assume formation

[thespaceopera]

[with everyone's augmentations having returned to proper functioning order, all interference has cleared from the network. Atroma's signal comes through loud and clear, with the usual jingle announcing this week's shuffle uninterrupted. and when it finishes, Diamond's voice rings out with overflowing excitement.]

Fifteen ships! ...Have you all looked out the windows, dear passengers? Have you noticed the way that the Fleet swells with life and activity? The SS Paisley drifts with us now, empty and waiting for someone to boldly take command.

...Will it be one of you? Or are we waiting on the next round of intrepid souls to fill her halls? The suspense is palpable! We're on the edge of our seats, here...

The first fifteen of the fleet are flying, and as a reward, they've all received a little boost. Just a little roomier, a little shinier, just for you.

[and she pauses for a deep, satisfied breath. give her just a moment.]

...As such, there are seven new souls joining our ranks this week, replacing the three that are leaving us. Please make them feel welcome!

The fleet is heading toward a special treat this month, since you've all been so wonderful. We will be stopping by one of the most famous historic getaway spots in this stretch of the system, so take advantage of it! There aren't many of these left in such pristine condition, so don't miss out.

And please behave yourselves. ...Though, I don't need to remind you of that, do I?

[she's grinning when she says it. it's there in her voice.]

Remember, the worlds are watching!


ooc post: → here

Comments

[dancingmd]

[There is definitely a hint of motherly sympathy on her face as she studies Sokka for a moment. The protective part of her still wants to protest, and loudly, but her Starfleet training kicks in. Not all cultures define adulthood in the same way. She nods decisively.]

All right then, Captain.

[A smile.]

I don't suppose you're in need of a Chief Medical Officer, with extensive experience in interstellar travel?

[alwayscomeback]

Just Sokka is fine.

[He tries his best to ignore that hint. It opens up too many unpleasant thoughts of the women in his life. ]

Well, we got Allen working on the med stuff, but I'm sure he'd welcome help. And we definitely need someone who knows how to travel in space. None of us can do that.

[dancingmd]

Oh, yes! I remember now that Allen mentioned being on the Blue Fish. I'm glad we'll be working together.

[She proceeds to walk around the bridge, studying the various consoles and control panels.]

Hmm... this ship's systems are quite different from Federation ships but I think with time I should be able to figure out the basics. I see we're on autopilot?

[alwayscomeback]

Yeah. We've been on it since the ship was running, as far as I can tell. We don't have a pilot, so we're just stuck going wherever Atroma wants us to go.

[And boy, does he hate that.]

I've been trying to see if I can override the system, not no luck so far.

[dancingmd]

[She slides into the seat at the helm and taps the screen in front of her experimentally.]

I would have no problem piloting a Starfleet ship, but I don't know if that's enough ...

[Frowning, she tries out a couple of different things. Mostly, nothing happens, but one option sets off some sort of alarm.]

[alwayscomeback]

[Sokka winces, because ow.]

I'm guessing that's not a good sound.

[dancingmd]

[Beverly calmly ignores both the alarm and Sokka as she concentrates on the ship controls. The screen is flashing with with a numerical code. She's not entirely sure what the code means, of course, but she can guess: unauthorized access. She sighs and says the following to herself, more than Sokka.]

So much for starcharts.

[alwayscomeback]

[Sokka peers over her shoulder, at all the code piling up. ]

So unless we get a pilot, they're all useless? I've gathered so many.

[dancingmd]

It seems that way.

[Finally, she finds an option to "return to autopilot" and the alarm stops protesting. She turns and looks at Sokka, placing one hand on his shoulder.]

Don't worry, I'm sure we will figure out something, if we put our heads together.

[alwayscomeback]

I hope so, too. All I want is to get the heck back home.

[dancingmd]

How long have you been here?

[alwayscomeback]

Six months, now. Half a year, wow.

[He hadn't even realised it had been that long.]

[dancingmd]

Six months?

[She leans back in the seat, a little stunned. For some reason, she was expecting this to be a short term thing. Hoping, really.]

How long do they intend to keep us here?

[alwayscomeback]

Yeah, long time.

I don't know, they sure haven't said anything to us about that.

[dancingmd]

[She stands with determination and sticks out a hand for Sokka to shake.]

Well, for however long we're here, we will just have to help one another out.

[alwayscomeback]

[He smiles, taking the hand for a shake.]

I can;'t agree more. You'll fit in just fine here.

[dancingmd]

Glad to hear it!

[She wanders to one of the doors leading off the bridge.]

I suppose I better familiarize myself with the rest of this ship before we reach our next destination. Which way is your sickbay?

[alwayscomeback]

Here, lemmie show you. It's not a big ship, it shouldn't take long.

[dancingmd]

Thank you, I'd love a tour!

[She gestures for him to lead the way.]

[alwayscomeback]

OKAY! Here we've got the most important room, the kitchen. [He gestures. ] Ludger's our cook. He's kinda...got a weird cat thing going on and he doesn't say a lot, but he can make anything a banquet.

[dancingmd]

[She raises an amused eyebrow. Most important room, is it? Looking around, she has to admit to being impressed. If the kitchen is this well-equipped, maybe she doesn't need to be so worried about the labs. And she brightens at the mention of cats.]

We have cats on board?

[alwayscomeback]

Yeah. I don't know where he got them from, I don't want to know where he got them from. They're basically his babies? Yeah.

Lesson is, just leave his cats to him.

[dancingmd]

Oh I won't mind them around at all! I love cats. A friend of mine keeps his own cat on board our ship and I'll watch her sometimes for him when he's away.

[Casually does not mention the fact that Spot is the terror of the Enterprise, except to her, Barclay, and Data but details.]

[alwayscomeback]

Well, then you can handle what is pretty much the weirdest part of the ship.

[He nods down a corridor ]

The bunks are thata way. Pretty cramped, we're working on getting them bigger, eventually.

[dancingmd]

[Beverly pauses at that. Bunks are one thing when you're a young cadet, with other young cadets, quite another when you're a middle-aged officer with a ship full of people half your age.]

How exactly do we go about doing that?