Moving Day

Posted on Wed Apr 8th, 2026 @ 3:11pm by Commander Angel Devroe & Commodore Sureth & Commander David Wallace & Captain Terry Kingston

Mission: STELLAR NURSERY
Location: Starbase M-69
Timeline: Concurrent to the Station Open House

::ON::

Security was on high alert as the three larger star ships took their positions around the Starbase M-69. Today was the big moving day to the new system inside the Lagoon Nebula.

Commander Devroe walked around the temporary Ops checking in with her people as she was in the habit of doing "Communications open a line to the moving ships" came the order as she stood tall making sure her uniform looked neat and presentable. Looking towards Communications she received a nod "This is Commander Angel Devroe, the bases XO, are we ready to get the show on the road" Angel inquired.

"Not sure Commander, both Captain's are on their way to your location even as we speak" one of the Execs answered.

Devroe then turned to Wallace "Commander Wallace have the two Captains come aboard yet?" she inquired.

David stalled, his time aboard the station was already short, two new officers entered, "Captain Alexander LeVay of USS VanZandt " David said pointing too an older man in his late forties, "and Captain Violet Wilson of USS Coleman, the two ship captains who will be helping with the move." David said gesturing to the other officer.

Captain LeVay spoke first "This is a rather ambitious move, but it should be fun, I've read over Mr Wallace's plans it's entirely and achievable one." he said patting David on the shoulder, "Don't you have a volcano to watch erupt?"

"Yes, I should get going." David said as he started to exit.

"Good luck Commander Wallace with your science adventure" Devroe called out as David was exiting; then turning her attention "Captain LeVay, Captain Wilson welcome to Starbase M-69. I'm Commander Angel Devroe, First Officer, I'll be handling the Base's part of the move from here" as she paused with a smile before continuing "We have a doable plan in place with both of your ships working as tugs and Captain Kingston has the slipstream tether ready to guide the Base into it's new position once the Base is moving; this should go smoothly. Any questions at this time?"

Alex started "What's the time frame on being ready to depart?" he started knowing it was a reasonable starting point.

"Captain Kingston is ready on his end and the Commodore is anxious to get started" then Devroe paused a moment "As soon as you both can get your ships into position then we can proceed" she explained.

Captain Wilson spoke next "The Coleman needs four hours, we're finishing a power handling upgrade to handle the tractor beam work loads."

Alex looked over to Violet, "Same here, mostly precautionary maintenance for us."

"Then four hours it is. I'll contact you at that time so we can coordinate the initial startup" Devroe replied more than ready to get things going.

Walking around OPs Devroe realized what was at stake here and could use someone with a little more knowledge. Tapping her comm "Commander Wallace, we need to talk before you depart" came the request.

David paused as the trio of geologists kept walking to the umbilical walkway. David caught a wink from Sara as she kept walking, =="Wallace here, what did you need?"==

"I know you're ready to get started on your mission but could you possibly delay for twenty four hours.....I could use your knowledge with the move" Commander Devroe explained.

David looked at the status report on the pad in his hand, =="I can give you six we're still taking on equipment and supplies, plus the one geologist still needs to assemble two of his experiments and needs the station's industrial replicators before they're switched off."==

"I'll take it. Once we get the Base actually moving then I can handle things from there" Devroe replied "If I was still on a Starship I wouldn't even think twice about something like this."

David paused at the lounge near the docking point, =="The Corps of Engineers laid out most of the plan in my reports, make full use of it, the big issue is getting the station into orbit, you have to use the station's momentum combined with the orbit thrusters and the two ships to get it done, that's laid out in the plans as well, we had three different scenarios laid out, the first two basically cover undershooting the orbiting of the station for a number of reasons including densities in the nebula and the pathway being laden with debris such as asteroids, The engineers have dispatched I believe it's USS Monterey to clear the pathway and act as a pilot ship for the move in the nebula essentially steering the station while Coleman and VanZandt simple provide the momentum."== David paused as he watched a workbee push two cargo containers on to the Cascade.

=="The whole reason behind doing the move like this in place of heavy tugs is keeping the station from shattering like an egg, it's about moving with purpose, that's why the flight path is laid out so carefully, the engineers did build in enough buffering to account for certain variables, The CO of the Monterey is Kevin Madison, he's done more of these moves than most of the Corps of Engineers combined, he's done six of the Deep Space station moves alone in the last ten years, this isn't a half assed plan, I consulted with the best."==

"I have to say Commander Wallace that's quite an impressive plan and I'm confident the move will go without a hitch" as Devroe paused bring up the reports "I have them on my screen now" as she glanced them over "So am I to assume the Monterey will be arriving soon so things can get underway."

=="The way scheduling worked the Monterey should be near the navigation marker that was dropped during the survey mission in a few hours and assembling the permanent navigation marker, it should be in place in time for your arrival."== he paused as a trio of crewmen walked by =="If you want to keep on Captain Madison's good side get a bottle of whiskey from Cargo bay six, lane two, Slot seven, self one, the good stuff is written on the box."==

Devroe grinned "Thank you Mr. Wallace; I'll be sure to keep that in mind" she replied as the exchange brought Jamie into her mind; he always liked a good bottle of whiskey.

~Four Hours Later~

Commander Devroe had just completed another walk around OPs keeping a close eye on everything that was going on. Tapping her comm "Captains LeVey, Wilson, and Madison, Commander Devroe here, is everyone in position to start moving the Base" she inquired more than ready to get things going.

Violet looked up from her helmsman, "We're moving into position now, looks like the VanZandt is in place, The Monterey is joining the party? I'm getting short on whiskey."

Alex laughed over the comm channels, "Commander Devroe, The Monterey is out of range, the have checked in though they'll be ready, just make sure you've got a bottle or two ready when this is over..."

Violet chimed back in "We're ready here, oh...."

"Well...Doing another job for a Wallace!" Kevin Madison roared onto the comm link, "his kid no less...." he erupted in laughter, "and just like his dad gone leaving the work for the rest of us!" he looked like Santa Claus in a Starfleet uniform, "Now can you capital ship goofballs handle this tow or do you need the old man to warp over and hold your golf clubs?"

Devroe chuckled at the conversation "I'll see what I can do. Since everybody's in place and ready we'll commence on my mark....good luck; 3-2-1-MARK" moments later she could feel the Base starting to move. Going to the large view screen they were indeed finally moving Starbase M-69 to it's new home.

Simultaneously both starships engaged their tractor beams, the pale blue hue connecting with the outer hull of the station. As both ships fired their respective impulse engines on cue Captain LeVey Spoke first "Both ships to one quarter."

"Station speed is now two hundred meters per second and increasing." a crewman called out

On the bridge of the Coleman "Hull tensions within expected range, momentum is increasing as expected, power expense is in upper range of estimates, speed is now two hundred fifty meters per second."

Captain Wilson looked at her readings "It's too soon to up the tractor beam power levels, hold your heading and speed."

Back aboard the VanZandt the engineers waited for the first critical threshold in getting the station moving, that was overcoming the station's own mass, the station compared too the two ships was massive, but there was both mathematical and scientific reasoning for their locations as the applied forces to move the station were intended to over come the sheer mass of the station, The VanZandt was above and directly in front of the station and was applying the most force, this is where the initial momentum was created, to the left of the VanZandt and below almost even with the station was the Coleman, her tractor beam was being applied at an angle which would help over come that initial change in momentum and hopefully keep any but the most minimal rotation from happening.

"The station is moving at one eighth impulse, zero rotation, structural tensions lower level of torsion estimates, heading drift is zero point zero two to port, we're underway." A crewman called out.

=="Station ops, we're underway."== Alex said looking at the computer display.

"Thank you Captain LeVey, please keep me apprised of any changes" Commander Devroe replied feeling much better now the Base was underway. This would be an experience she'd remember for a long time to come....sort of a 'trail by fire'. Now all Angel could do was wait and monitor....it was out of her hands.

~Sometime Later~

After many days of slow travel, along with multiple breaks for cooldowns, recalibrations, and some minor maintenance, M-69 was finally within range of the Lagoon. Tapping her comm "Captain Kingston, Devroe, we're in range for you to initiate the slipstream tether" she informed Kingston. Tapping her comm once again "Captain Madison this is Commander Devroe. I took the liberty of having a package beamed over to show you our appreciation for your part in the move; thank you for your expertise."

Kingston replied " The slipstream tether is aligned and secure. Impulse power and Ghost Drive are nominal.

A crewman handed over the package the senior captain opened it "The good stuff!' he paused inspecting the label "We'll see you in a few hours."

"Looking forward to meeting you in person Captain" Devroe responded before tapping her comm "Captains LeVay and Wilson, I've beamed over a little something to say thank you for your hard work moving the Base; I hope you enjoy the token of our appreciation."

Sureth made it up from the secure billoting all had been assigned the moment he was hailed.

" Commander Devroe you have exceeded my imagination. You are truly a Number One First Officer. What is our status?"

"Thank you Commodore for your accolades. Captain Kingston has the slipstream tether all set and is pulling the Base into it's final position even was we speak. Starbase M-69 should be in it's final position over Aurelia within the hour Sir" Devroe explained feeling pretty good about herself as the Number One; Jamie had taught her well.

::OFF::


Commodore Sureth
Commanding Officer
Starbase M-69

Captain Terry Kingston (Sureth)
Engineering Specialist
Starbase M-69/Aurelia

Commander Angel Devroe
First Officer
Starbase M-69

Commander David Wallace
Second Officer/Intel
Starbase M-69

Captain Alexander LeVay (Wallace)
Commanding Officer
USS VanZandt

Captain Violet Wilson (Wallace)
Commanding Oficer
USS Coleman

Captain Kevin Madison (Wallace)
Commanding Officer
USS Monterey