Final Inspections

Posted on Mon Jul 7th, 2025 @ 1:21am by Captain Andre Hunt & Chief Petty Officer Heath Stoudemire

822 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Trillius Prime
Location: Shuttle Bay

Chief Petty Officer Heath Stoudemire was completing the final inspections on shuttle pod, which was scheduled to be launched when they eventually caught up with the L'Dira. The shuttle would be carrying the MACO's over to the pirate ship to extract their captain. The task seemed simple enough, but like with anything in life there were also unknown variables. So he made it a point to go over this ship more than twice. Feeling good about the final checks, Heath signed off on the PADD that he had been carrying.

The door to bay opened as Captain Hunt entered. He had assumed that his old friend would be here going over the shuttle with a fine toothed comb. "How is she looking Chief?"

"More than ready for your grab and bag," Stoudemire answered. "Shuttle pod two is ready to go as well, if you decide to use it as well."

"Very good," the Captain acknowledged, while nodding his approval. "We definitely hadn't had much time to really catch up, since you returned back the Meridian."

"What do you mean? We've spoken."

Taking a seat on one of the shipping containers, Andre looked up. Guess I am meaning on the reason why you returned? Don't get wrong, I am glad to have you back here. But on New Darwin you was the Operations Manger fir the colony. Greater responsibility and a better chance of being promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer. "

Heath stared at his Commanding Officer who at one time was the department Chief over the helm department. Leaning up against the shuttle he signed. "Things started off well. Then Starfleet allowed the Ke'elzzoid to settle on the planet. Tried to adjust to the discomfort. Made it a point to even get to know their Queen. But the PTSD from being their prisoner for almost a year was too much."

"I can only imagine how difficult it had to be," Hunt acknowledged. "You're not one to just quit anything without good reason." Thinking back to the day that Heath had gotten captured a few years back. The crew of the Meridian had believed home and several others had been killed. Most of them had been. But a few including Stoudemire were prisoners amd had been subjected to quite a bit from Matriarchal Star Empire."

"I get why Starfleet accepted asylum for their young Queen and her Hive. It was the humane thing to do. Even though I still have my doubts. The colony and the Hive have been coexisting on the planet together."

"That's a very mature viewpoint," the officer joked.

"Trying to be the bigger person here Captain," Heath said with a slight chuckle. He may not have agreed with all Starfleet's decisions. But he never hesitated to follow orders and do what was required of him.

The Captain recalled the battle of New Darwin with the Ke'elzzoid. His mind even wondered back their first encounter with them in the Moana IV system. Every contact with them had led to a fight for Starfleet. The good news is that there hadn't been any conflict with the Federation and the Matriarchal Star Empire in almost two years. But there had been reports that they were in a bit of a Cold War with the Klingon Empire. Since finding out that the Ke'elzzoid had kidnapped their people as well, the Klingons had been relentless on going after them when the opportunity presented itself. The damn bugs had clearly taken on more than they could chew going after the Federation and the Klingon Empire at the time. "I'm glad your head seems to be in the right place. Just be sure to take care of yourself and talk to me if you need anything."

"Way ahead of you Sir," Heath assured him. "Still checking in with a counselor once a month now. Got to keep my head on straight."

"How your people doing?"

Heath thought briefly. "Believe Darla Meadows might be ready to be promoted. Has time in grade and I've been impressed with her work. Wanted to run it by Douglasdale and get her opinion before putting in the request."

"I've always respected your judgment," Hunt spoke. "You'll pilot the shuttle over with the MACO's to board the pirate ship."
"You think taking their Captain will be enough?"

Hunt placed an assuring hand on the Chief's shoulder. "I plan on leaving the shift drifting and waiting for the Trill authorities to deal with them. The main focus for that crew will be keeping ship together."

The Chief Petty Officer nodded in acknowledgement. "I'll be ready."

"I know you will." Making his way over to the door, Andre turned around briefly. "I'll be scheduling breakfast with you after we wrap all this up. And being busy is not option." With that said, he quickly exited the shuttle bay.


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Captain Andre Hunt
Commanding Officer
USS Meridian

Chief Petty Officer Heath Stoudemire
Shuttlebay Manager
USS Meridian

 

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