Chapter 2

Journey's Beginning

"Ensign Chalen." Aev spoke up from his seat next to the Captain. "Take us out steady. Manoeuvring thrusters only."

"Yes sir." the male Bajoran replied from his seat. He keyed commands into his console. "Bringing the thrusters online. Plotting course. Starbase Command is opening the bay doors for our departure. We're now moving out."

Outside, the Revolution moved away from its position and edged towards the large docking bay door. Eventually it glided smoothly through the doors and out into open space.

Ensign Chalen keyed away on his console. "Bringing impulse engines online. Taking us up to one-quarter impulse speed." he looked over his head towards the Captain. "What's the course Ma'am?"

"To start with, is the Corback nearby?" T'Maire spoke up.

"Checking for ship registrations in the area." Grylka spoke up. "Confirmed. The Corback is nearby. USS-76222."

"Bring us alongside her."

"Yes Ma'am." Chalen started working away on his console.

"Captain, are you..." Aev stopped himself when T'Maire smiled lightly.

The Revolution pulled alongside another ship sat in space. There was enough of a distance between them that anyone who looked out of a window could see the other ship. That other ship was the Corback, a Steamrunner class vessel.

"Incoming communication from the Corback." Claire chimed in.

"On screen." replied T'Maire.

A male Vulcan appeared on screen. His passive look stared at them. "Captain Connor. What can we do for you?"

T'Maire smiled. "Come now Serran. Can't I have one last look at my old ship before leaving? After all, we did go through a lot back in the Dominion War."

"I understand. Through those difficult times, we learned a great deal." Captain Serran replied calmly.

"Jolan'tru Serran. I heard that you were promoted to Captain the Corback after T'Maire was reassigned." Aev spoke up.

"You have also been promoted quicker than I expected. I knew that you would eventually reach the rank you are now, but not for another few years." Serran put his finger tips together.

"I will take that as a compliment."

"Now that you're the Captain Serran, take good care of the Corback and she will help you through tough times like always. Also, don't forget what I taught you." T'Maire spoke up.

"I remember it quite well Captain. It may be logical to come up with solutions to a problem, but it is not illogical to think outside of the box, as the correct solution may well be outside that very box."

"You remember it well Serran."

"Before you leave on your journey, you have permission to come aboard for a final walk of her decks."

T'Maire shook her head. "I'm quite happy seeing her from here. Besides, I've got a painting of her in my Ready Room. I also know that she is in good hands."

"Understood Captain." Serran put his right hand up in the Vulcan gesture. "Have a safe journey. Live long and prosper."

T'Maire also put her right hand up in the Vulcan gesture. "Live long and prosper my friend." she then gestured for the channel to be closed which Grylka complied.

"Chalen, set course for the other side of the Alpha Quadrant." Aev spoke up. He looked at the T'Maire. "The very edge of the Galaxy should be a fine start."

"Of course." T'Maire replied.

"Bring the Slipstream Drive online. "Gilora, we need maximum sensors recording whilst in Slipstream."

"Of course sir, but bear in mind that sensors will be limited due to the speed we will be travelling at." Taselle replied.

"Thank you for reminding me. I almost forgot about that."

"From the speeds we will be travelling at, the sensors will be picking up the equivalent of glances. Unless something draws big attention, you will need to keep your eye on the ball Lieutenant. Also, we will not always be travelling in Slipstream." T'Maire spoke up. "This is an exploration mission. We will be travelling to an area of the Galaxy in Slipstream. Once there, we will be having a look around before Slipstreaming to the next area. However, if anything grabs our attention whilst in Slipstream, then we'll drop to impulse and have a look."

"Understood Captain." Taselle replied.

T'Maire pressed a couple of buttons on the arm of her chair to activate ship-wide comms. "This is the Captain speaking. Ready yourselves. Our mission is now beginning." she ended the channel.

"Chalen. Engage Slipstream." Aev spoke up.

The Revolution moved away. The whole ship seems to glow as if blue waves of water flowed over its surface before it jumped as if into warp speed. However, once it reached a high enough speed, space around the ship appeared to form a tunnel.

"Sensors are active and gathering data." Taselle spoke up.

T'Maire stood and looked at Aev. "You have the Bridge."

"Understood." he sat in the centre seat.

T'Maire stepped into the nearest turbo-lift. "Engineering." the computer chimed to acknowledge the command and closed the door. There was the usual hum as the lift travelled to its destination. When the doors opened she stepped out into a corridor where she walked for about ten meters before turning and entering through another door.

Engineering was a long dual-floored place. Basically, it occupied two decks. Where the Captain entered was the fore of Engineering. It was longish with a console like table in the middle which showed an overview of the ship, a lot like the central screen at the rear of the Bridge. There were also consoles on either side of the area. Beyond this section was the Warpcore in a circular area. There were more consoles and accesses to Jeffrie-tubes spaced around the core. Several crew-members were either working away on consoles, sticking their heads into Jeffrie-tubes or walking about.

"What can we do for you Captain?" a crewman walked over to her.

"Just doing my rounds. Where is he?" she replied.

"The Chief?" the crewman pointed to the upper area round the Warpcore. "You'll find him at his desk Ma'am."

"Thank you." she walked to the left of the core and called down an elevator. Stepping onto it, she was about press the button to go up when a crewman called over to hold the lift.

"Thank you Ma'am." the crewman spoke over the small container she was carrying.

"You're welcome." T'Maire pressed the button to go up. She let the crewman off first before going over to a console where Simon Johanson was sat working.

At the corner of his eye he saw someone walking over to him. Looking up he saw who it was. "Hello Captain. What brings you to this neck of the ship?"

"Just doing my rounds. Is there anything wrong with that?" she cocked her head to the side a little.

"No, not really. I heard that you had a habit of walking round the various departments when there is a low in activity." he keyed away on his console a little more and then stood up, grabbing a Padd whilst he was at it. "There isn't much to report if that's what you're after. Everything is working. We're just tidying up. Spit and polish if you will." he led her back to the elevator. "You can help if you want?"

The Captain was about to respond when she was called over the intercom by Aev. She tapped her comm-badge. "This is the Captain."

"Just to let you know that we are now coming upon DS9. Would you like us to drop out of Slipstream for a passing look before entering Cardassian space?"

"Might as well. Stop by Bajor first. Taselle might want to have a quick look of her home as well."

"Understood. Bridge out." the comm ended.

"I'll continue my rounds, but I will stop by the canteen first."

Simon shrugged. "Your choice." he walked away and started talking to a couple of crew-members.

T'Maire left Engineering and entered another turbo-lift and went to deck 5. Decks 5 through 8 are for living areas; crew quarters, canteen, etc. She eventually entered the canteen which are fairly empty. Pelva was moving about in the kitchen, an engineer was working on a replicator and two others were talking to each other. A quick glance at the viewing window showed Bajor before it moved out of sight as the ship left orbit. A few minutes later DS9 came into view.

On the Bridge Aev was looking at DS9 on the view-screen. The Defiant was docked on its outer-ring. A Keldon was in orbit of DS9 as well.

"We're being hailed by DS9." Grylka spoke up.

"On screen." Aev replied.

The screen changed to a Bajoran woman in Starfleet uniform. "This is DS9 Fleet Command. We don't have you on record for arranged arrival. Please state the nature for why you're here."

"I am First Officer Aev Jamar of the Revolution. I apologise for a sudden arrival. We are merely passing through on our mission."

"Please state the nature of your mission."

Aev looked at Claire. "Please send them a copy of our mission."

"Yes sir." she replied and worked away on her console.

A moment later the console in front of the Bajoran woman chimed. She pressed a couple of buttons and read what was on screen. He eyes widened for a moment. "Please hold a moment." the screen cut off. A moment she came back. "It appears that you have a long journey ahead of you. You flight plan is a little lacking. I take it that you will be taking things as they come?" It was almost a statement. "It says here that you will be travelling beyond Cardassian space. Would you like a copy of their star charts, or do you already have a copy?"

"Do you have up to date charts?"

"Of course. Cardassia is receiving Federation support since the War. Supplies pass through here and dropped off to areas in their space. However, in emergencies, supplies are taken directly to where they are needed. An up to date star chart helps."

"I understand. We will happily accept a copy then."

"I will have the charts sent over immediately. May the profits guide you."

"May the profits guide us all." Taselle and Chalen spoke up in unison.

The Bajoran woman looked in surprise and saw Chalen at the helm and was even more surprised at Taselle and then bowed lightly when Taselle showed her d'ja pagh before ending the channel.

After a short while the Revolution turned away from DS9 and after moving a distance away re-entered slipstream.