Stardate: 51149.5 (February 24, 2374. 13:37 Federation Standard Starship Time)
USS Maverick NCC-74286 docked with Starbase 375
United Federation Of Planets
Thorne’s arrival on the bridge was met with a mix of curiosity and guarded skepticism. The first officer, Lieutenant Commander Ro Laren, stood rigidly by her station, her Bajoran eyes narrowed in assessment. She was a wiry woman, her face etched with the lines of countless battles.
"Captain Thorne." she greeted him, her voice devoid of warmth. "Welcome aboard the Maverick. I am Lieutenant Commander Ro Laren, your first officer and chief tactical and operations officer."
“So you’re our top gun.” Thorne stated.
“Yes, sir.” Ro replied warily.
"Are you Ro Laren from the Enterprise-D and the Wellington?" Thorne queried.
"Yes, sir." Ro replied warily knowing that her past and her defection to the Maquis had made her unpopular with many Starfleet personnel.
"I look forward to serving with you."
"To be honest, sir. I'm surprised to hear that. Given my past." Ro said honesty.
With a chuckle Thorne said, "I'm a bit of a... lursh disturber too. I'm sure you've noticed the ears and the Terran surname."
"Yes, sir. But I wasn't going to pry." Ro replied honestly.
"Long story short I've rejected my Vulcan side and embraced my human side. I'm as emotional as any Human." Thorne explained, "Hell I even love telling dad jokes. But since I don't have any kids i guess that makes me a... faux pa."
"Sir?"
“Nevermind...If you wouldn’t mind, Commander?” Thorne prompted.
“Computer, transfer command to Captain Thorne. Authorization Ro gamma six seven six.” Ro announced to the computer.
“Captain Thorne, do you concur?” The computer asked.
“I concur. Authorization Thorne omega three two three.” Thorne replied.
“USS Maverick is now under the command of Captain Verek Thorne.” The computer announced neutrally.
Before anyone could respond, a gruff voice boomed from the engineering console, "About time someone showed up to boss us around! Glar Lek Haaj, Chief Engineer, can we get going now?"
A Tellarite, broad and barrel-chested, swiveled in his chair, his bristly beard twitching. His demeanor was openly hostile, his words dripping with sarcasm.
"Lieutenant," Thorne said seeing the two full pips of a Lieutenant on the Tellarite's collar, carefully keeping his voice even. "I appreciate your… enthusiasm, Lieutenant Haaj. Can I assume the Maverick is ship shape?"
"As much as any ship can be with all the supply issues this thrice damned yarliq-assed war is creating.” Haaj scoffed.
"I trust you can keep her running, Chief?" Thorne said trying to suppress the grin.
"I always do, Captain," Haaj said with a surprising hint of pride. "I'll be in engineering, I have a warp core to harass."
Walking over to the helm he extended his hand introducing himself, "Verek Thorne."
Standing the youthful redhead shook his hand nervously, "M.. Miranda Cruise, sir."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Thorne said, "Admiral Ross told me that you're a natural pilot."
"T..thank-you, sir."
"I look forward to you proving the admiral right." Thorne said before he headed to the center seat. As he sat down in the center seat, HIS seat, he said, "Ensign Cruise, request clearance from the starbase to depart. We've got an evacuation effort on Cygni three to protect."
Moments later the Cruise, replied, "Ops has cleared us, Captain. All umbilicals and moorings have been retracted. We're operating on internal power and are ready to depart on your order."
"Take us out. Once we're clear of the outer marker lay in a course for Volanis III and engage at warp nine." Thorne replied. "I want to get there before the Jem'Hadar and the Cardies."
"Aye sir." Ensign Miranda Cruise said as her fingers danced across the helm.
The Maverick shuddered as it pulled away from the starbase, its powerful engines spitting out plumes of ionized gas. Thorne felt a thrill course through him, a mix of anticipation and responsibility. The fate of countless civilians rested on his shoulders, and he wouldn't let them down.
"Warp nine, engaged!" Ensign Cruise announced, her voice still a little shaky. As the Maverick hurtled through space, its viewscreen showing the familiar sight of points of light rushing past for the edges of the viewscreen.
Thorne turned to Ro, "Commander, I want a full diagnostic report on the ship's systems. I want to know everything – strengths, weaknesses, potential problems. Anything that could impact our ability to defend the convoy."
Ro nodded curtly. "Understood, Captain. I'll have it to you within the hour."
"Good." Thorne steepled his fingers. "Also, Lieutenant Commander, I'd like your honest assessment of the crew. No sugar coating."
Ro's eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm fairly new to the ship, but from what I've seen and read the Maverick has seen a lot of action. Some of the crew have been here since the beginning of the war. They're experienced, hardened… some might say jaded. They've seen COs and XOs come and go, promises made and broken. They'll follow orders, but earning their trust will take time."
"I understand," Thorne said.
Thorne wasn't surprised at all. He knew that the Defiant-class ships tended to create a certain type of officer, ones that had been chewed up and spat back out by. They were survivors, but they carried the scars of the war with them.
As the Maverick raced towards Volanis III, Thorne began to review tactical schematics of the colony. The Dominion advance was rapid, and the colony's defenses were already crumbling. Time was of the essence.
Forty minutes later, Ro approached Thorne carrying a PADD. "Captain, the diagnostic report is complete. The Maverick is in relatively good condition, She could use a major overhaul at a starbase, but that's not unusual lately."
"And the crew assessment?" Thorne asked, taking the PADD.
Ro hesitated. "As I mentioned, they're experienced, but there are… disciplinary issues. A few crewmembers have a history of insubordination."
Thorne sighed inwardly. It was worse than he expected. "Thank you, Lieutenant Commander. I want strict enforcement of regulations, we're Starfleet not a bunch of drunken Nausicaan pirates."
"Aye, Captain," Ro said, a flicker of something that might have been respect in her eyes.
Thorne reviewed the data on the PADD, mentally cataloging the names and offences.
"Haaj, Of course." He muttered to himself knowing that the Tellarite likely saw regulations and chain of command as mere suggestions.
He tapped his combadge to call Haaj, who had gone to engineering, "Thorne to Haaj."
A disgruntled voice crackled back, "Haaj here, Captain. Something burning up there that I need to put out?"
"Not yet, Chief. But I want you on the bridge. Now."
Haaj grumbled something unintelligible before the channel went dead. Thorne glanced at Ro, a silent question in his eyes. She simply offered a tight-lipped shrug.
A few minutes later, Haaj stomped onto the bridge, his brow furrowed and his beard practically bristling with indignation. "What do you need, Captain? I have a warp core that needs more attention that a nervous yarliq pup."
"Lieutenant Haaj," Thorne said calmly, gesturing to a vacant console. "I've reviewed your service record. I see a pattern of… creative interpretation of Starfleet regulations."
Haaj crossed his arms. "With all due respect, Captain, frell the regs. I get lursh done."
"I appreciate your efficiency, Lieutenant. But on my ship, we conduct ourselves according to regulations, understand?"
"And if I don't?" Haaj challenged, his voice low.
Thorne leaned forward, his gaze unwavering. "Then you'll find yourself confined to the brig until I have you transferred off the ship to man the most remote and desolate outpost possible. Consider this your one and only warning. Do I make myself clear, MISTER Haaj?"
Haaj glared at him for a long moment, the tension palpable. Finally, he let out a huff, "Crystal, Captain."
"Good. You're dismissed, Lieutenant" Thorne said summarily.
Haaj turned abruptly and stomped back towards the turbolift, muttering about "soft-skinned command types" under his breath. Ro watched him go, then turned to Thorne, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. He knew he had a long road ahead of him to whip this crew into shape.
"Bold move, Captain," she said.
"Necessary move, Commander," Thorne replied. "Its like dealing with a pack of wolves. I needed to establish dominance. If you give people like the lieutenant a nanometer they'll take a light-year."
Ro nodded. "I understand. It's just... the crew's been through a lot. They're used to a more... flexible interpretation of the rules."
"I can be flexible, but I will not tolerate insubordination," Thorne said firmly, his gaze still on the retreating form of Haaj. "We need to function as a unit if we're going to survive."
Ro nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Understood, Captain."
Thorne took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his new command. "I'm going to get a drink from the replicator. Anyone want one while I'm up?"
Ro raised an eyebrow, the corners of her mouth twitching upward. "I'd appreciate a raktajino, Captain. It's going to be a long night."
"Make that two, sir" Cruise chimed in.
Looking at the non-comms manning the other stations Thorne saw them shaking their heads before he stood up and sauntered to the replicator. The simple act of asking for drinks was a small step towards forming a bond with his crew, showing that despite his strictness, he wasn't completely detached from their needs. The replicator hummed to life, and two steaming raktajinos and one iced raktajino materialized. He took a moment to savor the rich aroma of the Klingon coffee beverage before walking to the Tactical I/Operations station where Ro sat and the helm where Cruise was to deliver the drinks before returning to the captain's chair with his own. The gesture was met with surprised nods from the crew, who had likely not seen such casualness from their previous commanding officers.
"Are any other ships defending the evacuation effort?" Ro asked, sipping her raktajino.
Thorne nodded. "One. The USS Bluefin, commanded by Captain Joseph Akinola. It's an Albacore class cutter."
Cruise raised an eyebrow as she turned from the helm. "Albacore class? I thought those were all decommissioned decades ago."
Thorne took a sip of his iced raktajino. "Not in the border service. They've kept a few operational for patrol and interdiction duties. They're not pretty, but they're sturdy and if they've got a half decent engineer they are as maneuverable as us and able to weather ion storms better than we can."
Ro raised an eyebrow. "So our back up is some old tin cans and a bunch of 'border dogs'? Good thing Haaj's not here to hear that."
Thorne shot her a sharp look. "Lieutenant Commander, that kind of talk is unbecoming of a Starfleet officer. The border service may not be the gleaming face of Starfleet, but they serve a critical purpose. Their members ARE Starfleet, simply in a different branch."
Thorne's tone softened. "I was almost one of those 'border dogs' myself. I had seriously considered transferring to the Bluefin under Captain Akinola. The only reason I didn't was because there were no open positions at the time."
He took another sip of his iced raktajino, watching the crew's expressions. They hadn't expected that revelation.
"Really?... Why?" Ro asked dumfounded.
"Captain Akinola is one of the best there is." Thorne explained, " He started out as a non-comm and earned a battle field commission then rose through the ranks in the border service to command the same ship he was chief of the boat on."
"But we're not here to talk about what-ifs," Thorne said firmly. "We're here to get this job done. And we will. Now, let's focus on the task at hand. Lieutenant Commander Ro, I want a detailed briefing on the convoy and the expected threat levels at each stage of the mission. Ensign Cruise, keep us informed of any changes in our trajectory. We need to be ready for anything."
Ro nodded, setting down her raktajino and immediately starting to work. "Aye, Captain."
Cruise, her cheeks flushing slightly at the Captain's reproof, replied, "Aye, sir. I'll keep us on course and monitor for any anomalies."
Thorne looked to Ro and said, "I'll be in the ready room if you need me, Commander."
Ro nodded. "Understood, Captain."
Thorne made his way to the starboard exit, his footsteps echoing in the tense silence of the bridge. The door hissed open, revealing the corridor beyond. Walking into the ready room moments later he noted that the space was small but functional, with a large tactical display dominating one wall, and a simple desk with a standard desktop monitor and adequate looking chair for him behind it. Sitting down heavily, his mind racing with the details of the mission ahead. The Federation was stretched thin and resources were scarce. The Maverick and the Bluefin, both ships with their own issues and quirks, would be all they had to protect those transports. He had to make sure they were ready.
"Computer, compile a report on everything we know about Volanis III and any reports of Dominion activity in the area.
"Requested function will take approximately five minutes to complete." the computer's calm voice responded., "Do you wish to proceed?"
"Proceed." Thorne said, leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes briefly. He knew he'd need to be sharp for what was to come. The Federation was counting on them.
