"To Boldly Go..."
by Commander Lyrr Tayla
and Captain Matthew T. Salinger
Location: Aboard Starbase 1
Stardate: 57906.18, 6h43
***
Lyrr Tayla never was one to be hesitant about taking initiative. It was
that one quality - working in conjunction with her tenacity and fearlessness
- that got her where she was today, and got her there alive. If she'd
allowed Cardassian oppression to make her timid and self-effacing, she'd
still be on Bajor, unhappy and tilling infertile soils on her foster
parents' farm. So, it was her confidence and resolve that brought her to
her new assignment, and presently to the main promenade on Starbase 1 in
search of her commanding officer.
She only hoped he was someone she could tolerate. She had taken it upon
herself to research the man, and it was clear from his service record that
he had quite the eventful career thus far and he appeared qualified enough
as a captain. It was difficult to assess one's personality from an
impersonal review compiled by personnel in the Starfleet Records and
Archives Department who, no doubt, had never met the majority of those
listed in their archives. If he was as cocky and arrogant as many of the
other talented young officers she'd met along the way, her service on the
Sulu would be short and unpleasant.
It wasn't difficult to pick him out from among the crowd of diner's in the
patio of the eatery where she now spotted him; his gaze was distant and
almost wistful as he stared out at the majestic ship docked outside and
directly in his line of sight. Shuttlepods and work bees buzzing about the
ship were significantly dwarfed by the leviathan and added to its awing,
intimidating appearance. Tayla too was almost enthralled by the sight of it
and tore her gaze away only to find herself standing directly over the
captain's table.
He had a full plate of food resting in front of him, which appeared not to
have been disturbed at all. She wondered if the shadow that fell across the
table now as she stood there would disrupt his almost trance-like state.
Tayla cleared her throat and finally decided to interrupt his reverie with
an introduction. "Commander Lyrr Tayla reporting for duty, Sir." She set
the datapad containing her official assignment beside his tray and waited
with a cocked brow for acknowledgement.
Matthew T. Salinger didn't look up from the ship, but only smiled. "She's a
beautiful ship, isn't she, Commander?" At that, he finally pulled his gaze
back to the table, and then up to the Bajoran woman standing beside his
table. He stood up and faced her. "Captain Matthew T. Salinger. I've been
looking forward to meeting you, Commander Lyrr. I'm not sure how long I've
been sitting here and watching, but I couldn't help myself." He laughed.
"Would you care to join me?"
"In ship gazing?" Tayla smiled and took a seat in the vacant chair across
from Matt's. "She's a large ship," she commented once Matt was seated
again. "And your first true command as Captain. Nervous?"
"A little," Matt said with a grin. "I think I'd be more nervous if I had
command of a Galaxy-class or one of the Sovereigns. But, I've liked the
Intrepid since they first appeared on the design boards. Fortunately I
finally get my shot at the big chair of an Intrepid with the Sulu. I
haven't received our first assignment yet, but I'm sure it'll help us work
out a few of the kinks."
"Hopefully they've given you a good crew. I've had a chance to look over
the manifest and..." Tayla laughed dryly. "A very young contingent - many
fresh from the Academy and inexperienced in the field. If I may speak
frankly, Captain, you've certainly got your work cut out for you."
Matt laughed. "We've got our work cut out for us, Number One," he said
with a grin. "I think with the right guidance, we can forge ourselves one
of the finest crews in the fleet. As my executive officer, I'll expect you
to be my liaison between the department heads, and they'll inevitably be
responsible for the training of those under them. Are you up for the task?"
"A question that needs not asking, Captain," Tayla replied with an air of
both playfulness, and absolute sincerity. "I think I can manage it.
However, I do wish to discuss one point of concern with you. I know now may
not be the appropriate time for it and this an inapt place, but I've been
reviewing the histories and service records of all those appointed as
department heads." Tayla leaned forward in her seat and clasped her hands
atop the table. "Lieutenant Tagliesh. Captain, succinctly put: Trouble.
Are you so certain you want her in a position of authority in the Science
Department, a department which is highly important on a ship whose main
assignment is scientific exploration?"
Matt sighed and laughed. "Somehow I knew you were going to mention Lt.
Tagliesh," he said. "She may be trouble, but we can't just keep pushing her
off. There has to be some point where she can be reached, and maybe it will
happen on this mission. She's one of the brightest young, scientific minds
in Starfleet, and I want that talent for this mission. We may have to deal
with some unruliness, but I'm also hoping we can review her psych reports to
see if we can find a tactic the others haven't found yet."
"I hadn't realized our job also included rehabilitating rebellious
officers," Tayla retorted. "From what I can tell, she has only retained the
privilege of wearing a Starfleet uniform by the grace of her parents' money
and influence." Tayla shrugged and sat back against her chair. "At any
rate, I warn you now that I will be very strict with her, Captain. As long
as you approve, I am going to make certain she proves herself worthy of
holding the position of Chief Science Officer."
"I would expect nothing less of you," Matt said. "And, I do believe in
reforming those officers that fall below the bar, especially if they have
the talent to make exceptional contributions in their field. I don't like
giving up on people, even if they prove difficult to work with. I expect
you to keep Lieutenant Tagliesh in line, and I expect her to be the best
damn science officer this ship has ever seen." He grinned and then shook
his head. "And, we can meet regularly to make sure she's doing what's
expected of her."
"Oh, believe me, Captain, if I'm not satisfied with her work and conduct,
you'll know it. I've never been one to remain reticent when something
displeases me, Captain. She'll be the best damned science officer by the
time I'm through with her." Tayla sighed and after a moment, glanced over
her shoulder at the Sulu, then back to Matt. "We'll make her a renowned and
respected ship, Captain. You have my word on that."
Matt grinned and extended a hand over the table. "I'm glad to have you
aboard, Commander Lyrr," he said. "And, I think we're going to make a damn
good team."
Tayla accepted Matt's offered hand and shook it with a firm grip. "I'll
keep you on your toes, Captain. Now," she said as she pushed back her chair
and rose, "finish your meal. You'll need all the strength you can get for
the work we have ahead of us."
Matt chuckled and stood. "It was good to meet you," he said. "I'll see you
aboard. I'd like an initial staff meeting at 08h00 tomorrow."
"I'll see you then, Captain." Tayla turned toward the ship, and regarded it
again. "You're lucky," she said with an envious smile. "And one day, I
imagine people will say the same about me for having served with you,
Captain Salinger." She looked aside at Matt, and with a nod, she started
back down the promenade.
Matt Salinger watched her go before seating himself and turning his
attention back to the untouched food sitting in front of him. With slow,
measured movements he began eating, but would pause occasionally to gaze out
at his ship, the USS Sulu. "The adventure is just beginning," he told
himself quietly.
"A New Beginning, Part 1"
Lt (jg) Samantha Ashbury
Lt (jg) Michael Ashbury
Location: Montana, Terra
Stardate 57906.18, 09h00
***
Samantha Ashbury tucked a long strand of dark brown hair behind one ear and
frowned. The uniform was uncomfortable. She'd gotten used to wearing
civilian clothes over the last three years. Wearing a Starfleet uniform
again could take a bit of getting used to. She looked around the empty
expanse of their Montana home and sighed sadly. After her experience on
Calevere she'd sworn up and down never to do anything like that again but...well, some things were more important than her personal feelings about
venturing back into space.
Keeping the family together happened to be one of those. After Michael had
been reassigned - involuntarily at that she might add - Sam had approached
other faculty members at Starfleet Academy about possibly being reassigned
to Starfleet Science. The staff at the Academy wasn't happy about losing
her - Sam was good at astrophysics and she knew it - but again, the change
of pace might even be good for her.
She snorted at the thought. Right. About as good as a hole in the head.
Still, going from an assistant professor of astrophysics to a lieutenant
(jg) was going to be quite a change of pace. With any luck her CO would be
understanding.
The door downstairs shut with a hollow boom. It was amazing how different a
house could sound and feel without any furniture in it. Michael came
upstairs, followed by Ash, the Antarean moor cat he'd adopted three years
before. Right before her little adventure on Calevere. Sam wondered briefly
if that might be a bad omen.
Ash flicked his ears in greeting before settling down beneath the now-empty
window.
"You okay?" Michael asked in concern as he leaned against the wall next to
the window. Sam nodded.
"It's just difficult. I can't help but remembering what happened last time
we did..." Sam broke off without finishing the sentence.
"I know. I know," Michael said quietly. "There's still time to change your
mind. We don't have to go. I can always find something else to do."
Sam raised an eyebrow questioningly. "You, find something else to do besides
Starfleet? You'd be bored stiff and driving me crazy within a week."
Michael shrugged slightly and grinned that lopsided grin that had always
appealed to her. She put her arms around his neck and pressed her nose
against his.
"I'll be fine. It will just take some getting used to." Sam kissed him
softly before picking up her one bag remaining in the house. "Where's the
munchkin?"
"Downstairs. She's so excited she can hardly stand still," Michael replied,
referring to their five year old daughter, Madison, as he scratched Ash
behind the ears. Ash flicked his tail as he stood up to follow them
downstairs.
"I bet. Let's not keep her waiting or we'll never hear the end of it."
Michael grunted in reply as he shut the door and activated the security
screen.
"Mom! Are we going yet? Are we going yet?" Madison squealed as she jumped up
and down beside her. Sam put a hand on her head to quiet her down.
"Yes, we're going," Sam said as Ash took his place in front of her. It was
amazing how intelligent the cat really was. "Now settle down for the beam
out."
"Starfleet Control," Michael said, tapping his badge. "Four for transport to
Starfleet Command."
Sam sighed as she felt the transporter beam grip her and whisk her off to
San Francisco. She hoped this time would turn out better than the last one.
"A New Beginning, Part 2"
by Lieutenant(jg) Samantha Ashbury
Lieutenant(jg) Michael Ashbury [NPC+]
Location: Starfleet Command, San Francisco
Stardate 57906.18, 09h15
***
The vista of the Golden Gate bridge appeared through the large, ceiling high
windows as Sam materalized on the transporter pad. The sudden noise of
Starfleet Command Headquarters was disorienting at first. The bustle of
people and machinery had replaced the calm silence of western Montana.
As they stepped off the transporter pad they were directed to a waiting
security officer, Starfleet's form of Customs and Immigration. He held out a
hand for their ID chits. Michael handed over all four, including the one for
Ash. That seemed a tad absurd to Sam. An ID chit for a black haired furball,
verifying that he wasn't carrying any odd diseases. Well, that was life
after the Dominion War. The security officer directed them out the door,
down the hall and across the way to another transporter room when they were
ready to transport to Starbase 1.
"Look around first or should we go directly to the Starbase?" Michael asked
as they walked out the door of the transporter room.
"Look around!" Madison said eagerly. She'd never seen Starfleet HQ before
and she was utterly captivated by the people and the newness of it all. Ash
was taking it about as well as Sam was. He hadn't been around this many
people in a while and stayed close to Sam's leg, his head brushing up
against her knee every so often. She reached down to scratch his ears
comfortingly. The fact that a large cat was walking sedately alongside her
got a few odd looks from various Starfleet personnel but nobody said
anything. They'd all been in Starfleet long enough to get adjusted to a few
odd sights along the way.
"You want to look around here or up on the Starbase?" Sam asked. Madison
thought that over for a second before looking up again.
"The Starbase!"
Michael grinned. "That settles that. Starbase it is."
They turned down another corridor into the central complex of Starfleet's
embarkation area. Public announcements blended in with the the hustle and
bustle of people moving about. To Sam it felt very strange being here again;
she hadn't set foot in this area in more than three years. While at the
Academy, she usually was transported directly from Montana to the Academy,
without ever setting foot inside Starfleet Command.
Michael took it a bit better. He was through here every day on his way to
the shuttle for Utopia Planetia. Well, he had been doing that at least. Not
anymore. Madison still looked around with wide eyed wonder as Sam kept a
firm grip on her daughter. It wasn't that she didn't trust Madison, it was
just that Madison had a disconcerting habit of running off heedless of her
own safety when she saw something that interested her. Not the best
combination in a complex six stories high.
Michael led them into one of the many transporter rooms that handled
transports to Starbase One.
"Next transport is in five minutes, folks," the transporter operator, a
chief petty officer by the look of his rank, said briskly. Just over a dozen
people were stepping off the large transporter pads. The Ashbury's waited
near the back for the next call.
"Transport to Starbase One, Upper Saucer, Spacedock Delta," the operator
announced.
Sam grimaced as she felt the transporter beam grip her tightly. There was
something slightly unnatural about having her molecules scrambled, sent as
energy and reassembled in another place. Madison looked around in delight as
the transporter pad aboard Starbase One appeared. Through the large
transparent aluminum windows on the other side of the room, Sam could see
the Moon. The glimmering lights of Lake Armstrong and New Berlin shone
brightly.
"Starbase One, Upper Saucer, Spacedock Delta. Present your ID chits at the
door please," a young female transporter operator announced. The presence of
two armed security personnel on either side of the room showed that things
were not yet back to normal from the Dominion War. Sam somehow doubted that
everything would ever go back to normal. Not after everything that the
Federation had gone through.
"Breakfast?" Michael asked as they were waved through. "There's a good place
a few levels up. And they've got windows for viewing."
"Sure."
"Old Friend Found"
By: Lieutenant Xayella Tagliesh
and Lieutenant Sam
Location: Aboard Starbase 1
Stardate: 57906.18, 10h25
***
Starbase 1 was a very large place, but Lieutenant Sam had no difficulties
navigating it. His positronic net was configured with an elaborate mapping
algorithm, and he'd already uploaded a copy of the station schematics into
a portion of his memory. If it existed on the map, he could find it in the
station.
The carry-all slung over one shoulder contained few items. He held very
few attachments in life, and kept very little in the way of personal
belongings. Most of his carry-all was filled with various padds with
research from his previous posting. Life on the Osiris had been as he'd
expected it would, and he had made several good friends there. It was not
an easy thing for an android lacking any sort of emotions to form
friendships. However, he had managed it admirably. Well...once.
For 0.06563 seconds, Sam was suddenly surprised. The being moving ahead of
him suddenly took on a familiarity, and he sped his progress to catch up.
"Lieutenant Tagliesh," he called.
Xayella turned around with an invective already on her lips, ready to be
spat at the man like venom, when she realized it was no man at
all. "Ensign Sam, do me the favour of assuring me you did not follow me
from the Osiris."
"It is lieutenant now, Lieutenant," Sam said. "And, I have not followed
you from the Osiris. At least, not intentionally. I have received
transfer orders and am proceeding to my new posting. I happened to see you
ahead of me, and called out your name."
"Is that so?" Xayella grimaced and started forward again. "Well, I think
you're going the wrong way," she called back to him. "This is the way to
the Sulu."
"That is correct," Sam said. "The USS Sulu is my new posting. I have been
assigned as the new Operations Manager."
"Oh, no no no no!" Xayella whirled around, shaking her head profusely and
waggling her finger in Sam's face. "You've got it wrong, Lieutenant. The
Sulu's my ship, not yours. You'd better go find somebody and get this
mix-up resolved immediately."
Sam paused for a moment, and then looked at Xayella once more. "The orders
are correct, however if you wish I can verify them with Starfleet Command."
"Oh, forget it!" Xayella sighed sharply and once again resumed her march
towards the loading dock. "Just my luck. They assign the most obnoxious,
annoying officer to the same ship as me. You know, I really thought I'd
seen the last of you, Ensign...Lieutenant...whatever."
Sam shook his head. "Since we will be stationed aboard the same starship,
it is highly unlikely that you will be unable to avoid me while aboard the
Sulu."
"Ensign, I am shocked that you would even suggest I would attempt to do
such a thing to you." Xayella feigned dismay, then chuckled
throatily. "Ensign, did you perhaps request transfer to the Sulu merely to
make my life miserable?"
"Lieutenant," the android corrected. "And, I did not request the
transfer. After the recent crisis with the Gorn, Captain Syrene suggested
that I would make a fine operations manager on one of the more prominent
ships in the fleet. He then contacted Starfleet Command about moving me to
a new posting with more responsibility and potential."
"You?" Xayella snorted derisively. "Why would they put a robot into a
position of any importance whatsoever? What if there's a glitch in your
positronic net and you turn on the entire crew? You're capable of
overriding the Captain's security codes and activating the ship's
self-destruct sequence if that does happen, which makes you more of a risk
than an asset of any kind. They really should consider having you
permanently deactivated, you know."
"My operational algorithms are built with multiple redundancies. The
chances that such would occur are three million, seven hundred forty-three
thousand, two hundred twenty-six to one. It is far more likely that an
officer such as yourself would commit such actions before I would."
"That all depends on the mental state of whom you are comparing yourself
with, Lieutenant. Now, if you are saying that the odds of you doing such a
thing is less than the odds of me performing such an action, I'd say the
chances of you destroying the ship are still very high."
Sam thought about it for a moment, processing the data through several
logic and probability filters. Finally he cocked his head to the
side. "There are safety measures in place that will keep the scenario you
have devised from happening, Lieutenant. I assure you that the ship will
be in no danger from my programming."
Xayella let out a deep breath and dramatically passed her hand over her
brow to embellish her expression of relief. "You don't know how glad I am
to hear that, Lieutenant." She grinned and added, "But I guess that means
I'm the only unstable officer on the ship now. And here I was hoping to
have some company." She moved off ahead of Sam and towards the guard
standing at the airlock of the loading area. After handing him her
transfer and proper documentation, he nodded and she was allowed
admittance. Sam was already by her side again before she had a chance to
lose him in one of the corridors of the ship. "Look, Lieutenant, you don't
plan on tagging along with me everywhere I go like you did on the Osiris,
do you?"
"You are currently the only being I will know aboard the USS Sulu, and
therefore I have the most in common with you. I am quite certain that once
our duties aboard the ship begin, we will be seeing less of each other. My
position will no doubt be on the bridge. And, yours will be either the
science labs or a bridge science station. My increase in responsibility
will undoubtedly keep me busy."
"A shame," Xayella sighed. "Well, I'm certain I will recover from the
absence of your company, Lieutenant. It will be difficult, but I shouldn't
suffer for too long."
"It is a relief to hear that, Lieutenant," Sam said. "However, if the
transition is too difficult, perhaps we can spend some of our off-duty time
together. I have acquired an intriguing holodeck program. If you are
interested, I shall make myself available."
Xayella rolled her eyes, but when she faced Sam, she was smiling
facetiously. "No, that is quite alright, Lieutenant. I think I will
manage. If not, I'm certain a deadly rampage through the ship with a
phaser will be enough to purge my grief."
"I do not believe such a course of action is wise, Lieutenant," Sam
said. "Not only does it violate several Starfleet regulations, but ship
security would also be sent to stop you. You could be injured in such a case."
"Concerned for my well-being, Lieutenant?" Xayella placed her hand to her
heart and gasped. "I am truly touched. But don't worry, a bloodbath isn't
a top priority for me right now. I've finally received the promotion I've
been waiting for and I plan on using this opportunity to build up a
different kind of reputation for myself other than the one that is so
widely held at the moment."
"If there is anything I can do to assist you, Lieutenant," Sam said,
"please contact me. I do not have many friends, but do consider you to be
one."
Xayella could barely restrain the laugh induced by Sam's statement. "Do
you happen to be lacking a section in your programming devoted to human
relations? Lieutenant, I have done nothing but insult and berate you since
the first day we met. How could you possibly misinterpret that as an offer
of friendship?"
"I have sensed no real hostility from you, Lieutenant," Sam
said. "Therefore, I surmised that the insults were merely good-natured
comments used to indicate the forging of a bond between us."
Xayella halted and turned to face Sam. She patted him on the shoulder and
sighed wistfully. "If that's what you've convinced yourself of,
Lieutenant, then I certainly am going to have an enjoyable time ridding
your mind of that fallacy. Good day, Lieutenant." With a dry laugh,
Xayella turned on her heal and departed from Sam.
"Good day, Lieutenant Tagliesh," Sam called after her. "I look forward to
serving with you for another tour of duty."
Fool, Xayella thought to herself humorously. Anyone who was excited at the
prospect of serving with her had to be either insane or...well...Sam. The
amusing thought followed her all the way to the turbolift, where she
entered it and ordered the computer to transport her to the new quarters
she would be occupying. She needed some rest before she got to work, and
that was just for terrorizing her personnel.
"A New Beginning, Part 3"
by Lieutenant(jg) Samantha Ashbury
Lieutenant(jg) Michael Ashbury
Location: Starbase One
Stardate 57906.18, 10h30
***
Sam sat looking over the vista outside the thick transparent aluminum
windows. Starfleet personnel in EVA suits buzzed around the Sulu like a
bunch of bumblebees, readying the ship for departure. Madison sat with her
nose pressed against the glass, mouth agape in wonder. She'd never seen
anything like this before and she watched every detail with utter
fascination.
Michael sat down beside her with their personnel schedules. He frowned for a
moment then shook his head muttering about the idiocy of the Starfleet
bureacracy. Sam just raised an eyebrow. It was a technique she had learned
while studying on Vulcan and she found that it helped to no end cutting
through discussions. It helped this time too. Michael pushed a PADD over to
her.
"They managed to assign us both to Beta shift."
"That could cause a few problems." Sam commented dryly as she glanced over
the PADD. Michael chuckled and nodded.
"Just a few." he agreed. "I'll ask around. Maybe I can get on Alpha shift."
"If not, I'll work Gamma." Sam said. "I don't mind the late nights. Easier
to get work done when there's no one competing for lab time. We'd better get
going too. Need to have time to get settled in."
Michael glanced at the chronometer and nodded agreement.
"Come on, munchkin." Sam said to Madison. "Time to go."
"Okay." Madison slid off her chair as Sam picked up her one bag.
***
Michael handed over their ID chits to the security officer checking
personnel in at the main Sulu airlock. With a nod he waved them through.
Another officer would check them again at the far end.
Madison stood on her toes, trying to see through the windows of the
umbilical. Michael handed the ID chits to Sam and hoisted Madison onto his
shoulders.
"See all the activity going on in the shuttlebay?"
Madison nodded excitedly as Michael turned and continued on. Sam just
grinned in amusement. She was living with a couple of tech freaks.
The officer at the far end looked at Ash for a moment before taking their ID
chits. With a nod and a shake of his head in surprise, he waved them
through. The corridors of the Sulu looked surprisingly familiar.
"Where are the quarters again?" Michael asked as he set Madison on her own
two feet. Sam consulted her PADD.
"Deck two. Just down the hall from where we had our quarters on the
Windsor."
***
Sam looked around their quarters feeling a sense of fulfillment wash over
her. The strange thing was that it was nice being back onboard a starship.
She hadn't been sure how she would feel right about now. With the boxes
piled haphazardly around the room, the place did look like a tornado had
just blown through.
Sam took off her uniform tunic and started rummaging through the first box.
At least she had until tomorrow before she needed to report for duty...