New Orders

Posted on Sun Jun 21st, 2020 @ 3:25am by Lieutenant Katniss Wakefield
Edited on on Wed Jun 24th, 2020 @ 5:52am

Mission: New Moon Rising
Location: Starfleet Science, Fleet Operations, San Francisco

Katniss had been summoned to report directly to Starfleet Science Division located within the Fleet Operations building at San Francisco. She sat their nervously outside of the Admiral’s office, she was racking her brains on why she had been summoned, especially since she was on shore leave, visiting family.

She looked up toward the Admirals office and his secretary smiled “May I get you anything, my dear.”

Katniss turned her head to look at the aging lady “Thank you, but I am fine.” She softly replied trying to give a smile back, but she probably just looked more nervous. The lady nodded and smiled again before she began to type at her own desk.

‘Calm down Katniss, clam down’ she said in her own head closing her eyes, she was trying to blocked everything out, she hated not knowing if she had done anything wrong or why she was here, she was retracing her last steps, her last posting, the work she was conducting. Suddenly the lady’s voice interrupted her concentration and her eyes sprang open.

“You can go in now, my dear.”

Katniss slowly got to her feet and pulled at her dress uniform, it was the only uniform that she had to hand, and considering whom she was meeting, she thought it would be appropriate. “Thank you.” Katniss replied her legs nearly buckled like jelly, but she quickly gained her composure as she walked over to the door, she gently pressed the chime before a voice hollered from behind them.

“Come in.”

She took a deep breath before approaching as the doors gently opened in front of her, she slowly walked in and stood to attention as the doors closed as quickly as they opened. “Sir…” but she was immediately cut off.

“Katniss, my you have grown since I last saw you,” the frail elderly voice said

She pondered for a moment, the familiarity had caught her off guard, but that voice, she recognised that voice, as she squinted her eyes for a moment to assess the elderly man before her. “Edward?” she said remembering a pleasant memory from before she joined Starfleet.

The old man chuckled and nodded as she rushed forward and threw her arms around him, “I thought you retired years ago?”

“Oh I tried it, it wasn’t for me, he said patting her on the back, please take a seat.”

Katniss immediately let go, how inappropriate that must of seemed, especially if he had summoned her to give her a telling off, or worse. Panic set in “Sir, I am sorry I…”

Edward began to chuckle again “Your quite alright, you are not in trouble my girl, please I have something to discuss with you.”
In that a moment it was like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders and “you’re not in trouble” echoed through her mind. She gave out a sigh of relief as she took her seat.

“The fact is a Luna Class ship has recently being refurbished and is docked at the Luna Ship Yards, it is assigned to travel to the Carnwennan Corridor before heading into the Inconnu Expanse.”

Katniss smiled liked a fascinated child, she was now sat on the edge of her chair “The Inconnu Expanse, you have to be kidding?”

Again Edward chuckled “Your like a child on Christmas morning…not at all, I am very serious. The ship of course has its usual command structure, Chief Science officer, Chief Medical Officer etc. But here at command, we think this would be the perfect opportunity to appoint a Chief Research Officer. It will be a research commission, a fellowship of kinds, it comes with the rank of Lieutenant. You would be tasked at looking at Inconnu alien biology, anthropology, the medical effects it is having on the crew, you will be more than likely tasked to work closely with the CMO and CSO on various missions. But you may receive missions or tasks from us as well, you will report directly to Starfleet Science, however you must still produce reports for the Captain and will follow orders as expected, unless we tell you otherwise.”

Katniss's mouth was wide open, she was trying to take in what the Admiral was telling her “But, sir, you want me?”

Edward smiled “Myself and others have been watching you Katniss, you qualified as a doctor, then changed to science and went to the academy, but you still kept up your hours to retain your medical licence, you worked in clinics, helped out in sickbay while still attending to all your other duties, you fit the bill perfectly, your young, talented and are more than qualified.”

Katniss welled up, her eyes filled with tears as she nodded. “Thank you sir, that means a lot to me.”

He smiled again and chuckled “So, do you accept.”

She didn’t hesitate “It would be an honour and a pleasure sir.”

“Excellent” he threw her a padd “Your orders Lieutenant, take them immediately to Commander Temple, your orders are for he’s eyes only, he’s not expecting you.”

Katniss looked puzzled for a moment “He’s not expecting me sir?”

“No…we thought we’d surprise him as well, of course we have some brand new experimental equipment that we will arrange to be transported aboard into your lab as well. I’m sure it will aid in your research efforts, if you need anything else, make sure to requisition it, no restrictions, request what you need or want, we are leaving this is your capable hands.”

Katniss clutched the padd in her hands and got to her feet “Sir, yes sir, I will report to the…to the…” she paused, he actually hadn’t given her the name.

“Pandora” he said as he saw what she was thinking about. “Dismissed Lieutenant.”