Ready Room - Deck 1

The Admiral watched as Como Carpathia smiled and responded to him on the open channel between them.

Como Carpathia: That's all for now, Aeryck. I look forward to hearing about your choice of who will take over command of Oriskany. See you back on Starbase 34. Carpathia out.

With that, the image of his friend disappeared on the console screen atop the desk. He then asked the computer to open a secured channel to SB34.

Adm Arayuss: Computer, open a secure channel to Rear Admiral Martinelli's office on Starbase 34.

Oriskany's computer beeped in acknowledgement and the secure channel was opened, Aeryck waited for the image of RAdm Martinelli to appear on the console screen. There was news he needed to share with the Chief of Fleet Operations.
_________________
Admiral Aeryck M. Arayuss
Commanding Officer, USS Explorer
Commander in Chief, Gamma Fleet
Starfleet, United Federation of Planets

Bridge - Deck 1

James smiled at Lt. Boffi's comment about attending any planned celebration for their victory and spoke aloud for all on the Bridge to hear.

Cmdr Kee: Don't worry, Mr. Boffi, I think it's safe to say that unless otherwise ordered to do something else, we'll all be attending any victory parties they have in store for us.

The XO was hoping to instill positive thoughts around the Bridge in regard to looking forward to a celebration. He hoped that whomever was taking Capt Reich's place as CO was somebody with the experience needed to lead them all on whatever missions Starfleet had in store for them.
_________________
Commander James L. Kee
Executive Officer, USS Oriskany

Ready Room - Deck 1

Aeryck was pleased to see the face of RAdm Martinelli on his desk monitor. It had been a while since they spoke and he felt it was time to fill the Rear Admiral in on what happened out here.

RAdm Martinelli: Admiral Arayuss, it feels like it's been eons since I heard from you! How did everything go in Sector Epsilon?

The CinC smiled at the reference to the amount of time it had been.

Adm Arayuss: Hey Tony, we were victorious against the Deltaurans. They were completely destroyed by the Warp Core detonations from Oriskany and Whitestar. Explorer arrived to help us enter their realm where the battle took place. The weapon modifications were a complete success.

The Admiral continued but in a tone that wasn't so thrilled with joy.

Adm Arayuss: That's the good news, here comes the bad. Oriskany and Whitestar have been heavily damaged and both ships are in tow at Warp speed by Explorer and Infiniti. Captain Reich went into some kind of stress induced shock before the battle began so I had to take command of Oriskany till we return to Starbase 34. I already have somebody in mind to take over command so we won't have to go looking for a new Commanding Officer. However, Captain Adonis was killed in the attack on Whitestar so we'll need to contact Starfleet and have them send us a new Captain. So if you can get that started, that would be great. We're just a little over nine hours out so we'll all be back soon.

Aeryck waited on Tony to reply to the situation report he was just given. He knew it would take a few moments for the news of losing 2 Captain's to sink in. It appeared that the only CO to make it out of this situation intact was Como Carpathia, who lost his friend of 35 years so he was going to need time to grieve.
_________________
Admiral Aeryck M. Arayuss
Commanding Officer, USS Explorer
Commander in Chief, Gamma Fleet
Starfleet, United Federation of Planets

Bridge - Deck 1

1st Lieutenant Elbrun felt that the task of the Marines protecting the Bridge and Engineering was now complete and asked the XO if they could be dismissed from protective duties.

1Lt. Elbrun: Commander, requesting permission to be relieved of our protective positions on the Bridge and Engineering. It should be a safe ride back to Starbase 34.

Andrus looked over at Sgt Bustamanté and Pvt Diego and nodded his head to let them know their duty on the Bridge would be finished once Cmdr Kee gave the word.
_________________
MCaptain Andrus L. Elbrun
Marine Detachment Commander, USS Oriskany

James looked over at 1Lt. Elbrun and nodded his head with a smile. He wanted to let the Marine know their presence was appreciated.

Cmdr Kee: Permission granted, Lieutenant. Your presence on the Bridge and in Engineering was most appreciated. Thank you for your service.

The XO wondered how long the Admiral would be in the Ready Room. He supposed he could stay in there for the rest of their ride back to SB34, but he preferred to know what all was going on and if a new CO had been chosen for Oriskany. The Commander knew with his lack of experience that he wouldn't be a good choice for the position since he was promoted to XO only out of necessity when Capt Harris was killed and Sean Reich was promoted to Captain.
_________________
Commander James L. Kee
Executive Officer, USS Oriskany

Ready Room - Deck 1

As Aeryck was waiting on Tony to reply he began to wonder how long it was going to take to repair both Oriskany and Whitestar. There was still the task of bringing back all the abandoned vessels that were moved into a safe orbit around the planet they left behind in Sector Epsilon. Finally, there was a response from RAdm Martinelli.

RAdm Martinelli: I'll contact Fleet Admiral Skyner and appraise him of the situation. I'm sure he'll be able to send us a new Captain for Whitestar since you already have somebody in mind to take command of Oriskany. Please express my condolences to Commodore Carpathia. I know he and Treasar were close and knew each other for quite some time. I'll let the Marines and Security personnel know they can stand down and return to normal duties, that the battle with the Deltaurans is over, thanks to all of you.

The Admiral nodded in acceptance of what Tony had said, then replied.

Adm Arayuss: Thanks, Tony. I'll be sure to pass that on to E.J. Give Fleet Admiral Skyner my regards. By the way, thanks for letting Explorer know we needed the assistance, without it's help this mission wouldn't have been a success.

While Aeryck was waiting on the Chief of Fleet Operations to reply it occurred to him that Explorer could be sent back to retrieve the abandoned vessels and tow them back to SB34. That way nobody's well earned shore leave would be shortened and the vessels wouldn't be left out there for scavengers or pirates to pilfer them.
_________________
Admiral Aeryck M. Arayuss
Commanding Officer, USS Explorer
Commander in Chief, Gamma Fleet
Starfleet, United Federation of Planets

Bridge - Deck 1

1st Lieutenant Elbrun nodded back to the Commander in acknowledgement.

1Lt. Elbrun: You're welcome, Commander Kee.

He then tapped his Combadge to address 2Lt. Tucker.

1Lt. Elbrun: Elbrun to Tucker. We've been relieved, Lieutenant. See you back on Deck Twenty.

With that handled, Andrus lead the Marines to the Turbolift and proceeded from the Bridge to Deck 20, where the Marine Detachment Recreation Area was for them to use in their downtime. When 2Lt. Tucker arrived with PFC Hagen and Pvt Saucedo, they all began stowing their weapons and gear so they could relax on the return trip to SB34.
_________________
MCaptain Andrus L. Elbrun
Marine Detachment Commander, USS Oriskany

Ready Room - Deck 1

Aeryck watched the monitor with the face of RAdm Martinelli on it when he replied.

RAdm Martinelli: You're very welcome Admiral. If there's nothing else, I'll get to sending a message to Fleet Admiral Skyner and apprise him of the situation out here.

The CinC figured that was all they were going to say over the communication so he let the Chief of Fleet Operations know he could take on his tasks.

Adm Arayuss: That will be all, Tony. I'll see you when we get back to Starbase 34. Oriskany out.

Aeryck ended the transmission and got up from behind the desk and walked out the Ready Room doors and entered the Bridge. He continued on to the CO's chair and took a seat close to where Cmdr Kee was sitting. Aeryck spoke softly to the XO.

Adm Arayuss: Did I miss anything while I was in the Ready Room, Commander?

While waiting for Cmdr Kee to respond, the Admiral looked around the Bridge and noticed the Marines were no longer present. He figured they had been relieved of the duty of keeping the Bridge secure.
_________________
Admiral Aeryck M. Arayuss
Commanding Officer, USS Explorer
Commander in Chief, Gamma Fleet
Starfleet, United Federation of Planets

Bridge - Deck 1

James was pleased to see the Admiral exit the Ready Room and take the CO's seat in the center of the Bridge. When Adm Arayuss made an inquiry about missing anything while he was gone, the XO immediately replied.

Cmdr Kee: I relieved the Marines from their duty of keeping the sensitive areas of the ship secure. They can relax now that we're on our way back to Starbase 34. Other than that, you haven't missed a thing, Admiral.

The Commander remained seated in the XO's chair which was just to the right of the CO's chair in the middle of the Bridge. He wondered how Capt Reich was doing under the care of Dr. Jovic now that they've been allowed to return to Auxiliary Sickbay on Deck 16.
_________________
Commander James L. Kee
Executive Officer, USS Oriskany

The Chief Engineer looked at the display in front of him at auxiliary Engineering before turning back towards the centre of the Bridge.

Lt. Commander Little : No sign of pursuit Admiral, Commander. Clear skies from here to Starbase 34. Request permission to return to Main Engineering? My engines are going to need some serious lovin'.

He awaited the Admiral's and the Commander's response as he wondered just how bad Engineering would look when he arrived.
_________________
Mr. McCloud