Taking Command

"Suit yourself," April said, recovering from the discomfort of having Winter's arms around him, which she mistook for surprise.  He didn't like the feeling it brought.  Where he came from, if someone got that close, they were either trying to rape you or kill you, or both.  Only one woman touched him like that anymore without causing much discomfort – the woman who touched him like that before anyone in his life: Jenna Starr.  Besides, he didn't plan to be on this ship long enough to be friends with anyone.  Friendship died with his soul, back on that Klingon planet he came from.  Only Jen & Jal had re-earned a measure of closeness.  When this was over, he intended to step down.

His arms twitched when Winter hugged him, instinct compelling him to knock her to the floor and crush her windpipe with his boot.  It was all he could do to restrain himself.  He felt something when she leaned against him – that was the deciding factor.  He resisted the urge to inquire; it was none of his business, and he refocused on the Brit.  "Skye, are you well enough to command this ship or not?"

Skye shook his head sadly.  "'Fraid not, mate.  I know when I'm mithered."

April wrinkled his nose in disgust.  This sap gave up too easily.  "The command codes..."

"You'll have to speak to Wayne about that.  Transferred them to him a bit ago."

April went to the wall on the other side of the ready room, feeling along its surface near the window.  He stopped and tapped it with his fingers like plucking a piano, and a panel slid open.  There was a safe space within, stocked with an assortment of equipment.  He withdrew a high-tech bracelet of some sort which he snapped together around his wrist, a primitive firearm encased in gray steel, with a holster, slipped that around his waist fastening it, and an earpiece which went (of course) into his ear.  He slid the panel shut and turned around, noticed Winter and Skye watching.  "Forget it," he said.  "It's keyed to my biosignature.  Winter, I'm taking an away team down.  We need to know what's going on.  For that we'll need help.  If Wayne's incapacitated, I want you to take command while we're away.  I know it's not in your new job description, but you've done it before.  Do it again if you feel warranted; I'll support you."

"Beg your pardon, Stephen, but isn't Jallez—?"

"Second officer, yes – but I'm taking him with me.  Jenna doesn't like to command, and that makes you next in line.  But as I said, only if Wayne can't do it, which I intend to find out shortly.  In any case, it might not be for long.  There'll be a runabout on stand-by for you, depending on what we find.  We may need your people skills down there.  If that happens, you'll have to turn it over to Jenna anyway."

"Stephen... she's medical."

April understood her concern.  Until now, branch duties had been separate on Arcadia, with only those in Command allowed to sit in the big chair.  Obeck had informed him: Pursuant to Arc's return to spacedock, Starfleet had transmitted a bulletin detailing changes in the ship's departmental structure.  With the dissolution of the diplomatic and counseling departments the 'separate branch' policy was repealed, reintegrating Arc with the rest of the fleet.  It went according to rank again, making things simpler.  April relayed this to Winter briefly before exiting.

"Captain, one last thing," Winter ventured.  April waited.  "How will you contact us with subspace comms down?"

"We'll find a way, I'm sure."  He lingered, regarding his former first officer.  "It is good to see you again... Winter."  He exited, leaving her to help Skye if she could.

April stepped to the front of the bridge, calling to Pérez at Tactical: "Put me on shipwide."  At the tac officer's nod he stood before the screen, facing the crew around the bridge, and announced, "All hands, this is Stephen April.  I'm resuming command of Arcadia, effective immediately."  As he spoke, he fiddled with the wristband device, which featured a tiny monitor he continuously checked.  No one knew exactly what it was for or what he was doing with it.  "The power situation is critical.  Drive failures require diverting all energy from nonessential systems and ship areas, including life support.  Personnel will move to areas designated by their section leaders.  This means sharing quarters.  In addition, any major systems, including weapons defensive or offensive, that are still functional will no longer be available – shields, armor, cloaking device, you name it."  He lowered his wrist, gathering his thoughts.  "I know many of you are... curious, about this other Earth we've stumbled on.  There is to be no further unauthorized viewing of transmissions from this planet.  We can't afford the energy.  By the same token, rationing is now in effect.  Replicators will go offline.  If you have any questions, contact your superiors."  He paused again, knowing about this time, he would have left off with something reassuring or inspirational... if he had been the Stephen April of old.  All he could muster was, "Buckle down, and we'll get out of this.  April out."

He nodded to Pérez who cut the channel then tapped his com-badge: "Jallez.  Talk to me."

The Vulcan was quick as ever, ready with the recommendations he knew April would request: "Stephen, I recommend deploying a makeshift solar sail to generate additional power.  Of course to keep from being detected by Hubble or any other form of tracking system the sail will only have access to the sun's light a few hours a day."

"Sounds good, youngster.  Make it so."

Jallez hesitated in responding at the switch in terminology – used to be April called him "old man" or "dad", and Jallez called him "sonny."  How times had changed.  Jallez continued: "An additional recommendation: send a small team to Earth using a shuttle, or the Arrow, to pinpoint the source of this problem.  I suggest myself and Crowse, since we're best suited for the task, with additional personnel later as needed to limit the possibility of contamination."