Moving Civilians

Posted on Wed Jun 17th, 2026 @ 4:44pm by Commander Jonathan Grayson & Lieutenant Commander Callie Raven-Grayson & Lieutenant Imik S'Niohun

2,279 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Sins of the Empire
Location: Jon's Ready Room
Timeline: After Meeting JP

After the meeting ended, it still remained to get the civilians off the Washington before any engagement with the Romulans. "Callie, Imik please come into my Ready Room, I have a task for you both." He said a bit cryptically as he entered his Ready Room, knowing Callie and Imik would be following him in. He sat down behind his desk and waited.

Imik had been heading for Tactical when she heard Jon's call, "Imik here, on my way." Her realigning of the sensors and weapons systems would have to wait, but it had to be done before the Washington engaged in combat. She approached Jon's ready room and entered, "You requested my presence Commander, how may I be of assistance?"

"I did call Imik, come in and have a seat. grab a milkshake if you want one, I'll wait for Callie to get here so I can tell you both at the same time." Jon replied.

Placing her PaDD on a seat, Imik turned to the replicator. "One ice cold chocolate milkshake." She began to hum an Ojnas song quietly as she waited, then picking up her milkshake returned to her seat. "I have a realignment of both sensors and weapons to perform Commander, the damage taken when we assisted the Klingons has affected our targeting ability."

"We'll need them with what's coming." Jon noted. "I know you will make sure that both systems are at peak operating efficiency."

A brief smile crossed Imik's lips, "You credit me with more skill than I may possess Commander, but I will ensure this vessel is battle ready when required." She took a sip of her milkshake, "I fear we all may soon regret our enthusiastic willingness to engage in this adventure with our Sinkahue."

Jon shook his head from side to side, "And you don't give yourself enough credit." He bantered back. A grin crossed his face, "It was getting kinda dull around her though. Don't you think?"

"Dullness can be relaxing when in theatre Commander, but it also induces laziness. Which can impact combat readiness, and that leads to disaster." Imik stopped and a grin spread over her face, "Oh dear, I am sounding like the creature Yoda from Star Wars. An entertainment which was recommended to me by a colleague, I still do not understand why the creature talks backwards." She quickly resumed drinking her milkshake, a slight tint flickered across her face in embarrassment.

"I don't think we have to worry about being lazy or dull Imik and remember Yoda is a fictional character. The series is enjoyable on a whole but just remember to view it in its proper context that as recreational outlet to relieve stress." Jon replied while maintaining a straight face despite the urge to laugh.

Imik picked up on Jon's amusement, "You find the fact an Ojnas may find pleasure in an ancient Earth media amusing Commander? I have indulged in many such sojourns, it is one way I can learn about Earth the Humans and this Federation." A smile danced across her face, "How else will I ever fit within this environment? To use a Human phrase, a girl has to try."

" I certainly do not. I think it is wonderful that you can find amusement in watching media. A true and fair point Imik and from a personal point of view, you not only try but you succeed and that is a credit to you, your drive and determination. Even if you do like chocolate milkshakes." Jon gently teased her.

Raising her glass, Imik smiled. "The flavour of ones milkshake reflects ones outlook on life. Vanilla equals a plain and simple way, Chocolate reflects a more colourful outlook." She now giggled and shook her head, "Truly such scientific investigations are only possible in the Federation, who else even knows of the delight called a milkshake."

"Oh? So I'm plain and simple. because I like vanilla milkshakes. I see. Thank you for letting me know." Jon teased her. "It is nice to know ones friends and as far as everyone else, that is their loss in not knowing about milkshakes."

Callie entered the room giving an apologetic smile. “Sorry I’m late.” She took a seat waiting to see what Jon had to say.

"Quite alright Callie." Jon replied easily. "The reason I asked you both here is to coordinate in getting the civilians off the Washington. Where we're going they would be in harms way."

"Commander, are we to use the shuttles or find a M class planet where they can wait until we can return?" Imik looked at Jon and Callie, "If the planet is to be used I must start scanning now, this system does not have many that we could use easily or safely. If shuttles are to be used, like wise a place to move them to will be required to keep them safe."

"I would use the shuttles. They are quicker and easier to move people and offer shelter and protection rather than transporting down along with building supplies and other essentials." Jon replied.

Picking up her PaDD Imik now did a few calculations, "That does make thing slightly easier, as we have several small moons we could use. Plus if we separate the shuttles into small groups, we can land them in sheltered areas of those moons. Thus making it difficult for the Romulans to find them, we on the other hand will have all the co-ordinates so retrieval should be a simple exercise." Imik now looked at Callie, "Do you agree Commander? Or do you have another plan we could use?"

“It sounds like a good plan to me, but are the civilians in agreement with it? There are going to be logistical matters in keeping families together, plus they’ll be wanting to take belongings as well.”

Nodding Imik turned to Jon, "Then the Sinkahue and you, Commander, must instruct them that no belongings can be carried on board. Only people can be moved due to limited space." She again used her PaDD, "How many younglings will there be? As if they are new born we many encounter difficulties with equipment required to keep them healthy."

"They will be told Imik." Jon answered simply. "As for how many children as well as how many newborn I'm not sure. I know at least three Harry, Shon and Steven." He replied looking over at Callie.

Taking a breath, Imik now glanced between Jon and Callie. "Will Commander Raven-Grayson be accompanying your three younglings? As she could assist in with keeping order within a set group of shuttles, also will you require myself to leave with another group? I do not want to leave my post on the bridge, but will obey the order." The question was relevant to Imik as it had been covered in the previous meeting, she didn't want others to think she was a coward.

Jon answered Imik's last question first, "No Imik, you are needed here on the bridge your tactical analysis will come in handy. We'll send a security detail to watch over and protect the civilians. As for Callie, I know as a mother she wants to be with and watch over our children. I fully respect and understand that. She is also a Starfleet officer . So, I will leave the decision to her."

Callie offered a nod of her head. “As an Officer my place is here on the ship, but as a mother I want to be sure the kids are looked after. It’s a difficult decision to make.”

Jon reached a hand out and placed it atop Callie's in an unspoken gesture of support no matter decision she made.

“I should be here with all of you, I’m a senior officer.” Callie offered. “If I can find someone to look after the kids I’ll come with you.”

Imik nodded and made a quick note on her PaDD, "I will inform all security Officers on the detail to watch and protect your younglings, but I am of the opinion that a senior Officer will be needed to control the shuttles and their occupants."

"Callie has a good point, She may be needed here. Arrangements can be made to have Ayana go with the shuttles and the security detail." Jon put forth.

Looking at both Jon and Callie, Imik bobbed ger head in agreement. Then she had a thought and voiced it, "Would it not be easier and simpler to ask for a volunteer from the senior Officers? To assign such a detail to any Officer is to mark that Officer as unworthy, which is why I raised the question. This I know as it is how I reacted when the Sinkahue commented about my status in the meeting prior to this one Commander."

"Just the opposite Imik. Any officer placed in charge of this detail knows they have the full confidence and trust of the command team and will do everything within their powere to keep all safe." Jon replied.

"I stand corrected Commander, as an Ojnas i would assume my service was being questioned. I still have much to learn about the Federation and how it operates." Imik then resumed her update on her PaDD.

Jon smiled at the Ojnas, "You learn, we all learn by asking questions and we all help each other in the pursuit of knowledge to become better officers."

Callie smiled. “I’d like to learn more about the Ojnas Imik when there’s time to do so.”

Looking up, Imik turned toward Callie. "The history of my people is not one to excite the listener, the wanderings and the result of it is something my people talk little of. I think the only event we may share is our fear of the Borg, I myself have not encountered them yet but my people have and we did vanquish them. But how has been lost in time, as our records of the wanderings were lost in an attack." Placing her PaDD down she picked up her empty glass, "Please excuse me while I refill my milkshake, a vice I have acquired since joining Starfleet." A small laugh could be heard in her voice as she spoke. "Would anyone like a milkshake?"

"Nothing for me, I'll drink after we're through with this mission." Jon replies solemnly.

“Nothing for me thank you Imik” Callie replied smiling at Imik’s humour. “Nothing wrong with liking a milkshake.”

"You are absolutely correct Callie." Jon said with a smile at his wife. Knowing she knew knew of his love for milkshakes. "Especially vanilla." he said with a grin at Imik.

A wicked grin now appeared on Imik's face, "Ah the plain and simple solution to all problems Commander, I myself enjoy a more colourful outlook." She returned to her seat and took a sip of her shake, "Yes indeed, a more colourful solution. Now about this evacuation Commander, when are you intending to implement it?"

" I refer to think of it as direct and to the point Imik." Jon countered with a grin of his own. "As to when to implement it I would say withing the next 48 to 72 hours."

Nodding once again in acknowledgment, Imik noted the timings on her PaDD. "With due respect Commander, I think the sooner we implement the move the better all round it would be. We do not know if the Romulans and the disaffected Klingons may attack early, and I for one would not like to try and attempt the move under fire."

"Couldn't agree more. You and Callie put the plans in motion to evac the civilians and let them also know to take the bare minimum in personal belongings." Jon replied.

Callie nodded, she didn’t like the feeling in the pit of her stomach at having to say goodbye to their children, but she knew it was safer. “Understood Jon.”

Jon knew Callie wasn't happy about leaving their children but is was for their own wellbeing. "The children are going to be fine Callie."

Callie nodded. “I know, it’s just the thought of being away from them.” She sighed before taking a deep breath. “Let’s just get this done before I change my mind.”

"Right." Jon answered. "For what it is worth, I don't like leaving the children either."

Callie nodded. “I know Jon.”

Not having children herself, Imik couldn't say anything to help Jon and Callie. But what she did have was a large family and so she turned to Jon, "Commander, both you and your beloved have the ability to give the younglings a gift to aide them. Simply place a comforting message within their minds, and take a memory from them for yourself. This can be returned once the emergency is over, we Ojnas do this if the situation requires us to separate unwillingly."

"An excellent idea Imik. Thank you for mentioning that." Jon replied gratefully.

Finishing her second milkshake, Imik now spoke to both Jon and Callie. "If there is no further business I will begin organising the shuttles and the timings, I will leave the families and younglings to Commander Raven-Grayson as she has more experience than I."

“Thank you Imik” Callie nodded. “I’ll remember your suggestion for later.”

Jon looked between Callie and Imik, "Is there anything else we need to discuss ladies?"

"No Commander, I have everything I require. I will however require listing of names as to who is on which shuttle once Commander Raven-Grayson has compiled them." Imik knew this move wouldn't be easy but it was necessary, she only hoped there would be a vessel for them to return to.

 

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