Observation Area - Spacedock

The Klingon/Human hybrid stood in front of the XO, and now CO also, shuffling his feet as he pondered his response to the 2 gentlemen.

Ens Jo’Kla: Sirs, I wish to make something clear… I have never truly belonged anywhere. Because of that, I find I do not WISH to belong anyway. I simply want to BE. I am no one's friend, I am a fellow crew member. That’s all. I trust you to understand.

Jo’Kla hoped he had not offended his Commanding Officers and attempted to feign a smile without success. He wondered if it was too late to run away but chose to remain now that everyone seemed to be watching him with interested gazes, or at least, that’s how he felt...

The Commander looked back at the Ensign, he was utterly dismayed with the man. He remembered his first day with the Fleet, and he knew just what to do… He made a mental note to himself to talk with his Chief Science Officer once there was time.

Cmdr Little: Jo’Kla, we all have reservations like this fresh from the Academy.. I was the same way, Chief Engineer is THE hardest job of all aboard a Starship, aside from the Captain, of course… Be thankful you are neither.

Lewis smiled at Jo’Kla, hoping he would understand. Being the new guy was never a pleasant experience for any one to have to deal with, especially given the mission at hand. Starfleet officers know it is their duty to perform their job with the utmost diligence, even if in the extreme circumstances they would lose their lives in space.

The CO could see it was difficult for the man, being of dual heritage, more so as the 2 species had only recently came to peace in the grand scheme of things.

Cmdr Little: I’ll leave you to yourself for now, but remember this, Ensign… I have and always shall have an open door policy, should you feel the need to talk.

Lewis nodded at Jo’Kla with a friendly smile before turning and heading over towards Lt. JG Degrazzio. He joined him silently without a word as he could see he was still busy reviewing the data PADD. He waited for Jayden to look up from the PADD before speaking.

Cmdr Little: How are getting along with the intel, Jayden? I’m sure you understand more of it than I!

The CO chuckled slightly, hoping his Science Head could understand most, if not all of the information.

Cmdr. Little: Once I got past Plank’s Laws, I was a little out of my depth I’m afraid.

The Commander listened intently to Lt. JG Degrazzio’s reply intently as they awaited the remainder of the crews arrival.
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Mr. McCloud

Peter quickly exited the Turbolift and was surprised to see the Senior Staff waiting outside the Gangway to the ship. He couldn't understand why they weren't aboard Event Horizon with it being so close to their launch time. Everyone still needed to stow their belongings in their Quarters before assuming their stations. What were they all thinking? There's no way they would be launching at 1200 hours, for it was already 1155! Peter walked over to the group of officers waiting at the entrance to the Gangway.

Lt. Commander Graham: Why are we all just standing around? We're supposed to launch in 5 minutes! The ship isn't even powered up yet! It's going to take time to get the engines online! Did I get the launch time correct?

The Chief Security/Tactical Officer was quite disturbed over this quandary. He was expecting some answers from anyone within the sound of his voice. LtCmdr Graham was completely confused by what was happening out here. Peter was worried that he was running late and rushed here as fast as he could, only to find the Senior Staff having a social gathering outside the ship in the Observation Area. He wished there was a Vulcan among them, that way he could ask for a logical explanation for all of this.
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Lt. Commander Peter Graham
Chief Security/Tactical Officer, USS Oriskany

Cole stepped off the Turbolift and was taken back by seeing the crew outside the Gangway that lead to Event Horizon. He remembered reading on his PADD that FAdm Skyner would be keeping the ship under lockdown until he arrived to transfer command of the vessel to Cmdr Little, but he thought the Fleet Admiral would've been here by now. It was very odd... The Lieutenant crossed the spacious room and approached the Senior Staff by the Gangway entrance.

Lt. Mitchell: Hey everyone, looks like Admiral Skyner is running a little late. I wonder if it's for dramatic effect? Anyone have any thoughts on that?

The Chief Operations Officer took a stance by the Gangway like the others and kept an eye on the Turbolifts at the far end of the Observation Area. By the looks on the faces of the officers around him, they had been waiting a while and were anxious to get aboard, stow their gear and get to their stations. Cole wondered just how long FAdm Skyner was going to be...
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Lieutenant Cole S. Mitchell
Chief Operations Officer, USS Whitestar

Out of the Turbolifts came the Marines, with the travel packs over their shoulders and walking together in formation with MCpt Lopez leading the way. Chris thought for sure they would be boarding by now, but seeing that they haven't started the process yet, it was obvious to him they wouldn't be launching on time. The Marine Captain could see Cmdr Cypher standing there among the others so he signaled the Detachment of Marines to stay put and walked over by himself to the Event Horizon's XO.

MCpt Lopez: Excuse me, Sir. Why haven't we boarded yet? I'd have my Marines in their barracks with gear stowed in less than two minutes, but that doesn't seem to be an issue now that we're standing out here. There is no way we would've held up Event Horizon's departure, Commander. I hope nobody was waiting on our account?

The Detachment Commander was perplexed as to why the crew was waiting outside the Gangway, so Chris waited on hearing from the XO regarding his interrogatory statement. The squad of Marines stood behind him about 10 paces at parade rest and MCpt Lopez was quite sure they were all wondering the very same thing.
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Marine Captain Christopher D. Lopez
Marine Detachment Commander, USS Infiniti

Seeing that Cmdr Little was still sitting with Lt. JG DeGrazzio, Thom took it upon himself to answer LtCmdr Graham, Lt. Mitchell and MCpt Lopez directly. He didn't have an answer as to why FAdm Skyner wasn't here yet. But he was sure they would find out once the Fleet Admiral made his way there.

Cmdr Cypher: As you may or may not know, Fleet Admiral Skyner has the ship on lockdown until he arrives so he can transfer command of the vessel to Commander Little. The problem at the moment is...he hasn't arrived yet. So it is apparent that our departure from Starbase 34 will be delayed. So you had the time right, Peter. As for this being for dramatic effect, Cole? I don't know...and Chris, there's no way any one of us thought you and your Marines would be late and be cause for a delayed departure.

The Commander figured that answered all their questions and hoped FAdm Skyner would be arriving soon. The XO also heard that Prof Brewer would be joining them. Thom wondered when he would be arriving too. He knew the Alternate Universe they would be heading for wasn't going anywhere so he wasn't too worried about a later launch time, just so far as they launched with all hands aboard.
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Commander Thomas R. Cypher
Chief Engineering Officer, USS Whitestar

After reading through the PADDs Cmdr Little had given him, Jayden reached an educated conclusion. What he was about to state to his CO was the professional opinion based on his knowledge of being the Chief Science Officer of Event Horizon.

Lt. JG DeGrazzio: Sir, I don't have a clue what this all means. I'm totally confused by everything you've given me. I must apologize and if you wish to replace me as Chief Science Officer, this would be the time.

The Lieutenant JG stood from where he was sitting across from Cmdr Little and awaited his fate. If the Commander wished for a more knowledgeable Science Officer he would understand and respectfully step aside. Jayden did not want to be a 'Captain Dunsel' aboard the Event Horizon.
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Lieutenant Jayden C. DeGrazzio
Chief Science Officer, USS Infiniti

The Commander returned a somewhat disappointed glance back at Lt.JG DeGrazzio.

Cmdr Little: Jayden, you are a great Scientist, you'll do just fine... Maybe better than most at this... If you say it is confusing, no one would doubt your expertise in this area...

Lewis spoke slowly, but informal so as not to upset Jayden.

Cmdr Little: I'm not about to replace you... We're all out of luck here as it happens... Hell, Cypher, Jamie and I are some of the Fleets best Engineers... And even we had reservations about the mechanics of all of this... So I wouldn't worry about it... Most of it is difficult even for some Vulcan's, Id bet!

The CO placed his hand jovially upon Jayden's back to reassure him as best as he could.

Cmdr Little: Forget the data, use your best judgement. I trust you, Jayden, I know you'll do well!

Lewis turned as he heard the Turbolift doors opening to see the MCpt Christopher Lopez, striding over to Thom with fervour. That meant they were now only waiting on Prof Brewer and FAdm Skyner. They may be late launching, but if the engines were as good as they were told, they would be able to make up that time rather easily.
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Mr. McCloud

The CinC of Gamma Fleet exited the Turbolift with Prof Brewer when they saw the entire crew waiting to board Event Horizon by the Gangway that lead to the ship. It was no surprise to Aeryck that FAdm Skyner was late, it tended to be his Modus operandi for as long as he'd known the Fleet Admiral. Be that as it may, the Admiral lead the Professor over to Cmdr Little so he could make an introduction. Once they were close to the Commander, the introductions began.

Adm Arayuss: Commander Little, this here is Professor Lloyd Brewer. Your Mission Specialist. Without his knowledge of dimensional realms we would've never been able to defeat the Deltaurans. I am hoping his presence aboard Event Horizon will increase your odds of success, as it did with ours against those infernal beasts.

Aeryck turned to Prof Brewer to continue the introduction process...

Adm Arayuss: Professor, this is Commander Lewis Little, Chief Engineer of Oriskany and the one who brainstormed the idea of using the Warp Core of his ship along with Whitestar's to obliterate all of them while we were in their realm. Lewis is the Commanding Officer of Event Horizon for this mission. The two of you should compliment each other's ingenuity and skills.

The Admiral took a step back to allow Prof Brewer and Cmdr Little to become acquainted. He smiled at the two of them as they did so. Aeryck looked forward to hearing about their mission when they returned, if it wasn't classified above his pay grade! The CinC used his psionic abilities to locate FAdm Skyner and was shaking his head in disbelief as he thought to himself... A Dabo girl!? Seriously!?
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Admiral Aeryck M. Arayuss
Commanding Officer, USS Sutherland
Commander in Chief, Gamma Fleet
Starfleet, United Federation of Planets

Prof Brewer followed Adm Arayuss over to Cmdr Little so he could make a formal introduction for the two of them. He thanked the Admiral for his kind remarks he made.

Prof Brewer: Thank you, Admiral, for the nice remarks regarding my efforts in defeating the Deltaurans. Your acknowledgment gives me encouragement and determination to do a good job in whatever the next mission might be and I hope it will inspire Commander Little to have much confidence in my ability to serve aboard Event Horizon.

Lloyd then turned to Cmdr Little.

Prof Brewer: It's my pleasure to meet you, Commander. I have heard of your great method of formulating the idea of using the Warp Cores of Oriskany and Whitestar to obliterate all of the remaining Deltaurans. This is very impressive. With you as the Commanding Officer of Event Horizon on this upcoming mission, I know we will be successful.

The Professor extended his hand to the Commander as a gesture of respect, admiration and friendship.
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Professor Lloyd F. Brewer