Marine Detachment Wing Commander's Office - 10

Rafo finished all the reports he needed to have done before the ship left SB34. When he heard the report from Shane, it brought a smile to his face. He always liked the way she made sure she only called in when all of her tasks were complete. Now that the entire squadron was aboard, he could inform the Captain they were all accounted for.

Lt. Colonel Carrera: Carrera to Bridge. Captain, all members of the 58th Squadron have reported in, Hammerheads are secured and ready.

He waited on a response from the Bridge acknowledging his report.
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Lt. Colonel Rafael L. Carrera
Marine Detachment Wing Commander, USS Whitestar

Bridge - Deck 1

Treasar accessed the Oriskany's manifest and saw that there was indeed a Lt. Kee aboard. He was their Chief Science Officer.

Capt Adonis: According to their current roster, there is a Lt. James L. Kee as the Chief Science Officer. So it would appear he is there. You may contact him once we're there. I am sure he'll be more than surprised to hear from you.

He then heard the report from Lt. Colonel Carrera and responded.

Capt Adonis: That's great to hear, Colonel! Adonis out.

Treasar looked around at the officers now at their stations, getting them ready to depart SB34. He couldn't be more pleased.
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Captain Treasar T. Adonis
Commanding Officer, USS Whitestar

Skonch was pleased to hear that Lt. Kee was aboard Oriskany. He looked forward to being able to contact him again. As he looked around the Bridge at the officers at their stations, he thought to himself What a fine crew this is.

Lt. Commander Skonch: Captain, how long is this journey of ours to take? How many people and or ships are involved? Are we going to transport them back here? Or where to? Sorry about the questions, just getting into focus and train of thought.

He did not want to be a pest to the CO, but as the Acting XO, Skonch wanted to be aware of all there was to know of their mission.
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Commander Skonch
Chief Science Officer, USS Whitestar

Treasar was pleased to see the effort LtCmdr Skonch was putting into his temporary assignment. He answered the questions to the best of his knowledge.

Capt Adonis: It shouldn't be very long, considering the situation. We'll be going to our safest maximum speed once we are clear of SB34 traffic. I'm not sure how many vessels are involved, I just know we're to assist Oriskany upon our arrival with getting as many of the ships out of their decaying orbits as possible. These vessels are the ones that have been reported missing over the last year. As for where to take them. All I know is that we need to get them to a safe area for now.

Treasar took a breath and looked around at the officers on the Bridge. It was time. He smiled to himself as he prepared to contact Dock Traffic Control and request clearance for departure!
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Captain Treasar T. Adonis
Commanding Officer, USS Whitestar

Observation Area - Spacedock

Pi’lar took the Turbolift to the Observation Area. As the CO of Whitestar stepped out, she could see the last of the Event Horizon’s crew boarding their vessel. The Captain walked towards the airlock, hit the panel and entered the Whitestar’s berthing bay. She rode the Turbolift towards the Bridge and took to the center chair that was slightly raised above the rest of the stations.

Pi’Lar uncorked the bottle of Nectar, took a deep sniff, and ultimately decided against it, replacing the cork in the bottle and placing it on the arm of the chair. She sighed as she wondered just how much longer it would be before she could take the Whitestar out on it’s first mission with her in command.

Before long, she heard the lift doors open, she chose not to turn and instead spoke out into the dim, darkly lit Bridge.

Capt Zh’Osha: You’re not supposed to be here… The ships not ready, return to your duties aboard the station...

The Captain went to turn herself in the chair and knocked the Nectar bottle all over the deck plating, but paid no notice as she looked at the new arrival that had entered the Bridge of the Whitestar.

Bridge - Deck 1

E.J. entered the dimly lit Bridge that was still damaged from the Battle of Sector Epsilon. He could see from the large blood stain on the floor that it was where his good friend Capt Treasar Adonis had died. The Commodore and the Captain had been friends since they were in high school together and today was his birthday. He didn't mean to alarm Capt Zh'Osha and explained to her why he was there.

Como Carpathia: I'm sorry, Captain Zh'Osha, I didn't mean to disturb you. Captain Adonis and I were very close friends, we even went to high school together. Today would've been his 55th birthday. I really miss him and it's difficult for me to deal with after knowing him for such a long time. We were friends for almost 40 years. His death hurts me and most likely will for the rest of my life.

The Commodore wiped some tears from his eyes as he walked over to the exact spot where Treasar passed away. It was such a hard loss for him to cope with. They grew up and went to Starfleet together, roomed together at the Academy, served in some of the same places. Always kept in constant contact with each other. Now there won't be anymore late night phone calls to discuss whatever was on their minds or who pissed them off that day. From now on...it was hailing frequencies closed.
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Commodore E.J. Carpathia
Commanding Officer, USS Infiniti
Division 1 Commander, Gamma Fleet

The Captain stood, now seeing Como Carpathia.

Capt Zh'Osha: Commodore, I wasn't expecting you.

Indeed, the Captain had assumed it was one of the junior officers, come to collect some more debris from around them. She looked down at the blood stain that was indicated to her.

Capt Zh'Osha: I believe that was Captain Adonis, he looks like he has seen a lot, Sir.

The Captain wanted to offer her condolences to the Commodore, but the alcohol was now all over Adonis' blood stains on the deck plating.

Capt Zh'Osha: Well, I guess Captain Adonis is drinking to our successes now, Commodore.

Pi'Lar hoped she had not offended the upset Commodore with the alcohol over what remained of his childhood friend.

The Commodore watched as the alcohol from her Nuclear Nectar mixed into the dried blood stain and thought to himself how ironic it was. Both Treasar and E.J. never really were drinkers of anything other than different flavors of soda. But he liked the sentiment that Capt Zh'Osha said about him drinking to their success.

Como Carpathia: He most certainly did see a lot. I'd like to think he's drinking to to our success. Thank you for that image, Captain. It shouldn't take long for the Starfleet Corps of Engineers to get Whitestar fully restored for you. I'm just sorry you were told to come to take command so prematurely. Admiral Martinelli likes to be on top of things, so when he heard Treasar had died, he immediately contacted Admiral Skyner for a replacement. Looks like he neglected to send a damage report on the ship as well. But then you may have been assigned to a different ship and never got to meet any of us here in the Gamma Quadrant.

The Commodore smiled at Capt Zh'Osha and thought on how Treasar would've really liked her. He had a thing for females of non Terran colors and E.J. knew he would've wanted to get to know Pi'Lar...in more ways than one!
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Commodore E.J. Carpathia
Commanding Officer, USS Infiniti
Division 1 Commander, Gamma Fleet

Pi’Lar listened to Como Carpathia intently, she didn’t want to seem rude over his friend, but she still wished to voice her concerns.

Capt Zh’Osha: I’m afraid we never received a damage assessment of Whitestar, Commodore. I was already aboard Deep Space 9 when the Fleet Admiral arrived to escort me here. I assumed your Chief of Fleet Operations either neglected to transmit it or it was a moot point. Either way, it gives me a chance to get to know the officers that will eventually be under my command.

The Captain knew some of the systems that had necessitated the Fleet Admiral’s convoy from Starfleet Command, after all, she had piloted the Event Horizon from Deep Space 9.

Capt Zh’Osha: Commodore, if it pleases you, I’d like to assemble the Senior Staff, perhaps hold a memorial wake for Captain Adonis? He was your friend, you would know what he liked more than any of us… I am sure Commander Ashborn can assemble them… Perhaps Whitestar would make a fitting reception, despite it’s current appearance?

The Captain waited with anticipation for Como Carpathia’s response.

The Commodore appreciated the sentiment of having a memorial service with the Senior Staff of Whitestar, but some of them were either on Event Horizon or Sutherland. There was still Cmdr Ashborn, Cmdr Skonch, Dr. Brewer and Counselor Ho that were aboard when they lost Capt Adonis. E.J. was sure they would attend such an event...

Como Carpathia: I think that's a wonderful idea, Captain. But with Commander Cypher, Lieutenants Thomas and Mitchell, Lieutenant Junior Grade Tudismaque, and the 58th Squadron not here to attend, you may need to do something for them when they return.

E.J. knew that if she made such plans for 2 memorial ceremonies, he would gladly attend both. He was sure Adm Arayuss would too. There was a lot of officers and crew in Gamma Fleet that knew him and they would do their best to attend one of the ceremonies, if not both.
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Commodore E.J. Carpathia
Commanding Officer, USS Infiniti
Division 1 Commander, Gamma Fleet