Captains Log. Our position, orbiting Psi2000. An ancient world, now a frozen wasteland about to rip apart in its death throes. Our mission; pick up a scientific part below; observe the disintegration of the planet.Rebecca was in the back of the archives, working on a historical project about various Federation planets and societies. She was so engrossed in her work that she jumped a bit in her seat when her comlink went off and Lieutenant Harper asked her to come to the front of the archives. Standing up, she smoothes out her dress and walked to the front. When she got there she saw her superior conversing with another science officer. Rebecca hesitated politely, not wanting to intrude on their conversation. But her supervisor saw her and beckoned her over. She stepped up and clasped her hands behind her back differentially, while the other science officer turned and faced her. She was pretty, with short blonde hair, and looked to be not much older than herself.
"You must be Ensign Foulks," she said in a crisp British accent. "Lieutenant Harper has just been saying some really great things about you."
She flushed, but stood a little straighter. "Thank you, everything I have learned has been due to the prowess of Lieutenant Harper."
"Well," said the science officer. "Smart and humble. I like that." She held out her hand and Rebecca shook it. "I'm Lieutenant Marcus. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ensign."
Rebecca smiled back. "Likewise, Lieutenant. What can I do for you? Is there something I can help you find?"
Lieutenant Marcus glanced back at Lieutenant Harper. "Not exactly," she said. "What do you know, if anything, about Psi2000?"
Rebebcca thought for a moment. "To the best of my recollection from recent star charts its a C-class planet, and part of the United Federation. It's in the Alpha Quadrant, and I believe...its located somewhere between the Tholian Assembly and Romulus. It's uninhabited, but thought to be once very similar to Earth."
Lieutenant Harper nodded. "That is correct. But what you may not know is that this planet's sun darkened many years ago. Ever since that point, it has deteriorated to the point of destruction."
Rebecca blinked. "Wow. It must be an exceptionally old planet."
Lieutenant Marcus piped in, "It is. And since it bears many similarities to Earth the Federation sent out a science team a few months ago to document the impending destruction and to see if there was anything they could do to prevent it." She tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "The assumption was that if they found anything of use it could then be documented to be used in the preservation of Earth."
Rebecca nodded. "That's a great idea. Did they find anything of interest or importance?"
Lieutenant Marcus frowned. "No one has heard anything from them in almost three weeks."
They were silent for a moment, all considering what could have befallen the science crew.
Rebecca fidgeted, still unsure of why Lieutenant Marcus was there.
Lieutenant Harper caught her eye. "Starfleet has hailed the Enterprise since we're the closet starship to the area, and they asked the Captain to send another team down to see if perhaps the original team is having an equipment problem or it there is any other way we can assist them."
"The Captain asked me to be a part of the landing part," explained Lieutenant Marcus. "And I advised him that a records officer would also be a great benefit to have on this expedition, since that person would be able to document any records that are found and take notes about the planet while it is still safe to do so."
Rebecca's eyes lit up. "To be able to document a dying planet's last days would be extraordinary!"
Lieutenant Harper stepped forward and put her hand on Rebecca's shoulder. "Lieutenant Marcus wanted to know if I would be willing to go with her, but I recommended you instead."
Rebecca froze, momentarily stunned by the enormity of what her supervisor just said. "Lieutenant Harper..." she started.
He supervisor held her hand up. "Stop. I know what you are going to say, as I know you far too well, Ensign." She smiled. "Before you say another word, let me say what I would. Yes, you are completely qualified to go on this mission. Your extensive background and knowledge of historical research are proof enough for that. Yes, I would rather send you than go myself, because how else will you ever gain any experience if I just leave you here and do everything myself? And lastly, I believe in you, and know you will do a good job." She looked amused. "Well Ensign, does that quell any reservations you may have had?"
Rebecca swallowed hard, trying to force down the sudden hard knot of emotion that was lodged in her throat. "Yes, ma'am. And...thank you. I won't let you down."
"I know you won't." She turned to Lieutenant Marcus. "I'll leave you two to it then." She walked away, leaving Rebecca feeling an overwhelming sense of excitement and fear.
"Alright then," Lieutenant Marcus said turning back to her. "Are you ready?"
***
She clasped her hands in front of her and tried desperately to calm down. Her and the Lieutenant were standing in the turbo-lift as it rose steadily, taking them to the bridge. She had never been there before, and the thought of being somewhere so important made her slightly nauseous. Relax, relax, relax, she told herself. This is NOT a big deal. You can do this. You were MADE for this. And Lieutenant Harper believes in you. She smiled to herself. And lots of others do too. Lea does for sure, and so does Spock. And you know what? I believe in myself. I got this.
"Nervous?"
Rebecca looked at her companion from the corner of her eye and let out a nervous laugh. "Absolutely. Is it that obvious?"
Lieutenant Marcus shook her head. "No, not particularly. I just remember how nervous I was the first time I was on the bridge. Granted, the circumstances were a little more...intense." She winked at her.
Rebecca felt a rush of gratitude towards the girl. "I'm excited to be going down to Psi2000, how about you Lieutenant?"
Lieutenant Marcus waved her hand at her. "Please, when we're not on an actual mission, you can call me Carol. I have a feeling we are going to be great friends."
Rebecca's heart warmed. Lea and Spock were her only friends, mostly she considered everyone else in her life to be a mere acquaintance, with the exception of Lieutenant Harper, whom she considered to be more along the lines of a mentor than a friend. She wasn't snobby or standoffish, just hesitantly unsure of why anyone would really want to be her friend. It would be so nice to let someone else in, she thought as she nodded happily to Carol. And I bet Lea would like her too, she seems really straightforward and nice.
She didn't have time to dwell on it however, because at that moment the turbo-lift door opened and the bridge was upon them. After receiving verbal permission to enter the bridge, she followed Carol and took a look around, her eyes soaking everything up like a sponge. The place was a veritable hub of activity. Crewmembers in shades of red, blue, and yellow moved about their various stations. Bright lights and soft electronic noises filled the room, and she was pleasantly surprised to see how efficiently everyone moved. Everyone had a place, knew it, and was comfortable with it. She gazed at it all with a slight look of awe.
"Warp factor one, Mr. Sulu."
"Aye, Captain."
Suddenly the Captain spun his chair around and got up to greet them. "Lieutenant Marcus, I see you've found your records officer." He turned to her with a grin. "Ensign Foulks, it's good to see you again. Glad to know you'll be a part of this project." His eyes darted behind her to where she knew Spock was standing and she fought the urge to turn around and look at him, struggling to keep everything strictly professional. She nodded respectively at the Captain. "Thank you sir, I am overjoyed to be able to help out on this excursion. I am grateful to you and to lieutenant Marcus for being allowed this opportunity."
"I'm sure my team will do a great job, I have a lot of faith in my crew"
She felt a surge of pride rush through her.
He ran a finger along his lower lip, thinking. "The planet is uninhabited according to out scanners but since we don't have any idea of what happened to the original crew I'm sending two security personnel to accompany you. I'd like to keep this landing party as small as possible, but even so I would like for you to bring along someone with an engineering background as well, in case there's any equipment you may need to bring back or even fix on the spot."
Rebecca thought quickly, seeing an opportunity. "Captain, if I may make a suggestion?"
He nodded his assent.
"I know of an Ensign that is training under Liuetenant Commander Scott and her engineering prowess is absolutely fantastic, which you can verify with the Commander if you need proof."
A slow smile grew on his face. "Ah, you must mean Ensign Bowen. Yes, I've been hearing great things about her as well. And she's not too bad in a fight either." He chuckled at personal memory. "Nice idea, Ensign. I'll contact Scotty and see if he can spare her for this brief excursion. Get your things ready, I want to beam you down this evening, if at all possible."
***
The ride down was somehow chillier than the ride up. Carol was quiet, not speaking to her at all. And after a few minutes of silence she began to wonder if she had done something wrong. But before she could ask, Carol finally spoke.
"So, you already knew the Captain beforehand?"
Startled by the randomness of the question she answered, "Yes."
Carol nodded curtly then sank back into a frosty silence, leaving her slightly flabbergasted.
"He has a reputation, you know." Carol said, breaking the silence yet again.
"Erm...yes, I have heard rumors about..." Suddenly she knew what this was all about, remembering the Captain's obvious delight in seeing her again. Shit.
"Ah, Carol?"
The Lieutenant turned towards her a fraction of an inch.
"Ah, if you thought...it isn't...I don't..." She sighed. This is about the get awkward she thought tiredly. "I have absolutely no interest in the Captain in that way. I have met him before, briefly, but mainly he knows me because of my relationship with Commander Spock."
Carol turned all the way around. "You and Spock? Really? What is THAT like?"
She blushed furiously. "Nevermind that! Just, you don't have to worry about anything like that, okay? The Captain's all yours!"
Carol turned back around with a sniff. "Who said I wanted him?"
But Rebecca could see the satisfied smile on her face.
***
Rebecca sat in the mess hall eating dinner and hardly believing her luck. Not only was she going to be going on her first real mission offship, but Lea would be coming as well. Even if nothing exciting happens, I'm sure I will remember this moment forever, she thought happily as she listened to Lea and Carol chatting away as if they had known each other forever. After that initial awkward icebreaking that had occurred on the turbo-lift, Rebecca felt as if she had taken another step down the path of friendship with the lieutenant and she couldn't be happier. At least...until she saw Spock come towards her from across the mess hall. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest as he approached.
"Good evening Ensign Bowen, Liuetenent Marcus...and Rebecca." he stood there formally with his hands behind his back, but she could see the pleasure on his face at being able to address her informally in public, even if no one else could tell. She longed for the privacy of her quarters, where she could slip her hands in his and lay her head on his chest.
He sat down across from her. "I know you too well to try and tell you not to worry about the mission. Your overanxious personality requires you to analyze and scrutinize situations to the point of worry everytime, so I will not waste time with that sentiment."
Carol rolled her eyes and Lea stifled a giggle, while she smiled at him. Well, I can't say he doesn't know me!
"I will however, express that I do wish you to be careful, have a safe trip, and that I will see you upon your return." With that, he bowed slightly and got up and left the mess hall.
The girls were silent for a moment before Carol spoke up. "Well that was...romantic...sort of. Actually, no not really."
Lea shrugged and smiled at her. "That's just Spock. That was actually really sweet, for him."
Rebecca blushed. "I could tell what he meant, he was just being...you know...logical."
Carol leaned over and tucked a strand of her long brown hair behind her ear.
Startled, she asked, "What was that for?"
Carol sat back in her seat. "Just checking your ears for pointiness. You sounded so much like a Vulcan just then that I wanted to make sure your boyfriend wasn't rubbing off on you."
Lea roared with laughter while Rebecca smiled back, trying to hold in her own laughter. What did I do to deserve such people in my life? I am truly blessed. They finished their meal together and then headed back to their quarters to get changed and prepare for the transporter room.
