|
Post by UltimateTrekker on Dec 2, 2001 10:58:34 GMT -5
Captain Jefferys knew something was not right. He hadn't slept the night before. We had been waiting for the warp core to come online. It took him all the patience and will he had to NOT go down to engineering. "I must trust my own crew to their own jobs."
Even though he had been in command before, it was never to a crew of this size. Also, when he commanded the Bozeman, he hadn't REALLY been the Captain. He really just took over and caried out what HE thought was neccessary.
Also, he wasn't just in command. In fact, he barely stepped foot on the bridge. Now, he had to observe protocols that he'd grown to hate, and it was eating him up inside.
Finally, he couldn't take it anymore. It was only 3 hours before they needed to go, and he didn't want to have to tell Admiral Harrison that they'd need some more time.
He stepped into Engineering and saw the work being done. Stirok was engaged at the billiard table (That what those island consoles always reminded him of) looking very... Vulcan.
Mr. Stirok, are ya' in need of some assitance.
"No, Sir. I've calculated everything and the warp core should be coming online by 0500 hours."
"Cutting it a bit closer, are we?"
"Nothing to worry about, Captain. I have the situation under control."
"Well, that may be, but I'm still here to help. I'm sure you know that I know my way around a warp core, Mr. I'll do whatever need be doing. I am at your[/i] command."
Stirok almost seemed surprised by the offer. "No need, Sir. Your place in on the bridge and should not be working in Engineering. It would not be the proper protocol. If I need assistance, I shall ask Starfleet Command for an extra engineering crew."
"Aye, my place is in Scottland, fixing my brothers hovercraft and playing golf, but I'm stuck here. And don't give me anymore of that pointy eared lingo. I KNOW you need help, and I can help you more than you know. Now point me somewhere or I just pick something myself."
Stirok didn't show the surprise he had, but also didn't show his disaproval. But, he considered what Jefferys said to be an order. "Please repair conduit 857, you can get to it via..."
"Jeffrey's tube 18, I know. You thought Captain Gavin Jefferys needed help with the Jeffrey's tubes?" He smiled as he said that last sentace, but it was lost on Stirok.
|
|
|
Post by Mentat_Tir on Dec 2, 2001 17:17:44 GMT -5
Mr. Stirok's fingers raced across the master engineering controls. It was now 0508 and the primary warp core was not yet online.
Had Stirok been superstitious, he might have believed this new ship was infested with gremlins. First, the primary coolant valve physically jammed. Then the number two matter reactant injector burned out. Now, one of the warp field coils in the starboard nacelle was misaligned. All this despite assurances from the Spacedock foreman and the Archer had passed every pre-flight test.
Stirok tapped his commbadge. “Stirok to Brandt.”
“Brandt here.”
“Lieutenant, if memory serves, you have experience in theoretical warp propulsion,” said Stirok.
“That’s right,” replied Brandt. “One of my specialties.”
“I also recall that you mentioned the Polaris rescued the Corsair from two Gorn ships, is that not true?”
Brandt paused. “I think I see where you’re going with this. How can I help?”
Stirok sighed. He felt it was unprofessional of him to resort to such tactics, but he had very little choice. “I require your assistance in aligning the starboard nacelle’s number 15 warp coil.”
Stirok could hear Brandt’s smile in his voice. “Consider it done.”
************************************
At 0525, Stirok gave the command: “Prime matter/antimatter injectors. Activate reaction assembly.” High above the engineering deck, the matter injector released a stream of highly charged particles. Far below, the antimatter injector simultaneously released an equal amount of antimatter. The two raced through deck after deck of conduit until colliding at high speeds in the reaction chamber. This collision produced the unimaginable power necessary to propel the Archer at relativistic speeds. Outside the ship, both massive nacelles illuminated with brilliant blue supercharged plasma.
A great cheer went up for the engineering crews. Everyone was giving hugs or “high-fives.” Everyone that is, except Stirok. Being a man of logic, he could allow himself no pleasure from their accomplishment.
“Stirok to all Spacedock crews, you are dismissed…Stirok to the bridge, we now have warp power.”
“Well done, Mr. Stirok,” came Captain Jefferys’s Scottish voice, now in his command chair.
“Aye, sir,” said Stirok looking around at his proud engineering officers, including Lt. Brandt. “It was a team effort.”
|
|
|
Post by Andorian_Incident on Dec 2, 2001 17:26:34 GMT -5
After Thram returned to the Archer, he quickly made his rounds around the ship, checking one last time before the bulk of the crew reported to the ship. It was the last time that he would see the ship so deserted. Most of the spacedock technicians had finished their work and had gone home.
There were a few crew members in the corridors, most of them heading back to their quarters for the night, others were on their way to smaller, private parties that undoubtedly would last through the night. Thram could only hope that none of them would get out of hand. But he would still have to remain vigilant just in case. Which meant a night of no sleep. Technically none of the ship's security was on duty this night. He could have assigned a couple of his officers to routine patrol. Ensign Golko seemed to be a go-getter that he was glad to have on his team. But he wanted all his officers well-rested for their first day. So that meant he would have to take care of it all.
Fortunately there were no problems. There had been a few quarters that he could hear loud music and loud voices coming from. He did stop at a couple of those quarters just to let them know that someone from security was on duty, but for the most part, he was content to let the parties continue uninterrupted as long as he didn't get any complaints about them.
Thram spent the last few hours before the official start of his shift going over more of the crew dossiers, and reading intelligence reports from Starfleet command.
Finally Thram headed for the bridge. When he got there, he found that most of the crew still hadn't reported. Nothing unusual, though. It was still fifteen minutes before the first shift was officially was to begin.
Thram walked up to the captain, sitting in his chair. He stood at attention, or at least as much at attention as he thought appropriate.
"Lieutenant Commander Thram officially reporting to duty, sir."
"Very well," Jefferys said. "You may take your station."
"Thank you, Captain."
Thram went to his station and officially reported in to the ship's computer and entered his access codes.
The only other people on the bridge were Kenek, and another ensign whose name eluded Thram at the moment, working at a science station.
Thram nodded at the ensign who he couldn't quite place, and said simply "ensign" in way of greeting. And then he said, "You're here awfully early, Ensign Kenek."
|
|
|
Post by Tricorder on Dec 2, 2001 18:58:50 GMT -5
Johansson was accustomed to getting up early. That was because the Starfleet Medical Facility he worked at had very long days, and today only meant a brand new day aboard a brand new starship to start a whole new way of life.
He went over to the replicator on the wall to replicate a few bananas for his pet. The pet grimaced and made some noise to let him know how much he appreciated what Johansson was doing. But he was pretty sure that his pet would roll eyes of any crewmember he met, and he wasn't sure how long it would take before the Captain would find out. There's only so much time before someone from security would find out where the noise is coming from, and he knew Thram wasn't delicate on security measures.
He went up to the replicator to get some coffee. Plain old coffee. Nothing fancy. That's what he liked best. He drank it quite quickly and decided that it was time to head out to Sickbay. He faced his pet one more time and told it to be quiet, and then faced the door again and headed out.
Out in the hallway, he passed some crewmen who were hurrying to their postings, who looked like they just came out of their beds with their pyjamas on, but later realized that Starfleet was in the middle of uniform transitions. As he was heading to the turbolift, one of them came up to him, supposedly taking the same turbolift.
"Good Morning, Doc" said the crewman, and Johansson waved and smiled to the crewman. "And Good morning to you." It was only a moment later that he realised that this was one of his nurses.
He approached the turbolift and entered it and waited for the crewwoman to enter. "Deck 8", he said.
"Aren't you a little bit wee excited, Doc?" Candy Mercella said.
Johansson replied:" It's but just another day for me, Mercella, and may I add a new beginning that even though my surroundings are not familiar, my work is."
Mercella frowned as if the doctor was taking things a bit too seriously and sighed, and then the turbolift doors opened up and both of them walked together to Sickbay. "Here it is", said Johansson, "Our workplace. Now, since we have lots of work to do, I think it's best to start it." Marcella knew what to do, and so she went to the counter where padds stood and began reading the crew's records. She sighed. This was going to be a long day. Johansson came up to her and since he knew what she was thinking, he corrected her in saying that it would be more than a few days of nonstop work. She sighed again.
Johansson knew the Captain was to be first, and so he tapped his combadge. "Doc to Jefferys" and waited for the Captain to respond. When he did, he replied:" Might I remind you, Captain, that you are my first patient scheduled for the physicals. I suggest that we do this after we head out on our test cruise."
|
|
|
Post by Ana_Ng on Dec 2, 2001 19:10:01 GMT -5
Ensign Kenek turned her chair toward Lt. Commander Thram.
"Uh, yes, sir," she said, trying to hide her nervousness to the towering Andorian. "I wanted to get a feel for my station before I flew her out of spacedock. Sir."
"You are familiar with controls, Ensign?" Thram asked, sensing the trepidation in Kenek's voice.
"Oh, yes, of course sir!" Kenek responded desperately.
Captain Jefferys laughed inwardly and decided it was a good time to rescue Ensign Kenek.
"Aye, she knows the controls by heart, of I'm gonna have ta have a wee chat with Admiral Brand. I told her I wanted her top cadet pilot for my ship!"
Kenek looked at Captain Jefferys, beaming. She'd wondered how it had come to be that her first assignment in Starfleet had been such a prestigious one. Knowing that her posting on the Archer had been the work of the captain himself made it all that much more of an honor.
Counselor Tae stepped out of the turbolift and onto the bridge. Kenek couldn't help but notice that none of her fellows officers looked as if they were well-rested. She began to wonder if any of them had slept at all.
"Counselor Tae Rhai reporting for duty, sir," she said placidly.
"Good morning, Counselor, and welcome to the bridge," Captain Jefferys said cheerfully.
"Thank you Captain," Rhai said, gazing around the bridge, which was still, for the most part, conspicuously empty. She took her seat next to the captain, and studied the body language of the crew already assembled. She noticed Ensign Kenek hunched over her helm console, tracing her fingers along its lines, almost as if she were judging their fluidity. Lt. Commander Thram stood at attention, and Captain Jefferys looked very comfortable in the big chair; the pressure of this big day didn't seem to be getting to him a bit. This was certainly an admirable quality for a Captain, for if the Captain is at ease, his crew is likely to be at ease as well.
Commander Zack stepped out of the turbolift a few moments later, and looked around the bridge sternly. As he walked over to the captain, he noticed Kenek analyzing each part of the helm console meticulously.
"Commander Zack, reporting for duty," he said coldly to the captain, remembering his promise to himself that he would request a transfer once the Archer's first mission was complete.
"Good morning, Commander," Captain Jefferys said cordially.
Zack took his seat on the other side of Captain Jefferys and sat rigidly as the rest of the bridge crew began to file in. It was almost time.
"Ensign Kenek, report," Zack said gruffly a few minutes before it was "time".
"All systems nominal, sir," Kenek said, losing the normally casual tone in her voice, and sitting herself up straight.
|
|
|
Post by Peter_Pevensie on Dec 3, 2001 5:46:02 GMT -5
Deep within the bowls of the Archer, power from the glowing warp core surged through circuits, hubs, and routers. Systems automatically ran their initiation protocols, screens flickered to life, and the deckplates vibrated with that comforting hum that was more felt than heard. The massive starship was waking from her slumber. The engineering crew, flushed with their recent victory over the “gremlins” that had plagued the ship’s preparations to leave Spacedock, began their final preparations to get under weigh. Little did they know that one “gremlin” had lived to fight another day.
On deck 13 in the primary hull, behind an access panel marked “Sensor System Primary Relays,” power from the ship’s warp engines flowed through a series of hubs and conduits for the first time since the Archer had left Utopia Planatia. Due to a microscopic defect in power relay number four that had somehow gotten past Starfleet’s fastidious quality control team undetected, it was unable to handle the phase variance of ship’s prime power. The relay began to heat up. It glowed red hot for a fraction of a second before fizzing, popping, and burning out. As a result, several of the ship’s vital sensors lost power and went off line. To make matters worse, in a stroke of incredibly bad luck, the burnt out relay caused a short in the system status monitors that kept the problem from being reported to the ship’s computer system. Not only would the Archer be essentially “flying blind,” without sensor data in several spectra; they would have no idea that the problem even existed.
On the bridge, the ensign manning the science station saw his sensor data panel flicker for a moment. The panel had been blank before (nothing to detect in Spacedock, after all) and it was still blank after the flicker. Perhaps there was some malfunction. His eyes went to the system status panel. The readout showed everything to be functioning normally. “Must have been a software glitch,” he thought, and went back to his work.
Will Brandt stepped out of the turbolift onto the bridge with a thermal mug of tea in one hand and a PADD in the other. “Good morning, everyone,” he said jovially as he walked toward his console behind the seat where Counselor Tae was sitting. He relieved the ensign who had been manning the console in his absence, keyed in his access code, and smiled as the console reconfigured itself to his personal design. He ran a quick diagnostic of the systems for which he was responsible, and confident that everything was running smoothly, reported to Captain Jefferys that all scientific systems were ready to get under weigh.
|
|
|
Post by AlexanderTheGreat on Dec 3, 2001 8:41:45 GMT -5
((Starfleet Academy – 17 years ago))
“You will amount to nothing. You are a Cardie-Bajoran abomination. You belong in a laboratory, hidden away from the world, not at Starfleet Academy. You might as well quit while you’re ahead Zack. You don’t belong here. Nobody wants you here you cross breed." They would say as they taunted him and laughed at him.
Zack the cross breed. The abomination.
That was what they had called him throughout his time at the Academy. Cardassians were notoriously feared all over the Alpha quadrant. As much as Zack tried he could never escape his background. For he was neither Cardassian nor Bajoran, he was something completely different. If it was not for his time spent on Vulcan and his part Vulcan upbringing, than he would have given up on life a long time ago. Through learning to control his emotions and practising the enlightened ways of Surak, and getting in touch with his Bajoran spirituality, Zack was able to find inner peace within himself. It was this inner-peace that enabled him to survive at the Academy. For as tolerant as the Federation appeared, underneath its glossy exterior, lay the hatred and discrimination of those who feared the Cardassians. He never cried or let the cadets see that they were getting to him. He was not going to give them that satisfaction.
Once Zack was able to block out the constant taunts and name calling, life became a little easier. But one day, something happened that changed his life forever. The cadets at the Academy had gone one step too far in their practical joking – though Zack could never prove that it was really them. He just knew it was. In the end a Starfleet investigation revealed that Admiral Sedart, a vehement anti-Cardassian had been the perpetrator. Even though his fellow cadets offered their sympathies initially, they soon began to continue taunting him once again. For all he knew they were working together with Sedart.
It was quite a usual day in Zack’s life at the Academy. He had just attended three classes and then let out some of his tension by working out at the Academy Gymnasium. Normally he would return to his quarters at exactly 0700. But today he felt like taking a stroll down the Academy gardens and talking to one of his only companions at the Academy, Groundskeeper Boothby. Zack didn’t know what led him to converse with Boothby. It was almost as if some impulse inside himself was telling him to take a detour from his normal schedule – a detour that would save his life.
As Zack was conversing with Boothby he heard the explosion. A loud rumbling echoed throughout the male dormitory, in the direction of Zack’s quarters. The bomb that had been planted in Zack’s quarters was not successful in killing Zack – the intended target. But it did kill his Vulcan step parents and the girl he loved.
For the first time in his life Zack began to cry. As he lay hunched over the bodies of his Vulcan stepparents, and his only friend at the Academy, a human female cadet called Tina, who had planned a surprise visit for his nineteenth birthday, he just let it all out. He released all of the emotions that he had kept bottled inside himself. He couldn’t bury his feelings anymore. He didn’t care what the other cadets thought. He cried and cried until he could cry no more.
Zack now knew what it was like to have his heart ripped out of his chest.
((USS Archer – The Present))
Zack arose from his restless sleep. He had not slept much actually. After what he had been through in his life he had become what doctors would term an insomniac. If not for his faith in the Bajoran Prophets and the Celestial Temple, and his Vulcan emotional control, which he turned to for solace, he would have given up on life a long time ago.
Plus this was also his first mission onboard the Archer. Even though his was quite sure his time onboard the ship would not last too long, he still wanted to be efficient and well organised. After stepping into the sonic shower he quickly and efficiently climbed into his Starfleet uniform. There is work to be done, he thought to himself as he got dressed and styled his mane of black hair, I can’t waste time my fussing over my appearance.
|
|
|
Post by AlexanderTheGreat on Dec 3, 2001 8:42:25 GMT -5
Since there was still two hours until he was required on the Bridge, Zack went thought the personnel files of the senior officers onboard the Archer. For as XO, his job would be to deal with the crew of the Archer and to ensure everything was running smoothly. Zack would maintain a strict authoritarian rule over his inferiors. That way they would learn respect for authority and discipline. Once they had proven themselves, and only then, would he begin to trust them and consider them as companions.
Of all the senior officers, the ones that stood out the most to Zack included the Captain, The Chief Counsellor and of course, Ensign Kenek, who he hoped to mentor – if he chose to remain on the Archer that is. Zack’s opinion on the captain was that he was an unorthodox and foolish rogue, who did not respect the rules. Zack understood why Starfleet would want him to serve as XO on the Archer. Someone has to keep Captain Jefferys in check and ensure that he doesn’t start breaking rules and doing as he pleases.
The Chief Counsellor of the Archer, Tae Rhai, also made an impression on Zack. As a Bajoran she represented a side of Zack that he wished he knew more about. The Prophets had been there for Zack when he needed to turn to them for spiritual guidance. He was glad to know he would be working so closely with a Bajoran on the Archer. Even though he was not planning on staying, perhaps he could at least get to know Rhai before he left. He had secretly also desired to be closer with a Bajoran, although he had never told anyone about this. But most Bajorans resented him because of his Cardassian blood. Perhaps Rhai would be different. He surely hoped so.
Zack completed his analysis of the personnel files of the senior officers and ensured that all crew members of the Archer were currently ready and accounted for. He made his way to the Bridge, ready for his first mission as XO of the Archer.
Zack stepped out of the turbolift a few moments later, and looked around the bridge sternly. As he walked over to the captain, he noticed Kenek analysing each part of the helm console meticulously.
"Commander Zack, reporting for duty," he said coldly to the captain, remembering his promise to himself that he would request a transfer once the Archer's first mission was complete.
"Good morning, Commander," Captain Jefferys said cordially.
Zack took his seat on the other side of Captain Jefferys and sat rigidly as the rest of the bridge crew began to file in. It was almost time.
"Ensign Kenek, report," Zack, said gruffly a few minutes before it was "time".
"All systems nominal, sir," Kenek said, losing the normally casual tone in her voice, and sitting herself up straight.
Zack was ready for his trial mission as XO of the Archer. He had noticed Rhai sitting beside the captain, but hid his excitement– she was the first Bajoran he had laid eyes on in a very long time. He was looking forward to meeting her, but that could happen later. Right now he had a job to do, and a ship look after. If he didn’t keep an eye on Jefferys, he was certain all hell would break loose on the Bridge.
He hid his antagonism towards Jefferys and began tapping away at his console nearby, ensuring all systems were ready. Zack studied his console. His body was rigid with tension, motionless but for his eyes as he scrutinised the data before him. Everything seemed to be in order.
Here’s go nothing, he thought to himself as he began his first mission as XO of the Archer. He would show the cadets that once mocked him back at the Academy. He was now the XO of the Archer - one of the Federation's key flagships.
Who is laughing now....
|
|