Supply Run

Chapter 46

[Deck 1 Bridge]

Six hours later “Captain we’re approaching Starbase Sierra” T’Sol stated.

“Good. Drop out of warp then one half impulse please Mr.T’Sol” James ordered glad to be at the base.

“Aye Captain dropping from warp….one half impulse” came the reply.

“Lieutenant SanChez open a channel to Starbase Sierra please.”

“You’re on Captain” Maria responded.

“Starbase Sierra, this is Captain James Lake of the USS Vigilant arriving for a supply fill” he stated.

“Welcome Captain Lake. I’m sending you the coordinates for docking slip twelve. When you’ve docked we’ll commence with the loading of you ship; it should take about three hours to complete” the Base responded.

“Understood Sierra…..I’ll notify you when we’re in place” Lake replied “Alright Lieutenant take us in.”

“Aye Captain….making my approach now” T’Sol responded. Several minutes later “We’re in place Sir….they can begin loading any time.”

“Thank you Lieutenant” then tapping his comm “Lieutenant Nox I’d like your Team to oversee the loading in the Cargo Bay. Please make sure everything is secured when they're finished” came the orders.

“Understood Captain; we’ll make sure the load is secured before we leave the docking slip” Nox replied.

Tapping his comm “Lieutenant Herek place the warp core on standby while we get loaded” Lake requested.

“As you wish Captain” Daniel responded.

[Deck 3 Cargo Bay]

Ensign Yesrin opened the Cargo Bay hatch where she was greeted by a Lieutenant “Well hello gorgeous I have a whole bunch of supplies to be loaded onto your ship” he stated.

Meanwhile Lieutenant Nox and Ensign Benna walked over as Nox spoke up “Ok Lieutenant cool you hormones and lets get on with the loading” she stated staying stone faced.

Looking at Nox the Lieutenant thought [What a bitch!] “Of course Lieutenant Nox as you wish.” instructing his people as the supplies started coming into the Bay with Mark directing them.

“Ok guys let’s keep the weight distributed evenly on both sides of the Bay as much as possible; don’t want the Ship to be traveling lopsided” Mark instructed with a light chuckle.

One of the loading Crew responded “Sure, no problem we can do that.”

[Deck 1 Bridge]

Turning to his Crew “While we have some downtime why don’t we get something to eat while we can” Captain Lake suggested.

“You won’t hear any arguments from me “Commander Reese replied with a grin.

Looking towards the SCI “While we get something to eat would you mind taking over the Bridge while we’re gone.”

“No problem Captain Lake since I do not eat” Venus responded with a smile.

[Deck 2 Mess Hall]

Walking into the Mess Hall the Bridge Crew each grabbed a meal from the replicator then sat together at one of the tables.

While eating Racheal spoke up “I have to stay so far I’m rather impressed with SCI Venus so hopefully that continues.”

“Ya she does seem to be on top of things, wouldn’t you agree T’Sol” Maria commented before taking another mouthful of food.

“Indeed Lieutenant. Logically being a computer program I would not expect anything less” T’Sol responded.

“I agree as well, I think she’ll be a real asset to the ship and crew” James replied before taking a drink.

[Deck 3 Cargo Bay]

A couple of hours had passed and the supplies were all loaded and made secure. Tapping her comm “Captain Lake we’re all loaded and the supplies have been secured” Nox informed Command.

{Excellent Lieutenant thank you and your Team. We’ll be getting underway shortly so why don’y you all go and grab a meal.}

“Thank you Captain and we’ll take you up on that” Nox responded.

Yesrin had the hatch secured before turning to Mark “That Lieutenant was a real jerk; he doesn’t even know me to be saying something like that.”

Mark grinned before replying “It’s seems that assholes are everywhere no matter where you go.”

“They sure are” Yesrin stated with a big grin “Let’s go eat…..you going to join us Nox?”

“Right behind you” she responded trying not to feel like the third wheel.

[Deck 1 Bridge]

Walking back into command Lake ordered “SCI Venus report” as he grabbed the Captain’s chair while the others went to their Stations.

“Nothing has changed since you left the Bridge Captain Lake” Venus responded with a smile.

“Thank you. Lieutenant SanChez open a channel to the Base.”

Moments later “You’re on Captain” Maria replied before switching back to Tactical.

“Traffic Control this is the Vigilant requesting a departure vector” James requested.

[Vigilant depart on vector two five mark nine…..safe travels Captain….Traffic Control out.]

Turning to Helm “You heard the man, take us out at one half impulse until we clear the outer markers if you would Mr. T’Sol.”

“As you wish Captain….vector two five mark nine going to one half impulse” T’Sol responded as the Ship began to bank to port. Moments later “We’re approaching the outer markers Sir.”

“Good. Lay in a course for the Muratus Sector; planet Draylax…..we need to get those supplies delivered…warp nine point five.”

“Aye Captain, course laid in going to warp nine point five Captain.”

< One Hour Later >

Captain Lake was getting a little antsy and wanted to get to Draylax sooner than later. Tapping his comm “Lieutenant D’Nall is slipstream available” came the request.

“Absolutely Captain ready and at your disposal” D’Nall answered.

“Thank you Lieutenant we’ll be going to slipstream momentarily” Lake responded then turned to Helm “Slipstream Mr T’Sol?” As Jame sat grinning.

“On it Captain in 3..2..1..initializing slipstream” as the stars turned into just streaks of light passing by. Turning to James expected arrival in four hours Sir.”

“Thank you Lieutenant” Lake responded then sat back in the command chair looking over the cargo manifest to see what they were transporting in case he needed the information.

< Four Hours Later >

“Captain we’ll be approaching Draylax soon Captain” T’Sol advised command.

“Drop us out of slipstream then proceed to full impulse until we get closer” Lake ordered” Tactical be alert I don’t want any surprises like pirate ships.”

“We are now at full impulse Captain .”

“On it Captain” Maria answered as she started scanning long range before anything else.

“Science scan the planet, I’d like to know if there’s anything we should be concerned about before we land.”

“As you wish Captain” Reese replied.

As they navigated closer to Draylax “Captain I’m picking up a non Federation freighter size ship heading towards us” Lieutenant SanChez stated.”

“Throw it up on the screen” James ordered which was centered on the Bridge's fore window showing their location as well as the approaching ship. Turning in his chair “Hmm….looks like a pirate ship to me” as he looked to Venus “SCI can you confirm?”

Seconds later “Yes Captain I do believe you are correct in your analysis….Might I suggest raising our shields” Venus responded.

“Yes but don’t put on us Red Alert just yet.”

“Understood Captain Lake….shields are now engaged” Venus responded.

“Ms. Sanchez hail the approaching ship please” James ordered with some concern.

Moments later Maria gave him the ‘thumbs up signal’ that she had made the connection.

“Approaching vessel, this is the Federation Starship the USS Vigilant, Captain James Lake commanding. What are your intentions.”