Bridge - Deck 1

While running continuous scans with the sensors of the entire Zathura System, Michael was able to ascertain that only authorized vessels were with the designated retrieval area. When LtCmdr Joffee heard Cmdr Kee asking about no other ships in the area, he confirmed the Acting CO's suspicions.

Lt. Commander Joffee: Aye Commander, we're the only vessels in the Zathura System at this time. I'm keeping a constant sensor sweep of the area to make sure we're immediately alerted should another ship enter the system without authorization.

Keeping his word, LtCmdr Joffee continued running sweeping scans of the system making sure the only vessels coming and going were the tow ships with the abandoned vessels in their Tractor Beams. It wouldn't be long now before all the ships would be gone and Sutherland was the last remaining vessel in the Zathura System.
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Lt. Commander Michael L. Joffee
Chief Science Officer, USS Sutherland

The Acting CO was happy to hear there were no unauthorized ships in the Zathura System and thanked the Science Officer for keeping a watchful eye on the sensors.

Cmdr Kee: Thank you, Mr. Joffee. Let us know right away if any other ship enters the system without authorization.

James wondered if the Security team arrived and were keeping watch of Counselor Elbrun and Alana Thompson. Tapping his Combadge, the Acting CO contacted the Counselor in the Guest Quarters of the female child.

Cmdr Kee: Kee to Counselor Elbrun! I've had Jared send a Security team to keep an eye on you and the child to prevent any other accidental deaths. Don't mind them, Kestra. They're just there to make sure you stay alive. Commodore Carpathia would never forgive me if something happened to you. Not to mention, I consider you a friend and would never forgive myself either. So just bear with me till we get back to Starbase 34.

The Commander waited to hear back from Counselor Elbrun. James figured Kestra was a team player and would understand the need to protect her from any unforeseen accidents occurring. This way the child couldn't sleep through the death of another officer aboard Sutherland.
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Commander James L. Kee
Executive Officer, USS Oriskany

Guest Quarters - Deck 8

With the arrival of the Security team in the quarters assigned to Alana, Kestra was somewhat alarmed by their presence! That was until she heard the call from the Bridge from Cmdr Kee. The Counselor understood the Acting CO's caution in wanting to make sure nothing happened to her.

Lt. Commander Elbrun: I understand, Commander. I'm sure it's for the best. Alana is sound asleep so right now she poses no threat to anyone. But just to be safe, I will refrain from eating any marshmallows!

Kestra remained in the chair outside the bedroom in what would be the seating area. There was a member of the Security team standing by the door to the quarters and another one inside the bedroom, keeping an eye on the sleeping girl. The Counselor was pretty sure Alana posed no threat to her, but it was safer to have other adults in the room in case there was a medical emergency. Something that would've prevented the death of Capt Marino had he decided to have s'mores in the Ten-Forward Lounge, instead of alone in his quarters.
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Lt. Commander Kestra Elbrun
Counselor, USS Infiniti

Bridge - Deck 1

James smiled to himself at the analogy Kestra made of not eating any marshmallows while she was within the vicinity of Alana Thompson. He was pleased the Counselor was understanding in regard to the Security team watching over them. That way they were both under adult supervision!

Cmdr Kee: Thank you for understanding, Kestra. Bridge out.

The Acting CO sat back in the Captain's chair on the Bridge and relaxed. All seemed to be under control at this time and this kept the Commander in a jovial mood. With the abandoned vessels being towed back to SB34 and no other unauthorized vessels in the Zathura System, James had an easy task ahead of him, which was to simply return Sutherland back to it's home base.

As time moved on, LtCmdr Boffi's assessment of the time remaining before they were the last ship in the system came to pass. Sutherland was now the only Federation vessel in the Zathura System, their mission was almost complete, it was now time to set a return course back to SB34.

Cmdr Kee: Mr. Thomas, set a course for Starbase 34! Ahead Warp 6!

James waited on his order to return home to be followed and looked forward to seeing the stars streaking by as they returned to SB34. The Acting CO also felt it was now time for the 58th Squadron to completely stand down and informed LtCol Carrera that they could do so.

Cmdr Kee: Colonel, I believe the Wildcards can stand down for the trip home. They did a great job and deserve commendations for their readiness. I'll be sure to mention it to General Alderez at my debriefing.

The Commander felt really good in regard to his first actual command, although he did not seek it out. James was looking forward to returning to his duties as XO aboard Oriskany, under the command of Capt Calzada. With almost all of the Senior Staff being volunteers, he wondered what would become of Sutherland once they all went back to their assigned vessels. It certainly was a fine ship, it just had an unfortunate person placed in command. James was really interested in what Dr. Jovic was going to unearth regarding Capt Marino's rise to a position of power.
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Commander James L. Kee
Executive Officer, USS Oriskany

Dylan did exactly as the Acting CO told him to by setting a course for SB34 and once it was laid in, engaged the Warp Drive!

Lt. Thomas: Course laid in to Starbase 34, ahead Warp 6, Commander!

The Lieutenant had set a course along the same route as the tow ships bringing back the abandoned vessels. That way if there were any problems, Sutherland would be first on the scene to secure the location from any would be marauders.
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Lieutenant Dylan S. Thomas
Chief Flight Control Officer, USS Whitestar

The Lieutenant Colonel nodded in agreement at what the Acting CO said to him regarding the Wildcards and let them know immediately they could leave the Secondary Shuttlebay's Launch Lounge. Rafo also thanked Cmdr Kee for wanting to mention their readiness to MGen Alderez at his debriefing.

Lt. Colonel Carrera: Thank you, Commander. I'm sure I can speak for the others and say we appreciate you mentioning our readiness to General Alderez.

Tapping the Companel on the Starfighter Control Station, LtCol Carrera called down to MCpt Vansen to let her know they could completely stand down and return to their barracks for the rest of the trip home.

Lt. Colonel Carrera: McQueen to Vansen, you and the rest of the Wildcards head back to the barracks and stand down. We're on our way back to base so you all can relax for now. McQueen out.

With Rafo having no further duties on the Bridge, he signed out of the Starfighter Control Station at the aft of the Command Center and returned to his office in the Marine Control Center on Deck 28. Once LtCol Carrera arrived in his office, he took a seat behind his desk and went over the readiness times and the flight logs of the 58th Squadron. Seeing that they did an excellent job while they were in flight during the situation with the Orions, Rafo completely agreed with Cmdr Kee's assessment of them.
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Lt. Colonel Rafael L. Carrera
Marine Detachment Wing Commander, USS Whitestar

Launch Lounge - Deck 20

Shane stood up from where she was seated and breathed a sigh of relief. They were finally done with this mission and would be returning back to SB34 where they would be able to have their SA-43X Hammerhead Starfighters moved back over to Whitestar where they belonged. The Marine Captain motioned to the others that it was time to head back to their locker room and change out of their flight suits and back into their standard duty uniforms.

MCpt Vansen: Well, let's head down to Deck 28 and change out of our flight suits and put on our duty uniforms for the ride back to Starbase 34. We can relax in the barracks till we dock, as far as I know.

As the Deputy Detachment Wing Commander lead the other members of the 58th Squadron to the Turbolift, they rode it together down to the Marine Control Center on Deck 28. Upon their arrival they went into the locker room and changed out of their flight suits and into their standard duty uniforms. Once they were all cleaned up, they went to the barracks which was down the corridor from LtCol Carrera's office, and began relaxing as they waited for their return to SB34.
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Marine Captain Shane A. Vansen
Deputy Detachment Wing Commander, USS Whitestar

Bridge - Deck 1

As Sutherland was moving at Warp 6, following behind the flotilla of tow ships returning to SB34 with the abandoned vessels in Tractor Beams, Michaelangelo monitored everything very carefully. He did not anticipate anything going wrong and kept an eye on his station making sure everything was operating properly. LtCmdr Boffi was sure to keep Cmdr Kee updated as to the current situation.

Lt. Commander Boffi: Commander Kee? I've been monitoring everything since we departed the Zathura System and everything is operating properly. I'm going to continue my observations until we reach Starbase 34. We don't want any surprise situations on the trip home.

The Chief Ops Officer kept a weathered eye on his consoles, making certain all Sutherland's systems remained operational within their specifications. It's a shame Capt Marino died, he would've been the one credited with bringing home all of those ships and saving the survivors. Now the credit will fall on Cmdr Kee, which Michaelangelo had absolutely no problem with.
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Lt. Commander Michaelangelo A. Boffi
Chief Operations Officer, USS Oriskany

James was quite happy with Michaelangelo's performance as Acting XO of Sutherland. Since Oriskany did not have a Second Officer yet, Cmdr Kee was thinking of suggesting LtCmdr Boffi to Capt Calzada.

Cmdr Kee: Great job, Michaelangelo! I'm glad you're right on top of things. Send a message to Starbase 34 and let them know we're on our way home. I'm sure Admiral Arayuss will be pleased.

The Acting CO remained in the Captain's Chair on the Bridge and looked around at the officers from Infiniti, Oriskany and Whitestar that came together to help Capt Marino on his first command and how they must feel knowing he died on his maiden voyage. But none of them were to blame, as they were not in attendance when the Captain overstuffed his face full of marshmallows while alone with an inattentive child who mistook his choking to death for a clown act.
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Commander James L. Kee
Executive Officer, USS Oriskany

The Acting XO immediately brought up the Communications system at the Ops Console and began transmitting to SB34 that they were on their way back.

Lt. Commander Boffi: Aye, Sir. Transmitting to Starbase 34 that we're en route, following behind the flotilla of abandoned vessels and tow ships.

Michaelangelo was feeling good about the completion of the mission on the horizon and all of the vessels were on their way back to SB34. After a few moments, a response came back from their Port of Call.

Lt. Commander Boffi: Commander, Starbase Operations acknowledges and congratulates us on a successful mission! A job well done, even in light of the loss of Captain Marino.

The Chief Ops Officer maintained a watchful eye on his console and all the displays. LtCmdr Boffi made sure everything was running as it should be, this would prevent anything from sneaking up on them for the duration of their journey home.
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Lt. Commander Michaelangelo A. Boffi
Chief Operations Officer, USS Oriskany