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After Riley left Chekov in front of the courthouse, he used a public transport to get to work. On the way, he stopped off at a clothing store to replace his battered shirt. Then he went on to a pharmacy where he managed to repair some of the superficial 'battle damage' done to his face.
After a traditional Terran coffee, he finished his journey by walking and made it to work just a little later than usual.
Approaching Cochrane Industries, he straightened up and tried not to show his lack of rest. The company security guard at the main gate smiled when Kevin approached. The line for security checks was longer than usual, so Riley waited patiently. As he got closer to the identity scanner, the guard's smile became broader and stranger. It wasn't just any smile but a 'cat that just ate the canary' type smile that worried Kevin more than just a little bit.
Riley finally got to the I.D. scanner and presented his company card. The guard spoke to him, something he rarely did to anyone. The guards didn't have many friends. "Hi, Mister Riley, have a good night last night?"
Pausing mid-scan, it caused the automated system to sound a low level alert. Kevin's face went red immediately and because of the incident, the guard began to laugh. It was obvious the guard thought it was his comment which caused the embarrassment and not the alert, so he relished Kevin's discomfort.
Recovering quickly, Riley attempted a rescan. All of the time, his mind was racing. Did the guard know what had happened in the night club and, if so, how did he find out?
With his composure somewhat regained, Kevin brushed off the guard's inquiry with a simple, "Uh, huh."
Then he got an all clear on the scan and commented out loud to himself, "Well, it looks like it's going to be a good day after all."
Kevin looked up and found that the guard had not lost his grin. In fact, he gave the Irishman another dig. "For some of us, anyway." With that said the guard broke into laughter all over again.
Moving along a bit quicker, Kevin passed through the gate and made his way around people, buildings and various landscape features. As he walked by a reflective surface he checked his face, hair and clothes one more time to see if he missed anything. When he had satisfied himself that his appearance was acceptable, he shrugged off the guard's comments and continued. Soon he found himself at the main entrance of the company's headquarters building.
The entire complex was incredibly large. If you included the extensive and elaborate landscaping and gardens, it covered over five square kilometers. The buildings were all arranged to take full advantage of the views and sunlight. It was a masterful blend of Terran and Alphan architecture, finished in white, gold and a touch of red, the official corporate colors.
Anyone who worked at this complex loved it. Not only were the working conditions wonderful, but the company was great. Of course as the 'fair haired child' of the Engines Division, he would feel that way. He headed his own department which handled all Starfleet contracts directly. His past Starfleet service had come in handy in the early years with the company. Because of his knowledge and experience, he rose to a position of importance quickly. Along the way he gained the praise of all who worked with him, both in Starfleet and at the company.
In just a short period of time, Riley had become one of the most important assets of Cochrane Industries. Because of this, he operated his department with full autonomy. All the company required were periodic reports to the Director of New Projects and the company president.
Making his way through the main lobby he began to notice he was getting a lot of stares and giggles from nearly everyone, even employees he didn't know. He tried to ignore them and proceeded to bounce along to his office on the next level.
This morning, instead of using the elevator, he climbed the broad, well-lighted stairs. They were surrounded by a variety of creeping vines and flowers of every color and description. He turned at the top of the stairs and made his way to the retina scan security station, located in the second floor lobby.
No visitors or sales people beyond this point, not without the proper clearance. A posted security guard enforced that rule to the maximum that law permitted. At least this guard wasn't laughing at him.
Riley sat at one of the half-dozen scan coms and followed the computerized instructions, which appeared on the small screen before him, not that he really needed them. Within two minutes he had his clearance and proceeded to the energy barrier, which was part of the scan com. The barrier was lowered by the computer and then re-established as soon as Kevin passed though, ready for the next person.
The guard had hardly given him notice during the process. Maybe his day wouldn't be so bad after all.
Down the main hallway and around the first corner was his division and company office. When he rounded the corner, he noticed that the receptionist was not at her desk. Unusual since Miss Sims was always first to arrive in the morning. Very unlike her, he thought, but then there's a first time for everything.
He then paused and listened intently. The rest of the division was completely quiet. Now he was worried. Maybe he had missed a memo announcing a large meeting or conference. Just to be sure he rushed to his office to check the memo file and mailbox in his personal computer.
When he got to his office door it was locked. Damn! He punched in the appropriate code on the entry padd and a small click signaled the correct code. The door slid open quietly. As his eyes adjusted to the lower illumination levels, he saw the entire division packed into his office! A large banner had been strung across the room with the words, 'Welcome Home Jailbird' emblazoned in corporate red letters. Just below the banner was a not too flattering likeness of him, obviously taken at the night club while he was being arrested.
Everyone burst into laughter and eventually so did he. Soon there were a few minutes of well deserved razzing and jokes. There were many workers who were delighted to inform him that only an hour ago his image had been part of the morning news nets. More important, though, was an anonymous tip that someone had left on the division's computer bulletin board regarding his previous night's problems.
Eventually the crowd filtered out of the room and left him alone to do some work. He cleared his desk and activated the computer to check for messages and memos. Surprisingly, there were only four 'flags' indicating new messages for him.
The first message was from Pavel. He had a few choice words, a brief farewell and an apology as Starfleet had changed his orders and recalled him to Earth. Kevin's plans for one more memorable night out would never happen. Oh well, maybe it was meant to be, especially considering last night.
The second message was an official company memo to remind him of the upcoming launch of the Enterprise B. He was to act as an official representative with the blessings and thanks from management. Kevin was pleased and smiled to himself. The president of Cochrane Industries knew of Riley's fondness for the ship with the name of Enterprise and the memo included gifts. First, a ticket for a first class transport to the launching and, second, extended vacation time to visit family and friends following the ceremonies and shakedown cruise.
Kevin smiled again and thought about his former ship Enterprise, NCC-1701. The duty was fine but he was always looking for something different. To that end, he requested and received a change in his duties aboard ship several times. Despite the changes there was still something missing. He even tried his hand in the Diplomatic Corps but after only a brief stay, returned to Starfleet.
After serving another standard hitch he had planned to re-enlist. Before that happened, though, a representative from Cochrane Industries had come aboard as part of the team responsible for an engine upgrade. Riley was assigned as the liaison officer and so impressed the company official that he made Kevin an offer to work for Cochrane Industries. After a very long talk at a local nightspot, where else, he found himself making plans to leave his friends on the Enterprise.
On the anniversary of his original enlistment, he surprised everyone, including himself, when he formally resigned his commission. On the same day he booked passage on the next available ship to Alpha Centauri. The rest was history, a successful career and very satisfactory work. He had been very happy with his decision.
Shaking himself from those thoughts of long ago he called up the next message and began to read. It was from Montgomery Scott, his old boss from the Enterprise. He was now Master of Yards for Starfleet and Kevin smiled as he read, but the smile faded rapidly with each sentence.
"Impossible!" Riley stared at the message with disbelief. Scotty had actually finished the new Enterprise ahead of schedule and was formally notifying Cochrane Industries and Kevin that the shakedown would occur within the next day or two. Why hadn't the factory reps on site picked up on this? They should have known about the early completion date. If he had any say-so in the matter, they would be getting a major dressing down for the error.
The question was what could he do about it? Staring at the screen he thought for a moment, then an idea formed. He would take his vacation now and attend the 'premature' shakedown. As the overall project manager, he had to be there just in case anything went wrong. There was one problem, how to get there in the fastest possible -- "Pavel!"
He leaned forward and replayed the message from Chekov. There it was, his departure was scheduled for ten hundred and twenty minutes local time. He looked up at the wall chrono afraid of what he might see; ten hundred and twenty minutes. "Damn!"
Working fast, he activated the appropriate circuits to contact his old friend, using an emergency channel. Mercifully the connection was quick and soon Chekov's face appeared on screen. His face was lined with concern, "Kevin, vhat is the emergency?"
Kevin spoke slowly and quietly, "Pavel, I'm glad I reached you. Have you left orbit yet?"
Chekov was confused but genuinely concerned. "No, ve vere chust getting undervay, but vhat is --"
"Good!" Kevin nearly jumped out of his chair. "Pavel, it's the new Enterprise. I just got word from Scotty. They're launching her ahead of schedule and I'm supposed to be there. Can I hitch a ride with you?"
"Yes, by all means. Vhen can you be ready? I'm on recall orders and must leave --"
"I'll be ready in two minutes. I just have to notify my staff and company officials. Riley out."
He then posted a notice on the company bulletin board concerning the early Enterprise - B shakedown and his intentions to attend, then turned the system off. Running out of the office, he made a brief stop at Miss Sims' desk.
The young lady was still smiling from Kevin's earlier embarrassment. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, always the ladies man, at least in his mind. "Hold down the fort for me. I've got to go to Terra for a few days. You can contact me through the Chief of Yards office at Starfleet. He'll know where to find me."
She looked up, bewildered beyond belief. He gave her a big smile, then just as she was about to respond, he began to fade in a Starfleet transporter beam. His last thought was to call the company president from Chekov's ship and thank him personally for the extended vacation and explain his quick departure.
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© 2024 Brad McDonald / U.S.S. Kitty Hawk
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