A New Day

Chapter 27

    At zero nine hundred Captain Lake was shaved, showered, and dressed for the day when his door chime went off “Come in” he stated then Commander Reese walked in with a smile on her face.

    Racheal walked through the door and right up to James “Good morning my Captain’ she commented before laying a nice kiss on his lips for a few minutes.

    “Well good morning to you too my Commander” then returned her kiss rather enjoying her lips “So what would you like for breakfast this morning.”

    “Eggs and toast sounds good and I could really use a cup of coffee first” Racheal replied with a smile.

    “One cup of hot black coffee coming right up” he stated. Moments later “Here you go sweetheart and I’ll get the rest of breakfast.”

    Taking a long sip of her favorite morning beverage “Oh, that’s just what I needed…..thank you” she replied still enjoying her coffee, then paused a moment realizing what James had just said “So I’m at sweetheart status then” as she grinned pleased for the gesture.

    Grabbing two plates from the replicator “Yes, you are most definitely at the sweetheart status. Ok, western omelet and toast; dig in” James commented as he sat beside Racheal and they started to enjoy breakfast together.

    After consuming part of their breakfast “I’m willing to bet we’ll be loosing our quarters here on the Base and be aboard the Ship full time” as he paused “So…..how do you see us on the ship….off duty that is” James inquired thinking they may as well discuss this.

    Racheal thought for a moment “I would hope things would continue between us regardless of where we are living; that is if you’re ok with that arrangement” she commented being a little concerned of what his answer might be.

    A big smile came across his face “That’s what I was thinking as well. When we’re off duty our personnel lives are our own” then he paused thinking “Although we may have to use a little discretion popping in and out of each other’s quarters.”

    “You’re probably right” she replied “It would make things easier if our quarters were next to each other and not across the corridor from the other” Racheal commented with a grin.

    “Considering I am the Captain I think that could be arranged quite easily” he grinned as well. After breakfast they sat and talked about the new ship, the crew, and a variety of other things until it was getting close to thirteen hundred then they left for their new home.

    Walking up to the gangway James presented his identification to Security “Lieutenant, I’m Captain James Lake, Commanding Officer.” “Yes Sir” as he handed back the I.D. “Welcome. There’s a lift just inside across the corridor to take you to the Bridge on Deck 1” he stated with a smile. James walked in and waited for Rachel by the Lift.

    A few minutes later Racheal walked up to James “You ready for this Captain?” “As ready as I’ll ever will be” as he gave a hand gesture for her to enter the Lift first. The door swooshed shut as James called out “Computer, Deck 1, Bridge please” and moments later they were off to start another new adventure.

    The Lift doors opened with James and Racheal stepping off. Seeing Rebecca a short distance away James walked over “Good afternoon Commodore” he stated noticing someone else standing next to her.

    “You as well Captain. Please allow me to introduce you to my Chief of Engineering on the Divergent. Captain James Lake this is Commander Jefferson, one of the finest Chiefs in Star Fleet” Rebecca stated with some pride in her voice.

    James extended his hand “Very nice to meet you Commander” he replied but his eyes were wandering around the Bridge trying not to be too obvious about it as Chi walked to another part of the Bridge.

    Jefferson grinned seeing the Captain’s reaction to his new surroundings “She’s a beauty isn’t she” he stated.

    Hearing the Commanders voice brought James’ attention back to their conversation “Sorry Commander, I didn’t mean to appear rude. Yes this ship is certainly something, that’s for sure.

    Jefferson gave a light chuckle “That’s quite alright Captain; I’d be having the same reaction myself if I was in your position” he replied happy the Captain was liking what he was seeing “This ship has the greatest and latest stable tech Section 42 has to offer.”

    “If she operates as good as she looks, then I won’t be disappointed” James replied with a grin.

    “And that’s what shakedowns are for; to make sure all functions are working properly” Jefferson replied then continued “If you haven’t any objections, the Commodore would like me to accompany you and your Crew this first time out; although most of my time will be spent in Engineering helping your Chief Engineer.”

    A smile came across James’ face “No not at all, it’ll make things go much smoother” he replied  as he motioned to Daniel to come over “Commander Jefferson may I introduce my Chief Engineer, Lieutenant Daniel Herek.”

    Jefferson extended his hand “Lieutenant nice to meet a fellow Chief. I’ll be along for the shakedown specifically to help you and your people and/or answer any of your questions.”

    Daniel was smiling so hard you would think his face would break as he shook hands “Commander, nice to meet you as well and thank you for coming along; I’ll take all the assistance I can get.” James saw the two Chiefs getting along famously so he turned and greeted the other members of their Crew.

    Captain Lake made his way around the Bridge greeting each and every member of his much larger Crew; which he still planned on doing as much as possible. Walking over to his Operations Officer “Ensign McTavish, you ready for a new adventure” he inquired with a grin.

    “Yes I am and I can hardly wait until when we can get underway” Heidi replied with a smile “Although I do have a question Captain.”

    “Please by all means ask away” James commented eager to hear what was on the Ensign’s mind.

    “Well Sir, do you want me to serve in operations, communications or both” she inquired with some concern.

    “Probably both at least for the duration of the shakedown until I get the chance to go over the entire Crew roster and see who’s proficient in what departments. Is that going to be a problem Ensign” James stated.

    “No, none whatsoever it’s just” then Heidi paused before continuing “Well Captain the Ops console is at the front of the Bridge and the Communications is in the back of the Bridge so I’ll have to go back and forth that’s all.”

    Captain Lake grinned “I have a better solution” he stated “Computer, Captain, Lake, James, transfer the Ops Station to Auxiliary Station number two.”

    “Ops Station functions are now available at Auxiliary Station number two” the Computer replied.

    Looking at Heidi “There you go Ensign; there is no reason to run in between Stations….that’s what the spare consoles are for. This should make your life much easier” James commented with a grin.

    “That it will Captain and thank you for doing that for me” Heidi replied with a smile then sat at her Stations looking things over.

    “Anytime Ensign, that’s what I’m here for” James stated.

    Commodore Chi walked over to James after he finished his conversation with one of his Crew “Captain, I have a meeting to get to so I’ll let you take it from here and assign quarters to your Crew. Tomorrow will be moving day for your Crew as they come aboard and get settled before the shakedown commences the next morning. Have the Crew explore the Ship the rest of the day so they can get their bearings. Also I’ll have Security ay the gangway until you depart” she explained with a smile.

    “Sounds good Commodore. Quarters assignments is the first thing on my to do list and I can go over the Crew roster while I’m at it” James commented returning the smile. Rebecca gave a nod and exited the Bridge; now it was his show. In a loud voice “If I could have everyone’s attention please” then the Crew quieted down and focused on their Captain “Commander Reese and Lieutenant Commander Roan, if you both would assemble in my Ready Room we have some things to discuss. As for the rest of you take the next few hours and explore your new home. Tomorrow please move all your belongings into your newly assigned Quarters, which you will have shortly, and get settled. The next day we head out on our shakedown and see what this Ship can do. Any Questions.”

    Lieutenant SanChez spoke up “Captain where will we be able to find our new quarters assignments” Maria inquired.

    “Give us about a couple of hours then we’ll post the assignments on the wall at the back of the Bridge just for simplicity’s sake” James replied glad  Maria had asked. “If there’s no other questions you are dismissed to explore the Ship.”

       The Command Staff sat for the next couple of hours looking over the Crew roster and made the quarters assignments for the Crew. James made sure Racheal’s quarters were next to his since James was the first room on deck 2 at the end of the corridor; the entire Crew had their quarters on the same deck due to the small size of the Ship.

    Once everything was set James dismissed his Team “Ok, feel free to explore the Ship” Lake stated placing his padd, with the Crew Roster added, in his right thigh pocket. Being Roan had already left James looked at his Commander “Racheal you want to see what this place is like” he inquired.

    “Absolutely, since this will be our new home we may as well start getting used to this place” Racheal replied with a smile as the two Officers left the Ready Room.