Shy'na had only been back on earth for a few days since her last successful mission. The first thing that she did upon returning was to brief her superiors on the mission. They had been very pleased that she had accomplished what they had sent her to do, but, she normally did. Once they had heard the details of the mission they had given her a few days off before her next mission.
Shy'na had been with Starfleet Intelligence ever since she was promoted to Ensign from the Academy. That had been some twelve years ago. Today she was a Lieutenant Commander and one of the most successful agents in Starfleet Intelligence. She had put everything she had into her career as a special agent and had enjoyed the benefits of that.
Today, however, was different, she had a feeling that something was going to change in her life.
^Lieutenant Donnavan to Commander Purim, Admiral Iainbeow would like to see you in his office at 0930^ Came across the room's speakers.
"Purim here, I will be there." Shy'na replied
^Thank you Ma'am, Lieutenant Donnavan out^
~Ah now I get my walking orders. It is about time, I have been here too long.~ Shy'na thought to herself cheerfully. It had been a nice couple of days rest but she was getting restless and wanted to get on to doing something.
Shy'na had arrived a good fifteen minutes early as she always anticipated the Admiral calling for her early. She had come in and the Lieutenant at the reception desk had promptly told her to take a seat. She wondered where she would be going this time. Would it be some acting as someone else to get information or working with some underground teams trying to plant their agents at strategic locations. She was getting anxious again as she always did just before her mission briefs.
Just then the comm on the Lieutenants desk chirped. The Lieutenant looked at her as he reached over to answer it.
"Yes sir she is hear." Shy'na could only hear the Lieutenants replies not what the admiral was saying.
"Yes sir, will send her right in." At that the Lieutenant closed the connection and got up.
Saskia had just arrived on Starbase 34, where the Arakov was docked to be crewed and get a crew for the new starbase Delta One aboard to transport them over to the Delta Quadrant. She found it a real honour to be among the first Starfleet personal which got assigned to the Delta Quadrant.
During her trip to Starbase 34 she had been going through all the information she could get about the Arakov itself and the crew assigned to it. She was pretty sure that by now she would only have to see a face to know who it was. At least if it was one of the Arakov's crew, off course.
She had just come aboard and was now heading to the bridge, where she would find Captain Eval, at least he was there according to the computer.
She stepped out of the turbolift and looked around her. She then walked over to the Captain's chair, where the Captain sat, busy with reading a PADD.... "First Officer Saskia Vix reporting for duty, Sir."
The Arakov had been docked at Starbase 34 for several hours now and Jovan had been welcoming new crewmembers almost every ten minutes. Somewhere in the process he had ordered food from the replicator and he was now eating several sandwiches whilst going through several reports and crew manifests.
On the bridge. Where, right now, someone was standing before him.
"First Officer Saskia Vix reporting for duty, Sir."
Jovan stood up from his chair. He slowly stretched his arms and gave a small sigh of pleasure as he did so. Then he turned to Vix.
"Welcome aboard the USS Arakov, commander. I hope you'll get settled down shortly. Starfleet has ordered us to the Delta Quadrant on a mission of exporation, and we'll be taking the crew of Deep Space Delta One with us." Jovan intoned at the most interesting voice possible.
"I'll probably give a crew... meeting tonight. And if that is all, commander.. Dismissed."
And with those words, Jovan returned to his chair and began going through the manifests again. Why in the name of the Holy Ethan were it so many!
"First Officer Saskia Vix reporting for duty, Sir."
"Welcome aboard the USS Arakov, commander. I hope you'll get settled down shortly. Starfleet has ordered us to the Delta Quadrant on a mission of exploration, and we'll be taking the crew of Deep Space Delta One with us. I'll probably give a crew... meeting tonight. And if that is all, commander.. Dismissed."
~ I'm aware of Starfleet ordering us to the Delta Quadrant to explore it... ~
"That's all, sir." She mumbled more to herself then saying it to the captain, because the captain had already returned to his chair and his PADD's....
~ Not exactly a warm welcome. Hopefully the reason is that he's so busy and not his nature. ~
~ Well, I better go and explore the ship and meet some of the crew who have already reported in ~ she thought, while walking to the turbolift....
(USS Arakov - Main Engineering - 2386.11.1 - 14:17 - CEO Danmir Scots)
Danmir crawled out from under the console he had been working on. He had been on the Arakov for the past two days with out the aid of a engineering crew the repairs had taken longer than expected. He was looking forward to having having some help soon.
Dusting him self off and tapping him com badge. "Captain the Inertial Damping field has been repaired one of the Bioneural gel packs had a small leak and has been replaced. I will be running diagnostics on it for the next 10 minutes, mind if I take a quick break and grab a cup of coffee and a sandwich."
(USS Arakov - Bridge - 2386.11.1 - 14:20 - CO Jovan Eval)
=/= ...mind if I take a quick break and grab a cup of coffee and a sandwich? =/= the CEO finished. Jovan smiled and glanced at his chrono. The soft chirps of the bridge were the only companions he had, the bridge was utterly devoid of anyone else.
"Mind if I join you?" Jovan interjected smartly. Not waiting for an answer, he continued, "Meet me in the Mess Hall within ten minutes. Eval out."
Jovan stood up and felt his legs tingle a little. He had swum this morning at the holodeck but already he felt the inactivity itch in his body. He wanted to move!
He entered the turbolift.
"Mess Hall!"
(USS Arakov - Bridge - 2386.11.1 - 14:25 - CO Jovan Eval)
Jovan quietly entered the busy hall and glanced around. Then he spotted the now-familiar form of his CEO and walked over towards him, but not before he ordered lunch from the replicator. Now, equipped with a tray of breadrolls and coffee, he sat down opposite his CEO.
"Goodday, Danmir... do you mind if I join you this afternoon in Engineering? I've been going through manifests and reports ever since," Jovan yawned, "ever since 06:00... and truth, it's getting on my mood. I feel gloomy and everywhere I look, I see names of crewmen." He smiled and took a bite from one of his rolls.
(USS Arakov - Main Engineering - 2386.11.1 - 14:30 - CO Jovan Eval)
"...I was going to head down to deck 9 and run a test on the subspace field amplifiers it seems our tractor beam may be malfunctioning the phase accuracy has dropped to below 2.2 arc- seconds per milliseconds." Jovan was silent for a short moment, then burst out laughing loudly. "Is it serious?" he managed at last. Then, wiping a tear from his left eye, he stood up.
"Let's go."
(USS Arakov - Deck 9, Tractor Control Room - 2386.11.1 - 14:35 - CO Jovan Eval)
"Hand me the flux inverter, please." Danmir said and held out a hand. Jovan rummaged through a pack of equipment for a moment and gave Danmir what looked to be an inverter.
"Tell me, Mr. Danmir... why did you join Starfleet?"
(USS Arakov - Deck 9, Tractor Control Room - 2386.11.1 - 14:36 - CEO Danmir Scots)
"Hand me the flux inverter, please." Danmir said and held out a hand.
Jovan rummaged through a pack of equipment for a moment and gave
Danmir what looked to be an inverter. "Tell me, Mr. Danmir...why did you join Starfleet?"
While connecting the flux inverter Danmir paused and looked back at Jovan. "Well captain I've always wanted to be a engineer and I figured a Star Fleet vessel would be a challenge. Besides there was this really cute blond that I was trying to get to know better and she joined the academy and so did I. The rest is a mater of history." Smiling Danmir rubbed his cheek remembering that she had slapped him when they last parted. "But tell me Captain where are we off to? And when do you plan on heading out?"
(USS Arakov - Deck 9, Tractor Control Room - 2386.11.1 - 14:38 - CO Jovan Eval)
"But tell me Captain where are we off to? And when do you plan on heading out?" Danmir asked.
But Jovan did not hear him. His mind was working through darkness, at the mentioning of a certain blond who made Danmir join Starfleet.
It had been years, but the past still managed to grip him into dead silence at the most inconvenient moments.
"Captain?" Danmir asked. Jovan realised he had been silent too long.
"As you probably know," Jovan said, continuing as if nothing important had happened, "we will be heading for the Delta Quadrant. When we leave? Good question. If you would excuse me."
And without another word Jovan left a puzzled CEO to his equipment.
(USS Arakov - Ready Room - 2386.11.1 - 15:50 - CO Jovan Eval)
Jovan sighed and looked up from his console. The ready room was still sparsely decorated, he hadn't found the time yet to place some of his personal belongings here. In fact, all his belongings were still in bags and cases, below, in his quarters. When do you plan on heading out? Danmir had asked. He still had a dozen manifests to read through, technical reports to sign and two reports to write for Starfleet. And then... perhaps then they would head out.
With a second sigh, Jovan set to work.
(Starbase 34 - Callahans Bar - TAC/SEC, Lt Cmdr Richard Ian Lee - 1730)
"TO THE PROSPERO, MAY SHE CONTINUE HER JOURNEYS, AND STATION DELTA ONE...WHERE I NOW BELONG!!!"
With a might *SMASH*, the glass that he had been holding was flung into the fireplace and shattered. Rich was feeling good, he was off the rustbucket known as the Prospero and was about to travel on the Arakov to the new Space Station Delta One as the Tactical/Security Chief.
He wondered back over and sat in a chair. He was only a passenger on the Arakov, so he was needed to be sober for duty, so he had gotten the REAL stuff, and had been for the last several hours. (Albiet slowly). He was feeling pretty good, and he had found an awesome saloon to spend his time. He shook hands with his friends and downed his last drink, the Arakov called to him, though that could have been his imagination, ANYTHING was possible after a few hours of drinking solid hickory smoked whiskey.
He stood up and gave everyone an old fastioned salute. "...And I will give you all one more peice of advice, sleeping with an admirals daughter and getting a good report before shipping off n a horrible duty station can do WONDERS for your career!"
He chuckled and left the room with everyone still laughing, no need on drawing out the inevitable. He sighed and picked up his small pack that he had brought. He had been carrying less and less every time he transfered, it was starting to worry him. Soon, he would have nothing left from any place he had ever been!
A quick shrug made the thought disapear, he spent the next 20 minutes trying to act sober enough to get on board without quizzical looks.
(USS Arakov - Airlock - Stardate 2386.11.1 - 17:31 - D1 CO Captain Sera Vaun)
"TO THE PROSPERO, MAY SHE CONTINUE HER JOURNEYS, AND STATION DELTA ONE...WHERE I NOW BELONG!!!"
Sera's ears perked up at the officer's toast, mostly because of the mention of Delta One. The officer smashed his glass into the fireplace, and Sera took a moment from her game of darts to observe the man. She decided it had to be Lt. Commander Richard Ian Lee, her future Tac/Sec.
He made a joke (or was it?), about an Admiral's daughter and left the bar. The Bajoran freighter captain she'd been playing darts with cleared his throat. "Your turn." Sera took the darts from his hand and moved into position.
"Delta One... that's your station, isn't it?" he asked.
Sera threw a dart, hitting the inner ring. Not a bad shot, but not a good one either. "Yeah, It is."
The Bajoran laughed. "I can see you'll have your hands full."
Sera threw the second dart at the same time her comm badge beeped and the distraction caused the dart to land in the outer ring of the board.
"Damn," she said then tapped the badge. "Vaun here."
^Captain Vaun, this is Captain Miller. Consul Torlith of Cardassia has arrived. He would like to see you immediately.^
Sera sighed. "What's the problem?"
^It would take less time to tell you what isnt's a problem,^ Captain Miller replied.
"I'll be there asap. Vaun out."
Sera tossed the last dart, this time completely missing the board. The Bajoran laughed. "I was wrong. You're in it up to your neck." Sera groaned and said her goodbyes.
Rovan slunk into the bar and was nearly knocked of his feet straight away by some Starfleet officer who wasn't looking where he was going. As he was brushed aside he noted with no curiosity at all that the man was in a moderately progressed state of inebriation. His instinctive diagnostic gaze took in immediately the dilated pupils and the faint swagger, his artificial eye picking up the increased facial capillary blood flow.
Rovan decided he didn't at all care enough to say anything so he simply entered the bar to hear the sounds of laughter that appeared to have been caused by the now departed drinker. A few glasses had been raised in some sort of farewell.
"Friends...how quaint." Immediately Rovan caught himself. That wasn't one of his! He liked friends...or he did...didn't he? He gave a quiet curse in the direction of the far off Symbiosis Commission. They'd warned him of the penalties of a late joining but never that it would be quite like this? Besides what good were warnings anyway after the act? He'd already been joined for several days by them.
Gingerly he took a seat near the door in case he felt the need for a quick exit. Not that he knew why he might need one, only that he'd been feeling very 'odd' ever since the joining and who knew what was going to occur next. One of the wall panels next to him held a mirror and he gazed into its reflection, noting with grim acceptance the darkness under his eyes, the two different coloured pupils of which one was terribly bloodshot, the other white and pure. Also there was The Reminder, the penance for his deeds, for his failure, for his murder. Stretching the left side of his face from forehead to cheek across the clean eye lay a large angry scar.
"Great advert for a Doctor you are," Rovan accused his reflection.
Too rapt up in self-pity he never noticed his soon-to-be commanding officer finish her game of darts and pass within only a couple of feet on her way out.
Not that he would have realised that was who she was. The PADD with details of his new assignment still lay mostly unread back in his temporary quarters. He'd barely seen where he was to be heading for his new post before putting it down. He'd found that since the impromptu joining he'd been plagued with headaches and the day he'd received the details had been particularly bad for them. Hopefully they'd fade in time, or he could do something for them when he arrived at his new medical facility. There was almost nothing to compare to a Starbase for medical aid. No doubt another wonderful symptom courtesy of the large slug that lived in his stomach.
For some reason the Powers That Be had even seen fit to making him the Second Officer! He hoped to hell that whoever was above never had a day off. The last thing he felt capable of was running Delta One, thousands of people and all. The most he'd ever commanded was a...no...wait, that wasn't him. At least the the 'real' him, just 'another' him...
Rovan gazed down at his stomach and frowned, his scar twisting his face as he did so. "Damn you slug, your not going to make this easy for me are you?"
He imagined it lying there, grinning. That didn't help.
Shy'na sat looking at her orders again on her PADD. She could not believe that they had picked her of all people. She had only wanted to one day become the director of Starfleet Intelligence and now this. Would she be able to accomplish this task? She would be completely out of her realm. She had been taught to use all of her resources to complete a task given her and she guessed that this would not be any exception. She just wished that it had not been her.
^Bridge to Commander Purim, we are about to dock with Starbase 34, your subdestination.^ Her thoughts had been interrupted by the communiqué.
"Thanks I will be ready by the time you have docked. Thanks for the nice ride, it has been pleasant. Please relay to your captain." Shy'na replied getting up from her seat
^I will and you have a safe journey. Maybe we will be able to transport you again sometime.^
"I assure you that the Federation has no interest in sabotaging relations with the Cardassian people."
"Are you quite sure of that? I was told that a transport would be leaving immediately on my arrival. However as you can see I am obviously still here."
"Obviously." The captain seemed to glance about looking for some escape. Devon took no notice and continued on.
"I assure you that this will not go unnoticed. I assure you I could make your life very unpleasant. It's not as though I've come unnanounced. My transfer orders were sent weeks ago. Just because you humans assisted us with some minor aid a few years back against the Dominion... you think that we should be eternally grateful."
"Aid?!" The captain's eyes opened wide in response. However before he could react an attractive brunette stepped forward. She held out her hand towards the Consul and introduced herself. Devon looked down at her offered hand, then back up into her face.
"Captain Vaun, I read you were once a medical officer. Surely you know that shaking hands is the easiest way to spread germs?"
Sera lowered her hand. "Yes, I am aware of the fact, Consul, but the body is also quite capable of fighting off most germs it comes into contact with."
"Most," Devon said somewhat snidely. "Now, I have been on board this station for two hours and have yet to receive any information about our departure. The conditions on this station are most uncomfortable. It is much too cold and too bright..."
Sera decided she'd better interrupt before this went on much longer. "We will be departing in the morning on the USS Arakov. If you would like, I'll escort you there myself, and see to it you are given quarters where you can adjust the atmosphere to your liking."
"In the morning? Really, you'd think that this station were some sort of paradise the way you are forced to wait around for anything to get done." He looked back at Captain Miller, still looking fairly upset with him. "Although... I suppose if you would escort me personally I would try not to take offense at my treatment thus far." He began walking towards the nearest turbolift. "As I understand it, you and I will be working quite closely at our new home." He turned back to Vaun. "Well come on. I've wasted enough time today." Sera said something inaudible to Captain Miller and then made her way to the lift as well.
"Pleasure to meet you Captain." Devon shouted into OPS as the lift lurched into motion.
(Starbase 34 - Operations - Stardate 2386.11.1 - 17:50 - D1 CO Captain Sera Vaun)
Sera strode into Ops and approached Captain Miller who was conversing with Consul Torlith. She held out her hand towards the Consul and introduced herself. Devon looked down at her offered hand, then back up into her face.
"Captain Vaun, I read you were once a medical officer. Surely you know that shaking hands is the easiest way to spread germs?"
Sera lowered her hand. "Yes, I am aware of the fact, Consul, but the body is also quite capable of fighting off most germs it comes into contact with."
"Most," Devon said somewhat snidely. "Now, I have been on board this station for two hours and have yet to receive any information about our departure. The conditions on this station are most uncomfortable. It is much too cold and too bright..."
Sera decided she'd better interrupt before this went on much longer. "We will be departing in the morning on the USS Arakov. If you would like, I'll escort you there myself, and see to it you are given quarters where you can adjust the atmosphere to your liking."
Shy'na exited the USS Demetri into the docking area of the Starbase to stand at the ramp to just look around. She had been there so many times before just like this and it still has not changed. This time though she was looking at it as if it were the last time for a very long time.
"Shy'na! You lovely lady. What are you doing now? Off to some exotic place again?" Came from someone she had known for some time and had met several years back when she had had to stay a few days on the base.
"Daniel, you old dog! How are you?" She replied to his usual call to her.
"Could be better if you would stay with me tonight." Daniel responded with a large smile as he came up and gave her a hug.
Daniel Macketon was a very handsome dock worker that was also her contact on the starbase. She met up with him everytime she had to come through this sector of space. She was surprised that he had known she was going to be on this transport as she was not on a mission this time. After a moment or two, she peeled herself off him or better yet him off her to just look at him closely.
"Ok Dan, How in the world did you know that I would be on this transport?" She asked him finally
"Look sweetheart, you are not and never will be, out of SFI. You should know that. Besides, I do work here." Dan answered smiling his childish smile.
"You work? That will be the day!" Shy'na answered him with a short laugh. "anyway, I have to check in with my next transport before she leaves without me. Then maybe we can meet at Callahans and see what happens."
"You got it babe!" he said as he smiled then added "Oh and she is docked in bay 4" he could not help himself and he shrugged his shoulders as she looked at him. She laughed, gave him a smile kiss and left to go to the USS Arakov.
(Starbase 34 - Turbolift - Stardate 2386.11.1 - 17:55 - D1 CO Captain Sera Vaun)
"Pleasure to meet you Captain." Devon shouted into OPS as the lift lurched into motion.
Sera could plainly sense the relief that Captain Miller felt as the disagreeable Cardassian diplomat left. Unfortunately, she was now responsible for him. Torlith focused his attention on her now, and he spoke. "I hope your station will be more efficient than this one."
"I'm afraid that's something I cannot promise, Consul. Delta One is a new station in another quadrant. We'll be starting off with a new crew, and we won't have the advantages that a more established station has. It will be quite a challenge."
Sera felt Devon's inward groan at this. The last thing this man wanted was a challenge in a distant outpost. Sera suspected he would have been much more happy in a cushy job on Cardassia Prime.
=/\=... So that there is NO misunderstanding, LIEUTENANT, your new posting is at the EXPRESS order of the highest level in Starfleet... Your commission as Lieutenant Commander has NOT been ratified. You revert to plain and simple Lieutenant as of this instant! Report to the USS Arakov within the hour for transportation to Deep Space Delta One! Starfleet HQ out!=/\=
The screen went blank and then flickered blue to display the SF logo once more.
Asif Qureshi stood up and stretched his lanky frame. He put all the thoughts of resentment aside that had sprung up on hearing of his demotion... what had he done wrong? Shaking his head, he reached up with his right hand and removed the black pip from his collar just leaving the two gold ones... "Insh'Allah... (God's will)" he muttered as he prepared to pack his few possessions...
Lieutenant Junior Grade Micheal Allen Stonewall didn't brother with unpacking his belongings his orders for him to report to Delta One as soon as the Arakov arrived. So the only bag he actually did unpack was the one which had his duty uniforms in it. After he had finished with unpacking some of his duty uniforms he ventured out into the hall and headed for the nearest trubo lift.
He entered the turbo lift when the doors open, "Counsleors office." he called out. While he enjoyed the ride on the turbo lift he wondered what his CO would be like on Delta One and what the layout of his office would be like. When the turbo lift stopped the doors opened and Allen walked out.
Each crew member of the Arakov that he met as he was walking was greeted with a cheerful hello and smile. Allen stopped at the door of the Arakov's Chief Counselor straigthened out his uniform and then pressed the door chime.
Shy'na reached docking bay 4 where the USS Arakov was docked and headed up the ramp to where several security officers were checking each person going aboard. She walked up to the line and waited her turn.
"Next!" The security officer said and she stepped up, finally it was her turn.
"Name and PADD" He said without even looking up. Shy'na was a bit annoyed at the way the officer was handling his job, so, she waited for him to look up.
"I am sorry," She looked at his name tag, "Ensign Baran, I am Commander Purim and I object to the way you are handling your job. I think I would like to speak to your superior." Shy'na watched as the ensigns attitude changed on the spot.
"I am sorry Commander, it is just that the routine is so simple and no one has ever minded, they just wanted to go aboard. I apologize Ma'am if I have offended you. My superior is Lieutenant Jamerson, I can call her if you want." he said after he had come to attention.
"If you promise to treat each person coming aboard as a person, I will let it go, this time, agreed?" She did not really want to get the ensign in trouble just to wake him up.
"I will ma'am and I thank you." he answered visibly relieved that he wasn't going to be reported. He took the PADD that Shy'na offered him and looked at his console to verify the information she gave him. He then looked back to her as he handed her PADD back. "Commander Purim your information is correct and if I may, Captain Vaun, your new boss is on board. Would you like me to let her know you are here?"
"Thanks and yes that would be nice." Shy'na responded and liked the change in the ensign.
The Ensign tapped his communication key, "Security to Captain Van, Commander Purim has arrived. Would you like for me to send her your way?" Both of them waited to see what her captain wanted.
Deleane got up from her seat aboard the Vulcan transport when the crew had announced that the docking procedures had been accomplished. She pulled the hood of her earth brown robe up and over her head as she normally did when walking around new areas or outside of her current job. She made her way to the ramp that led down to the docking area of the station. She had no need to thank the crew on a safe journey as it was expected that it would be and she had not been disappointed.
As she exited she overheard a conversation that the docking chief was having over the comm with the captain that had just brought her in.
"I understand but operations has not sent orders to us as to what we are to do. I can not even empty the heads until they do so."
Deleane walked up to the docking chief in an attempt to settle the matter.
"I am Ambassador Deleane of Vulcan and it would seem logical that you would be able to do what you would normally do since your operations has cleared us for docking. I would like my things taken to the USS Arakov immediately if you would kind sir." She then turned and walked away not waiting for an answer as to her there was no logical answer he could give her but affirmation.
(Shuttle en-route to Arakov, 2386.11.1, 1802, Counselor Laoise O'Ceallaigh)
Laoise sat on the shuttlecraft, thinking. It hadn't been the visit home that she had hoped for. Her and Kiana had gotten into a big spat. To the point where Siobhan had to intervene before it came to physical blows. Laoise sighed. They hadn't made up before Laoise's orders had come through. Get on a shuttle and get to the Arakov at Starbase 34. Her things would be sent later. She fingered the PADD on her lap, hoping that this would be over with soon enough. She just wanted to settle into a permanent post someplace, maybe meet someone ... Actually make a difference somewhere.
Laoise felt the shuttle "bump" into place and nodded at her pilot. "Thank you Ensign" The Ensign gave her a thumb up, and Laoise exited the shuttle heading over to the first communicator panel. "Computer, give me instructions on how to report to the Arakov, please." The computer blirped in acknowledgement guiding Laoise to the ship. Laoise stood in the line, then smiled at the Lt. "Hi, I'm the new Counselor, Laoise O'Ceallaigh, reporting for duty." Laoise handed over her PADD and smiled, thankful she'd thought to put on a starfleet uniform. The pretty bolian lt smiled, handed back the PADD and gave her directions to her quarters.
When Laoise dropped her single duffel on the bunk, she smiled, seeing the two cartons of valuables had reached the ship. There was a smaller carton filled with her duffel and some new uniforms. "Computer, please tell me where the CO is?"
=/\= Captain Jovan Eval is in his ready room. =/\= Laoise nodded, heading off. She reached the bridge within moments, and smiled, smelling the newness of it. It was beautiful. She strode to the ready room and waited for an answer with bated breath... .
(USS Arakov - Ready Room - 2386.11.1 - 18:04 - CO Jovan Eval)
The door chimed.
"Enter!" Jovan called out to whoever was standing before it.
A regal, proud looking woman with black hair entered.
"Counselor Laoise O'Cealliagh reporting for duty, Sir!" she said smartly.
Jovan got up from behind his desk. "At ease, Lieutenant. Welcome to the USS Arakov, I am Captain Eval. How was your trip?"
"If that will be all... I have some planning to do on a briefing for later tonight as I intend to leave tomorrow morning... so without further ado," Jovan grinned, "Dismissed."
As Laouise left the Ready Room, he went after her and began working in his chair on the bridge.
(USS Arakov - Airlock - 2386.11.1 - 1805 - TAC/SEC, Lt. Cmdr Richard Ian Lee)
Rich walked into the airlock and stepped inside. He quickly scanned for the officer of the deck and walked up. "Lt Cmdr Richard Ian Lee, TAC/SC Station Delta one requesting permission to board."
(Starbase 34 - Docking bay 4 - Stardate 2386.11.1 - 18:06 - D1 CO Sera Vaun)
As the turbolift came to a halt, Sera's comm badge beeped. ^Security to Captain Vaun, Commander Purim has arrived. Would you like for me to send her your way?^
"I'm on my way to the Arakov now, with Consul Torlith.." As they rounded the corner Sera heard her own voice coming from the Ensign's comm badge.
She laughed and approached Shy'na with an extended hand. "Perfect timing. Commander, allow me to introduce Consul Devon Torlith. He will be the Cardassian representative aboard our station."
(USS Arakov - Bridge - 2386.11.1 - 18:07 - CO Jovan Eval)
"Security Chief, Lt. Cmdr Kiara Grace Reporting for duty, Sir!" someone announced smartly and quite loudly. Jovan slowly looked up from the PADD he was reading.
"At ease, commander."
The woman relaxed slightly, but still remained in an active pose. Jovan stood up with a soft smile on his features and extended his hand to her. She shook.
A firm handshake.
"Welcome aboard the Arakov, Miss Grace."
"As you may have noticed," Jovan said as his hand made a wide arc as if to encompass the entire bridge, "we are serving with a skeleton crew only at the moment. I expect that once we're at Delta One we will be getting a full crew compliment."
He paused for a moment, then continued, "We will be departing tomorrow morning for the TKon ring and enter the Delta Quadrant two days from now, if all goes according to plan. I suggest you get settled in and report back here at 06:00. Dismissed."
The Captain lokked up from his PADD, "At ease, commander."
Kiara relaxed slightly, but still remained in an active pose. She didn't want this new CO to think her lax or remiss in her duties. She remembered well her lessons from her first duty station. She would never be remiss in her duties as Security Chief for Lt. Cmdr. Robiet had taught her well.
The Captain stood up with a soft smile and extended his hand to her. She smiled a small smile in return and reaching over she shook his hand. He had a good grip.
"Welcome aboard the Arakov, Miss Grace."
"Thank you sir. It's good to be aboard."
"As you may have noticed," Jovan said as his hand made a wide arc as if to encompass the entire bridge, "we are serving with a skeleton crew only at the moment. I expect that once we're at Delta One we will be getting a full crew compliment."
He paused for a moment, then continued, "We will be departing tomorrow morning for the TKon ring and enter the Delta Quadrant two days from now, if all goes according to plan. I suggest you get settled in and report back here at 06:00. Dismissed."
Kiara nodded and turned to depart the bridge. She new from the PADD she had recieved what the crew's complement and thier backgrounds were. She was fairly certain she could recognise them now. But still Starfleet records always left something to be desired about truly knowing another person. Somehow things always got left out, little details that to a Security Officer meant the world, by the various CO's...
^I'm on my way to the Arakov now, with Consul Torlith..^ Shy'na overheard the comm clearly and a bit too clearly as it sounded as if the entire docking bay echoed the reply. She looked around just in time to see her CO walking up with what looked like a Cardassian Ambassador.
The CO walked up to her with her hand extended and Shy'na took it. "Perfect timing. Commander, allow me to introduce Consul Devon Torlith. He will be the Cardassian representative aboard our station."
Shy'na looked at the Cardassian and wanted to bash his face in but her training let her mask that feeling. Instead she greeted him in the proper Cardassian manner in perfect cardassian. She then turned to the captain to greet her. Shy'na figured it proper protocol to greet the ambassador first.
"Captain, good to meet you. I just arrived via the USS Demetri." Shy'na said and could tell that the captain looked just like the picture that was in the file that was given her. "at your earliest time, I need to have a talk with you."
(Starbase 34 - Docking bay 4 - Stardate 2386.11.1 - 1810 - D1 CO Captain Sera Vaun)
"At your earliest time, I need to have a talk with you."
Sera stared at her FO for a moment before answering. She was blown away by the intense emotions that had come from her, which was in total contrast to her polite behavior. Still, Sera knew alot of people who felt that way about Cardassians.
"Certainly. I have to get Consul Torlith settled in first. Meet me in my quarters at 1900 hours?"
A Trill wearing a medical uniform, was waited at the turbolift and entered with Devon and Sera. Devon turned to him, and asked, "Are you a doctor?"
"Um, No, sir. I'm a nurse. Ensign Dilen Hahn." Dilan held out his hand to Devon.
From what she experienced on the base, Sera knew what the reaction would be and sidestepped it by shaking the Ensign's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you Ensign." The turbolift stopped, and Dilen exited.
After a moment, Sera broke the silence. "So, Consul Torlith, what made you decide to join us on the opposite side of the galaxy?"
As Deleane approached the USS Arakov docking ramp she could see several people close to the check in point. She recognized one as wearing Captain pips and another was obviously a commander. The other she recognized as an Cardassian Consul, whom did not look too pleased to be where he was. She walked up behind them and decided that she would just wait for them to finish then she would follow in behind them.
As they finally started to move on she gave her PADD to the security.
"Ambassador Deleane of Vulcan" Said the security person
Deleane just nodded her hooded head in an affirmation to his obvious question. Then he returned her PADD and she put it away.
"Would you like me to get you an escort Ambassador?" The security man asked.
"I can find my way thanks" she replied as she started up the ramp.
(Starbase 34 - Docking bay 4 - Stardate 2386.11.1 - 1815 - Consul Devon Torlith)
After a moment, Sera broke the silence. "So, Consul Torlith, what made you decide to join us on the opposite side of the galaxy?"
"Oh come now Commander. Surely you don't expect me to believe that you have been told all about me long before now."
"As a matter of fact, I did hear one or two things." She raised her hand as if to shake his.
"Er... yes. That's usually the part that most people remember about meeting me. Between you and me, and you must keep this to yourself, I don't hate germs as much as everyone thinks I do."
"Oh?"
"It's the people."
"Excuse me?"
"I don't like people. I don't like meeting people. I don't like talking to people. I don't like being around people."
"Then why a starbase which is sure to get more traffic than any other station in the fleet?"
"The lesser of two evils. You see if I were to stay on Cardassia I can stay hidden away in private, but I would also be at striking distance of any who would care to make the effort. If I come all the way to your station I become a public figure, but I am more or less safe from my enemies."
"Enemies?"
"Of course. Naturally my position attracts them like flies, but even as a civilian I seem to draw in people who tend to hold grudges. Take for instance your Commander Purim we just met."
"I can assure you that Shy'na has no intention of being your enemy."
"No, I wouldn't think so. But even so, I would rather have one of your people as an enemy than one of mine. Our internal affairs is too often open to the highest bidder." The lift stopped once again and they exited on a deck entirely unfamiliar to Devon. Stepping off the lift, he resumed his uneasy, darting glances at each person they passed.
"This way Consul. It's not much farther."
"I can think of worse things to be doing than being escorted by an attractive, powerful woman."
"Flattery will not get you larger quarters." She replied smiling politely.
"That's not what I." He stopped before going too far. "That is... I don't think we need all that. Just Devon if you don't mind."
"Certainly. I have to get Consul Torlith settled in first. Meet me in my quarters at 1900 hours?"
"Thank you Sir!" Shy'na replied and watched the two of them continue on their way. She decided that she would wait a bit before continuing on her way. She thought that she saw something in the Captains eyes. She could swear that she read her thoughts or emotions. She forgot that her Captain was a Betazoid and they read minds.
~I can just see that now I have made a bad impression on her. I did not check my thoughts before I got close to them. My trainer would be mad at me for messing up my training.~ Shy'na thought to herself. ~Oh, well, I guess I will just go and put my stuff away then get ready to meet with the captain again.~ Shy'na finished thinking and started for the turbolift.
James headed down the gangway from the starbase and onto the Arakov. He had so many mixed emotions. He was sad to be departing his old ship, the Tecumseh, but was excited to be going aboard a new ship, bound for an exotic destination. Surely there would be a great deal to explore in the delta quadrant. He approached the security officer at the end of the gangway.
"Lieutenant James Frost, permission to come aboard," he said, holding out a PADD with his orders.
The security officer took up the PADD. "Granted. Welcome aboard sir. Your quarters are on deck two." James thanked the officer and strode down the corridor to the turbolift, getting off at deck two. He arrived at his quarters, and dropped off his duffel. "Man, are these quarters small," he thought to himself, "Serving on that old rustbucket Excelsior class had its limitations, but the quarters were nice and big. I guess I got spoiled." Still, he had to admit to himself, the Steamrunner class of ships were pretty impressive. "This little ship would eat that big ol' Tecumseh for lunch."
Normally, the heavily armed Steamrunners were used for escort duty, and as rapid response ships . primarily warships. But he had read the specs on this one, it had been extensively modified to be an explorer. He couldn't wait to see what the main science lab looked like. His old ship had pretty outdated equipment, this one was certain to be more modern.
"First things first," he said to himself, "Better check in with my new boss." Then out loud, "Computer. Locate Captain Eval"
"Captain Eval is on the main bridge." James trotted off towards the turbolift.
Saskia was going down to the lounge, she had gotten quite hungry after walking around on the ship, trying to familiarize herself with it and it's crew. She walked around the corner and was about to go through the doors to the lounge.
Suddenly she got out of the deep well of her thoughts, noticing the doors were already open and someone was standing in it. But she was too late to stop her self from bumping against her.
~ Good impression you're trying to make on the crew, Saskia ~ she scolded her self briefly.
"I'm sorry," she started, recognizing the person as the TAC/SC, "it's completely my fault, I wasn't watching where I was going."
After a short hesitation, Saskia added: "Do you like to join me for dinner? I'm starving."
Kiara sat in the doorway looking around the lounge. She hadn't been there for more then a few seconds when she was bumped from behind. Lookig around a brief moment of suprise flashing throug her eyes she recognised the FO.
"I'm sorry, it's completely my fault, I wasn't watching where I was going." After a short hesitation, Saskia added: "Do you like to join me for dinner? I'm starving."
"It would be my pleasure Commander. After you," She let the Commander lead the way to the bar where Kiara ordered a Steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, a green salad and a glass of orange juice. Gathering up there food the women headed for a table and sat down.
"Does the Captain have a briefing planned Commander? He didn't mention one to me when I reported in?" Kiara asked her comanion and then she took a bit of her food and waited for the Commander to finish chiewing so she could answer.
Shy'na walked over to the replicator to get some ice tea and cookies then went to the couch to sit down. While she sipped her tea and nibbling on the cookies, she was trying to think of a way to see what the captain knew of her. She wanted to be up front with her, so, it would not be a problem later down the line. She was also trying to figure out how to explain what happened on the ramp earlier. She knew that the captain was not going to be happy but she thought that she had greeted that Cardassian slug with the proper respect even if it was just on the outside.
~oh well might as well get ready for the captain to give the riot act.~ thought Shy'na as she got up and headed for the bedroom to put her uniform on.
