Chapter 39
[Vigilant]
By zero seven hundred the Crew was assembled in the Mess Hall on Deck 2 for breakfast and general socializing.
Captain Lake addressed his Crew “Good morning everyone, I trust you all found your Quarters and bathrooms acceptable” he inquired with a smile before grabbing a black coffee from one of the many replicators.
“Actually I found my Quarters and bathroom to be quite nice and my Quarters very comfortable; I wasn’t expecting that on such a small Ship” Commander Reese answered and everyone else was of the same opinion.
“That’s great to hear since this IS our new home for the foreseeable future” James commented with a grin “After breakfast we’ll of course clean up and wait for the Commodore and the rest of our Crew” then he paused “I would assume we’ll be taking the Vigilant on our own shakedown just to see how the Ship handles and operates then after that your guess is as good as mine; although I don’t see the Commodore letting us rest on our backsides for long” as he heard a chuckle form the rest of the Crew.
By zero nine hundred Commodore Chi walked into the Mess Hall with the balance of the Crew “Everyone I’d like you all to meet Lieutenant D’Nall your new QSD Engineer and Ensign Yesrin Jen your new Infiltration Specialist” then turning to the new people “My I present Captain James Lake your Commanding Officer.”
James stood and walked over to the new Crew members with a smile and an extended hand “Lieutenant D’Nall welcome” as he turned towards Daniel “This is Lieutenant Daniel Herek the Chief of Engineering and also Lieutenant Katlyn Zebot our Computer Specialist as well as Engineer.”
Daniel smiled “Welcome Lieutenant, I look forward to us working together and learning the ins and outs of the QSD.”
Then Katlyn spoke next “Lieutenant D’Nall I look forward to working together and welcome to Engineering.”
“Thank you both and I also am looking forward to working with you “ D’Nall replied in a husky voice and a smile.
Turning his attention to the other new Crew member “Ensign Jen welcome aboard as well” then made the introductions “This is Lieutenant Nox Lead Infiltration Specialist and Ensign Benna her partner in crime” Captain Lake stated.
“Ensign Jen welcome and I look forward to working with you” Nox commented with a smile.
“Ensign welcome and it’s nice not to be the low person on the totem pole anymore. I’m sure you’ll fit right in here nicely” Mark replied with a smile rather liking this new Crew member.
“Captain Lake may I say I’m thrilled to be part of your Crew and look forward to serving under your command” Yesrin commented then turning her attention “Lieutenant Nox, Ensign Benna I’m sure we’ll get along just fine and work together well.”
Hearing the conversations between the Crew Rebecca had a smile on her face “Now that all the introductions are over if you would please take a seat for a few minutes” Chi ordered as everyone did was requested “So now let’s get down to business. Some time after twelve hundred hours, and I’ll leave that to your Captain’s discretion, I would like you to take the Vigilant out for your shakedown cruise and get used to the Ship as well as each other. Today is Tuesday so plan on being back by Friday; that’ll give you two and a half days for your cruise” turning her attention to Lake “Upon your return Captain contact me and I’ll go over your first mission at that time” Chi concluded with a smile.
Looking to Daniel “Lieutenant Herek can you have us ready for a fourteen hundred departure” Lake inquired.
“Absolutely Captain, on problem” Herek replied more than ready to get to work.
“Excellent Lieutenant. Mr. D’Nall after we depart I’d like to initiate the slipstream about sixteen hundred for a duration of your choosing since you are the expert with the QSD” the Captain ordered.
“Not a problem Captain, she’ll be ready in that timeframe” D’Nall replied rather liking the Captain’s style of command.
“Fantastic. I would like everyone at their Stations by thirteen thirty so we’re ready to depart sharply at fourteen hundred hours. In the meantime let’s get our new people settled in their quarters then tour your departments so everyone is up to speed” Lake ordered.
“Looks like everything is well in hand Captain so I’ll leave you to it. Looking forward to a report on how your shakedown goes” Rebecca commented before tapping her comm “Divergent this is Chi, I’m ready to return.” Moments later she was gone in a stream of white light.
“Ok, you’re dismissed” James ordered as everyone rose to get ready for what was to come.
Nox walked over to Yesrin “Would you like a hand getting settled before we show you the Intelligence Area” she inquired with a smile.
“Yes thank you, that would be helpful not that I have all that much to put away” Yesrin replied returning the smile.
“While you two are doing that I’ll get everything unlocked so our new Ensign can see what we have at our disposal” Mark commented then turned to go to Deck 3.
Katlyn looked at D’Nall “So would you like some help getting your quarters squared away” Katlyn inquired.
“Sure why not but I must warn you I do travel light so this won’t take long” D’Nall replied impressed with how nice everyone was here.
“And while you two are taking care of that I’ll take the Warp Core off standby and initiate a warm startup; I want our departure ready and on time” Daniel stated eager to get to lower Engineering.
Seeing all the interaction between everyone Racheal leaned in towards James “Looks like we did it again Captain; we now have a cohesive Crew ready for most anything.”
With a smile “It would appear so; I guess the third time’s the charm then?” as he grinned happy things were going so smoothly so far.
By fourteen hundred everyone was at their Stations ready to start their new adventure together. Captain Lake sat at the Conn as he tapped his Comm “Lieutenant Herek, we all set to depart.”
“Yes Captain. all systems are green and are at your disposal Sir” Daniel replied being rather excited to see what this Ship was capable of.
“Excellent Lieutenant. If anything looks off let me know immediately; Lake out.” Turning to his Bridge Crew “So is everyone ready for this” as they all nodded yes. Tapping his comm “Flight Control this is the USS Vigilant requesting permission to depart.”
“Permission granted at vector six seven two” Flight replied “Have a safe trip Captain.”
Looking towards T’Sol “She’s all yours Lieutenant; one quarter impulse if you please. Once we clear the outer markers start us off at warp seven” thinking that would be a good place to start.
“As you wish Captain” as T’Sol banked the Ship to the required heading “One quarter impulse” as they traveled towards the outer markers.
“Everyone it’s really nice to have the old Crew back working together again” Commander Reese stated with a smile.
“Hey Commander, who are you calling old here” Maria replied with a laugh “Yes this is great having us all working together on the Bridge once again.”
T’Sol even added to the conversation “Indeed” was his only comment.
James had to grin at T’Sol’s remark “Yes this does seem like old times at that and I’m so happy to have the original Crew back together once again.”
“Outer markers reached Sir…..going to warp seven” T’Sol stated. The Ship went to warp so smoothly you could hardly tell the speed had increased.
For the next two hours the Ship responded beautifully with everyone at their Stations enjoying the new Tech and how well it was working.
Captain Lake tapped his Comm “Lieutenant D’Nall are we ready to try out the new QSD” he inquired.
“Yes we are Captain but I would recommend for only four hours for the sake of the Crew who probably haven’t traveled in slipstream before” he suggested.
“Understood Lieutenant, four hours it is then” James replied “Black Alert” he called out as the Ship shot forward while the Computer was now controlling the Ship and it’s movements.
Minutes later T’Sol spoke up “This is fascinating Captain the speed and distance we are able to travel all computer controlled.”
James glanced over at T’Sol and simply replied “Indeed” as the rest of the Crew couldn’t help but chuckle at the Captain’s response.
“The way the Computer is handling Tactical’s scans is nothing short of remarkable. Even at this velocity I’m still receiving scans in front of the Ship” Lieutenant SanChez stated still in amazement.
“Same here” Racheal added “This is amazing to see just how well the Computer’s handling things.”
Four hours later James called out “Computer stand down Black Alert” as you could feel the Ship slow in speed “Mr. T’Sol go to warp eight please.”
“As you wish Captain….initiating warp eight” T’Sol answered with the Ship handling like a dream.
Looking over at Racheal “Commander are you alright, you look quite pale” Lake inquired with some concern.
“I think so although I’m feeling a little queasy at the moment” Racheal replied being a little embraced as well.
“Computer send the EMH to the Bridge” came the order.
Moments later the EHM materialized “I am Doctor Sonia, please state the nature of your emergency” the Doc stated.
“Doctor, Commander Reese isn’t feeling well at the moment” Captain lake replied.
Walking over to Racheal she could sense the problem “Commander Reese you are being effected by your first time traveling in slipstream which is not uncommon until your body becomes accustomed to the change” Sonia explained before a hypo materialized in her hand “This medication will make you feel much better in a few minutes if I may inject you.”
“Yes please” Racheal replied as Sonia gave her the medication “That’s much better thank you Doctor.”
The Vigilant met the four hours and had covered an enormous amount of space very quickly which amazed Captain Lake. Minutes later his comm sounded “Lake here, go ahead.”
Captain, Lieutenant D’Nall, we have reached the specified limit for traveling in slipstream; we’ll need a four hour cooldown before we initiate it again” he explained to his Captain.
“Understood Lieutenant, we’ve already dropped out of slipstream” Lake replied. Looking towards Helm “Lieutenant T’Sol steady as she goes.”
“As you wish Captain…..steady as she goes” T’Sol replied as you could feel the Ship continuing at warp eight.
Looking to his Bridge Crew “I thought that first time went well” he commented happy with the new Ship so far.
“I agree Sir; I can’t believe how much distance we covered in such a short amount of time” SanChez replied still not quite believing such a thing could be accomplished.
Looking at her screens “Captain the amount of distance we’ve traveled the past four hours is mind boggling; this should help us out quite a bit especially if we need to be somewhere in a hurry” Racheal commented adding to the conversation.
“Yes it will and I’m sure the Commodore will make sure we use this new wonder frequently If I know her” James answered with a grin knowing he was probably right.
After a few more hours had passed the Captain thought they should start heading for home base “Mr. T’Sol drop us out of warp and lay in a course for DS7. Once done take us to warp nine if you please.”
“Dropping out of warp now Sir” as the Ship came to a halt “Course laid in for DS7…..initiating warp nine now Captain” T’Sol stated as the Vigilant turned towards the new heading then went smoothly to warp.
James sat at the conn looking over some star charts just for something to do for the next few hours when his comm went off “Captain here, go ahead.”
Lieutenant D’Nall “Sir, feel free to go back to slipstream at your discretion; that should get us pretty close to DS7 when we meet the time limit.”
“Understood Lieutenant” then he glanced towards Helm “You heard the Lieutenant, take us back into slipstream” Lake ordered.
“As you wish Captain……reentering slipstream now” T’Sol answered as the Ship shot forward with the stars being nothing more than a streak of light passing by.
The hours rolled by as everyone on the ship attended to their duties. Finally a signal went off at the Conn then Lake looked towards Helm “Mr. T’Sol time is up for slipstream travel” as the ship automatically dropped out of slipstream “What’s our ETA to DS7.”
Checking his readings “At warp eight point five one hour Captain and we’ll be home” he replied.
“Excellent, make it happen Lieutenant” then rising from his seat “Commander you have the conn…..I’ll be in our Office making out a report of our shakedown for the Commodore” James ordered before leaving the Bridge.
“As you wish Captain” Reese replied then took the seat at conn.
Walking into the ship’s shared Office James grabbed a water from the replicator then sat at the desk and made out a detailed report then sent it off to the Commodore as was his usual custom.
Shortly Helm turned to Reese “Commander we’re approaching DS7 Ma’am”
“Drop us out of warp and go to one half impulse Lieutenant” Racheal ordered “Lieutenant SanChez hail the Star base please.”
“DS7 this is the Vigilant, we need a parking spot for the ship” Reese stated waiting for a reply.
“Welcome back Commander…..sending the coordinates to your helm now” the Flight Chief informed her.
“Thank you Chief it’s nice to be back, Reese out” then looking to Helm “Mr. T’Sol she’s all yours. Once parked take us to station keeping if you please.”
“As you wish Commander” T’Sol replied and a few minutes later “We’re now at station keeping.”
“Computer you have the ship……keep us at station keeping and monitor communications…any calls transfer to the Captain” Reese instructed the Computer.
“As you wish Commander” came the reply.
Standing facing her crew “I know I speak for the Captain as well as myself, great job everyone. You’re relived of duty so fell free to grab a meal and relax; you’ve earned it.”
“Everyone left the Bridge and Racheal stopped at the Office “Captain we’ve arrived. The Computer has control of the ship and any communications will be directed to you Sir. I also took the liberty of dismissing the Bridge Crew for a meal and some rest.”
“Thank you Commander, a great job as usual” as James stood “The report has been sent off to Commodore Chi so how about you and I grabbing a meal and relax with the rest of the crew.”
“Sounds like a plan Captain” Racheal replied with a smile.
