End of Shoreleave

Posted on Thu Jul 16th, 2026 @ 6:04am by Commodore Maurice Bell & Captain Andre Hunt & Ensign Emily Douglasdale

810 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Ashes of Vega Colony
Location: Todra City; Denobula

Andre stared at the ceiling as he laid in bed at the hotel. The last couple of days on Denobula had been exactly what needed to be done. Today was officially New Years Eve and he was looking forward to the party, he had been preparing for the past week. Without warning his pleasant thoughts were interrupted by the sound of his communicator. Rolling out a of bed, he made his way to the desk in the next room. "Captain Hunt here."

"Sorry to bother you Captain, but you have an incoming message from Commodore Maurice Bell."

"Go ahead and patch him through to my laptop." Opening up his work computer, he entered the code ensuring the call was a on secure line. A minute later, Maurice appeared on the screen.

"Andre hope that you have been enjoying the time off," said the Commodore.

"My first shoreleave to Denobula has gone exceptionally well," Hunt responded. "But I have the feeling that you haven't contacted me at six in the morning to simply see how our vacation is going."

Bell sighed. His old friend clearly knew him well. Plus, it was way too early in the morning for a simple social call. "I'm afraid that shoreleave will be coming to an immediate end. There's been an accident on Vega IX and we need the Meridian there ASAP."

The look on the Captain's face went from frustration to concerned. "What kind of an accident?"

"Explosion at a mining colony," Maurice answered. "But there are already rumors that its more than just an accident?"

"Care to elaborate a little more."

Maurice sighed and took a deep breath. "After leaving Denobula, the next assignment was to deliver medical supplies out to Vega IX. The part you don't know is that Starfleet Command was debating on having you settle some disputes that have been taking place."

Rasing an eyebrow, Hunt was confused and completely surprised by this news. "So, Command was seriously debating having me dispute issues with miners? That seems outside of my jurisdiction."

"Typically, I might agree. But Starfleet Command was impressed with your work regarding the Trill and L'Dira. And since you were heading in that direction, it only made sense for you to handle it. It would be so much here easier since these are Federation citizens."

"It was simple until it suddenly wasn't," Andre cut in. "How bad is this is so called dispute?"

"Boycotting is what the workers are threatening which would be very bad," Bell responded. "But with the rumors of sabotage in which the owners and workers are accusing each other of doing takes things to another level. We need for you to keep the peace and investigate. We need answers ASAP."

Andre sighed as he rubbed his forehead. "And this really couldn't have been delayed until January 1st?"

"If I could I would not have interrupted your shoreleave."

"I have catering and a whole crew ready to set up the meeting space at this hotel in a few hours." Taking a deep breath suddenly, the Captain allowed himself to focus. This was the job and the last thing he wanted to do was whine about the need to report to work when an emergency was taking place. "I'll gather the crew and make it happen."

"I'm seriously sorry about cutting in your break," the Commodore acknowledged. "I understand how much you wanted this your crew and yourself."

"Maurice, it just turns out this way sometimes. I'll chat with you later."

The Commodore simply nodded as he ended communication, leaving the screen with the Starfleet emblem. Opening communications back up, Andre waited for communications with the station to come back up.

"Station here."

"This is Captain Andre Hunt of the USS Meridian," Hunt announced. "Need for you to recall all Meridian staff immediately. Have them report in by 1300 hours."

"Station acknowledges recall for all Meridian staff to report back by 1300 hours," the communication officer acknowledged. The communications ended just as Emily entered the room yawning.

"Did I just hear that correctly?"

Standing from his seat, he walked over the kissed her on the cheek. "Good morning. And yes, there is an emergency on Vega colony which needs our immediate attention."

Yawning once more, she shrugged a bit. "Suppose we should be grateful for the days we did get off."

"Am I wrong for wanting to stay another day?"

"Its only human to want to avoid work another day," Emily assured him. "Doesn't make you a bad person for wanting to be a little selfish."

Looking around the space, Andre sighed. "Back to the real world I suppose. Fairly certain the crew won't be happy. But duty calls and they need us on Vega."

============
Captain Andre Hunt
Commanding Officer
USS Meridian

Commodore Maurice Bell
Director of Fleet Logistic Operations
Starfleet Headquarters

Ensign Emily Douglasdale
Helm Officer
USS Meridian

 

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