Disclaimer: Same old, same old...
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Chapter 7: Day One
'Admiral, three vessels have launched after us and are following us into space.' Tuvok stated.
'On screen.'
Three ships, roughly triangular shaped and twice the size of a Yellowstone-runabout, took lead of Voyager. They were clearly Omega Division-vessels.
'The lead-ship is hailing us.' Harry reported.
A beautiful young woman appeared on screen. She had shoulder length white hair and unnaturally light blue-green eyes. She was wearing the black Omega-uniform, and a microphone-earpiece.
'This is Commander Monica Gray, Omega Bird-of-Prey-section. Voyager, we are offering you an escort to Deep Space Nine.'
'Commander, do you think that is necessary?' Admiral Janeway asked.
'No ma'am,' Commander Gray responded.
'It's just that I'm on the way to DS9 to drop two Ensigns off for field training, and I thought we might as well fly together. Besides, my Ensigns would love the opportunity to escort Starfleet's most famous Admiral, ma'am.'
Janeway smiled.
'In that case, Commander. I have no objections. In fact, why don't you and your Ensigns come aboard for dinner tonight?'
Gray smiled back.
'Thank you Admiral, they'd be thrilled. Gray out.'
She disappeared from screen again, and the view returned to space.
'Do you know her?' Janeway asked Logan.
'Monica? Yes, she was an Ensign herself when I was Bird-of-Prey-commander. Before I came to Voyager.'
'Well, then I'm sure you'll find a way to entertain our guests tonight, make sure they get the grand tour and everything.'
Janeway winked.
'Now, would you mind if I take a walk around the ship? I haven't had the grand tour yet myself.' She asked.
'Go ahead; I'll stay on the Bridge, for now.' Logan said.
'Thanks.' Janeway said.
'Call me if something comes up.' She smiled, before she walked away.
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'Doctor to Captain Logan, please report to Sickbay.'
Logan lay down the PADD he had been working on.
'Is something wrong, Doctor?'
He received a curly answer:
'Yes.'
'Tuvok, you have the Bridge.' Logan said as he began to move to the turbolift.
Moments later he entered Sickbay.
'Doctor, what seems to be the matter?'
The Doctor was pacing around impatiently.
'Captain; not only did I have to adjust to a completely remodelled Sickbay, but every attempt to load my program into the ship's main database has failed.'
Logan noticed the Doctor was still wearing his mobile emitter.
'How am I supposed to perform optimally like this?'
'I see, Doctor. You did the right thing by calling on me directly. No common engineer would have been able to solve this problem.' Logan said.
'Do not mock me, mr. Logan.' The Doctor said.
'Every engineer seems to be too busy. Just wait until they fracture a rib, then they'd be able to get to Sickbay!'
Logan laughed.
'Relax Doctor. I wouldn't dream of mocking you. But you just haven't been briefed.'
'Of course I haven't been briefed!' The Doctor spoke.
'What else is new?' He turned to face Lieutenant Duquesne who was sitting in a corner.
'Already five minutes into our mission…You know it was like this the last time. No one ever bothered to keep me up to date.'
'Doctor, fortunately I have a solution for that.' Logan said.
He walked towards a small hole located arm-high in the wall.
'Doctor, if you'd come this way, you'll see your mobile emitter fits perfectly in this opening.'
The Doctor came to him, and fitted the emitter in the wall.
'Computer, transfer the Emergency Medical Hologram to the database.' Logan said.
The Doctor flickered.
'Now; you'll have full control about your in- and deactivation just like before. Difference is that you have the ability to connect to Ops whenever you choose. That way you can stay up to date as it pleases you.'
The Doctor moved his head as if he was listening to something.
'Ah. Remarkable. Do you know that three ships are circling around Voyager?'
'Yes I do, Doctor.' Logan said.
'Oh, I have some more news that will please you. We have installed holo-emitters in various key-sections, like the Bridge and engineering. So you will be able to access those sections in case of emergency and the emitter would be out of use for whatever reason.
Also, you'll be able to apply the ECH-program if that would be necessary. But the Admiral and I still have to work out some wrinkles.'
'Wonderful news!' The Doctor said happily.
'Thank you Captain.'
'My pleasure, Doc.' Logan said.
The Doctor went to his office and happily picked up a PADD and started working.
'I guess I'm excused…' Logan murmured to himself.
He started to leave, but stopped as he saw Lieutenant JG Duquesne still sitting in the corner.
'Emily, right?' He asked as he moved towards her.
'Yes, sir.' Duquesne started to rise, but Logan waved her back down.
He hoisted himself onto the biobed opposite of her.
'So… what do you think so far?' He asked.
'Sir?'
'You know… the ship… the people… the mission… the Doctor.'
'Oh. Well the Doctor is amazing. He is so… different from other doctors.'
'Yeah. You can say that.' Logan said.
'I feel so lucky to be here. To learn from him. And to be on this legendary ship.'
'Yeah, well… this internship will open a lot of doors for you, that's for sure. Not only at Starfleet Medical. And what about the rest?'
'Well… I haven't met most of the crew yet. And I'm not familiar with the layout of the ship.'
'I suggest you take a break and head for the mess-hall.' Logan said.
'I doubt there will be much to do here today. It will give you the chance to get to know the crew a bit. I don't think the Doctor will mind. We have more additions to the crew, who just as unfamiliar.' Logan got to his feet.
'Thanks, sir.' Lieutenant Duquesne said.
'I think I'll do that.'
'Have fun.' Logan winked.
'I'll see you around…'
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The rest of the day had gone by quickly and easily with no unexpected occurrences, and Logan was waiting in transporter-room one for Commander Gray and her two Ensigns to arrive.
They would transport from their ships, while the ships continued to circle around Voyager on auto-pilot. Logan knew they would adapt speed and direction to Voyager, and could also be remote controlled.
'Sir, Commander Gray is ready for transport.' The Ensign behind the control-panel informed him
Then energize.' Logan responded.
Three figures appeared on the transporter-pad.
'Gray,' Logan said as he stepped forward to greet the Commander.
'Logan,' Commander Gray answered. She gave him a hug.
'How have you been? You look good.'
'You too.' Logan said.
'It has been too long.'
'Let me introduce you,' Gray said.
'Sanchez, Jora, front and centre!'
The two Ensigns quickly got off the transporter-pad and snapped to attention in front of Logan.
'Captain Gabriel Logan.' Gray simply said to the two Ensigns.
'Logan, Ensign Mercury Sanchez and Ensign Jora.' She said to Logan.
'Good evening.' Logan said.
Sanchez was a young man with short black hair and a charming boyish smile. Jora was an attractive Vulcan woman with waist-length chocolate-brown hair with braids.
'I hope everyone's hungry?'
'Yes, sir!' Sanchez replied enthusiastically.
'Let's see if you're just as pleased after dinner, Ensign.' Logan said with a smile.
'Who knows what Chell has come up with. Come with me.'
He led them out of the transporter-room. Gray quickly caught up with him, and soon they were talking and laughing as the two Ensigns followed them silently.
They entered the mess-hall, which had been, as several other sections of Voyager, slightly redecorated.
There were a few round tables, more longer tables and fewer single- and two-person tables.
It was still early in the evening and not so busy, so it didn't take them long to be served.
'Alright Lieutenant, what have you been concocting all day?' Logan asked their Bolian cook.
'And what are you wearing?' Gray asked when she saw the white jacket Chell had put on.
'This happens to be an authentic replicated chef's jacket from the mid-21st century.' Chell said proudly.
'And for tonight's dinner I have outdone myself. We have various soups and salads for starters. Then for a main-course: salmon on a bed of Bajoran cauliflower and potatoes; stewed pheasant with uttaberry and grilled leola root; and spaghetti with meatballs. And for desert we have 5 kinds of pie; chocolate pudding; and a Andorian cocktail.'
'That… sounds delicious, Chell. I would have expected more… colourfully-named dishes to be honest.' Logan said.
'Well, in truth, Captain; I have an idea for a 'Nylla-sandwich'. When I complete the recipe, you'll be the first to know. For now, if you and your guests would tell me what you'd like for dinner, I'll make sure it gets to you.'
Logan thanked the Bolian, and all four placed their orders. They took place at a long table, and were enjoying their starters not long after.
'How luxurious.' Gray said to Logan.
'This beats our replicated mash by a mile.'
'I could get used to these three-course meals. It is a rarity for us as well.' Logan said.
'How do you like the soup, Ensign?' He added to Ensign Jora.
'It is most satisfactory.' The Vulcan responded with a slight smile.
She had chosen for a spicy Dutura-leaf soup, and it was common knowledge that most Vulcans weren't keen on spice.
They were all engaged in casual conversation when Admiral Kathryn Janeway appeared and asked to join them.
'Of course, Kathryn, sit down.' Logan said.
The other Omega officers were already on their feet when they noticed the Admiral's presence, but she waved them down instantly.
She took a seat next to Logan, and Gray quickly introduced her Ensigns to her.
'Mercury?' She asked amused, when she heard Ensign Sanchez' given name.
'And I tried so hard not to make any comments…' Logan murmured.
They laughed.
'My father, ma'am' Sanchez said.
'He has a thing for the planets of the Sol system. My older sister is named Uranus.'
They laughed again, and resumed the conversation.
Pretty soon the main-course was served, and with it, more people joined the company at the table.
After the enjoyable dinner, Logan and Janeway gave their guests a tour of the ship, before Logan took them back to the transporter-room.
'This was fun.' Gray told Logan.
'We still have a lot to catch up.' Logan said.
'Why don't we have a drink together? We've been having such a good time.'
'Now?'
'Sure why not. I think they'll survive a few more hours without me.' She pointed to the two Ensigns already standing on the platform.
'Alright.' Logan said.
'Sanchez, Jora,' Gray called.
'You will both be on guard tonight. And one of you will also be taking the Alpha-shift tomorrow-morning. But, I'll let you fight among yourselves which one of you that will be. Understood?'
'Yes, ma'am.' The two Ensigns said simultaneously.
'Good.' She nodded to the crewman behind the console to energize, and followed Logan out of the transporter-room.
