Acting Captain - Columbia
When Captain Hernandez and her first officer are injured while the Columbia is on active duty with the Enterprise to protect Earth from the Romulans, Admiral Archer temporarily transfers his first officer, Lieutenant Commander Reed to command that vessel, as he, himself, is still in command of the Enterprise. Part two of four.
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Chapter One -
Malcolm snorted when Hoshi described it as being 'a bit of a vacation'. Pursed his lips in a very Malcolm-esque way, and said, "Vacation?" He didn't get a chance to add, 'You have a funny idea of a vacation' before she said, "You know what I mean." Another grimace followed, and acquiescence – "Like I have a choice?"
She reached over and pinched his hand; he responded - grabbing Hoshi's arm and pulling his wife close into a hug. This morning when they had awoken, this was the last thing that he would have expected to happen – 'Romulans attacking' – he could see that . . . but having to assume command of the Columbia because the top of the command staff of the Columbia was severely injured in a 'lift accident'?
Not only had he heard from Admiral Archer on the matter, but Trip had told him of the shoddy work done at Jupiter station regarding the mechanism. His ire at learning of the incident was complicated by knowing that the third ranking officer aboard the Columbia was none other than the infamous Melvin Kelby – whose 'nuts' had been saved by Trip's and his fancy maneuvers.
Trip hadn't complained about Kelby not catching the problem; but then perhaps it was clearly an issue stemming from poor maintenance at the yards. Well, now it was going to be his problem, since Admiral Archer had assigned him to temporarily take command of the Columbia until either Hernandez or Fletcher were able to assume command again or when the vessel had left this dangerous region near Romulan territory, and Mr. Kelby could get some command experience as third ranking officer aboard the Columbia.
Hoshi helped pack his portmanteau – he had made sure that the proper badges and insignias were attached to his uniforms, as in his mind there was nothing worse than not respecting a crew or ship by not honoring the difference of command. Malcolm knew that the Columbia's compliment would be casting a critical eye at the situation, and he did not relish being found wanting.
He requested that Kelby meet him at the transporter platform as he needed to speak with the chief engineer/third officer to establish some 'ground rules' during this assignment. Malcolm understood that the rumor mill at Starfleet had been working 'fast and furious' (perhaps with the aid of Harris). He really didn't care as long as he could do his job properly – and didn't say or do anything untoward Hoshi.
Hoshi had made his life worth living. Prior to meeting his love, Malcolm had almost gotten to the point where he didn't care – life or death – honor or dishonor - it didn't matter anymore . . . he had made the observation that far too often unworthy beings attained power merely by existing, and it didn't matter whether good deeds or lofty, noble philosophies were involved. Stupid, incompetent people seemed to abound . . . perhaps he, too, had gotten complaisant . . . but then Hoshi had come into his life . . .
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Hoshi. Malcolm thought of his wife as he beamed over to the Columbia; Trip handled the procedure, so that he had no worries on that account. Normally he might have taken a shuttle over to the Columbia, but he didn't want to leave the Enterprise short one of its shuttlecraft nor even involve one of her helmsmen in the task.
(He'd already transported before several times so that the idea that some Starfleet personnel held, that he was 'dead' because of one using said device, didn't particularly worry him. Malcolm thought of himself as a realist – 'grounded in this world' – of which he once had held such high expectations.
Now his main belief system centered on 'love of Hoshi', and that good deeds are/will be necessary, if not for one's soul, then for the ordering of society . . .'Acta non verba', the motto of his old school.)
As he stepped off the platform of the transporter, Reed was greeted by a worried looking Lieutenant Commander Kelby, who had in the intervening time since the new acting captain had seen him last, grown a miserable-looking moustache, which seemed to have stolen hair follicles from the officer's head. "Captain?" queried the engineer, clearly lacking confidence in the matter.
"Mr. Kelby," replied Malcolm, who according to accepted custom and usage would be addressed as 'captain' during his assignment. He immediately realized that some formal discipline (perhaps even in the Royal Navy sense) was needed. Reed decided to 'hold off' until he had examined the rest of the Columbia – and responded in his normal reserved fashion. (This seemed to reassure Kelby, who may have misremembered how 'irritated' his former shipmate could be with incompetence. There were reasons why tactical and security were, at that time, very efficient.)
After formally transferring command function to Reed – at least the chief engineer remembered 'that' – Captain Reed suggested that the two of them go to Sickbay to apprise Dr. Phillips of his arrival aboard ship. Malcolm wanted to hear directly from the doctor as to the condition of Hernandez and Fletcher; if either one of them had regained awareness of their surroundings, and what their prognoses were. He was quite aware that this was privileged information, but as captain and the person responsible for the wellbeing of all aboard the Columbia, he needed the most detailed reports.
The location of Sickbay aboard the later-built Columbia was identical to that of the earlier Enterprise, and both officers wasted no time in getting to the area, and through the opaque double doors.
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(A.N. I know that I don't have the best record of finishing stories – however I do know where I am going with this story – and more importantly – where it ends . . .)