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Star Trek: A New Threat
Chapter 2
The next morning an elderly but still in shape Andorian Captain called
Thelev is walking the corridors of Enterprise on his way to the bridge.
Thelev has been given the honour of being the very last captain of
Enterprise due to his role of being a spook. The Spooks was the nick name
given to skeleton crews who moved any class of ship around the federation
when a full crew couldn't be found or just simply not needed. His current
assignment was to take the ship to get it downgraded and ready for her new
resting home. His chief engineer runs up to join him. She is a Trill woman in her early fifties but still very attractive for her age.
"How was the party last night? Some of us were working till 0300 hours of
course"
The captain looks at her, his head heavy with a hangover. It never
surprises him how full of life she is even at this ungodly hour of the
morning.
"It went well, but I swear Lenara it's the last time I get talked into a
drinking contest with Pavel Chekhov".
She give him a cheeky grin as they continue towards the turbolift.
"You're getting old Captain, you don't have the ability of a young Andorian
anymore". The captain smiles as he pushes the button for the lift.
"Any more back chat like that and I'll stick you in the brig".
Lenara laughs as she watches Thelev get in the lift. She passes him her
electronic pad that contains the final repair report on the ship.
"Oh is that so? I can't see my husband liking that very much".
The captain takes the clipboard and throws Lenara a wink as the doors
begin the shut.
"God job I am your husband then isn't it?"
The doors open onto the bridge and Thelev walks out. Since it is just a
Skeleton crew the stations were not all manned. The crew is one he has
worked with for a while and even some of them for a good few years now. A
good portion are made up of cadets on their one-year fleet experience duties
from the academy but most are fully qualified crew who are close to
retirement. The latter is the case of Thelev, the man is only eight months
from retirement and looking forward to moving back to Andoria. Lenara wasn't
overly thrilled to join him as she was never one for the cold in any of her
life cycles. The captain eases himself into his seat, he had lost count of
how many different captain's he had graced over the years but none as
famous as The Enterprise. He has always liked this class of ship and
before today has only had the pleasure to captain a Constitution once before.
"Report Mr Ryker" He said finally.
Ryker is a human cadet only into his first three months of on the job
training. A competent pilot but still a little green around the gills but
Thelev trusted him all the same. Mind he is still keeping an eye on this
young human as he's never flown a Constitution class outside of a
simulator.
"Repairs were all completed last night Captain. We're ready to ship out on
your order".
The captain leans over to hit the communication button on his chair arm.
"Thank you ensign, Bridge to Engineering".
The speaker crackles into life, and the voice of his wife and chief
engineer can be heard.
"Engineering here captain".
"Report".
Lenara is stood inside Engineering at a communication console. The engine
room is a buzz of lights and humming noises. Her team is going about their
business of monitoring consoles and making final adjustments.
"All ready Captain. The last of the work crews have left so we're ready
when you are".
Back in the bridge, Thelev gives a nod towards Ryker as he shuts off the com
link.
"Helm, take us out. One quarter impulse".
The docking clamps and walkways begin to retract away for the side of the
ship. Her thrusters gently power up and manoeuvre the Enterprise away form
the sidewall. Reaching maximum distance the main impulse engines hum
into life and start the ship on her move out of the dock. The giant
internal hull doors start their slow slide to open and Enterprise eases
through the gap. The French communication's ensign, LaBouf, swings
on his chair to face his captain. Thelev wasn't a big fan of LaBouf, the
ensign in his opinion was lazy and not what starfleet was looking for. He
would make sure his end of tour report would reflect as much.
"Captain Thelev I'm receiving a communication from the dock commander.
It seems that we have someone outside waiting to say goodbye. It's USS
Excelsior and we are being hailed".
Captain Thelev orders to have it put up on screen. They are greeted by the
image of a smiling Captain Hikaru Sulu.
"Captain Thelev. I couldn't leave without seeing her in flight one last
time".
Thelev had a few dealings with Sulu in the past and when they had met in
passing they have always enjoyed each others company. He had a lot of
respect for Sulu what with his time with Jim Kirk but also as the man in
the big seat of the Excelsior.
"Don't worry captain I'll make sure not to scratch her just like I didn't
scratch the Excelsior" smiles the Andorian.
"I know you will Thelev. Take care of her she's been through a lot" he
Laughs
The screen cuts off and is replaced by the image of the Excelsior turning
away and jumping to warp.
"Set course Mr. Ryker… Maximum warp".
Yes she had been through a lot but even now he couldn't resist putting
Enterprise into the wind and giving her the full beans. After all this
would be her final run. After leaving Mars and her warp engine internals
removed she would make the final journey to earth under impulse. He was
sure Lenara wouldn't mind him pushing the engines like this. After all, it
was a simple enough mission. He didn't even get twenty minutes into the
mission before Lenara had managed to convince her husband that it would be
a better idea to drop back to warp four. Disappointedly Thelev had agreed
as he was hoping to make the run to the Utopian shipyards in record time.
Typical women he thought.