Captain's Log
Stardate: 2259.7.17
The Saratoga has completed its studies of the Rychla system and is preparing to depart for her
next assignment. Before we leave however, we're going to rendezvouz with the U.S.S. Scabbard
which will be arriving later today. In addition to delivering a new shuttle she'll also be bringing
us two new crewmembers.
James T. Kirk
Bridge
3:15 p.m.
After Kirk finished speaking to the Captain of the Scabbard he turned to Thelin.
"They're bringing the shuttle over now and they'll be beaming over the new crewmembers
in fifteen minutes. Why don't you go greet them and then bring them to my Ready Room?"
"Aye, Captain."
Transporter Room
3:30 p.m.
As the two new officers beamed aboard they found themselves facing a tall Andorian. "Welcome aboard,
Crewmen. I am First Officer Commander Thelin. I'll be meeting with both of you to discuss your post
assignments and schedules. But first the Captain has asked to meet with you. If you'll follow me."
Ready Room
3:40 p.m.
Kirk smiled as the handsome African American male entered. "Lieutenant Mark Baines.
Welcome to the Saratoga."
"Thank you, sir," the Science officer replied.
Kirk motioned to the chair in front of his desk. "Have a seat. I know that that you've just arrived
and are probably eager to get settled, but I've made it a personal goal to get to know every member
of my crew." His smile broadened. "And that includes greeting every new arrival individually."
"Thank you again, sir."
Kirk glanced at the PADD he held. "I've looked over your file. I understand your focus is applied physics
and you specialize in energy and energy transformation."
It was Baines' turn to smile. "That's always been my passion, sir. Ever since I was young."
Kirk grinned. "You still are young; you're only a year older than me."
Baines grinned as well. "Ever since I was little then. My mom told me that when I was a baby I would stare
fixedly at lights for hours. Then I was fascinated with anything that glowed and gave off heat. Then I was
fascinated with how they worked. Light and energy became my two fixations." He chuckled. "I drove my folks
crazy with all of my science projects. They were afraid to go in to my room for fear they'd touch something
that'd explode. But at the same time they were afraid not to go in there because who knew what I was working on?"
Kirk chucked as well. "Well I'm sure that the Head of our Physics Department will put you to good use.
Lieutenant Commander Gaston is passionate about energy and one of the most driven men that I've ever met."
A rueful smile came over his face as he thought of the Frenchman. 'I still remember the ruckus when we were
in the Quia System and Falno wanted to reduce power to the Physics lab so as to enhance Stellar Cartography's
sensors. The look Gaston gave him would have scared a Klingon! And he didn't even shout or raise his voice.
He just looked.
Baines had smiled at the mention of Gaston. "I'm looking forward to working with him, sir. I've read a lot
of his works on energy and subspace mechanics."
"I read a couple of his works too, before I came here and I'm not much of a scientist." Kirk chuckled.
"I'm not a scientist period. But they get more of my respect everyday."
He once again became serious. "Speaking of assignments I know that you served on the USS Nelson for
three years. It's not always easy being transferred." He frowned. "I certainly didn't expect to leave my
previous assignment so soon. I only put in a request for a new Operations Manager, but Starfleet apparently
decided that I could use with an extra Science officer as well." He gave a slightly rueful smile. "I sometimes
think they're trying to spoil me."
His gaze once again met Baines'. "And you got caught up in it. You've been uprooted from a place where
you've served for three years. And not only that, the Nelson is an Armstrong class; you've had to go from
a ship with over seven hundred and fifty people to one with only a hundred. I can understand if that's
a hard transition."
"I appreciate your concern, Captain," Baines said quietly; "But it's not necessary. In Starfleet we go where
we're needed and its common to be reassigned. We all knew that when we joined. I made friends on the Nelson,
I'll make new ones here." He smiled. "Besides, I consider this an opportunity. The Nelson primarily acts as
a patrol ship. Being away from the Romulan Neutral Zone will be a nice change."
"There is that," Kirk said.
"Plus, the Saratoga is a science vessel. For a scientist to be on a ship dedicated to science is a special treat."
"This is a special ship."
"And a science vessel can never have too many scientists."
"I guess not." Kirk's smile returned and he gazed thoughtfully at Baines for a moment. "Speaking of scientists…
there are three colors in Starfleet, Lieutenant: Command Gold, Science Blue and Operations Red. " He glanced
at his own uniform. "Helmsmen, Navigators, Tacticians and those good at running a ship go for the Gold, many
of them hoping they'll get to sit in the Chair someday." His smile turned wistful. "I know I did."
His eyes went to Baines' uniform. "You wear the Blue. Some people think that science is the reason Starfleet exists.
After all what is science if not exploration? And where would Starfleet be without its scientists?"
Baines smile was mischievous. "Up the creek, sir."
Kirk laughed. "I think you're right."
Baines grew serious. "I really appreciate the chance to serve on board the Saratoga, sir. Its a chance to get
away from endless patrols and a chance to do what I joined Starfleet for...explore."
Kirk's smile was warm. "You and me both Lieutenant. You and me both." He stood up. "I'll let you get back
to Commander Thelin, you two have a lot to talk about."
Baines had stood as well. "It's an honor to serve with you, sir."
"The honor is mine, Lieutenant." Kirk said quietly. "Welcome aboard." He extended his hand.
Baines clasped it in a firm handshake.
4:00 pm
"Lieutenant Ralessa reporting, sir."
Kirk smiled at his new Operations officer. "Come in, Lieutenant, have a seat. I wanted to give you a formal
welcome to the Saratoga."
The female Veluven was 5'11, and lupine in appearance with grey fur, large pointed ears and a long fluffy tail.
Her thick mane of grey hair added to her striking appearance and she moved with a fluid grace.
"Thank you sir. It's an honor to be here." Her voice was low and gruff, but feminine and there was a pleasant
quality to it.
"I understand you've served onboard the Hawking for four years. Your records say that you're a master
of organization and coordination." He smiled. "We can definitely use your skills."
"I'm looking forward to the opportunity, sir."
"Your records also say that you're handy to have on away missions and good in a fight." Not surprising,
Veluvens are a hunting species with nearly twice the strength and speed of a human. And I know those
claws of yours aren't for show.
"I am a huntress, sir." She smiled. "Although my primary focus is Operations Management."
"Glad to hear it." His expression grew thoughtful. "I was just talking to Lieutenant Baines about the colors
of the different divisions. There've been three in here here today: Command Gold, Science Blue and now
Operations Red."
Shewo's expression grew serious. "I've always thought that red is a fitting color for our division.
Red is the color of blood. Just as blood keeps a body alive, so engineers, technicians and operations
personnel a re the blood that keeps a ship alive. And their own blood is what Security personnel risk
to keep those onboard a ship alive. We are the blood of the ship and we shed our blood to protect it."
Kirk's eyes widened and then grew solemn as well. "All too true, Lieutenant. All too true." He attempted
a smile. "But hopefully there'll be no need for anyone on this ship to shed their blood for a long time.
This is a research vessel after all."
"That's true as well, sir." She gave a low chuckle "And I am an Operations Manager."
Kirk's smile was kind. "And according to your records, a very good one. This ship is lucky to have you.
My sister often says that every member of the caravan is vital."
Shewo nodded. "Your sister is wise. My people have always known that a pack-member's greatest strength
is their pack-mates. A friend that I knew from the Academy once gave me a book by the author Rudyard Kipling,
The Jungle Book. There was a quote from that book that echoed the most sacred law of my people.
'For the strength of the pack is the wolf. And the strength of the wolf is the pack.'
7/18/2259
12:45 am
Saratoga Corridors
A few minutes before the start of Gamma Shift
Crewman Nehru silently watched as the Veluven officer walked down the corridor toward the bridge and her new post.
She turned and walked in the opposite direction unable to keep the anger from stirring within her. That was Skinar's post!
He had manned it for seven years! And now he was gone and that…she-wolf…had come to take his place!
She fought to keep down the resentment, telling herself that such feelings were both foolish and childish. But unable to keep
from feeling them all the same.