New Orders (James)
You are in the mess hall of the USNS mercy and you are watching the news and it is bothering you. You are also finishing an apple because you are hungry.
"The Coronavirus is putting a massive strain on hospitals across the US," The news anchor announces. Your mind starts to wonder. Your thoughts are soon interrupted. Three of your crew enter and grab a snack. They give you an informal salute.
"Morning Captain," your second in command and chief medical officer, Lilly Dameron remarks as she sits opposite you.
"Morning Lilly," you respond a little out of it. Your mind has wandered to the last time that the ship was deployed.
"There rumours going around that we might be deployed to LA," Lilly informs you. You hope she is wrong because that means the hospitals have reached capacity. It rarely happens but when it does it's an all hands on deck situation.
"We will find out if they are true," you respond. You take a bite out of your apple. Seven minutes later you are in your office filling out some paperwork when you are interrupted. You throw a salute because the man that has walked into your office is rear admiral Bruce Gillingham. He is the CMO of the US navy.
"At ease Captain," he responds. You loosen up. You start to wonder if you are getting new orders.
"What can I do for you, Admiral?" You enquire as you both sit down. He pulls an envelope from his jacket.
"These are your orders to join the USNS comfort in New York," he responds as he passes the envelope to you. The only time you remember getting your orders personally was when you were ordered to the middle east to assist with the refugees. It must be bad for you to be deployed in US waters.
"Is that all sir?" you ask. You hope you don't sound rude but you want to make sure you are ready.
"You will have civilian doctors on top of the military doctors," Gillingham responds.
"Thank you, Sir," it's going to be a long five days. You are glad that you are going to be doing something meaningful.
"I'll let the crew know," You give him an informal salute as he leaves. Five days later the ship is almost ready. You are wandering around the halls. You are looking for someone to help. There is one of the civilian doctors. She looks lost.
"Excuse me can I help you?" You ask.
"Um yes, you can. Are you able to show me to the crew quarters and then to the captain's office?" She responds. You can tell she is a little uncomfortable being on a military ship.
"Yes, I can and don't worry about going to the captain's office because you are talking to me already," you respond. She is flushed with embarrassment. You shoot her an understanding glance.
"Captain James Trudeau," you decide it will be good to introduce yourself properly.
"Kelsea Scott. Sorry about not knowing your rank. I'm new at this," she responds with a light giggle.
"It's ok. Follow me miss Scott," You remark. You start to lead her to the crew quarters. Three minutes later you have led her to her quarters. She puts her stuff down.
"Thank you, Captain Trudeau," she thanks you as you leave. Seven minutes later you have made it to the bridge. It's a hive of activity until the helm officer looks back.
"Captain on the bridge," The helm officer announces. Everyone glances at you and you gesture for them to get back to work.
"Ianto do you mind if I navigate us out?" you ask the ship's navigator and helmsman if you can. At least it gives you something to do instead of sitting in the captain's chair and giving orders.
"Go for it James," Ianto replies as he switches spots with you. You joyfully start the process of getting the ship underway.
"The lines are in," The spotter confirms.
"Full speed ahead," you command. Ten minutes later the ship is underway.
"Ianto, thanks for keeping an eye out," You remark as you vacate the helm. Three minutes later you are in one of the wards looking for Lilly. You start whistling as you walk. Your mind is also occupied by the medical limitations of the ship.
"Nice song," Lilly remarks as she rounds the corner. It snaps you out of your thoughts.
"I heard you were looking for me, captain,"
"Yes I want to make something clear," You respond. You are deadly serious because you don't want to reprimand Lilly for conduct unbecoming of an officer again.
"You are to treat the civilian doctors with respect,"
"Sir that was their fault. They were the ones that messed up the equipment," Lilly tries to defend herself. You chuckle because all you can think of is the fact that Lilly hurled abuse at people that couldn't speak much English all because of a misunderstanding. She gives you a death glare. You follow her to the lab where Kelsea is working.
"So how is the new lab?" you ask. You know she is going to say it's small but there is nothing you can do. She looks up from her work.
"It's alright but I would prefer to be left alone," Kelsea gestures to her military counterpart.
"I am afraid that you two have to work together for the duration of the deployment," You understand. The annoying thing is there is not much any of you can do.
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