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Post by UltimateTrekker on Nov 28, 2001 12:33:01 GMT -5
Captain Gavin Jefferys walked on to the bridge of his new ship. It was nearly completely deserted. Only a few engineers and security offers were on board. Officially the ship had not yet been commissioned and even Jefferys was unaware of the name she was to carry.
"Sovereign class starship. I canna' believe it," he said scowling.
Jefferys thought back on his 40 plus years of Federation and Starfleet duty. How a lowly Engineer made it to be Captain of a starship was beyond him. He remember James Kelly from his home town. Their family had been in Starfleet for generations. James had been raised to be a captain since before he could walk.
At 16 Kelly joined Starfleet while his friends stood in awe, accept Gavin. He'd hated the boy. He was so full of himself. Jimmy Kelly acted as if he were better just because his parents had prepped him for the service. Gavin thought at that moment that Starfleet was NOT for him.
He was more interested in building, fixing, and getting greasy. He was MADE to engineer, and he did. He became quite well known in his area as the boy wonder. He could fix anything, even if it meant some slightly odd repair methods. People soon learned to stop asking what he did, because they knew that even if they UNDERSTOOD his answer, they wouldn't want to know.
It wasn't long before he was offered a job in the Federation Embassy in London. By the time he was 26 he was the #1 engineer. Admirals could use the bathroom without Gavin keeping them running, and he soon learned that the lowliest engineer, holds the true power. At this time, Kelly was a Lieutenant.
At 30 Gavin was in Paris, still working for the Federation when he was offered a job from Starfleet. He'd be a non-commissioned, but be in charge of keeping Starfleet Headquarters in working repair! He couldn't turn it down. Kelly was a commander, rapidly heading for Captain.
By the Gavin was 50, Kelly was an upstanding Captain. He took command of his ship after his captain died in the Battle of Wolf 359, Gavin was very well known man to the Admirals. When they wanted something fixed fast, they pulled in a favor from Gavin.
It was 4 years ago when a twist of fate made Gavin a Captain, and Kelly a civilian. The man who's family had strived for 55 years to put in the big chair had been beaten by the man with no family.
Gavin now crackled a smile. "Sovereign class." He began to quietly laugh as he headed to the big chair, calling him. But he felt the vibration. No one but he would have been able to tell, but Gavin "felt" the turbolift nearing. He could hear the mechanics of it getting nearer and slowing as it approached the bridge. He stood at attention, not knowing who the doors would reveal.
The opened and out stepped a tall blue man. The tips of his antennae barely made it out the 7 foot high opening.
"Well hello, Thram. Everything secure I assume?"
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Post by Andorian_Incident on Nov 28, 2001 14:36:25 GMT -5
Thram looked around the bridge. It looked bare with only the captain standing there. Of course, that's the way that he liked it. Thram was a loner, at least when he was able to afford himself that luxury. When he couldn't, he liked putting up a mental barrier between him and those around him. He only trusted those whom he knew, and now serving on a new ship, Thram was faced with new challenges. At least he had some time to get aquianted with the ship before she was commissioned and sent off on her first mission.
Thram glanced at the captain, and quickly looked him over. Captain Gavin Jefferys. He had heard stories about this particular captain. Some of the stories rang of the truth, others undoubtedly tall tales.
Thram was still unsure if he had made the right choice when he took this assignment. He didn't know how well he would get along with Jefferys. But this assignment was far better than being recalled to Andor. As far as Thram was concerned, anything was better than going back to Andor.
"I am," Thram paused, looking for an appropriate word to use, "satisfied. I have ensign Golko going through the engineering decks."
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Post by UltimateTrekker on Nov 28, 2001 14:50:02 GMT -5
"Well I hope you dinna' miss the party tonight. The entire crew will be there and it'd be a good opportunity to meet some of them."
Thram stood silently for a moment. Jefferys broke in before he could answer.
"Or, if'n you prefer, you could stay on board and make sure the security is high. Wouldna' want something to happen before her maiden voyage, would we?"
"No, we wouldn't"
Jefferys knew his Andorians. They didn't like parties. He rubbed his head (which had been hairless since he was 22, "From working too hard," his brother had always said) and began heading for the turbo lift.
"I'll see ya bright an early at six hundred hours tommorra', lad." He entered the turboshaft and headed to the transporter room to go to the party being held at headquarters in San Francisco, leaving Thram by himself.
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Post by Tricorder on Nov 28, 2001 15:58:09 GMT -5
This was the last day at this job, Johansson thought, but the job on the unnamed ship was also a new beginning for him and one that would open up more possibilities. He looked around the Starfleet Medical Research facility and took a look at his friends for one last time. Stewart Buckley, one of the friends he had made during his stay at this facility, sidled next to him and scared the whits out of him as Johansson thought the room was empty at this hour.
Buckley said: "James, I mean, Doc, I'll miss you. No, we'll miss you. Please keep in contact."
James turned around, surprised that his friend had come in: "You betcha. You'll make a fine replacement for me at this facility. Now I have a party to catch." He looked at his old fashioned watch and drew a deep breath. "Time keeps a ticking"
Even though the Mess Hall where the party was to be held was just around the corner from the facility, it felt like a lifetime as everything froze before him. He saw people he didn't know, and he saw people that would become future friends, at least hopefully he thought. He didn't know what to do. He just stood there in silence until the captain came up to him.
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Post by UltimateTrekker on Nov 28, 2001 19:30:27 GMT -5
"Doc, glad to see you here. I'd love to chat more, but with all these new crew members to meet and Admiral to kiss up to, I've got plenty to do and see."
Jefferys continued on his way through the crowd trying to avoid his crewmembers. He had other work to do.
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Post by Ana_Ng on Nov 28, 2001 19:35:17 GMT -5
"It's single malt, thirteen years old."
Ensign Alia Kenek took the bottle in her hands. She lifted the cap and took a sniff. She made a face and quickly set the bottle down on the table. "It doesn't smell very good."
Alia's mother, Jema Narin, shrugged. "Perhaps, but it took me nearly four hours of traipsing around Scotland to find it."
Alia picked up her bag and resisted the temptation to roll her eyes. "Mother, you shouldn't have gone to so much trouble."
Jema picked up the bottle of scotch and tucked it into her daughter's bag. She smiled and placed a hand on her daughter's cheek.
"Alia, you only get one chance to make a first impression."
"I know Mom," Alia said with a sigh, "But I don't want to seem like I'm sucking up."
"It's just a small gift," Jema reasoned.
"A gift that cost you four hours of your life. But I think I'll leave that part out when I give it to the captain," Alia said with a smirk.
Jema leaned over and gave her daughter a hug. "Your father wanted to be here to see you off, but he just couldn't get away."
Alia nodded, "I understand," she paused, "Well, I need to get going. Send Dad my love."
Ensign Kenek arrived at Starfleet Headquarters in eager anticipation. This was to be her first assignment since graduating from Starfleet Academy just a few weeks earlier. She was thrilled that someone in Starfleet thought her capable enough to pilot this new, beautiful ship. Of course, to her parents, anything less would have been an insult. And Kenek herself wouldn't have taken it very kindly if she'd been posted to a dull starbase taking inventory.
When she arrived at the party, she looked around the room anxiously. She spotted Admiral Brand, headmaster of Starfleet Academy. She smiled and walked over.
"Good evening, sir," Kenek said, extending her hand. "I didn't know you'd be here."
"I have a few recent graduates on this ship," Brand replied, "I thought I'd give you all a nice sendoff. How are you, Ensign?"
Alia beamed, "A little nervous. But excited! This should definitely be a grand and new adventure."
Brand smiled and looked at the bottle of scotch in Kenek's hand. "Brought your own refreshmant?
Alia sighed, "Actually, it's for the captain. It's single malt, thirteen years old, best you can get. Is the captain here yet, by the way?"
"He's right over there," Brand said, pointing at Captain Jefferys making his way through the crowd.
"Right, thanks," Kenek replied. "Well, if you'll excuse me, sir..."
"Go right ahead, Ensign," Brand said.
Kenek made a beeline for the captain and took a deep breath.
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Post by AlexanderTheGreat on Nov 29, 2001 1:35:07 GMT -5
“That is definitely not going to happen Neil. I will try out one mission onboard the ship, but after that I will try and get a transfer”, Zack said to his long time human friend.
Zack and Neil were discussing Zack’s promotion to Commander and his new posting onboard one of the Federations newest ships, an, as of yet, unnamed Sovereign class starship. Zack was definitely against serving on this new ship. He had been an Operations Officer and Science Officer onboard numerous ships, and then returned to Starfleet Academy to attend Command School. Throughput the course of his career he had also worked undercover and hgad done some things he now regretted. In reality he found that at Command School he could escape from the realities of the outside world.
As a Cardassian/Bajoran hybrid he never felt that he belonged anywhere. It was as if he was always torn between two worlds, and yet he didn’t belong to neither. He found the ridicule and discrimination he faced onboard the ships he served on to be overwhelming, so he decided to study at Command School, so that he could hide away from the outside world. Now he had just completed his studying at Command School and had been promoted to Commander. He was discussing this promotion with his comrade, Neil.
“Neil I have done my research on this Captain Jefferys. He is unorthodox and isn’t exactly what you would call a professional. He is known for his roguish behaviour and his tendency to bend the rules. And besides he is a human. Humans are so flawed, except for yourself that is. They aren’t like the Cardassians or the Bajorans.”
Zeil stared towards Zack and replied, “Stop being so…Vulcan and Cardassian. I’ve heard about this guy too. He’s one of the finest captains out there – and has almost no casualties at all on his record.”
As the two of them made their way to the transporter pad that would be taking Zack to his new ship, they continued discussing the pros and cons of the new posting for Zack.
As Zack stepped onto the pad he remembered farewelling Zeil and telling him one last thing, “We will meet again soon my friend. I am sure that I will not fit in with Mr. Jefferys. We are just too different to work together. I will request a transfer once the first mission is over.”
And with that Zack shimmered off the platform and arrived at the party for the new crew of the Sovereign class ship. Surrounded by exotic aliens and his new crew Zack felt his heart begin to pound out if his chest. He had done a lot of things in his life that he regretted. Some of which he was ordered to do by his superiors, other actions he carried out on his own free will. But knowing that he was following orders didn’t make the pain of what he did any easier to accept
It’s time for me to put my past behind me. I can’t let them find out about who I used to be, what I used to do. I can’t escape my past, but I have to keep it where it belongs…. in the past. I can’t let them find out about what I used to be…
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Post by Peter_Pevensie on Nov 29, 2001 5:27:25 GMT -5
Near the bar, a knot of older men and women had gathered. Whether out of preference or necessity, flag officers had a tendency to gravitate toward one another. Their age and experience, coupled with the power they wielded and the legends that inevitably grew up around them, seemed to create a rarified atmosphere within which few junior officers could exist comfortably for long. In the classless society that was the Federation, they were, in many ways, a class unto themselves.
The admirals and other dignitaries that had assembled for the launch of Starfleet’s newest Sovereign class vessel sipped their drinks and listened intently to the gray-haired and bearded man at the center of their circle. His dignified manner and captivating style were apparent even to the young ensigns and lieutenants who occasionally drifted by, hoping to overhear the piece of classified intelligence or tale of battlefield bravado he was sharing, though none of them recognized him. Perhaps the commander of a crucial deep space station or exploratory fleet, they theorized in whispers.
Suddenly, the group erupted in laughter, startling a nearby ensign so much that he spilled champagne down the front of his dress white uniform. Above their laughter, the speaker added, “So I said, ‘Captain, perhaps we should let our Cardassian friends settle accounts with the Nausiccan traders in private?’ and we beamed out of the waste treatment tank and back to the Corsair!” As their laughter subsided, the knot of admirals began to break up as some went to refill their drinks or entered into other conversations. Admiral Harrison, the Chief of Starfleet Operations, clapped his arm over the speaker’s shoulder and turned toward the bar. “Another drink, Will?”
It was then that the curious junior officers’ whispered questions were answered. That was no admiral, although he certainly looked old enough to be one. In fact, he was the oldest looking lieutenant most of them had ever seen. Some of the less discreet among them stared as the he socialized with the highest ranking officer in the fleet. “No, thank you, sir. I haven’t met my new captain yet, and I want to make the best possible impression.”
Noticing Captain Jeffereys approaching rapidly, the CNO said, “Well, Will, here’s your chance.” Turning toward the captain, Harrison took his hand and shook it firmly. “Gavin! I’m glad to see you’re finally here; we can get the party officially started.”
Captain Jeffereys smiled as he shook the admiral’s hand. “There were a few last minute details to take care of on the ship, sir.”
“Spoken like a true captain, Gavin. By the way, I’d like you to meet Will Brandt, your Chief Science Officer.”
Brandt stepped forward and bowed his head slightly, hoping that his respect for the captain was obvious and didn’t seem like an act. He had heard a great deal about this man, and was looking forward to serving under his command. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, sir,” he said.
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Post by UltimateTrekker on Nov 29, 2001 7:45:55 GMT -5
Ensign Kenek was moving so fast and was so worried about her first impression, that nearly tripped while walking through the crowd.
Luckily (or UN-luckily) her new captain seemed to break her fall.
"Well hello, Ensign..." Alia started apologizing, but was cut off by Jefferys. "Don't... I'll get it.. Ensign," he closed his eyes and rubbed his head. "Kenok! Alia Kenok."
Alia didn't know exactly what to do. She held out to bottle.
"Well, now it is a party. I'd like you to meet our chief science officer, Will Brandt. Will, this is our helm officer, Alia Kenok."
He grabbed three classes of synthpagne. Looking for a place to empty them, and not having much luck, he downed the first one. He winced at the flavor.
"Never got used to this stuff. Tastes a bit like latrine water... Not that I'd know of course!" He quickly downed the second, this time contorting his face even more. The third he simply poured into a nearby plant. Taking the bottle of Scotch, he poured three extremely full glasses and handed one to Brandt and one to Ensign Kenek.
Bill wasted no time in taking some sips. Gavin waited for the others to start, but Alia just kind of stared at it. Finally she gave in and took a drink. It burned the back of her throat like nothing before. She tried to speak but the words didn't come out.
Gavin didn't see any of this because his eyes were closed as the entire glassful. "AHHH," he screamed out, halting most of the conversation in the room. He stomped his foot three times and exhaled.
"THAT'S Scotch!" Handing the bottle back to Alia. "You keep that. It's too good to waste on me. Maybe we'll share a glass sometime. It's good to meet you both."
The captain walked off into the crowd heading for the door, leaving the two with full glasses and a big bottle of Scotch.
"That's KenEk," she managed to squeak out, but Gavin was gone.
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Post by Rhai on Nov 29, 2001 8:12:01 GMT -5
Not being the type to turn down a chance to watch a group of people, yet nervous as to the crew of her first actual ship Rhai had decided to make her way to the mess hall and the party. She hadn't been able to decide what she should wear, as this was going to be her first impression on everyone, except for the infamous Captain Jefferys whom she had met once when she was still a very young girl. She knew more about him than she did anyone else aboard. With access to the personel files she had learned there was to be another Bajorian on board and what was most interesting to her was the fact he was also Cardassian! She had only met a few other Bajorans in her lifetime and was anxious yet strangely excited to be assigned to ship and be traveling with one. So, she had chosen a simple dress that cut a little low in front, with a slight slit up the side. She thought of pinning her long auburn hair back, but suddenly grew concious of her Bajoran earing. She took one deep breath, exhale and entered the mess hall where the party was. As she entered she looked about and saw the diversity of the party goers. She spotted Alia holding a tall glass of something- she looked a little distressed so Rhai decided to go on over and introduce herself.
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Post by Andorian_Incident on Nov 29, 2001 11:51:56 GMT -5
Thram gazed around the deserted bridge. Since the ship was still in spacedock, there was no need for there to be anyone on the bridge. But Thram wasn't about to let down his guard, even in spacedock and in a nearly deserted ship.
To a human, the empty bridge may have seemed eery, but to Thram, it was peaceful. The lights flashed on the various consoles, and there was some plating that had been removed to access some of the stations. The workers who had removed the plating had since moved on to other projects and hadn't yet had the opportunity to replace the plating.
But there were places besides the bridge that Thram wanted to check out. He made his way to the turbolift, and walked inside when the doors opened for him.
"Deck Eleven," Thram said, and the turbolift's doors closed and began to move. When he got to deck eleven, the turbolift's doors opened again, and he walked out into the corridor.
At the end of the corridor, he saw a human figure, walking towards him. Thram didn't think there was anyone on board--well, except for a few of the technicians that were still working on putting the final touches on the ship, but they weren't supposed to be in this location. Whoever it was, they were wearing a Starfleet uniform.
Thram mentally prepared himself to draw his phaser in case he had to. He couldn't allow himself to be taken off-guard. But at the same time, he didn't want to appear overly hostile in case this person turned out to be friendly.
As this person got closer, he was able to start making out shapes. Definately human, definately female. She looked to be slightly taller than a meter and a half tall, with light brown hair down to her shoulders. Finally Thram recognized Ensign Golko.
"Ensign, I didn't know you were still on board."
"I wanted to check out a few last minute details before the rest of the crew got here," Golko replied.
Hmmmmmmm, Thram thought, this human seemed to be just as suspicious and untrusting as he was. Maybe she had some redeeming qualities after all--even if she was human.
"Why aren't you with the rest of the crew down at headquarters?" Thram asked, still maintaining his guard.
"Well, I suppose I could ask the same of you." She paused, and a sly smile appeared on her face. "Truth of the matter is, I'm not much into parties, Thram. And besides, I knew you'd be up here, and thought I'd keep you some company."
"You're a little informal, aren't you Ensign?" Thram said without the least bit of emotion. If Golko hadn't known better, she would have thought that he had some Vulcan in him.
"The ship hasn't even been commissioned yet, so technically we aren't working together yet. Don't worry, I'll be more professional once our mission gets under way."
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Post by Tricorder on Nov 29, 2001 15:29:33 GMT -5
Among the crew at this party, Dr James Johansson felt something like someone was hiding something, but he didn't know who or what it was. He walked back and forth, back and forth, and back and forth again, surveying the mess hall for anything suspicious. His view zeroed in on a man who tried hard to conceal himself, or at least his fealings and his past, on Commander Zack. His muscles tightened up and his left eyebrow lifted up out of suspicion. He put his hands behind his back and slowly walked over to Commander Zack, cleared his throat and introducted himself to him.
"Ahem', it sounded as he cleared his throat, "Dr James Johansson, Chief Medical Officer aboard the....... well, I guess we all don't know what this ship is going to be named yet, but she's a beauty isn't she?"
James kept looking at Commander Zack as he turned around. "Oh, Hello... yes, she's quite something. I almost feel as If I shouldn't be here."
"You don't seem particularly excited about our new mission. Is something the matter?", Johansson said.
"No... No, nothing's the matter. Everything's fine", said Commander Zack.
James leaned into Commander Zack's ear and whispered, "You know, buddy, nothing can keep hidden from me, and I know you're trying to hide something. Perhaps we can make an apointment to talk about it? Or perhap you'd rather talk to the ship's counselor?"
At this point, Commander Zack stepped way back from Johansson and went away to talk to some other crew members that he hadn't met yet. James rubbed his chin and contemplated the situation. He made the point of looking in the direction of the Captain and looking like he had something to say.
He walked towards Kenek and introduced himself.
James said :"Please, call me Doc."
Kenek replied: "Right... Ok."
"That looks like mighty fine scotch you have there, Kenek. What year?"
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Post by Ana_Ng on Nov 29, 2001 18:05:09 GMT -5
Kenek brightened at the question. "It's thirteen years old, single malt, you won't find a better scotch in all of Scotland!"
Dr. Johansson nodded in acknowledgment, "Are you a connessieur?"
Kenek made a face. "Actually, I can't stand it. Would you like some, sir?"
"Please, call me Doc," Johansson replied.
"Oh, yeah, right, of course," Kenek said with a small laugh, her throat still aching a bit from the single sip of Scotch.
"And yes, please, I'd like some," Johansson said.
Alia looked around for a glass, and not finding one, handed Johansson hers. "Here, I don't think I can take much more of this anyway."
"Thank you Ensign," Johansson took the glass and had a sip, "Good stuff."
"That's what they tell me," Kenek replied quickly. She turned to Counselor Tae. "Doc, have you met Counselor Rai?"
"No," Johansson said, extending his hand, "Nice to meet you, Counselor."
"Hello Doctor," Rhai said, shaking his hand, "I believe you've been working at Starfleet headquarters in the research lab?"
"That's right," Johansson said, taking another sip of the scotch.
"Actually, I believe this is the first time serving on a starship for all three of us," Alia said brightly, with a trace of gratitude in her voice.
There was a brief moment of silence as the band took their positions behind their musical instruments and began to play soft Celtic melody.
Kenek smiled, "Live entertainment, they're really going all out."
Rhai glanced at Kenek, detecting a longing in her voice. "Are you fond of music, Ensign?"
Kenek seemed to loosen up for the first time, "Oh, yes. My second host, Nitza, was a composer. Music was her life."
"Ah, Nitza Kenek," Johansson said, "Yes, I've heard of her. One of the foremost musicians in recent Trill history."
"That's the one," Kenek replied. Johansson and Rhai sensed a deep pride in Kenek's voice when she spoke of Nitza.
"So, have you had a chance to meet much of the crew?" Rhai asked both of them.
Kenek broke in before Johansson could speak. "Well, I did meet the captain," she said quickly, "and right over there is Lt. Brandt, the Chief Science Officer. But other than that, no. I haven't even met my new roommate yet. Which I should probably go do now. If you'll excuse me, Counselor, Doc," Kenek nodded to her new crewmates and walked into the throng of officers, humming along cheerfully with the music.
She was so absorbed in the music, that she didn't notice before it was too late that she was about to walk into yet another collision, this time with Commander Zack.
"Excuse me sir," she said with a smile. She'd been wanting to meet Commander Zack ever since she heard there would be a Cardassian serving as first officer. Her first host, Jarid, had studied sculpture on Cardassia for several years before the Bajoran Occupation.
"I'm Ensign Kenek, Alia Kenek," she said with a smile, extending her hand to her new XO.
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Post by Peter_Pevensie on Nov 30, 2001 6:58:27 GMT -5
Will Brandt stood back and watched as the crew got to know one another. He suppressed a chuckle when poor Ensign Kenek collided with yet another member of her chain of command, this time the Cardassian-Bajoran first officer, Commander Zack. “Probably not a match made in heaven,” he thought to himself, glancing away. He looked forward to getting to know Kenek better; he sensed a connection with her – or, more likely, with her symbiont – at their brief introduction. He wondered if perhaps she (or was it “he?”) played chess. Regardless, he hoped she helmed a starship more smoothly than she crossed a crowed room. If not, they were in for a bumpy ride.
He’d not met the doctor, Johansson, yet, and if Zack’s reaction to Johansson was typical, he wasn’t sure he wanted to. He didn’t know if Cardassian skin was capable of blanching, but Zack had certainly seemed to go pale when Johansson whispered to him. The doctor was well known in the Starfleet medical community, at least as a research physician. Brandt wondered if his skills in sickbay matched his skills in the laboratory. If his previous tours on starships were any indicator, the results would be disastrous for all of them if they weren’t.
It suddenly occurred to him that he and Commander Zack were the only ones not mingling. Not wanting to seem unsociable, he decided to introduce himself to…someone. He put his empty glass down on a nearby table and surveyed the crewmembers gathered in the ballroom. There was Zack, of course, but he seemed too busy dodging questions (and ensigns) to make conversation. Captain Jeffreys was nowhere to be seen. That left Johansson, who was chatting with a beautiful Bajoran woman in civilian dress.
The woman’s presence helped Brandt make his decision. Not that he was a ladies’ man – far from it, in fact – but he had discovered long ago that women seemed better suited to unusual social situations than men. He straightened his dress uniform tunic and walked toward the pair.
“Doctor Johansson, I presume?” he said (perhaps a bit too formally, he thought).
“Yes,” replied the doctor tentatively.
“Doctor Brandt,” Will offered, extending his hand. Noting the confusion on Johansson’s face, he smiled disarmingly. “Literature, not medicine.”
“Ah yes, Dr. Will Brandt, of Cambridge, isn’t it?” said Johansson, nodding and smiling. Will wondered how he knew that, but soon remembered that, as chief medical officer, he would undoubtedly have reviewed the crews’ records already. Brandt’s had probably stood out, since he was one of the eldest human members of the crew. He winced comically at the doctor’s scholastic faux pax. “Oxford, actually, but don’t worry, I won’t hold it against you. And please, call me Will.”
Will turned toward the woman, who was even more beautiful up close, but perhaps a little younger than he first judged. He offered his hand and bowed slightly. “And you are, miss?”
“Tae Rhai, ship’s counselor,” she replied, taking his hand a little more firmly than he expected.
“Ah, yes, of course,” said Will cordially, “What a pleasure to finally meet you, Counselor.” He inadvertently imagined for just a moment going to Rhai for help after one of his occasional dreams about Janice and Angie, and blushed at the thought. Looking away for a moment allowed him to clear his mind. Fortunately, the dreams – nightmares, really, he hesitantly admitted to himself – had grown more and more rare with the passing of time. Nevertheless he feared that he’d have to find another confidant. He was too proud to weep in front of a woman, especially one young enough to be his daughter.
Clearing his throat, he looked back toward his new crewmates. “Do either of you know what we’re waiting for?” he asked.
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Post by AlexanderTheGreat on Nov 30, 2001 7:26:44 GMT -5
In a corner of the Conference room in which the officers of the new Sovereign class ship had assembled, Zack opened the last bottle of decent kanar left over from the stock he had brought with him when he arrived at Command School. As Zack tossed around whether or not to drink a glass, he thought he might as well, why not; he thought, I might as well enjoy this drink while I can, before the mission begins. Besides what would I save it for, a celebration with my new colleagues onboard the new ship? He asked himself sarcastically.
As Zack quaffed the glass of kanar, and recorked the bottle, his mind wondered to his recent meeting with the Chief Medical Officer. What a fool he must be, Zack thought. The truth is usually just an excuse for a lack of imagination. There is no way he will find out about my past, and what he does find out will definitely be a manipulation of the truth. What a naïve man. He definitely has a lot to learn about Cardassians, and even more to learn about a Cardassian/Bajoran hybrid such as myself.
Zack was rarely surprised or caught off-guard. His skill for surviving derived, to a great extent, from his capability to think out the possible permutations and combinations of any situation far in advance, and from his ability to devise his own responses accordingly. It was this that enabled him to come out relatively unscathed from his encounter with the ships doctor.
As Zack prepared to down another glass of kanar he was almost ran into by a young female, he recognised her from his research as Ensign Kenek – the ship’s helm officer.
"I'm Ensign Kenek, Alia Kenek," she said with a smile, extending her hand to her new XO.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Ensign Kenek. I gather that from your symbiont you have learned quite a lot in your few years”
She paused for a moment and then replied “Yes Commander, I must admit, being joined is definitely an enlightening experience”
“A young woman such as yourself has a lot to learn about the world. In spite of your symbiont, there are some things that can only by learnt by experiencing them for yourself”
“I hope to one day learn as much as my previous symbionts, and to achieve a successful career in Starfleet”, she replied.
Zack was taken aback by this young woman. On the outside she appeared naive and uncertain - he could tell as much by the manner in which she almost walked right into him. As a recent graduate from the Academy, she was only beginning to explore the world outside of Starfleet Academy. She was leaving the protective world of the Academy and beginning her journey into the unknown. A naïve, innocent and young woman such as herself could easily be fooled or manipulated by unscrupulous beings. But he was certain that he could help her to see the realities of the outside world. Perhaps he could mentor her onboard the new ship, to show her that she should never believe anything at face value. He would teach her that the truth is rarely simply.
But this would mean being strict on her. He would not be lax towards any of the officers under his command. The only way they would learn discipline was by him maintaining strict authority. A starship was not a playground, nor was it a meeting place; it was a dangerous and unsafe place for those who do not behave accordingly.
“Well as long as you behave according to Starfleet rules and regulations and obey all orders, I am sure you will become a fine Starfleet officer. Just don’t expect any special treatment. It is my belief that maintaining strict authority over junior officer is an important way to foster discipline and respect for superiors” Zack replied, his voice become gruff and serious.
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