Blackstone Arrival (Part 1)

Posted on Sat Apr 12th, 2025 @ 12:25pm by Captain Remy Johansen & Commander Maxun Spello & Lieutenant Alexandra Blackstone
Edited on on Sun Apr 13th, 2025 @ 3:16pm

1,416 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Gone, Without Ever Knowing the Way
Location: Main Bridge
Timeline: Day 1 of Shore Leave, A Backpost

Alex stepped out of the shuttle that had brought her to the Astrea from Admiral Downing’s ship and took a deep breath of her new assignment's air before looking around the shuttlebay. She smiled at seeing the number of crew members on duty and made a mental note to herself that the ship was clearly run to standards. After a few moments, her daughter stepped out of the shuttle behind her and she reached her hand out to her.

“You ready, Liz?” The tone of the question was filled with concern as Elizabeth struggled to fit in for some time when it came to new places.

“Yes, mama.” Came the reply and Alex pulled her daughter into a hug before motioning for her to follow behind.

Alex led the way to the main turbolift, stepping inside and declaring their destination as the Bridge where she expected the Captain and likely the First Officer would be waiting. As soon as the turbolift doors opened she looked over the bridge and grinned broadly as it was laid out in very much the same manner that her first assignment was; including the central seat for herself when she was needed on the Bridge.

Since Astrea was docked, much of the ship was making preparations to reduce down to a skeleton crew. After relieving the ops and helm officers, Remy had moved to one of the auxiliary science stations. She'd been studying the way that the Arcadian metal had managed to meld itself to one of the nacelles. She'd been trying to get a handle on the compound even before the ballistic encounter, this only provided a new level of mystery. Remy was so caught up in her research that she hadn't noticed the turbolift doors opening or the two individuals walk onto the Bridge. It was Commander Spello's voice that broke her concentration.

Maxun had been checking over the helm and conn stations, ensuring all was in hand, for the level one diagnostics, which were currently running. Suddenly, he heard the aft turbolift door open, and he first saw a little girl, then, whom he guessed was her mother. The woman was in medical blues and had Lieutenant pips on her collar. "Help you, Lieutenant?" He said in a friendly manner.

Remy popped up from her seat, apologetic to have been too caught up to notice them. "Hi, I'm Captain Johansen. You must be the new surgeon." Remy's eyes turned to the child. "And this must be, your assistant?" She asked, the start of a smile dancing in her eyes.

“Aye, sir. Lieutenant Alexandra Blackstone and Elizabeth Blackstone reporting aboard. Thought I could use the downtime to set up my routines and familiarize myself with the new sickbay.” She rendered a quick salute and then placed her hand on Elizabeth’s shoulder as she peered around the bridge. “Liz is eager to set up our new quarters as well.”

After they finished shaking hands, he turned his attention to the young girl. Dropping to one knee in front of her, to be closer to her height, he offered his hand to her as well. "Welcome, Miss Blackstone. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Alex took the offered hand readily, taking the moment to mentally size up the Commander “Pleasure to be aboard, Commander."

Remy closed the gap between herself and the doctor. The captain's eyes took a quick glance downward at her first officer who was entertaining the young teenager.

Elizabeth hesitated for a moment, looking to her mother and getting a subtle nod in return before she too took Commander Spello’s hand. For a young girl her grip was strong and steady after she had gotten over the momentary hesitation. “Hello, Commander.”

Maxun was briefly surprised by the strength that the young girl possessed, but kept it to himself. He gave her another friendly grin, then replied, "We hope you will enjoy your stay with us. There are many children on board, so you should be able to make several new friends.

“I am ahead in my studies compared to most others my age; mama has been teaching me herself for the last couple of years.” Elizabeth answered, a small smile gracing her lips. “Soon as I am able I want to apply for early entry into the Academy.”

Remy smiled at the young girl. "That is an exciting goal. But don't be in too big of a hurry to grow up either. You have your whole life ahead of you."

“No concern, really; I have just been a roving neurosurgeon for several years now; going where the cases call. When the Admiral asked me about the Astrea it sounded like a nice change of pace to be assigned to a single place for awhile. She did mention something about you encountering a non-federation species that previously has been unknown but she was a little lax on details.” The explanation was quick but steady and Alex had to resist the urge to tilt her head as she delivered it.

Hearing this, Maxun stood and glanced between Remy and Alex. "We did. It's a race that existed several millennia ago, and survived to today, with the use of a cryoship. While most of the survivors are building a new colony, back on New Sausalito, a few chose to remain with us, one in particular, a young boy by the name of Brunel, being legally adopted by our Chief Engineer and his family, as the boy had no surviving family at all."

Remy nodded, "Yes that's true. I suppose Admiral Downing might have mentioned that our medical facilities on board are above and beyond what you might expect from an average Sickbay on a Galaxy class as well." Remy cast the doctor pleasant, yet expecting gaze.

Alex nodded, meeting Remy’s gaze and smiled. “She did mention that, aye. I am actually quite looking forward to a modernized sickbay since I have been working out of decade old ones for several years. At least it has made me excellent at adapting to situations that arise.”

"If you decide you like it here, there is plenty of lab space on the deck as well - meant to be used by medical. We'd certainly welcome you to take some space and make it your own," Remy said warmly as she nodded slightly. "I was a science officer. Well, I suppose part of me always will be. Anyway, point being I get that having your own lab can make all the difference in what you might be able to get done, and in what kind of timeframe."
The captain perked up with a different type of energy, quickly switching gears, "You know, I think Brunel might be around Elizabeth's age. And his new sister in the Winters family who are adopting him. Alexandra is 13, and by our best estimates, we think Brunel is probably around that age as well."

“I will most certainly take the opportunity to have a personal lab space; what are ship regs on security access protocols for them?” Alex asked, a bit of a pensive look crossing her features.

She perked up slightly at the mention of friends for Elizabeth; as did the girl. “Oh excellent; we were concerned that she might end up being the oldest on board as well as the most advanced in classes.”

"Security access protocols are specific to the lab," Remy responded. "If you requisition an area of the medical labs and need access restricted Commander Spello and Lieutenant Anderson can get that set up for you."

“I’ll have a requisition request for a lab in to you by morning then; better to keep my personal projects in a secured area with the ability to lock it down at all levels, I think.” Alex chuckled, nodding to both Commander Spello and the Captain. “Most of my private research is geared toward pushing the boundaries of known Neuroscience.”

Remy's interest was piqued, though it was her First Officer that spoke first.

~tbc~

Captain Remira Johansen
Commanding Officer
USS Astrea


&

Commander Maxun Spello
First Officer
USS Astrea

&

Lieutenant Alexandra Blackstone
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS Astrea


TAG for Signatures - Fingers Crossed

RSS Feed