Chapter 7

Captains log, Stardate 54616.8

After a total system wide electrical burp, two failed engine restarts, one jammed turbo lift, two blown navigational strobes bulbs, several lost comm. signals, and a replicator that only understood Klingon… I would have to say it was a near perfect launch. The Roosevelt has completed the short and long maneuvers, as well as trail runs, in and around the Sol system. She has passed with flying colors.

As for the crew…Commander Rolet is, well, definitely firm, but adaptable. She performs her duties flawlessly and by the book. She does not quote the manual, though would lay odds that she could if she wanted to. She keeps her emotions in check, not that she is without them but damn close. Still, objectively she's a good first officer.

Chief Shingure, despite breaking a few cold sweats and getting headache after headache thrown at him, takes his work seriously. So does half a Starfleet engineering, but he is quick to assess, is on the ball, and quick to the complete the task. I admire his drive, although I fear he will burn out eventually.

Chief Jacobs… how to properly describe him. I guess it would be safe to say he is the reality check. He is candid, speaks his mind, and does not worry about the incidental things. I fear they may come back to bite him, though I hope it does not cascade to others.

Lt. Ramirez is a young pup. Fresh out the academy and filled with hopes and dreams of blazing trails and fling through uncharted space with one hand tied behind his back. Young pilots… to think I was once as naïve as him.

Lt. V'Ren is a true Vulcan. All logic and facts. He is good at prioritizing analysis, though his monotone explanations can be rather dry.

Counselor Sabra is still Sabra. She is dutifully performing her role and is acting as relief medical assistant from time to time. Thus far she has been very active and mobile like a ghost to match her ethereal tone and character. To the point, I rarely see her or realize she is sitting on the Bridge, right next to me.

As for me I am still getting my bearings. I have been out of the loop for over a year and relearning old routines. I am getting broke into the styles of my senior officers and they are getting broke into mine. Though most of them are adapting well. I fear that Rolet is having the hardest time, though she has yet to admit it. I intend to wait and see if she will step up.

After a cursory fly-by of Earth and Luna, we have been given our initial orders and have set course for Sector 379 in the Alpha Quadrant for an extended patrol sweep of the area. It is said to be quiet, but it is my hope it will give us a chance to set our routines.

Rolet reported the Bridge on her rotation and took her place as Bridger sat in his Captain's Chair looking over the ships current bug report. The list seemed to fluctuate day by day. This list was long and filled with what appeared to be a hundred or more minor, superficial details and glitches ship wide. Nothing of severe consequence or overtly affected the day to day operations, but he hoped to be last of the ships problems for while, though futile as it seemed.

He thumb printed the screen, verifying his review before passing it off to McDaniel whom accepted it with a cheerful grin and scampered off with it. Bridger wondered where she found the energy. Rolet looked on with her typical blank demeanor and leaned towards the Captain, "Yeoman McDaniel is quite adamant about visibly drawing attention to herself in the performance of her duties. It is inappropriate conduct for her station, bordering distracting." She quietly muttered.

Bridger shrugged and leaned in towards Rolet, shielding his mouth discreetly, "She is possibly riding the rush of being on assignment… that, or she is just trying to leave a good impression on her immediate CO."

"I find it to be unprofessional conduct in either scenario, Captain."

Bridger shrugged again in response; "Then again, she could just enjoy her work. Though if it does become an issue, I will deal with it." Rolet nodded in agreement as Bridger straightened up and readied to leave his post.

"Captain," the subtle call came out over call came out from the Conn, "Long Range Sensor have detected objects within our flight path. I am detecting multiple, faint ion signatures bearing 280 by 213."

"Analysis, Mr. V'Ren."

"They appear to be one Yridian Freighter and 2 Yridian shuttles. The shuttlecraft appear to be taking escort positions." V'Ren replied categorically.

"Hmmm… They are a little off the beaten path… Helm, take us out of warp, stay on this heading and bring within visual range. XO, have Mr. Jacobs us."

Rolet tapped the panel at her station as the ship came out of warp. After a few minutes Jacobs took up his post as the three smaller vessels were brought up on the screen.

"Mr. V'Ren, anything of interest?"

V'Ren scrolled through the data before him; "The freighter appears to be minimally armed with two sets of phaser arrays extensive and shield capabilities. The shuttle craft are equally defensible and moderately armed with forward, side, and rear phaser banks. I am detecting several life forms aboard the freighter and pairs in the shuttle craft. They appear to continuing on the present course."

Bridger looked to Rolet, "XO, your thoughts?"

Rolet scanned the scene before her, "Possible long range trading vessel in unknown territory transporting items and/or persons of importance. An opposing view being possibly smugglers, privateers, or an unknown rogue entity. We should hail them and verify intent, Captain."

Bridger nodded, "If they are honest, they would hail us, if they are not; let's give them a few minutes to see what they are going to do. In any event, let's wait and see."

Rolet looked to the Bridger, then back to the screen. "I concur, Captain".

Five minutes passed as the Roosevelt edged closer to the unknown ships. Bridger patience waned but he was determined to hold out bit longer. Five more minutes passed and Bridger determined that they were apparently not going to blink. He rose to his feet and stepped forward and just before he was about to call out the order, the hailing call came from the freighter.

Bridger gave the order to put them on screen. Before him was hairless, rat-like dorm of a male Yridian, dressed in multiple, vibrant colors, against his deep pink skin and predominate amount of wrinkle lines. He appeared to be standing in his quarters, bearing a wide grin, "Greetings to you all, I am Clarin and this is my ship the Turis. I am pleased to make your acquaintance." He mused energetically and sincerely.

"This is Captain Augustus Bridger of the USS Roosevelt. Greetings to you, Clarin. We are currently passing through this sector and were afraid you may be lost and are here to offer assistance if needed."

"Ah, how kind of you to consider my well being, but rest assured that we are well aware of our position as were are merely heading for Galgas II."

"I see. Are you expecting trouble along the way?"

The Yridian cocked his head, "Oh, I certainly hope not, yet fortune favors the prepared. Would you not agree?"

"I could not argue with that. Sorry to have bothered you, safe travels to-"

"Although…" Clarin cut in, "Now that I think about it. There is a matter or two that your assistance would be greatly appreciated."

Bridger cocked his head slightly, "I'm listening…"

"Well, perhaps it would be best to discuss such things face to face. I rather prefer such forms of interaction; I rarely get to engage in such forms of conversation with other beings. I am, of course, willing to trade goods for potential services."

Bridger breathed an uneasy sigh, "Very well… I will notify you when we are within range and have you beamed over."

"I am looking forward to it. Until then, Captain…" Clarin signed off.

Bridger turned to Jacobs, "Mr. Jacobs, have as couple of your men roving on deck six."

Jacobs nodded, "Are YOU expect trouble, Captain?"

"Probably not, but as he said, fortune favors… also, have the Counselor meet me at Transporter Room three. Helm ease us alongside them slowly and keep your distance, I doubt he brakes for anyone. You have the Bridge, XO"

Rolet stood up and took Bridger's place and he headed for the turbo lift as he proceeded to meet his new guest. After a quick hop, Bridger exited and headed down the hall. Sabra waited patiently outside the door, dressed in a sleek, grey casual dress, as they entered the room. The operator informed the captain that the other ship was standing by and Bridger gave the order to energize. The pad blink and shimmered as the Clarin materialized before them.

Clarin looked about in wonderment as Bridger took a step forward. "Welcome to the Roosevelt."

Clarin clasped his hand and bounced on the balls of his feet in enjoyment. He extended a curt bow to Bridger as his focus shifted toward Sabra as he stepped off the platform. Clarin stood but a few feet from her, his body shivered as if he had a sudden chill run through his body.

Sabra bowed her head to Clarin as Bridger chimed in, "Allow me to introduce our ships interstellar relations emissary, Lt. Cmdr. Sabra"

Clarin grinned widened, as his nose and ears seemed to twitch ever so slightly. "What an exquisite being, so flawless, so intriguing, oh, words do not do justice!"

Sabra again slighted an appreciative head bow as Clarin deferred to Bridger.

"Oh, I am terribly sorry, Captain. I know your time is short."

"Yes, well, I can at least extend some simple hospitalities as we discuss these matters, you spoke of." Bridger motioned for the door.

Bridger led Clarin to a secondary meeting room as he saw a trio of security personnel casually skirting the halls and one posted casually by the meeting room door. The table was bare; spare a few glasses and a pitcher of water. As Bridger took to the head of the table and Sabra to his right, Clarin looked about the décor of the room in fascination with the silhouettes of previous vessels that shared the same name as well a pictorial depiction of the late president during his charge on San Juan Hill. Clarin composed himself as he took a seat to the left of Bridger.

"So, Clarin, these matters you spoke of?"

Clarin clasped his hands and leaned back slightly in his chair, his expression shifted from wide eyed amusement to that of a business man.

"Ah, yes, Captain. Well I have quite a bit of items that I am willing to barter for the exchange of some simple… courtesies, shall we say."

"Courtesies?" Bridger raised a questioning eyebrow, "What sort of courtesies are you suggesting?"

Clarin reached for the pitcher and poured a glass for himself and for the other two present. "Well, the first matter is quite simple actually… One of my replicators seems to have lapses in memory of some menu items from time to time and my technician took ill, so we had to leave him with the care of another associate of mine a few weeks ago. I know that morale is important on such long excursions, in such a pressing matter that I am on that I need to make sure that my employees have the simple pleasures afforded to them or they will grumble. I despise whining on these long voyages. I am sure you would agree with me." Clarin eyed Bridger carefully sizing his resolve.

Bridger folded his hands and leaned in on the table slightly. "That could put you in quite a spot. What are you offering in exchange for services rendered?"

Clarin smirked, "Then we understand each other. Good. I am willing to offer free choice of anything of interest in our of replicator library. I guarantee that there are delicacies in there that are rare gems that you cannot find anywhere else, spanning the distant parts of this quadrant and beyond. You see, I am somewhat of a collector of such interesting wonders."

Bridger leaned back and stroked his chin as he contemplated the proposal. Before leaning back towards the table, and the other matters. Clarin took a long drink, emptying the glass, "Ahh… so crisp… so pure… the other matter is a bit more physical in nature. You see, I represent a trust of merchant vendors who operate out of the surrounding sectors. Normally, we handle the transport of large orders and transport of said orders between clients. Occasionally, we sublet some of our smaller accounts to smaller, independent outfits. I contracted a freelance trader to delivers some incidental materials to one of our trustees mining outfits on a outlying planetoid. Well, this freelancer delivered manifests a bit short of the original load." Clarin paused briefly and he poured another glass and scanned Bridger's reaction.

Bridger straightened in his chair and slowly tapped a finger to his lips as Clarin continued. "Well, I of course cannot have this for it looks bad for myself and my associate you see. So we received word that he took a separate contact in the area and we were looking to intercept him but he has managed to elude us thus far. Now that you have a presence in the area, another set of eyes looking could aide us in our search."

Bridger waved his hand quizitively, "What do you intend to do with this person once you have located him?"

Clarin grinned. "I assure you, Captain we do not intend true great ill upon him, we merely want to reclaim what was stolen or seek appropriate restitution for our losses. Upon which he will be blacklisted from our contracts and will have to take his business elsewhere."

Bridger sighed heavily, "Hypothetically, should we agree to aid in the search and are forced to detain said person, warranting you time to arrive, what then?"

Clarin cocked his head slightly intrigued, as he was taken back by his potential aid. "Then, he would be transferred to my ship …" Clarin raised a finger in objection to himself, "or if you would be willing, that is, to secure him and whatever goods he may be carrying, we could provide you with a list of what was taken and we can settle up the matter quickly, with you acting as intermediary. Of course, I would be glad to compensate you for your time and services."

Clarin leaned back as if pleased with his idea. Bridger strokes his chin as he mulled over the proposal. He looked to Sabra who nodded agreeably. Bridger straightened up in his chair and scratched his head. "I will have to see if I have crew I can spare at the moment to look into the replicator issue. As for the second, I will have to seek approval from my superiors."

Clarin cocked his head in mild curiosity, "Are you not able to act independently? It is such a small matter, after all."

Bridger sighed disappointingly, "Well, technically… I just have to inform them of the slight change in course. It will take some time relay the details of the matter. However, let me see what I can do on my end and we will go from there. In the mean time, you are free to return to your ship or you are welcome to stay aboard for the time being as my guest. I am sure our replicator library may have something of interest to you and if so, I think we may be able to come to some sort of exchange."

Clarin nodded with interest. "I would like that…" Clarin turned to Sabra sheepishly, "That is if your emissary would be so kind as to accompany me and point out some of the most interesting offerings."

Sabra calmly bowed her head, "I would be glad to assist, but I must speak with the Captain for a moment."

"Oh, of course."

Bridger motioned to the door. "The officer outside will show you to a suite and I will have the Cmdr. meet you there, momentarily."

Clarin stood as Bridger and Sabra followed suit, "Well, I am honored, Captain. You are most kind." Clarin extend a curt bow and walked to the door, looked at the posted watchman, who lead him down the hall.

Bridger crossed his arms as he rounded the table, "Well, he puts on a good show…"

"I do not feel any outward deceit from him. His motivations seem legitimate as were his intents."

Bridger leaned on the back of one of the chairs and looked down at the table, "Perhaps, but it's what he is not telling us is what concerns me. It seems too cut and dry. It is as though he is looking for us to do the hard work, so he does not have to, and probably take all the glory."

Sabra pushed in her chair quietly, "The notoriety is nothing of importance, suppose a select few in his immediate circle. Though, I would suggest that he has not dealt with a Federation vessel before or at least had limited contact lest he would have backed out of negotiations."

Bridger looked to the door, "Yeah, I caught that too."

"What do you intend to do?" Sabra questioned cautiously.

Bridger straightened himself upright, "I will run it past everybody upstairs and get their input. Damn! I should have asked why he was headed for Galgas II."

Sabra made her way to the door before stopping short as she gave one last look to Bridger, conveying a sympathetic smile. "You are re-establishing yourself, Augustus. You are afforded some room for minor mistakes along the way." she commented as she exited the room.