Disclaimer
I'm not making a cent from this story.
Kirk, Pike, McCoy, Thelin, Arex and M'Ress all belong to Star Trek.
The name U.S.S. Saratoga is from Neferit's story, but everything about the ship's class/design I made up!
Acknowledgment
Those of you who have read Neferit's works may have come across her 'This is the End' trilogy.
In it Kirk is raped during shore leave. Instead of supporting him his crew, with the exception of Dr. McCoy,
assumes that he was just fooling around and basically turn their backs on him. This betrayal, added to
the already devastating trauma of the rape, leads Kirk to step down as Captain of the Enterprise.
Several months later he accepts command of a different ship, the USS Saratoga.
When I read the series I was fascinated with the entire premise because it opened up a whole universe
of new stories and possibilities. This story is my take on Kirk accepting his new command. I've written
it with Neferit's kind permission.
Notes
Other stories in this universe are, in chronological order:
Dreams to Nightmares
Prologue
Chastise
A New Start
A New Season
Amethyst Skies
Parallels
Final Flight
Unforgiven
Endeavor
Request
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GOD bless
John 3:16
Captain's Log
Stardate 2259.6.30
The Saratoga has spent the past week studying the Paynaro Cloud. The incident with Nero had one positive effect;
Starfleet's been stepping up exploration of space big time. Constitution class ships were originally at the forefront
of exploration but now other ships are being sent further afield as well. They're discovering a lot of interesting
new things and trusty survey/research vessels are needed to check them out.
The USS Wyoming discovered the cloud during a deep space recon mission. They didn't have time to do much more
than run scans as they flew past it, so now we're here to do what a Delphis class does best- take a closer look.
The Paynaro Cloud is a micro-nebula. It's about five light years across and covers two star systems. One of them:
the Rychla System has an M class planet. So during the month that we're here our studies will keep both our stellar
and planetary scientists busy.
James T. Kirk
Captain's Ready Room
1:45 PM
Kirk completed his log and gazed thoughtfully out the window at the view. The Paynaro Cloud was similar in some
ways to the Hymer Cloud that the Saratoga had studied months ago. But its colors were much darker and while
the Hymer had been relatively uniform, the Paynaro was filled with interesting formations. Away-missions so far
had had a field day.
The planet Rychla promised to be just as interesting. By its very existence it provided countless fascinating studies
on the effects nebulae and gaseous phenomena could have on planets. The planet itself seemed to mimic the
surrounding cloud in that it was perpetually shrouded in a thick mist. The 'Misty Planet' someone had dubbed it.
The mist appeared to be a vital component of the planet's atmosphere and all planetary missions were required
to wear breathing equipment and protective suits until they knew more about it.
The door chime sounded, drawing Kirk out of his musings and he straightened. "Come in."
The door opened and he recognized Chief Petty Officer Skinar. Kirk had made it his personal mission to get
to know every single member of his one hundred plus crew and whenever he encountered one he would
immediately do a quick rehash of what he knew about them.
Chief Petty Officer Skinar. Hails from Tausia in the Alpha Quadrant. Has served on the Saratoga for seven years.
In charge of Operations Management during Gamma Shift. A hardworking perfectionist with meticulous attention
to detail. Stern, no nonsense and prefers to be alone. Very rare to see him up and about during the day because
he always requests Gamma shift.
"Greetings, Captain." Skinar bowed slightly as was his custom whenever addressing a member of the Senior staff.
At six feet he cast a striking figure and although elderly in terms of his species, one wouldn't know it because of
his great physical strength and flexibility. He was bald with an elongated, slightly pointed head, craggy features
and dark greenish-gray skin.
"I have an important request," he continued in his low, baritone voice. "I ask that you not refuse me."
"At ease, Chief Skinar," Kirk said pleasantly. He didn't like addressing anyone as 'Petty' so Chief Petty Officers
were addressed as 'Chief' and ordinary Petty Officers by their specialties or surnames. He gestured to one
of the chairs in front of his desk. "Why don't you have a seat?"
After the Tausian had complied Kirk smiled and leaned forward. "What is it you need?"
Skinar's human-like eyes were dark brown and always brooded with thoughts that few were privy too.
They locked now on the Captain's blue ones. "I request the use of the High Tide shuttle in two days."
"For what purpose?" Kirk asked, assuming that the Tausin wanted to go on some sort of away mission.
"To die in."