Prepare for Departure: Starbase 8
Posted on Wed Nov 11th, 2026 @ 7:27pm by Captain Remy Johansen & Sub-Lieutenant Osirin Acainus & Lieutenant Commander Ryan Keel & Lieutenant Alexandra Blackstone MD/DSAPM & Lieutenant Kah’lyn Chiara & Lieutenant JG Jezra Siv MD & Lieutenant Commander Nash Winters & Lieutenant Commander Eirly Andersen & Lieutenant Commander Xalanth & Lieutenant JG Sakkar
2,124 words; about a 11 minute read
Mission:
Maintenance and Recovery
Location: Various Locations
Timeline: MD 05: 1400 Hours
***** USS Astrea Bridge *****
With Spello's dismissal, Remy made a silent and subtle gesture to Eirly, suggesting she follow her to the command well of the Bridge as the others, Winters, Blackstone, and Martinez filed out of the conference room. The Captain kept a steady eye out for Commander Ambrogio as well.
What was his next move.
Remy took a seat in the Command center and entered a few commands, "Computer, I need this message to reach all Astrea crew, planetside and on base:
[Astrea Crew: All Crew Ordered to Return to USS Astrea ASAP. Crew is preparing for departure at 1830 Hours. Beta Shift to be at regular stations by 1530 Hours. Department Heads: Check in with Captain Johansen or Commander Andersen on arrival.]
Remy turned to catch Nash before he headed to Engineering. "Keep me posted."
“You know I will. Captain….Remira…..I understand you have your orders, but you can’t be ok with this. Has there ever been an “audit” in the history of the service? Also, this Ambrogio gives me a bad feeling. Just doesn’t sit right with me. Whatever happens, you have my support. I’ll do what I’m supposed to do, but I have your back.”
"I'm honestly not sure what to make of Ambrogio yet, but I'm definitely keeping my eyes open," she agreed. "This morning we got a long list of crew transfers too. I'm not sure if you had a chance to look at them yet, but Vashti was on the list. I'm assuming most if not all of the reassignments won't be making the trip to Starbase 8."
“I’m losing Vashti? Hits just keep on coming. At least I still have Ronnie and Reese. I haven’t seen the transfers. Hope they get to stay. Can’t run a department with just a skeleton crew, Captain. Guess I should get back to Engineering. Talk soon. Try to keep your chin up, huh?”
"You're definitely in better shape than when we launched," she reminded him. "Anyway, we might be stuck sitting at Starbase 8 for a while, so it may not matter. We will have to wait and see what this looks like."
“Very true. If we do get stuck on the Starbase, I suppose it would be a good time to get the maintenance schedule updated. There wasn’t much time for anything else when hell broke loose in Engineering. When you get a chance, can you stop by and see the kids? I think they miss their Aunt Remy. Permission to be dismissed, Captain.”
Just before Nash dismissed himself, Eirly remembered another instrumental person in the Engineering department, "Don't forget Ensign Aguila, your structural and environmental specialist. She's worth a lot to you, Nash, just as much as Reese is. Nurture both of their careers and they'll repay you tenfold." She smiled warmly at the sentiment.
“That’s right. She’s been working her butt off trying to get noticed. Guess I should do something about that. I appreciate the input, Commander. I knew there was a reason why we kept you around.” Nash smiled and left the Bridge.
Eirly nodded her goodbye as Nash left before turning to the Captain and relaxing into an at ease kind of position, her hands still clasped behind her back. A moment to breathe was what was needed for everyone, especially Remy, before the oncoming shit storm that was the audit. "Remember to breathe, Captain." It felt like the wrong time and place to be using anything but rank.
"We've just lost Spello." It was a blow to lose him, that was for sure, but hopefully a decision that would somehow make sense in the long run. "What are you thinking? Talk to me, before everyone else gets here."
"Whatever happens, we've only ever followed our conscience and tried to do the right thing," Remy responded looking forward at the blank viewscreen rather than at Eirly directly. She thought of Admiral Picard's very public resignation almost five years ago now. She knew she had taken risks, more or less loading her senior staff and other key crew with others who had protested when Starfleet abandoned their relief effort to the Romulans.
It didn't occur to her that they may be looking into how Brunel's life was saved.
Remy turned to face Eirly. "I don't know about the Marine Unit," she confessed. "McEntyre had been unhappy with me for a while. Who knows what he might have been feeding to the brass and for how long. But Xalanth and his family, they could be coming after them too. He'll be aware as soon as he gets the audit memorandum."
The turbolift doors by the ready room opened, and several bridge personnel exited. Sakkar was among them, having just returned from the surface of Barisa Prime. He relieved the person manning the helm, then settled into the chair, tapping commands into the console. Departure was not for another few hours, but he wanted to get started on the pre-flight planning and system checks.
As the turbolift emptied, Alex loitered nearby it; to the untrained eye, she simply observed the bridge for a moment, but there was just the barest hint of concern in her eyes as she did so. After the turbolift was empty, she turned that gaze to Remy briefly before stepping onto the Turbolift, forcing herself to head to her quarters instead of her lab.
Osirin stepped out of the turbolift, tugging at the corners of his gray uniform tunic. He stepped to the back of the bridge, making himself inconspicuous, positioned so he could observe everyone, and with a clear view of the viewscreen.
Remy clocked Sakkar taking his position. He was due for a promotion, but she was concerned that if she issued one now, someone would strip it away just as quickly. She also noticed that Osirin had tucked himself away in a corner station without saying anything.
***** [Xalanth Family Quarters] *****
Kah’lyn was sitting on the sofa going through crew files and reports; her first night with Xalanth had been amazing, and she now knew exactly where she wanted to be. She looked up from her PaDD as the recall came through for those off ship; it seemed they were finally heading out.
Xalanth stepped out of the washroom already changed into his uniform. Smiling at Kah'lyn, he walked behind her and hugged his latest mate. " Sleep well?" he asked.
Kah’lyn smiled as she leaned back into the hug. “Very well, thank you. I think that’s the best night’s sleep I’ve had of late.”
"Well, I hope you'll have many more good nights' sleep with us," Xalanth said as he hugged his soul.
Kah’lyn smiled. “I’m sure I will, Imzadi.”
***** [Sickbay] *****
Jezra was glad that she had Alex attend the staff meeting on her behalf. The summons came at the most inconvenient time, within seconds of Alex clearing the Trill to return to full duty. She'd managed to get some light duty in with crew checkups, but most of Jezra's time was spent on the beach and there was still loads to catch up on. At least she acquired a nice tan. She was in the CMO office while Alex was attending the meeting, catching up on what had happened while she was on mandated rest.
T'para had just come on duty and was looking over the medical log from the night before. Another day due. Thankfully, no emergencies at least for now.
Nurse Charlotte Dawes wasn't scheduled for today, but she was on board and able to respond quickly, and also part of the alert team that was on general orders to respond to most urgent calls. She was also a curious person by nature, and preferred to be where the action was when anything unexpected came around. When the Captain's order came through, she sent a ping to Sickbay indicating she was reporting and arrived to help fill out the skeleton crew less than two minutes later.
She nodded at the doctors on duty. "Where would you like me to start?"
***** [Diplomatic Offices] *****
Keel looked over from his PADD to the terminal, observing the announcement dispassionately. He had returned from Barissa Prime earlier in the day to get ahead of the controlled scramble that a Galaxy-II-class crew would become in the final hour so before they were required to leave. In truth, he had soaked up enough of Barissa's sun and sand environment and was eager to return to the itinerant life that Starfleet required of him.
Stretching from his casual feet-on-the-desk position, Keel heaved himself to his feet and hit his commbadge. 'Computer, locate Captain Johansen and Commander Andersen.' The computer warbled back confirmation that they were on the bridge.
Pulling his uniform tunic into place, he headed out the door to report to his seniors.
***** USS Astrea Bridge *****
"Sub-Lieutenant," Remy stated, addressing the Akadian exchange officer who was one of the first to report to the Bridge after the announcement had been issued.
"I'd like for you to prepare a message to all Department Heads and Assistant Chiefs of each department, including any current acting Chiefs," she began. "Some will already have this message, but I want it to go to everyone."
"Address it from me, and it should read:
[Please be advised that the USS Astrea is officially under orders to report for an Audit to be conducted by Internal Investigations. We will be transporting officers from this division with us to Starbase 8. Please see attached.]
"Stop."
"You may attach the official orders using my Security Clearance." Remy paused, waiting for Osirin to open the appropriate interface.
The Akadian lifted his right brow and did as he'd been asked.
"Johansen Tav-Omega-Three-Seven-Zeta. Attachment Audit Order."
"And, Mr. Osirin," the Captain continued. "I'm sure they may have questions for you. If you'd like to be moved to the front of the line and request transfer to another vessel, or even end your exchange given the circumstances, that is completely understandable," she stated. "There would be no hard feelings. You may submit such a request at any time if you so choose."
Osirin shook his head. "I appreciate the offer, Captain, but I'm not planning on going anywhere."
The Captain locked eyes with the Akadian for a brief moment and nodded. "Very well. Glad to have you."
Finally arriving on the Bridge, Keel made his way to one of the free mission-specific consoles to continue his work. Seeing Johansen and Osirin in conversation, he opted not to interrupt them for the moment. Just ping a confirmation he was aboard and on duty.
Remy turned to take her position at the conn.
"Mr. Keel, we should be arriving at Starbase 8 in two days. I'd like to know who from command and investigations might be making their way there to greet us," Remy ordered. "Ms. Andersen, let know once everyone is checked in and on board, and if there are any other last minute personnel transfers."
It would likely take a few hours for everyone to report in, and while the Captain was eager to get to the Audit and get it over with, there really wasn't any reason to rush.
Captain Remira Johansen
Commanding Officer
USS Astrea
Lt. Commander Eirly Andersen
Second Officer
USS Astrea
Lieutenant J.G. Sakkar
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Astrea
Lt. Commander Nash Winters
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Astrea
Lt. Commander Xalanth
Chief Security Officer
USS Astrea
Lieutenant J.G. Jezra Siv
Chief Medical Officer
USS Astrea
Lieutenant Alexandra Blackstone
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS Astrea
Lt. Commander Ryan Keel
Chief of Diplomatic Intelligence
USS Astrea
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