Just then the Irrawaddy called Wong and informed him that a  message was coming in from the Culver City.

“Route it through to me here please Mr. Singh.” Wong replied

LCDR K’lev’s voice came through the comm.  “We just heard from the Santa Monica; she’s arrived, with the USS April in tow.  Am I correct in assuming, sir, that she’s the courier you’re expecting, and April is the new ship?” he asked, a (semi) polite admonishment layered between the words.  Clearly, somebody somewhere had forgotten to tell Culver City that the new ship would be coming not in the care of a fleet tug, but in the care of a California-class starship.

“April you say? Hmm that was more info then I got Commander K’lev. The Santa Monica has also been ordered to assist you in salvaging the Blythe as well.” Wong quickly realized he had been given command so abruptly, he wasn’t sure what orders K’lev had been made aware of, and decided to share what he knew.

“Good to know,” K’lev replied.  “She’s inbound at impulse, and should arrive in 20 minutes or so.”

“Understood, we’ll be up in about 10 then. If you could inform my freeloaders who are using up oxygen in your cargo bays, that they should prepare to board the April when she arrives. And please extend my gratitude to and your crew for hosting them the past few days.”

“Will do, Captain Wong.  And congratulations on your new command.  Culver City out.”  With that, the channel closed.

Wong then tapped his comm badge opening a new channel, “Wong to all Blythe crew on the surface. Our new assignment is arriving as we speak, please  continue the dig here under Lt. Lotharys, we’ll have everyone’s gear and possessions transfered to the new ship. Carry on, Wong out.” He glanced over at Lotharys.

“It’s all yours Lt.”

Lotharys nodded, heading back towards the base camp area.  A science officer herself, she preferred to be a bit more hands-on in these sorts of away missions.  As she walked, she tapped her own combadge.  “Lotharys to Culver City.  Looks like the Irrawaddy’s gonna be leaving soon; could we get a couple of shuttles to replace them?”

“Sure thing, Lia,” K’lev replied.  “How do the Lovelace and the Vaughn sound?”

“Works for me!  Thanks!”  With that, she closed the channel, her strides having by this point brought her nearly to the base camp area.

Wong then put his 2 pinky fingers in the sides of his mouth and whistled in the direction of the small lake that Mee IH had gone for a quick swim in.

“Hey Number One! New rides here! Lets go get settled in!” Wong hollered. He knew the other 4 were back at the runabout already.

“‘Bout time, I’ma turn my new pool in some Dead Sea levels of salinity. Poppa Mee IH need some salt water baby!” The new red swimsuit style uniform clad cetacean XO said after he swam to the near edge of the lake and engaged his flipper repulsors and sped back to meet Wong at the runabout.