I walked through the corridors of a haunted vessel.
There was no one clue that would tell you it was a ghost ship. The duralloy hull was just as solid as any other ship in Starfleet. And just like any other Excelsior class ship, the ever present vibration of the powerful warp engines were always your constant companion; the faint thrum of machinery caressing your feet as you walked through the corridors, echoing slightly through the hallways. And like Starfleet's other technological wonders, this ship teemed with presence of humanity. Laughter emanated from the mess hall as I passed, across the corridor a 3-D chess game had attracted a crowd, and I shared smiles with coworkers and friends I encountered on my way. But the laughter was a bit strained, the smiles a bit too forced. A malaise had descended on this vessel, one lasting for over a year. We all knew what ship we were on.
This was the Enterprise-B. This was the ship that had done what Klingon disruptors and the cunning of genetically augmented supermen and the threat of destruction from alien gods could not do. This was the ship that had killed James Kirk. And my thoughts echoed that of many of the rest of the crew, though it shamed me to admit it. We were all wondering who was going to be next.
There has always been a bit of superstition in navies, from the galleys of Carthage to the Pax Britannia to the Phoenix herself. Some ships were just preternaturally blessed. The first two Enterprises were like that, guarded from on high by the divine powers. The best and brightest of Starfleet fought for a chance to be assigned there. Oh, most would tell you it was for the rapid chance of promotion, or to work along side the legends like Spock, McCoy or Scott. But deep down inside, they would have to admit that the Enterprise herself was a lucky ship, all the way back to Capt. April's day. And getting onboard a lucky ship could make all the difference in the world.
This ship was different. Every small little thing, every chance for a crack or malfunction or power surge, every abrasive little nuisance that could disturb or distract, found its way to the forefront here. The workup of the ship at Utopia Planetia experienced dozens of small problems, which lead to its hasty attempt to be on schedule for Kirk's retirement cruise. Unfortunately pressure from Starfleet Headquarters force the ship to depart before it was ready. That was a year ago, the day they lost Kirk. Since then the ship has chewed through two Chief Engineers, had a fatal transporter accident, developed a stress fracture in the port warp nacelle, and has generally experienced every logistical nightmare possible in today's fleet. And it had left me with a broken engagement to the daughter of one of Starfleet's top luminaries and a secret shame I couldn't even tell my closest friends.
I realized I was standing in front of the turbolift and didn't know how long I had been here. I stopped for a moment, rubbing the back of my neck, taking this chance to close my tired eyes. The lift opened.
"Hey, Estaban," cried out a familiar voice. "Man, you look like you went best two out of three with a Gorn." Opening my eyes, I saw Marcus Nash standing in front of me with a smile of his face and sympathy in his eyes. "Flannery still have you working double shift?" I stepped inside.
"No," I shook my head. "Deck 6. Just coming off a triple. My normal shift in Security, some work at Tactical and then helping out with the welding on the port nacelle."
"Umm," he mouthed sympathies while shaking his head. "Man, she sure has it in for you. Isn't that against regs?" We both turned to face the door.
"Unfortunately, Starfleet doesn't have a regulation against hard work, no matter what the Klingons say." The turbolift began to hum as the decks fell away.
"Well, if it was me, I'd mention it to the Captain."
"Maybe that's why you're an Ensign and I'm a Lieutenant, Mark." I smiled sideways at him.
"Well, that may be so, Lieutenant," Marcus said with an edge to his voice. "But last I saw Flannery had a Commander's insignia, not to mention being XO. Face it, Steve, she is going to kill you if she keeps working you like this. The only people that can help you is the Captain or Doctor T'mar. Trust me buddy, go look in the mirror. You'll realize you need help." I looked down at the floor. I did feel beat, but I certainly didn't want to approach the Captain about this. T'mar then? I wasn't sure what stance a Vulcan would have on being over worked. And if I lodged a complaint against Commander Flannery, even informal, I would want to know how it was going to play out ahead of time.
Mark continued. "So why is she after you, anyway?"
I looked over at him, our eyes met. "Demora." It was his turn to drop his eyes to the floor.
"Yeah, I heard about that. I'm sorry."
I nodded, turned back to the lift door. "It's nobody's fault but my own." The door mercifully opened then. I fled out into the hall.
The doors to my cabin opened. "Lights," I ordered as I stepped inside. The room was spartan, its decorations primarily martial. But it was mine, and mine alone. The Enterprise was my first posting as an officer. I had to share quarters on my two previous tours. My eyes skimmed over the familiar furnishings. A Bat'leth on one wall, taken from an engagement on Dorandus V my first year in Starfleet. An antique Toledo broadsword on the other, an heirloom brought down from the time my ancestors were among the Conquistadors. A Torp'a plant took up one corner, its multifaceted leaves splitting the light in the room like a prism. And the last wall bore a landscape of my home colony, Navarre. Funny I still kept that thing around. I spent the first twenty years of my life just trying to keep that damn planet from killing me. Many of the colonists weren't as lucky as I had been, including my own father. If it hadn't been for that Orion trading route, we probably wouldn't have made it. I stared at the barren yet harshly beautiful landscape, the red mountains and brilliant purple sky, and remembered the last time I saw my father alive. I stood there, wrapped in that memory, letting time slip by. No, I suppose there isn't much mystery as to why I kept the thing around.
The message light on my com was blinking. I tapped the padd, putting in my authorization code. Four messages. The first from my mother back on Navarre. Last she heard Demora and I were to be married. I hadn't spoken with her since. That one can wait. Next from my 'Uncle' Trisbane. I felt my body tense at that one. That bastard.... But there was nothing I could do about him now. I clicked on to the next message. Demora. Definitely not. If it didn't rain, it poured.... Finally Koander Andev, an Andorian engineer and my best friend on board. Yes, that one first!
The monitor on the wall flickered to life. Koander's angular blue face, white hair and antennae looked out from the screen expectantly. "Steve, you miserable red-shirt. When are we getting together again? I missed you at Rec 3 last night. Warrant Officer Koga was looking for you, as well. Guess she heard about you and Demora breaking up. Personally, I don't find Tellarite women that attractive, but she certainly has strong feelings for you." A perverse grin split his face like a jagged wound. "Actually, I was thinking we could take shore leave at the next base together. You could finish that story about your family on that damned colony planet. What was that guys name who helped you out? Trisbane? Anyway, I've got to run. A new Chief Engineer is being shuttled over from the Excelsior on morning shift. Everything needs to be ship shape by then. Talk to you later."
Koga? I'll need to ease myself out of that situation, without making her angry. Someone used to tell me "Never make a Tellarite woman angry. Two hundred kilograms of womanhood is a little too much for any humanoid male." Who was that? Oh, right. Trisbane. Back when I looked up to him as my 'Uncle', when he was the savior of my family, not its curse. Perhaps he should have told me "Never go in to business with the Orions."
I stared at the screen for a few more minutes. Finally I touched the key, and Trisbane's message came up. Audio only - he doesn't like his picture showing up on Starfleet records.
"Estaban, my lad, how is life in the high and mighty Starfleet treating our boy from Navarre? I want to thank you for the present you sent me on my last birthday, it was a rare gift indeed!" I could hear him laughing as he finished that statement. I'm glad you enjoyed it, you bastard. If it wasn't for mom, you would have never have gotten a thing from me. He went on. "My friends were so impressed by the gift you gave us, we wanted to pass one along to you as well. You should look us up next time you get back to the homeworld. Trust me, it will be worth your while. Well, take care, nephew. Keep your eyes open. Your family wishes you only the best."
I drummed my fingers on the table for a few seconds. A gift for me, eh? However, Trisbane isn't one to wait on anything, let alone paying a debt. I walked over to my dresser, removed the specially modified tricorder he had given me when I first entered the service. Orion tricorders are often specially modified. I replayed the audio message through it.
Trisbane's baritone answered me, but this time his voice was much less jovial. "Estaban, you need to be careful on this upcoming mission. Our sources tell us you are going to be entering the Theta Omicron sector near Tholian space." He always seemed to know the Enterprise's missions before I did. A contact at Starfleet HQ? I knew he'd never tell me, but I couldn't explain it any other way. He continued on, his manner sounding more like a fleet officer giving a briefing than a kindly old uncle did. Of course he did have a fleet. It just wasn't registered with any government. "While everyone is aware of the unique properties of subspace in that sector, Starfleet isn't aware of a new military presence. Our ships routinely use that section of space as a staging ground, as few ships are willing to hazard the spatial interphase. A new faction is operating out of there, and the rumors I've heard are disturbing. A cult that worships darkness has got its hands on some military hardware and is trying to establish itself as a force in the region. Even a Starfleet vessel isn't safe, and it is a long way from the nearest Starbase. To be honest, boy, you are a valuable resource. But you are first and foremost a friend, and I'd hate to see anything happen to you. Be careful."
Right. I couldn't help but think Trisbane's gifts were almost as dangerous as the favors he asks. A dark cult in Theta Omicron? What the hell did that mean, 'worships darkness?' It doesn't do me any good unless I can tell the Captain, and I can't tell the Captain because he'll need to know the source! Damn!
I realized I was pacing, and forced myself to sit back down in front of the terminal. A few keystrokes started a worm program running through the system's primary data core, eliminating any references of a message from Trisbane. Being assistant head of security did have some advantages. I decided to hold off on passing any information along official routes. If it looked like it might come up, I could always use the worm to insert information into the computer as needed. I was halfway tempted to run the worm on the other two messages, as well. After that last little correspondence, I didn't need anymore surprises in my life
Then I thought occurred to me: Why are we going near Tholian space in the first place? Another unanswerable question. As a security officer, they rarely bothered to brief me on these things.
Next message. Mom. Okay, just type in the authorization code, and hope she hasn't decided to marry the Klingon chancellor.
"Hello, Esse." She still called me by my childhood nickname. She was in her office, the transparent aluminum wall showing the setting of the twin stars of Navarre in the background. I'll give the colony planner one thing; he sure picked a planet with magnificent scenery. If only they had known how deadly it could be. But the corporate sponsors hadn't had access to a Federation science vessel when they surveyed the planet. It turned out there was a lot there they didn't know about.
Mom's weathered face was like a map of the suffering of the colonists. So much pain she had seen, even before I was born. Yet it never touched her eyes. She had the face of a saint. A martyred saint.
"It so good to get your last message, Esse. So my little one is getting married! How can this be, when I haven't yet me the young lady? And what kind of name is Demora? Some kind of alien name? Ah well, if she is good enough for my little Esse, then I'm sure she is good enough for me! I wish we could talk about this face to face, but I know how very far away you are. I miss you, my darling. But it is good to know that you are safe, and that you are happy! Is there anyway you could get back to Navarre for the wedding? Oh, Estaban." She smiled, and I could see a tear in her eye. "It is good to know you won't be alone anymore. It can be a very hard thing to be alone." She stopped for a moment, covering the emotions that quickly ran across her face by reaching down for a cup of tea. She took a sip, recovering her composure. "Well, my time is almost up. Your sister sends her love. Try to get home for the wedding, dear. I know it will be hard, but please try. I love you, Esse." The screen went dark.
Damn. I leaned back in the chair, and rubbed my eyes. Damn, damn, damn. I shouldn't have told her. But then what Demora and I had seemed so right that I couldn't see how it could end in anything other than marriage. I guess I didn't see how it could end, period.
There was one light left flashing on the console. I pressed the button.
"Hi, Steve." Demora was looking down to the right, not looking at the monitor. Her eyes were a bit red and puffy, and she looked like she hadn't slept. She was beautiful.
"I'm not sure...." She stopped for a second. "I didn't want to talk to you directly, so I called when I knew you would be on duty. I just.... " She swallowed hard, and looked up at the screen. "I haven't told my father yet. He's a bit traditional. I will tell him. I just need to find the right way. Please, don't tell him until I get a chance to, O.K? Don't worry, he respects me too much to get involved in my personal life, but he is still my dad, you know? Um, I hope...." She blinked then, and looked away to the left. Her eyes looked hard, distant. "Take care, Steve," she whispered. "Goodbye."
I just sat there, staring. I felt like I had been beaten all over my body. Is there anyway this could be worse? I laughed again, a dark thing. Sure, Steve, things can always be worse. Something about that last message bothered me. Don't tell her Dad? Why would she think I would tell her Dad? I knew she had told him of our engagement about two months ago, but its not like I would be talking to him anytime soon....
Oh no. I hate it when I'm right. It can be worse. Things can always be worse. I keyed the com for the Bridge.
"Bridge, here." It was Lt. Maggie Thompson, one of Demora's best friends. Of course.
"Hello, Maggie, this is Estaban. Are we scheduled to rendezvous with any Starfleet vessels any time soon?"
"Why, Steve," she laughed. "Why do you want to know?"
I gritted my teeth. "Maggie, just tell me, alright?" I waited for a few seconds, then I realized I would have to say it. "Please?"
"O.K, Steve," she laughed. "Let's see, there is a Bolian freighter with supplies for Epsilon Eridani at 2300. Oh, and we are scheduled to pick up a shipment of art from a Betazed ship next week."
"Is that all?" I wondered if I sounded as nervous as I felt. My stomach was doing calisthenics.
"Oh, wait a second, Steve. Commander Flannery wants to speak with you."
Wonderful. Just who I wanted to talk to. I waited a few seconds, and then Flannery's voice (complete with a faint touch of lilting Irish accent) came across the com channel. "Ah, good. Lt. Ramirez. I thought I was going to have to brief you tomorrow, but as you are already up..." the com line cut out then for a second, and I could just imagine them laughing on the bridge. I gritted my teeth. In a few seconds Flannery's voice cut back in. I heard the last part of someone shushing someone else on the bridge. It sounded like Maggie. Flannery went on, "We will need an Ambassadorial detail tomorrow at Shuttle Bay Two. We will be escorting the Federation Ambassador to the Tholian Assembly for the next week. Work up the arrangements with your team. I guess I won't be able to borrow you for maintenance work now. " Thank God.
"Will the Ambassador be coming in via warp shuttle?"
"Oh, no. The shuttle's name is the Magellan. Didn't anyone tell you? We are meeting with the Excelsior tomorrow."
The Excelsior. A sinking feeling entered my stomach. Hikaru Sulu's ship. Maybe I can come down with space sickness and hide in my room for the next week. No, Dr. T'mar would never let me get away with it. Maybe Sulu won't come aboard, to see his only daughter who he thinks is going to be married. I didn't need a Vulcan to tell me the odds of that. Maybe I can steal a shuttle and head for Organia. I hear they don't allow violence there....
Somehow I found my voice again. "Will Captain Sulu be coming aboard?"
Flannery's voice was all sweetness and light. "Why, yes, Steve, I believe he will. The last time he talked to his daughter was two months ago, wasn't it?"
"I wouldn't know anything about that, Commander." We both knew I was lying.
"Well, get a good night's sleep, Lt. Ramirez," she said, knowing I wouldn't. "You are going to need it." This time the laughter was blatant, and it echoed in my cabin for several seconds after the com line went dead.
Exhaustion finally overcame anxiety, and I did get a few hours sleep. I dreamt of being in a shuttle, fleeing from the Excelsior, captained by the greatest helmsman Starfleet had ever seen. I knew I couldn't escape him.
When First watch rang, I was almost happy to wake up. I stumbled into the sonic shower, half-asleep, dressed, and headed off to my execution.
I approached Security at a brisk trot. Down the corridor the doors to Security Alpha opened, and crewman Tang exited. He saw me immediately, and paused. Obviously he was waiting for the doors to close behind him. He called out to me. "Lieutenant Ramirez, do you have a second?"
"Just barely, Tze. What's up?" He smiled, but his eyes looked worried. He grabbed me by the arm and led me to one of the access corridors.
I studied him for a second. Short, bald, with a rapier wit and a master's touch at foraging 'luxury items' on planets and Starbases, Tze Tang was one of the oldest men on board. And one of the most respected. We hadn't known each other long, but had become friends quickly. He was on my team in Security, and it often seemed strange that I should be giving this man orders. But he always respected them, and he had the best mind on board for tactics and procedures.
But our relationship went deeper. Out of the seven hundred-seventy member crew of the Enterprise, Tze and I were the only two who hadn't graduated from the Academy. He had worked his way up through the Merchant Marine to bodyguard to the Tellarite Ambassador, then to marksman instructor to the Royal Guard at Borandus II. I understand Captain Harriman asked for him personally when he accepted the command of the Enterprise. No one knew the nature of their relationship, and neither one of them were talking.
He empathized with my own travails, as I skipped the Academy as well, receiving a battlefield commission on Dorandus V and a nice, shiny medal to go with it. The Klingons had wiped out my own team on a last, suicidal rush, so I had been left a Lieutenant without a company. I had come aboard the Enterprise to be cycled back to Earth for R&R, and knowing Starfleet probably an in-depth battery of psych tests. I had heard rumors to the affect that Tang had talked the Captain on keeping the wet behind the ears Lieutenant on board.
"What's with the cloak and dagger stuff, Tze?"
He looked down the corridor both ways, then up at me. His eyes were intense, searching. "Look, Ramirez, I don't know what you've been up to, but the Chief has been asking some serious questions about you."
I tensed up. "What do you mean?" I was afraid I knew.
"As if she was building a case against you. For what, I can't say. But she seemed to be focusing on what you were doing when we were in the Tarsus sector. The fact that we never caught those pirates gave everyone here a black mark. It sounds like Lt. Commander Adalla has decided to pin it on you."
I nodded, half in shock, half in resignation. Tze went on. "Steve, you've got to be careful. I know you did your best, but Adalla has always been annoyed at you being appointed her second. Her outlook is if you didn't go to the Academy, then you aren't Starfleet. And I know for a fact she wanted to transfer Lt. Moloro from the Bolarus as her second." He shook his head, then looked back down the hall. "I just thought you should know. The Captain won't let you get railroaded, but if Adalla can find anything at all then I think she'll try to get you transferred out. If not worse."
He slapped my face then, and point I finger up at me. "Son, you and me have to do things cleaner and better than the rest of these school room warriors. Keep your nose clean, and I'll make sure things work out for you." I nodded again, my throat tight, and looked away. My conscience was acting up again. It was telling me that I didn't deserve people like this in my life.
Tze noticed my emotional reaction. "Steve, is there something -"
I quickly cut him off. "I've got to get in there, Tze. Don't want to give the Chief something else to get on me for." I quickly turned and walked away. I could feel Tze's eyes on my back, trying to look into my soul.
"Steve..." He called out, but I didn't turn around. The doors to Security Alpha opened to let me pass.
Most people when they think of a Security station think of the Brig. But nothing could be farther from the truth. There is only one Brig on board an Excelsior class vessel, and that rarely received any use. (I scrupulously avoided thinking of myself there.) There are a dozen other Security stations scattered across the ship. Some are offices, some are arsenals, some are hardpoints for defense of the ship, natural chokepoints fitted with transport inhibitors that can be the key between successful defense of the ship and watching the Klingon triple dagger emblem being painted on the hull.
Security Alpha was the nexus of all these facilities. Tied into the internal monitors, phaser detectors, forcefield generators, damage control and communications stations on the bridge, it was a drastic step forward from the days of the Constitution class vessels. Those five year missions demonstrated the need for increased security. When you are just as likely to face Romulan infiltrators and beings of pure energy as you are a boarding party, the scope of Security operations increases exponentially.
Ensign Taj and the Vulcan Suriik were off to the side, equipped with Mark I sidearms. Lt. Commander Adalla, our Bolian Chief of Security, sat behind her desk, going through reports on her padd. Blue-skinned, bald, disciplined, and precise, she was the consummate team player. I guess I just didn't fit on her team.
"Commander Adalla."
"Lt. Ramirez." She looked down at her chronometer. "I expect you here promptly at first watch, Lieutenant. Check SecOps for your assignment. You will provide the Honor Guard for the Ambassador. " She went back to work on her reports. Whenever there was a chance to trot out a security detail for show, it was given to me. I had once over heard her saying that "People like heroes, and it gives him a chance to bring out that fancy medal of his. Besides, it keeps him from interfering in the real work."
Yes, ma'am." I stood there, looking at her. Until Tze had told me, I had no idea of the scope of Adalla's resentment of me. And a Bolian, no less! A race renowned for its ability to interact with other peoples and social organizations. The Vulcans call the trait "exomorphic synergy." And I can't get along with her?
o, that's not it. Its just that she knows.
he looked up again at me, a quizzical look on her features. "Is there something on your mind, Lieutenant?"
omething on my mind? What could possibly be bothering me? Maybe that you are running an investigation on me? I thought about challenging her on it, but then I'd probably expose Tze Tang for telling me about the investigation. And that was certainly against the regs. No, no need to bring him into it for doing me a favor. But that wasn't the only thing on my mind.
had broken the heart of the only woman that has ever loved me. Half the crew despised me for it, and no doubt I deserved their scorn. I didn't even want to think about Captain Sulu. But that wasn't even the worst. It all came back to Trisbane. And my mother. Too many secrets. And I could never get rid of those secrets as long as my mother lived on Navarre, and the colony of Navarre depended on supply shipments from a certain Orion captain.
No, Commander." I turned and walked away... and stopped. Enough. I am just hurting people by being here. And I have had enough. I turned around.
Commander." There was iron in my voice. For the first time in a long time. "I need to speak with you in your office."
he looked up, and nodded. She walked in and sat down at her desk. I walked in and the doors closed.
I am a busy woman, Lieutenant. I trust this is important?"
Yes, it is." I swallowed hard. "I wish to resign my commission." There, Adalla. You win.
"I see." She leaned back in her chair, and closed her eyes. I hadn't realized before how tired she looked. "And what has brought you to this decision?"
"It is of a personal nature, ma'am."
"Personal?" She sat up, her eyes growing wide with indignation. "I don't care if it is personal, Lt. Ramirez. If you wish to be let out of your oath of service, I will have the why of it. A combat tested Security Officer is an asset most ships appreciate, sir, let alone one that has won the Merit for Conspicuous Gallantry."
Mentioning my medal? Again? Just leave it alone, woman! "I am sure Lt. Moloro could fill my position admirably, ma'am." It slipped out in anger, and I realized it was a mistake a moment too late.
"Lt. Moloro? I suppose crewman Tang and I will have to have a little chat." She paused for a moment, waiting to see if I would continue. When I didn't, she went on. "What else did Tang tell you?"
No, we aren't going there, Commander. I turned it on its head. "Is there something else Tang should have mentioned to me?"
She leaned forward, her voice softening a little bit. "Lieutenant, I have discussed a transfer for you to a different ship. Sometimes things don't work out. I understand you are under a great deal of personal stress..."
"You have no idea the stress I am under, Commander," I responded sharply. "My presence here is disruptive, and I have no intention of seeing that continue. I also have personal responsibilities to my mother that I have to address. If you won't accept my resignation, I will see the Captain."
Her eyes narrowed, and she said with a note of anger in her voice, "Then you will be a disappointed man, Lt. Ramirez. The Captain would never accept your resignation right now, unless you had a medical discharge or it was part of a legal arrangement to avoid a general court martial, to avoid staining the reputation of this ship. Is there a need for either of those reasons?"
I didn't answer, and the question was left hanging there between us. Finally she recovered her composure, leaned back in her seat, and continued in a more reasonable tone. "Staffing levels are low right now, as you are well aware. I am afraid I can't accept your resignation at this point in time. Once we return to Starbase 39 after escorting the Ambassador to his conference I will be able to grant your wish. But not until then. " And that would give her plenty of time to continue her investigation. She reached into her desk, and slid a padd across to me. "Fill out that paperwork, and we will process you then. Until then, Lieutenant, I expect you to comport yourself in the manner befitting an officer. If I even get the smallest hint you have developed 'short timers disease', I'll see to it you are transferred to a research station at the farthest reaches of the galaxy, and that you spend the last two years of your tour there. Dismissed, Lieutenant."
I was standing outside her door before I knew it. I was trembling. Easy, Estaban. You can't lose your temper, even over this.
Crewman Taj caught my eye. "Everything ok, Lieutenant?"
"Never been better, Taj," I said with a wry grin. Taj was a colonist as well, from the planet known as Brahmin. Established by a Hindu religious movement, Taj managed to reconcile his religion and Starfleet philosophy rather well. He had an open love of life that was hard to deny. One of the funniest things about him was his reasoning for joining Starfleet. His religion held cows to be sacred, and they didn't have replicator technology. When he learned he could have synthesized steaks on board a Starfleet vessel he was hooked. If they were never cows to begin with then it couldn't be a sin to eat them, right? For the hundredth time, I reminded myself I'd have to ask him about that red dot on his forehead. "Whose on the detail?"
"You're looking at them, " he said with an infectious grin. "Tang went ahead to prep the shuttlebay."
"Oh, is that what he's doing?" I shook my head, and threw the padd on my desk. "Well, we'd better get down there. We don't want anyone to think we are doing anything but our absolute best."
I walked out of Alpha in a rush. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Taj and Suriik exchange a glance. I saw Suriik's left eyebrow raise. As the doors closed shut behind me, his rich baritone commented., "Curious."
Tang, Commander Flannery, Lt. Thompson and Doctor T'mar met us at Shuttlebay Three. I expected Demora, but there was no sign of her. Is it possible she couldn't get out of helm duty? No, Maggie Thompson is here, and certainly she would have switched with Demora so she could see her Dad. So either Demora didn't want to see her Dad yet, or she knew I was assigned this detail and she didn't want to see me.
The red carpet was already rolled out, and Bosun Edwards was there with the electronic pipe. A dozen other crewman were assembled on the far side of the hangar bay, trying to look busy. I looked over at Maggie. She shrugged. "I guess I'm not the only one who wanted to meet one of Starfleet's most famous Captains."
Doctor T'mar stepped over. "And you have enough rank to be put on the greeting party, whereas they do not?" She almost sounded amused.
Commander Flannery joined in. "And what is your purpose for being here, Doctor T'mar?"
The doctor, a short, svelte Vulcan, answered calmly, "I am here to greet my sponsor at the Academy, who will be travelling on the same shuttle as Captain Sulu and Commander Checkov."
Sulu and Checkov? Checkov had a reputation as being a fine officer but a bit of a hot head. And Demora once told me that he was incredibly overprotective of her. As her father was often off on assignment, the old crew of the Enterprise often dropped by to keep Demora company. A scrap of conversation refused to come into my memory - something about Checkov being her godfather?
The shuttle came into view outside the hangar doors, gracefully banking toward the landing pad. For a moment it wobbled, as if the pilot couldn't decide to land at Pad One, were we were standing, or Pad Two. Finally it righted itself, cut sharply to port, passed through the electromagnetic field that protected us from space, and made a hard landing in front of the carpet.
The name on the shuttle wasn't the Magellan. It was the Gagarin. What was going on here?
Bosun Edwards played the Coming Alongside, the traditional lilting greeting that derived from the old signal days of the wet navy. The engines powered down, then were quiet. Commander Flannery and Doctor T'mar stepped up toward the door. The shuttle's door opened -
And out waddled a fat Tellarite. He stopped dramatically at the top of the stairs.
He wore a Starfleet uniform, though it only barely fit. He was of enormous girth, and the smile across his porcine face was equally as expansive. He raised his hands over his head and laughed.
"Ah, now this is the way to greet your new engineer! Commander," he rushed down the stairwell, and quickly grabbed and pumped Flannery's hands. He did it so energetically she almost lost her balance. "Lieutenant Commander Muggle Gralt, at your service, ma'am."
"Uh, yes, Commander Gralt, if I could just -" But he was already past. His eyes glowed even brighter when they landed on Lt. Thompson.
"Maggie!" He picked her up in a huge bear hug. I heard the air whoosh out of her lungs. She seemed to be alternating between laughing, trying to get Gralt to put her down, and just trying to breathe. "My little Lieutenant! How long has it been? Still pining away for that young Ensign? What was his name? Nash?" He startled chuckling again, spun her around three hundred sixty degrees, and set her down on her feet. I looked over at Taj. He mouthed the same thing I was thinking. "Nash?"
A navigator poked his head out of the Gagarin, a sheepish look on his face. "Commander?" He got Flannery's attention. "I'm sorry, ma'am. I tried to tell him that Pad One was for the Ambassador and Captain Sulu, but he wouldn't believe me. Um, he did give me a direct order to land there, ma'am."
I couldn't see Flannery's face from where I was standing, but from the navigator's reaction I could tell the look she was giving him. I had seen it before, on many occasions. The navigator visibly withered as I watched.
"If you know that this landing pad is reserved for the Ambassador, Ensign, then perhaps you should consider moving this shuttle over to Pad Two? Don't worry about the time, I'm sure you have as much as a minute before the Magellan arrives."
"Yes, ma'am." The door quickly closed, and I heard the engines start back up.
Gralt had finished mauling Thompson, shouted a hullo to someone on the far side of the room and then good naturedly tousled Suriik's hair. Soon he was back in front of Commander Flannery. I must admit I have never seen a anyone tousle a Vulcan's hair before. Suriik endured it with dignity and equanimity. Well, as much dignity as you can have with your hair sticking out at all directions. Out of the corner of my eye I saw my friend Koander running up the red carpet.
Gralt went on. "Commander, where is the Captain? I'd assume he would want to me his new Chief Engineer."
"The Captain?" Flannery almost screeched. Her face was beginning to match her flame red hair. She made a visible effort to compose herself. "The Captain, Lt. Commander, is indisposed at the moment." Her left fist was clenched so hard I imagined her fingernails were biting into her palm.
"Oh, I see." The Tellarite looked crestfallen, his elation quickly replaced by melancholy. Then just as quickly he was looking back up at Flannery, face beaming. "Oh well, I suppose you will have to do. "
Flannery spluttered for a second. "Have to do?" She said, her voice raising an octave at the end.
Gralt ignored her. "Say, where is that crewman engineering promised would be here for my things? You, boy!" He pointed at Taj. "Grab my bag." Taj took a step forward, then looked over at me with wide eyes.
"Commander," I said, "I'm afraid Security officer Taj must remain at his duty station." My friend Koander Andev, soon to be Gralt's second, stopped in front of the bombastic engineer. His antennae were still bouncing. "Perhaps Lt. Andev could assist you?"
Koander, who was in the process of saluting his new chief engineer, froze in mid-salute and turned to look at me. "Help him carry his bags? Listen, Ramirez..."
"Yes, he looks strong." Gralt turned, picked up his bag, pivoted and thrust it into the Andorian's stomach. For the second time since Gralt had stepped on board, I heard the wind leaving one of our crew members lungs. Gralt doubled over, but held onto the bag. It looked like it weighed about fifty kilos. "Come along, boy. Let's see this so-called engine room of yours. Let me guess." Gralt grabbed Koander and herded him off. "Used to be a human engineer here, didn't there? You can always tell. Well, those humans make damn fine Captains and politicians, but wouldn't know there way around an engine room...." His voice drifted off as he towed the unfortunate Koander off the shuttlebay deck.
When the doors closed Tang and Taj burst out laughing. I joined in, and it felt good. If nothing else, I vowed to appreciate my friends here. I would miss these people when I left...
T'mar had walked a few steps toward the door watching the procession move outward. She then made an observation. "It is a shame he is so reserved."
Everything stopped. We all looked at each other. Taj's mouth was actually ajar in amazement. Only Suriik looked calm. Suriik always looks calm.
I pointed at her. "That was a joke," I accused.
T'mar looked over at Suriik, who raised an eyebrow. T'mar looked back at me and said, "Surely you are mistaken. Vulcans do not engage in the human practice of humor."
"No," I cried. I actually stamped the ground. "That was a joke. Admit it!"
"Vulcans cannot lie, Lieutenant," was her only response.
Maggie walked up next to me. "No, T'mar, I think Esteban was correct. That sounded suspiciously like a joke to me." She was grinning as well. Obviously she was enjoying this.
The Doctor looked to the ground. "That was? I do not see how Commander Gralt's personal shortcoming could be perceived as a source of humor."
At that point the Gagarin's engines flared, and it slowly backed up out of the shuttlebay. The noise interrupted the conversation, and most of us turned around to watch the shuttle leave. We saw it slowly ease off....
And behind it, thirty meters in the distance, another shuttle landed gracefully at Pad Two. On the side of the shuttle, clearly visible to us even at this distance, was the name Magellan.
"Oh, crap," Maggie said in a small voice. I'm sure I'm the only one who heard it. I wanted to get a dig in at her about Academy brats using swear words, but I never got the opportunity.
Commander Flannery took off running. "Grab the rug," she shouted. I pivoted as Maggie ran off from beside me. I quickly saw we were never going to be able to get the 15 meter rug rolled up and over in front of the shuttle in time.
"There's no time! Tang, Suriik - roll it up and hide it behind the crates." I turned and realized the elderly Vulcan doctor was rapidly leaving me in the dust. I turned and rushed after them. Strangely, I caught up to Maggie, but not to Doctor T'mar. Taj was following right behind me.
We ran up and assembled ourselves before the shuttle. Flannery turned around and mouthed to me, "Where's the carpet?" I mouthed back "No time!" She shot me a dirty look that generally translated into "We'll talk about this later." I could see someone moving in the cockpit. The rest of our party caught up with us and hastily took their places. The nothing happened for what seemed like a long time. I was just beginning to wonder if everything was alright when the shuttle door opened.
Captain Sulu, as trim as in the vidpics, stood in the doorway. He appeared to be attempting to stifle a grin. Behind him I could make out Pavel Checkov. He was smiling openly. The Bosun whistled Coming Alongside and we all saluted.
He returned the salute, and we relaxed to parade rest. "Permission to come aboard, Commander?"
"Granted, Captain. It is an honor to have you with us, sir."
He looked around the hangar bay. A pile of stripped shuttle parts were stacked on the deck only five meters from the shuttle. "I can tell, Commander." Flannery attempted to protest, but Sulu raised his hand to effectively silence her. "Don't worry about it, Commander. I'm sure Commander Gralt enjoyed the ceremony." He smiled. "I know my Chief Engineer. Excuse me, my former Chief Engineer. He can be annoying, but he's an excellent officer. I'm afraid he's been pulling your leg, Commander." He shook her hand.
Checkov stepped up, and also shook Flannery's hand. "Commander, where is your Keptin? Should ve not be seeing him now?" Sulu was looking around, and now his smile was gone. Then I realized he was searching for Demora.
"The Captain apologizes for his absence. He has been detained due to a marriage ceremony. He attempted to postpone it but the bride was most persistent." That sounded like Harriman. He was a strange man, but he also cared deeply for his crew. That was the one reason why requests to transfer off of the Enterprise weren't rampant. Of course, discussion on the topics of weddings wasn't exactly in my best interest.
"Ah, nothing like a good wedding," Sulu said, smiling again. Flannery was noticeably nervous now. I wondered what I looked like. "More importantly, were is my daughter?"
lannery replied, "Sir, I am sorry but she was detained at her post. She said she hoped to see you later. And the Ambassador, sir?"
ulu looked back around at the shuttle. Chekov supplied, "He should be out momentarily, Commander. He vas meditating on the vay over. I believe he vas attempting to clear his mind before the negotiations begin. Ah, there he is."
n the darkness of the shuttle door, something moved. A hooded figure emerged, much taller than Sulu or Checkov. His black robes blended with the darkness, only the silver/gold runes flowing down his left side were clearly visible. Then his two powerful hands reached up to the hood, and drew it back.
I>Spock! I think I said it aloud. We all just stood there, gaping like Cadets. He spoke in a voice weathered by the years. It reminded me of the distant rumble of thunder before the approaching storm.
Permission to come aboard, Commander."
lannery seemed as awestruck as the rest of us. "Uh, yes. Of course, Captain."
pock strode down the steps in two great strides. "That is technically incorrect, Commander. I have resigned my Starfleet commission. I now serve the Federation diplomatic corps as Ambassador to the Tholian Assembly."
Yes, sir. My apologies, sir."
That is not necessary, Commander. However, I must speak with your Captain as soon as time permits It is a matter of great importance to the security of the Federation." Flannery straightened up, her Starfleet training focusing her mind.
"Yes, Ambassador. If you will follow me." She stopped, and looked back at me. "Lieutenant Ramirez, please take Captain Sulu and Commander Checkov in hand."
Spock took that pause to walk up to Doctor T'mar. "Doctor, it is not unpleasant to see you again. Live long, and prosper." His hand parted in an odd way; the renowned Vulcan salute.
T'mar gave the traditional response. "Peace, and long life." Her hand went back down at her side. "I have ensured your quarters are set to Vulcan normal, sir." She continued to speak with him but my attention was distracted. Captain Sulu had walked up to me, and was appraising me with a gleam in his eye.
"Lieutenant Ramirez, eh?" He smiled, and offered his hand. I shook it, but couldn't meet his eye. "Don't worry about the escort. I probably know more about this ship class than you do."
"Yes, sir."
"Besides, we'll have plenty of time to get to know each other later on. I want to go see Demora. I take it she's on the bridge?
"I believe so, sir." He stopped, and looked at me oddly.
"Is everything alright, Lieutenant?" Checkov had walked up close to us, and was staring at me.
"When was the last time you spoke with your daughter, sir?" Checkov turned around then, obviously displeased. He was muttering something under his breath. I wasn't sure, but I think he was cursing in Russian. Sulu's face grew concerned, then in just a moment hardened.
"Its been a few months. She's not sick, is she?"
"No, sir. She's fine."
"I don't think I like the sound of this, Lieutenant."
"Yes, sir. I think you should talk to your daughter, sir." He just looked at me, expressionless.
Maggie, of all people, saved me. "Captain, I can take you to your daughter. I was heading to the bridge anyway." Sulu nodded, then turned and walked away. Checkov walked right up to me and poked me in the chest.
"You better not have done anything to hurt my goddaughter, you cossack." Then he turned and left as well, muttering something about kulturny. I wasn't sure what it meant, but I'm sure it was not intended to sing my praises.
I remembered to breathe. Taj and Tang gave me looks of sympathy. Looks I'm not sure if I deserved. The shuttle pilot walked out then. "Dumped Sulu's daughter, huh?" He shook his head. I just turned and glared at him. "Not too smart, my friend. Not smart at all."
For some reason I answered him. "I didn't have many alternatives at the time. Besides, how bad can it be? He visits his daughter, they have dinner, she cries on his shoulder, than he's on a shuttle back to the Excelsior. I just have to lie low for the rest of the day."
He nodded, punching some keys on his padd. "Yep, that sure would be a good idea. Only problem is, I don't have any orders to take the Captain back."
"What?" I grabbed the padd from his hands. "WHAT?"
"Yeah, him and Commander Checkov were talking about it on the way over. Seems Checkov's been assigned to assist the Ambassador, and Sulu decided to take all that leave his saved up to see his kid and her husband-to-be. Guess that's you, huh?"
I just nodded, a dazed expression on my face, and turned to look at the exit from the shuttlebay to the rest of the ship. He's not leaving?
Tang walked over. "I guess you and I have different ideas about what it means to keep you nose clean, huh, kid?" He grabbed me by the arm. "C'mon, we'll find some place to hide you for the day, until we can figure something out.
I spent the rest of the day in Cargo bay two doing a detailed inventory of our hydroponic stock. Tang brought me food, and I did my part of the deal by conducting an extremely detailed inspection. Problem was, at the end of the day, the Excelsior had warped out, and Hikaru Sulu wasn't aboard her.
I stepped into the Turbolift, my morale at an all time low. God, I've made a mess of this. The lift stopped at deck twelve. Ensign Prouse stepped out. Captain Sulu stepped in. He turned, facing the doors, and the decks started falling away. The silence was nerve wracking.
Finally, he spoke. "I understand you are the martial arts instructor on board the Enterprise."
"Yes, sir." We were both still looking straight ahead.
"When's your next class?"
I thought about that for a second. You don't lie to top brass, but I didn't like where this was heading. After a little bit too long of a pause I responded, "0900 tomorrow, sir."
He nodded. "Good. I need to burn off some excess energy. I'll see you then, Lieutenant."
I nodded, but the lift had already stopped and he was already walking out. Being already off duty, I didn't have anywhere I needed to be. I just rode up and down on that Turbolift for about an hour. Finally I headed off to sleep. This time I didn't dream, but 0900 came very early indeed.