"Chief Petty Officer Donovan is hereby ordered to duty..."
Nico looked down at the PADD he was holding, not believing the words on the screen. Although he saw the words on the small computer screen, his mind was really elsewhere, reliving the events of the last year. His breakdown while on duty, his psychological counseling at SF Medical, his efforts not to be tossed to the side after his medical discharge from the SFMC.
Taking a breath to steady himself, he looked back up at the NCO behind the counter. "Where do I report to for transit?"
"According to this, you are to report to Starbase McKinley to pick up a new utility craft inbound to Serenity."
Nico started slightly, with visions of traveling to Serenity in a cramped shuttlecraft in his head. "A utility craft?? Just what is that? Can't the Fleet spare a full size ship to transport their personnel?"
The NCO chuckled. "Not at all, Chief. I think that when you get to McKinley, you'll be pleasantly surprised at what you'll find. I'm sure that the craft that Starfleet is assigning will be more than what you think it is."
Knowing a dismissal when he heard one, Nico left the building to gather his belongings.
Nico had to admit that the clerk was right, the utility craft was more than he expected. A runabout sat at berth in front of him, with yardhands moving cargo and supplies into its hold. Walking around the vessel, Nico had to admit that he was impressed. He had heard of the runabouts, but being in the Corps, never had a real chance to play with one, let alone look at one up close. One of the yard engineers had given him a quick briefing on the vessel, making sure that he was fully checked on the controls before leaving McKinley.
"Chief Donovan?"
Hearing his name, Nico turned around to see a woman standing behind him. She looked to be a human, but Nico knew that appearances could be deceiving. The woman looked to be about early 30s; long, dark hair; wearing a Starfleet medical uniform. Nico straightened up slightly, imagining that someone from SF Medical was here to give him a final checkup before sending him off to Serenity. "Yes, ma'am?"
The woman held out her hand, which Nico shook. "I'm Ensign Thomasen. I'll be riding with you to Serenity."
Nico looked back at her after letting her hand go. "I didn't know that Starfleet let their counselors go on detached duty to analyze their patients. Should I think of this as an extended housecall?"
Ensign Thomasen looked slightly confused as she responded back. "Ummm, no. I'm being transferred to Serenity and BUPERS gave me orders to ride with you. Apparently they figured that two could fit in a runabout just as easily as one."
Nico felt himself blush a little bit. "My mistake, ma'am. No one opted to inform me that I transporting anyone over than myself." Turning, he motioned a yardhand over. "This gear needs to be stowed in the runabout immediately." With Nico helping out, the two made short work of the rest of the gear waiting to be packed up. After making sure that all of the gear was stowed, Nico moved forward. As Nico moved up to the flight deck to ready the runabout, he realized that Thomasen was already up front, pre-flighting the vessel. Hearing him approach, she glanced over at him. "We'll be ready in five minutes for departure."
Nico settled down into the other seat on the bridge, finishing up the rest of pre-flight sequence. Nico looked over at Thomason, before engaging the flight systems. "Let's get this show on the road, shall we?"
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