[Felicity Ellis - USS Mac, 0845 HRS]

Felicity Ellis eyed the blinking light on her viewscreen that told her she had an incoming call. She knew who was on the other end of that communication, and she knew just how much her caller deplored being kept waiting, so naturally she waited two minutes before answering. Captains who ignored Admirals were few and far between; but even rarer were Captains who could call one particular Admiral, 'Mother'. 

The list of differences between the two women were extensive, but they did have a few things in common. One of Felicity's most defining traits was her stubbornness. When channeled toward work it became tenacity, and focused determination, but when it came to dealing with her mother it translated into a willful, combative characteristic. The PADD in her hand contained the most up-to-date Front Ear active roster, and she looked back down at it, taking her time to peruse it again. Once her blatant disregard for the Admiral's call began to approach rudeness, she tossed the reading device down on her desk, pulled her loose hair back into a messy bun and then, finally, activated the link.

"Admiral."

Somehow, without even being there, Antoinette Ellis' presence filled the Ready Room. Her sharp, dark eyes peered out at her daughter, made all the more striking by the porcelain complexion and exquisite bone structure. Neither of which Felicity had inherited, just to add insult to injury. "Felicity, dear," the other woman eventually responded once she'd finished evaluating her, "You look tired."

Translation: I'm pissed.

"Thanks."

Admiral Ellis waved a dismissive hand and looked very much as though she'd like to roll her eyes at her daughter's sarcasm. "Hazards of Command and travel, I'm afraid. Speaking of which, you should have arrived by now."

"We are on approach, I think you'll find we're not due to dock at Front Ear until 0900 hours, and what do you know, it is not yet 0900 hours." She tapped at the integrated console, making a show of checking the exact time.

"Forgive me, darling, I'm just looking forward to seeing you."

Felicity was just about to excuse herself, and was in the process of swiveling away in her chair, when her mother's words permeated her irritated mind properly. Her head snapped back to pierce the smiling image of Antoinette with a glare of her own. "I'm sorry, you're looking forward to seeing me? I'm a little far away from Fleet HQ, Mother."

"As am I, Captain, as am I. I will arrive this evening. Please ensure the station is ready to receive me. Until then."

Her smirk winked out of existence, but Felicity's expression remained, slack-jawed as it was. After a few moments of processing, she slumped back in her chair and groaned loudly. It was then that her First Officer's voice broke through.


There was a headache beginning to emerge; tap-tapping on her temples. =/\= "I'm on my way, Commander." =/\=

She would just have to deal with the Admiral when the time came. What business the woman had out on the frontier Felicity had no idea, but her mother likely wouldn't be long telling everyone what she wanted and expected. Felicity stood, squared her shoulders and attempted to put the oncoming special hell out of her mind. As soon as she swept from the Ready Room she was stepping onto the Bridge. Passing Tactical II with a nod toward the officer stationed there, she moved toward the center chairs and smiled a greeting at Judy. 

She didn't yet sit, but turned toward the Operations station. "Open a channel."

At the ensign's nod, Felicity began. =/\= "This is Captain Felicity Ellis of the USS Mac, on approach to Front Ear Station and requesting docking clearance." =/\= When she waved an arm, gesturing at their on-duty Flight Officer in silent order to transmit their credentials, coordinates and approach details, it was met with immediate acknowledgement.

A response from Front Ear, however, was not quite so speedy. When nothing came, Felicity turned a questioning look toward Ops, but she was met only with a mirrored expression. Then the ensign's frown cleared, and the comms crackled a little, followed by a very uncertain voice.

=/\= "Ah, hello, USS Mac. You weren't supposed to be here until tomorrow!" =/\=

Taken aback by the reaction to their arrival, Felicity glanced over at their First Officer, her brow arched. =/\= "I assure you, Front Ear, we are supposed to be here now. To whom am I speaking?" =/\= First order of business might just be to send some of the Operations staff back to charm school. The next response did come a little quicker, though. There was some angry muttering first, perhaps directed at a colleague, then an acquiescence. 

=/\= "Okay, okay, please hold, Mac. We'll rustle something up for you." =/\=


Felicity's response was terse. =/\= "Be sure that you do, Front Ear. Ellis out." =/\= She made the cut signal and finally, sat down. "Helm, take us in," she ordered as she made herself comfortable by crossing one leg over her knee. Her gaze still on Judy she quirked a brow again. "Just what is waiting for us out here?" Certainly not a red carpet. 

[Thea - USS Mac, Sickbay]


For someone who had been practising medicine for the last four years, with the entirety of that time, spent on a Starbase, Thea was like a kid in a candy store. In fact most of the journey, since meeting up with the Mac, had involved many hours, familiarising herself with the layout and amenities of what the Sovereign class ship offered for her department. Loving the name of the ship and it seemed perfect for what she was about to embark on. Of course it wasn't too dissimilar to what she was used too, but that didn't deter Thea, from learning everything she could, especially since, she had initially wanted to be on a ship, when she had left the Academy.


The newly promoted CMO had loved her time aboard Epsilon and at one point, thought that she would never leave. However fate had intervened with her double promotion and she realised that she would regret it, if she turned it down. Besides she was looking forward to this new adventure and what it would bring her, especially with a renewed sense of wanting to be more social and further her career.


However when the call came through from the Bridge, that they would be arriving soon, Thea silently cursed herself, for not keeping an eye on the chronometer. That momentary blip didn't last long and she began, closing down the computer, with the intention of collecting what she needed and being present, during docking.


[Leanna& Ariana - USS Mac, Guest Quarters]


Considering that she had been travelling with a very energetic and full of life, three year old, the journey so far, had been relatively tantrum free, which for Leanna, was a bonus, especially with being seven months pregnant. Then again, having the support of her friends, had helped a lot, just from them being there and supporting her, especially with the void in her and Ari's life, due to Fells's incarceration.


The last six months had been extremely tough on the Mazal/Halgerdur family, what with his past catching up to them, the trial and the sentence he had
been given. However at least, she hadn't been completely cut off from him, thanks to visits and letters. That went some way to alleviate how much she missed him, although now it was about to get a lot better, as his sentence was almost complete.


As much as she would of loved for him to be here right now, they had both agreed, that she should go ahead and set up their new quarters and be present for the new bar and restaurant opening. Lea knew it was the right thing for her to do and then, once they were reunited, they could put the unpleasantness behind them and enjoy a new life together on Front Ear.


That typo or mistake, always made her giggle, whenever she thought about it, but it was meant to be for the Betazoid, even more so, now that she had also been reunited with Flick, her best friend and her unborn son's Godmother. Her and Brooke, had been her rock, all of this time and now she could enjoy life, once more.


With the call notifying them, that they were near, Lea began to gather Ari's toys, placating her with a large stuffed Targ from Auntie Flick, guaranteed to placate and prevent, any upset, along with her Unicorn.

[Brooke - USS Mac, Guest Quarters]


After receiving the notification from the Bridge, Brooke paused for a moment, before marking the page she had been reading. The journey from Sierra, had enabled the cafe owner to indulge in one of her favourite pastimes, especially as she had wanted to read this particular cookbook for a while. In fact she was looking forward to testing out some of the recipes on Greg and her friends, especially if she was to add them to the menu of her new business.


Although the thought of Greg, took Brooke's thoughts away from food for a minute or two, leaving a huge smile on her face, knowing that she would get to see him soon. The decision to move to Front Ear had been an easy one to make, not only to see Greg more but also to be with her friends and sister in law to be. Not to mention, getting to expand her business and take it to a whole different level.


With that in mind, Brooke, placed the book back into her bag, then got organised, especially as she wanted to help Lea with Ari, once they arrived.

[Petty Officer Conor Lynch - Promenade, Front Ear  Station]



Conor Lynch stood on the Promenade, facing The Spudriq Potato Bar. Inside one could order themselves a steaming, fluffy, Irish Rooster baked potato. And on that, one could load and lash all manner of delicious toppings; cheese, bacon, hummus, shredded chicken, chili and even healthy green things, like kale. Though who would want such a thing, Lynch did not know, but their nutritionist adviser person had insisted on it. He clapped his hands together and rubbed his palms in a most delighted gesture.

"Bleedin' deadly."

The permanently pinched head of his ma poked out the door. "Conor, ye useless lump, if yer quite finished mooching around ye can get in here and help me with prep."

"Ah but Ma, I've to get to work. I was just admiring our handiwork. I'll be home for tea!" He started to back away, peering at Peggy Lynch with wide, scared eyes.

***

[Gregory Ellis - Observation Lounge, Deck 11, Front Ear  Station]



The USS Leeds had arrived at the frontier only two days ago, and Greg hadn't told his fiance or his sister that he'd be there. Originally his ship had been due to arrive as per their new assignment orders two weeks from the current stardate, but the unexpected loss of their Captain meant that the diplomatic talks they'd been facilitating had been drawn to a temporary close, while the parties involved awaited a suitable mediator to replace Hawkins. Thus, Greg had been ordered to return to the closest Federation facility, which just so happened to be Front Ear. 

His plan was to meet Brooke right off the Mac. Three months without his wife-to-be was far too long, and he couldn't wait to see her beautiful face and hear her voice. Every single part of him ached for it.

He drained the drink in his tumbler and stepped away from the spectacular view. His commbadge began to ping; his signal that the time was approaching. Leaving his glass on a nearby table, he took a moment to straighten out his suit - Brooke's favourite one - and moved with a light, jaunty step toward the exit. He was bound for the docking rings.

[Front Ear Station - CO's Quarters - Commander Priscilla Parsinp]

Commander Priscilla Parsinp was having a bad day. Not only was this crew full of younguns coming to take over her station as the admiralty was forcing her into retirement, but she couldn't find Harvey. Since Harvey lived in a pot, there was no way he could have wandered off, so someone must have taken him from her quarters. She'd have to ask someone about that. Mental note, she thought, and promptly forgot it.

=/\= Ah, Commander? Sorry to bother you, but the USS Mac has arrived. The captain sounds kind of, ah, unhappy.

Uppity youngin', Parsinp groused. Tell the captain I'll be meeting her when they dock.

Aye, Commander. =/\=


Parsinp stumped down to the landing pad A jetway, straightening her smudged uniform (no dress uniform for usurpers), her flyaway hair floating about her head as she moved her stocky body into an exaggerated attention stance to wait.



[Front Ear Station - Communications Center]

=/\= Ah, Front Ear to Mac, you're cleared to dock. The commander is going to meet you. =/\=

[S.S. Falcon – Bridge]



Jett remained seated on the Captain’s chair as he observed the lights of the stars passing him by via warp travel. He still was discovering the features of the ship and he was not sure what secrets were on the vessel. The former Starfleet Officer look at the bridge as the ship was starting to look like home. Previously it was a mess but slowly with careful maintenance and upgrades.



In the background, you could listen to classical music as Jett had those to make the journey less lonely. The purpose of traveling to this station was meant to start a new life far away from Earth. He chuckled to himself as he realized that was no true. The Frontier was the edge of Federation space and more important was one of the stops that the U.S.S. Icarus did before heading to deep space in their mission.



He picked up a picture of their wedding day;and looked at it. He muttered to himself “Where are you now?” .




As he looked at the picture as he wondered about his plan, maybe there was a clue at the Station? Something that they left behind. The former Officer highly doubt that Intelligence wiped the databases when they were here years ago. He could not access the databases but maybe reading all the reports of those days might give him vital clues. His thoughts were interrupted as he heard the alarm that the ship was automatically coming out of warp.



He quickly jumps out of warp and he took control of the Ship via the Captain’s chair. With a couple pressed of quick controls, Tom opened the hailing frequencies. =/\= “ Front Ear Station this is the S.S. Falcon requesting authorization for docking. =/\=   The former Officer observed Starfleet Protocols as he remained outside of the traffic area and waited for the response. He would request access to public archives to see if they were clues of the Icarus.

[Felicity Ellis - Bridge, USS Mac]

One corner of Felicity's mouth curled upward a little at Judy's response. "They're going to love us." It was said with a manner of cheek, though she was obviously aware of just how necessary it might be for them to clean house. They weren't there to make friends, they were there to make a difference. At Saya's approach and greeting, Felicity offered a nod. "Chief. Welcome to the party."


While the First Officer pressed for the relevant questions and directed the helm, Felicity sat back in her chair and tapped at the panel next to its arm. Moments later the view-screen displayed a live feed of Front Ear station, looming larger as they closed in. When the Flight officer on duty confirmed receipt of docking details Felicity sucked in a breath and addressed the ship.

=/\= "All hands this is Captain Ellis. We are on final approach to the station and will be docking momentarily. At this stage you should have all received your living assignments and schedules. Unless you have been ordered otherwise, take the opportunity to get settled in and familiarise yourselves with our new base of operations." She paused for a moment and suppressed a groan. But she said it. "And welcome to Front Ear." =/\=

Cringe.

[Front Ear Station - Communications Center]

=/\= Oh, ah, right. One second, please. The comms went silent for a moment except for a murmur, then the voice returned. Yes, you'll be docking on landing pad C, and, ah, welcome to the station. =/\=



[Front Ear Station - Landing Pad A - Commander Priscilla Parsinp]

Parsinp stood at attention for an uncomfortably long time. So long, in fact, that people were starting to stare at her as they passed by. The squat woman relaxed from her rigid stance and tapped her combadge. =/\= Parsinp to Ops. Where's the bloody ship? I've been standing here for an eternity. Don't tell me the mighty captain don't know how to bring a ship in properly? She cackled at her own joke.

Ah, Commander, sorry for the confusion, but I see your combadge at landing pad A. They're coming in on C.

The commander huffed and started walking as quickly as her stocky legs could carry her. Blinking idiots. Why didn't you tell me they were coming in at a different landing pad?

Well, Commander, you didn't tell us where you were going. =/\= The voice was slightly less airy in its final response.

Parsinp continued to mutter and gripe to herself as she continued to the correct landing area.