Sickbay - Deck 4

Chase was stunned by the news of Dr. Tudismaque's death. The Commander really hoping the Doctor was going to make it, but apparently his wounds were just too severe. What a horrible way for a young physician to die, especially one with such a promising medical career. Cmdr Ashborn tried sitting up but he was just too weak from the feeling of loss from Jacques' passing.

Cmdr Ashborn: I'm sorry, Captain. I know you'd prefer that I get up, get dressed and head for the Bridge, but the loss of Dr. Tudismaque has hit me really hard. I've known Jacques since he was just the Assistant Medical Officer to Dr. Sonny Brewer. He was a fine young man who was extremely compassionate towards those in need of medical care. When Dr. Brewer learns of Jacques' death, he's going to be heartbroken. I think I need more time to grieve the loss of Dr. Tudismaque, if you don't mind, Sir.

The XO Knew he couldn't weep in front of Capt Daqtorgh since Klingons had no tear ducts, they viewed crying as a weakness. Chase would have to wait until he was alone before he began shedding tears for Jacques. Perhaps the Commander would have to wait until he was in his Quarters for bed rest. Since Chase could hardly even sit up, he wouldn't be going anywhere for a while. Losing Jacques was just too much for Cmdr Ashborn to bear at this time, so returning to the Bridge in order to sit there for the next 14 hours was furthest from Chase's mind.
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Commander Chase S. Ashborn
Executive Officer, USS Whitestar

Daqtorgh looked down at Cmdr Ashborn with a compassion expression on his Klingon face.

Capt Daqtorgh: Please take your time to grieve. Mr. Skonch is on the Bridge filling in for you, so take as much time as you need.

The Captain wondered to himself what was going to happen when they returned to SB34. Were they going have to stay at the Starbase or were they going to be allowed to track down more ships? Which is what Daqtorgh hoped would happen as he liked to be out among the stars and not cooped up in the confines of a Starbase. Capt Daqtorgh walked out of Sickbay and headed to the Turbolift and went up to the Command Deck. The Captain walked across the Bridge to the Center Seat and turned to Cmdr Skonch.

Capt Daqtorgh: You will be Acting XO for a while, Mr. Skonch. I look forward to your insight and guidance.

The CO thought about Lt. JG Syntranos and wondered how he was doing as well. Daqtorgh assumed he too would be grieving the loss of Dr. Tudismaque as well. Capt Daqtorgh still had to do the duty of submitting his report on the death of the Doctor to Starfleet. Something no Commanding Officer ever enjoyed doing.
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Captain Daqtorgh
Commanding Officer, USS Whitestar

Bridge - Deck 1

The Acting XO nodded in affirmation towards Capt Daqtorgh. Skonch understood he would be the temporary First Officer for the time being. Although the Captain did not mention why or what was happening with Cmdr Ashborn, regarding the reason the Commander could not return to his duties.

Cmdr Skonch: Understood, Captain. What is Commander Ashborn's condition? Will he be returning to duty before we reach Starbase 34, Sir?

The Chief Science Officer who was now sitting in the XO's chair and acting as the temporary Executive Officer was curious about Cmdr Ashborn and was waiting to hear about his current condition. Skonch figured the Commander had to be alright medically or Capt Daqtorgh would not have returned to the Bridge. Whatever the reason for Cmdr Ashborn's absence, Cmdr Skonch figured the Klingon Captain would be letting him know very soon.
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Commander Skonch
Chief Science Officer, USS Whitestar

Daqtorgh turned to Mr. Skonch and informed the Acting XO of Cmdr Ashborn’s condition.

Capt Daqtorgh: Commander Ashborn is medically alright, but he needs more time to grieve for the late Doctor. I have authorized the Commander to take as long as he needs, you will be Acting XO for a while. So if it’s till we get back to Starbase 34, then so be it. You are very capable to fill in; the XO chair is yours on a temporary basis if you want it.

The CO waited to hear anything further from Cmdr Skonch on the matter. If there was nothing else, Daqtorgh would ask for a report from Lt. Mitchell on the sensor scans of the area. That way if anything malevolent was out there, they would know about it right away. The Captain was not fond of unwanted surprises, and this was the best way to make sure nothing was going to jump out to attack them.
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Captain Daqtorgh
Commanding Officer, USS Whitestar

The Vulcan Science Officer nodded once again to Capt Daqtorgh to acknowledge his confirmation of accepting the temporary position of Acting XO during the absence of Cmdr Ashborn. Skonch understood what a loss it was for Dr. Tudismaque to have passed away from his injuries after the Xenomorph attacked the Doctor.

Cmdr Skonch: I understand and accept the position of Acting XO until Commander Ashborn can resume his duties as Executive Officer, Captain. Losing Dr. Tudismaque will be hard for all of those who knew him. Jacques will truly be missed, Sir.

The Acting XO remained in the chair that was currently assigned to him and watched over the Bridge. Mr. Skonch was curious to know the current report of the sensor readings from the Chief Operations Officer since enough time had elapsed since his last report of nothing being on the sensors that would be considered a danger to Whitestar or the Galactic Princess. Seeing as the Captain had returned to the Bridge, Cmdr Skonch thought it best to allow Capt Daqtorgh the task of asking Lt. Mitchell what the current status was on the sensors.
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Commander Skonch
Chief Science Officer, USS Whitestar

Daqtorgh acknowledged Cmdr Skonch with a nod as he began to issue some orders from the center chair on the Bridge.

Capt Daqtorgh: Understood, Mr. Skonch. Mr. Mitchell, what’s the current status of the sensor reports on any dangerous ships in our vicinity? Mr. Thomas, what’s our ETA to Starbase 34?

Tapping the com-console on the arm of the center seat, Daqtorgh called out to LtCmdr Ho by the Holodecks.

Capt Daqtorgh: Counselor Ho, what’s the status on all the refugees?

The CO waited to hear back from Lt. Mitchell, Lt. Thomas and LtCmdr Ho as he sat in the Captain’s chair on the Bridge. Daqtorgh felt that things were going well, even though they had to tow the Galactic Princess so slowly back to their home base in the Gamma Quadrant. The Captain was being cautious, even though it was against Klingon nature, in order to ensure the safety of the refugees they were bringing back to Starbase 34.
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Captain Daqtorgh
Commanding Officer, USS Whitestar

Cole went over his console, checking all the sensor readings and as expected, there were no vessels in the area looking to prey upon Whitestar as they towed the Galactic Princess to SB34. The Lieutenant spoke aloud so that Capt Daqtorgh could hear his report.

Lt. Mitchell: There are no predatory vessels in the area, Captain. It appears clear all the way to Starbase 34, Sir. I don’t expect us to run into any trouble on the way home.

The Chief Operations Officer continued using all the sensors to scan the area continuously, that way no ship could just pop out of nowhere and start attacking Whitestar and the Starliner. Although the treaty with the Dominion was signed years ago, Cole was still always leery about the Jem’Hadar showing up to re-declare war on the Federation and its allies. Lt. Mitchell heard the horror stories of how the soldiers of the Dominion were such ruthless killers, and the Lieutenant had no desire to find this out first hand.
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Lieutenant Cole S. Mitchell
Chief Operations Officer, USS Whitestar

Dylan looked over at his console's chronometer and ETA display and read it out for the Captain to hear. This way everyone on the Bridge would know they've had less time remaining before they dropped off the Galactic Princess at SB34.

Lt. Thomas: We still have thirteen hours and fifty minutes to go, Captain.

The Chief Flight Control Officer wished he could speed up the velocity they were traveling, but it just wasn't possible with them towing the Galactic Princess behind them. The Lieutenant was getting antsy as they were moving so slow, worried they would get attacked since they were such a simple target out there. But with the scanning reports from Lt. Mitchell, Dylan was relieved the area was safe for now.
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Lieutenant Dylan S. Thomas
Chief Flight Control Officer, USS Whitestar

Corridor Between Holodecks 1 & 2 - Deck 3

Kunti was in between Holodecks 1 and 2 when she heard Capt Daqtorgh ask for an update on the status of the refugees. LtCmdr Ho had just checked on the 40 children in Holodeck 1 and they were all asleep. Kunti continued walking to Holodeck 2 and saw that everyone in there was very happy to be rescued from the ordeal aboard the Galactic Princess. The Counselor made sure they had all the items they needed so they could rest on the way back to SB34. Now that Kunti was able to give a report to the Captain, she tapped her Combadge.

Lt. Commander Ho: Counselor Ho to Captain Daqtorgh! The children are all asleep on Holodeck One and the refugees from the Cruise Ship are getting settled on Holodeck Two. I'm with them now so I'll be assisting them until they're all tucked in and going to sleep.

The Counselor waited to hear back from the Bridge, as Kunti continued assisting the refugees change into more comfortable clothing and food for whomever was hungry. LtCmdr Ho didn't mind that Yeoman Garcia was up on the Command Deck with the Captain since the Counselor had it all under control here on the Holodecks.
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Lt. Commander Kunti Ho
Counselor, USS Whitestar

Bridge - Deck 1

Daqtorgh acknowledged the responses given to him by his crew, starting with the Counselor down in Holodeck 2.

Capt Daqtorgh: Excellent, Counselor! Keep me apprised of their status! Daqtorgh out!

The Captain then spoke to both Lt. Thomas and Lt. Mitchell, who were sitting at the Flight Control Station and Ops/Communications Station on the Bridge.

Capt Daqtorgh: Mr. Thomas, please calculate if we can increase our velocity or if we at maximum speed right now. Mr. Mitchell, send a message to Commodore Carpathia requesting what our orders are after we bring the Galactic Princess to her elliptical orbit around Starbase 34. Will we be allowed to continue with the manifest or should we return to New Bajor for more refugees?

The CO waited on the response from Lt. Thomas on the possibility of increasing their speed to SB34, along with a response from Lt. Mitchell on what their orders from Como Carpathia were. Daqtorgh really hoped they wouldn’t be told to dock at the Starbase, since the Captain felt more useful being out in space where he could do his duty aboard the Akira Class Starship, USS Whitestar.
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Captain Daqtorgh
Commanding Officer, USS Whitestar