Chapter Four

Over the next week, Juanita worked diligently with the engineers to make sure that the ship's piloting system was in tip-top shape. Of course, they all had to do their jobs on the ship in between museum duties, when no one was in their part of the museum, which sometimes meant having to work overtime. Juanita usually worked well past midnight. One day, though, Commander Stevenson went up to her during her break.

"May I speak with you for a minute, Lieutenant?" he asked.

"Sure, Commander, any time," she said.

"Lieutenant, I've noticed that you've been working hard this last week. Too hard. I want you to go home right after your shift ends, and rest," the commander said.

"Sir, this is the biggest event of my life. I have to work this hard." Juanita was feeling her Klingon side rising to the surface.

"No one will want a pilot who is so tired she can hardly even think straight. I'm ordering you to take a break today."

Juanita knew that she couldn't argue with a direct order, especially one that was for her own good. Then she got an idea. "Commander, does rest just mean not working?"

"Well, yes, I suppose so," Commander Stevenson said. "Why did you ask?"

"I was just curious, sir," Juanita said.

The Commander noticed that her break was over, just as Juanita did. "Well, I'll let you get back to work," he said, as a tour group came around the corner. He left Juanita to do her job, and smiled to the group as he passed.

Juanita walked up to the group and their tour guide introduced her. She then started talking about the ships' piloting capabilities they could see through the portals, as that was her job.

Three hours later...

Juanita finished her shift, but instead of going to help the rest of the defense crew, as she liked to refer to the crew that was going to defend the heart of the Federation, she went up to the reception booth, where Max worked. She saw him at the computer, finishing up.

"Hi, Max," Juanita said, as he straightened up.

Max turned to face her. "Oh, hi Juanita."

Juanita paused for a second. "Would you like to come over to my place?" she asked.

Max nodded. "Sure."

Juanita slowly let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. "My place isn't too far from here; we can walk."

"Walking sounds better than sitting. I've been doing more sitting in the last week than I have in a long time," Max said.

The two friends walked to Juanita's apartment, talking, and having a good time together.

The next day, when Juanita had reported for duty, Commander Stevenson pulled her aside. "Admiral Zackirya wants everyone working on the project to meet with him just outside his office today after hours," he said, quietly.

"Alright. I'll be there," Juanita said in the same quiet tone. She paused for a second. "Why did you pull me aside?" she asked.

"We don't want people overhearing us," Commander Stevenson said. "I've been telling everyone since they've reported for duty."

"Oh, okay," she said. "May I start working now, sir? I think the students from the local schools will be arriving at my post soon."

"Alright, you may go," he said, and watched her as she went to her post. He then went to his posting.

Juanita rarely felt so anxious for a meeting. She felt like the hours were creeping along, and would have let her Klingon fierceness come racing out if it wasn't for her Starfleet training. Fortunately, she had her job to distract her.

Finally, the museum closed for the day, and Juanita went to the area that Commander Stevenson had specified, where a crowd was already forming. She saw the door to Admiral Zackirya's office open, and saw the top of his head. He must have had a stepstool because his head and the top of his shoulders suddenly appeared above the crowd. A few more people joined the crowd, and then everyone went silent. Admiral Zackirya started speaking.

"The subspace race has been coming ever closer, and soon they will be upon us. Our ship, the Enterprise, is almost finished, and only needs a few tweaks to be ready. We will launch in one week. I will be the commanding officer on board," he said. "We will have to work harder than ever in the next week to ensure that no civilian will find out about our mission, so no one will panic. You may talk to any Starfleet officer about this, but please, refrain from telling any civilian. Dismissed." With that, Admiral Zackirya got down and went inside his office. When they saw the door close, the crowd slowly dispersed, talking.

Juanita paused for a moment, mulling over the information the admiral had given them. She was still lost in her thoughts when she started walking toward the door. Juanita was thinking about it so much she didn't notice the woman who walked up behind her.

"Are you Juanita Paris Worf?" she asked.

Juanita was so startled she didn't speak for a moment. Then, "Yes, I am. Who are you?"

"I'm Lieutenant Commander m'Krell, the Romulan chief engineer," she said. "I've heard about you, you're a great pilot. I know you'll do well in our upcoming battle."

"Well, I guess the word battle will work for our upcoming encounter." Juanita suddenly smiled. "We'll defeat them honorably," she said.

"We will. We most certainly will," Lieutenant Commander m'Krell said. "How come you have two last names, Lieutenant?" she suddenly said.

"It's something I prefer not discussing with almost complete strangers, Commander. If we get to know each other better, I'll tell you then." Juanita was getting irritated, even though she had a good rest the day before.

M'Krell looked slightly disappointed, but she took it like a Starfleet officer. "Alright then. Your call." M'Krell nodded, then left Juanita outside the museum's doors.

Juanita stood, watching m'Krell walk home, and started walking home herself after she saw her disappear. When she got home, she had a hard time getting to sleep.