Lieutenant Jim Stone sat on one of the couches in the crew lounge watching the news on FBN. Apart from him the lounge was empty, most of the team were busy engrossed in 'paperwork', preparing equipment or just simply relaxing. He looked over his shoulder towards the window that faced the landing pad. The recently promoted Petty Officer Marc Hedley was busy poking around with the port nacelle of USS Pennine and Warrant Officer Jonas Dural was standing looking confused at a pile of cargo containers, scratching his head with one hand, and holding a padd in the other.
The announcement system bleeped, interrupting Stone's thoughts.
"Lieutenant Stone, visitor in your office," the voice of the female custodian broke the silence.
Stone got to his feet and strolled to the lift which took him to the upper level. He walked from the lift to his office and the door slid open as he approached. Inside, a male about 6 feet 2 tall, medium build, wearing a Starfleet uniform of command department, was standing looking through the window towards the landing pad. He turned around as he heard the door open and looked towards the approaching Stone.
"Ah, good morning, Lieutenant," the male said.
Stone noticed the four gold pips on his collar. Hmmm, a captain, he thought.
"Yes sir, what can we do for you?" Stone said. He shook the Captain's hand and then sat down behind his desk. "Have a seat, sir."
The captain sat down at the opposite side of the desk.
"Please allow me to introduce myself. I'm Captain David Edwards, Acting Chief of Operations for this sector," he explained.
Stone nodded in reply and waited for the Captain to continue.
"I've read the majority of reports regarding the search and rescue unit, including your last Starfleet based mission, just over a week ago, with regards to Serenity four," Edwards continued. "I'm quite pleased with the performance of the unit."
Again Stone nodded, hoping that the senior officer would get to the point before lunch.
"The reason for my visit..."
Stone felt sudden relief at the words.
"...is to offer your team a posting aboard a starship. Your duties will be identical to those you currently have, but you'll be operating aboard a Nova Class vessel, the USS London, whose primary mission will be that of search and rescue."
"No," Stone replied and shook his head. "The unit's role is much more useful surface based. We don't just rescue starships. Everyday we're called out to find mountaineers, explorers and numerous visitors to the planet."
"Yes, yes," Edwards replied, sounding somewhat cynical. "...and lost pets. But you would be much more of a resource to the fleet if you were more mobile and able to respond."
"Then give us a faster ship," Stone replied. "We can respond from the surface to the farthest point of this system within fifteen minutes. If we were based on a ship that was lightyears away, it could take fifteen hours."
"I realize that. We would replace the unit here, but your unit, your team would be ideal in a rapid response vessel that could travel out of this system and cover the entire sector."
Stone again shook his head at the prospect of being replaced. "So what you're saying is that we're too good to just work on one planet and its system?"
"Exactly," Edwards replied. "We cannot afford to have such a well structured resource going to waste in this sector."
"With all due respect, Captain," Stone was getting agitated. "We are not going to waste; we're a requirement of this planet and these people."
"No, a unit is a requirement of this planet, your team is a Starfleet resource whose skills would be better utilized elsewhere."
Stone leaned forward in his chair. "I'm sorry, but I won't agree to it. I'm not allowing the unit to be taken and sent dashing around as you see fit."
Edwards stood up and straightened his tunic.
"I'm afraid, Lieutenant, you have no choice in the matter. Sector Command has already decided where you and your team are going, the London will arrive next week to collect you."
Stone jumped up. "You what?!"
"Calm down, Lieutenant. The decision has already been made, your objections will be noted," Edwards said firmly and turned for the door.
As the door slid open, he turned to face Stone.
"One last thing," he said. "I owe you congratulations, Lieutenant Commander."
He left the room and the door slid shut. Stone stood and stared at the door for a few seconds before collapsing back into his seat. Moving off the planet was not in his agenda, and what was that about Lieutenant Commander. He sighed and shook his head bemused at the Captain's complete lack of thought for the team.
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