The Long List
Posted on Thu Oct 22nd, 2026 @ 4:20pm by Colonel Ezekiel Bagwell & Lieutenant JG Deezell Vox
2,837 words; about a 14 minute read
Mission: Episode 121 - "Where There's A Section, There's A Way"
"I know it seems silly, when we could have walked around to the airlock, but I am excited to see her." Ezekiel started to say, with Dee in the shuttle pod with him. Dee was there to help get the new USS Saratoga operational. According to the Corps of Engineers, she was ready for service, but that was being very generous. Several fixes needed to happen first. Most of the secondary systems were not operating. All the transporters were online, but barely functioning. A good portion of the turbolifts were down.
Ezekiel piloted the shuttle as Dee was reviewing the list of repairs, refits, and installations that needed to be completed. Despite her being 7 months pregnant, he knew a job like this was something an engineer would dream of.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm delighted she's finally arrived, but they've given her to us in a shocking state. What's that all about? Don't worry, that's a rhetorical question. Look at this list of repairs, refits and installations. It makes the medieval doomsday book look like a raffle ticket. Fear not, though. Vox is on the case. However, I can't go crawling about as usual, obviously, so I will get some minions- sorry, willing volunteers to help me."
"Last I heard, this station has a lot of minions that all report to you and the engineering chief," Ezekiel said, as he continued to pilot the shuttle closer to the bay. "Oh wow, what a beaut." He said, as they both got their first look at the USS Arlington.
" That's true. Lots of them." She looked up. " Holy crap, would you look at that gorgeous lady. Oh boy, she's a stunner, alright. This is going to be so much fun getting her up and running. "
"She was a converted Odyssey-class design. I hope these aftermarket accessories will be able to handle the new upgrades." Ezekiel said, as he looked closely at the four warp nacelle configuration and weapons pod on the USS Saratoga. He knew the shell of the Odyssey-class variant was used, but it was reworked. "She is off the assembly line; there are eight of these vessels planned. Admiral Bremer pulled in a few favours to get the 1st Marine Division this ship."
" I wonder what those favours were. Must have been pretty hefty to pull this off, " Dee commented. " Also, I'd focus much better on this list if someone would stop wriggling." She added, poking her large belly.
"The baby will be here before you know it. Then you get the fun of chasing the little one around the station." Ezekiel said with a teasing grin as they continued towards the Saratoga.
"Well, if he is anything like me as a child, then you might be right. I learned to walk very early and was a menace around the house, my mother tells me. "
"You know the old saying: whatever you did to your parents will come back on you tenfold. I hope that's just the saying and not a revelation coming my direction." Ezekiel said, hoping it was not true in his case.
"You and me both on that one. Were you a little terror as well?" she asked.
"Maybe, but you have to see that was in my past," Ezekiel said with a big smirk. He never believed the old groomers, you know, but you will reap what you sow. But now here he was as a parent, and deep down he didn't mind it too much.
"Indeed, but I have never been one to pry into other people's pasts unless it directly concerns me, our relationship and our future. Anyway, hurry up and get us docked. I want to get started. This is going to be so much fun."
"Hard to believe they redesigned an Odyssey class, slapped two extra nacelles and a weapons pod onto her, and gave her a fighter bay. Seems a bit much, but I will say. She is a beaut." Ezekiel pointed to her.
"I can't argue with you on both points. A little OTT, but dam she's one gorgeous lady. What fighters does she currently have? "
Dee asked.
"There goes the engineering you, trying to figure everything out. Don't worry I'll give you a full briefing on the technical specs of this ship." Ezekiel suggested to her, seeing you that she was an engineer lost in thought and marvel.
" I can't help it. It's like a drug that's highly addictive. I have been known to read technical manuals before bed with a cup of hot chocolate".
"Then you are in for a real treat. The Arlington class is an engineering marvel." Ezekiel pointed out as they started to make their way to a dockside port access cover.
"You have sold her to me several times over. I hope with all the hype you are giving her, she does not disappoint. Hurry up and get us onboard."
"Yes ma'am." Ezekiel said, as he programed the pod for its final approach the hull of the USS Saratoga. As they docked, he motioned with his hand. "After you, Ma'am." He said, still teasing her.
" Why thank you kind sir. No wonder Anna loves you so much, such a gentleman. " Dee replied as she exited the pods through the airlock.
Ezekiel did not say anything as they stepped onto the USS Saratoga. A bosun whistle went off, as everyone in the hallway snapped to attention. "Commanding Officer and Guest on deck." The crewman called out. Ezekiel looked around, it had a similar look to the odyssey class line in interior appearance.
"Where shall go first?" Ezekiel asked, as he looked to Dee. He assumed she would have said engineering. It's the logical choice for an engineer.
"Main engineering, obviously. Got to checkout the warp core. " She said eagerly.
The young second Lieutenant just looked to Ezekiel. "You heard the lady, take his engineering." He called out.
"Of course sir." Called out the Second Lieutenant, then he went on to say. "Welcoming party dismissed." Has everyone else, started to walk away Ezekiel and looked to the Second Lieutenant.
"Colonel, and Lieutenant. The Saratoga is fully operational, but most of her secondary systems haven't been fully tested or properly installed. The Corps of Engineers did a rest job and getting her operational." Second Lieutenant Pierre Dü Frãre pointed out to them.
"That's why I have the best engineer on Starbase 400, to help us." Ezekiel link it out, as he smiled towards Dee. Any of anybody could get this ship into tip-top shape; it would be her.
"I must warn you, Colonel, that in my present condition, I am highly susceptible to flattery. But you are correct in what you say. Of course I can. Just lead me to where I need to be, but obviously, someone else will have to crawl through the Jeffries Tubes. I don't think I will fit."
"That's why you have a fleet of minions all highly trained engineers that are eager to follow your direction," Ezekiel said with a big cheesy grin.
"Dam right I do. Although I prefer to call them willing volunteers. Minions sound like I am some kind of evil genius with plans to rule the galaxy."
"Well aren't you an evil genius?" Ezekiel said with a straight face, it was harder for him to express his emotions. But he hopes that she could tell that he was joking.
"Genius maybe but evil? Depends who you ask. I have sought revenge on a few who have hurt me in the past so they might suggest I qualify but the got what was coming to them."
"Remind me not to get on your bad side, Lieutenant." Ezekiel said with a warm smile on his face. They started to head towards the turbolift. They both walked in. "Engineering."
" Don't worry, you're not in any danger of that happening, you are too good of a friend anyway "
A few minutes into the tour, they both were taken on the site. Just absorbing the moment. Ezekiel decided to be a little humorous with his sense of humor. "Your oddly quiet, I thought you'd have a few words by now. Is the Saratoga engineering not impressive enough for you?"
" It's like admiring art. You just have to stand back, take in the beauty and magnificence of it before you start commenting on it. This is just fantastic. I'd love to be the engineer here permanently. What an absolute gem." She gazed at her surroundings. "I guess you would have to be into engineering as much as I am to understand."
"Perhaps, even though I'm not an engineer I still care deeply for the Saratoga." Ezekiel pointed out to her. He walks over to a console, and gently places hand on it as he just gave a slight smile.
" I know you do. We should treat ships with love and respect as that way they will always bring us home. She is a true lady of the stars."
"Spoken like a true captain." Ezekiel simply said to her. Ezekiel you see the potential in her to become captain.
" Who knows what my future holds for me. If I got to be a captain, that would be quite something. So, where to next?" She asked.
"Don't sell yourself short, I can see the rank of captain being bestowed upon you one day. I was thinking the engineering lab." Ezekiel suggested as a continue to walk out of the engineering Bay.
"Sounds good, lead the way. I will let you be the guide." Dee replied.
"I am surprised you have not created a mile long list of repairs or fixes that the Saratoga will need." Ezekiel said with a big grin. This was a good sign, he hoped the Saratoga would be ready to go.
" As far as I can tell, she's in superb shape. There are a few minor jobs but she's ready to fly. Hell, you could those things at your leisure as they are merely updates to a few minor systems. Personally I get them done before she leaves, just because that's how I operate."
"I am itching to try her out, your husband has been asking to join the crew." Ezekiel teased, knowing they were only engaged and not married yet. Also a subliminal message, hinting when are they getting married. A little passive aggressive, but the message was sent to her.
"oh man not you as well. Is everyone pestering us to get married quickly? What's the rush? Besides, I'd rather not be hugely pregnant in a wedding dress."
"What's the rush?" Ezekiel asked, as he thought about it for a moment. "I suppose there is not one, but why no date. Surely you can plan for it to be after the baby is born." He pointed out to her.
" Umm. Ok you've got me there. I don't have an excuse other than we haven't got one. " Dee replied.
"Well, you both should think about it. So back to Jax, I am not trying to be mean. I was hoping to crew the Saratoga with an all marine crew. But that is proving difficult. Most marines are not navy certified in starship protocols or operations." Ezekiel pointed out to Dee. He hated to admit it, but he may need to bring on a Starfleet crew to operate the Saratoga.
" I totally understand. I'm guessing it would take considerable time to bring marine crew up to the necessary navy certifications. You don't really want to delay getting out with your new ship. " She said. Teasing him slightly.
"It would take a lot of time, the old Saratoga had a mix crew, but we were sideline alot because we did not have proper crew to be able to launch more frequently." Ezekiel said to her, hoping that she would have some insight for him.
" Maybe you could run two crews side by side. One helps run the ship and gets her out on time and at the same time aids in getting the marines up to certification. Just a thought, straight off the top of my head. "
"Great minds think alike." Ezekiel said, he hated to admit it. But he had been thinking the same thing she had, get a small starfleet crew to run the ship, while his marines control other elements of the ship.
" There you go again, flattery. Just being aboard her is giving you a real buzz. I can see it. "
"I really appreciate your input. I think you know that. I think I will follow your advise, and get the crew staffed by Starfleet. Should Jax be apart of that crew?" Ezekiel asked her.
" You know I'm going to be completely biased when it comes to Jaxon, so hell yeah. But, ultimately it's your decision and you should base it on facts and not because his soon to be wife and mother of his child says he's awesome. But he his."
"I can tell not biased." He said with a raised eye brow. He continued on to say. "I wanted to make sure you were okay with it. You're now a family, I won't Starfleet break up families. Not under my watch."
" Risks come with the uniform so anyone who wears one has to be realistic about having a family, when in Starfleet. "
"They is true, but family means everything to me. I know it does to you too." Ezekiel pointed out to Dee.
" Yes, I absolutely does and I'm about have my own family very soon. Daunting but exciting. "
"I know you will make a great mother, curious though. Will your child be a pilot or an engineer like his mother?" Ezekiel asked, thinking that the child would probably have both traits, a good engineer, that prefers to fly.
" He will get to be who he wants to be but I'd be proud of her became either to be honest. "
"Don't underestimate your influence, I think you'll find that you're more influential than you first thought. I keep great potential in you Dee." Ezekiel said, hoping that she believed him. Because he meant it.
" Thanks. But, don't take this wrong way, the sheer amount of praise you are throwing around makes me wonder if you have an ulterior motive. So, if you have, just come out with it."
"I want you to oversee the Arlington's shakedown cruise. I know you are attached to the Essex, so it's only a temporary assignment." Ezekiel said, as he got down to business.
"And here I was, thinking you'd never ask. Consider it done. I'd be delighted to do that. "
Dee replied with a huge grin on her face.
"I was hoping you would say, Colonel Lennox is also going on a shakedown cruise, I wanted to secure you before he asked." Ezekiel pointed out to her. "Also I will have Jaxon assigned as well for the shakedown."
"Good thinking on two counts. The first is you do need a good pilot and second, the bigger and closer to my due date I get, Jaxon doesn't like me too far out of his sights."
"I had a feeling you would say that, so we are heading to Trill for our shakedown." Ezekiel said to her with a big grin on his face. "I know you would prefer to be with family, for the later half of your pregnancy would you not?" Ezekiel asked, knowing she would say yes.
" Oh... We are? That's wonderful." She said with a grin a light-year wide on her face. "I best check with my parents if they are ok for me to come home to have my baby. I can't see them not being ok with that."
"I am sure they will be okay with it, if not you can have the baby on the Saratoga." Ezekiel said, with a big grin on his face. He was eager to head back to Trill, he had his honeymoon on Trill, so this place was special to him.
"If things happen before we get to Trill, then yeah. But, ideally, it would be nice to have my child on my home world."
"As long as you come back to 400, I am not ready to loose one of the best engineer's in all of Starfleet." Ezekiel pointed out to Dee, he knew that he was laying it on a little thick.
" More flattery. Keep going. As for leaving Starbase 400, not a chance. It's my home and love it here. It would be one hell of an offer for me to even consider leaving. " Dee commented.
"Don't tempt Starfleet." Ezekiel said with a big grin on his face. He knew that red tape bureaucracy, would dictate where they went. He knew that Dee had a bright future ahead of her in Starfleet.
" Don't worry, I won't. I'm very happy here. Right, let's get working and get this beautiful ship ready . "
"Let's do that." Ezekiel said, as the scene fades away. The two of them continued to plan for their future departure from the station.
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