Preface and Dedication: Over ten years ago I started a play by e-mail sim on an old dial-up BBS system. It was the USS Dauntless and we explored theoretical trek technologies. Iris was born long before Cortana and Andromeda and she is neither of the two. Those who have messaged me about ripping them off need to know that we had explored the possibility of a holographic interface long before the Voyager's series. Although we have greatly updated her from the old days from the sim.

This story is dedicated to my assistant GM Martin St. Onge who passed away way to early in life. I owe much to you, my friend. I also dedicate it to those who have supported me in my creative writing endeavors, my friends Bindi, Michael and Jeff here in Louisville... Luke in NY, Nan in NJ, Kim in PA, and Janet in TX.

I also owe much to the Great Bird of the Galaxy, Gene Roddenberry for his visionary universe. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez, the true Grandmother and Grandfather of StarTrek, after all, if it wasn't for them giving Gene a chance it would never have been developed. The cannon characters are not my own, I invoke creative commons license in using them and state that my vision is an alternative universe that exists outside of canon.

I also appreciate my readers and followers... I appreciate your reviews, your private messages, and your support. I hope to continue to bring you the best story possible. I do warn you I am known for wicked twists don't get too comfortable my motto is there isn't a character that's not disposable and all is fair in war and peace. Sometimes nothing is as it seems and sometimes it's exactly as it seems.

Bear in mind sometimes it takes me a while to answer posts as I am not well. I am disabled and have very limited time on the computer due to a traumatic brain injury. I often will expand chapters as this is overall a complete work in progress I will put a preface on a chapter when things has been expanded.

- Allen

Starfleet Headquarters in San Fransisco
Three Months Before Launch

Captain Jonas Alexander anxiously looked out the window of his temporary quarters in the Starfleet HQ Complex. His last assignment was the first officer on the USS Onyx, a science vessel that was sent to explore an uncharted expanse that bordered the Tholians. He realized it had been a long time since he set foot on earth as a beautiful sunrise painted San Fransisco Bay with an amazing display of color... he marveled at the old bridge across the water which still was used by a few land vehicles. He donned his best uniform and double checked everything to ensure that it was meticulously squared away, he was about to receive his first command and a sense of pride washed over him. His only regret was that he was unable to visit his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina before he was assigned his command. There was nothing like home and he longed for the smell of the crisp Appalachian fall. Admiral Janeway personally sent notice that he was hand picked by her for his first command. Jonas was puzzled why a person who was trained to captain a science vessel would be assigned to a larger starship. He sighed as he took one final self-inspection in the mirror and was satisfied with his grooming. He dimmed the lights and left his quarters to see what his fate would hand him.

The young Captain walked the corridors of Starfleet Headquarters stopping only for a moment to admire the sky atrium. It had an even more magnificent view of the Golden Gate Bridge than his temporary quarters. The bridge was restored to its full mid-20th Century period appearance. Sadly, he sighed as he realized he never really took the time to appreciate all the wonders that Earth had to offer and would all too soon return to deep space where he spent most of his career. He walked through the gardens for almost an hour before resuming his path to the Deep Space Exploration Department. He felt a bit nervous as he approached the counter where Admiral Janeway's personal assistant was sitting.

A severe looking young Vulcan glanced upward and smiled as warmly as a Vulcan could, "You must be Captain Alexander, you are quite early... please have a seat and make yourself comfortable and I notify the Admiral you are here." The slender Vulcan female stood up and walked to another room only to promptly return with the Admiral in tow. Kathryn Janeway was a woman who aged quite gracefully.

Janeway smiled, "I like punctuality... but one hour and fifteen minutes early is a bit much, even by my strict standards."

Captain Alexander found himself in awe of the legend who stood before him, "Ma'am... the opportunity just to meet you, the things I have studied about your adventures..." he blushed in embarrassment and added,

"I simply did not want to be late."

She smiled back as she poured herself a cup of coffee, "Well I guess not," she warmly responded trying not to chuckle a bit. "I once knew a young Captain who was very nervous about receiving her first command. This particular Captain had to take a newly commissioned ship into a hostile zone... she was quite early to report to her admiral as well... and hurried to get to her new command only later wishing she had taken the time to pack away some extra naturally grown coffee in her belongings." Janeway sighed as she reminisced for a moment then waved her hand at an antique silver coffee server on a delicate table setting by her open office door, "by all means pour yourself a cup and step into my office where I will brief you on your new command."

Alexander passed on the coffee and followed the aged Admiral to her office, the door silently slid shut as he took his seat only after she took hers. "Ma'am, if I may ask one question..."

"It's Kathryn when we speak privately in my office or any place you are in my presence one on one. We can speak candidly..." she walked around to the back of an elegant antique desk, "I know what you are about to ask... you want to know why I chose you to command a starship?" she said as she took a sip of the rich coffee she so treasured.

The young captain looked at her sheepishly, "that is exactly my question... how did you..."

Janeway continued, "that's why I am an Admiral and you are the Captain, Admirals have to know these things," she said with a chuckle, "I'm going to be straight to the point, because I don't know any other way to be... your scientific background is impressive, I would even go so far to say it's unmatched when compared to our most veteran captains. But I don't need a seasoned veteran Captain to take command of the Dauntless... I want someone who is willing to take new approaches to using new technologies. I believe you will be right at home with her as she is nothing like you have ever seen before. The design is a radical departure from our standard build of starships. You might say I am giving you the opportunity of a lifetime on a silver platter. I want you to depart immediately to familiarize yourself with the ship and to shake out any bugs. I want a captain that does not have preconceived notions of what a ship's computer... and how a ship should run to cloud his mind with the possibilities of the Dauntless."

Alexander stood up, "I definitely do not want to let the legendary Admiral Kathryn Janeway down, seems like I have my work cut out for me."

Kathryn stood up and approached the young Captain brushing off his shoulders and looking him in the eye much like a grandmother would instead of a fleet admiral. "Jonas, frankly I've watched your career for a long time, I know… in my heart.. you are the one." She smiled with a sly twinkle in her eye and mused about how much he reminded her of the eager young Captain she was when the Voyager assignment was given to her.

He stood up and asked, "so when does the Dauntless leave out? I don't recall ever seeing a ship by that name before."

"Here's where things get interesting," Janeway said, "The dauntless is not yet completed. You are to take a month's personal leave and whatever your coffee is I strongly suggest you pack some extra... you just never know." She took another sip and continued, "spend some time with your family and then report to Nevada to the Nellis Starship facility."

"What Nellis starship facility?" Jonas asked.

"Oh," she said with a sly twinkle in her eye, "the big secret starship facility deep underground where we develop our newest ship technologies. In due time kiddo... enjoy your leave for now, I promise you will be quite busy once it's over. Do you have any other questions?"

"Not at this time," he said.

"Then you are dismissed," she responded.

Several minutes after he stepped out of the office a young woman seemed to appear from nowhere. Janeway greeted her as if she wasn't surprised, "Hello Iris, I can only assume you witnessed the whole thing?"

"Yes I did," the young woman who seemed to appear from the shadows said with a very formal British accent.

Janeway took another sip of her coffee, "so what do you think?"

Iris smiled, "I think I like him a lot better than the other Captains you were considering, he has spirit and spunk... you have made a good choice."

"Time will tell Iris..." she said as she stood up and stretched, "only time will tell."