Forced Shore Leave
Posted on Fri Apr 17th, 2026 @ 7:14pm by Captain Kelly O'Connor & Lieutenant Axel Heskin & Lieutenant Harris Zim
1,252 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Mission 9 - Unearthing Life
Location: Ship to Planet
Timeline: MD03 - 0700
O'Connor was annoyed. She thought she made it clear to Capac that Capac should go and enjoy her time on the planet. Capac, of course, insisted that O'Connor should. However, O'Connor thought that Capac had finally relented and was taking Jericho with her. However, Jericho apparently did not want to go down. That meant that O'Connor needed to take a shore leave. After all, if one of the Senior Staff did not get "rest," then she could get in trouble and that was not something O'Connor wanted. She had enough of Admiral games and being their pawn.
Consequently, O'Connor looked for Zim and upon finding him said, "Zim, pack up, we're going down to the planet on shore leave."
Zim rose to his feet and came to attention. "We ma'am? I have a number of training missions that I must complete before we depart. Besides, I would imagine you would want to enjoy your shore leave on your own."
O'Connor looked questioningly at Zim. "The Captain, on a planet, all by herself, without any security?" she asked Zim. "One that has never been explored before? What do you think Starfleet would say about that?" O'Connor offered, her eyebrows furrowing in Zim's direction. "And before you tell me that Jericho should go, he's staying with Capac up here, probably handling those training missions...."
Since the Captain just correctly quoted protocol Zim realized that she left something out. "Captain, since this planet is unexplored then we should rescind shore leave and make the appropriate security measures. A proper sweep should be made and perimeter set up before anyone sets foot on that planet. As the head of the security detail for this I am going to have to insist."
O'Connor tried not to roll her eyes or laugh. Zim was the perfect security officer. IT was little wonder that the avian pollen made her want to take him into her quarters for a personal inspection. "Negative, Zim. We had the planet scanned. There is nothing but animal life according to all scans. The planet appears perfectly safe. Besides, it would not be a bad idea for you to get some rest and pleasure, as well."
Harris cocked an eyebrow at the Captain's response. It was against all protocol, however, she was the Captain and could make these decisions. He for one thought the decision was a horrible one, and was not going to conceal that displeasure. Zim drew a phaser from under his console and holstered it. "Captain, with all due respect I would like the ship's record to note my objection to this order, and to this shore leave. It is unsafe, a scan from orbit is not good enough." With that said he stepped out from behind the console and behind the Captain. "Guarding the Captain is not rest, nor is it pleasurable."
The Captain smiled at Zim. "Of course. The record will note your objection." She paused for a moment and asked, "Did you know that I used to be a security officer, Zim?"
"Yes Captain I did know that. However, I believe the operative word there is used to be. Things have certainly changed. Additionally, if you were still a security officer then you would have known the procedure, or at the very least you would not need any further protection. There is an adage on Capella. One riot, one guard." Zim's tone and demeanor did not lead on to what he meant by his words. One just did not know if he joked or was incredibly serious.
Just then the door of the turboilft opened, and Axel the chief scientist stepped out.
He greeted Captain O'Connor, and Lieutenant Zim. 'Hello Lieutenant Zim, Captain O'Connor."
Stepping forward to where the two were, "I have gotten the equipment in readiness to go down to the planet. I've also added some equipment in order to conduct some scans while we're down there. "
"I know that we had made the first sweep of the planet via shuttle and did check boots on the ground. Never hurts to have a closer look." Axell added.
O'Connor sighed. "Look Heskin, I know you're newly promoted and all, but this is time for us to relax. This is shore leave, not a mission."
Zim stood one step behind the Captain. There was a conflict here or so it seemed to him. The Captain maintained that this was shore leave and not a mission. Yet, she ordered him on detail for her. Lieutenant Heskin arrived seemingly to inform the Captain that all was ready for the mission. Zim exhaled sharply through his nose. He did not know much of what went on here. All he knew was that whatever this was he simply had to make sure that no one died. That was something he could do.
"Captain, don't you realize that people have their own way to relax on shoreleave? And we've not yet scratched the surface of this planet." Axel exclaimed. "Therefore this is a combination of enjoying being in the outdoors and also doing my job. Can't just while the time away, being idle; therefore Captain, I am balancing things out."
The Captain had no argument about that. She respected hard work. So, she relented, "Fine, Heskin, have it your way." She then turned to Zim. "You ready to make certain that none of us die?" She favored him with a crooked grin.
"Yes I am ready. However, I do think that I should summon at least three other security officers. If this is going to be a science mission then there should be a measure of security." Harris said with a blank face. That is to say a face that showed zero emotion.
"It is not necessary, Zim," O'Connor reassured him. "I'm former security. You're security. Haskel here, well, he's just one person. I'm sure between the two of us that he will be more than fine on this relatively dull planet."
Zim stopped short of rolling his eyes. As exasperated that he was, he knew better in the presence of the Captain. "With all due respect Ma'am. You ceased being a Security Officer when you accepted the rank and position of Captain. To be more accurate this mission has one Security Officer, one Scientist, and the Commanding Officer. The last should be protected above all others." He would not summon more officers. However, he would make sure that there was an open channel and a transporter lock.
"I'm glad that you think that highly of me, Zim," O'Connor teased with a small snort. "Alright, now that we have that all settled, let's head to the transporter room, unless you need something more Heskin, or you, Zim?"
Zim stepped behind his console for a brief moment. In that moment he sent a message down to the transporter room ordering them to maintain transporter lock. He also left a note on the console for his replacement. A comm channel was to be kept open at all times. Once this was done he stepped back behind the Captain. "I am ready now. Ma'am."
"Looks like we all are. Shall we?" Axel giving a bit of a grin towards O'Connor, then turning to head back towards the turbolift.
"I give the orders here," O'Connor told Heskin. "Now, let's go."
Axel had a bit of a smile when he heard O'Connor's answer.
Captain Kelly Jean O'Connor
Commanding Officer
USS America
Lieutenant Axel Heskins
Chief Science Officer
USS America
Lieutenant Harris Zim
Assistant Chief Security Officer
USS America
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