All systems functioning normally," she reported, biting her tongue, and mentally counting down.

[Jebediah Schrock]

(TIME JUMP)

[Bridge - USS Discovery - 0900]

After spending a half hour in his... new... office, the Captain finally exited the Ready Room to the Bridge.  The quiet was reduced a bit as all stations were manned to get ready for a new shakedown run with field test.  Power systems were redesigned and protected from control, and defensive capabilities were upgraded.  All in all, the ship was ready.

Nevir took his place at the chair he was familiar with, but never thought of it as truly his until this moment.  He glanced over to the XO station that he used to man, smiling as he mentally reminded himself to visit T'Ra in Sickbay.

"Alright... begin warp startup sequence.  Disconnect clamps and tethers.  Helm, take us out of docking and set course for 234 mark 46.  We'll start this nice and slow, one quarter impulse while was warm up the multi-cores." he said, taking a deep breath afterwards.  It was weird... he wasn't relaying the order... he was giving them.  He watched the back of Ardyn's head; having specifically ordered her to take helm control to take the ship out instead of Alex.

Once he felt the ship start moving, he tapped the comm button on his chair.

"Attention all hands.  This is Captain Tekin Nevir.  Most of you have known me as your first officer, for some of you, this will be your first time with our family.  Our ship has one mission; to expand our horizons.  You should be familiar with the Federation mantra: to boldly go where no one has gone before.  Even as we work aboard better armed and protected vessels, even after wars and conflict, we are above all explorers.  Our mission seeks to push the boundaries of our known space into the Delta Quadrant.  This is the true unknown, and we won't have the benefits of a space station guarding the only point into the quadrant.  I want everyone on their game.  We will encounter danger, but we will also encounter wonders that you will be able to put your name next to in history's records.  Before we start, however, we will be doing a shakedown run.  This ship has been upgraded and I personally do not want to get into a position to find them not working.  Take this time to get familiar with your teams, your departments, and your stations.  Tekin out." 

He took a look around the bridge... already feeling a difference between how the ship was functioning before, and now after it's refit.

"Helm... once you get the green light from Engineering, take us out.  Maximum Warp.  That should hold us for about 10 hours."

"Engage."

[Bridge]
Today was the big day - their shakedown cruise. Jeb was nothing if not excited, as he was to man the Ops console.
Nevir ordered to disengage the docking clamps, and Jeb called out "Aye, sir" downright giddily before doing it.
Jeb disengaged the docking clamps with a single click. He proudly announced, "docking clamps disengaged!"
Then came the tethers. This was a three-step procedure, and he performed above his own (low) expectations, watching with glee as they retracted smoothly into the Discovery's hull. Then, his console chirped and he exclaimed, "tethers fully retracted, sir!"
Now, Jeb looked up at the viewscreen, and gazed through it past the opened doors of the spacedock and out into space, where they were headed.
"The final frontier," he whispered energetically to no one in particular.

[Alexander Wu]

"Attention all hands.  This is Captain Tekin Nevir.  Most of you have known me as your first officer, for some of you, this will be your first time with our family.  Our ship has one mission; to expand our horizons.  You should be familiar with the Federation mantra: to boldly go where no one has gone before.  Even as we work aboard better armed and protected vessels, even after wars and conflict, we are above all explorers.  Our mission seeks to push the boundaries of our known space into the Delta Quadrant.  This is the true unknown, and we won't have the benefits of a space station guarding the only point into the quadrant.  I want everyone on their game.  We will encounter danger, but we will also encounter wonders that you will be able to put your name next to in history's records.  Before we start, however, we will be doing a shakedown run.  This ship has been upgraded and I personally do not want to get into a position to find them not working.  Take this time to get familiar with your teams, your departments, and your stations.  Tekin out." 

[Flight Control Office]

Alex had instinctively stopped his work to listen as Tekin's broadcast echoed through the shuttlebay and into his office, only going back to the reports once their new captain was finished. Normally, he'd be on the bridge for any departures, but in this occurance, he had happily abstained, far too busy now that he was expected to fill the shoes of three jobs. Not only did he have his flight department, he was now also Discovery's acting executive officer which came with remaining the second officer. Alex wouldn't deny it left him a bit sore, being skipped over again even when a spot was so obviously available, but he had come to terms with it long ago. Starfleet held grudges.

One item on his to-do list did give him some interest though. Tapping his commbadge, he summoned the newest member on his team. "Wu to Acting Ensign Addams, report to my office.

[T'Prina]

[Admin Offices]

Sensing impending disaster, Adeyemi scooped up Analyn in his arms. She wriggled in distress for just a bit and then went completely limp. Passive resistance. The admiral narrowed his eyes.

He bounced the little girl on his hip as if she was a child much smaller. The tantrum continued.

"WEEEEEEEK!" Analyn squealed like a distressed ferret.

"We are here now, my love," Adeyemi said soothingly. "Let us make the most of it before we have to depart. Perhaps your mother would like to join us for our fights and food?"

"Mama Pwina will watch 'em fight with us!?" Analyn weeped, flailing. "I want to watch the fight and have milkshakes with Mama Pwina!"

"She will definitely join us," The admiral said, and shot T'Prina a look that said Two can play at that game.

"Shall we, ladies?" Adeyemi asked them both with a sweet smile. Analyn was now cooing contentedly and singing a little song to them both.

[Admin Offices]

T'Prina's sharp green eyes narrowed sharply on Adeyemi, before she gave a small, yet expressive sigh. She knew she was out-gunned, so to speak, and could gracefully admit defeat this time. Truth told she did not mind the gladiatorial sport displays, and often watched them with ANaLYN when the Admiral was away. However, she still found their choice of food appallingly low on proper nutrients.

"As you wish. However I will partake of a meal of my choosing, and a small non-dairy shake." Her lips quirked at the corners, the very slightest smile emerged. The childish A.I. was one of the few beings who managed to bring her even a small happiness and she would miss the interactions with her. ANaLYN bounced along happily to the childish song she crooned. Change was inevitable but, it could be postponed a little while longer.

(Time Jump)

[T'Prina's Quarters - USS Discovery]

Unnecessarily, and for a third time, T'Prina reorganized her sparse personal belongings in her spartan new quarters. It wasn't much different from her quarters on the Starbase in that regard. On a shelf, propped up but half sagging was a childish artwork, a dinosaur on construction paper, made from macaroni noodles, feathers, and copious amounts of glitter. Every time she walked past it, the breeze knocked off a small cloud of glinting metallic bits. On a nearby dresser stood an open jewelry box, an IDIC pendant on a delicate chain sat next to a simple hyacinth encased in resin. She shut the lid with a loud, audible click, and it felt like closing a door on the past.

"Attention all hands.  This is Captain Tekin Nevir.  Most of you have known me as your first officer, for some of you, this will be your first time with our family.  Our ship has one mission; to expand our horizons.  You should be familiar with the Federation mantra: to boldly go where no one has gone before.  Even as we work aboard better armed and protected vessels, even after wars and conflict, we are above all explorers.  Our mission seeks to push the boundaries of our known space into the Delta Quadrant.  This is the true unknown, and we won't have the benefits of a space station guarding the only point into the quadrant.  I want everyone on their game.  We will encounter danger, but we will also encounter wonders that you will be able to put your name next to in history's records.  Before we start, however, we will be doing a shakedown run.  This ship has been upgraded and I personally do not want to get into a position to find them not working.  Take this time to get familiar with your teams, your departments, and your stations.  Tekin out." 

Giving into a small sigh, she headed out and decided to make her way to Deck 11 and the Science laboratories, to survey what she'd be working with. Time for a shakedown indeed.

[Don Damien Addams]

[Flight Control Office]

Alex had instinctively stopped his work to listen as Tekin's broadcast echoed through the shuttlebay and into his office, only going back to the reports once their new captain was finished. Normally, he'd be on the bridge for any departures, but in this occurance, he had happily abstained, far too busy now that he was expected to fill the shoes of three jobs. Not only did he have his flight department, he was now also Discovery's acting executive officer which came with remaining the second officer. Alex wouldn't deny it left him a bit sore, being skipped over again even when a spot was so obviously available, but he had come to terms with it long ago. Starfleet held grudges.

One item on his to-do list did give him some interest though. Tapping his commbadge, he summoned the newest member on his team. "Wu to Acting Ensign Addams, report to my office.

[Crew Lounge]

Don had finished unpacking in crew quarters and now here he was in the lounge. He was wearing his Starfleet uniform. Wishing he was wearing civilian clothes. The feeling was looser. He was looking out the window to observe the stars as Captain Tekin was doing his speech. Yes. It was going to be an adventure for them all.

Hearing Á¢â,¬Ëœacting ensign' made him cringe a little. The consequences of his past came up on him, but he was able to rejoin Starfleet. He had to go see what's up.

[Flight Control Office]

Don came walking in, standing up right with his arms behind his back. "Acting Ensign Addams reporting, sir," he said. Man, it was a long time since he said those words.

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

=/= "Attention all hands.  This is Captain Tekin Nevir.  Most of you have known me as your first officer, for some of you, this will be your first time with our family.  Our ship has one mission; to expand our horizons.  You should be familiar with the Federation mantra: to boldly go where no one has gone before.  Even as we work aboard better armed and protected vessels, even after wars and conflict, we are above all explorers.  Our mission seeks to push the boundaries of our known space into the Delta Quadrant.  This is the true unknown, and we won't have the benefits of a space station guarding the only point into the quadrant.  I want everyone on their game.  We will encounter danger, but we will also encounter wonders that you will be able to put your name next to in history's records.  Before we start, however, we will be doing a shakedown run.  This ship has been upgraded and I personally do not want to get into a position to find them not working.  Take this time to get familiar with your teams, your departments, and your stations.  Tekin out."  =/=

[Bridge]

A fine speech. From the auxiliary security station, Adeyemi did not feel the need to sing out his department's status. The Discovery had a security chief for that. Instead, he was busy studying reflections in the smoothness of his panel screen.

Tekin looked determined, even fierce. Perhaps the admiral was still too wrapped up in his past assignment, the Challenger, and its captain, Torngate. Mentally, playing a little game with himself, Adeyemi compared the two until something forcefully dragged his attention away from it.

"Starbase Columbus indicates we are cleared to depart." He hesitated. "And, sir, they wish you and your crew well on their maiden voyage."

The remark felt forced, mawkish. Adeyemi immediately began figuring out whose bright idea that had been. Captain Tritter didn't stand for that type of thing unless it was the truth. And he doubted very much the big German CO even knew the Discovery was underway. The man did command a space station of over 50,000 inhabitants, after all.

But here he was, focusing on the wrong captain again. Adeyemi studied his station's display for anything out of the ordinary, and covertly snuck glances at Tekin when the reflection was there, measuring him.

[Alexander Wu]

[Flight Control Office]

Don came walking in, standing up right with his arms behind his back. "Acting Ensign Addams reporting, sir," he said. Man, it was a long time since he said those words.

[Flight Control Office]

"At ease, Mr.Addams." Alex motioned for the man to take a seat with a faint smile. "I reckon that's the fastest I've seen an application get processed. Unfortunately, until the jurisprudence boards can meet to discuss your past experience, we can't offer much more than an acting officer rank and a place on the duty roster. That being said, I do expect you to serve as a functional member of this crew and follow Starfleet rules and regulations. I'm sure I don't have to remind you of your duty."

Aware that the Prometheus program and her unique systems were still classified to the majority of personnel, Alex slid a PADD across the table, filled with specs and a familiarization program. "Now you've spent several weeks onboard already. I have no doubt you've been resourceful within that timeframe. How familiar are you with Discovery's flight systems?"

[Don Damien Addams]

"At ease, Mr.Addams." Alex motioned for the man to take a seat with a faint smile. "I reckon that's the fastest I've seen an application get processed

[flight control office]

Don had relaxed.

"What do you mean my application? I sent a email showing my interest. I had not sent an application," he finished.

There was that moment a few weeks ago he was playing with idea as he filled one out. But he did send it.

The truth was a sneaky little girl with photograph memory filled it out and not sent it.

"Oh...that little meathead," he mumbled. He smirk grew on his face.

Unfortunately, until the jurisprudence boards can meet to discuss your past experience, we can't offer much more than an acting officer rank and a place on the duty roster. That being said, I do expect you to serve as a functional member of this crew and follow Starfleet rules and regulations. I'm sure I don't have to remind you of your duty."

Don nodded his head. It was a start better being a drifter.

Aware that the Prometheus program and her unique systems were still classified to the majority of personnel, Alex slid a PADD across the table, filled with specs and a familiarization program. "Now you've spent several weeks onboard already. I have no doubt you've been resourceful within that timeframe. How familiar are you with Discovery's flight systems?

"From what the short experience on the pilot seat. I can do it. But I run myself some stimulation off duty," he shared. He was placing more food on his plate.

"Sir, thank you for giving me this opportunity." He nodded with a confident smile that says yes, I got a purpose in life.

[Louisa Willow]

Sickbay

Louisa had made her way down to the sickbay after reporting in to the captain to get familiar with the equipment and systems they had present on the ship. The sickbay was impressive, massive in comparison to some she had worked in before. It was nice to be working on a ship so big and to be able to finally have the opportunity to prove herself. She had been through enough obstacles to be determined enough to stay with it now so getting used to the sickbay seemed to be a good start. She had looked through all of the equipment types on the ship, familiarised herself with any equipment she hadn't already used and then had spoken with some of the people in the department. Moreover, she was interested to meet the head of medicine who was formerly the captain of the ship. She'd heard good things about the women and Louisa figured that she would be extremely valuable to work with.

Louisa looked over to Christopher who seemed to be still familiarizing himself with the sickbay. She smiled slightly, glad he had took the plunge back into work with her. Sure, he was annoying sometimes, but she had always enjoyed having him around. It was nice to have company with someone she knew and the fact that she'd be working closely with her brother would surely make the transition onto the ship easier.

After listening to the newly minted captain's speech, Louisa felt somewhat motivated and ready to work. She had been waiting for her chance for so long, and now she had it she was going to take advantage of it. She was ready for whatever would be thrown her way and was excited about the journey that they would be taking together.