===== Conference longue, USS Chimera ===== Acheson finally managed to clean himself (at least partly) from the pie that finished the his promotion cermenony and was not seated around the table like the rest of the senior officers. Shane wondered a bit if Athena was really enjoying all the 'pieing' on board. He was sure that soon she will be called by a new nickname - 'Miss pie'. Shane wondered if she was backing something lately ... cause the faint jasmine scent around her. Shane stood up from his chair again and went over to the conputer pannel on the wall and activated the screen. There was a short scene to see where the ship's delta flyer shuttle was leaving the ship. He turned and stood there facing the senior crew. "About an hour ago, general Bretam leaft the ship via the delta flyer. According his own words, he requested an extended leave of absence by starfleet command and left the ship." He paused for a moment to give the officers time to 'get' the information. Their faces showed surprise ... some were puzzled. "The reasons for the generals sudden decission are of personal matter and of high importance to him. With his last order he placed me in charge of the ship untill his return. To sustain the chain of command, Lieutenant Commander Summers will fullfill the duties of the Executive officer for that period of time." This course of acting was usual on SF ships with the Captain taking LOA, so this time was virtually noone surprised. The XO was meant to become ACO and the 2XO to become AXO. "I dont want to have rumours flying all over the ship speculating about the general's motives, so i would like to ask you to brief your own departmens about the situation. The General is on LOA for personal matters. Till he will return, the Chimera will fullfill its orders as before" Shane looked at the assembled officers: "Any questions?" "How long will General Bretam be on LOA?" someone asked. Shane shrugged slightly: "Honestly i dont know. Upon his leaving he didnt said and i think he didnt knew by that time. An another question came from the female part of the senior crew: "Is there nothing we could do to help the general?" Shane shook his head: "Its a good question and I asked him the same. He said that there is nothing we could do and that he is glad he could count on us. I think he will contact us if there would be anything the ship or the crew could help him with" "Sir, did he gave any details about 'personal matters?'" was the next question. Shane shook his head again: "No, he said nothing and I havent asked. We all have to respect that even the general has his privat life and unless he wants to share it with us, we should not quesry him about that" <<OOC: Any more questions? If yes, write them in your logs, I will answer all of them ... ;) >> Shane looked at the senior crew and waited for other questions: "If there is nothing else, I would like to brief you about our next mission" he said with a strange stressing on the word mission. He tapped the wall screen again and a medium scaled space map appeared on the screen. There were two flashing dots on the map and Shane pointed with his finger on the first point. "This is our current location, Starbase Kinsi. We all are aware of the latest events here and the effects it has on the whole traffic in this sector. Till the SF medical ship cleares the station as healthy and lifts the quarantene status from teh station, no ship is allowed to dock or leave the station." Shane turned a bit and looked in the faces of the senior crew. The excitement of Keylor's leave was slowly lowering and everyone listened carefully what Shane was explaining. "In less then an hour an Ambassador class ship will arrive here. The ship had an accident on the way here and needs some extended repairs before it could continue with its cruise. On board are about 20 children whose parents are federation's officers or civilian employees on Tetron III, what is a planet about 10 days with warp 8 away from here." Shane paused only to see the surprise and/or light scare in the face of the senior crew. Especially the male part of the gathered officers had a rather scared expression's on theor faces, half expecting the worst. They were ... of course ... true ... "Its Xmass soon and therefore SF command asked me to deliver the children to Tetron III safe and sound and as soon as possible. That means that in less then an hour, we will get 20 new guests, the age should vary from 7 to 18". Shane wore a less then happy expression on his face, but the majority of the woman showed gladness and delight! Especially Rangi and Athena seemed more then happy about the next 'mission'. "All counted together, for the next 10 days, we will have 20 mostly teenage kids on board we have to take care of. An alternative would be to lock them in their guests quarters, but I've been TOLD that that is not an option" Shane looked like he thought that this way would be the BEST option, and some of them other man as well. Shane turned to Athena: "Counselor, it will be your task to take charge of this all 'mission' and to take care about the kids. I know you have skills in this area and trust you will find a way how to entertain them" Turning to Rangi he went on: "Rangi, I would like you to assist Athena with your staff, as i know that your nurses are too happy about kids and Athena alone cant manage a heard of 20 kids." Shane shrugged: "I dont mind, make some sport with them, do a party, do cookies and xmass food ... anything to keep them occupied" "Captain Walsh" he turned to the ODA Commander, "you are responsible that no kid will smuggle himself in the ship's sensitive areas and that there will be no accidents. The last thing i need is some fleet Commodore on my neck cause his first born cub broke his leg here" "Captain Acheson, you will please assist Walsh and maybe you could do some holodeck simulations for the kids. A simulated space battle should surely attract some of the older kids." "Ensign" he turned to Oriana, "your task will be to take care of those kids that wont be interested in space combat, nor backing, nor anything else. I dont know, Show them some tricks in the Astrometrics or something, i leave it full on you" Shane could now clearly see the confusion and dread in some eyes, but continued as he would not notice it: "Everyone please coordinate with LT. Wellington and please dont forget, that will be children, not marines or fleet personell." Shane looked around himself and seeing no (visible) objections he ended the briefing: "Thats all. Dismissed" ===== End of log ===== <<OOC ... soooo, our Xmass plot is there, for any questions related to it ... just ask. I hope you will have some fun there ... ;)))>> Cmdr. Shane Guzman XO/ACO USS Chimera