Turning over the Valiant
Posted on Fri Sep 12th, 2025 @ 10:39pm by Lieutenant Commander Ainsley Shaw & Senior Chief Petty Officer Harriet Hastings & Chief Petty Officer Tonag Jov & Warrant Officer Suddah Din
Edited on on Fri Sep 12th, 2025 @ 10:53pm
1,316 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
On the Trail
Location: Dyson Repair Yards, Pangaea
Timeline: Two weeks after Neverwinter Boom.
Suddah dusted his hands theatrically as he inspected the last cable the tied the USS Valiant to the cradle the yard birds at Deep Space Five had spent the better part of the morning fussing over. He’d heard through the grape vine that power had been brought to bear to get Valiant in for this hull-off refit and wasn’t surprised (and even amused) at the flurry of worry that was being displayed.
Glancing toward where the Valiant’s COB stood with the project’s Forman and project coordinator, Suddah threw a thumbs up at Harriet and said, “All tied up, Senior.”
Nodding, Harriet ignored the expectant look from the two civilians flanking her as she activated her communicator. “Tonag, put her in park.”
In Valiant’s engineering bay, Chief Jov didn’t bother acknowledging the COB right away. Rather, he ran one last test then dropped the power, pulled a series of isolinear breakers between the power plant an and waited .
At his station, Sundah double checked the feeds and flipped the actual, honest to goodness lockout switch the COB had insisted on, before locking the cover and ensuring it was secure. He then said, “Computer. Identify and confirm USS Valiant’s main power has been cut and locked out.”
“Warrant Officer, Suddah Din. Boatswain. USS Valiant Identity confirmed,” the shipyard’s computer agreed responded, agreeing that Suddah was who he said he was. “Confirm. USS Valiant is now on shore power and lockouts are in place aboard USS Valiant.”
Suddah held up his thumb again toward Harriet, but this time flipped out the pinky two and waggled the horns.
As his console readouts dimmed and then popped back up with notations that the Valiant was operating off of shore power, Jov tapped his communicator and said, “Senior, this is Jov. Valiant confirms we are on shore power.”
Turning only then, Harriet said, “My people confirm that Valiant is now on shore power. That means, she is now yours. On the behalf of Commander Rupert Tyree, seconded through Commander Meran, I nearby transfer all command codes.”
The Forman huffed slightly as his own PADD blipped and he acknowledged the transfer, “I still say this is highly irregular. Having Enlisted personnel turning over a Starship?”
Showing her teeth in what likely most would recognize as a smile, Harriet said, “Sir. With all due respect. Both Commanders are busy people and don’t have time for formalities right now. If you would like to inquire about that, I’m instructed that you message Admiral Th’keliss.”
The Forman shook his head and said, “I know what the instructions read, Senior Chief. I’m just saying…”
“Just saying what,” a new voice asked as a blonde woman wearing the rank of Commander and aiguillette of an aide-de-camp asked walking up.
As the three turned and Ainsley smiled and gave a short bow. “Commander Ainsley Shaw. Aide of Admiral Th’keliss. I thought I would show up in case there were problems over Valiant’s Turn Over.”
Now it was her turn to pointedly ignore the yard officials and she smiled at Harriet. “Are there any problems Harriet?”
With a sideways glance toward the Foreman, Harriet smiled a knowing smile and said, “Just some…maybe curiosity at the irregularities of Valiant’s turn over, Commander. I had it handled I believe.”
Nodding, Ainsley turned back to the Forman and project coordinator. “Gentlemen,” she said, “The Admiral wished me to reiterate his orders about Valiant. This ship was brought to the best yards facility that met requirements for refit. Those requirements it should be noted, indicate that all curiosity over Valiant’s presence goes back into your pocket and stay there.”
Steel had entered the Commanders tone as she asked, “Are you getting my drift gentlemen? The admiral is aware of communications you’ve both floated out about irregularities. I’m here to insure those inquiries die. Now. Or I have the authority to get you both replaced and removed from the station: free to pursue other employment wherever your skills might take you outside of StarFleet and most likely the Federation. Are those irregularities clearing up for you now?”
Both beings paled at the barely veiled threats and the tone they were being delivered with. Ainsley, with arms folded across her chest stared daggers at the two, whose jaws dropped and began to stammer. Holding up one palm, she said, “Fine fine. As long as we understand each other, I think we’re done putting a show on for Valiant’s crew who are waiting to go on shore leave.”
Re-ignoring the yard officials, Ainsley said, “Senior. It appears you have carried out your duties exemplarily as usual. The Admiral and I appreciate it and I know Commander’s Tyree, and Ral do. Commander Meran’s attending that symposium at Star Fleet Academy only by sheer luck at catching the Stray.
Nodding, Harriet said, “Thank you ma’am, I just stood here while the teams did most of the work. Haven’t felt this much like an officer in years. By your leave, I’ll dismiss the crew?”
Ainsley nodded and then stared pointedly back at the Forman and project coordinator.
“Don’t you gentlemen have work to do? The Valiant is yours and that timeline is definitive, after all.”
Barely contained distress noises could be heard from both men before they turned and hurried off as Harriet keyed her communicator. “Hastings to Valiants. You’re done. Shore leave commences now. Go have fun but I don’t want to hear anything from Security for at least a couple of days.”
Looking back at Ainsley, Harriet turned her gaze to the Valiant, watching as the last of the skeleton crew disembarked and members of the yards contract team moved to board and begin their work.
“That’s some promotion,” Harriet said. “From Chef to Commander in record time ma’am. That’s impressive.”
Ainsley grinned at Harriet and said, “Well, senior. There’s cooking…and then there’s cooking. White hats are one thing…but a girl has to wear whatever suits her to best advantage.”
Snorting, Harriet watched and made sure all of her Valiants had quit the area, then turned to meet the Ainsley’s gaze. “I’ll agree with the yard birds. This is odd but I get it. Seems to be making more noise than we should have, really…”
Nodding and shrugging, Ainsley said, “Nature of the beast. Rhu and Dayna are hot on the trail of bad actors. We have a missing General and other notables. That information is being squashed for now, but that won't last. Thats part and parcel of why this all got messy.”
Approaching carefully as he saw the Valiant’s COB talking with a blonde commander he sort of recognized, Suddah said, “Pardon me Senior. Ma’am. The Valiant is all lashed down right and proper. Me and Mister Pettimore are going to go find something to toast shore leave.”
Turning, Harriet said with a smile, “Sounds good Bosun. And I know Jon has a date later, so you both enjoy yourselves. Check in with me in a week if you don’t hear from me first, yeah?”
Throwing a salute, Suddah said, “Aye aye, Senior.” With a slight wink toward Ainsley, he said, “By your leave ma’am? And please give my compliments to the Admiral?”
Waving, Ainsley said with a smile, “Will do Warrant. Enjoy your leave, just don’t draw too much attention? At least not in this system?”
With another salute, Suddah turned and made his way toward the nearest lock, his mind shifting easily from the mystery that surrounded Valiant to his upcoming shore leave.
Work could always take care of itself.
END
A solo post by
Commander Rhupert Tyree
Master and Commander
USS Valiant
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