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Chekov yawned deeply and slowly swung his legs out of his bunk. As soon as his feet hit the deck, he padded to the cabin's shower and took a quick refresher. Afterwards, he dressed in a rather leisurely manner and skipped his usual breakfast, opting for a cup of strong Russian tea in the officer's lounge.
He then entered the nearest turbolift and found Kevin, still munching the last few bites of his own breakfast. Somehow the Irishman managed to get a greeting out. "Hiya', Pavel. Are you on the way upstairs to 'play Captain' again?"
Flinching a bit, Chekov studied his friend. Why couldn't he ever be serious? While he never looked worried, Pavel knew better.
In the relatively short time it had taken to get back to the home planet, the Russian had noticed that Riley was out of sorts. It had started the moment he had beamed aboard, actually before then. Riley seemed nervous when he had called for transport. The message from Scotty had really shaken the man.
In addition, as a corporate big shot, Riley always traveled first class; taking a Starfleet berthing, at the last minute no less, proved there was something not quite right. And Kevin had never really explained the situation in any detail. To the contrary, he was always evasive when asked about it. In fact, it was the only time that Kevin seemed unwilling to speak, not his usual gregarious self.
Actually, Chekov didn't mind. At least he knew where his friend was and, if only temporarily, he was out of trouble.
As the two friends stepped out onto the bridge, Chekov relieved the second officer and took his place in the command chair.
When the navigator made an announcement that the ship would soon make orbit, Keven became even more nervous. He approached his friend and spoke quietly. "Pavel, can I use your comm station to get in touch with Scotty?"
Chekov grinned, "Sure, chust be sure your message doesn't contain any 'unsuitable' vords."
Riley ignored the attempt at humor and concentrated on getting an open channel to Admiral Scott.
Nodding his approval to a very confused looking communications officer, Chekov then returned his attention to the main viewer. Ahead was good old Mother Earth. He always relished a return visit and once the business at Starfleet was completed, he would spend some time with Irina. That is, if he was allowed to leave. Maybe this time he would find himself in the brig or even discharged from Starfleet. He shuddered at the thought.
As the ship made standard orbit, Chekov turned to see if Kevin had reached Scotty. He had was engaged in a quiet conversation, but surprisingly he motioned for Chekov to listen in.
The Russian tabbed the comm channel on his chair and listened. "-- laddie, ye and Chekov come ta' my office as soon as possible. I'll explain it all then."
Concerned, Chekov cut in, "But, Mister Scott, I haf orders to report to Admiral Kensington upon arrival, vhat am I --"
"Never mind, he knows why I'm calling. Now th' two o' ye gi' ye'sel over here, on th' double. That's an order! Admiral Scott, out!"
Riley and Chekov looked at each other, bewildered. Shifting in his chair, Chekov shrugged, then re-tabbed the communications panel for ship's intercom. "This is the keptain speaking. I have been called to a meeting with Admiral Scott. As soon as I can, I vill return and, if shore leave is possible, I vill make the necessary arrangements. Keptain out!"
He paused for a moment, then re-tabbed the intercom again, "First officer to the bridge."
Normally, Sotak would have been on the bridge, but he had pulled double duty in order to get the Invincible back to Earth quickly, per Admiral Kensington's orders.
Chekov turned back to Riley, "If ve are on the hot seat because of your --" he looked around the bridge and chose his words cautiously and spoke quietly. "Because of your tendency tovards the outrageous, then you, my friend, are in serious trouble! Now, let's see vhat Scotty vants!"
Reaching back to the command chair's intercom one more time, Chekov caught the looks of his bridge crew. Most were smiling, Kevin's reputation had probably preceded him, again.
"Keptain to transporter chief, get the coordinates for the Glasgow Fleet Yards. Prepare to beam two to Admiral Scott's Office."
"Two to beam down to Admiral Scott's office. Aye, sir!"
As if on cue, the first officer appeared at Chekov's side. "Will I be transporting with you, sir?"
Chekov jumped up from his command chair. "Sorry, Sotak. Chust our guest, Mister Riley, and myself, for now. You haf the conn, I vlll be in touch as soon I get some answers as to vhat this is all about. Haf all departments ready for immediate departure, just in case."
"Affirmative, we will be ready, Captain."
Giving Riley a cold stare, Pavel pointed to the turbolift doors. "C'mon, Kevin, let's see vhat the big emergency is, this time." He made the doors in three big steps with Riley following close behind.
As soon as the lift doors closed, the bridge crew looked around at each other and broke into laughter, all except Sotak.
The communications officer spoke the only words, in a sing-song manner, "Someone's invited to a surprise launching party!"
After transporting to Scotty's office, Riley and Chekov were surprised to find their old crewmate sitting in his chair with four large drinks at the ready. The fourth drink escaped Chekov until he heard someone speak from behind him.
"You crazy Cossack, what brings you here?"
A very surprised Chekov turned to see Kyle, hands on hips, in engineers work overalls. The Englishman was smiling so hard that Pavel thought the man's face would split. "Reggie! Vhat are you doing here, dressed in an honest working man's clothes, no less? I thought you had a nice cushy job as some 'fat cat's' aide."
"Ouch!" Muttered Scott, then he added, "Laddie, ye may be stepping on some rather important toes. Besides, he's th' reason ye're here."
"Me, too?" Riley asked hopefully.
"Ye nae be so lucky, ye belong to me!"
Kevin slumped visibly, like a pupil being called down for throwing spitballs. "Scotty, what's wrong? Did the warp drive simulations go badly?"
"Nay lad, one hundred percent, but I hae a new problem for ye and we're gonna' hae ta' burn the candle at both ends for a special project. So we better get started."
Scotty then took stood up and offered a drink to everyone present. "First lads, let's toast ta us, th' Enterprise and Admiral Kirk!"
Chekov was still confused. "Mister Scott, I don't understand. Did you send for us or not?"
Montgomery Scott downed his drink in one draught, then turned to the Russian captain, "Aye, that I did, but Mister Kyle is ta be thanked along wi' his boss, Admiral 'Fat Cat' Kensington. I canna gie ya' all th' details now, but ye'll hae all th' answers at a wee get together real soon. Mister Kyle is gonna' pick ye brain while I take Mister Riley apart, okay?" Scott looked at the two pairs of bewildered eyes and added, "Now be good lads and finish ye drinks. Mister Kyle will gie some work clothes for ye, so ye look like dockyard workers!"
As he finished his drink, Pavel Andreievitch Chekov couldn't help but wonder just what it was that Scotty had in mind. But whatever it was, the incident on Alpha Centauri wasn't mentioned.
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© 2024 Brad McDonald / U.S.S. Kitty Hawk
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