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"Battlegrounds"
Spencer followed the bulky Engineer through the Jeffries tube until they emerged in one of the outer venting ducts. Once they had both climbed off the ladder access, Witten pointed towards a pair of relays. "That's what I thought, the damn polaron relays went and buckled when we were maneuvering out of the dry-dock." The Andorian grumbled and smacked it with a torque wrench. The ring reverberated through the empty venting ducts. "If that's the only problem we had, I'd say we're doing pretty well." Spencer looked over his friend's shoulder at the buckled relay. "Can't we just redistribute some of the polaron stress?" "Sure," Witten was already replacing the relays. "That's no problem. I just don't like it when things break on my ship!" "Oh come on," Spencer chucked. "You're only happy when you have something to fix. Besides, shakedown cruises are meant to find these kind of problems." "Yeah," Witten mumbled as he popped the second relay in place. "But I'm going to need you to put this thing through some maneuvers to test out the modifications. I'll send a list to you're navigator." Witten glanced at the Captain through the corner of his eye. Spencer didn't respond, but he did stiffen a bit. "So the rumors are true, huh?" the Engineer replied with a grin. "What rumors?" Spencer's attention was snapped back to the Andorian. "You and our navigator?" "Oh" Spencer seemed surprised and relieved at the response. "Witten, you should know better." "You're the Captain now, you know." Witten replied with a grin, "How are you going to seduce all of those alien women if you already have one in your quarters?" "Lieutenant, how dare you suggest that I might be unfaithful." Spencer smiled and returned his attention to the new relays. Witten eyed his friend skeptically, that was too easy; Spencer had given in too easily. Obviously that wasn't what he was trying to keep secret. "So why can't we put the ship through a few maneuvers?" Witten raised an eyebrow as Spencer stiffened again. "We can," the Captain avoided eye contact with the Engineer. "Eventually." 'Why? Are we in a rush to get somewhere special?" Spencer didn't respond right away. "We have to go somewhere." The Captain finally said. "You're not going where I think you're going are you?" Witten's gruff voice echoed in the empty duct. "Well, why not." Spencer turned to face Witten. "We never did find out what was out there; or why we were attacked." "According to Starfleet, nothing's out there." "Do you really believe that, Witten?" This time the Andorian was silent. "The Shapiro was almost destroyed. We barely escaped alive. I want to know what motivated the Romulans to attack us. I think Starfleet needs to know what's out there. If there is nothing there, then the Elarian sector will be a perfect place to go through a few maneuvers and give this ship the workout it needs." "I just don't like the idea of giving this ship too much of a workout before it's ready." Witten grumbled. "I have the utmost confidence in you, Witten." Spencer slapped the Engineer on the back. "Hmm,"
Witten mumbled skeptically.
"The
Truth is Out There"
The final details were finally being applied to the painting. Once again, Marie had taken the pose and David had painstakingly positioned the lights and bedding to match the previous sessions. Spencer once again sat at his easel naked following their lovemaking. They had found themselves entering into somewhat of a routine. But this time, something was different. The Captain was a bit quieter and more distant. The lovemaking was more mechanical and less passionate than before. Not bad, just... not what it had been. "How are you doing over there?" Marie asked him, not sure herself what exactly she was referring to. She had noticed his absent-mindedness, if that was even the right word. Tu es melancholique... "You don't look too happy. How is it turning out?" "It's going alright. With a painting it's never really finished, the trick is to know when to stop." He glanced out the window. "It's not always easy to know when to give it up and just let it go." He sat back and returned his attention to the canvas. "Actually, I think I'm beginning to overwork it. Perhaps it is time to wrap it up." He continued to stare at the painting. Marie smiled at the small wrinkle that was lying on his forehead. "I can always lose another bet, you know. I don't mind posing for you, but it's no fun if you're being so unenthusiastic. Wrap it up if you want. Or ask me for my opinion." She rolled over on the bed and lay on her stomach, chin propped on her folded arms. "You're still not sure yourself, are you?" she asked. "You could stop and turn this ship around, and leave the Shapiro incident in the past. What are you hoping to find, anyway?" David was stunned by the sudden turn in the conversation. "Our job is exploring. Who knows what we'll find where ever we go." He picked up the canvas and turned it towards her in his own attempt to change the subject. "Well?" Even though she tried not to let on, Marie was stunned. It was strange to see a nude study of herself, but in a way quite fascinating. "Not bad." She smiled. "Not bad at all. I think it's done. Now where are you going to put it?" "Well, since you won't let me hang it on the bridge." his attempt at humor didn't even sound natural to him. "I don't know, I may just have to keep it in storage for now." "In storage?" Marie made a noise of deprecation, but the painting was not the first thing on her mind right now. "David..." She stubbornly returned to the subject that he seemed to avoid so persistently. "You know, it was fine by me that you kept your secret to yourself as long as it didn't affect anyone else. But today you're being quiet and pensive and whatnot; and that's not very comfortable for me, either." She sat up and reached for her robe with a sullen look on her face. "It almost seems as if you've forgotten how to enjoy yourself. I wish we'd finally get there so you can find what you're looking for. And you know, maybe it would help if you told me what's occupying your mind. I want to help you..." "You know, they say that there's no lonelier position than being the Captain of a Starship." He set aside the canvas and began cleaning his brushes. "We're not supposed to have the luxuries of self doubt and personal demons." "I'm sorry if I'm making you uncomfortable." He set aside his paints and came over to the bed to hold her. "I have every confidence in this crew and her abilities to handle whatever the universe throws our way." Marie could tell he was putting on his "command" face, the same controlled, confident attitude that he displayed to the rest of the crew. But the darkness was still there, underneath. "Yeah, right." Marie drew back a little from his embrace so she could look up into his eyes. "That's why you're being so optimistic about this. Why you're spreading happiness wherever you go. Oh, and this must be why I was getting the feeling you were making love to someone else. Now I know where your mind was." She paused, then went on a little more quietly; "I don't like that. Nothing that gets you so distracted can be good for you." She looked at him, hoping that he would speak, and after a while he did. "We're going to a place were I almost died. Sixty-four of my crewmates did die there. Our ship was destroyed and we were lost in deep space for two years." David gazed into the distance during the honest evaluation of his feelings. He knew he shouldn't be talking like this to an Ensign. But this was Marie; he had been as intimate with her as it was possible to be. "I wasn't the Captain then, I know it wasn't my fault. But I spent a lot of time thinking what I would have done if I was in charge. Now I am the Captain. I'm the one taking us into the same place. I'm the one responsible for getting all of you home alive." "Indeed you are." Marie shook her head; it was amazing how he had still not answered the one question that was foremost in her mind. "Why?" she asked him. "Why are you taking us there?" "Because that's our job!" He was a little stunned at the simplicity of the question and it's answer. "This isn't a pleasure cruise. We're out here to find out what is out here. That doesn't mean just going where it's safe and comfortable." "I don't know what's out there or even if there is anything; Starfleet doesn't believe there is. That's why I haven't wanted to say anything, this could be really anticlimactic." Abruptly Marie withdrew and stood up, finished putting on her robe and pulled it tightly around her. She looked at him, well aware of the hardness in her expression. Her patience was running out. "Amazing," she said, shaking her head. "Amazing how evasive and vague you can be. You're not making much sense. You don't know what you're looking for, but you know where you have to go to look for it. What does a red giant system, with seven planets, none of which are able to sustain life, hold that could possibly be of interest to you? What happened there that makes you want to go back?" She stared at him for a second or so, but went on without giving him the chance to answer. "And don't give me the 'it's our job' line, because I know that no one ordered you to go there. It's your own curiosity. That's okay, I get curious too from time to time, but if you're going to endanger this ship and its crew then you should at least do it with a good reason!" "The Romulans destroyed my ship, Marie!" Spencer's voice began to rise a bit too. "I can't just write it off to Romulan paranoia like the rest of Starfleet does. I don't have that luxury, I lost sixty-four crewmates defending ourselves because of... whatever it was they were afraid of." He lowered his voice and stepped towards her, "They thought there was something dangerous out there and I know it wasn't the Shapiro. I need to know what it is, and so does Starfleet." Marie looked at him silently for a few seconds that seemed to stretch out much longer until she spoke again. "Ahh," she said slowly. "That wasn't so hard, was it?" She fell silent again for a second or two while she pondered the situation. David's answer was simpler than expected. "I understand now. I won't give you any more trouble. But let's not make this a habit... that I have to yell at you before you answer a question." "Yes, Ma'am." Spencer smiled. She did have a devious side. "I'll just have to remember to put you in charge of any interrogations we may need to administer." "You
do that," she replied, returning his smile. She knew that what was bothering
David had not gone away, but at last he seemed to be relaxing a little.
Maybe there was hope for them yet...
"Elarian
sector"
Tomoe briskly strolled through the corridors of the Republic, barely missing a few collisions with innocent passersby. As usual, her attention was focused on the ever-present handheld computer device, her link to everything having to do with the Republic. ~I take my job quite seriously, ~ she smirked to herself as she browsed through the anonymous rumor forum. ~It is my business to know EVERYTHING that's going on, after all. ~ Looking quite pleased with herself, she slipped the sleek device back into a cargo pocket. At the moment, she was on her way to the captain's quarters for a priority command meeting. And to hear the rumors going around, the captain's quarters was *quite* the hot spot on the ship, at least for the last few days. Tomoe could hardly remember how exciting shipboard life could be, after a few stagnant years in the solar system. Pausing to ring the chime, she mentally composed herself and wiped the silly grin from her face. She hadn't had much time to chat with Captain Spencer yet, even though they would be working closely together for some time. It wouldn't help her reputation to show up at his door looking like a drooling idiot. "Come." the Captain's single word response urged the First Officer to enter. "Hi, Commander, thanks for coming down." Tomoe inclined her head with a smile and stepped inside, the door *sknish*ing shut quietly behind her. "No problem, Captain. I'm sorry I haven't had time to come visit you and get better acquainted sooner. I figured I'd better have something to show for my presence here first. I've inspected most of the departments on the ship and compiled an initial report--" "Thank you. But, that wasn't what I called you here for. I have... full confidence in the capability of this crew." Spencer grinned a little sheepishly. "Anyway, after a recent conversation, I figured it was time to let you in on some of the details of where I'm bringing us and why. Have you by any chance seen the logs of the USS Shapiro?" "To be honest, I've skimmed them, but haven't really taken a fine tooth comb to the contents, aside from the end." Tomoe lowered herself gracefully into a chair, taking a casual glance around at the dwelling of her direct superior. "Was there something in particular I should have noticed?" "Not necessarily, a lot of it was played down. I'm not suggesting a cover up, I just feel that some details were more important than they were considered." Captain Spencer stood up and stared out the window, losing himself in the memory of his encounter. "While doing some routine mapping in the Elarian sector, we were attacked by Romulans. This seemed to be an unprovoked attack, well within the Federation border. We tried to hail the Romulans, but they continued to attack and accused us of harboring and testing a Federation 'secret weapon' in the Elarian star system. The Shapiro barely escaped the encounter," he paused and looked down before mumbling, "If you consider being blasted half way across the galaxy and taking several years to limp back home a successful escape." d'Veccio raised an eyebrow at that. "Well, from what I know, it's not exactly un-called for behavior from the Romulans. They are a bold, quick-to-act species, although to violate the Neutral Zone and attack within our own borders... they must have had a very chilling intelligence report on you." "That's just it, with the focus on the survival of the Shapiro, no one bothered to question what the Romulans were responding to in the first place." Spencer turned back to face Tomoe, "It's obvious that they suspected some kind of 'secret weapon' activity in that system. But as far as I know there is no Federation research taking place out there, and even if we were developing something it wouldn't make sense to do it that close to the Neutral Zone. There may very well be something out there that the Romulans felt was dangerous. I intend to go back to the Elarian sector and see what we missed the first time." Tomoe frowned slightly. "Given the delicate nature of the situation, are you sure that's wise, sir? Anything could have developed in the time since the Shapiro was there. Are there any recent scans of the area?" "The official conclusion was that the Romulans were responding to their suspicious and impulsive nature. So no further investigation of the Elarian system took place." He stepped over and sat on the corner of his desk. "But if there were something dangerous in development there, I would think it's very important for the Federation to know about it." "No disrespect intended, but we're not vigilantes, Spencer." The petite woman's eyes smoldered. "I don't object to the idea of returning to the Elarian sector in theory, but I'm concerned that you're letting your emotions get too far involved in this mission." "I respect your responsibly for keeping me in check, Tomoe." David smiled, it was nice to know that his first officer's main concern was to the ship and crew, "But I really don't believe that's my motivation. I'm just exploring, I have no intention of taking a brand new ship and crew 'Romulan hunting.' I promise you, we will be staying well away from the Neutral Zone." Tomoe grinned back, the indignation fading quickly from her expression. "I'm glad I didn't underestimate your judgment, David. But I suspect you're trying to get me to guess something." She paused, staring momentarily at the covered easel and palette scattered among the other objets d'art in the room. Tomoe counted a few art collectors among her contacts in Starfleet, but apparently Spencer was the real thing. She mentally filed away the note for future reference and looked back at him. "Maybe not Romulans, but you are looking for something." "I may be wrong, there may be nothing in the Elarian system, maybe the Romulans were just jumping at shadows. If so, it's as good a place for a shakedown as any. But if there is something there, I think it's worth investigating." "Something that the Romulans sent an armada to investigate. For the sake of the free galaxy, let's hope we don't find what they were expecting," Tomoe deadpanned, trying not to smirk. "I'm kidding. The Romulans wouldn't have left anything that serious alone for almost three years. If there's anything left in the Elarian sector, I'm sure it will be a mere cultural curiosity." "I
hope so, Commander. I hope so."
"Larron's
Introductory Physical"
It had taken a week and a lot of work, but Sickbay was finally set up. And to Doctor Finnley's exacting specifications, no less. Eight state of the art Biobeds, a series of medical scanners, fully operational stasis chambers, a surgical suite, and a small research lab. Everything was finally under control and running like a heart pumping blood. Now the only thing still on the Doctor's plate was to get physical exams of the ship's senior officers out of the way... and then onto the rest of the ship's crew. He'd let the other members of the Sick-Bay's staff take care of the bulk of the ship's crew, but he intended to look after the senior staff personally. He felt it was always best for the CMO to be personally acquainted with the senior officers - they tended to run the ship, and if anything went wrong with them, they tended to be needed back on duty as soon as was possible. So the Doctor began scheduling the senior staff for their physicals. The Captain's Yeoman, the delightful Orion woman who had been such a surprise to examine, had pencilled in a physical for Captain Spencer early next week. Over the next two weeks, Finnley had been able to manage making time in every one's schedules for their work-ups. On this particular afternoon, the ship's navigator, a Ms. Larron from Marseille France, was scheduled to have her physical. "Sorry I didn't come in earlier, Doctor," Marie said, and the expression on her face made it clear that she was not sorry at all. She didn't care for physicals, but knew that they were inevitable. "I was busy," she added. "But I'm here now, so if you have time, let's get it over with." She flashed him a grin. "I'm Marie Larron, by the way. Navigation." "Enchantez, Mademoiselle Larron," the doctor replied in flawless French. "Ce n'est pas un problhme. Tout-le-monde doit viens ici quelque jours pour le mjme." He lead her over to a biobed and gestured to it. "Ahh oui, je sais," Unable to hide her grin at the pleasant surprise Marie hopped onto the bed. "But I was tempted to let you come and get me, just for the fun of it..." The doctor punched a few controls on the console and the bed sprang to life. "Ah, now ensign, you must know that the CMO of a ship doesn't go chasing down navigators to ensure they have their check ups - he gets the XO to do that..." he smiled. "So," Marie began as she watched him work, "Are you through with all the other senior officers yet?" "If you mean, have I finished all their exams? No, not yet. The Captain is scheduled in three days, the first officer tommorow afternoon, Lt. Witten tommorow morning, and various sundry others slotted in here and there." The doctor waved the probe of his medical tricorder around the ensign. "You mean to tell me that Captain Spencer did not set an example for his crew by being the first to submit to the physical?" Marie's eyes twinkled; her indignation was faked. "Interesting. Though after he fell asleep on the bridge I should think you'd be keeping a closer watch on him..." "Ah, you've made an error there. The Captain of the ship does not fall asleep on the bridge, therefore, he never did," the doctor wondered to himself how she'd found that out... He'd been sure no one had been watching. In fact, he hadn't even recalled seeing her on the bridge at the time... But then again, he had had a more pressing matter to deal with at the time. "Could you please cough for me?" He asked as he continued the examination. Marie complied while trying to hide a grin. "Whatever you say," she mumbled, then asked him, "So where are you from? How come you speak French so well?" "I was born and raised on Mars colony. By my Grandmother, mostly," he checked an instrument reading and pushed a few buttons. "My flare for languages didn't really express itself until I reached the academy on Earth. Well, I believe that I have all the readings I need. You're a healthy, fit, young woman, Ms. Larron." "Thank you." Maire hopped off the biobed. "You'll take good care of the captain, won't you? He seems a little... preoccupied lately..." "Really? I hadn't noticed," the doctor smiled. "I suppose it's because this is his first mission as Captain and his first ship. Seeing as a ship is like a Captain's wife, you could say the ship is his first. I'm sure he's just worried about embarrassing her or himself. He probably has nothing to worry about. I mean, this little trip out to the middle of nowhere is just a pleasure cruise, right? As long as the ship doesn't start popping rivets, we'll be fine." "Yeah." Marie nodded absent-mindedly. "Well, you know, there are all sorts of things that can go wrong, even on a pleasure cruise. It's obvious sometimes that the captain is worried so... just make sure he doesn't stress himself out, doesn't get high blood pressure and all that." She smiled to make her words sound less serious, and to keep from having to explain her statement she added, "Maintenant, je sais oy je peux aller si je veux parler frangais." "Bien-s{r! And don't worry about the Captain, he'll be fine, I'm sure. And if he isn't, he's got people like us to look out for him, right?" He smiled and shook Marie's hand. "I'll see you around, Ensign. Try not to break anything, eh?" Ensign Larron waved and departed. It
wasn't until shortly later that it dawned on Baxter to wonder why this
particular Ensign seemed so concerned about the Captain's well being.
Ensign's didn't normally discuss the Captain's state of mind with the CMO
of a ship... How would she have even become aware of any stress the
Captain was facing to discuss it so intimately?
"Checking
Up"
"DOCTOR! WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?" Tarrah burst into sickbay with little awareness of the scene she was creating. She seemed on the verge of hysteria as she quickly searched the area for Doctor Finnley. The doctor happened to be bent over checking a hook up underneath a lab bench when Tarrah came tromping into the sickbay. As he heard her holler, he went to stand up, but forgot about the overhanging bench. A loud thwacking sound issued from the contact between the back of his head and the counter top. "OW!" he exclaimed as he carefully slid out from under the bench with his hand to the back of his head. He straightened up and turned to face the Orion woman while rubbing the quickly forming goose egg. "Tarrah? What's all this about?" "Oh Doctor Finnley," Tarrah ran up to him. She placed her hands on his chest and looked into his eyes imploringly. "Is something wrong with me? Did you find anything in my physical? Is it curable?" Unconsciously, her hands softly rubbed his chest finding reassurance in his presence. The doctor was acutely aware of this beautiful young Orion woman standing far too close to him for decency. Added to the pulsing ache in the back of his head, he wasn't entirely sure he wasn't about to pass out. "Uh... Huh?" he stuttered. "Is what curable?" "I've apparently lost it!" Tarrah cried. "I'm an Orion, I'm suppose to be irresistible, but I can't find any man who wants me! Am I ugly? Have I got some horribly disfiguring disease?" "No, Tarrah, you're quite beautiful..." He realized he probably should have found a different way of saying that... something more politic... but it wasn't coming to him at the moment. Too much blood draining from his head... Standing up quickly could do that to you... "I was with Ensign Vellick last night and he didn't want anything to do with me," she said, still with her hands on his chest. The doctor looked puzzled for a second, one hand on the back of his head. Then he began to laugh. Tarrah backed up a step, looking on the verge of tears, obviously thinking this man was laughing at her. "No, Tarrah... Ensign Vellick is a Eunuch! The Melethian species has a very strong religious belief system, and they feel that it brings them closer to their god to be removed from the passions of sexual desire. After their first successful mating, which tends to produce multiple offspring, they are encouraged to undergo a ritual in which they, well, are deprived of their sexual drive. That's all." "Eww," Tarrah was stunned, she couldn't help but look at the doctor with a distasteful expression. "Don't you think that's horrible?" "It's not for me or you to judge other cultures, Tarrah. Certainly within our cultural frame of reference it would not be acceptable, but Vellick is from a different civilization all together, and he follows a different set of beliefs than I do, and apparently different than you do as well." Changing the subject, Tarrah said, "But, Doctor, I can't really believe that everyone else in the universe has a problem." She broke away from Doctor Finnley and crossed over to a monitor. "It must be me. I mean, my roommate walks in the room and every man goes nuts. What's wrong with me? She's another one who's given up sex. Doesn't anyone in Starfleet have a libido?" Beginning to calm down she walked back towards the doctor. "Boy were my preconceptions off." As Tarrah moved away from the doctor, he took the opportunity to clear his head slightly. He grabbed a tricorder and began waving the probe around the back of his skull. The comments Tarrah had made about her roommate intrigued him. "Tarrah, who is this roommate of yours that has you so upset?" He picked up anotherinstrument which he began waving at the back of his head in place of the probe. He let out a small sigh as the swelling decreased at the back of his head. "Ensign Irila, she's a Deltan and..." Suddenly Tarrah's reaction returned to boisterous outrage. She walked right up to the Doctor and began to pound oh his chest weakly as she started to cry. "Even you're more interested in her! This is supposed to be about me! My troubles! My situation! Aren't you even interested in me? Don't you think I'm attractive? Don't you want me either?" As Tarrah began pounding on the doctor's chest, he lost his grip on the medical instrument he was using to fix his broken pate. "What? Tarrah... But..." he stammered as the cadet threw her fists at his chest along with her exclamations. "Of course I do!" he finally shot off as answer. "Really? You want me?" her voice was barely a whisper as she pulled herself closer to him. Their bodies touched. In this sudden and unexpected closeness, the doctor was momentarily stunned into silence as he gazed into Tarrah's eyes. "This is great!" Doctor Finnley startled at the sudden exclamation. Tarrah pulled herself away and spun around the sickbay with her arms stretched out around her. She looked back at the Doctor. "You really want me? That's soo cool! Yes!!!" She pulled her fist down in front of her in a gesture of victory. She crossed over to the sickbay door and when it open she grabbed the doorframe on both sides and leaned out into the corridor. "But... Wait... Tarrah... That's not..." the doctor tried to interject as Tarrah began her victory dance around the sickbay. "Look out, Republic!" She yelled out the door, "I am Orion! Hear me roar!!!" With that she strode out of sickbay and down the hall with an exaggerated, seductive sway to her hips. "...what I meant..." he mumbled as the doors swished shut behind Tarrah. The doctor looked up and noticed every one of the medical personnel in sickbay was staring at him. "All right, show's over. Back to work." "Doctor..." said a stoic looking Vulcan woman who was approaching Finnley. "I don't want to hear any of your Vulcan emotion speaches, V'kar. I've got a headache, and I'm going to be taking an hour off to try and deal with it. You have sickbay." "Yes sir." |
