This is a Command Ship?!
by Starsinger
Okay, I'm going to start with a few minor explanations here. The USS Joshua is a fleet command vessel, originally designed by Shane Johnson, author of "Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise" for a Star Trek fan club in the North Central Texas area (Dallas/Fort Worth). The name of the fan club, shockingly enough, is the USS Joshua NCC-3700. Amazing that I still remember that after twenty-three years. If you'd like more information on her, her crew (like me, yes, you'll actually find a picture of me on there, if you're curious enough and can get a hold of my real name), and what she's been doing for the past twenty-four (almost) years. The website is www . ussjoshua . org. Take out the spaces of course. The people on the Joshua, I don't own, they own themselves, even after Rende's act as an Orion Slave Girl, uh, never mind. This is a fan club, the make-up of the crew probably won't reflect what would actually be on a ship of this type. We're not normal. Don't own the rest.
Fleet Captain James Kirk, along with Spock and Scotty beamed aboard the USS Joshua while the Enterprise was in refit. It felt a little strange to be on a ship that was technically under his command, but wasn't his. He was greeted by a middle aged white woman in civilian clothes. "Captain Kirk, I'm Administrator Kris McDaniel. Welcome aboard the Joshua."
"Administrator, huh? Isn't the civilian equivalent of Captain?"
"Yes, sir, I was Captain of the USS Gagarin before retiring and was offered a position in the Science Department by John, er, Captain Coward." She motioned for them to follow her, "John is in his ready room and would like you to join him there."
"What exactly is the Joshua class?" Kirk asked.
"She is a command cruiser. Capable of Warp 9, she can cruise comfortably and Warp 7. She has both communications and command capabilities for the entire fleet. I'll show you to the quarters that you would occupy should you need to utilize her coordination capabilities." Kirk noticed her green eyes that stood out against her dark brown hair, he flashed her a smile. "Don't try that with me, Captain, you're too young for me." They entered a turbolift, "Bridge," she said absently.
As they entered the bridge, a tall, man with brown hair rose to greet them, he wore Engineering Red with Captain's stripes as well. "Captain Kirk, Captain Steve Liptak."
"Uh, how many of Captain's rank do you have on board?" Kirk asked.
"Fleet Captain Rushing, Captain Liptak, Captains Coward, me, Bob, six I believe. We just kind of retire here. Steve over there also serves in the bar below we call Ten Below. It serves as a hangout for everyone. Captain Rende Coward runs the place." They went through another door and came up yet another, she rang the alert.
The door opened and yet another brown haired man with blue eyes sat behind yet another desk, John looked up. "Thank you, Kris," clearly a dismissal.
"You're welcome John, but I'm done running cute boys through the gauntlet. Poker at 8?"
"As usual at the Captain's Quarters," came the reply. The woman turned and left the room.
"Is she single?" Kirk asked.
Spock looked right at him, "Carol?"
"But she calls herself Kris!" he protested.
"And probably did before you were born," John commented with a grin. "I'm going to have to introduce you to my wife. She'll love you," the glint in John's eye made Kirk back up behind Spock. "Come on, I'll show you to the Admiral's quarters, or in your case, Fleet Captain's Quarters. I doubt you'll be on here often, though, the Enterprise is a fine vessel."
The Admiral's quarters were, well, enormous. He realized that there was enough room in here for him and his staff, if he had a staff. Most quarters were self contained, with a small partition for the bathroom. This had actual doors leading off the main area leading to the bedroom, and another to the bathroom. The main room held a desk, a communications device, and couches and chairs with writing boards and PADDs. "I'll let you settle in. Get comfortable and familiar with this. Captain Spock, Commander Scott, your quarters are on either side of Kirk's. I'll send someone to get you when we're ready for a test drive." Captain Coward left.
"Test drive? When did a ship become a car?" Kirk asked. All three of them sat on the couch. Kirk looked around, "Did he mention something about a poker night?"