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Table of Contents
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With the Enterprise under full power and the situation with Kevin Riley resolved, the ship was subjected to many tests. Over a period of several hours, every major system was given a complete once-over. Much to Sulu's chagrin, the bet with Scotty was beginning to look less like a sure thing. Again, he was not too disappointed considering the fact he needed the ship to be as close to 100% as possible. All systems were still being fussed over by everyone aboard, checked and re-checked, just to be sure. He had to admit, the civilian contractors were a big help, but soon they would have to be removed.
Sulu felt it was now time to inform the crew of their mission. After all, they had all volunteered without knowing the specifics. He already learned that the scuttlebutt had them going several different directions, with the missions ranging from a special shakedown, testing a new weapons system, to the very ridiculous mission of presenting the ship as a gift to the Klingon Empire.
He smiled at that thought and then turned to Uhura, who was busy with the last minute checks of the ship's communication systems.
She finished and, sensing that she was being watched, turned to meet Sulu's eyes.
"I think it's time we told everyone what we're up to. Give me a ship-wide channel, please," Sulu said quietly.
Uhura nodded in agreement, "Certainly, sir; one moment." A quick motion of her skilled hands over the comm board, then turned back. "Ready when you are, sir."
Clearing his throat, he spoke clearly and distinctly. "This is the Captain speaking. I would like to officially welcome all of you, especially our Klingon allies and Ambassador Spock. Most of you volunteered for this mission without knowing the specifics. It speaks well of your sense of duty and your courage as well. I think we've assembled the finest crew that Starfleet has today.
"Many of us have served together before, on other ships bearing the name of Enterprise. At that time we had the privilege to work with one of Starfleet's most capable leaders, Admiral James T. Kirk.
"As many of you know, Admiral Kirk's last mission was on board the U.S.S. Vikrant, conducting readiness inspections. At that time we believed that he was lost with the rest of the crew when the Vikrant was destroyed by the Romulans.
"Recently, Starfleet has learned that our assumption of his death may have been in error. There is a strong possibility that Kirk and others may still be alive." He let that statement sink in for full effect, then continued. "New information shows that the survivors are being held in stasis chambers on the Romulan home world." Again, Sulu paused, this time to collect his thoughts, but the pause was dramatic never the less.
"Starfleet has charged us with the rescue of those survivors, but within certain operational parameters. The specifics of the mission are listed in the computer under 'Operation Phoenix.' Each of you will read those orders within the next six hours. Any questions you have should be directed to your section chief or Captain Chekov, chief of security. Due to technical difficulties, we are experiencing communication problems. For obvious reasons, should they be fully restored, no transmissions will be permitted.
"We have on board several special guests. First, there is General Koord and his staff, official representatives of the Klingon Empire. Also, we have the Vulcan Ambassador-at-Large, Spock. Finally, Captain Cee of Starfleet Special Forces and his team are aboard. Each of these guests are vital to the success of this mission and will, of course, be shown the utmost in courtesy and cooperation at all times."
Finally, Sulu lost his serious demeanor and grinned. "Our next stop, then, is the Romulan home world. Best possible speed and good luck to all of us, Captain out!"
"A bit long winded, but I suppose that comes with a combination of advanced age and rank," DeSalle said to no one in particular.
Sulu looked surprised and broke up laughing with the rest of the bridge crew.
It didn't take long for the civilian contractors to react to the announcement. M'Ress had just relived Uhura when the comm board chirped. She nodded to Sulu, "Sir, I have a Mister Clayton who wishes to speak to you regarding our... destination."
Before the Captain could respond, Chekov approached M'Ress, "Tell Mister Clayton to meet me in the main conference room, immediately."
M'Ress's soothing voice relayed the message as Sulu turned to voice his appreciation. "Thanks, Pavel, I'm a bit... busy."
As Chekov entered the turbolift, Uhura appeared beside him. "Mind if I come along?"
"Not at all." The Russian looked both surprised and grateful.
The conference room was filled with the civilian contractors, seated and engaged in conversation. As Chekov and Uhura entered, the mumbling died out. Pavel took a seat, but Uhura stood in defiance with her arms folded across her chest and glared at the people.
A slightly built, red faced man rose quickly and launched into a verbal assault directed at Chekov. "How dare you endanger us on a fool hardy mission to rescue someone who is probably already dead. We demand --"
Uhura had already moved to confront the man and stood nose to nose with him. "You're aboard a Starfleet vessel and you are not entitled to demands, only requests."
Chekov was a bit stunned by Uhura's outburst and tried to calm the situation before it became worse. "It's my understanding that you were asked to leave the ship by the Captain, Mister Scott and even Walking Bear himself. If you have any --"
Ignoring the Russian captain completely, the mousy little man was still nose to nose with Uhura and cut Chekov off. "We have rights and they don't include being 'drafted' by Starfleet for some insane mission to Romulus."
Uhura was just short of pushing the man through a bulkhead and her anger could be felt by anyone within a parsec. "Mister Clayton, we have no desire to take you with us any further than necessary. We will put you off the ship on a 'safe' outpost until we have completed our mission. Is that satisfactory?"
"But we will lose our bonuses. Our bosses won't award them unless this ship is given an approval by all concerned parties and our companies. Future contracts with Starfleet may be more difficult to arrange if we can't be sure of receiving our pay, especially if Starfleet personnel are the ones preventing us from completing our work."
The group was beginning to get rowdy but so far nothing was being done. Now Chekov rose and placed himself between Uhura and Clayton.
"Ve're not preventing it. Ve're chust... postponing it until our mission is over." Chekov paused a beat, then, "Unless you go with us, but thet vould require approval by Ambassador Spock. You all haf skills vhich ve can use and your knowledge of the new systems is second only to Admiral Scott. Meanvile, you can finish your testing and certifications. The Admiral vill endorse your certifications and then you'll get your bonus."
Clayton was unconvinced. "Why can't you wait until the ship is certified? What is so important about these people?"
Chekov thought Uhura was going to toss the arrogant man overboard. Instead, she launched into a lecture. "Where were you when V'ger threatened to destroy Earth and you, or when the whale probe was draining all of Earth's energy? How many times did he save you simply because he defeated the plans of the old Klingon Empire or the Romulans or some other threat. While you were earning two to three times more pay as a private contractor, Starfleet personnel were risking life and limb to allow you that privilege. Even if it weren't Kirk, if the Romulans were holding some low-ranking person, or even you, do you think we'd leave them to suffer the day to day brutalities of the Tal Shiar? No, sir, it's our job to take care of our own, even if it were you on Romulus. Understand now?"
The conference room became quiet. Clayton gave no sign of changing his mind and remained implacable.
A voice in the back spoke quietly, "Have you ever had civilians on board before?"
Uhura smiled, "Many times."
Clayton was still unconvinced. "Did they survive?"
"There haf been casualties --"
Chekov was cut short by another one of Clayton's outbursts. "You see, we'd be sacrificed without any say in the matter."
Uhura smiled in a way that bothered Chekov. "There is an alternative to putting you off the ship. We could always draft you under the Federation Council's Emergency Powers Act, Article 97, paragraph 12 B, and I quote. 'Whereas the safety and welfare of the many must outweigh the needs and rights of the few or the one; if it shall be necessary to ensure such safety, the senior officer present, as representative of the Federation Council and acting on their behalf as such, may enlist personnel on a temporary basis until said officer determines their assistance is no longer of further value.'" She paused a moment then added, "Of course, you'll have to take a cut in pay and --" she smiled broadly "-- and take orders from me, personally."
"That's not an option!" Clayton then stormed out of the room, leaving a bewildered group of contractors and two very satisfied Starfleet officers behind.
A grey-haired human female stood and approached Uhura quietly and spoke. "Actually this whole protest was Clayton's idea and he's an... idiot." The voice was familiar, it had been the one who asked about having civilians aboard. "How can we help?"
Uhura smiled warmly and put her hand on the women's shoulder. "Until you have to leave, just watch over your new systems and report anything out of the ordinary to the nearest officer. We really appreciate your help."
The lady nodded and walked out with the rest of her colleagues.
After the room was empty, Chekov stared at Uhura, suspiciously. "I vasn't avare of any statue that allowed --"
Uhura smiled, "I guess you got me, but it sure sounded good, didn't it?"
"Except for the 'good of the many' phrase, it gave you avay." Chekov was grinning.
The two had a good laugh and returned to the bridge.
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© 2024 Brad McDonald / U.S.S. Kitty Hawk
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