From: Takako Nagumo <tnagumo@pop.pitt.edu>
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 11:06:53 -0400
Subject: USS CHESAPEAKE: Maintaining Momentum

MD: 14.0945
Scene: Ready Room

> th'Tellan watched his ex-captain leave, then turned to Brennan.  "Er,
> Captain?"
> 
> Brennan paused at the title.  It would take some time getting used to
> it.  "Correct.  Captain Bell has a medical emergency to deal with."
> 
> So does everyone else on this ship, th'Tellan thought.  I thought
> people were leaving in droves on the Stonewall.  "I assume that means 
> I'll be taking first officer...."  th'Tellan trailed off at seeing 
> Brennan's face.  "Or not.  I just thought that was the protocol.  I 
> mean, that's what happened on the Stonewall...."
> 
> "I haven't decided yet.  I'm still waiting to talk to Admiral Jokinen.
> In the mean time, you may regret wishing for advancement; I'll need 
> you to handle most of the First Officer duties until we get this mess 
> straightened out.  Can you handle that in addition to your current 
> duties?"
> 
> th'Tellan mentally kicked himself.  That's all he needed, more
> paperwork.  "I understand, sir.  Don't worry, there shouldn't be a 
> problem. <pause> Anything else, sir?"

"There's a bit of paperwork left over with the personnel shuffle in 
Engineering.  I'll have Mister Abromowitz deliver that to you.  Have 
you spoken to Ensign Armstrong?"

"Briefly.  He seems like a good engineer.  At least, we haven't heard 
anything bad from that department.  And the engines are working."

Compared to some of the crew.

"Were there some specific things I need to be doing?" asked th'Tellan.  
"About the negotiations, I mean.  Opening session is supposed to start 
at 1030 hours."

"I will contact the two delegations that the session will be postponed 
until..." Brennan paused.  "... 1400 hours.  In the meantime, get 
yourself briefed on the security and protocol arrangements -- call in 
Ensign Keyrin, Counselor Tats-Marush, and whomever else is necessary.  I 
trust you will be prepared for contingencies by then?"

th'Tellan felt a flash of indignation, then realized it was probably 
just Brennan's strange speech pattern.  Terrans, especially the one's 
from that little island nation, had polite and roundabout but 
nevertheless biting ways of telling you that you're being sized up.

> "Yes sir."
> 
> Brennan nodded.  "Very well.  Dismissed."

* * * * *

Daniel Brennan watched the doors to the Bridge slide shut.  It all had 
happened so quickly.  He had come in prepared for his morning briefing, 
and now, suddenly, he found himself the Commanding Officer of the USS 
CHESAPEAKE.

He approached the desk, walked around it, sat down, and looked at it.  
In what little time that she had had, Amanda Bell had done what she 
could to clear her desk -- now his -- and not much was left besides the 
PADDs and data chips that contained the information on the mission.

He looked up, then around.  The Ready Room... *his* Ready Room.  This 
was beginning to be a little overwhelming.

But there was work to do.  He quickly composed and sent off messages to 
the two delegations about the change in the schedule, then arranged for 
his work to be moved into the -- his -- Ready Room.

MD 14.1330
Scene: Bridge

The news had spread quickly.  The Alpha Shift Bridge complement had 
seen Commander Brennan, then Commander th'Tellan walk into the Ready 
Room, then Captain Bell walking out a few minutes later.

They knew something big had happened when they saw the Captain's 
seahorses -- aquarium and all -- being removed from the Ready Room 
just after noon.

Commander Brennan had been holed up in the Ready Room for the better 
part of the morning, only leaving to speak to the delegations in their 
assigned quarters.

Now he was back in the Ready Room again.  It was like an open secret.  
It only had to be voiced, said aloud.

* * * * *

Scene: Ready Room -> Bridge

Well, Brennan, he said to himself, as he stared out of the viewport.  
It's now or never.

Captain Bell had left a few minutes before, with the mining convoy.  
He was really alone now.

He took a deep breath, then, resolutely setting his shoulders, he 
turned and walked out to the Bridge.

He felt all eyes on him as he took the conn.  He flicked the switch 
and activated the ship-wide communication system.

"Bridge to all decks.  This is Commander Daniel Brennan speaking.  At 
0940 hours today, Captain Bell transferred command of this fine vessel 
to me.  As she departed, she expressed that you have her every 
confidence, and that it was an honor serving with you.

"It is my duty and honor to serve aboard this ship and with you, her 
crew.  As your new Commanding Officer, I also have every confidence in 
you and in your commitment to your duty.  Let us continue our work in 
this mission, and aspire to accomplishing the best that we can.  
Brennan out."

He flicked the switch off, then took another deep breath.  Now, it was 
off to the negotiation table.  He stood and looked around the Bridge.  
Yes, everyone *was* staring at him.

"Commander th'Tellan," he said, as he walked up to the aft turbolift, 
"you have the conn."

"Aye, Captain."

Brennan stopped midstride, then, smiling, he continued up to the 
opening 'lift doors, and stepped in.

This was going to be one exciting ride.

Respectfully Submitted,

Takako Nagumo,
CDR Daniel J. Brennan
CO, USS CHESAPEAKE (NCC-31813)
Task Force Bravo, Green Fleet

NRPG:

So now, *everyone* knows. :)

Reactions welcome.  It's not everyday this kind of thing takes place.
<G>

Re retcon re: CEO.  Jim has Armstrong arriving on MD 11, and Melvin has 
him as not yet arrived on MD 14.  The time between the two posts were 
so close that it was hard to say which to retcon, but I thought Jim 
might want a bit of RP time to adjust and bump into the crew, so I left 
Armstrong's arrival on MD 11.

Jim: Welcome. :) My response to your reporting post will be next.

Amy: Thanks for everything.  I promise I'll take care of this ship, 
and do my best to do you proud. <G>

Trevin, Greg: Let's get the show on the road. (hint, hint) :)  
Separate NRPG follows.

Melvin, Lynn, James: You can RP the briefing, or not.  With three 
writers, it might get tricky... but it might be fun. :)

-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Takako Nagumo                              <tnagumo@pop.pitt.edu>
            http://www.oocities.org/TimesSquare/6318/
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CDR  Daniel J. Brennan      CO        USS CHESAPEAKE, Green Fleet
LCDR Sian-Mairead Flynn, MD CMO USS ALEXANDER NEVSKY, Green Fleet
LCDR Duncan A. Morrell      Instructor             ALB Holodeck 4
CDR  Julianna M. Sforza     COMREC   Commander, Starfleet Records
Civ  Meyran Cates Semple    Undersecretary                   DOCA
Civ                         Director-General              UFPESCO
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