Its Go Time

Posted on Sun Aug 16th, 2026 @ 10:59am by Captain Tristan Faust & Commander Lucy Heartfilia & Lieutenant Commander Darrod Hanous & Lieutenant Commander Marc Kitchner M.D. & Lieutenant Christopher Jennings Jr. & Ensign Jason Reece & Chief Petty Officer Meredith Corden & Ensign Rha'Zira
Edited on on Sun Aug 16th, 2026 @ 10:59am

1,322 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Mission 6: Echoes of the Interphase
Location: Deck 1 - Bridge
Timeline: M6 MD06 (2268.10.09) 0850-0910

The last forty eight hours had been hectic. The whole crew of the Starship Midway had been recalled and given a strict deadline to get the Constitution Class Starship ready to depart immediately. Luckily most of the crew that had left for shoreline hadn't gone far, yet the few stragglers had finally returned to the vessel.

[Bridge]

Lucy walked around the circular bridge, checking each console and holding a clipboard making final checks. Finally she stopped at the science station.

"Alright everyone. We have ten minutes until the Captain wants us out of here. Readiness reports, how are we doing about leaving on time?" She asked the bridge officers.

Jason spoke up as he finished checking over his controls. "Helm ready to go, Ma'am. As soon as the Captain gives me the word, I can get the ship warping to wherever we are headed."

Ensign Rha'Zira newly assigned communications officer turned from her console. "Communications are ready, Ma'am."

Lucy nodded. "Once we've cleared the starbase, cut all external communications as ordered. Internal encrypted only from then on." She responded.

"Yes Ma'am, understood," the communications officer replied as she prepped the coms system for high-level encryption.

Darrod came up to the bridge in an Engineering coverall rather than his usual uniform. It was obvious he'd been surviving on some blend of caffeine and dedication as he stepped onto the Bridge tiredly. Even with the extension of a full day, the Engineering department had been essentially running the entire length of the ship, getting the Midway ready. He blinked and leaned against the rail, his voice more stressed than usual. "Engineering reporting in, sir. Warp systems online. Dilithium storage is lower than I want, but within parameters. Impulse is good as well" He took a deep breath and spoke again. "Computer core is... well, it's online, it's crunching numbers, but you need to ask Page for details. Auxiliary craft are good too."

The green man was uncharacteristically rambling in his report. It was probably a result of the sheer exhaustion that was written in his every movement. Unlike some chief engineers, Darrod always put much effort in as the people he gave orders to, taking on the jobs they couldn't. He was a workman and a technician, not just a tinkerer. If he expected them to stay awake for ridiculous periods of time, they could be certain that he would be up before them, and his head wouldn't hit a pillow until all of them had rested. "Basically... we're ready."

Jennings sat at the navigator going through all the required systems checks. Everything on it was looking more than efficient. "Navigation is ready to go."

"Everything has been filed that needed to be filed, ma'am," Meredith said. "There are no outstanding matters."

"Comms ready, the communications officer responded, her earpiece in and ready.

"Lucy, you within ear shot?" Kitchner said his voice coming through the speaker at the science station.

"Yes Marc ... " Lucy said putting an earpiece in her left ear.

"I don't know what the kid has up his sleeve, but we're overstocked like we're going into a warzone down here. I'm waiting for 2 people to report aboard. They are shuttling to the space dock as we speak." Marc said.

"I don't know either. But, its best to be prepared." Lucy replied. "Best to have stuff than not have them. Make sure you've stored everything properly."

Lucy smiled as she checked over the science console. All of the ships sensors were ready, and now that the ships computer was back in some sort of working order they were as ready as they were ever going to be. "Have thrusters on standby, and begin preparations to depart. As soon as we get the order from the Captain, there is no time for delay.

Jason nodded as he worked a few of his helm controls. "Aye, thrusters are on standby, awaiting orders."

The double doors of the turbolift opened. The Captain emerged tailed by several junior yeomen, each carrying a wedge clipboard. "What's the good word Commander?" He asked giving a glance to Lucy as he stopped and rested his hands on the bright red rail.

Darrod took a moment before he was fully aware that he'd found himself standing beside the Captain at the bridge rail - ever the position of kibbitzers and commentators. He looked down at his coverall and blinked deliberately, secretly hoping that just by clearing his vision he'd somehow end up looking less disheveled. He nodded to Faust, not expecting a response to his reflexive. "Hello, sir." He stepped back from the rail and headed to the turbolift, hoping he was mostly out of sight as he scratched the stubble on his jawline and headed back down below, to oversee the final Engineering prep before departure.

Meredith looked over and gave Darrod a small smile before he headed back to work.

"All departments and decks have reported in Captain. Midway is ready and fully prepared to depart on your order." Lucy smiled as she stood by the science console.

"The order is given commander," Tristan responded as he stepped onto the platform surrounding the Captain's chair and took his seat. He was ready, finally.

Lucy nodded. "Communications, alert all decks that we're departing. Have all stations standing by and ready to engage." she ordered for Tristan, slotting into her role as the first officer.

"Aye Aye Commander," the communications officer responded.

“All hands, stand by for immediate departure. Bring all stations to readiness. Bridge out.”

"Mr. Reece, take her out, 1/4 impulse" the Captain said, "Once clear of area, proceed at full impulse to the edge of the solar system. By then our heading should be routed automatically to your console by Star Fleet Command... Proceed at maximum warp."

Jason nodded respectfully. "Aye, Sir. Course plotted and laud in. One quarter impulse power." As he spoke, he locked in thr course, then slowly advanced the main impulse throttle. A few beats later, the starship began to move forward, the station structures passing by quickly.

Once clear of the Starbase, the ship continued on course, at the appropriate moment, Jason advance the throttle Girard to full impulse, causing the Constitution Vladd starship to leap forward noticeably.

At the next way point, Jadon's control board beeped. Glancing back over his right shoulder, he reported, "Sir, I have recieved the new coordinates from Starfleet Command. They are locked into our system, warp drive standing by for your order."

Looking over his shoulder, CJ waited for the Captain to as give the order for the Midway to go to warp. There was moments like this, he longed to be in the helm seat, but navigation was just as good. Being front in center of the main viewer as ship went into warp never got old in his opinion.

"Engage, maximum warp," The Captain responded. He shot a glance over at the communications station, "Ensign, we will remain radio silence until further notice... Rig for silent running."

"The Midway is now in complete radio silence," the Caitian spoke from the comms station.

Lucy toggled a few switches on her control panel. "Sensors are set on passive mode to comply with silent running protocols Captain."

The Captain nodded before hitting the intercom, "Attention this is the Captain speaking," he said, "We have cleared the Solar System and are heading to our mission destination. Please be advised we are rigged for silent running and will maintain radio silence until further notice. All external communication systems have been locked. Department heads will brief departments on a need to know basis. I wish I could say more..." His voice trailed off for a moment, "But know this, after see you perform time and time again these few months, I know you are capable of tackling what we face. Bridge Out."

Not much of a pep talk... Tristan thought to himself and the stars streaked past the main viewer.

 

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