Garrison Duty - Part I

Posted on Thu Apr 30, 2026 @ 3:40am by Commodore T'mpest Michaels & Commander Cara Letsul & Captain Ricardo (Rico) Montoya - CO USS Phoenix

1,662 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Jubilee

[USS Phoenix]

Rico looked at his new orders again with a huff. Deep Space 5 had always been the Phoenix's home port but hadn't been back in some time. Now, with the recurrence of issues that station had been having apparently Starfleet command felt the station need a garrison vessel with more bite that the usual vessels assigned to a starbase.

He knew Heather was looking forward to it but it meant that him and his crew would be stuck doing milk run missions and monotonous local patrols. Basically, sitting on their thumbs until something happened....joy.

Stepping out onto the bridge he was lowering himself into his chair as their arrival was announced. "Captain we are entering DS5's control zone."

"Take us out of warp and hail the station."


[Deep Space 5]

T'mpest was in the command center to greet the Phoenix. She had yet to meet Captain Montoya and felt it only proper she be the one to welcome him to the station.

When the call came in, she nodded to the officer on the comms to open a channel. "Phoenix, this is Deep Space 5. Welcome back."


[USS Phoenix]

Rico shifted in his chair. While the station drawing closer was familiar site, the voice over the comm was not. "Thanks, it's been a while, sorry we missed all the action...". Having been monitoring the Station's broadcasts, to include the tango from the recent ball. "...I hear the station has a new CO, what's twinkle toes like?"


[Deep Space 5]

"Twinkle toes?" That had to refer to her dance with Lasuma, but how had the crew of the Phoenix heard of it? One side of T'mpest's mouth quirked up in a smile. "Well, that would depend. Are you asking what she is like as a dancer, what she is like as a scientist, or what she is like as a commander. Each question requires a different answer."


[USS Phoenix]

The follow-up raised an eyebrow as he assumed the person handling his ship's approach didn't have much of a sense of humor. "No matter, just a general question dock control. Where do you want us to park?"


[Deep Space 5]

"Your regular berth has been prepared and updated. The commodore will be there to greet you on arrival." T'mpest hoped he wouldn't be too disappointed in the new commander...he sounded a little disgruntled.


[USS Phoenix]

"Roger that. Thanks for rolling out the red carpet. Montoya out."

"Helm, take us home." After the channel closed they were passed over the outer docking ring as the massive space doors parted.

"Slowing to 1/4 impulse."

The bridge crew watch as the ship entered the massive docking bay. The made their way to the side of the central spire and turned to face the interior of the dome.

Shortly after the Phoenix came to a stop they began to be pulled backwards as the large gantry extended from the station. "We have hard dock. Gantry seal confirmed and atmospheric pressurization underway."

Rico looked around the bridge. "Well done all. I know that we all got a bit frustrated dealing with the agents from DTI and relearning our history wasn't easy but we got through it."

Looking to his XO, "Aiden, while I go meet the Commodore make sure we have the station top us off."

"You got it. I'll have them give us a wash and a wax too."

Clapping his XO on the shoulder, Rico headed to the shuttle bay. By the time he got there the bay was open and he walked from his shuttle bay and onto the station.


[Deep Space 5]

The commodore stood inside the station, waiting to greet the captain. She'd read his personnel file and knew him by sight, but wasn't so sure he knew much about her. Or, rather, she hoped he didn't know too much about her. He already knew about the dancing, which was more than she wished. But she had done it to make a statement, and she would deal with the repercussions.

By her side stood Milly Draven. More out of curiosity than necessity. Or just for the appearance of being there as an assistant.

Cara had been in the middle of a meeting with an official from Starfleet when the message of a new ship coming in.. She concluded her meeting with the official and went to join T'mpest in greeting the new ship that was arriving. The meeting was one she couldn't ignore. It was with one of the Starfleet uppers, Vice Admiral Biled Graix, she was the one that agreed to get a step down to two lower ranks. She had been Captain before but had asked to be lowered to Commander.

"Sorry I am late" Cara greeting T'mpest. "Seems like we're slated for another ship, the USS Phoenix?"

"Yes. It has docked here from time to time, but will now be here on a more permanent basis," T'mpest replied.

"And after what happened to the station earlier it sounds promising and a good thing to have happen." Cara commented turning her attention to the arrival

Rico had been joined by his Ops Chief and they were conversing of the supply requests to be submitted and he added his endorsement and watched as she darted off back into the Phoenixes shuttle bay. No doubt wanting to get the request sent to the station before enjoying a little shore leave on the station.

Turning back, he made his way across the gantry normally when a ship docked the foot traffic consisted of techs, ops, and engineers; as such a flag officer stood out like a Borg Cube.

"Permission to come aboard, Commodore...?"

T'mpest gave him a Vulcan bow of greeting. "Permission granted. I am Commodore T'mpest Michaels and this is my executive officer, Commander Cara Letsul.." She indicated Cara with her right hand. "And this is my secretary and aide, Millie Draven." She indicated Millie with her left hand. "We welcome you and your crew back to the station."

The voice was really familiar even though he knew they had never met. He forced himself to keep his eyes from widening as he realized who he had spoken with over the comm during his ship's arrival. "Thank you Commodore, Commander, Ms. Draven. It's been a long time since we've been able to make it back.

"The Phoenix was built and launched at DS5. It's good to finally be back....even if we did miss the action."

"Oh, I have no doubt there will be action of one kind or another before too long," T'mpest replied. There had been just the slightest hesitation that made her wonder if he realized that he'd been speaking to her before, but she wasn't going to say anything. Although she might tell Lasuma later. "Life on the station is always a bit...unpredictable."

Cara listened to the conversation, the nuances being exchanged between the Commodore and Captain Montoya. "Welcome to the station, Captain Montoya." having a welcoming smile, and holding out her hand to shake his hand.

"Pleasure to meet you Commander. I know my crew will be looking forward to a break given the last year we've had. I understand there is a comet coming into the system that'll be drawing a lot of attention?

T'mpest chose to answer. "Yes, unfortunately. From what I have been told so far, crowd control will be an issue. Both here and on Pangaea." She was more concerned with the planet as the fae would not appreciate a flood of humanoids trying to camp out on the planet.

Nodding as he thought to himself, ~Great we've been reduced to crowd control.~ "Makes sense. Before I ask where you want us; perhaps a briefing on what's been going on? We have been away for a while."

"Of course. Cara and I can meet with you at your convenience. I would also like to hear your ideas for how you wish to see the Phoenix working with the station." T'mpest couldn't quite get the measure of the captain, but perhaps a place where they could actually talk would help.

He spread his hands a bit. "I would say there's no time like the present but I don't know what your schedules are?"

"I have nothing for the next hour," T'mpest said, looking to Cara. "And you?"

"Now is as good a time as it is." Cara was looking Montoya over, not ogling but as if wanting to take his measure. Noting his posture, seeing if she could get a read from him.

"Then shall we adjourn to my ready room on deck 13?" T'mpest asked the other two.

"I'll go see that everything is ready," Millie said, then turned and headed for the nearest turbolift.

Rico watched the Commodore's assistant leave before turning back to the pair. He clapped his hands together, "Might as well give her a head start...so any big changes since I was here last?"

"There were a number of repairs and upgrades after the battle," T'mpest began. "Starfleet was most generous. There are also a number of new shops on the promenade and the arboretum has changed some areas as well."

"Well, it's good to hear that Command is finally taking things out here seriously. Did Lasuma pack up or is his shop still open?"

T'mpest couldn't help smiling. "His shop is still open."

"Joy...I may need to request quarters on the station for all the clothes my wife will want."

"Unfortunately, we do not have quarters that large here. But you could reserve a cargo bay for the ship and store them there," T'mpest replied blandly. "Let her know there is a new tailor on the station as well. His shop is called Sartorial Splendor and has some lovely material."

(To be continued...)

Captain Rico Montoya
Commander
USS Phoenix

Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5

Lieutenant Commander Aiden MacMahon
Executive Officer
USS Phoenix

Millie Draven
Executive Assistant to T'mpest
Deep Space 5

Commander Cara Letsul
Executive Officer
Deep Space 5

 

RSS Feed