Chapter 45
The time seems to fly by and before anyone knew it the Crew was back aboard the Vigilant ready for the surprise the Commodore had promised previously.
[ Deck 2 Mess Hall ]
Everyone assembled in the area as per the Captain’s orders by zero eight hundred hours. James walked in with Racheal as he greeted his Crew “Good morning everyone. I thought we would meet here so you had a chance to grab something to eat before the Commodore arrives with our surprise at zero nine hundred hours; so please help yourselves to whatever you’d like.
Several minutes later they all sat around talking as usual. Maria spoke up “So what did everybody do with the week off” she inquired curious as to how they all spent their off duty time. “I’ll start. Relaxed during the day and slept in most days then hit the Clubs in the evening. I did find a sweet young thing and we spent a few evenings together. So who’s next.”
T’Sol spoke next “I competed in a 3D Chess Tournament and won second place overall; that endeavor absorbed most of my time” he explained.
Mark inquired “Lieutenant how is it you only took second place; I’d thought you would have won the whole thing.”
“The final match my opponent played a very illogical game and managed to best me” T’Sol responded straight faced.
“Lieutenant D’Nall and I spent our evenings at a Casino at the Dabo tables; we both did quite well I might add” Daniel commented with a smirk.
“Yes the Lieutenant is quite good at gambling and gave me some pointers” D’Nall commented.
“I spent some time relaxing with a certain platinum haired young lady” Mark commented as he looked at Yesrin with a smile. “Yes that was quite nice” Yesrin interjected with a smile.
“I relaxed like everyone else and found a book I’ve been looking for forever and spent most of my time reading and being lazy. Compared to the rest of you it may sound rather dull but it was very enjoyable” Nox commented.
Finally Katlyn figured she’d better say something “Like Lieutenant Nox I spent most of my time reading some books on computers and relaxing.”
James knew he had to participate in the conversation “I relaxed as well and Commander Reese and I went out for dinner and dancing, actually did some rock climbing, and hung out the rest of the time. “Yes we had a nice time and recharged” Racheal added to the conversation.
By the time everyone was finished Commodore Chi walked into the Mess Hall “Good morning everyone” as some started to stand “Please as you were. I trust you all had a restful week” Rebecca commented with a smile as the Crew all nodded yes.
“Good. Let me preface the surprise with an explanation…..yours is the first ship to have this up and running. Now Lieutenant Zebot was made aware of what I’m about to show you since she will be heavily involved in making this a success; and yes I asked her to keep it to herself. So without further chattering….SCI Venus Mess Hall.”
Moments later Venus shimmered into existence then took solid form. The entire Crew was stunned as to what this was “May I present SCI Venus, she’s the replacement for the old style EMH, she’s your new Ships Computer Interface” as Rebecca turned towards Venus “This is your Commanding Officer Captain James Lake.”
Venus smiled and extended her hand “Captain James Lake it is nice to meet you.”
James was a little reluctant but shook her hand anyway “SCI Venus welcome to the Vigilant and the Crew” surprised her hand was soft and warm “Let me introduce you to the rest of the Crew” as James went around introducing everyone and Venus shook hands with everyone.”
“Captain, SCI Venus is now part of your command team and can be anywhere on the ship and is also your Medical Officer” Rebecca explained then with a grin “Surprise!”
“I have to admit Commodore this certainly is quite the surprise” as he addressed the crew “Everyone please make SCI Venus feel right at home and please don’t be afraid to interact with her since she is part of the Crew now. Everyone nodded an affirmative response towards their newest crew member.
“Excellent! I knew this Crew would make her feel welcome and I’m excited to see how well this works out for everyone concerned” Rebecca stated “Captain if we could adjourn to your Ready Room I do have a new mission for all of you.”
“Sure right this way” Lake replied as they left for deck 1.
[ Deck 1 Ready Room]
The two Officers sat at the round meeting table as Rebecca began “I’m sending you to Starbase Sierra to pick up supplies. Then you’re to travel to the Muratus Sector to a planet known as Draylax to deliver some much needed supplies. But be aware there has been a lot of pirate activity in the area and they would like nothing better than relieving you of your cargo. Use whatever means necessary to make sure they get those supplies” Chi explained.
Thinking for a brief moment “As you wish Commodore, we’ll do everything in our power to get those supplies to the right people” Lake responded “So when would you like us to leave.”
“Sometime today is fine but the sooner the better would be preferable” Chi replied.
“Ok we should be able to leave in a couple of hours plus this assignment will be a good test for our newest Crew member” Lake commented as they both stood.
“Safe travels Captain and I look forward to your report. I have a meeting shortly so I’ll be on my way” Rebecca stated then left the ship.
[ Deck 2 Mess Hall ]
Since the Crew was still finishing their breakfast James decided to do the briefing there. Walking in he grabbed a hot cup of coffee, since his was now cold, then sat at the table.
“While you’re finishing your meal we have another mission I want to bring you up to speed on.
We’re being sent to Starbase Sierra to pick up supplies. Then we’re traveling to the Muratus Sector to a planet known as Draylax to deliver some much needed supplies. We’ll need to stay sharp as there has been a lot of pirate activity in the area and they would like nothing more than relieving us of our cargo. We are to use whatever means necessary to make sure they get those much needed supplies. I’d like to get underway in two hours or less if we can mange it” Captain explained as he concluded “Any questions.”
“So we may get into a fire fight I take it” Commander Reese inquired.
“Possibly but we do have Lieutenant T’Sol and his fancy piloting skills so that’s a plus. Lieutenants Herek and D’Nall we’ll be using slipstream during the entire mission; they need those supplies as soon as we can get then there” Lake explained.
Then SCI Venus spoke up “Captain Lake would you want me on the Bridge during this mission” she asked.
“Actually yes I would; nothing wrong with you being front and center since this is what you’re programmed for and another opinion is never a bad thing.” Seeing everyone was finished with their meal “Ok let’s get cleaned up here then report to your areas to get ready for departure. Commander could I see you in the Ready Room” as Lake stood he and Racheal headed for Deck 1.
[ Deck 1 Ready Room ]
After they walked in James shut the door behind him then turning to Racheal “I just wanted to make sure you’re on board with Venus being on the Bridge; this is what she was designed for.”
“If you didn’t utilize our new asset I’d think there was something wrong with you James’ she responded with a grin “Plus should things go sideways she’s close by and can help with any scans.”
“That’s what I was thinking as well; glad we’re on the same page Commander.”
“Always Captain. We should probably get to the Bridge and get ready for departure” Racheal suggested as the two Officers left the Office.
[ Bridge ]
Walking onto the Bridge Lieutenants T’Sol and SanChez were already at their Stations “So we ready to get out of here” Lake inquired with a smile.
“Tactical’s ready Captain” SanChez reported anxious to get going.
“Helm’s ready as well Captain; just waiting on Engineering” T’Sol responded in his usual manner.
Seeing Venus at the Auxiliary Station “SCI Venus consider that your station when on the Bridge” the Captain stated.
“As you wish Captain Lake…..that way I can also keep better track of the Ship and her systems” she replied almost sounding like a Vulcan.
Tapping his comm “Lieutenant Herrik are we set down there” Lake asked.
“Yes Captain, the warp core is online and the slipstream drive is on standby; anytime your ready Sir the Ship’s all yours.”
“Thank you Lieutenant” then turning to T’Sol “She’s all yours Lieutenant; you know the drill” Lake ordered with a grin.
“Indeed” T’Sol answered as he proceeded to get the Vigilant underway.
