- , Mission #

"The Second"

<GM_Aoibhe>

USS Bremen - Stardate 11410.30 - Mission # 32

<GM_Aoibhe>

The Second, Part 1.

<GM_Aoibhe>

The Bremen, with the Belligerent in tow, has made it to the Sol system. Griffiths may now have grown back his eyebrows, and the rest of the crew have had a few days to regroup, repair the ship to a certain extent, and recover from their ordeal.

<GM_Aoibhe>

We rejoin them as the approach Utopia Planetia, Earth, and their eventual Starfleet HQ hearing...

<GM_Aoibhe>

<<<Begin Mission>>>

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::walks around Engineering, having gotten most of the systems running at 'meh' efficiency after that silver witch tried to destroy the ship from within::

<CO_Capt_Griffiths>

::taps at the console on the Captain's chair, reading the latest update from astrometrics::

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::thinks back to last night, having had one last drink with Henry before their hearing...knowing his friend will probably disappear into the night..so to speak::

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

::Walks onto the bridge, having left her office::

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

<ENG_Mackenzie>CEO: My grandmother used to do that you know? Clean the house before her assistant came by to clean for her.

<CO_Capt_Griffiths>

::glances up at Jameson as she enters, giving her a nod:: XO: We're about 5 minutes out from You-Pee.

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::looks away from his console at Mac::

<SCI_Ens_shHruvek>

::stares at her console, not quite entirely paying attention, distracted::

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

<ENG_Mackenzie>CEO: You could have left a little something for the janitors at Utopia to do you know.....but I also know you don't like unfinished matters. ::looks saddened::

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

::Gives Griffiths a small smile:: CO Thank you Sir

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::doesn't answer her, then signs off the station:: ENG: Take over here, I'll be on the Bridge.

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

::Still isn't feeling like herself, with the loss of Keshir::

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

::Sits down in the XO chair, and immediately receives a comm:: CO: Hail from You-Pee, Sir

<CO_Capt_Griffiths>

::stands up, tugging his uniform straight:: XO: Put it up on screen.

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

::Puts the hail on screen::

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::appears on the Bridge and walks over to his station::

<GM_Aoibhe>

::A young man appears on screen, dirty blonde hair and a harried expression:: *CO*: Captain Gruff? ::looks to the side, listens to someone whisper, and nods his comprehension:: *CO*: Ah, yes, the Bremen, we've been... expecting you, Captain Griffiths. ::gives CO a look:: *CO*: Prepare to receive docking instructions, Captain.

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

::Looks up at the entrance of Tony, and looks back towards the viewscreen again::

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::smiles weakly at Sh'Hruvek::

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

::Can't even find the line 'captain gruff' raising a smile::

<SCI_Ens_shHruvek>

::glances up at Adalberto and returns it just as weakly::

<CO_Capt_Griffiths>

::raises an eyebrow slightly, but notices the tired eyes and dishevelled appearance and gives him the benefit of the doubt:: *UP*: Understood. Navigation is standing by for instruction, Bremen out. ::turns, nodding to Jameson to shut off the comm::

ACTION: NAV receives docking instructions on her console, docking bay 3 Gamma, lower platform, aft section.

<NAV_Cdt_Thomas>

CO: Got docking instructions sir, Shall I proceed?

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

::Closes the comm with Utopia Planetia::

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

CO: Engineering reports ready to shut her down.

<CO_Capt_Griffiths>

::sits back in his chair with a tired sigh:: NAV: Take us in, Cadet. Nice and slow.

<NAV_Cdt_Thomas>

CO: Yessir

<CO_Capt_Griffiths>

CEO: Thanks, Tony. Prepare to transfer all systems to station keeping.

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

::Almost as soon as she closes the comm, as receives another hail:: CO: Another hail, Sir

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

CO: Aye Captain.

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::starts powering down the warp core::

<NAV_Cdt_Thomas>

::Follows through with instructions on console::

<CO_Capt_Griffiths>

::glances over at Jameson with one of those 'seriously!?' looks before standing up again:: XO: Okay, put it through.

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

::Shrugs her shoulders in apology, and puts it on screen::

<GM_Aoibhe>

*CO*: And, please disengage your tractor beam. We need to tow the Belligerent in separately... ::doesn't even look at the screen as he's busy docking a separate group of ships simultaneously.:: *CO*: You Pee out.

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

Self: Seriously?

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::looks up:: Self: You pee? Poor guy.

<CO_Capt_Griffiths>

::rolls his eyes and nods, letting the comm close itself before sitting back down:: SCI: You heard the man. Disengage tractor and let the station pull her in. ::turns to Jameson again, leaning on his chair:: XO: Let the Belligerent crew know that they're cleared to disembark upon docking.

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

::Nods silently at Griffiths, and prepares herself::

<NAV_Cdt_Thomas>

CO: We are docked now sir.

ACTION: NAV does a bang up job of bring the Bremen about to dock at the correct docking bay, masterfully avoiding the swarm of worker bees that have been deployed to guide the Belligerent in separately.

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

*Shipwide*: This is to all crew. We are about to dock. Once docking is successful, you are cleared to disembark

<NAV_Cdt_Thomas>

::Checks console briefly before speaking::

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

CO: Warp core is disengaged. Mains offline.

<NAV_Cdt_Thomas>

CO: Sir, Docking has been successful

ACTION: The Bremen docks, and all main systems are transferred to Utopia Planetia.

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

CO: Switching to station power...now.

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::feels the vibration in the deck subside and lets out a breath of relief::

<CO_Capt_Griffiths>

::lets out a breath and dusts off his closes:: CEO: Thank you, Commander. ::stands up again:: All: By the book, just how Starfleet likes it. Feel free to fall out once your stations are locked.

<SCI_Ens_shHruvek>

::bites lip and taps at her console nervously::

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::turns his station off, killing the screen and turns his chair around to face the Captain:: CO: I don't suppose drinks are in order?

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

::Wonders what she is going to do, with Tam unavailable and with Kesh...no longer around::

<CO_Capt_Griffiths>

::chuckles softly, nodding:: CEO: After the hearing.

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::shrugs:: CO: I can wait I guess.

<CO_Capt_Griffiths>

::steps around from the command circle:: CEO: That makes one of us.

<SCI_Ens_shHruvek>

::rises from her station, lacing her fingers behind her back:: CO: Here's hoping it goes well?

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

::Thinks that she should probably re-read her notes in preparation for the hearing::

<NAV_Cdt_Thomas>

:: Takes time locking her station, scared to make any mistakes but makes no move to leave once done as does not have anywhere specific to go or anyone to see as a bit of a loner::

<CO_Capt_Griffiths>

::chuckles as he steps into the Turbolift:: SCI: It never goes well, Ensign. Only 'Acceptably'. But...thank you.

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::follows the Captain in::

ACTION: Time passes, the bridge staff (And Tony) shuttle to Earth and land at Starfleet HQ. A few minutes later, they are ushered into a small informal room where sits Admiral Elsbeth Bantree, her greying red hair piled high on her head.

<ADM_Bantree>

::waves the Bremen crew to take their seats around an oval table not unlike the one in the Bremen's Observation Room.::

<CO_Capt_Griffiths>

::gives his crew a reassuring nod before stepping up and taking his seat at the table, thanking Bantree but keeping quiet otherwise::

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::takes his seat next to the XO, opposite the cute newly graduated Cadet::

<SCI_Ens_shHruvek>

::takes a seat and keeps adjusting her uniform in small ways before forcing herself to stay still::

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

::Smiles a little stiffly as Tony sits next to her::

<ADM_Bantree>

::looks around the table at the assembled officers:: CO: Well, Captain, you have finally made it back to us.

<CO_Capt_Griffiths>

Adm: Not for lack of trying, Admiral, I can assure you.

<ADM_Bantree>

::nods once:: CO: I heard what happened. I wish to pass on my deepest sympathies. Your crew have been through much, which makes what I have to do now all the more difficult.

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

::Bows her head slightly at the Admiral's words::

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::closes his eyes::

<CO_Capt_Griffiths>

::clears his throat quietly:: Adm: I understand, Admiral, and with all due respect I'd appreciate you getting it over with as quickly as possible. I have a refit to oversee and work that needs to be done, as a Captain or as an Ensign.

<CO_Capt_Griffiths>

:;sits straight in his chair, hands clasped on the table in front of him, waiting for Bantree to bring down her hammer::

<ADM_Bantree>

::examines each face silently, stopping on SCI's longer than the other, before looking up at Griffiths:: CO: Very well. I see your Chief Tactical officer has resigned his position already, so we can gloss over him. ::looks up at CEO:: CEO: Adalberto, correct?

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::opens his eyes and looks at the Admiral:: ADM: Yes Admiral, Anthony Adalberto.

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::feels his heart beating at a thousand beats a minute::

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

::Looks at Tony next to her, quite emotionless in order to suppress the excess of other feelings she can sense::

<ADM_Bantree>

CEO: Your actions during the fungal infestation were admirable, LtCommander. Reports suggest you went above and beyond in an effort to save your crewmates... ::pauses:: CEO: However, your lack of security precautions at the very start are what lead to the entire mishap to begin with. ::sighs:: CEO: I am leaving you off with a warning, Adalberto. I expect you to review you safety

<ADM_Bantree>

protocols and follow them to the letter from here on. Understood?

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::nods softly:: ADM: I uh...yes ma'am. I will. Thank you.

<ADM_Bantree>

::nods crisply at CEO:: XO: Jameson?

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::looks at sh'Hruvek surprisingly::

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

Adm: Commander Anya Jameson, Admiral

<SCI_Ens_shHruvek>

::if it were possible for her to look any paler, she'd be doing it right now. but spares Adalberto a brief, strained uptick at the corner of her mouth::

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::nods knowingly::

<ADM_Bantree>

XO: Commander... I don't know what to say. You disobeyed a direct order from your Captain. The correct response would have been to file an official complaint and carry on with Griffith's orders. Your job is not to countermand your Commanding Officer, but to back him up and ensure his crew follow orders to the letter. You did the opposite.

<CO_Capt_Griffiths>

::glances between Bantree and Jameson for a moment as she speaks::

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::thinks it's good Henry's not here for this, thinking he might have just throttled the woman::

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

Adm: Yes Admiral. I do not deny that I disobeyed a direct order from Captain Griffiths

<ADM_Bantree>

XO: The council thought long and hard about this. About your reasoning, about why you did what you did. You beamed a crewmate to an alien world against Griffith's direct command. The outcome is irrelevant. ::sighs:: I am removing you from the post of Executive Officer, Jameson. And reducing you to the rank of Lt. Commander.

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::feels a shiver run down his spine....the realities of what happened coming crashing down::

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

::Does not react at all to the information, and just nods in acknowledgement::

<ADM_Bantree>

::turns to CO:: CO: Captain Griffiths.

<CO_Capt_Griffiths>

::turns his gaze upon her:: Adm: Admiral Bantree.

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::tries to look anywhere else than at Griff::

<ADM_Bantree>

CO: I know you're new to your current rank, Griffiths. You were recently elevated to the rank of Captain for your years of service and dedication. However, the rank does not impart wisdom, as much as I'd like it to.. That comes with experience and time. You failed to listen to your crew, in several cases forcing them to take drastic action, your CTO is a good example of this... You must learn to listen to your crew, Griffiths.

<ADM_Bantree>

CO: If you don't learn to trust them, they will never trust you, and I will end up having this discussion with you again.

<CO_Capt_Griffiths>

::his newly grown eyebrows grow lower and lower with every word:: Adm: Permission to speak freely, Admiral.

<ADM_Bantree>

CO: By all means.

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

::Glances over at the captain coldly::

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::takes calming breaths, relieving the moment he was in Main Engineering attempting to flood the whole section with drive plasma...knowing what the Captain wanted::

<CO_Capt_Griffiths>

::stays sitting straight, eyes directly ahead starting at her:: Adm: You call us ten days out of our way, assign a vessel and a Captain to escort us - killing her and injuring several crewman in the process - and necessitate the repairs of not one but two ships to hand out demotions slaps on the wrist? Was any of this truly necessary, has Starfleet become so bloated by bureaucracy that any of this was necessary?

<CO_Capt_Griffiths>

Adm: We all screwed up on this mission, Admiral. I won't deny that, I won't forget it either. But don't you ever forget, that you killed a woman. A good one.

<SCI_Ens_shHruvek>

::is startled enough by some of what was said that her head nearly snaps to look at the captain, antennae straightening to the ceiling::

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

::Bites her lip at the outright accusation from Griff about Kesh's death::

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::sits up straight, not sure what's about to happen::

<ADM_Bantree>

::sits forward:: CO: Griffiths, your conduct over the last few missions has lead me to believe that an escort, frankly, wasn't an extravagance so much as a necessity. We picked the best ship and crew at our disposal to ensure your return. I suggest you take my advise to heart, cool down and think over what I have said to you and your crew. The next time we meet, I will not be this lenient.

<CO_Capt_Griffiths>

::leans forward in return, his hands still lightly clasped together:: Adm: I look forward to it, Admiral. Will that be all, Sir?

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::thinks he's going to need a drink::

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

::Takes a moment, wondering what the consequences would have been if she hadn't disobeyed Griffith's orders, and suspects she wouldn't be here now to be demoted. And is therefore resigned to the outcome::

<ADM_Bantree>

::glares at CO:: CO: Your crew are on indefinite shore leave, Captain. You have been given an official warning, I suggest you take it deathly serious. Next time, you may lose your command. ::sits back:: CO: Dismissed.

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

::sits back in his seat, not standing up right away, then realises this is not his office and stands up:: ADM: Admiral. ::nods and heads for the exit, pulling at Raqqin's jacket::

<CO_Capt_Griffiths>

::doesn'y glare, doesn't make any threatening moves, simply hopes that his words sink in and the Admiral had trouble sleeping from here on with that death on her hands. Getting up, he gives her a nod and then leaves behind the rest of his crew::

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

::Leaves the room, but leaves the rest of the crew, trying to find somewhere quiet, to decide what to do with the rest of her life::

<SCI_Ens_shHruvek>

::almost stutters something out, but gets up and follows Tony out, still filled with surprise::

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

SCI: I need a drink....I need to do something stupid.

<ADM_Bantree>

::sits back in her chair and closes her eyes:: Self: That went well...

<SCI_Ens_shHruvek>

CEO: That--well, I--don't do stupid? Start with a drink. Need company?

<CEO_LtCmdr_Adalberto>

SCI: Drinks with me love, and you'll do stupid. ::motions towards the hallway:: Let's go.

<XO_Cmdr_Jameson>

Self: I only re-joined active service to be XO to Keshir Suder. What do I do now?

<ADM_Bantree>

<<<Pause Mission>>>