Capernum: Back On Mission

Posted on Sun Aug 31st, 2025 @ 6:31pm by Captain Sean Loewen {Meji} & Lieutenant Commander Sheyla {MD} & Lieutenant JG T'Pri

Mission: The Inner Flame
Location: USS Capernum
Timeline: Current

ON:

Aboard USS Capernum, the funeral wake for the deceased had taken place. Captain Sean Loewen had not had much sleep in the past twenty four hours, having spent time aiding Len Holbrook with getting things arranged in his new quarters; the CO's stateroom. Sheyla had moved into the XO's stateroom, so that part of mundane life had been accomplished. During the wake many of the crew had stopped by to observe the seven coffins holding their brethren, with the Federation flag draped over each, with each Department Head speaking about their deaths if they chose to. Guests, such as Captain Green, were also offered a chance to speak. And, speak she did, dressed in her Meji robes and offering condolences and words of wisdom. Loewen had also spoken, but it had been short and sweet as he was not in the mood to prolong more sorrow. As a starship, the Capernum had to move on, as troubling as that would be for some. His way of dealing with sorrow was simplistic; crying in your soup does not make the soup taste any better. It grieved him greatly the deaths, but as captain he had to show strength and be an example.

Sean had been informed that Kudo would be fine, and that Taavis's katra now resided within T'Pri. As far as he could tell Lieutenant T'Pri was doing fine, with no indications that having Taavis within her would be an issue. Not that he could tell much anyway since T'Pri had always been a creature of control and discipline. He would often see the extremely subtle hints of her own emotions; a twinkle in the eyes that only those close to her could recognize, or an ever-so-slight upturn to the corners of her mouth. Loewen knew that if he asked her anything she would always be truthful with him, and her loyalty to ship and crew was an ever-present aura. He was damn glad to have her.

Hearing he was going to be a father had really set Sean on a higher level as a man. Atop that monumental responsibility was the responsibility of being Captain of his own ship. So, in a way, he had become a father twice within a week. He was now responsible for the actions and lives of 300+ people, a sobering reality. But, one he was prepared to shoulder. The doors on the port lift opened and Captain Sean Loewen stepped out onto his Bridge carrying a thermomug of steaming raktajino, the Klingon coffee being something he found quite tasty. He was in uniform, but instead of the tunic over the red shirt, Sean had chosen to go with the vest variant. "Good morning, people. I hope everyone had a good evening." He said with a grin as he mounted the dais and sat down.

Sheyla had arrived a few minutes before the Captain, and relinquished the chair as soon as he was on the Bridge. "I kept it warm for you," She quipped, as he had done to her the other day. Sheyla got a smile from him for that. "Aside from the repairs to the affected decks and the manifold, Capernum is operating as expected, Captain. We're ready to move on to our assigned mission."

"Great to hear. Make sure to send Ejo my regards for a job well done." Loewen said. He got up and took his mug to the replicator refuse and tossed it within, knowing it would be broken down into its atomic particles and sent to the storage tanks. He then moved around the upper Bridge and came to stand directly in front of the viewport. "Mister Resch, please open a channel to the Bexan colony and request visual communication." The order was obeyed and within a minute the smiling face of a Human male appeared on screen. If Loewen had to guess, the man looked to be in his mid to late forties.

"Captain Loewen, a pleasure to meet you. I am Governor Anton Biggs of the Bexan colony, which we have affectionately named Bexa." The man's face became serious with a hint of sadness. "I take it your ship and crew came through well after your tragedy?"

As much as he tried to hide it, a portion of Sean's grief showed in his eyes. "We have. Thank you for asking, Governor." Re-securing his self-control and getting back on track, Sean's face went back to the pleasant Starfleet captain he now was. "Our focus is now on aiding your colony with your power issues. We are just outside of the Bexan system, I can see you sun clearly from here." He gave a grin before going into another subject. "We have noted a large reptilian species in your atmosphere, Anton. Akin to dragons. With our recent troubles I was wondering if it is safe for my crew to enjoy some down time on the turf while we aid you. And," he added. "My name is Sean, Governor. I hope that we can address each other common?"

Biggs gave a warm smile. "I am all for it, Sean, thank you. As for the beasts, yes, we do call them dragons for lack of a better term. Our scientists are studying them as best they can without getting too close. The creatures seem overly territorial in certain regions."

Sheyla had stepped over to stand to Sean's left, looking to the screen. "Nesting regions, perhaps, Sir?"

Before Anton could respond, Loewen interjected quickly. "This is my Executive Officer, Lt, Commander Sheyla, Governor. Please continue, Sir."

Anton gave a nod to the information about the Andorian officer before he answered the query she had asked. "The scientists believe so, Commander. However, they do argue that it could also be due to hunting grounds combined with breeding. The beasts aren't too keen on sharing a claimed territory, and even amongst themselves there seems to be confrontation by one mated pair to another."

T'Pri had been listening, of course, from her own station. Spinning around to face front, she then stood up. "Captain, if I may?"

Loewen half turned so that he could look back and forth from screen to the Bridge aft section. "Governor, this is my Science chief, Lieutenant T'Pri. Miss T'Pri, you have some thing to add?"

"Thank you, Captain." T'Pri remained near her station as she spoke. "Governor Biggs, have you built any structures where these creatures reside?"

Anton was honest in his response. "We have. But, at the time of construction there were no beasts in those areas that we knew of or we would have rethought our approach."

"T'Pri, are you thinking these dragons have something to do with the power issues?" Loewen asked.

"It is possible, Captain." T'Pri responded. "Perhaps they are attacking or interfering with any structures built in their territory, seeing them as a threat to themselves and their young." T'Pri offered more insight. "Also, logically, these creatures may migrate during mating. When the structures were built they may have been elsewhere, only to return for mating to find that their territory had been invaded. Their actions could be seen as purely defensive and instinctual."

Sean then looked back to the screen. "Thoughts, Anton?"

They could see Biggs giving it some thought. "That does make sense. None of my scientists offered such an idea, more interested in the beasts themselves than understanding their behavior. If you don't mind, Sean, I would ask that Lieutenant T'Pri be allowed to come down when you arrive and confer with my science bureau."

Sheyla looked to the Science Chief this time, asking for the Captain. "T'Pri? Is that agreeable?"

"I would be honored to assist, Number One, Governor." T'Pri's eyes fell on Loewen last. "Captain."

"Miss Dahl, please head for Bexan III, half impulse," Loewen ordered. Jynxza acknowledged the order and ahead of Capernum, passed the viewscreen, the Bridge crew could see the ship was now moving. Sean faced the screen again, smiling. "We'll be in orbit, shortly, Anton. If you have people out in the field I would advise pulling them back until we figure out more with this animal situation. As for the colony itself, we can beam down maintenance teams to aid with diagnostics involving the power core itself. How does that sound?"

Biggs gave a smile in return. "It sounds perfect, Sean. I'll have our research and repair teams return until we can figure this out. Just know, Captain, you have our thanks."

Loewen gave a nod to that. "It's our pleasure, Anton. We'll talk again once we arrive. Capernum, out." The transmission ended and the viewscreen overlay disappeared from the viewport. "Number One, put together an away team. I want you to command it and get down there. Make sure Lieutenant T'Pri is on that list, please."

"You got it, Captain." Sheyla answered, moving away to accomplish that directive. T'Pri sat back down and returned to her duties as USS Capernum drove closer to their destination.

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