No Time to Ease In

Posted on Sat Jul 11th, 2026 @ 6:01pm by Captain Maddox Greene

834 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Lines in the Vacuum
Location: Gatlin

Captain Greene sat in the office at the communication station. In the last few minutes, he had received updates on what had been discovered on the world below. Traces of a wrecked ship. A simple patrol of the sector turned into a call for assistance and then one of discovery. Perhaps they could also determine what happened to the atmosphere. It had been a few hours, and things on this ship had improved.

Entering the room, Gerald Hall had the most grateful and curious look on his face. "Everything going alright Captain?"

"Things are going well, I suppose," Maddox answered. "Wrecked ship on the surface. A simple patrol ship, we believe, crashed on the surface. Due to the atmosphere."

"Just wanted to thank you for the assistance you and your people have provided us," Hall responded. "Our engines are up and running again, and our wounded have been tended to. It's nice to know that Sentinel Station is out here in the region. The Nausicaans haven't been the only issue out here."

Smiling at the other Captain, Greene nodded. "It's no problem at all. And a big reason, Starfleet mandated that we be out here. How much experience do you have transporting out here?"

Taking a brief moment to think about the question. "Been running freight throughout these parts about five years now. Though I must admit, this is the first time that I have found myself out here."

"Really now?"

"Prior to being chased out here, I have never laid eyes on this planet," Gerald admitted. "Never knew it even existed. In all honesty, I'm shocked that they stopped pursuing us once we entered the system. They had us and just went full stop."

"Been wondering about that myself," the Starfleet Captain admitted. "Commander Whitford informed me that the Nausicaan pirate ship that attacked you is posted out hiding outside the system. My recommendation is to stay out here until we're ready to depart, along with you, to address them head on."

Sighing a bit, which clearly showed his frustration. Captain Hall nodded in agreement. This delivery, due to the attack, had already set his crew a day and a half behind schedule. "We're behind as it is, but it would be even worse to lose the cargo altogether."

"My apologies for the delay. But we can't pass up on trying to determine what happened down on the surface."

Holding up his hand, Hall shook his head. "No apologies necessary. You and your people have done more than enough. Don't rush a thing on my account."

"Before I get going can I get your opinion on a matter?" Maddox inquired.

"By all means."

"I've been tasked to bring a lot of people together, while stabilizing the region. But on my first few days on the job, I have already pissed off the Nausicaans. And my civilian trade coordinator isn't too happy with my lack of reaching out to the merchants and a number of transports that would be frequenting the station. Was seriously hoping to get the place fully operational before having to deal with complaints."

The transport Captain couldn't help but laugh. "Coming from the side of transporting freight. Everything is about timing, cargo, and profit. And that profit isn't even always about my pockets, but often the people I work with as well. There's a lot of lives affected by just me being delayed here. People get paid until the cargo arrives, which includes those who simply in stores selling the stuff. I know it's a lot to put on a Starfleet Captain."

Greene took in everything that his counterpart shared with him. "It's a huge task, which is why I am grateful to have Lena as a Trade Coordinator. Guess I just assumed that I would have the benefit of just easing my way into the position. Probably foolish thinking on my part."

Shaking his head while smiling, Gerald put a reassuring hand on Maddox shoulder. He must have had about ten years on the new Captain. "As someone who has been in command for quite a few years longer than yourself. I can assure you that we never get to simply ease into these positions. I'm certain that you already know to use those around you to your advantage. If you're anything like me, on occasion you need a gentle reminder."

"In the future, I may have to contact you for that reminder. Haven't even had the chance to meet with the Xindi yet."

"Did some business with the Arboreal's about two years ago," Gerald mentioned. "Easy going and very reasonable. It would have been nice to continue, but they typically like to stick with other Xindi."

"Perhaps they'll be the first I make contact with," the younger Captain considered. "And with that said, I better get back to the shuttle. The faster we finish, the sooner we can get you back to it."

=================
Captain Maddox Greene
Commanding Officer
USS Meridian

Gerald Hall (NPC)
Commanding Officer
Cargo Ship Gatlin

 

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