SQUADRON LOG, Stardate 52241.3: More commendations have been given for the strategy room. We have managed to identify several Dominion incursion attempts, all of which have been neutralized. Now, they have backed off and appear to be regrouping.
"Good morning, Captain," Stephanie stated, "What's going on?"
"Just attempting to collect whet the Dominion is up to," Richie replied.
"I suppose that you don't want them getting the jump on you again," Stephanie noted.
"The last time I got ambushed, I remember sharing my thoughts with a lovely young lady for a week," Richie replied as he reached around her shoulders to hug her.
"Thanks, sir."
"Sir," Roslyn interrupted over the comm channel, "You've got a call from Captain DeSoto."
"Put it through here. Computer, give me the Edmund Fitzgerald's position." Captain DeSoto's face appered on the right half of the screen, while the Fitzgerald's position appeared on the left. "What can I do for you, Captain."
"How far away are you from our wing?"
"About 30 minutes. I can see why. We are on our way. What do you think, Stephanie?"
"I think that Captain DeSoto has an uphill climb."
"Agreed. Kennedy to all ships: Set course 3-2-5 mark 6 and engage at maximum warp."
"What's our status," Kelly exclaimed.
"Shields are down to 22 percent," the tactical officer replied. "I'm not sure how long we can hold out."
"Hold on for the ride."
"JP, ready the Quantum Torpedoes."
"Aye, Captain."
"Kristy, what's the status of the other ships."
"All our ships are intact, but they're ready to break down. The Fitzgerald's shields are ready to fail. We appear to be down to about four crippled bogeys."
"Let's get at 'em."
"This one's a tough one."
"Keep at it, JP."
Within a few moments, the fresh regents, led by the Baldwin, had taken care of the remaining ships.
"Great job, everybody," Richie replied as he headed into the ready room.
Richie sat down at his table and began to contact all his ships. "Kennedy to Nimitz, how are things over there."
"Minor damage from the plasma fire. A few bumps and bruises, nothing major. Our warp core could use a rest, however."
"I'll make a note of that," Richie replied. "Kennedy out. Kennedy to Wasp, what's your status."
The Doorbell rang in the ready room. "Come," Richie replied.
Stephanie peeked through the door, "Captain, it's lunch time."
"I'm with you," Richie replied as he grabbed a PADD, "But I got a lot of paperwork."
"Whatcha got?" Stephanie asked as they stepped out of the ready room.
"A status update on the ships in my wing. All the ships are doing fairly well, considering the circumstances."
"I see," Stephanie noted as the turbolift door opened. "Mess Hall."
The ride throught the turbolift was uneventful. Richie and Stephanie had a seat in the mess hall next to the window facing toward the front of the ship.
"Anyway," Richie began, "I've seem to have become the unfortunate victim of a whole bunch of paperwork. Every time we go into battle, I have to file a status report on not one, but ten ships."
"That's the price you pay for being a leader," Stephanie replied.
"You're right, as always. You could do me a favor, however."
"And that would be?"
"Help me out with some of the red tape."
"Aye, Captain."
"Thanks."
"Bridge to Captain," Reinette inturrupted over the intercom.
"Go ahead."
"I have the Ottawa on subspace. Jenna wants to know when you can update her on the status of the wing."
"I am in the middle of lunch right now. Have her meet me at 1320 in the warroom."
"I'll let her know. Bridge out."
"Good afternoon," Jenna said a she walked into the warroom.
"I suppose you want to hear about our wing."
"That would be very helpful," Jenna responded.
"Well, for starters," Richie began, "during our last battle, the 10th wing served as a fil-in role when Captain DeSoto needed backup. We didn't take too much damage."
"I can understand that," Jenna said, "but what's the overall status of the 10th wing ships?"
"If you want a play-by-play," Richie commented, "we'll start with your ship. Ottawa is in very good shape. Here ablative armour is down to 20% — she'll need a recoat soon, but..."
"She's tough enough as it is," Jenna finished as the warroom display showed the Ottawa's configuration.
"Next up," Richie continued as the screen changed ships, "Is my old girl. Karen does good work in keeping her in one piece. Her primary space frame is over 100 years old, but I think we have chucked out every old part in this thing and replaced them with modern equipment. She was a weapons-platform prototype, so she can carry the heavy artillery. We have tweaked her to be one of the most reliable ships. We've also spread our insight throughout the wing." "Such as the Nimitz," Jenna commented.
"Exactly. She has not suffered a serious breakdown since she joined the 10/5. When se does take a lick, Andrea has that ship up in no time,"
"Agreed," Jenna replied. "Captain Riffin does a good job."
Stephanie walked into the room. "Here's the rest of them."
"Thank you, Miss Taylor."
"Hold on, Stephanie," Jenna inturupted, "There's no reason for you to walk out on us."
"I agree. Besides, I think it would beneficial for you to listen in on this conversation."
"Now, where were we?"
"I'd say it's time for a little Wildfire," Richie replied.
"I don't know Commander Stacey or Lieutenant Rogers real well," Stephanie commented, "but I haver quite a few friends among that crew."
"That's good to know," Richie noted, "I know Amanda Stacey wekk enough to depend on her. My sister is the same way. I do believe that you know Shandy."
"We were in the same floor in Pike Hall at the academy," Jenna replied, "Shandy was a good one about getting the job done."
"We can agree that the Wildfire has a good crew, but the ship itself is no slouch. She was redone from bow to stern for this mission, and she has held well. I wish I could say the same thing about the Wasp."
"I agree," Stephanie replied. "I drew a Nebula-Class starship on my first tour of duty. The engineers were always complaining about the maintance headaches, especially with the warp core."
"How about the rest of the wing."
"We drew two Excelsior-class ships, the Hood and Techmseh. Both have proven to be reliable, and I know Captain Trafficant had done a great job in the Hood's center seat. The Tien An Men uses the same basic spaceframe as this ship, but is not as advanced. Still, she's a good performer, especially since was captured by the Dominion for three months."
"The Larnerd is agood one as well," Jenna said. "I drew her out of the academy."
"That leaves the Ticonderoga."
"She is good about helping out when needed, but quite frankly, she's outperforming herself. She's the only ship in the wing with major battle scars. She is due for a overhaul."
"Yes," Stephanie commented, but she is still too valuable to leave sitting on the shelf."
"I have to agree," Richie added. "We'll have to keep her on duct tape and whatever else we can find."
"All right," Jenna replied. "But could you make a note of my observatiuon in your next report to Admrial Ross?"
"All right," Richie said. "Any other buisness?"
"Nothing I'm aware of."
"All right then, I'll see you tommorow."
Music filled the Baldwin's ready room. The music had an energetic rhythm and good instrumental and vocal interludes. It was from the late 20th Century and Richie enjoyed listening to it whenever he had the chance. Unfortunately, Richie's enjoyment was interrupted by the doorbell, "Come," he sternly stated.
"Hey, Rich," Stephanie stated, peeking into the ready room, "Whatcha listening to?"
"It's a song by the 20th Century rock group Bad Company. The song's called Crazy Circles."
"I see," Stephanie responded. "How's your report to Admiral Ross coming."
"Got it right here."
Richie handed Stephanie the PADD containing the report. "I see a few typoes in here."
"What do you expect from me. I'm a starship captain, not a editor."
"Anyway, I see we'll be docking at DS9 this evening."
"We get a day off tomorrow — just in time for me to get this round of paperwork done. Has Reinette scheduled the troop for a performance?"
"Actually, she hasn't. However, she has arranged for you to deliver a performance."
"How so?"
"You're the one that does the music, right?"
CAPTAIN'S LOG, Stardate 52243.4: We are docked at DS9 for a little scheduled R&R. I have been scheduled to deliver a little performance.
"I guess it's my turn to showcase my musical talents. I might as well cut to the chase. Everyone ready back there. Let's begin, shall we." Richie proceeded into a singing prose, "One, two, a one, two, three four"
After doing three songs, he wanted to change the pace. "Thank you. Now, I would like to bring up my assistant, my friend, and one hell of a duet partner, Stephanie Taylor.
Stephanie came up to the stage with a mild applause. "You ready?" Richie asked.
"As I'll ever be."
The music started, and the pair performed a rendition of Whenever I Call you "Friend" to great reaction.
After the performance, Richie talked to Stephanie backstage, "I'd say we brought the house down, what do you think?"
"Was anyone recording?" Stephanie retorted.
"I dunno. Why don't I just treat you to a root beer at Quark's."
"Sounds good to me. It would be nice for a change after a long day."