Lay Of The Land

Chapter 4

    The Crew of the Vigilant walked onto the Promenade Deck not believing just how massive this place really was. Looking up James saw a somewhat young black man walk over to their position “Good Morning everyone, I am Commander David Broco, Commanding Officer of DS7; welcome” he stated then continued “ Security will be along soon to escort you to your block of Quarters; we’re keeping all of your Crew together in one area as per Section 42’s request.”

    James spoke up “Thank you Sir for the warm welcome. I’m Captain James Lake Commanding Officer of the Vigilant and we appreciate keeping the Crew in one area” he commented with sincerity. A few minutes later the crew were escorted to their Base Quarters to stow their duffles; there would be time to get settled later. Afterwards the Commodore walked into the Corridor and gathered the Crew together then walked with them to their new Ship.

    Arriving at the area they walked into this huge room seeing just one ship in the entire room. “Welcome to the USS Vigilant. This room was repurposed specifically for your Ship and only your Ship will be docked here” Chi explained “ Also you’ll notice the Ship is actually sitting in a pocket in the deck. So who wants to go aboard” looking around she could see everyone was anxious to see their new home away from home.

    Stepping up to the port side of the Ship, Chi keyed in an access code to open the hatch. Once opened she stated “Ok check it out” as everyone walked onto their new Ship. The entire Crew was amazed at the inside seeing how well thought out everything seemed to be; even though it was much smaller than what they had been used to. “I will take you on a quick tour then go over a few more things with you; after that please feel free to spend the rest of the day aboard and/or have any meetings that Command feels appropriate” the Commodore explained. 

    Starting at fore end, Chi stepped onto the Bridge “Obviously this is the Command Center with four Stations and one Auxiliary with a two person Transporter directly behind here. All theses areas you can investigate further after the tour is finished. 

    The Commodore proceeded to give the Crew the grand tour of the rest of Deck 1 “First off you’ll notice that, except for the Bridge, the ceiling height of the Deck is a little lower than a conventional Ship; you’ll come to see why in a few minutes” Chi commented as they moved to the next area. “Theses are your Quarters” as they looked inside one “Each room has two single beds with an integrated Computer Screen set at an angle over each bed, also there are drawers for your personal effects. There is one bathroom between two rooms which can be accessed from either one. Now if you’ll follow me to the last area “This is a combination Cargo Area, Science Lab, Exit Hatch, and Medical which is manned by an updated EMH. Are there any questions so far” the Commodore commented looking around the area but no takers.

“Good, if you’ll follow me there is a couple more areas on Deck 2” she commented as she walked over to the wall, on the Starboard side, and entered her security code into the key pad; the wall folded up into the ceiling as James and Rachael just looked at each other with Rachael mouthing “Deck 2?”  After going down the now exposed stairs, Chi paused looking at the Crew 

“Now you can see why the Deck 1 ceiling height is lower…so we could squeeze in a second deck only making the outside of the Ship marginally higher and still keep it’s sleekness for speed” Rebecca explained then continued  “On the fore end is the Intelligence/Security area complete with all the Technical Gear, a one cell Brig, and a full Armory. On the aft end is Main Engineering, which is the largest area compared to the rest of the Ship in order to accommodate the larger Warp Core. This area we’re standing in is the Mess Hall/Briefing area. On the Starboard wall the Replicators are situated for meals and beverages. There is a four month’s extra supply of material for the replicators, besides the sixty day supply already loaded into the units, stowed in the Cargo Area should you ever need them.You’ll also notice brand new PADDS setting on the table; one for each of you which already has your names entered into them. They have been uploaded as per your Department so have it on you at all times while on the Ship. Also the Ship’s Technical Manual has been preloaded and I would suggest each of you read through it for your particular Departments” Chi explained “Any questions” as she looked around, but everyone was silent and in awe. One last thing before I turn things over to your Captain; this Ship, for now, is the only one of it’s kind…..it has been designated as aWave-Rider MRK III…that finishes the tour so I’ll let you all get familiar with your new surroundings. We’ll meet at Harry’s Pub at eighteen hundred for dinner and a few drinks” the Commodore concluded with a smile, then turned and left the Ship.

    James took a deep breath, now he was officially the Captain “Ok people lets have a discussion about a few areas so please have a seat” he ordered “This won’t take long then I’ll let you go exploring around the Ship.” After everyone was seated the Captain started “First things first….since we have only four Quarters, how would you like the room assignments to go, keep in mind you won’t be using them like you would on a regular Ship; so by gender or department or something else.” Everyone was looking at the other when Katlyn spoke up “Why not by department, since we’re all adults here, that way if there are any problems or discussions the people responsible will be sharing the same quarters.” James thought that was a reasonable plan as he asked “Any other ideas or suggestions.” Racheal spoke up next “Sounds like a decent plan to me unless there are any better ideas, and like the Lieutenant has already stated we are all adults here.” Everyone nodded in agreement as James then said “ Ok so Intelligence will share one of the Quarters, Engineering in another, and Command in the third; that leaves Lieutenants SanChez and T’Sol in the fourth; sound good?” The entire Crew nodded in agreement. Maria was pleased with the arrangements knowing she didn’t have to worry about a Vulcan hitting on her and would keep temptation at bay since she preferred the female gender anyway.

    “Now onto the more serious matters. Day after tomorrow we’ll be taking the Vigilant out for the first time and we’ll be traveling to Taranko in the Terran Sector. Even at a high warp it will take two days to make the round trip so obviously we’ll be spending a couple of nights aboard Ship. That being said with tomorrow being the last day before we depart, we’ll meet here at zero nine hundred allowing the Bridge Crew to become very familiar with their Stations, Engineering prepping the engines, and Intelligence getting your area squared away. Make sure you have your PADDS either with you or leave them here if you wish; you’ll need them to read as you become familiar with your areas. Number One and I will be around the Ship to answer any questions that you may have. The quicker you become comfortable and confident with your areas, the more proficient you’ll become. Any questions?” T’Sol spoke up “I noticed there was not a Command Chair Captain, so where will you be when on the Bridge” he queried. “Good question Lieutenant; I’ll be in the Chair next to you since you’ll be handling both Helm and Navigation. Since all the chairs are on tracks to move forward or backwards, and swivel as well, I’ll be able to look at each Station while also looking out the main Viewport in the front. Also Number One will be situated at the Science Station unless otherwise needed.” Hope that answers your question.”

 Racheal spoke up “ I’m a little confused. The Commodore stated this was a Wave-Rider MRK III; what about I and II.” “Let me explain” as James began “The original Wave-Rider was a variant of the Aero Shuttle, or what you may know as the Captain’s Yacht. That was the MRK I which then was improved some years later and designated as the MRK II. So now the Vigilant has the addition of a second deck which Section 31 designated as the MRK III. Does that clear things up.” “Yes thank you Captain, now it makes sense” Number One replied.  

Then looking at his Crew “If at any time you have a question please ask myself or the Commander. Ok let’s explore.” James commented with a smile.

    As everyone else got up and headed to their respective Departments, Rachael walked over to James “I think that went well and everyone seems to be ok with the sleeping arrangements; myself included” she commented with a grin “That will give us an opportunity to really get to know each other while on duty. We almost need to know what the other one is thinking and how to react to a given situation to be an effective Command team.” “ I couldn’t agree with you more Roomy” James replied with a light chuckle “Let’s go check out Command since we’ll both be spending a fair amount of time there.” Rachael nodded as they both made their way to the Bridge.

     The Command Team walked onto the Bridge as James notice the rest of the Crew looking at their Stations with PADDs in hand with smiles on their faces. James sat in his chair beside Helm looking over the various Screens which provided him with all the different functions of the Ship. Meanwhile everyone else were engrossed in their own Stations becoming as familiar as possible with them.

    Lieutenant T’Sol was looking over the Helm/Nav screens, which were setup separately, using his keen Vulcan mind learning each function while referring to his PADD from time to time. Lieutenant SanChez was busy switching from Screen to Screen in Tactical, when she stumbled across something calling to James “ Captain you may want to take a look at this”she stated as James rose from his seat and walked over. “Sir this Ship is capable of cloaking.” James looked at the Screen “Damn, I didn’t see that coming” he stated completely surprised “The Commodore did say Section 31does bend the rules some.” Maria nodded then turned her attention to Comms, becoming familiar with each function using her PADD as a guide. Meanwhile Commander Reese was at the Science Station going over each Screen’s function while referring to her PADD as she went as James walked over “Commander how are you progressing here” he inquired. Racheal looked towards her Captain with a smile “Good Sir, everything seems to be very organized and well thought out” she replied.

    Down on Deck 2 Lieutenant Herek and Lieutenant Zebot were busy conferring in Main Engineering going over all the systems with PADDS in hand trying to get a handle on the new style Warp Core and Impulse Engines; Katlyn would checkout the Ship’s Computer tomorrow but right now Daniel needed her help with Engineering. At the same time Lieutenant Nox and Ensign Benna were on the other end of Deck 2 taking a good look at all their new Tech toys for Infiltrating and getting things organized to their liking as well as checking out all the weapons.

    After about four hours James noticed his Bridge Crew were starting to chat with each other which was a signal to him they all were finished with the task at hand. Standing and walking over to Rachael “Commander looks like everyone is done for now. Please go down to Deck 2 and see how they are progressing and the rest of us will join you momentarily” came the order. “Aye Captain I will see you in a few” Number One replied then left the Bridge. James looked at the others “Is everyone all set with your Stations” he inquired as they all nodded yes “Good let’s go back to the Mess Hall then.” James was the last to leave….then turned looking at the Bridge “I think this will work out nicely” he thought to himself before returning to Deck 2.

    The Captain was the last to return as he noticed everyone milling around talking; he gave an order in a slightly louder voice so as to be heard “Would everyone please take a seat there is one more thing I’d like to do before calling it a day.” They all sat, including James, as he started “I would like to go around the table and each of you tell us what Departments you have worked in; it doesn’t have to be lengthy but then we will all know what the others are capable of. Let’s start with Commander Reese and proceed. “I worked my way through the Science Department up to Chief Science Officer which I held for a few years. Next I was promoted to First Officer aboard a Intrepid Class Ship for 2 years until I was transferred here.” “I have been a Helmsman since the Academy and learned Navigation one year ago” T’Sol stated. “ I have worked in Tactical/Security since my Academy days then one yer ago was trained in Communications” Maria added. “Much like everyone else so far I have always been in Engineering and worked my up to Chief” Daniel commented. “I started as a Computer Specialist and gradually learned Engineering as I went along” Katlyn informed everyone thinking it would be best to keep her arrangement with the Commodore to herself for now. “I have always worked in Intelligence as well as Infiltration having helped many victims over the years” Nox explained. “I have had the same experience as my colleague has only not quite as long” Benna stated. “Ok that leaves myself; I worked my way through Engineering right up to Chief. I have been a Second Officer and a Tactical/Security Chief along with it. Was a First Officer for a few years and a Captain of a Saber Class Ship for the past five” James explained then continued “Now we all know what experience each other has had over the years, we can work together as a Team and conquer most anything. Are there any comments or questions before we dismiss for dinner at the Pub.” Looking around the room was silent. “One last thing there will be a two drink maximum this evening so you’re fresh and focused in the morning; tomorrow we will be putting on the finishing touches and getting some rest before we take the Vigilant out for our maiden voyage the following day. You are dismissed” James concluded with a smile.