Star Trek: Odyssey 21: Sixty-two
Captain's Log: Stardate: 58641. are still in orbit above Earth after the assault from the Terran Empire. We have completed our repairs and are ready to get underway. We have brought on new crewmembers to take the place of crewmembers that were killed or have left. Lieutenant Stull has left the ship and is now the operations officer aboard the Thunderchild, she will serve that ship well.
The senior officers sat around the conference table in the observation lounge that was behind the bridge.
"Okay," Zofchak said. "The Hornet and Potemkin have about a day of repairs left and the Thunderchild is having the finishing touches put on their new starboard nacelle. They should be underway in a day or so."
"Excellent." Allensworth said. "Counselor, how's the crew's morale?"
"Some are a little shaken up from the recent battle. Some feel they'll be dead soon while others think we'll prevail to win the war."
Allensworth nodded. "That type of thinking is normal."
"They like you, they trust you, but some of them think that no one can save them."
"I see."
At that moment, the doors to the observation lounge and an unfamiliar face stepped into the room. He wore Lieutenant pips on his blue collar. He stood about as tall as Captain Allensworth with brown hair. He looked a bit startled with all the eyes of the senior officers on him. He had just walked in on the senior officers meeting.
"I apologize for walking in on your meeting." He said.
Allensworth stood up. "Not at all." He walked over to the Lieutenant who handed him a padd. "Ah, yes, Lieutenant Nathan Dowey, our ship's new geologist, who had just come from the Excalibur."
Dowey nodded the senior officers as Allensworth looked over the padd. "You have quite some experience at the helm. Well, looks like we found our helmsman. You'll double as helmsman and ship's geologist."
"Is that wise, sir?"
"Commander Zofchak is chief engineer and ship's historian."
Dowey nodded.
"This is definitely different." Sparhawk said.
"What is?" Plumley asked.
"Having someone in the science division at the helm, it's not something you see often."
"Well Commander, you can see this crew isn't exactly the most common crew. We may be one of the less diverse, but do we make up an interesting crew." Merriell said.
Allensworth acted like he was going over the new crewman's record but he already knew what was on it since his chose. "Well Lieutenant, take your post."
"Yes, sir." Dowey said.
He turned and left the observation lounge, heading for the helm. Allensworth turned and looked at his officers. "Dismissed."
The senior staff walked out of the lounge and entered the bridge. Each one walked to their respective stations to begin their duties.
No sooner did Hoshi sit down, did she hear a beeping come from her station. She pressed a few buttons before turning to her captain.
"Sir, Admiral Burrell on subspace." She said.
"I'll take it in my ready room, Commander."
Hoshi pressed a few buttons and transferred the admiral to the captain's ready room. Allensworth walked into his ready room and sat down before talking with the admiral. He pressed a button on his console and a screen rose from his desk.
"Yes, Admiral?" Allensworth said.
"Jermaine, I'm sending you and your crew to Bajor tol help the Defiant stop the Tzenkethi from harassing the Bajorans due to their application into the Federation."
"The Tzenkethi? That seems rather spontaneous."
"It would seem that the Tzenkethi do not like the idea of the Federation expanding and for a species such as the Bajorans to want entrance into the Federation seems like a bad idea to them."
Allensworth thought for a moment with his hand on his chin. "I see. Well, Admiral we'll head over there and see what we can do. What other ships will be over there besides the Defiant?"
"The Titan and Rhea. However, they will be considered more as backup if needed. They are investigating the disappearance of the Ariel."
"Maccombs's ship?" Allensworth asked.
Burrell nodded. "It disappeared in that region of space and it's possible the Tzenkethi are behind it."
"Do you think the Tzenkethi are trying to start another conflict with us?"
Burrell shook his head. "I don't know but we can't have that while we're at war with someone else. You have your orders, leave orbit as soon as you're ready."
"Yes, Admiral." Allensworth said just before the screen went blank."
Allensworth stood up and walked out of his ready room. He walked out onto the bridge where all of his officers were at their own stations. He noticed that Lieutenant Commander M'Ress at the communications station instead of Hoshi. He figured she had to go do something for the twins.
"Lieutenant Dowey, set a course for Bajor. Maximum warp."
"Aye, sir." Dowey said as he entered the commands into his console.
Commander Sparhawk looked at his captain with a confused look. He found it odd for them to be sent to Bajor for whatever the reason all the way from Earth, when there were plenty of starships that were closer.
"Bajor, sir?" He asked.
The Alexandria-A moved out of Earth's orbit and readied itself to leap into warp. Dowey was waiting to get clear of the USS Crazy Horse that was alongside the Alexandria before going to warp.
"Course laid in, sir." Dowey said.
"Hit it." Allensworth said.
The ship was clear of the Excelsior class Crazy Horse and jumped into warp.
Allensworth sat down in his chair. "We've been ordered to Bajor to help the Defiant defend Bajor from the Tzenkethi. Apparently the Tzenkethi do not like the idea of Bajor becoming a Federation member."
"The Tzenkethi?" Zofchak asked. "Why in the name of the Great Bird of the Galaxy would they want to start something with us? We haven't heard anything from them since the Federation-Tzenkethi conflict of 2364."
"Maybe they feel that we're vulnerable since were at war with the Terran Empire." McKenzie said.
"What other ships will be there with us?" Sparhawk asked.
"It'll be us and the Defiant. The Titan and Rhea will be there to assist us if needed but they will be investigating the disappearance of the Ariel."
At the mention of the Ariel, Dowey looked back at the captain.
"Is there a problem, Lieutenant?" Allensworth asked curiously.
"Not really, sir. I have a friend on the Ariel. I guess I was surprised at the mention of it, sir."
"Don't worry, Lieutenant. We'll find them." Allensworth said reassuringly.
Dowey nodded and turned back around.
"Does Starfleet think the Tzenkethi is behind the Ariel's disappearance?" Sparhawk asked.
"Admiral Burrell does but I'm not so sure." Allensworth said.
"The Ariel is a Nova class starship. It should be able to out run anything that the Tzenkethi has." Zofchak said.
The turbolift doors opened to reveal a very distraught and crying Hoshi Sato. Dustin quickly ran to her side. Allensworth, Sparhawk, and Nycz stood up from their seats concerned for Hoshi.
"Hoshi, what is wrong." Dustin asked.
"The twins. They're gone. The twins are gone." She said burying her crying face into her husband's chest.