Stardate 101013.2 on board the USS Leyte Gulf
Captain Cleo Mavendorf sat in her ready room behind her desk. The room was dimly lit and soft music was playing. Her eyes were closed and from outward appearance she could well be asleep. Appearances are often deceiving. She was in fact, quite awake and aware of everything in the room, from the gentle swish of air moving through the ventilation ducts to the soft glow of a hologram on her desk. She was simply practicing a focusing technique that used every sense but sight. Over the last few years she had become quite good at it. Combined with her genetically engineered strength and speed, which had been slightly improved by her brief assimilation by the Borg, it made her a combatant that even Klingon members of the fleet respected.
Her eyes came open as the music halted and her computer terminal chirped at her. "Lights up" she ordered and the room brightened immediately. She activated her terminal and read the message on the screen. Her head tilted slightly to the right as she considered the meaning of it. Finally after a moment or two, she stood, switched off the terminal and made her way to the door. It opened to the bridge and it's usual quiet hum of activity. The Gulf was currently patrolling near New Romulus and things had been quiet and uneventful. She moved to the Captain's chair, taking a seat as her First Officer Three of Seven vacated it.
"Lay in a course for Starbase 643 Number One." She ordered "We have been recalled."
Three did not offer comment, she simply acknowledged the order and carried it out. If she had any questions or concerns as to why their mission had been cut short, she did not share them.
Stardate 1017.4 Starbase 643
"Admiral Van Wormer will see you now Captain" The young Lieutenant sitting behind the desk said cheerfully. Captain Mavendorf nodded and stood, making a slight adjustment of her uniform top as she did so. "Thank you Lieutenant." She said politely as she moved to the door to the Admiral's office. The door opened and she went inside, striding forward until she was two paces from the Admiral's desk. She stopped, came to attention and saluted "Captain Mavendorf reporting as ordered."
Admiral Van Wormer leaned back in his chair after returning the salute, "Stand easy Captain." Mavendorf relaxed her stance to the position of at ease and focused her gaze on the Admiral.
"You made good time...I didn't expect you until tomorrow." He said.
"The Gulf is a bit faster since her Regent upgrade." She replied.
Van Wormer nodded absently as his gaze focused on her face, after a moment of studying her he asked "When was the last time you took a leave Cleo?"
"Sir?" Mavendorf replied, somewhat confused by the question.
"A leave. As in time off...when did you last take one?" He asked in what Cleo thought of as his mentor's voice.
Cleo found herself genuinely at a loss for an answer "I...I'm not sure sir."
"I'll tell you when Cleo" he said quietly "Aside from the medical leave after your rescue from the Mirror Collective...you have taken no leave since you took command of the Leyte Gulf four years ago."
Cleo had no idea what to say to that so she remained silent.
"Effective one standard hour from now you are on leave for a period of no less than sixty days." he said as he steepled his fingers in front of his face. Cleo started to object but he silenced her with a glare "That is an order Captain." His voice softened "Cleo...you've been at this for four years...without a break...it's time you had one."
Cleo found herself unable to formulate a reply aside from "Aye Sir"
Van Wormer nodded a bit "Everyone in this fleet has poured their heart and soul into their duties...and we've lost friends and comrades...and changes are coming Captain...and I need you at the top of your game before they happen."
Cleo wasn't sure what Van Wormer was talking about, but an order had been given. "I understand sir." she said as she came to attention and saluted.
Van Wormer returned the salute "Dismissed."
Mavendorf about faced and marched out of the office. Once the door closed behind her he sighed. She was as dedicated a Captain as he could ever ask for, but she had been at the sharp end of the stick for a long time, and it was going to break her heart to give up command of the Leyte Gulf. He knew for a fact that she loved that ship. She had fought, successfully, to prevent the Gulf being scrapped after the it suffered massive damage, instead convincing the command to upgrade it to the new Regent standards.
Van Wormer smiled slightly, once she got used to her new command, Mavendorf was going to fall in love with it. Getting her used to it...well...that might take some time.
