"Executive Contemplations"
Previous Post: "Seeing Things In A Positive Light"
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Stardate: 60325.0525
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Looking at the sensor readouts, the Romulan/Terran hybrid still found it hard to believe that the nebula they had been hiding in only a few minutes ago now laid several light-years behind them while SURIAL III stood less than 7 hours away. Thinking back to what the CEO had done, the XO took in a deep breath realizing that she would have to change her way of thinking or plan for early retirement if she ANUBIS did not blow up or vanish into nothingness first. Although successful, the plans suggested by the CSciO and CEO respectively had caused her to voice concerns and objections to their CO. Having been proven wrong in both cases had not been the problem, but the former COO could not help but worry about when this string of good luck would come to an end.
Turning her attention to the captain as she returned to the bridge, the XO pushed out of her mind the events that had recently taken place, instead choosing to focus on the present and the task at hand. Meeting the approaching CO's eye with her own, the Romulan/Terran hybrid reported on the ship's condition. "Everything, including shields and Ablative Armor seems to be holding. We are on course for SURIAL III. At our current speed and heading we will reach our final destination in 6 hours and 38 minutes. Normal Cardassian patrol set-up suggests that they will have ships present roughly half way between us and the planet."
Thinking for a brief moment about the report that she had been given, the CO turned to face the main view screen which was at that time displaying the standard warp-speed view. "So we have about 3 hours to get ready before we have to start dodging more Cardassian ships, great. Of course this is going on the assumption that they are using standard patrols around that system."
Having overheard the conversation and being the ship's Avatar, Annie did not hesitate to add the information she considered to be pertinent to the situation. "If the data provided to us by the Tal'Shiar on T'Preel and Zulot is accurate, it is unlikely that any major Cardassian force will be encountered that far away from the planet. The odds are actually better that we will come across one or more Romulan cloaked ships in orbit of the planet, thus not attracting any unwanted attention to their detention facilities."
Nodding her agreement with what the acting COO had said, the Romulan/Terran hybrid returned her eyes onto the CO. "Given the Intel that we gathered and received, I believe Annie is correct. Although our getting there may prove to be much easier, once we arrive we are very likely going to be faced with quite a lot of opposition."
Voicing her displeasure at the idea of having to go toe-to-toe against multiple Romulan ships with a sigh, the CO scratched the back of her head before speaking to the XO. "Guess it all depends on just how much of a fleet T'Preel and Zulot were able to amass. In the meantime, I suggest that we all get some rest. I'll head back to my quarters for a couple of hours and will relieve you at 0730, that way we can both get a couple of hours sleep before we get in too close to SURIAL III. I want the rest of the senior staff to also get some rest, so please see to it. We'll all need to be awake and ready for more action."
Giving the CO a single nod of understanding and agreement, the XO moved towards the center of the bridge while the captain made her exit off the command deck. After having taken her place in the central chair, the Romulan/Terran hybrid called up an internal status report on the location of every member of the senior staff so as to see just how much of a job the CO had given her. Before contacting those officers who were still up and about, the XO turned and faced the back of the bridge where the CSciO had been all along. "Commander Maya, you heard the captain, time for some rest."
Appearing as if she had hoped that the Romulan/Terran hybrid had forgotten about her presence on the bridge, or maybe that she would select to speak to her last, the CSciO seemed disappointed, like a child being told to go to bed too early. "Commander, I feel fine, in fact I feel like I would be able to stay up for days. I mean I know that I would not be able to as my body would not be able to fight off the growing fatigue, but I wanted to state that at the moment I feel no need for rest and believe that my time would be better served if I deepened my research on SURIAL III. Although there is little Intel on that world, I am sure that I could locate some deep space survey reports that may shed some additional and potentially valuable data on the planet, its ecosystem and maybe even a possible advanced look at where the crew of the MERCURY is being held."
Sitting back in the CO's chair, the XO had to admit at least one thing about the CSciO: that if she had been in anyway tired she had managed to hide it well. Despite the wordy plea and explanation given by the shape shifting woman, the Romulan/Terran hybrid had no intention of going against the order given by the captain. "I am sure that the captain greatly appreciates your dedication, as do I, but the fact is that you are likely running on adrenaline at the moment and need to rest regardless of how you may feel. Go back to your quarters, take four or five hours' rest and then return. I am confident that you will be able to get all of the required information on SURIAL III when you return before we reach the planet."
Although looking as if she had been ready to try to change the mind of the XO, the CSciO decided otherwise and decided to comply with the order. Truth be told she had felt a few waves of fatigue wash over her, but had been able to ignore them using the tension of the CEO's test as a cold shower to keep her on her toes. While stepping onto the turbolift the Shillian spoke to the hybrid one last time, "I will see you again in 4 hours Commander, until then may I suggest that you take it easy."
Appearing very happy that the CSciO had elected to comply and kept her final words to only a few, the XO nodded and replied. "I will do my best, see you in 4 hours."
Having confirmed that the CSciO had been on her way to her quarters thanks to the internal sensors, the Romulan/Terran hybrid returned to the report on the status of the senior staff in search for her next *target* to order to rest.
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Serena Switt {serena1141@yahoo.com.au}
Lieutenant Commander Serenna 2005 post #327
Executive Officer
USS ANUBIS
