Heading Home

Chapter 43

[Deck 1 Bridge]

Now that everyone was back safely Lake returned to the Bridge “Lieutenant T’Sol, lay in a course for DS7……warp nine if you please” came the orders.

“Aye Captain…..course for DS7 laid in…..initiating warp nine Sir” T’Sol replied as the Vigilant left the area quickly.

Turning in his chair “Thanks everyone for your diligence. We have our people plus one back safely and we’re heading for home” the Captain commented with gratitude in his voice.

“I’m glad everything went so smoothly for the OP and it’s good to be getting away from that wretched planet” Commander Reese stated.

“I’m right their with you on that one Commander” SanChez interjected with a cheeky grin.

[Deck 3 Infiltration Room]

Carrying Nox’s gear Mark and Yesrin entered the secure room and started getting all the gear and tech put away where it belonged. Things were awkwardly silent between the two for several minutes until she spoke up “ Mark, please don’t give it second thought about what you did on the planet…..you did what needed to be done to get us out of there safely.”

Stopping what he was doing he looked at Yesrin “I’m not really like that around women” as he paused a moment “Especially around someone as attractive as you are” Mark replied with sincerity in his voice finally getting his thoughts out there.

Hearing him say she was attractive made her day. Walking a little closer to him she grinned “Tell you what…..I’ll even let you take me out to dinner when we return to DS7 as an…..apology” Yesrin responded with a wry smile.

“Sounds good to me; I’ll take you wherever you want to eat” he answered with a smile of his own looking forward to spending an evening with this remarkable woman.

Shortly everything was in it’s proper place when mark stated “I guess we better get to the Mess Hall before Nox starts wondering what happened to us” Mark commented with a smirk.

“We certainly wouldn’t want that to happen now would we” she replied with a big grin.

[Deck 2 Mess Hall]

Nox and AJ were sitting on the bench that went across the one wall of the Mess Hall enjoying a meal together at the table; two empty chairs were across the table from them. There was a large information screen on the wall behind them with their location and other pertinent Ship related information displayed.

“What a vile planet that is and the way they treat women is horrifying to say the least. How in the world did you cope with that” Nox inquired being quite curious.

AJ grinned “I wore loose fitting clothes to hide being female and talked with a husky voice like this” as she showed her voice change “Most everyone I was just this frumpy looking guy so they didn’t really pay any attention to me” she explained then continued “That made it much easier to get the information I needed.”

Sitting back on the bench “Wow, I’m really impressed with your abilities to pull something like that off. How long were you deep undercover; that is if you can tell me.”

“Now that the mission has concluded I can…..almost two very long years” AJ replied before taking another bite of food.

“That’s a long time to be on your guard constantly. I’ve been doing this for a long time and I don’t know if I could stand an OP quite like that” Nox replied.

“I didn’t have much choice in the matter so I guess you just take it one day at a time and try not to loose yourself in your persona.”

Just then Mark and Yesrin walked into the Mess Hall “Any food left in the replicators” Yesrin inquired with a smirk.

Nox looked up “You’ve been hanging around Benna too long; I think he’s rubbing off on you” she replied with a chuckle “Yes there’s plenty replicator food left so help yourselves.”

Walking over to the replicators they each grabbed a meal, cutlery, and a drink then went and sat at the table across from AJ and Nox “So we miss anything important” Mark inquired with a grin.

“I was telling Nox a little bit about my undercover experiences when you walked in” AJ responded “I have to give their government credit allowing their male population to prey on the woman the way they do.”

Mark looked up at AJ surprised to be hearing that from a woman “Not sure I follow.”

“Well…..the men are so occupied with having all kinds of sex with woman they ignore what’s really going on around them so the powers-to-be can do whatever they want without worrying about about any type of intervention from their citizens” AJ explained.

“Good point and it looked like it was working” as he paused a moment “Being a male I would never, ever treat any woman the way they treat their fellow citizens. It actually turned my stomach watching those assholes” Mark replied with conviction.

“When I first arrived there it took me some time to get used to their screwed up society but I knew I’d have to insert myself into their culture if I wanted to do my job” AJ commented “But I’m so glad that OP is behind me now.”

Yesrin chimed in “You’re a better infiltrator than I would be; I think I would put down every one of those idiots that approached me…..which obviously would have blown my cover.”

AJ chuckled “Trust me that thought had crossed my mind many times while I was there but like you said it would have definitely blown my cover” she replied with a smirk.

“The good news is, of course, all that’s behind us now and if I never have to back to that wretched planet it’d be too soon” Nox stated with everyone else in agreement.

[Deck 1 Bridge]

Now that they were well on their way for the return trip Lake decided to shorten the time factor “Lieutenant T’Sol initiate slipstream the rest of the way back to DS7.”

“As you wish Captain….initiating slipstream now” T’Sol replied watching his screens carefully.

Standing he turned to Racheal “Commander the conn is yours…..I’ll be in my office working on the report for Commodore Chi” James ordered with a smile.

“Certainly Captain…..have fun” Rachel replied with a playful grin.

[Deck 1 Office]

Walking into the ship’s office James went to the replicator “Computer….one mug coffee strong and black.” Taking the badly needed coffee James sat at the terminal as he started his report. After several minutes James realized something as he tapped his comm “Lieutenant Nox, since this mission was primarily on the surface. Would you do a more detailed account of what happened; I can turn your report in with my report to the Commodore.”

“Sure thing Captain; I’ll have it completed by the time we arrive at DS7” Nox replied having already started a report thinking James might ask considering the circumstances of the OP.

“Excellent Lieutenant, that will make my report writing so much easier and give the Commodore a more complete depiction of what happened” James responded before going back to work.

[Deck1 Bridge]

Commander Reese walked between Science and the Conn keeping track of both areas since there really wasn’t much of anything going on other than routine. Walking over to Maria “So Lieutenant SanChez if we get some shore leave what do you plan doing with your time off” she inquired.

Maria grinned “Not sure but the first order of business is to find me a sweet young thing and have my way with her for starters; after that we’ll see what happens” she commented with a light chuckle.

Racheal laughed “And how did I know you were going to say something like that” then turning her attention “Lieutenant T’Sol what would your plans include.”

Turning in his chair facing Racheal “ I believe there is a multi-day 3D chess tournament starting soon so I might test my skills in that area to relax” T’Sol answered as Racheal and Maria had all they could to to sniffle a laugh at his plans.

“And what about you Commander, how will you spend your down time” Maria inquired already knowing the answer.

“Not sure….probably hang out with the Captain at least part of the time” Racheal replied with a grin.

Lowering her voice “I see…..hanging out…..just hanging out….ya right” Maria commented with a cheeky smirk.

“A lady never kisses and tells” Racheal responded with a big grin. 

But before the banter could continue Lake walked back onto the Bridge “Commander report” came the order.

“About the same as when you left Captain. We should be back to DS7 shortly” Commander Reese stated.

“Good, I think the crew needs a break in routine” James commented as a call came in for him “This is Captain Lake….go ahead.”

[Captain, this is Commodore Chi. I assume the mission was successful and you have AJ aboard] Rebecca inquired.

“Yes to both questions Commodore and I’ll be forwarding you the reports as soon as we arrive at DS7” Lake responded.

“Excellent Captain and I look forward to your report. Please have AJ report to my Office on DS7 as soon as you arrive and have her bring her intel with her as well. Also I’m giving your Crew a week off to spend at DS7; I’ve already made accommodations for everyone so have them pack a duffel….there is an upgrade I wish to make to the Vigilant in the meantime.”

“What sort of an upgrade if I may ask” James inquired being a little nervous at the prospect.

Rebecca grinned “That my dear Captain that will be a surprise…..one that I think your entire Crew will find helpful.”

“Alright…..I trust your judgement Commodore” James replied still quite curious.

“I see your ships is almost here so I’ll let you go Captain; Chi out.”

Minutes later “Captain we’re approaching DS7’ T’sol stated.

“Good…..you know the drill Lieutenant” Lake replied before tapping his comm “Crew this your Captain, we’re be at DS7 soon, please everyone meet in the Lounge for a very brief informational meeting” came the order.

“As you wish Captain” T’Sol replied. Minutes later they were at station keeping above DS7.

“Well done Lieutenant” James replied.

[Deck 1 Lounge]

Soon everyone gathered curious as to what the Captain had to say “I know we’re all tired so I’ll make this quick. The Commodore informed me an upgrade of some sort is going to be taking place for the next week. That being said please pack a duffle for a one week stay aboard DS7; quarters will be provided during this time. Please enjoy yourselves for the next week and please remember to get some rest. I’ll let you know if anything changes and when to report back aboard the Vigilant” James explained looking forward for the break in routine “One more thing AJ please report to Commodore Chi’s office with your data when we finish here. Any questions?” James concluded.

AJ spoke up “I just want to thank all of you for coming and getting me off that planet and especially to Lieutenant Nox, Ensigns Benna and Jen for getting me out of there safely” she commented with sincerity.

“You’re welcome and hopefully the data that you’ll be turning over to Commodore Chi will help put an end to that place” James responded with a smile “Ok looks like you’re dismissed.”

Everyone said their goodbyes to AJ wishing her well. Shortly everyone was packed and were leaving the ship when Racheal walked over to James “So would you like to tag team finding our quarters” she inquired with a grin. 

Before James could reply an Officer spoke “Excuse me Captain Lake, I’m Commander Douglas, I’ll be assuming command of the Vigilant during the upgrade then when we’re finished command will of course go back to you” came the explanation.

“Alright so I guess she’s all yours” James replied then grabbed his duffle, as did Racheal, then they departed the ship.

[DS7]

Once aboard DS7 they were met by an Ensign “Captain, Commander you both have the same quarters as you’ve had previously as well as the rest of your Crew plus the two newer members” was the explanation.

“Thank you Ensign” James stated then turned to Rachel  “I guess we know where our quarters are then” as the two Officers started towards their temporary home. Walking along James inquired “Would you like to go out to dinner with me this evening….say eighteen hundred. That way we both can get some rest and lets go civilian for once.”

“Sounds good to me” Racheal responded as they approached her quarters. Looking around she saw no one so she leaned in and gave James a kiss “I’ve been wanting to do that for awhile so I’ll see you later” as she entered her quarters.

James just grinned to himself as he turned and entered his quarters across the corridor.