Orders are Orders
Posted on Wed Mar 19th, 2025 @ 6:41pm by Lieutenant JG Patra Rommel
860 words; about a 4 minute read
Mission:
The Games
Location: Sol Station; Earth Orbit - Starfleet Special Projects & Operations Lounge
Patra sat back, took a sip of her Kirschwasser, then sighed as she reviewed her orders back to the USS Wayfarer she thought. She looked them over again then at Rear Admiral Elton “You think it wise for me to return to the Wayfarer?” she asked.
“You have an issue with the orders?” Rear Admiral Elton inquired.
Patra sat back a moment and thought about it. “No, she is a good ship, captained by a good captain. Issue will be my mysterious disappearance from Tyra, as I recall Starfleet put me down as missing in action, presumed dead, from said mission.”
Admiral Elton smirked and let out a low laugh, “We also brought you back to life. You accomplished the mission we assigned you. Starfleet cannot afford to keep an engineer of your caliber out of the fleet. No, I think it is most appropriate for you to return. Let the crew know you are alive and well.”
Patra snorted at that, “Well it will most likely be a huge shock to them; as it was to my family when I up and returned from the grave.” She replied, looking out the viewport and to Earth.
Rear Admiral Elton looked at Patra for a moment “Miss Rommel if you do not like the orders presented, I could always arrange for you to be mustered out of Starfleet. You are a Starfleet Officer and I expect you to follow lawful orders.”
Patra smiled “Oh, I have followed orders. I've seen good marines killed, performed some very nasty deeds, hell I even died for Starfleet, so to speak. Now you are asking me to return to a ship and a captain who all thought I died, or at least thought I was missing in action; while we performed operations in the Tyra system for God’s sake.” She calmed down a moment and took a deep breath, counted to ten, Admiral Elton watched her and allowed her to vent, after all she had been through and been asked to do, it was the least he could do. “I mean have you or any of the other 'Admirals' even thought about how the crew of the Wayfarer will react?” she inquired.
Admiral Elton smiled “Why yes, we had S’Tarres do an analysis and he believes it would be beneficial to all, as well as counselor Drake. She says you need to get back out there and back into the action. Claims one of the reasons your having nightmares and trembling in the hands is you’re not in the action. Something about being hardwired for being an engineer on a starship. By the way she wanted me to ensure your still taking your medications?”
Patra stood up and walked over to the viewport, Admiral Elton watched her. Patra replied “S’Tarres is a Vulcan so of course he would believe it would be a benefit. As for counselor Drake, she shouldn’t be divulging my mental health history to you, but to answer the question, yes, I have been taking my medications. They help me sleep and keep the tremors down.”
Admiral Elton nodded, even though he knew Patra couldn’t see it “First counselor Drake has not revealed anything about your mental health other than what is necessary. As for S’Tarres, he is a brilliant Vulcan when it comes to psychological unity, I trust his analysis; so, do the others. So, the question is, are you ready to go back out there, to the Wayfarer?”
Patra turned and looked at Rear Admiral Elton “Yes, how soon till I depart?”
Admiral Elton smiled, “Tomorrow morning 06:00, you will be placed on a fast courier supply shuttle and make your way to the Wayfarer. Her current mission has her in the Lolrunian system, diplomatic mission to secure mining rights with the Lolrunians. Here is a PaDD with the details, I suggest you read it on your way there; catch yourself up so to speak.”
Patra smirked “The Triangle, disputed space, even with our so-called allies. Just great. What is the latest intelligence on the happenings there?”
Admiral Elton smiled, “Remember Patra you are not an intelligence officer, however, this PaDD is to be hand delivered to Captain Akeno; latest updates and such.”
Patra took the two PaDD’s and added it to hers. “Very well Sir, I’ll be ready for the shuttle at 05:30. Will there be anything else, or am I dismissed?”
Rear Admiral Elton frowned a bit “Patra you are a fine officer and engineer, you are also damn creative with your thinking; Starfleet needs that. So, stop sulking and get ship shape, now.” He snapped, he allowed her a lot of leeway, some said to much, but damn it she was his protégé, and performed excellently in SSP&OG.
“Yes Sir!” she snapped then pivoted and left the Starfleet Special Projects & Operations Group Lounge.
Gods I hope I do not need to call her back to SSP&OG, she needs the break. he thought as he watched her leave.
Lieutenant JG Patra Rommel
Chief Engineering Officer & Structural/Environmental Specialist
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