INCOMING TRANSMISSION
STARFLEET PERSONNEL, SAN FRANCISCO, EARTH
PRIORITY ONE COMMUNIQUE
AUTHORIZATION DELTA-GAMMA-2002-IOTA

TO: Captain K'anis, USS Victoria
CC: Commander Mazer, XO, USS Victoria
FROM: Admiral William Crenshaw, Starfleet Command
DATE: 10204.15
RE: Mission Orders 

Captain :

Utopia Planitia informs me that refit of the Starship Victoria shall be nearing completion in orbit of Mars (Sol-IV).

You are to gather your crew, along with the recent assignments and report to Utopia Planitia at the earliest convenience.

Once you are done, the Victoria is to set course for her new homeport, Atlantis Station, near the Tholian border. I'm sorry for the hastness of this orders, but reports have it the Tholians may be up to something and I want the Victoria there.

Good luck. 

Admiral William Crenshaw,
Starfleet Command

[CTO Ens. Tim Schols, at the Utopia Planitia facility, Mars, Stardate 10204.14]

'Ensign Schols, reporting for duty, Sir!' the cadet said a little louder than he had ment to do.

'I hope tactical suits me as well as it did at the academy.' He continued.
'Well, this sure does look good here, first time I've been here.' He then said.

[Kinda wandering in the reception area of Utopia Planitia]

The Antican made his was through the series of airlocks and annoying clearance protocols from the transport ship to Utopia's lounge.

"I wonder why do I have to get clearance if I'm expected", he thought, shrugging and showing his ID PADD to yet another security officer. The man clearly was not used to see Anticans around here for the expression on his face and his smell denounced him to K'anis.

Getting past the gates, he immediately went to the large observation windows that dominated the lounge. From there, he got a glimpse at what he wanted to see.

Outside, in one of the Docking Arms of the Shipyard, she rested with a cloud of work-bees flying around. He read the bold large letters on the primary hull.

"U.S.S. Victoria N.C.C. 74963", the Antican said to himself admiring the Intrepid-class starship. HIS starship. He could not refrain a toothy grin. He would miss Captain Chod and the Broadsword.

But a new hunt was afoot. And with him as commanding officer. "Captain K'anis", the thought was still a bit out of place but he thought he would get used to it.

Someone then addressed him. Caught off guard, K'anis turned to whomever that was.

"Ensign Schols, reporting for duty, Sir!" the officer said a little louder than he had meant to do.

"Ahh...Ensign Schols. Glad to meet you. I'm Captain K'anis. And I will not ask how did you recognized me so easily", he said offering a clawed hand for the Human to shake. K'anis had yet to review the new crew profiles, but from the man's smell, he could only be a Human. "CTO you said. Good. You'll have plenty to learrn frrom Cmdr. Mazerr, the XO. He serrved forrmerrly as CTO on the Broadsword. He shall be herre momentarily"

After exchanging a few more amenities with the voluntarious ensign, K'anis bid his time. "You'll excuse me now as I've a scheduled appointment with Utopia's Master Engineer regarrding the final preparations of the Victoria. As soon as Mrr. Mazerr shows up, reporrt to him and the two of you can go on and start inspecting the ship"

[In the lounge, after hearing what the captain said]

'Thank you sir, I hope I'll enjoy duty on board of the Victoria. That's her, isn't it?' the young Ensign replied.

'As soon as Mrr. Mazerr shows up, reporrt to him and the two of you can go on and start inspecting the ship' the antican officer then said

'Aye aye sir.' The Ensign finished their conversation.

[Entering Utopia Planitia's lounge] 

"ID please" said the security officer. 

Ensign Bindels: "Roger sir. Here it is. Always rough rides the last part?" 

Security officer: "What ship?" 

Ensign Bindels: "USS Victoria." 

Security officer: "The CTO and Captain allready passed the gate, some hours ago." 

Ensign Bindels "As I told you, rough ride the last part." 

Security officer: "Yeah, that space storm came up a few minutes after the CTO of the Victoria arrived. Have heard it is a nice ship" 

Ensign Bindels "It seems a nice ship. Thanks for giving back my id card." 

Ensign Bindels put his hand in the air, like he came in every day. After that he walked through the hallways. 

Looking for the USS Victoria. 
Six security checks further, the USS Victoria was signposted. 

Oh right there it is WOW... and Ensign Tim Schols. 

"Hi Tim. See you made it to CTO? Well I am the CSO here. Congratulations. Nice we fly on the same ship. EEk who is that Antican? Hope not he is our captain... they seem to have a strange eh smell."

[After seeing Ens. Bindels enter and having heard his welcome]

'Hi Rob, seems I'm the lucky guy. Welcome to you too. I'm still waiting for our XO to arrive, so I can go inspect the ship with him. As for our Captain, he's not as bad as everyone thinks he (meaning the Antican race) is, I think.' He answered Rob's greetings.

'You want to go with me and have a nice drink or snack before the XO arrives?' He continued.

[In the Lounge] 

"Well Ens. Tim, I only mentioned what I heard. Anyway. After I presented myself to the Captain, we can have a chat and a drink" 

After that ens Bindels walked to the captain. 

"Ensign Rob Bindels reporting for duty sir. Hope we get along"

[While Bindels reported for duty, Schols walked over to the foodreplicator]

"One Hot chocolate, extra sweet" He ordered.

While sitting down near the window, having a nice view over the planet surface, he wonders "How would this starship look like. I hope it looks like the pictures I saw of it. At least it looks good from the outside" He grined.
"I hope we'll all have a wonderfull time there, although I'm gonna miss my family" He thought a little sad, not about the assignment, that was a great opportunity for him and his friend Rob, but sad for being away from hom for such a long time.

[Arriving at Utopia Planetia Fleet Yards]

The last month had been a wild ride. 

Honestly.

Newly promoted Commander Jornas Mazer was beginning to feel as if Starfleet Command enjoyed playing hopfrog with him. First he had been assigned to the U.S.S. Armstrong, an Intrepid Class Starship [after having spent nearly two years doing land assignments following the destruction of his previous assigned, another Intrepid designed the Mercury during the war]. Then Command decided to rotate a new command crew onto that vessel after he, one Captain Chod and Commander K'anis had barely had time to get accustomed to their chairs. 

With a new crew on the Armstrong, the trio had been sent to find their new assignment ... the U.S.S. Broadsword, an Akira Class Starship. En route, of course, their shuttle had encountered an attacked freighter ... pirates [again]. After that mystery was solved, and the victims helped, they had finally arrived at Starbase 13 in which waited their newest home. From a tactical officer's point of view, the Akira Class cruiser was a dream come true. But from the inner scientist within Mazer [which he had thought died with some of his former crew during the war] longed for the scientific abilities of the Intrepid.

But as the war games with the Broadsword had begun, he had grown accustomed to the systems ... and grew to appreciate its tactical capabilities. Of course, once they had finished that [and solved an interesting mystery regarding a Sigmask system used for the games] and returned to Starbase 13, Mazer was surprised to find that Commander K'anis was leaving the ship as a Captain.

And he was taking Mazer with him. 

Strolling down a corridor, he stops and gazes out one of the many large windows which display the vessels docked here. The familiar hull of an Intrepid Class Starship. The scientist inside lept in joy ... while the now held back tactical officer sighed in annoyance. Not to say that Intrepids are incapable of holding their own ... its just that Akiras, which are known to be named after weapons of war, have more ... force? 

"She's a 'beaut, ain't she?" says a voice laced with old-style southern Earth accent behind him. Turning he finds a Starfleet officer holding an engineer's case ... his collar indicating the non-com rank of Chief Petty Officer. "Always thought so myself ... of Intrepids that is," Mazer responds. "I'm Commander Jornas Mazer, the Victoria's new exec." The Trill holds out his hand, which the CPO takes and shakes. "Chief Petty Officer Zacharias, Utopia Planetia. Yeah ... the Vicky is a mighty fine ship. Bit of a checkered past, I'm afraid ..." with the last comment, Zacharias' eyes darken somewhat.

Mazer looks puzzled, "What do you mean?"

Zacharias looks around, leans forward and lowers his voice, "'Bout four years ago, the ship's crew turned traitor and joined the 'Storm.' It gave its share of fights to proper loyal ships during that conflict." Mazer eyes were blank ... he had no idea what Zacharias was talking about, "Pardon? I'm sorry, I never heard that story ... at the time I was serving at the front lines." Zacharias nodded, "Really? Pleased to meet ya ... they like veterans around here. Guarantees you free drinks at Bailey's down on the surface. Myself ... well, I saw the Vicky's capabilities firsthand ... y'see, I was on the Scimitar when she decided to wreak some havoc. Anyway, I must be going ... wish ya luck. Hope you can get that tarnish off her soul." 

Mazer watches the CPO walking away ... and promises himself he'll get to the bottom of whatever he was just told.

[At last he sees the XO walk in, but he waits with reporting untill his conversation with one of the engineers was over]

"Ensign Tim Schols, reporting for duty, sir" He said, with a somewhat loud voice, again. "The captain ordered me to report to you and after that inspect the ship. Would that suit you right now?" The ensign continued with a little more silent voice.

{If answer is yes}

"Very well, where do we start? Hope I can learn something from you. I'm CTO on this ship and the captain told me you were on the Broadsword" He said. "I'm looking forward to this assignment"

{If answer is no}

[Pointing to the bench]
"Well, I'll be over there. If you need me, you can find me there." He said. 

He doesn't know how it comes, but somehow he has the fealing these two can get along very well.

After saying hello to the captain, ens. Rob Bindels saw the commander move in.
He waited until ens. Tim Schols reported for duty.

"Good day cmdr.
Ensign Rob Bindels is reporting for duty sir.
I am enlisted at the USS Victoria as the CSO."
"If I may speak frankly...
I have never been on such a nice ship before. Is it possible to have a quick look at her, before we travell? If I am allowed, I will be there."
Meanwhile ens Rob Bindels walked to the machine where Tim got his coacoa. Rob Ordered Tea, Darjeeling.
Then quickly walked to Tim, for the start of the chat.

[In one of the lounges of the Utopia Planetia Fleet Yards]

Both the CTO & CSO [of the Victoria, he was immediately assuming because they had mentioned Captain Chod] had approached him, introducing themselves. Somewhat he was impressed ... while he had read up on them, learning of what they looked like and their backgrounds at the Academy and such, he had not expected them to know of him. All the better ... he would not have to waste time trying to look for them while being lost in thought about what that CPO had said. He was trying not to be too distracted by it ... but the thought that his ship was "tarnished" in some fashion ...

"A pleasure to meet you both. I am Commander Jornas Mazer, your Executive Officer. As you can see, I'm pretty much ready to get over to the Victoria myself ..." the Trill states, gesturing to his duffel bag. "So shall we move along?" He adds with a smile.

With that said, Mazer turns on his heel and begins to move to the exit ... waiting for the other two to come along.

[After having listened to the commander and walking towards he exit, after the commander]

"So shall we move along?" The commander said with a smile.

"Aye sir, I would love to inspect this beauty." The ensign replied.

When they approached the vessel, Schols was baffled. What stood before him exceded his expectations. 'Good Lord, it's beautifull. And we have to work aboard this great piece of engineering?' He thought fascinated.

[Finaly the company arrived at the airlocks providing acces to the USS Victoria]

"Sir, where do we start our little tour around the ship? I would suggest starting of with the Engineering room and other rooms and ending at the bridge, so we can get settled for departure. What would you say to this?" The ensign suggested.

"Let's see what he sais now." the ensign thought.

""Hey hey, wait for" shouted Ens. Bindels a bit over enthousiatic to the Commander and Ens. Tim. While running, talking and drinking the last of the Darjeeling tea, Ens. Bindels tumbled over a table, run down some chairs and hooked on.

"Gee that is big", Ens Bindels. "Hope it is insight as nice as outside."
Then ens. Bindels turned towards the commander:
"Commander, what was that, about ah, the tarnish? I heard something about it, but could not understand it quite well. Only the some words and tarnish."

[Arriving on the Victoria]

They have no problem entering the ship, and Mazer leads them to the nearest turbolift to take them to Main Engineering. "Nothing to worry about, Ens. Bindels," Mazer responds in regard to his question about the 'tarnish'. Right now he had no intention of responding about the Storm. "We'll be heading down to Main Engineering first, Mr. Schols," he further states.

He informs the computer to take them to Main Engineering, and awaits their arrival there.
[Within the Victoria, arriving at the Engineering Deck]

The turbolift doors swish open. Mazer smiles and steps out into the corridor. It is practically abandoned here, as most of the personnel assigned to the ship had not arrived yet from their temporary shore leave. For a moment, he wondered when exactly they would depart for their first mission. The ship was not newly launched, as the Broadsword and Armstrong had been. It had a history and a crew of its own [although once again Starfleet had come through with the relocating of senior personnel, they seemed to be enjoying that a lot lately]. 

"Right this way, gentlemen," Mazer begins as he walks down the corridor. From his days on the Intrepid Class starships Mercury and Armstrong, he was quite familiar with the Victoria already even though he had never been on it in his life. Walking up to the entrance to Main Engineering, "Prepare yourselves for a treat," he begins as the doors swish open. Finally, they saw some life. 

The warp core was flowing its usual blue brilliance while approximately twenty-five engineering personnel [a good portion of them actually from Utopia Planetia] moved around, glancing at consoles and their own equipment. Mazer permitted them to look around for a moment, but walked forward into the large bay of a room. A few of the engineers noted the new entrees, some of them assuming they were part of the new senior crew. 

Walking over the core, he gently runs his hand along the rail, staring at it. He off-handedly remarks to a passing engineer, "How much would it cost to get one of those new 'mood-cores' I've been hearing so much about?" The female engineer smiles, "I'm afraid those are limited to the Steamrunner Class for right now, sir." And with that, she continues along. Being the Trill male he is, he watches her depart for a moment ... then draws his attention the blue beauty of the anti-matter / matter swirling within.

[In front of main engineering]

Ensign Schols walks through the big door of main engineering and stands still fr a second. What he sees in front of him is more beautifull than anything he saw before. He hadn't expect the warp core to be emitting so much light.

"Wow, lucky guy who get's to work here" he said. "This really looks great. But I think I would still prefer the tactical station though." he immediatly added.

While the commander asks one of the engineers something, Schols takes a little moment to walk around the core and watch this beautifull show, if you can call it a show, that is.

When he had made his little walk, he asks to the commander: "Sir, we don't have a Chief Engineering Officer yet. Who will be fulfilling that job for the time being? We do need a CEO, don't we?"

[About to exit the Lounge]

K'anis managed to cross a short distance within the Lounge of Utopia Planitia station before being stopped by another of his officers, apparently the CSO.

"Ens. Rob Bindels reporting, sir", said the Human.

After quickly seizing him up-down, K'anis offered a handshake. "Pleased ot meet you, Ensign Bindels. I'm Cyndjahl K'anis, yourr commanding officerr. I'd ratherr like to talk morre, but right now Utopia's Masterr Engineerr is waiting for me. Wait with Ens. Schols for Cmdr. Mazerr."

Expeditiously, the Antican make his exit of the Lounge. He was eager to solve the last pending details regarding the Victoria's launch.

[Entering the Admin Office]

K'anis took a ride in the turbolift up to the higher levels of the large station, headed to the Master CEO office. He should get stuff cleared for the Victoria soon enough.

Stepping out the lift, the Antican presents his ID to the duty officer by the door, whom properly verifies it and replies a 'go-ahead' nod to K'anis. The Antican retrives his PADD and takes a couple of steps forward, activating the door mechanism.

"Ah...Captain K'anis, I presume. I'm Rear Admiral Lucas.", comes a voice from within the office. "Come in, please. Come in."

"Grreetings, sirr...I'm K'anis, of the Victoria", he forced himself to say. The word 'Broadsword' almost slip past his lips, out of habit. "I was directed to report to you as soon as I got here"

"Yes, yes. Have a seat. I'm pleased to meet you", said Lucas sitting back himself. The middle-age (some 55 years, K'anis guessed) passed an air of competence. That satisfied the Antican overly. "Well let's get to the bottom line. I think you'll be asking about when you can get off dry-dock, right?"

K'anis hesitated briefly. He was indeed eager to take on his first command, but did not expected it to be so evident to others. "Correct, Admiral. Command informed me therre arre rumorrs of Tholian movements near Atlantis Station and I should deparrt as soon as possible to the Sectorr."

"Perfect then. We are completing the final testing of primary and secondary systems today. The Victoria took quite a beating during her last assignment to Xayvian Station, which propelled us to shorten her next scheduled refit in nearly one year.", replied Lucas.

"I was inforrmed of that and updated myself while on my way herre from Starbase 13. Does the Victoria have a skeleton crew at least?", said the Antican.

"Yes, you do. There are several officers on the Station waiting deep space assignment and a number of them are headed to Atlantis Station sector. They might as well serve on the Victoria provisionally while en route."

"That will worrk forr me. May I inforrm my Executive Officer we can begin preparrations forr launch?", inquired an expectant CO.

"As your discretion. I'll be passing on the orders to begin launch preparations to the station crew.", Lucas said standing up.

K'anis stood up as well. "Thank you sirr. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a ship to launch". The Antican turned and exited the office.

[Taking a turbolift to the Victoria's Docking Bay]

With all straightened out with Adm. Lucas, Captain K'anis took the nearest turbolift.

"Computer, USS Victoria docking bay", he ordered and the car began moving horizontally and after a short whille, downward.

Taking the opportunity, the Antican tapped his communicator. "K'anis to ... Commanderr Mazerr.", he called. "Cmdr., I've just clearred pending matterrs with Station Administration. We shall begin preparrations forr launch immediatelly"

{After Mazer's reply}

"Verry well, Cmdr. I'm currently on my way to the Victoria. K'anis out."

[In Main Engineering]

The Captain's comm. momentarily surprises the Trill ... he hadn't expected K'anis to be doing that so soon. He had still yet to grow accustomed to being addressed as Commander. It wasn't all too long ago that he was merely an Ensign science officer on the bridge of the Mercury ... longingly looking at the conn. officer, Michelle White ... "No, Jornas, don't go there ... bad history." He halts his thoughts. 

Tapping his comm. badge, "Understood, sir. We await your arrival. We'll be proceeding to the bridge." Taking in a breath to try and make him seem more ... commanding, Jornas approaches his CTO & CSO, "All right Ensigns, the Captain has informed us that we'll be departing soon. Time to get accustomed to your actual consoles. We'll be proceeding to the bridge next. Follow me." 

With that said, Jornas leads them out of Main Engineering ... wondering that if the Victoria would be departing soon, where was the rest of the crew? "No matter, I'm sure the Captain knows what he's doing ... hopefully," Jornas continued to think to himself. While he had come to know Capt. K'anis a lot more than his other former Armstrong & Broadsword crewmates, he still had a lot more to learn about the cat ... er, man. 

Waving his hand in a certain direction, the Trill Cmdr. leads them both in a TL and gives the order, "Bridge." The computer beeps a reply, and the turbolift moves upward ...

[At mainengineering]

"All right Ensigns, the Captain has informed us that we'll be departing soon. Time to get accustomed to your actual consoles. We'll be proceeding to the bridge next. Follow me." the commander said.

"Aye sir. " Schols replied.

[Arriving at the Bridge]

The turbolift stopped and as soon as it's doors opened, Schols walked out and headed for his station, the tactical station. When he got there, he immediatly started a system check to ensure that all tactical systems were functioning properly. After the checks were completed, he turned to the commander.

"Sir, I just ran a diagnostic of the tactical system and everything seems to be functioning perfectly." he finishes his report.

"If I may ask sir, we don´t have all senior officers assigned yet. Who will take their positions for the time being?" he asked the commander.

[Arriving on the Bridge]

Exiting the turbolift, Mazer moves out of the way and permits the CTO & CSO to proceed to their stations. There were only one or two other Starfleet personnel also on the bridge, and if not for his body telling him otherwise, he could have sworn that it was 01:30 hours. Duffel bag in hand, he slowly makes his way behind the rail which backs up the command chairs. 

The bridge is no different from that of the Mercury and Armstrong ... both Intrepids he had served on before. Surprisingly, of course, it did not have the new ship smell that he had been expecting. By no means was the Victoria a new ship ... but there was something missing. "Blood ... phaser burns ... things to suggest a tarnished past, Jornas?" he wonders to himself. 

The CTO asks him a question about additional personnel at that point, whisking him away from his inner thoughts.

"One would assume that the remainder of the assigned personnel are being called back from leave, and will be here to fulfill their positions as needed. Whether they're assigned senior personnel or not remains to be seen," Jornas replies. 

He then turns and looks at the executive officer's chair ... quickly afterwards turning to the science and tactical consoles, his homes before this one. Time and again, he had heard the stories of the "transition." Having to learn to get accustomed to command. Luckily, of course, he would have his experienced CO to help along on this path ... this journey of theirs.

[Moving across the airlock]

After his conference with Admiral Lucas, K'anis immediate purpose was to get to his ship. The Victoria waited across the gangway in Drydock 12. The Antican checked his ID with the security guard by the airlock and proceeded into the ship.

Starship Victoria. His ship. Would he be up to the job? Anticans were not known by doubting or hesitating. But actually they just did no show it to other. K'anis was more excited now than he had been in his first assignments or when he was offered the executive officer position on the Broadsword.

K'anis stopped and declared at the ceiling. "Computerrr, identify me"

A short lag afterward. "Identification positive. K'anis, Captain Cyndjahl. Commanding Officer, USS Victoria NCC 74963. Confirmed."

"Computerrr, registerrr my presence on the ship. I'm officially assuming command as of this starrdate", declared K'anis.

"Registered"

Over with protocol, the Antican was free to go up to the bridge and properly greet his new command staff. And meet again a now old friend, Commander Mazer, former CTO of the Broadsword. K'anis felt a little (but just very little) bad about taking such a fine officer from Captain Chod, but the Ferengi would be able to handle the situation.

K'anis was curious also about the new CTO and CSO. He took a turbolift. "Computerrr, Bridge"

[At Utopia Planetia]

After Ens. Bindels tumbbled over a table and some chairs, he damaged his com-badge. The thing began to beep and flash and tell that it was damaged. Because Ens. Bindels was a little behind, nobody heard him talk, should or whatever. Everybody went a board. Ens Bindels want to the information desk. "Sir, where can I get a new com bagde? I have damaged this one." Ens Bindels addressed to the lady behind the counter. Thinking of the bad begin of his workday.

The information-lady looked up from here work, walked to the counter and looked at ens. Bindels. "Never seen you b'fore she said. Third floor, then go left, the twentieth office on the right. But hurry, the Victoria will undock soon." Ens. Bindels replied:"I am new. Thanks for the information."

Ens Rob Bindels hurried to change the combadge. But it took nearly 15 minutes to find the office. He reported over there.
"Ens. Bindels. I have a damaged com-badge." The engineer looked at the ensign and said:"Damn, again a newbee with a damaged com-badge. WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THOSE THINGS? You only have to tap it, not using a hammer." The engineer gave ens. Bindels a paper in which the ensign has to tell what happened to the damaged com-badge and the ensign had to sign it. The Engineer walked into another room, and came a few minutes later back with a big smile on his face. "Here you have it back. It is repaired. And don't fall over any table anymore. You newbees are all the same. And you do not have to sign that. Only 1 or 2 items got mixed up."
The engineer gave the com-badge back to ens. Bindels.
"Thanx he stated. When I get back I offer you a drink, but for now... I have a starship to catch."

While walking out of the office, ens. Bindels tapped the com-badge: "Ens. Bindels to Cmdr Mazer" 

"Commander I am still at Utopia Planetia. You probably did not hear me. But I have a repaired com-badge by this time. I am getting to the moringpost in a hurry. I just saw our captain take the turbo lift. I am the next one to enter the ship."

Ensign Bindels ran through the halls, to the turbolift. When he arrived, the next turbolift arrived. In a hurry he said "USS Victoria". After that the turbolift brought him 3 minutes later to the Victoria.

"Ens. Bindels to Cmdr Mazer" 
"Commander, where do I have to report now? I think I have missed something."

[Exits the turbolift]

K'anis finally reaches the bridge and the turbolift comes to a stop, doors shooshing open. He takes a couple of steps out and gazes around. There were more officers than usual for this ship, but surely several were from Utopia Planitia.

"Last minute repairs and check outs", K'anis thought.

Commander Mazer was already there, along with another from his senior crew, the CTO. Someone spotted him as well and the traditional 'captain on the bridge' rang out, taking everyone's attention from what their were doing. It was an odd feeling, to be the center of attentions, but K'anis would have to deal with it.

"Greetings" - Antican said in reply. "As you were, gentlemen", came the automatic reply even before K'anis thought of it. "Ah, Cmdr. Mazer. I take you and Ens. Bindels had no trouble finding your way around. Good. The Master Engineer is setting up the last pendencies for the launch. We'll be taking in a few temporary officers that are headed to Atlantis Station for deep space assignment. The rest of our own senior staff should meet with the Victoria there as well."

{replies, if pertinent}

"Very well, then. Mr. Mazer, the bridge is yours. Coordinate with the various departments on their pre-launch status report. I'll be to my ready room and we can get together for a staff meeting by 1600 hours"

{replies}

With a satisfied not, the Antican turned and entered his ready room.

[The turbolift doors opened and the captain aparently came walking out]

"Captain on the bridge" he heard someone say. And immediatly he looked up from his system checks and looks at the captain.

"I take you and Ens. Bindels had no trouble finding your way around." The captain said.

"All due respect sir, but I'm not ensign Bindels. I don't know where he is, but he's not here yet." Schols replied, hoping the captain wouldn't mind to be corrected.

[After the captain went to his readyroom.]

"Commander Mazer, I finished all prelaunch security and tactical checks. Shields are at 100%, hull integrity at 100% too, phasers and torpedo tubes are powered down, but can be opperational any time. Internal sensors pciking up no intruders, but ofcourse high activity at all decks. Shortly said, Tactical is go for launch." Schols finishes his report, his first one, hoping that it would be sufficient.

[On the Bridge]

Mazer watched the Antican Commanding Officer proceed to his ready room ... wondering if he had set up in there yet or not. The CTO had just reported to him [after correcting the Captain earlier, much to Mazer's hidden amusement] about the status of the ship, "Understood, Mr. Schols. Good work. Be sure to get acquainted with your security staff once they arrive." 

Moving along the bridge, he nods at the personnel who had arrived here within the last ten minutes and were setting up. Things were turning out to be quite all right, he thought. The command chair was before him, and as he had the bridge, he promptly sat in it. And was immediately disappointed. He had expected some surge of power to go through him, to feel whatever the Captain is supposed to feel. But nothing happened. Resting his duffel bag next to the chair, he leaned back and tried to get comfortable.

[Replying to the CTO]

The Antican sized up and down the Human ensign after he had corrected his CO with such a naturality. "Dauntless, eh?" - K'anis thought. "I like that, much to the ensigns fortune"

True, had that conversation taken place in Antica's forrests, among the pack hunters, not even K'anis amuzement would have prevented him from opening up the man.

But he was in Starfleet, and there were other rules to abid by. "Ah...Ensign Schols...my sincere apologies. I have yet to memorize everyone's smell. It won't happen again"

After exchanging a few words with Mazer, his XO, K'anis moved to his ready room. And made a mental note to take care with Humans...they all smell the same.

[On the Victoria]

As the CSO ens. Bindels did not get a response from the commander, he became pretty unsure about the com-badge. So he tried to communicate to Ens. Schols.
"Ens Bindels to Ens. Schols".
"Go Ahead Rob" said ens. Tim." "Thanx, it seems the combadge works. I get in now. I will work of the Main Engineering in a Formula1 speed."

Ensign Bindels started to get inside the starship as soon as the sound of ens. Schols came in. He walked through hallways, memoryzing all with a marvalous speed. After minutes he arrived at the first turbolift. "Main engineering" sounded a heavy breezing voice.
At main engineering Rob noticed several engineers from Utopia Planetia working hard, nearly neurotically. Ens. Bindels asked several questions about the system, and the answers where short, but sufficient.

After a few minutes Ens. Bindels went excited back to the turbolift. "bridge!".

[Arriving on the Bridge]

The door opened. The bridge seemed larger then expected. Ens. Bindels was assonished by the clean room, then rapidly walked towards to Commander.
"Commander Ensign Bindels, reporting to the bridge. I got a ne...."
"I know said the commander to Ens. Bindels. Was wondering what happened. You where direct behind us. Come I show you the your workspace."

"Ens Bindels here is your workplace. Start the procedures."

The Ensign replied immidiat:"Aiai sir, Will start the procedures, and checks of the long and short range scanners sir."

Meanwhile ens. Bindels looked at the hard working ensign Schols and the relaxed commander. Just now he noticed that more people where on the bridge. They appeared to come from Utopia Planetia and should be transporte to the Atlantis Station. During transport they would work on the USS Victoria.

"Commander, the long-range-scanners are very well, as the shortrange."

[The trubolift doors opened and finaly Ens. Bindels came walking out.]

"Ah, there you are, at last." Schols said to him.

As he finished this, his commbadge chirped and someone said: "Security team one to ensign Schols".

"This is ensign Schols, go ahead." He replied, while tapping his commbadge.

"Sir, all security teams are aboard and ready for launch." The other person, apparently the TO, crewman Truman, temporraily assigned to this ship, advised him.

"Very well mister Truman, we are finishing our last system checks at this moment. I would like to arrange a meeting for all security personel in Cargobay 2, let's say at 0530." Schols then said.

"Aye sir, I'll inform the other members. Truman out." Truman answered and terminated the commlink.

[When Truman was finished, Schols turned to Commander Mazer]

"Commander, all security teams reported ready for launch, I have arranged a meeting for the security personel at 0530 in Cargobay 2. Launchtime is 0600, isn't it?" He said.

{If answer is positive or launch is later then 0600}

"Ok, thanks a lot sir. I don't think it would take very long, just a little introduction." He replied

{If answer is negative and launche is earlier}

"Ok, I'll arrange the meeting at 0500 then." He replied

"Ensign Schols to all security personel, please meet me in Cargobay 2 at 0500. Schols out" He said, after he tapped his commbadge.

[On the Bridge, in the Center Chair]

Mazer nodded at the reports coming from the various personnel who had arrived [or were arriving] on the bridge. The CTO, who had just made his report about security arrangements, had just inquired about launch time, and as such, he responds.

"The Captain has not specified a launch time, but I expect it will be after our upcoming staff meeting at 1600 hours. I would suggest having your personnel meet up at 1500 if possible, and then arrange future engagements after the meeting."

Straightening his tunic, Mazer slightly nudges his duffel bag under the center seat for the time being.

[On the Bridge]

"Commander, I had a slip of the tongue, when I said scanners. Of course I meant Sensors. And to complete the messages I received after I spoke to you: Navigational sensor, active, tactical sensor not active, Long range sensor active, sensor probes have just arrived. I will activate the tactical sensor." 

After a few minutes the tactical sensor was also active. 
"Commander, the tactical sensor is online too." 

Ens. Bindels was wondering if there is an astromatics lab on this ship. 

"Commander may I ask you a question?"

[When commander Mazer asked him to arrange the meeting at 1500 hours]

"Aye sir, I'll contact crewman Truman to arrange it." Schols said.

"Schols tot Truman, our Tactical meeting will be at 1500 hours. Please let all security teams make their reports on the supplies they think they will be needing, so I can pass them to OPS. And also, could you please inform the teams about this change?" The ensign said, after he taed his commbadge.

"Aye sir, I'll inform the rest of the teams, Truan out." The crewman replied.

[After this little conversation with his TO]

"Comander, now that I've finished my system checks and arranged the meeting, what should I be doing? Perhaps it would be a good idea to go to my quarters to make a log?" Schols asked commander Mazer.

[After commander Mazer replied]

"Oh, I almost forgot." Schols said.

"Schols to OPS." He said while tapping his commbadge, again.
"Within 2 hours I have all reports of security personal about the stuff they might still need. Could you please look wich of those things you can still get from here?" He continued

"OPs here, we'll do our best, OPS out." The other side replied.

[On the Bridge, in the Center Chair]

Mazer nods at the reports, then slightly turns in his chair to the CSO, "Certainly, Ensign, what is your question?"

[On the Bridge, in the Center Chair]

"If you feel you would like to get things gathered, then you may proceed," Mazer replies to the CTO's question, then turning back to the CSO he adds, "You may as well, Ensign, if you wish."

[On his Ready Room]

The room was Spartan to be kind. K'anis assessed that whoever was in charge of the refit might have considered of good tone to not personalize the Captain's RR.

The Antican was glad whoever had occupied this room before him, had not left any smells behind. His species was very sensitive about these issues. He had to get accustomed to not paying attention to small details if he wished to perform as a Starfleet officer.

K'anis then got to his chair and activated his terminal, linking with Admiral Lucas. After the formal greeting exchange, K'anis sat down and both of them went over the Victoria's refit and the launch procedure itself.

"Verry well, Admiral. That satisfies me perrfectly. K'anis out" - the CO said after some time, cutting the comm link.

For the next hours, K'anis spared his time to go over the crew roster and get an idea of what the Victoria would be still in need regarding either personnel and hardware.

"Time is 1550 hours" - the computer said after some time, reminding K'anis of the staff meeting.

Closing and saving all files he had on his computer terminal, K'anis got up and walked to the Briefing Room

[Entering on the Briefing Room]

K'anis easily made his way from his Ready Room and into the Briefing Room, both located in the same deck.

Taking the chair by the table's head, the Antican sat down and attempted to get used to it.

He simply waited there some minutes, staring at the gigantic station they were docked to.

[After the commander permitted him to go to his quarter, Schols went to the turbolift and ordered to go to his quarter]

"Computer, lights at 75 percent," he ordered the computer, wich immediatly responded with the usual chirp.
When the lights were to his satisfaction, he walked over to his desk and turned on his terminal.

"Computer, start Tactical log, stardate 10204.27" He started.
"Shortly after assuming my Tactical station, I checked the entire system for problems. Data showed all systems were functioning within their normal perimeters. There might be one little problem when we get into trouble, because we have a skinny crew. But in a few weeks, maybe even at Atlantis station, where we are bound for after launch. And that might be very shortly, regarding the meeting of senior officers at 1600. End log." He finished this log.

"Start personal log stardate 10204.27. Today the big moment has come. My first assignment to a starship. I don't know how I got so lucky, but it actualy is an Intrepid class starship, something I always dreamed of servering on it. Also today I met our CO, captain K'anis, And our XO, commander Mazer. They both seem like nice persons to me. But I might have made a mistake too. I corrected my CO, and he didn't seem to be liking it very much, but he stayed pilote anyway. Further more, I met ensign Bindels again. Rob and I have been very good friends since we joined the academy together. I just hope we get some more crew, because we really are with skinny crew at he moment. End log" He finished his personal log.

After he finished the logs, he walked over to the replicator and ordered a hot choclate extra sweet (as usual). Somehow something went wrong, as the only thing that materialized was the mug.

"Schols to Engineering". He said over the comm.
"Engineering here, go ahead, " said a voice in the engineering room.
"I have a problem with my replicator in my quarter. It only materialized a mug but no content." Schols said.
"Understood sir, we'll send down someone as soon as there is someone aviable. Engineering out" The voice replied.

"The time now is 1545 hours," the computer indicated. "Time to go to the briefingroom" Schols thought.

[Over the comm]

"Schols to Engineering". He said over the comm.
"Engineering here, go ahead, " said a voice in the engineering room.
"I have a problem with my replicator in my quarter. It only materialized a mug but no content." Schols said.
"Understood sir, we'll send down someone as soon as there is someone aviable. Engineering out" The voice replied.

[As soon as he entered the briefingroom, he sees the Antican captain sitting at the end of the table.]

Schols looked for a nice spot, 1 chair from captain K'anis, so commander Mazer could still sit next to the captain.

"Sir, I have finished my report on the tactical systems. You can have a look before our meeting starts," Schols sais while handig over a PADD to captain K'anis.
"All systems functioning within normal perimeters," the ensign added.

[Arriving in the Briefing Room]

The Trill Commander strolls into the briefing room with some minutes to spare, moving over to the seat left open by the CTO. He takes a seat and nods to the both of them, "Captain, Ensign." Somewhat turning back to the Captain, "If the Ensign has not already told you sir, tactical systems are well and prepared for departure. Furthermore, all other systems have been reported as being in prime condition."

[On the Briefing Room]

Captain K'anis had not to wait much for his senior officers begin to pile in the room. "Good", he thought as the CTO entered. "A good hunter is always on time"

Ensign Schols approached the Captain with formality, and the Antican wondered if he was under any impression that K'anis could actually eat him for breakfast because of that 'correction' thing on the bridge earlier.

Anyway, the CTO gave him a PADD.

"Sir, I have finished my report on the tactical systems. You can have a look
before our meeting starts" - the Terran said, taking a seat on the table.

"That would be good, Ensign" - K'anis took the device and started scrolling down the data. A very complete report, the Antican had to add mentally.

"All systems functioning within normal perimeters" - the ensign added

"So I see, Mrr. Schols. You did a prrety good job in the shorrt time allowed. As it seems, we might not have much time as well for a complete and forrmal shake down cruise. The Victorria is urgently needed at Atlantis Station. So I'd like you to conduct training drills forr yourr officerrs while we are en route."

[Finishing his short talk with the CTO]

Just as K'anis finished his dialogue with Schols, the doors parted once again to reveal Cmdr. Mazer, the Victoria's XO arriving.

The Trill officer politely greeted both the Captain and the CTO, before turning again to the Antican officer.

"If the Ensign has not already told you sir, tactical systems are well and prepared for departure. Furthermore, all other systems have been
reported as being in prime condition." - Mazer prompted, as he took his own seat.

"So I see, Commanderr" - K'anis said in reply, showing Schol's PADD. "I'm glad to hearr everything is going as perr schedule. The quickierr we got off herre, the betterr"

In short succession, other officers entered the room. FCO, OPS, and CEO. Several of them, K'anis new were just provisionally assigned to the Victoria to complete her skeleton crew before they got to Atlantis.

"As soon as CSO Bindels gets herre, I'll starrt the debriefing" - K'anis let Mazer know, and waited a few more moments.

[In the briefingroom]

"The Victorria is urgently needed at Atlantis Station. So I'd like you to conduct training drills forr yourr officerrs while we are en route." The captain said.

"Aye sir, I'll inform my officers as soon as this meeting is over." Schols replied.

[On the Briefing Room]

After all the senior officers finally gathered around the table in the Briefing Room, Captain K'anis started his debriefing.

"Grretings to everyone. I'll take this opportunity to officially introduce myself. I'm Captain Cyndjahl K'anis and have just assumed command of the Victoria." - then indicating Mazer, the Antican continued. "Commanderrr Mazerr will be my executive officerr. You'll have plenty of time to get acquainted with him and I trust fully in his skills to assist me in command"

"Without further delay, here's what we arre up to now. Objective one is finish the preparations and actually launch the Victoria. Utopia Planitia has given me green light to go ahead and I only need to hearr from all of you a concise status report of each department to take my final decision. Unless therres anything still pending, I calculated we can launch in no more than 2 days."

"That over, our next step will be set courrse and head out to ourr new homeport, Atlantis Station, Registry SB111. The facility is the outmost post toward the Tholian border. Need not to say you all shall get acquainted with this peculiarr race and its habits. Science surely will provide us with information on their behavior and Tactical, with a summary of their strategies."

"Now, your reports" - K'anis said and waited his officers replies.

[In the Briefing Room]

"Aiai sir, I will go my room and check it out. Pack out my luggage. I get back at the briefingroom in time."

That said, Ens. Bindels walked out of the room, took the turbolift to his quarters.

After leaving the turbo lift Ens. Bindels walked to his cabin. His voice was enough to open the room. Quitely the doors opens. It is dark inside. "Light 60%, a make it dimmer, again. Computer thank you, the light is perfect. Remember this as standard."
Ens. Rob Bindels walked over to the replicator. "Tea, Himalaya Dardjeeling."

Out came Himalaya Darjeeling, but no cup.
"Bindels to Engineering." ""Engineering here, go ahead, " said a voice in the engineering room.
Rob stated:"I have problems with my replicator. I ordered tea, and tea comes out, but no cup."
Engineering replied:"Again? You are number 5 today. The first was ens. Tim. But he had the oposite. A cup but nothing inside. 3 with no cup, the other 2, no food. We will look at the greater thing, and check the whole compjuter, sir. Engineering out."

Ensign Bindels walked to the desk. "Computer, start Science log, stardate 10204.27" 
"Today I have checked all scanning devices, and all looks ok. I wonder if I have to meet with other science-people, and if there are. End log." 
"Computer what is the time?" The computer answered that it was 15.55.
Time to go to the briefingroom.

[After leaving the room Ens. Bindels took the turbolift towards the Briefingroom. He noticed that he was late, but just intime.]

Ens. Bindels walked quickly towards to Captain, in order to hand over his padd. "Sir here is my padd, with all the results of my work today. Give it back to me, later today"
Ens. Bindels did not wait the answer, found a place oposite of Tim and dropped in the chair.

[On the Briefing Room]

The ship's Chief Science Officer Bindels just arrived at the Briefing Room, giving Captain K'anis a PADD with his report.

"Thank you" - replied the Antican, taking the PADD and started reading it down, as the Ensign took his place on the table. The report was good and throughout, given the short time they had to compile it.

A couple of minutes later, the last officers entered the room and sat down. Clearing his throat, K'anis starts speaking.

"Welcome aboard everyone. Forr those who yet don't know I'm Captain Cyndjahal K'anis, the Victoria's new CO." - and pointing to the side. "Cmdrr. Mazerr here will serve as my firrst officerr as of this starrdate"

"Our launch schedule has just been moved up. The refit of the Victoria is now complete and as soon as each department reports ready, we shall launch"

K'anis worked the keypad on the table before him, while quiet whispers went back and forth among the officers gathered around the table. Too bad Antican's hearing was good enough to catch most everything at such close quarters.

K'anis did not pay any attention to it and entered the codes that set up his presentation. On the viewscreen behind him, last Buckingham-class starbase appeared.

"Gentlemen, this is ourr destination - Starbase 111, or simply Atlantis Station - on the Tholian border. Atlantis has just being assigned as the Victoria's new homeport by Starfleet Command. It is hoped that we'll reinformce Starfleet's presence in the sector, hopefully warding off any Tholian pretensions"

He turned to the CTO. "Mrr. Schols, familiarize yourself with Tholian attack/defense tactics. It won't hurt to be prepared"

"Mrr. Bindels, by the time we get therre, have a brief reporrt on Tholian society/behavior and their current technological level"

"Mrr. Mazerr, review the last 2 years reports on Tholian activities near Atlantis Station and the neighboring star systems. Assess the current diplomatic status of the area"

"Any questions?" - K'anis asked finally.

{If there are questions...I'll reply properly}

{If there are no questions}

With the silent reply, K'anis nodded satisfied. All knew their duties and needed not further clarifications.

[One hour has apssed since the staffmeeting ended]

When Schols finaly had all the information he needed, he went into the captain's readyroom to hand him over the PADD he was holding right now.

[Schols entered the RR and the door closed behind him]

"Captain, here is my report on the Tholian combat strategies." He said, while handing over the PADD to Captain K'anis.

This is the information that could be found on the PADD:
"Their combat strategy is as folowing: Together, two Tholian ships can literally spin a web of energy in space in order to trap an enemy vessel, after which the web is then drawn together, constricting and finally destroying the vessel inside.
Furthermore it is known that every Tholian ship has a sensory blind spot, Just behind the ship."

"Sir, if you'll excuse me, I will leave the bridge to go to the holodec to commence training of security teams." Schols said, after the captain read his report.

[Schols left the RR and walked straight on into the turbolift]

"Schols to Truman," he said, tapping his commbadge.
"Please gather all security personel and meet me in Holodec 2."
"Aye sir, Truman out." Truman responded.

"Looks like the meeting will be a little earlier then expected." Schols thought.

[Utopia Planitia, Mars] 

Kramer rushed through the station's checkpoints, flashing his ID as he passed the various security people. 'Talk about a last minute assignment,' he thought to himself, amazed at the speed in which Starfleet assigned him to the Victoria as FCO upon his graduation. At any rate, Kramer was now hurried to get aboard, as he had gotten word from command that Victoira would sail in less than 24 hours. 

Kramer moved through the station with ease, as he had very few possessions with him. In fact, his duffle bag was only about half-full...Kramer had never been a man to worry about material possessions, especially now, as he wanted as little as possible to remind him of his tragic past. 

Almost running through a glass corridor, he forced himself to pause and gaze ot the window at the ship that was finally within view. 'The USS Victoria', he thought to himself, 'my first posting.' For a second, Kramer thought he remembered a story of this ship being involved in a rebel movement...'The Storm?' Kramer thought he remembered the movement being called... 

"ID, Please," the security crewman asked him at the final checkpoint , interrupting Kramer's thought. Silently, Kramer handed the station's security crewman his card. "Thank you," the crewman said, handing back the card, allowing Kramer to pass through the final checkpoint. 

Passing through the airlock tunnell, Kramer addressed the security person stationed immediately inside the Victoria. "Permission to come aboard, sir?" 

"Granted," the security person answered, suprised at the human's formality, adding, "Not bringing much with you?" 

"I don't require much," Kramer answered. Gesturing to the bag that the crewman asked about, Kramer asked, "Can you see that this gets to my quarters? I'm Billy Kramer, the new FCO." 

"Yes, sir," the security crewman answered. 

"Thank you," Kramer replied, heading down the corridor toward the turbolift. Stepping inside, Kramer gave the command, "Bridge."

[Entering Holodeck 2]

Schols walked through the doors that once were the entrance to one of the cargobays. The group af crewmen he saw there amazed him. There were at least 25 of them. "And this is a skinny crew?" He thought. Not showing his amazement to the others, he walked on to the middle of the room. Crewman Truman folowed him closly.

"Crewman, as you might already know, I'm Ensign Tim Schols. I'll be the Chief Tactical Officer of the USS Victoria, and thus your superior. As I would be on the bridge most of the time, you will all report to crewman Truman [pointing at Truman] when we are changing alert status or when you are being ordered to report to your superior. Any questions so far?" He introduced himself and crewman Truman.

There didn't appear to be any questions, so he continued: "Very well then. The reason I can down here is to give you your first security drill aboard this ship. And to be honest with you, it's my first one ever. [The crewmen started to grin a little] I have made a scedule for these drills. Once a week, I'll do the drills, the remaining drills will be done by crewman Truman. Well, today we'll start with some introducing drills for this ship, as you probably never served aboard a ship of this type. Also, I sent each of you a copy of the entire ships maps, including tactical stations and Jeffries tubes on each deck. I suggest you studie those very well. They might come very usefull. Well, let's get over to today's drill. The ship is passing through a starsystem (it doesn't matter what starsystem) when we are changing the alert status to Blue alert; intruder alert. You all know what to do. Good luck. Computer, commence program Tactical beta 3."

[Stepping off of the turbolift, on to the Bridge] 

Stepping onto the Bridge, Kramer glanced at his station, realizing that was a seat he would need to get used to quickly. Noticing a group of people leaving the briefing room, as if a meeting had just ended, he walked up to the most senior officer among them, a Trill Commander, who Kramer believed was probally Commander Mazer, the Victoria's FCO and his immediate supervisor. 

"Ensign Kramer reporting for duty, sir," Kramer said, looking striaght into Mazer's eyes with confidence.

[Ater the simulation was finished]

"Well people, I must say I'm pretty satisfied with the way things went today. You all performed perfectly, altough I have some remarks on some points, but those are just minor issues. Let's start with communications between the several teams. I noticed that sometinmes people had to think who they had to call via comm. For now that will be okay, but I expect each person here to know everyone's name tomorrow. Any questions?" Schols said.

Once again, there were no immediate questions, so he continued: "As we still have some spare time, I'm going to do some shooting training to determin the teams. Computer, start program 'firing range'."

"Okay, I'll go first, folowed by crewman Truman. After that ou will all get your turn in alphabetic order. I give you one advise. This is not a game, take it serious, it might be the difference between life and death later on. Good luck everyone." Schols said, and then walked over to the armoury case to collect his rifle. After that he took an energy cartridge and put it into the rifle, loading the rifle. After he was ready doing so, he walked over into the safety zone and said: "Computer, start taking score for Ensign Tim Schols". The computer confirmed with the usual chirp and the targes started moving. Schols picked hem off one after another, and ended up with only 3 shots missed, thus needing a second shot to destroy the target. And then crewman Truman went through the same procedure as Schols and ended up with an even higher score. only 1 shot missed. After crewman Truman was ready, he took a PADD showing all names of security officers and started to call them one after another, and writing down the score when they were done. After this excersise, the entire team went to the briefing room to go through all this again.

[The entire team entered the room.]

Schols went to the far end of the table, but did not sit down. Truman walked with him, but he did take a seat. So did all the others, as far as there was some place to get seated. When everyone found a place to sit or stand, Schols started.

"First of all, I have to say you all did an excellent job today. The first training mission went without any problems, except for those communication problems I already mentioned. Then we get to the firing range scores. You managed to impress me quite a lot there, as you all managed to get a better score than I had. That means that the person that used the least shots in the shortest time will be squadleader. Mister Truman will tell you the squad formations. I have to go now, but we'll be around eachother prety much. I'll give each of you a PADD with all information you need to know for the practice programs, so you can always go to the holodeck and start one to refine your skills. If nothing else, I'll see you all next week at the drill." Schols finished.

[On the Bridge, exiting the Briefing Room]

As they exit the briefing room, an unfamiliar officer with a red collar approaches him. "Ensign Kramer reporting for duty, sir," states the officer promptly, staring into his eyes. Jornas quickly searches his mind for any knowledge of an Ensign Kramer ... and then recalls that an officer of that name was to serve as their Flight Control Officer. "Ah, Ensign Kramer," Mazer responds a moment later. "Welcome to the Victoria. We won't be departing for a little while, so feel free to find your quarters, drop off your belongings, and generally get accustomed to the Victoria. If you have any questions, please let me know."

[Still on the bridge]

"Thank you, sir," Kramer said to Commander Mazer. "Unless you object, Sir, I would like to introduce myself to the Captain before I begin our prefight checks."

{If no objection form Commander Mazer}

"A pleasure, Sir." Kramer said as he walked to the corner of the Bridge that housed the enterance to the Captain's ready room. 'I believe that he is an officer I can work for...' Kramer thought to himself as he pressed the chime on the door.

{If Captain K'anis responds with permission to enter}

"Good morning, Captain. I'm Billy Kramer, your new FCO, Sir." Kramer said, remaining at attention. Kramer strived for formality in his first meeting with the Antican Captain...he wanted to be seen as a worthy officer, and hunter, by his Captain.

[Walking out of the turbolift, straight to the captains readyroom.]

After pressing the doors chime, he waited for the captain the let him in.

{assuming permission granted}

"Sir, I just finished the first drills for the security personel. I must say they are very well prepared, and they all performed excelent. I ordered crewman Truman to do the drills through the week, with the exception of one day. That day, I'll take charge of the drills." Schols said.

{after the captain responded, or not}

"Permission to return to my station, sir?" Schols asked.

{Assuming granted}

Schols walks out of the ready room and directly toward his station. "Crewman, I'll take over now." He said to the crewman taking his position while he was away. He tappes on his console and strarted to search for intruders or any other suspicious things that might endanger the launch. Luckily, he didn't found any of such things. After that, he searched the ships computer for his newly created file on the security teams performance. "Not bad at all" he thought.

[On the Ready Room]

After debriefing the crew, Captain K'anis returns to his ready room, having some numerous PADDs to review before they launch.

Some while later, the chime rang. K'anis wondered who could that be. He had programmed the door sensor to recognize and automatically authorize Cmdr. Mazer, his XO.

"Enterrr" - the Antican called at the door.

An officer K'anis had never seen or smelled before stood by the door frame for the necessary seconds for them to open fully, then immediately stepped in and stood at a overly formal attention position.

"Good morning, Captain. I'm Billy Kramer, your new FCO, Sir." - the man declared, remaining at attention

"Ah...a Flight Officerr. That's excellent. It's been no morre than a couple days I sent in a priority request to the Academy asking forr the best they had in yourr field." - K'anis replied to the officer before him, measuring the man. "Well, we just held a staff meeting for the seniorr crew beforre your arrival. You'll find a summary of it in the database, but to summ things up, we are to get to Atlantis Station as soon as we launch. Get acquainted with your team and have a course set by tomorrow morning"

"Good to meet you, Mrr. Kramerr. I hope you don't scratch my hull tomorrow"

[Still in his Ready Room]

After his conversation with the new FCO, K'anis had time only to retake his chair before the chime rang again.

"Enterrr" - K'anis chanted again. The CTO entered this time, PADD in hand.

"Sir, I just finished the first drills for the security personel. I must say they are very well prepared, and they all performed excelent. I ordered crewman Truman to do the drills through the week, with the exception of one day. That day, I'll take charge of the drills." Schols said.

"That's good, ensign" - K'anis replied. "This provides a good opportunity for you to get used to your staff. Get back to me after this week evaluation period, Mrr. Schols."

"Permission to return to my station, sir?" Schols asked.

"Granted, Ensign", the Antican replied

[In his quarters]

"The time now is 0630 hours" the computer said.

"Computer, lights three quarters illumination," Schols said, while he got up, and started walking to his computer to look at the messages he has received. There was one message from Starfleet command, concerning the latsest inteligece update, one message from crewman Truman, concerning the next training programm. He asked what programm he should run. "I'll get back to him later today" he thought. And last but not least there was a message from Sickbay. They would like him to get down there for his physical. "I'll do that after breakfast" he thought to himself.

After having read the messages, he walked out of his quarters and to the nearest turbolift, while saying "Computer, lights off."

[In front of the doors]

Schols walks into the doors and sees how busy it already is in the messhall. He takes a quick look around and sees crewman Truman sitting alone at a table, eating his bacon and eggs.
Schols walks over to his table and asks:

"Good morning Alain, is this seat taken?"

Truman answers "Not at all, please go ahead."

"Thank you, I'll be right back" Schols responded, then turning towards the replicator to get his favourite breakfast.

"Muffins, eggs and corned beef with extra pepper. And one hot chocolate" Schols said. Shortly after that, his food materialised in the replicator. Ho took the plate and walked over to Truman.

"Now, for the programm you asked me, you could run the survival programm, to see how fit everyone is. Also it would be beneficial to their capabilities to move around quicker." Schols said, while cutting a piece of his corned beef.

[In Ensign Kramer's Quarters]

"Computer, what is the current time?" Kramer asked into the dark room. 

"The time is now 0457 hours." was the reply from the voice that Kramer found too human for a computer. 'I might as well get up...' Kramer thought to himself. Sleep had been fitful, with Kramer tossing and turning all over his bunk the previous night. The truth was that most nights had been this way since the death of his wife. "Computer, lights on 100 percent." The illumination of the room was the reply, and as soon as his eyes adjusted, Kramer stood up and dressed in a starfleet-issue athletic sweatsuit and running shoes. Stepping out the doors of his quarters, Kramer decided he would jog down to the closest holodeck to run his workout program, then stop at the messhall on the way back to eat breakfast.

Looking into the nearly bare room one last time before the doors hissed shut, Kramer smiled and began a slow jog down the corridor.

[Back in his quarters after the workout and breakfast]

Kramer returned from the messhall still covered in sweat from his workout, he had run a program labeled 'survival' designed for tactical officers...and scored high, though scoring was the least of Kramer's concerns. Eating a traditional Vulcan breakfast in a nearly empty messhall, Kramer decided that in the absence of a chief engineer he would personally visit engineering and check engine output before he tried to drive this big ship. Kramer had no desire to 'scratch the hull', Although he thought it preposterous that such a thing would happen, he admired the Captain for msking the comment. Any doubts the Captain might have would be erased today.

Stepping from the sonic shower and dressing in the red-collared uniform of commanders and pilots, Kramer took a moment to look in the mirror. He had been dressing in this uniform for about a week, from his graduation in at the Academy up to his assignment here, and the Vulcan way of thinking enstilled in him by his wife had kept him from admiring the uniform or even noticing how it looked on him. Not today, though, on the day he would actually start putting the skills the uniform represented to work. As he pinned the single pique on his collar, Kramer thought to himself 'A couple more of these would look pretty good someday.' Finishing dressing and combing his flat-topped hair into place, Kramer left his quarters for the second time today, this time heading for the bridge.

[On the Bridge, 0645 hours]

Kramer stepped from the turbolift to find a solitary petty officer yawning in the center seat, probably tired from spending the entire night on the bridge alone. There wasn't much to occupy your time when you were docked. Hearing the turbolift doors open, the crewman looked over his shoulder and saw Kramer. Seeing an officer step on the bridge, the enlisted man stood up and offered a too-loud "Good morning, Sir!"

Fighting the urge to turn around and look for the person the crewman was calling 'Sir,' Kramer realized that the crewman was addressing him. 'I really need to get used to being an officer,' Kramer thought as he walked over to the engineering section of the bridge. "Sit down, crewman, its still your watch. I'm just here early. And don't call me Sir. I'm Billy Kramer, the FCO. Who are you?" Looking at the crewman as he made this statemant, Kramer noticed the crewman physically relax, but not sit down. "I said sit down, you wont insult me by sitting in that chair."

Turning to check engine readings, Kramer heard the crewman finally sit down, and finally speak. "I'm petty officer Mike Allison, Si, eh, Mr. Kramer?"
Without looking up form the screen he was reading, Kramer told Allison, "Call me Billy."

"What are you doing up here this early, Billy? The regular officers aren't due in for an hour." Allison inqiured.

Finishing his engineering work, and satisified with what he found, Kramer walked over to his own console and sat down. "I'm an early riser," Kramer told Allison as he remembered feeding the cattle in Montana befor the sun rose. "And I need to get to know Vickie here, before I fly her out of this cage." Kramer added.

"Huh?" Allison said from the center of the Bridge, making Kramer realize that the enlisted man had no idea what he was talking about. Knowing this, Kramer offered an explination. "You see, Mike, this ship is like any other member of a team. She's got a heart and a soul, and she can turn on you in a minute if you're not on good terms with her," Kramer began as he adjusted the seat to his liking. The last person who had sat here must have been only about 1.25 meters tall, he thought. "If you don't know how to talk to her, she won't do what you need her to do. She doesn't care about the situation. Treat her right and she'll give her life for you. Treat her badly and she'll give you the cold shoulder. Understand, Mike?"

"Uh, I guess, Sir," Allison said, clearly not understanding and already forgetting what Kramer had said about calling him Sir.

"That's okay, Mike. My wife wouldn't understand either." Kramer said, chuckling to himself and turning back to his console, changing the configuration of the controls to better suit his tastes for personal efficency.

[In the messhall]

Truman said to Schols "Sir, I'll see what I can do."
"Please, Alain, call me Tim, not Sir. Makes me feel like an old man." Schols replied, unable to surpress a grin.

When both finished their breakfast, Truman said "Well, Tim, i'll be off to the team then."

"Okay Alain, I'll be on the bridge if you need me." Schols said in return.

Schols takes both the tablets and brings them to the replicator for recycling. After that, he walks to the doors and from there to the nearest turbolift.

[In the turbolift]

"Deck 1" Schols said, and the computer replied with a chirp and the lift started moving.

[Walking out of the turbolift, onto the bridge]

"Mr. Kramer, good to see you." Schols said when he noticed the ensign behind his console. He also nodded to the crewman still sitting in the command chair, the left chair, seen from the viewscreen.

"Mister Allison, is there anything to report?" Schols asked the crewman.

The crewman replied: "No sir."

"Well mister Allison, you can call me Tim, and your first name is?" Schols said.

"Okay sir, I mean, Tim. I'm Mike, Mike Allison. Nice to meet you Tim." Allison replied.

"The pleasure is all mine. What department are you on, Mike?" Schols said

"I'm in the engineering core." Allison replied.

"Well, I guess the captain could be here any minute now. It's almost 7.00 hours." Schols said, finishing the small chat.

Schols walked to his station and started to review the latest data on the tactical systems. Everything seems to be functioning. 'I'll have to ask the captain for permission to charge the phaser banks and see if the work.' Schols thinks.

[Bridge, Approximately 0700 hours]

"Mr. Kramer, good to see you." Kramer heard as the turbolift doors snapped shut. Hearing this, Kramer swivled around in his chair and addressed the officer, an ensign like himself, before him.

"Morning, Ensign Schols. I found your tactical program quite stimulating earlier today. I suspect it will be good training for security personnel." Kramer said to the Chief Tactical Officer

[At tactical station]

"Morning, Ensign Schols. I found your tactical program quite stimulating earlier today. I suspect it will be good training for security personnel." Kramer said to Schols.

But before Schols could answer, more officers entered the bridge. He could clearly see the Chief Engineer and the OPS officer enter and said "Good morning gentlemen."

Then he turned to Kramer and said "Thank you mister Kramer, I appreciate it. You did not discover any errors or faults in the program? I must admit, I never seen it before, just when I reviewed the database of tactical programs." He hoped the program waas okay, as it would be the first time it was used, and therefor the first time it has been tested like it should have been.

After having done this, Schols walked over to the right information terminal and started searching the database for any additional information about the Tholians.

[Entering the Bridge]

Even the warriors had sometime to take some time out to rest before a good hunt. And Anticans were no different from anyone else. K'anis was really refreshed after a well-slept night.

He took his early meal in his quarters, to which he had yet to get accostumed, and took the turbolift to the bridge. "Deck One", he ordered the computer and the car moved up swiftly.

Entering the bridge, he immediately spotted several officers at work on their stations. Kramer, Schols, Allison, the CEO and OPS. "Pre-launch excitement, I guess", the captain assumed. He himself was quite eager too.

"Good Morrging, gentlemen. At ease." he said right before they noticed him entering. "Seems a good day for a launch"

After several replies, K'anis thought there was nothing to wait for. "Operations, get me Utopia Planitia Flight Control"

"Aye, sir" the officer replied as K'anis replaced Allison in the command chair. "Open"

"Utopia, this is the USS Victoria, Captain K'anis commanding. Requesting permition to initiate launch sequence", the Antican said over the comm.

"Victoria, this is Utopia Flight Control. Starfleet Command has sped up things here. Whenever your ready, you can proceed. Permition to launch granted. Godspeed, Victoria" - an officer replied formally.

"Thank you. Operations, end link and open shipwide comm" - K'anis requested.

"Ready, sir"

"Attention all decks. This is the Captain. We are initiating launch proceedures, report to you department chiefs ship status. Senior officers to the Bridge"

[While walking onto the bridge]

"Good morning sir. Sorry I'm late" Rob said to the captain.

Rob walks over to his station and starts reviewing the latest data gathered by the replacement science officer. Everything seems to be functioning normaly.

[Inside the messhall]

As Rob entered the messhall, he sees one of his officers sit at a table, chatting with a medical officer. Rob decided to go to them and said, without giving away his identity, a little test for the officers: "Is there still room for me to sit here?"

"Ofcourse there is," the medical officer replied.

"Thank you, I'll be right back," Rob replied.

Rob walks over to the replicator and orders his meal: "Bacon with scrambled eggs and tomatoes." The replicator started to swirl and there apeared his breakfast.
Rob picks up the plate and walks over to the table.

When arriving there, he revealed his identity. "Well, mister Durhams, or may I call you Jeffrey, I'm your chief onboard of this vessel. I'm Ensign Rob Bindels. Nice to meet you."

After hearing this, the crewman's face became white. "S-Sorry sir I didn't notice it was you." He stammered.

"It's allright Jeff, I think you have astrometrics duty at 0800?"

Before Jeffrey could answer, the comm system was activated and the captain spoke:
"Attention all decks. This is the Captain. We are initiating launch proceedures, report to you department chiefs ship status. Senior officers to the Bridge"

"Well gentlemen, looks like it's time to start. Jeff, you'll be going to astrometrics, right?"

"Yes sir, I am going there."

"Ok, could you do something for me? Find out some more about these Tholians we have to watch out for the coming time. And another thing. Please make a projection on the best course to follow. That would be all. I f you need me, I'll be on the bridge."

"Aye sir." Jeffrey replied.

Rob starts walking to the replicator, with his plate in his hands, and put the plate into the replicator for recycling. Then he walks out of the messhall and into the Turbolift.

[Indide trubolift]

"Deck 1, Bridge" Rob said and the lift started moving.

In his quarters]

"The time now is 0630 hours" the computer indicated. Rob got up very slowly after 15 minutes awaking, not knowing where he was, as usual after a deep sleep. Then half walked half tumbled over to his desk, in the mean time putting on his suit with it's blue collar. When he approached the desk, he walked around it and activated his computer terminal and started to review his messages. There appeared to be one new message, an intelligence report from Starfleet Intelligence. It reported all ship movement and station events.

After having read this message, Rob went to the turbolift and when inside the lift he said: "Deck 2, messhall". The computer chirped in acknowledgment and started moving.

[On the Bridge, preparing for launch]

Upon hearing the bridge doors hiss open, then shut, Kramer swivled around in his chair to see his Captain walk on to the Bridge. 

"Captain on the Bridge!" Kramer said as he bagan to stand up, only to be ordered at ease by Captain K'anis. Swivling back around in his chair, Kramer finished his pre-launch checklists just in time to hear the Captain address docking command, then address the crew.

"Attention all decks. This is the Captain. We are initiating launch proceedures, report to you department chiefs ship status. Senior officers to the Bridge" 

Kramer spun around once again to face his silver-haired Captain. "Sir, all pre-launch checks are complete, flight control is go for launch. The only thing left to do is kick the tires and light the fires, Sir," Kramer said, borrowing the old fihter pilot saying with a smile.

[In his quarters]

The bare room was illuminated by the artificial light emanating from the Starbase. Of course, for the last several hours, Jornas Mazer had been paying attention to the artificial light being caused by his personal tabletop console. "The time is now 0630 hours," announces the computer. It takes the Trill Commander's mind a minute or two to latch onto that bit of information ... and he rubs his eyes with one hand while scratching his spots with the other, muttering a curse. 

"Geeze, Jornas, you've been up all night ... and you didn't even know it ..." with a few taps of the keyboard, the information he had been reading [and had spent hours looking up] was saved in a personal datafile of his. What he had originally thought to be "top-secret, Admiral's eyes only" type information was actually not THAT secret. True, only Starfleet personnel had access to it ... but it was quite available to the common Starfleet officer if he or she knew where to look for it. 

The Storm had been a large group of renegade Starfleet personnel hell-bent on overthrowing Starfleet Command and the Federation Council. Rogue Starfleet personnel had become a "thing" in the 2370s ... caused by growing "moral concerns." In the case of those few who had rushed off to join the Maquis [colonists not so much concerned with fighting the Federation more than reclaiming their "stolen" homes from the Cardassian Union despite any diplomatic consequences], they had been angered by Starfleet's reluctance to defend the colonists who were being slaughtered in their engagements with the Cardassians, and had chosen to help those people with their training & knowledge. Other incidents of renegade Starfleet personnel had either came from those who thought they were morally justified in acts which went against everything the Federation stood for ... or had been lured by money ... or blackmailed ... and so forth. There were even cases of derangement. 

In the case of the Storm, they were driven by fear. Fear that the continued inability of Starfleet and the Federation to take action when action was needed. Fear that millions upon millions of innocents would be lost because Command would not take the next step to defend them. The Storm wanted to remake the Federation in their image ... to make it safer for its members ... and a threat unlike any other to the opposition. It was once theorized that the Federation could have annihilated an entire empire had they taken control. Of course, they failed ... but their scars have still left marks in Starfleet. 

The dark history that the crewman had mentioned was indeed true ... the Victoria, at the time under command of one Captain Nathan Dane, had been part of the original Storm group. It had opened fire on Starfleet ships ... taken Starfleet lives. It was eventually recaptured [actually, it surrendered] prior to the defeat of the Storm at Starfleet's hands. After a massive crew change [the crew was sentenced to trial, and either reduced in rank or reassigned; sent to penal colonies; or just plain removed from the Fleet], a refit, and so forth, it went on ... with little to no knowledge of its past deeds being known. 

"Well, at least the mystery is over ..." he murmurs.

[On the command chair]

K'anis replies to the arriving CSO. "Ah...Mrr. Bindels. No worrries on lateness, we are some 15 minutes from launching. Farr too much time forr you to get ready. It would be interresting forr you to test all sensorrs during ourr trips to Atlantis Station."

"Sir", said the Engineer on duty. "We have just finished severing our connections with Utopia Planitia. The Victoria is now operation on her own power supply"

"Thank you, ensign", the Captain replied. "Helm, contact the Station to obtain a flight plan out of Sol system. Have ourr course to Atlantis Station plotted and ready to engage at warp 7 wheneverr we arre clearred of the system."

Tapping his commbadge, K'anis openned a link to his first officer. "Mrr. Mazerr, reporrt to the brridge."

[Over the Intercomm]

Tapping his commbadge, K'anis openned a link to his first officer. "Mrr. Mazerr, reporrt to the brridge."

[Arriving on the Bridge]

Just as the Captain sends his comm. message, Mazer exits the turbolift on the bridge, "Ah, Captain, I'm right here ... apologies." With a nod to the other bridge crew, he moves around and takes his seat.

[On the Bridge]

K'anis turns at Cmdr. Mazer's voice behind him, coming from the turbolift.

"Ah, Commanderrr. I was unawarre Trills had any level of telepathic habilities" - he says in reply with a chuckle. "Good you are herre. Did not want you to pass up this moment." - the Antican says, refering to the upcoming launch, with a toothy smile at his XO.

K'anis observes as his XO roams the bridge before getting to his chair, checking all officers and what they were doing. However, there was more to it, and it was crystal clear to an Antican.

"Mazerr...looks like therre's something in yourr mind, annoying you. If you want to discuss it...", the CO says in a whisper only the XO would hear.

Clearing his throat, K'anis address the FCO. "Helm, 1/4 impulse ahead, Mr. Kramerr. It's about time we get underway."

[On the Bridge, at the helm]

"Captain, we are free and clear to navigate. The Station has been contacted and coarse out of the system is plotted and laid in." Kramer said, looking at his console.

"Helm, ahead 1/4 impulse power. Mr. Kramerr, its time we got underway." Captain K'anis said to the FCO.

"Aye, Sir. Ahead one quarter impulse power." Kramer replied, bringing the ship gracefully alongside Planetia Utopia, then engaging the impulse engines. Although there was no feeling of movment or change of sound aboard the huge vessell, Kramer swore he could feel the Victoria move. At any rate, Kramer was pleased that his Captain upheld the tradition of using impulse engines in an around spacedock, an area where thrusters only were allowed.

[On the Bridge]

Mazer had taken his seat after apologizing. At that point, the ever perceptive Antican Commanding Officer had leaned over and inquired if Jornas would like to speak about what was on his mind. He responded in a likewise silent manner, "Not right now, Captain. Most of the questions I did have were answered ... I'm not really as concerned as I originally was." Of course, there was a new question which arose ... what did he have to be concerned with in the first place?

The Victoria had just undocked from the station, and at the Captain's order, was departing at quarter impulse. Soon they would proceed to half, then full impulse for the outer markers. Once past those, they would be allowed to proceed at full warp for their destination. Looking around, Mazer's ears were greeted by a chorus of quiet murmurs, beeps and a multitude of other sounds. The bridge was now a busy hive of Starfleet efficiency ... quite the opposite of what it had been a day prior. 

"Well, Captain, the journey begins once again ... let's hope we complete THIS mission before Starfleet can reassign us, eh?" Mazer states with a bit of wry humor.

[At Tactical station]

While Schols was checking some data on the Tholains, a report from the security team came in. Everything went as planned and there were no problems during launch. Also, Schols noticed, there did not appear to be enemy vessels in the proximity. This made him report "Sir, weapons and shields are fully functional, altough not raised. Sensors do not pick up any enemy ships and the security teams report that the launch went as planned."

After he said this, he went on reviewing the data on the Tholians and tried to imagine what their weapon should look like. He thinks to himself 'An energy web? How would they possibly be able to do this? And more important, how can we defend against this? It would be nice to have a closer look at this weapon system. I should not forget to ask the captain if he has ever seen anything like this.' 

He pauses a brief moment and glances around the bridge and sees Bindels, his academy collegue, Kramer, captain K'anis, commander Mazer and the other, temporary, bridge personnel (OPS, engineering).

[At the helm]

Looking at the forward viewscreen as the outer markers for Planetia Utopia approached, Kramer wondered to himself, 'Will the Captain order incremental speed increases, or just let me fly her out of the system?'

"Captain, we are approaching the outer markers, with, I am happy to say, no scratches on the hull at all." Kramer said to his Captain with a raised eyebrow. He had picked up that mannerism from his late Vulcan wife as well. "Shall I proceed to full impulse, or wait for your orders, Sir?" Kramer raised the question, hoping to not be too forward with his new Captain, but being a somewhat direct person, asked the question anyway.

[On the Bridge]

Finally they were moving out. All departments reported condition green. The Victoria smoothly flew past the docking bay grids and began a slow turn around the massive ship-building installation of Utopia Planitia.

"Not right now, Captain. Most of the questions I did have were answered ... I'm not really as concerned as I originally was." - said in a whisper his XO.

"Verry good, then" - Captain K'anis replied. His time in Starfleet with the other Humanoid species in the Federation had taught him they had their own time to get over things. The CO's reverie was cut by the CTO's reply.

"Sir, weapons and shields are fully functional, although not raised. Sensors do not pick up any enemy ships and the security teams report that the launch went as planned." - said Ensign Schols.

"Good, Ensign..." - K'anis acknowledged his CTO, with another report coming from the FCO.

"Captain, we are approaching the outer markers, with, I am happy to say, no scratches on the hull at all." Kramer said to his Captain with a raised eyebrow. He had picked up that mannerism from his late Vulcan wife as
well. "Shall I proceed to full impulse, or wait for your orders, Sir?" 

"Mrrr. Kramerr, I expect each memberr of this crew to be able to operate on a ratherrr independent basis. You shall proceed at yourr discretion. Engage warrp 7 wheneverr ready"

Mazer addressed him once more.

"Well, Captain, the journey begins once again ... let's hope we complete THIS mission before Starfleet can reassign us, eh?" Mazer states with a bit of wry humor.

"Yes, Commanderr...a new journey, a new hunt...We shall see what adversaries these Tholians pose" - said the captain, sitting back into his chair observing the crew at work.

[On the Bridge at the helm]

"Thank you, Sir. Increasing speed to Warp Factor 7." Kramer said, just catching the view of Saturn and its magnificent rings out of the corner of the screen as he touched the proper controls and the Victoria sped off.

[On the bridge, at the command chair]

After the FCO's clearance confirmation, K'anis looked at the main viewer to the starfield flying by. Sol-VI (the ringed planet) just passed by when the ensign engaged the warp engines.

The Victoria streaked away from the core planet of the Federation to the outskirts of the UFP-Tholian border. Toward danger and adventure. "Great", thought the captain.

"And so the new adventurres of the Starship Victoria have just begun, eh Cmdr?" - the Antican said to the XO.