"Doctor? What do we do now?"
Chekov's voice drew McCoy away from the computer screen. In the brief time he had before turning around, he shifted into what Chapel called his surgeon face - look confident and in control on the outside regardless of what he was feeling on the inside.
He could feel it in the air. The crew was confused, scared and, for the moment, without a rudder. McCoy decided to stick with what he knew - treat the symptoms first and then work on eradicating the cause. He was going to have to be their rudder and the first order of business was to give everyone things to do so that they didn't dwell on what had happened too much.
"Mister Chekov, call in replacements for Lieutenants Uhura and Sulu as well as for yourself. I need you to take the lead in Engineering again. Yeoman Strekle, I need reports from all sections as soon as you can get them to me."
"Yes, Sir."
"Aye, Captain."
Yeoman Strekle had called him Captain without a second thought and McCoy nodded in response. That was going to take some getting used to. Two crew members down - the rest still to go. Moving to sit in the Captain's chair, McCoy activated the ship wide intercom and prayed he'd set the right tone.
"This is Acting Captain McCoy. I need to see the senior Ensigns from all departments other than Medical in the Ready Room in one hour. All other personnel, return to your duties and remember this is the Enterprise. You wouldn't be here if you weren't damn good at your jobs. Chapel and Minyawi, report to the Bridge."
Chekov's manner had eased considerably and he rose from his chair as Ensign Malachi came over to take the Navigation position - a chair he had never sat in before. The same could be said of Ensign Fisher. She had only manned a helm position in the mockups at the Academy.
McCoy waited until Ensign Ruebe was at the Communications station before speaking. Chapel and Minyawi came onto the Bridge as he was speaking and McCoy noticed Chapel was carrying a package of some sort with her, but didn't pay attention beyond noting it.
"I know this isn't the way any of us imagined our day going, but each and every one of us is a graduate of Starfleet Academy. Take a deep breath and start familiarizing yourself with your station. If you have any questions or concerns, Mister Chekov will be on the Bridge while I take care of some business. Mister Chekov, you have the conn. I'll be in the Briefing Room."
As McCoy gestured, both women headed into the room and he followed. The door had barely shut when Chapel spoke.
"Acting Captain? Leonard, what's happened?"
Taking a steadying breath, McCoy shook his head.
"No idea yet, Chris. One minute, Spock's talking about us being scanned, next thing I know, I'm one of only three people left on the Bridge. The whole ship is like that - Medical was untouched, but every other section of the ship is left with ensigns and enlisted. Security is completely gone - every man and woman regardless of rank."
Chapel looked stunned and sat down heavily in the nearest chair. Minyawi's voice was quiet but steady as she spoke.
"What is it you need us to do, Captain?"
A small smile formed on McCoy's face.
"In your case, Layali, I need to channel your father and take charge of Security. I'm going to be meeting with the other departments shortly and I want you to be there for that. Any non-essential personnel that you need to fill the ranks? Pull them and train them. They've had the basics from the Academy, but teach them how to do things the way you want them done."
The young nurse swallowed hard, but knew why she had been picked for this and squared her shoulders in a manner that would have done her father proud.
"Yes, sir. I won't let you down."
"I know you won't. And Chris? Don't get too used to it or rearrange my furniture, but you're my CMO. I know a couple of the doctors might outrank you, but none of them have the organizational skills the position needs. They give you any grief, send them to me."
Chapel smiled in spite of the circumstances.
"That threat alone should get them to tow the line, Leonard. I mean, Captain."
He waved that away.
"If Jim calls me Bones, you can certainly call me Leonard. Let's get this ship organized and get our people back. Chris, head on back to Sickbay. Layali, you may as well head to the Ready Room."
Before leaving, Chapel remembered the package she'd brought with her and gave it to McCoy.
"Time to dress the part. Remember, this is really no different than your usual job. You've always been one of the ones in charge of the lives of this ship."
As Chapel and Minyawi departed, McCoy took a moment to do an intercom call to Sickbay to inform them of Chapel's position of Acting CMO. That done, he finally took a good look at what Chapel had handed to him. It was a uniform shirt in his size - Command Gold.
Sighing, he laid the shirt down on the table and pulled off his familiar blue. Picking the gold shirt back up, he slipped it on. It might have been made from the exact same material, but it sure felt a lot heavier.