A young Brunali lieutenant walked down the halls of Starbase 82. The massive starbase was flush with activity. The galaxy was swiftly becoming an unstable place. The Seventh Fleet which was headquartered at Starbase 82 was giving the task of seeking out new member worlds for the Federation. Once these members were signed the fleet would provide military and technological assistance when necessary.
Lt Icheb had served in a number of posts during his still young Starfleet career. He served as a science officer aboard the Yamato, a galaxy-class starship, a engineer aboard the Concord, a saber-class starship and a tactical officer aboard the Valiant, a defiant-class starship. His latest posting was the reason he was on the starbase. He would serve as Chief Operations Officer on the Horizon, a sovereign-class starship.
Seven of Nine, or her new designation Professor Annika Hansen encouraged him to pursue many different Starfleet assignments and not focus on astometric science, his best subject. Capt Chakotay and Cmdr Tuvok also served as mentors and encouraged him to be a well-rounded officers. His former shipmates and now fellow Starfleet officers kept in close conctact with him.
The Horizon was considered one of the top postings in the fleet. The ship had a long and storied history and performed with distinction during the Dominion War and several other conflicts. The ship was now commanded by Captain Y'Thori, a female Grazerite who herself had recieved many commendations during the Dominion War.
"Ichy, slow down!," a voice called from behind him. Icheb rolled his eyes and adjusted the pack that carried his few humble possessions. A young trill male ran up beside him and slapped him on the shoulder.
"We'll get there soon enough, what's the rush?," the trill lieutenant asked.
Lt Torrin Mar, a joined Trill and Icheb's best friend. Their friendship began during their academy days. This was the first time they would serve together since their graduation. Torrin was the new Chief Engineer for the Horizon..
"I want to get an early start on the systems of the Horizon, make sure..."
"Ichy, Ichy, Ichy. You never change do you?," Torrin said smiling at his friend. "There is plenty of time for that later. Now's the time to relax before our new journey begins," Torrin said pointing toward the officers lounge of the Starbase.
"We are not going in there," Icheb protested. "Torrin, please. No more trouble."
"Trouble? Me?" Torrin said pretending to be hurt. "Ichy, we just need to relax a little, take..."
"No, No, No! The last time we relaxed, you nearly...'
"Yes, Yes, Yes!, we are going in there," Torrin said interupting Icheb with a wave of his hand. "And that incident with the Vulcan's Ambassador's daughter was not my fault. How was I to know she was entering her pon farr."
"It wasn't his daughter, it was his wife and you..."
"In the past, Ichy. Let's go," Torrin said. He grabbed Icheb by the arm and pulled him into the lounge.
"Very well and stop calling me Ichy," Icheb said. He hated that nickname.
"It appears every officer in the Seventh Fleet is in this lounge," Icheb said, entering the lounge and looking around. Nearly every Federation race was represented in this room. Humans dominated Starfleet followed closely by Vulcans and Andorians. Recent events had nearly depleted Starfleet manpower. The call issued by the new Federation president asking its members to help defend the ideas all of them held dear was answered. Starfleet recruitment was at an all time high. Starfleet Academy was hard pressed to train the many new cadets. Ships had to be crewed. Humans still held most positions in the fleet but never in the history of the Federation had so much diversity existed in Starfleet. Officers exchange programs with many non-aligned worlds were at an all time high. There were even a couple of Cardassians serving in Starfleet, something no one would have ever dreamed possible a decade ago.
"Yes, but there is only one I am currently interested in," Torrin responded tapping Icheb's on the shoulder and pointing toward the massive viewport that ringed the lounge. Icheb caught his breath. The female gazing out the viewport was beautiful. Her blond hair was pulled back into a neat bun. Her cranial ridges betrayed her Klingon heritage, though there were not as pronounced as most Klingons. Icheb was immediately drawn to her. Torrin was as well. Several males in the room glanced in the female's direction.
Icheb sighed. Torrin was much more confident with females. Icheb had a few lovers but most of these were initiated by the female. They ordered drinks and walked over to the female. She turned around and smiled which surprised Icheb. Approaching a Klingon was a dangerous task under any circumstances.
"Lt Torrin Mar," the trill said extending his hand. The female took his hand and shook it.
"Lt Olarys," she said. She looked past Torrin to Icheb. Her green eyes were mesmerizing. It was almost intoxicating just being in her presence.
"This is Icheb," Torrin said nonchalantly. "May we join you."
"Of course," the female responded and allowed Torrin to led her to a table who occupants had just left. Icheb tried not to stare at the female but it proved impossible never had he felt such a connection, an attraction to anyone.
"What brings you to Starbase 82?," she asked.
"We are posted to the Horizon," Torrin answered.
"The Horizon. Impressive," she said, "Every officer in this room would kill for that posting."
"What brings you here to his base, duty or pleasure?," Torrin asked suggestively.
"Duty and pleasure are often the same thing on my father's planet, Delta," she answered and winked at Icheb.
A Deltan! That was it, it must be the pheromones! That's why the attraction is so strong, Icheb thought to himself. A strange look passed over his face, a Deltan-Klingon? he thought.
"My father is a Federation diplomat. He was assigned to assist the Klingons and my mother was his bodyguard. Long story short. They were trapped in a shuttle for three days due to an ion storm," she said smiling. Imitating a gruff Klingon voice she continued, "Bah! Deltans they tease and tantalize, I taught him a lesson he will never forget. Limped for three days, Ha!"
The three of them all broke into laughter.
"My father had the last laugh because, well here I am," she finished, taking a drink from her wine glass. "And he never spoke of my mother. Ever!"
"You have hair. Deltans are known to be devoid of body hair other than eyebrows," Icheb blurted out. He looked at her apologetically. He silently chided himself. Growing up in Borg maturation chamber had stunted his social skills despite the Voyager's crew best efforts.
"I was a teenager before my hair grew," she said, she got a sad look in her eye. "You can imagine the torment I took as a bald female on the Klingon homeworld."
Torrin took her hand and kissed it, "The fools. You are beautiful with or without hair."
Olarys laughed at him, "It really didn't matter because my pheromenes kicked in about the same time. My mother sent me to Delta to live with my father. It was no longer...safe for me to stay with her," she laughed. "Klingon males can be very...persistant.
"So you grew up on Delta? Ah, Deltans now they know how to live." Torrin said his smile growing wider.
"Yes, I learned a great many things there," she said. She looked at Icheb suggestively which clearly bothered Torrin.
"Wh-what brings you to Starbase 82?," Icheb asked nervously finding the courage to speak to her again.
"I'm on Admiral Solok's staff. Tactical Advisor," she said.
Admiral Solok, the Commanding Officer of the Seventh Fleet, was a Vulcan and very demanding. Only the best and brightest served on his staff.
"Now, that's impressive," Torrin said.
"You should get going. Captain Y'Thori will not accept tardiness in her offiers," Olarys said.
Icheb rose and cursed to himself. Torrin followed suit.
"Perhaps, we will meet again," Torrin said as he took Olarys' hand and kissed it again.
'Perhaps," she said. "One never knows where a new...horizon may take you, " she eyed Icheb again and winked before walking off.
Icheb was rooted to the spot as he watched the female leave.
"Ichy, don't even think aobut it."
"What?"
"Part-Deltan? And Part Klingon? One way or another, that female would have killed you," Torrin said laughing.
Icheb punched him in the shoulder and the two left the lounge.
"Did I ever tell you about the time, my sixth host Marin spent her shore leave on Delta?"
"Yes, many times," Icheb responded as the two walked toward the dock where the Horizon was waiting.