Quick Week

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.

Technical Surprise

Chapter 44

[DS7 Quarters]

Lieutenant Katlyn Zebot walked into her quarters looking around. With the exception of some cleaning the place was pretty much as she had left it a year ago. Heading straight for the bedroom, with setting her duffel on a chair, she unzipped it with the intentions of putting things away and grabbing a nice hot shower when he comm sounded.

Tapping her badge “Lieutenant Zebot, go ahead” she answered wondering who it could possibly be.

“This is Commodore Chi, I’m not catching you at a bad time I hope. Could you please stop by my office sometime today; there is something you should be made aware of” Rebecca explained.

Thinking for a brief moment “Could I swing by now before I get comfortable in my quarters” Katlyn inquired.

“That would be fine…..I’ll see you when you get here and no need to hurry. Chi out.”

Walking back into the living area Katlyn grabbed a quick water to rehydrate then secured her quarters and left for the Commodore’s Office. Walking along she thought “The last time I met Chi in her Office my whole world changed…..hopefully I didn’t screw up somehow.”

[Commodores Office]

Arriving at the Office Katlyn walked up to the reception desk “Good Morning…..Lieutenant Zebot to see the Commodore” she stated with a smile.

“Yes she’s been expecting you….if you’ll come right this way” the Receptionist replied then stood walking with Katlyn following. Entering the office “Commodore, Lieutenant Zebot to see you Ma’am.”

Turning from the viewport Rebecca smiled “Lieutenant please come in and have a seat at the table” then turning her attention “Commander thank you….that will be all” as her subordinate closed the door on his way out.

Looking at Katlyn with a smile “Can I get you anything before we get started” she inquired.

“No, I’m fine but thank you” Zebot replied still curious as to why the meeting.

Rebecca grabbed the coffee off her desk and sat at the table “First off  I’ve been hearing great things about you from Captain Lake so thank you for all your hard work” thinking that would put her mind at ease for the moment before continuing “The reason I wanted to meet you is to make you aware of what’s going to happen to the Vigilant this week. Let me preface what I’m about to tell you with I would like you to keep this to yourself…..it’s’s kind of a surprise for the Captain and the rest of the Crew….can you do that for me?”

“Absolutely…..my lips are sealed” Katlyn responded with a light chuckle.

“Excellent” as she slid the PaDD that was laying on the table over to Katlyn “This will give you all the technical specs you’ll need for what I’m about to share with you” as she paused a moment “Lieutenant you are one of the best Computer Specialists in Starfleet so this is the reason I wanted to equip your ship first.”

“Thank you Commodore, that means a lot coming from you” Katlyn responded with a smile.

“We are replacing the EMH on your ship with a brand new Ship’s Computer Interface or SCI as we like to call her. The computer system and software will be upgraded to LCARS (Library Computer Access/Retrieval System) 5.8 from 5.4 so you’ll need to get very friendly with the PaDD I’ve given you to facilitate maintenance on the new system. I know if anyone can make this work you can Lieutenant.”

Katlyn was a little stunned at the moment but managed to say “Thank you for your confidence in my abilities and I won’t let you down” as she paused moment “That’s quite a jump from 5.4 to 5.8 so yes I’ll need all the tech specs I can get my hands on” she replied as her mind was already hard at work.

“You’ve earned the accolades. The new Ship’s Computer Interface will have the new rank of SCI and wear the Command red since she is going to be part of the command team. Also with the software upgrade she will be able to take a solid form and will act very much as a sentient being….her name is Venus. When you need to summon her you’ll respond ‘SCI Venus to the Bridge’ or wherever she’s needed” Chi explained “So what do you think….will it be an advantage over the old EMH?”

“Absolutely and I can see where SCI Venus will be a real asset to the Crew……this is exciting stuff” Katlyn answered very much looking forward to the upgrade of the computer and software.

Rebecca couldn’t help but chuckle at the Lieutenants enthusiasm “But like I stated earlier please keep this under your hat, I really want to surprise the Captain as well as the rest of the crew. So looks like you have some reading to do but please also get some rest and have some fun while you’re on DS7.”

“I will but this will give me something to occupy my mind so I don’t get bored over the next week” Katlyn replied.

“One other thing if you could give me a progress report weekly on how things are going with the SCI for the first month just so I can have some practical data to share with Starfleet; I’d like to see this program continue to other Ship’s as well. Any questions.”

Thinking for a few moments “Yes I can give you weekly reports with no problem. As far as questions….not at the moment” Katlyn answered.

“Good. If you do have any questions this week please don’t hesitate to reach out to me” Rebecca replied “Good luck with your new adventure…..you are dismissed.”

With a respectful nod Katlyn stood and left the Commodore’s office very excited about the new Crew member being installed on the Vigilant.

[Quarters]

Arriving back at her temporary home Katlyn headed to the bathroom for a nice warm shower. As much as she was tempted to dive headlong into the PaDD Rebecca had given her, she knew it would be a waste of time as tired as she was. 

Waring a pair of shorts and T-shirt she crawled into bed and covered up “Computer wake me six hours from now” she stated before getting comfy in bed. The last thought before she fell fast asleep was “This is going to be fun.”

~Later That Day~

Now that Katlyn had some sleep she walked out into the living area and grabbed a mug of coffee from the replicator. Taking a few sips she went and sat on the couch trying to wake up. Shortly she grabbed the PaDD the Commodore had given her and fired it up.

Setting the coffee on a nearby table she began reading the information held within. Soon she was enveloped in the information as her ‘inner geek’ kicked in. A few hours passed by quickly as she continued on…..setting the device aside she finished her now cold coffee thinking “This new system is going to be awesome! Plus it should make everyone’s job just a little easier.” Katlyn was becoming to know the computer and SCI Venus on more of a personal level and couldn’t wait until the installation was complete and she was back on the Vigilant.