Checking in

Posted on Tue Jan 26th, 2021 @ 11:45am by Captain Abigail Laurens & Lieutenant Commander William Gunnison

Mission: New Beginnings
Location: Readyroom

Will arrived on the bridge. As he headed over to the readyroom, he looked around. It was a new bridge with a different layout that the Akira-class had, and that would take a little bit of getting used to. Arriving at the ready room door, he pressed the chime and waited.

Abigail's desk was covered in a precariously heaped mountain of PaDD's that seemed to swell with every moment that passed. It was a good thing that the ship was still safely docked, else one bump and the whole lot would end up on the floor.

Though, in that precise moment her mind was not on the ever growing stack of PaDD's that required her attention, nor was it on the person who rang her chime, who would likely add yet more PaDD's to her pile, instead it was on the soft carpet beneath her hands and knees where she was kneeling, under her desk, running her hands over the surface.

Her voice held a distinctly distracted tone as she called "Enter!"

Will entered the readyroom. "You wanted to see me, cap..." He trailed off as he noticed that Captain Laurens did not appear to be at her usual location behind her desk, or anywhere else in the room, for that matter, though judging by the amount of padds on her desk that might not mean much. Hearing a sound coming from behind the desk, he somewhat hesitantly moved around to the other side, and found the captain underneath the desk, apparently feeling the carpet.

"Captain?" he said rather hesitantly. "Is everything all right?"

Looking up, Abigail laughed softly and nodded. "I dropped something, but it's okay, I found it now. You know, I think this desk is bigger than my dorm room when I was at the Academy, throw a pillow under here and there's definitely room for a nap," she grinned as she climbed out slowly from under the desk, using the chair to steady herself as she rose to her feet. "So, what do you think of her?" she asked, motioning around with one hand to indicate the ship around them.

"It's...bigger than I'm used to," Will said, not sure how to admit that he wasn't exactly the biggest of fans of the vessel. "I just hope I don't have to grab a ground vehicle from one of the Argo shuttles just to get around. At least we'll know where to look for you if you aren't on the bridge or in your quarters. I'll just have to remember to look under your desk to see if you're taking a nap under there."

Abigail laughed and shook her head, motioning for him to take a seat. "I think this ship is bigger than all of us are used to, it's going to take some adjusting. I got lost yesterday trying to find my way from Security to Sickbay. I went on autopilot and ended up on the wrong deck and it just went downhill from there."

"Sometimes we just have to go with the crazy," Mark said as he took the indicated chair. "Or at least that's what I keep telling myself. Anyway, you indicted you wanted to see me?"

"I wanted to see first of all how you were handling the transition to the new ship, well, not only yourself, but your son, Cole isn't it?" Abigail asked politely. "I hope he wasn't too traumatized by everything that happened."

"Fortunately, youth tend to be very resilient, and Cole is no exception," Will said. "He knows that he can come talk to me if he ever has any concerns about anything, as well as bringing it up in other appropriate situations with other trusted adults. As a bit of a note, we have both been in counseling since my wife was killed, and so we both have an avenue to bring up things that might affect the mental health of either of us."

"And now?" Abigail asked as she took a chair across from him. "You're all settling in okay in your new quarters?"

"Yes," Will said. "Bit spacious for two, but no complaints on our end."

Abigail laughed. "Get him a puppy, that'll help fill in the space, and the silence." She paused for a moment, before offering a genuine smile. "I'm glad you're settling in okay. It seems we've got most of the old crew back, I think that will help with the transition to the new ship."

"I'm not sure how much a puppy will fit in on a ship," Will said. "I might be tempted to get rabbits, though I'm not sure that will go over well with Commander Gail. But it's good most of the crew is coming back. That will indeed help with the transition," Will said. After a moment, he asked, "How are you doing, though? We can't overlook how our fearless leader is doing through all of this."

There was a long moment of silence as Abigail contemplated his words. "Like everyone, I'm doing what I can." She drew in a breath. "I took a couple of days off to myself, I think that helped, and being back on the ship, even if it's different ship, with the familiar faces, it all helps." She glanced at the pile of PaDDs on her desk. "And if all else fails, I have work to keep me distracted. Which, actually, is why I wanted to see you."

"Hopefully you know me well enough to know that I'm always here to help out as needed, Captain," Will said. "What can I do for you?"

"I've been reviewing your files," Abigail said quietly. "Going over your performance especially. Commander Gail and I finished the review earlier. You have consistently been a solid and reliable member of our crew," She stood up and walked across to her desk, picking up a small box and returning to him, opening the box and handing it across to him to reveal a new set of rank pips. "Commander Gail and I both agreed that there is only one thing left for us to do in this situation, so, effective immediately you are hereby granted the full rank of Lieutenant Commander, with all the rights and privileges thereto. Congratulations Commander Gunnison, it is very well deserved."

"Well," Will said after a few moments, admittedly not having seen that coming, "I'm not sure what to say. Thank you. I'll try not to do anything to make you and Commander Gail regret the decision."

"Just don't blow up the ship and I think we'll be good," Abigail said with a laugh. "But congratulations, you earned it."

"Yes, I think one ship blowing up is enough for one lifetime," Will said. "Again, thank you."

"Of course Commander. Now, I suggest you get some rest and make sure your son is settled. We launch first thing in the morning." Abigail watched in silence as he exited the ready room before exhaling slowly and leaning back in her seat. So far, it seemed, this assignment was off to a reasonable start.