Well here we go onto chapter 4. So we now get to see who will be joining Arnold and his crew for the search rescue mission.

Hope you enjoy.

Hey Arnold: A New Frontier

Chapter 4

Arnold looked puzzled and asked "Whom may I ask?" "Lt. Commander Helga Pataki" Arnold felt a sudden cold rush over him. Hearing the name he suddenly felt a rush of memories flow over him of how Helga treated him at the academy. She would always fine some way to mess with him, wither it be his personal holodeck programs being altered or his replicator and reprogram it to replicate pork grinds. The most infamous one he could remember was when she created a special holodeck program and tricked him into thinking it was real and made him think another cadet by the name of Lila actually loved him.

He shuddered a moment thinking why she would do such a thing cause he could almost swear there was a better side to her and that made him feel conflicted about her. Every now and then she would be like a friend to him especially when the real Lila dumped him under a large oak tree on the campus grounds. She supported him through it which boggled him. How could a girl so hell bent on making his life miserable also be a friend. It just blew his mind.

Janeway noticed his attention drifting "Captain, is there a problem?" He shook it off and looked back at her on the small screen. "Sorry Admiral and there is no problem, where shall we pick up Pataki?" he asked trying his best to remain professional. "She is currently on assigned to the U.S.S. Hood in the Laurentian system, I'll send the orders for her transfer right away." Arnold nodded in response. "Aye sir, I'll set course immediately." Janeway spoke up before she was about to end the conversation. "Oh and captain, good luck on your search. Janeway out."

The screen went back to its splash screen showing the federation insignia, then tapped the button for the screen to slide back into place. He took another sip of cider before heading to the bridge. "Helm set a course for the Laurentian system warp five." "Aye sir" The officer at the helm set course sending the ship at high speed toward the Laurentian system.

A few hours passed as Gerald rejoined Arnold on the bridge as he breathed a deep sigh. "So Helga, this will certainly be interesting." Arnold let out a small laugh "That's an understatement." he remarked. "Well I guess there is one bright side to all this." Gerald remarked with a smirk as Arnold looked at him curiously "Since when do you look on the brightside?" Gerald had always been more skeptic about a lot of things as they grew up together, but still followed Arnold on a lot of crazy adventures as kids. "Somebody has to, and back to what I was saying, you'll be her commanding officer." He said nudging him lightly and Arnold just let out a light laugh "Yeah, I suppose so." He said half thinking that won't make much difference knowing Helga.

In a flash of light as the ship came out of warp and suddenly slowed to impulse speed as it entered the Laurentian system. On the bridge of the ship was business as usual as Arnold watched the screen intently before he was interrupted from his thoughts "Sir we are within range of the Hood." Arnold readjusted himself in his chair as he looked at the viewscreen almost hesitantly giving the next command. "Hailing frequencies." There was a momentary pause before the ensign spoke up again. "They're responding sir." "On screen." The screen came to life showing the captain of the other ship.

"Captain Tish Wittenberg of the U.S.S. Hood" She said in greeting. "Captain Arnold Shortman of the U.S.S. Serenity" Tish nodded as she heard his name "Arnold, I've heard about you, taking command during a skirmish with a Romulan Warbird, no easy task there." He nodded "It was a challenge." She cracked a smile "With the Romulans that's an understatement, your lucky to have gotten your ship out in one piece." "Yes sir." Tish stood up from her chair and walked toward the screen. "I'm sorry to get off topic captain, yes your here to take my security officer away from me." She joked with him "Well we will be sure to return her when the mission is over" She nodded as Arnold thought to himself that he couldn't wait for that moment when she would be off his ship and hadn't had to deal with her. "Good seeing you captain, take care of youself." Tish nodded "You as well" then the screen cut back to the image of the ship in front of them.

Arnold had made his way to transporter room two with Gerald and Phoebe by his side. He figured he should bring her along to make the welcome a little warmer and having Phoebe near by might make her a little more calm. They soon made it to the transporter room and Gerald nodded to the transporter chief "Energize" he said to him as he activated the transporter and watched as it came to life and energy filled one of the pad's and in a moment materialized into Helga. Arnold felt himself swallow nervously a little having been anxious about this reunion. "Uh um welcome aboard Lt. Commander" he extended his hand out in greeting as Helga just seemed a bit annoyed which Arnold could understand that she was taken from her ship just because he wanted to lead a expedition to rescue Eduardo and find his parents.

Once she could see who was in front of her she felt her heart skip a beat upon seeing Arnold in his command uniform she did everything to keep herself from swooning. He had looked so handsome to her in his uniform but she had built up a shield over time allowing her to hide her emotional state to anyone even the one she loved. "Yeah yeah, Hi Arnoldo and tall hair ..oh you shortened your hair." she said with a shrug but once she saw Phoebe she let a smile cross her face as she put her stuff down to give her a hug. "Hey Pheebs, hows it going?" she asked delighted to see her friend as Phoebe returned the hug. "Its great to see you Helga, we have so much to catch up on."

Arnold and Gerald just watched on as they talked a little bit then Arnold spoke up "Perhaps Miss Heyerdahl you could escort Helga to her quarters." Asked Arnold and Phoebe nodded at him "I would be delighted to sir." She said as they began to walk out and Helga grabbed her things and left the room to Gerald and Arnold's relief. "Well that went much better then I thought." Remarked Gerald as he pretended to wipe the sweat from his brow before they both left a short while after Pheobe and Helga left.

So now Arnold has to deal with Helga as his tactical officer, and even with her under his command. Who can honestly say they can fully order Helga around, perhaps she is pushing for a command of her own.

Stay tuned next time for Hey Arnold and the New Frontier.