Commissioned

Posted on Wed Aug 1st, 2012 @ 6:54am by Lieutenant JG Allison Price & Senior Chief Petty Officer Gilbert Bones [PNPC] & Captain Alexander Gunning
Edited on on Wed Aug 1st, 2012 @ 9:19pm

Mission: Worlds Away
Location: Docking Area: USS Christie

[ON]

Bones sat silently on the observation deck, looking out at the USS Jackal. Through everything they had been through, she had endured and now he was leaving. A post aboard the Galactic Anthropology Commission vessel, the Nebula-class USS Fleming. She was in port and having met the new Chief Engineer of Starbase 332, he was free to join up with them. There was only one loose end and here it was, coming in to dock.

The USS Christie pulled gracefully into its docking berth, its Sabre-class hull came to a halt and the umbilical extended into its hull. He had a few minutes to get down there before she disembarked but he had lingered too long staring at his old assignment.

It had taken some time for the Christie to complete her docking procedures. During that time, Allison Price was waiting patiently for her chance to disembark. She had missed the last few months on the station. Following their defeat at Thane, she was shipped back to Earth. She was unable to stand with her Metis shipmates during all the official inquiries. Instead, the cadet had her own official ceremony: graduation.

With the airlock doors finally open, she awaited her turn. Dozens of passengers and crew on shore leave poured into the station, confused looks of bewilderment on their faces as they came to terms with the stardock's immense size. With walkway now clear, she made her way back to familiar territory, her head held high in her new crisp black uniform. The Cadet wasn't so anymore; her graduation and completion of Starfleet Academy made her a commissioned Ensign, and she was ready for her new assignment. Her experience on SB332 helped her jump towards the top of her class. While her peers were picking new state of the art vessels, including the new Vesta class ships under construction, there was only one place that she wanted to be. Finally, she was home.

"Over here, sir!" Bones shouted when he spotted the fresh, rested face of his mentee crossing the threshold into the station, hoping that she would recognise his voice.

Price turned her head towards the voice. She knew the voice, but not used to hearing it say "sir." She waved and made her way across to him. "Chief!" she replied excitedly, not sure if she should shake his hand or hug him when she got there.

The old engineer acknowledged the pained look on his protege's face as she dithered between emotional and professional interest. He grabbed her by the shoulders and smiled a wide, warming smile. "Look at you, Ensign Allison Price. And in our illustrious new uniform too."

Bones took note of his own garb, having forgotten to change since helping Lieutenant Eito with a turbolift manifold. His Engineering-issue jumpsuit was covered in grease. He added with a wicked grin. "I forgot to change into my dress uniform."

Allie laughed at his little joke. "I don't think a dress uniform is needed in this case. I'm just an ensign, nothing more. I was given the Jackal though. Recommendations from the ship's commanding officer go pretty far." She giggled again. "I'm just glad that we're going to be working together again. I know there's still a lot for me to learn."

"Well, about that, Allie." Bones said, suddenly coming over sheepishly. "I've been reassigned."

Allie was stunned. Her cheerful expression was gone in an instant. "Reassigned? To where?"

"The USS Fleming." He replied sheepishly. She looked crestfallen. He hadn't realised the impact that his announcement would have had on her. "Look on the bright side, kiddo. You won't have to put up with me looking over your shoulder all the time."

The ensign tried to smile. "I suppose that's true. You did yell at me a lot every time I almost connected the wrong couplings."

"No wonder. You almost blew the section up on at least three occasions," he replied with a wide smile, "we were all lucky!"

Allie answers with another chuckle. "I'm really going to miss you, Chief," she said with a pat on his back. "Good luck out there."

[OFF]