Teamwork Makes The Dream Work.

Posted on Fri Oct 24th, 2025 @ 11:42pm by Lieutenant Faith Hawkins & Lieutenant JG Genie Cleminson & Ensign Willa Baker

1,344 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: R&R
Location: Chief Engineer's Office.

“Team leaders in my office, please.”

Faith had arrived back in Engineering. Her feeling of dread only grew, as she knew the news of Britannic’s change in role would not be taken well. While there were some who enjoyed the quiet life in the back of beyond, others were eager to stretch their legs. Faith understood both sides.

Willa arrived first. She was closely followed by Niamh, Oleksandr. A minute or two later, Genie, Jerrod and Maija had also arrived from other parts of Britannic. Faith opted to stand in front of her desk. All were expecting this second morning meeting. It was Faith’s body language which began to cause varying degrees of concern. “We have a few things to get through, so I’ll try to get through them quickly.” began Faith, taking a glance at her PADD to refresh her memory.

“Okay. Britannic has been reassigned to Starfleet Medical. Tomorrow, we will be setting course for Adarak Prime to provide assistance with an outbreak of Klingon flu.” a pause. “As the ship has minimal armament, other measures need to be prepared just in case. Our tasks are to ensure the ship is ready for an extended period at maximum warp and to create decoy probes.”

“Let’s hope we don’t need any of them.” commented Oleksandr. A fully armed Nebula class would have no problems with this assignment. But Britannic wasn’t one of those any more. And this area was rife with piracy. He wasn’t liking the sound of this. At all. At least Arundel had torpedoes he mused.

Jerrod was next to speak. While he shared Oleksandr’s concerns, he tried to look for a positive to lift the despondent mood. “Let’s look on the bright side. At least we’ve got something a bit more exciting to do for a couple of days.” This brought a chuckle from everyone in the room.

“Indeed.” replied Faith. “I appreciate the quiet life may not be to everyone’s tastes, but if you’d like a transfer to another assignment, I’m afraid my hands are tied until we’re no longer needed at Adarak Prime.” The thought of losing one, let alone all, of the people in front of her was one Faith dreaded. She’d served with four of them for five years. While she wasn’t ready for the Fab Five to break up, Faith knew it wouldn’t last forever.

“Where do you want us?” asked Maija, looking at everyone in turn, then back to Faith. She knew she spoke for all present.

Faith smiled. “First off, I’m going to assist Genie with the final bits and pieces with the plasma grid modifications. Jerrod, Maija and Oleksandr, I’d like you to go over the warp drive with the finest of fine tooth combs one final time. Willa and Niamh, please get a team together to build half a dozen decoy probes out of whatever you can find.” Faith didn’t think the probes would be used, but at least they could be converted back afterwards.

Arms folded, Willa nodded. Her start to life on Britannic had not gone well, but Faith had taught her so much. Promoted her to team leader. She had no plans to leave either. “I’ll have a look in the database for freighter warp signatures.”

“Okay. We don’t have much time, so let’s get to it.” said Faith. “Thank you all. I couldn’t ask for a better team.”

Willa grinned. “Uh-oh. You need us to pull double shifts, right?”

“Nope, no double shifts. I’m just grate…” began Faith, before Jerrod interjected.

“You don’t have to thank us, Faith. We all want to be here, and that’s the end of it.” he said. He liked how despite the differences in rank across those present, first name terms were accepted by each and every one. Oleksandr nodded his agreement. “We’re a team.” he said, gesturing to everyone in turn. “If you stay, we all stay. If you go, we all go.”

Faith nodded. The steadfast loyalty from her friends was overwhelming, and deeply appreciated. It meant more to her than any words could describe. Genie knew she didn’t share the bond of the Fab Five, but she got it. Completely. She knew what Jerrod, Oleksandr, Maija and Niamh meant to Faith. They’d been there for her when Genie couldn’t be. For that, she was eternally grateful. “Thank you.” replied Faith, smiling. “Anyway, let’s get to work. We’ll reconvene at the end of the shift. If we get everything done by then, I might even pay for a round or two at Quark’s this evening.”

With a resoundingly positive response given to the prospect of one last drink on Deep Space 9 before tomorrow’s departure, everyone filed out of Faith’s office. All except for Genie. Faith walked up to her wife-to-be, gesturing for her to lead the way. “Haven’t we got modifications to go over?” asked Faith.

Genie nodded. “Yes, but not until we talk first.”

“Go on then, but please make it quick.” replied Faith, relenting.

“Are you actually okay, Faith?”

Faith gave her wife-to-be her look. “Yes Genie, I’m okay. I’ve got everything I could possibly need to make me happy. Now. These plasma grid modifications need finishing.” she said, clicking her fingers playfully and pointing towards the corridor.

“I saw how you looked after that meeting, Faith.” Genie replied. She’d seen Faith leaving the meeting while working at the Engineering station on the bridge. Several seconds before everyone else.

Faith sighed, then retreated back to her desk, sitting on it.

“You wanna talk about it?”

Faith shrugged. “You know, I thought the back of beyond life after the war was just what I needed to try and move forward. And for a while, it was. But now though, I have to play a part in helping the species which killed the girls’ father and so many other people in cold blood. And I know my friends and other people in this department hate the idea as much as I do.” a short pause. “Honestly Genie, I just want to feel my career counts for something. I want to make a difference.”

Genie walked up to Faith and embraced her in a reassuring hug. Normally, she wouldn’t do so while they were on duty. But Genie felt the circumstances called for it. Faith returning the hug suggested she agreed. “I get it.” she said. Normally, Faith thought people said those three words just to try and make her feel better. Except with Genie, she knew she actually did. Genie was someone who always tried to see the good in anyone, but Cardassians were a step even she wasn’t ready to make yet.

“I’m starting to think Dad’s offer…” a pause. “…it might be time. I’m just not sure I’m ready to let go of my friends here.”

“I wouldn’t worry about it, beautiful. You heard what Oleksandr said.”

Having known Oleksandr for as long as she had, Faith knew he always meant every word he said. But would they find Matthew’s offer as appealing as she did? Even if they did, there was still the case of whether Matthew could find suitable roles for them. For now, Faith decided to put it all to the back of her mind. There was a to-do list which needed her full focus. And with a fantastic team by her side, Faith was confident Engineering would be ready ahead of tomorrow’s deadline.

“Yeah.” replied Faith, letting go of Genie. She felt Genie do the same, immediately taking Faith’s hands into hers. Now she’d opened up, Faith felt a weight had been lifted. “Right, come on. Let’s get these modifications finished off. Then we can give the others a hand when we’re done.”

 

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