<USS Avalon> Admiral's Runabout Approaches

Admiral's Runabout Approaches
by
Admiral Keith Ketchum (CO, USS  Avalon)
Captain Skyler (XO, USS Avalon)
Ensign Talea Erridim (Chief/OPS,  USS Avalon)

As the runabout Guinevere was initially detected, Talea  reported, "Captain, 
all ship's systems nominal.  Estimated arrival of the  Guinevere at our 
current combined closure rate is four minutes,  thirty-six."  Her voice was 
quietly 
professional, not showing her  trepidation at daring to be present at a man's 
arrival, even if it were  indirect.  She knew she must break free of her 
irrational and destructive  fear of men, already having knowledge that most men 
were not the beasts her  Clan's and their allies' were, but she was finding it 
very difficult indeed to  break free of the decades of conditioning her Clan 
had 
imposed on her.  

Keith Ketchum sat in the runabout as it was piloted towards its  rendezvous 
with the Avalon.  It would be good to be back among his  crew.  It felt like it 
had been ages since he had slept on the ship.   He watched the monitor 
updating the closure of the two vessels.  "Avalon,  this is Ketchum.  Prepare 
for 
quick docking procedures, and once we are  aboard, resume course and speed 
towards Terra." 

"Understood,  Admiral.  OPS and Helm, make the proper course corrections and 
let's get  the runabout aboard as quickly as possible.  We will then resume 
course,  warp 8."  Skyler wondered what Keith would have to say about 
everything 
 that had happened in his absence.  Things like the Chief of Security  
shooting and killing an unarmed man.  The attack on a crewmember by  another.  
He 
wasn't going to be happy.  That much she knew. 

Talea acknowledged the order, then stated, "There is a technique we  
Regellians use that allows docking at warp.  As I scanned the  specifications 
for this 
vessel, it became apparent she is capable of such  retrieval.  Synchronizing 
the warp-fields is the key, and is not  impossible.  Past that, it would not 
require anything other than very  precise speed, course and heading matching, 
which even Starfleet cores can  accomplish."  She had to struggle to keep the 
sarcasm out of her voice and  mannerisms at this last, for she knew that 
Starfleet ships' cores were  deliberately kept from sentience, and it was a 
sore 
point with most Regellians.  

After making this suggestion, she turned to Helm and began working out the  
solution to both problems.  With amusement, she noticed that the Helm  officer 
was rather startled and a little frightened, yet excited at the idea of  
another vessel docking at warp. 

Skyler had to admit she was more than a little concerned about docking with  
the runabout while at warp speed.  Yet at the same time, it could prove  
interesting to see what this ship could do.  "Ensign Erridim, will you need  to 
notify engineering of what we are about to attempt?  If so, I suggest  you do 
so. 
 I will notify the Admiral of what we are going to  attempt.  After all, it 
is his life on the line."  She made that  comment with a hint of sarcasm, when 
actually, she was quite worried something  might go wrong.  In a more normal 
tone, Skyler stated, "Admiral Ketchum,  this is Skyler, we have come up with a 
way to dock with your runabout while at  warp.  Once we have all the details 
worked out, we will send you the  information you need to complete the task." 

Talea nodded and closed her  eyes as she accessed the necessary information 
from memory.  Warp-field  variances danced in her head, then she saw the 
critical ones.  "OPS to  Engineering and runabout.  Our speeds must be matched 
within 0.00002%, then  the runabout close on maneuvering thrusters with the 
following program  initiated, in order to mesh and merge the warp fields.  Both 
of 
you, feel  free to use Cialra as an expert assistant in this case."  She 
shunted 
the  proper program toward the runabout, knowing it would work, should the 
Admiral  approve of the attempt at all.  Speed seemed to be of the essence, 
after  all, and avoiding having to drop to impulse would certainly lessen 
transit 
time.  

The Helm officer looked at her in amazement, then down at the Helm  console, 
where the information was already showing in an informational  window.  
"Amazing bit of work there, Ensign." 

Cialra looked up at  the mention of her name over the channel still open to 
Engineering and blinked,  not having expected being involved in docking 
exercises.  "Standing by for  inputs.  Accessing Avalon's warp-field data.  
Estimated 
time to  integration of fields, six seconds." 

Listening to the conversation, K'etrall was stunned.  She hadn't even  
thought of trying to dock with another vessel while the Avalon was in warp, yet 
 
they were about to do just that.  "Cialra, are you going to be able to  handle 
all this?" 

Cialra just grinned.  "I hadn't thought of the  Avalon being capable of the 
method, but Talea's right, she is.  Care will  be required, for this vessel 
isn't specifically designed to do it, but it is  possible."  She looked up and 
stated, "Cialra to Admiral Ketchum.   Awaiting your order, Sir.  Integration 
complete, warp envelopes are now in  sync." 

Keith thought that this was crazy, and here he was risking his  life for a 
few mere moments of time.  Opening a comm to Cialra and Skyler,  stating, "If 
you think it will work, proceed.  But if I die, I will haunt  you until the end 
of time."  He slightly chuckled at the end, to hopefully  let them know that 
he was half-kidding. 

Hearing Keith's chuckle relieved  a little of the pressure Skyler felt, 
although she knew he would haunt her if  this didn't work.  "Understood, 
Admiral."  
Turning to look at the  bridge crew, she stood.  "Ensign Erridim, this had 
better work.   Cialra, work with Ensign Erridim and bring the runabout aboard. 
I 
don't want to  keep the Admiral waiting any longer than necessary."  ~This 
had better  work, or I am dead meat.~ 

Talea overheard the Captain's thought and sent  to her privately in a 
soothing tone, ~I would not have suggested the method if  the Avalon were not 
capable 
of it, Sir.  I would not willingly endanger any  member of either Starfleet 
or my own people's forces.~

Startled  momentarily at the thought entering her head, Skyler nodded. ~I 
know,  Ensign.  I am trusting you with this.  I know you can handle it.   It 
would also show you that you need not fear me nor the Admiral.~  Aloud,  she 
stated, "Let's get that runabout aboard now.  Helm, once the runabout  is 
aboard, 
set course for Terra, warp 8."  With that said, Skyler sat back  down in her 
seat and waited.  For what, she didn't know.

Talea made  vocal acknowledgment, then stated, "Runabout Guinevere, 
synchronize as  instructed by the program sent earlier, then move forward the 
same way. 
  Cialra will assist in coordinating the entry through the warp field bubble  
without endangering either vessel.  Cleared for shuttlebay 1,  Admiral."  She 
watched anxiously as the fields merged, then the runabout  safely landed, all 
without any reduction in speed of the Avalon.  She  grinned over at Skyler 
before adding, "Welcome aboard, Sir."  She kept the  relief out of her 
expression and voice, although it was a cool wash down her  body.  Despite her 
assurances, she had not been totally certain it would  work, yet it had.

Ketchum was as relieved as anyone that he and Dora were  still alive.  "Thank 
you, good work."  He waited patiently for the bay  to pressurize again before 
exiting the vessel, heading directly for his  office.   Before exiting the 
bay, he turned back to Dora. "Ms. Fane,  check with the quartermaster, they 
will 
make sure you get assigned quarters and  get your stuff moved.  Welcome 
aboard the Avalon, and thank you for  providing me company on the journey 
back."  
He exited the bay and entered  the lift, "Deck One."

Skyler looked at Talea and smiled.  "Well  done, Ensign.  Please pass on my 
thanks to Cialra as well.  Helm,  engage warp 8, resume course for Terra. Time 
to go home, folks."  ~I just  wish it was for better reasons.~

Talea had to work hard to control her  blush at the compliment.  She had 
received so few over the decades that she  still did not know how to handle 
them.  
"By my estimate, the retrieval at  warp saved us several hours, Sir."  She 
was all but certain that a  reckoning would surely come for her impetuous 
suggestion that they do a  warp-retrieval, even despite the success of it.  It 
was 
always the way it  had happened before.

"I am glad you made the suggestion.  I am sure  the Admiral will be as 
pleased as I am.  A valuable officer is one who is  willing to risk a 
suggestion and 
take responsibility for its consequences.   You have done just that, and I am 
proud of you.  I think you will do quite  well aboard this ship."  ~You have 
no need for fear of retribution for  making such a suggestion.~

Talea, badly startled, sent in a semi-defeated tone, ~I apologize.   How do I 
get past this nonsense?!~  She paused a moment, then explained,  ~Always 
before, if I made a suggestion that was the right thing, I was punished  and 
another took credit.~

~First of all, there is no need to apologize  for everything.  You have to 
remember you are no longer amongst those like  your clan.  Just remember you 
can 
trust me and I will help you in any way I  can.~ Skyler sighed for a moment 
then spoke out loud, "Ensign Erridim, shouldn't  you return to sickbay to rest 
up?  I don't want Dr. Cazook to come chasing  me down, looking for you.  You 
have done well, and now you need to take  care of yourself.  I fear that in the 
coming days, you will be called upon  to do more than you may have had to in 
the past, and I need you at peak  form."

Talea bowed from her seated position before responding, "As you  have 
suggested, so shall I do."  She then admitted to Skyler privately, ~I  am 
indeed 
tiring, Captain.  I appreciate you permitting me even this much  
participation.~  
As she stood, she commented, ~Besides, I need to be at my  best for my date 
with Walker, no?~  There was humor apparent in the tone,  and yet, Talea 
feared, 
also some sense of her growing weariness.  With  another, graceful bow to her 
assistant, who had just arrived, Talea departed for  Sickbay.
 



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