Since the Oberths are small there are no Captains ready rooms. However, there is a briefing area towards the back of the bridge that had both a smallish desk as well as a briefing room situation table. It served as both. 3 was at her terminal when Senior Staff began falling in around the table.
It was 15:00 hours time for her briefing. Novasath, Grolka, 2 of 5, Matt, Xeon,T'Pemu and commander Tolek came in to the area and started taking seats around the table. 3 looked around and noticed someone was missing. Just then the lift doors parted and an overwhelmed looking Doctor Snavely joined them. "Sorry Captain, crew evaluations are taking longer than anticipated."
"No problem Doctor have a seat." 3 walked over to the view-screen on the wall placed her hand on it. It came to life and showed a schematic of the Milford and a 3-D representation began spinning and showing specifications.
"As you are all aware this is the Milford's first venture to space since her refit over the last 7 months" She continued "Our orders are to perform routine tests of all systems on our way to Vulcan where I have been asked to speak to an Ambassador T'Sawa. Tolek?"
Tolek stood up and continued: "Roughly 2 weeks ago the federation council was contacted by Ambassador T'Sawa about random threats issued from other Vulcans. They appear to be forged, but - suffice it to say the council is concerned as is the Ambassador and thus, has asked for an outside investigation."
"I'll bet that is going well with the Vulcan High Council" said T'Pemu with a smirk
"Your sarcasm not withstanding, you are correct, Vulcans do not threaten other Vulcans therefore, we need to be on our best diplomatic behavior" Tolek sat down and 3 looked around.
"Well, it's not an exploration mission but this is only a shakedown cruise anyway. With that being said, let's hear everyone's reports. Let's start with engineering."
Matt Cleared his throat, we have been running last minute simulations. And all systems look green. There are minor variations but we think we can clean them up on the fly.
"You Think?" asked 3.
"Well, to be honest Captain. You and 2 came up with some pretty radical enhancements for the Oberths, there are simulations, and then there is real life... Sometimes a simulation cannot predict outside variables. But again We think we can handle it."
"Great, Tactical?" 3 looked at T'Pemu who straightened her shoulders.
"Security Teams are at your disposal for this diplomatic mission. While many would say this is "Vulcan" and we should not worry I have the security teams doing some drills anyway." Said T'pemu.
"Operations?" and three directed her Gaze to both 2 of 5 and Grolka.
"Astrometrics, and science teams, are working on calibrating the enhanced instrumentation and sensors. Lieutenant Grolka and I would like to request we reduce speed to warp 4 between Andor and Wolf 359 to test the enhancements." Said 2 of 5.
"Why there?" asked 3.
"Captain, The area of Wolf 359 is filled with residual radiation and numerous warning buoys that we can use to test range enhancements. Since The Wolf 359 battle area is heavily cataloged and documented we can use that to our advantage for baseline testing."
"Sounds good, Novasath, How much would that add to our travel time?"
"Since we will be leaving on schedule Captain we technically have a bit of playroom on our scheduled arrival at Vulcan, I estimate it would only add about 17 hours to our original arrival time but since that time would have been 20 hours ahead of our original scheduled arrival I see no issue with this request."
"Make it so then." said 3. She then turned to Tolek: "XO, What's the Ships status can we still leave on time?"
"Provisions and supplies are still be stored but quartermaster reports he should be ahead of schedule, and all pre-launch checks are in the green. We could leave now if the Captain so desires."
"Hmmmm, As tempting as that sounds let's not upset Dock Control with changing our schedule." said 3, she then regarded Dr Snavely: "Doctor, Crew Status?"
"All Crew is present and accounted for, Most evaluations are completed with exception of 2 people."
"Myself and who else doctor?" asked 3.
Snavely looked down and then up: "No Mam, We already rescheduled your appointment based on your recent physical on file from Starbase 31, It's Dr. Movat and Myself that are all that is left."
3 looked at Snavely and smiled. "Well them, get them done as soon as possible before you have to put yourselves on report."
"If there is nothing else?" 3 looked around and nobody spoke up she then continued: "Continue pre-launch checks, and be ready. Matt begin intermix start up procedures we launch in precisely 45 minutes."
"Aye Captain." Matt Answered.
"Dismissed" Everyone exited except Grolka.
"Something else Lieutenant?" asked 3.
"Captain, are you aware of the date?"
3 Pondered for a moment and sat down at her desk chair... "My Gosh" she thought, she had been so busy she had almost forgotten. With a forlorn look she looked up at Grolka. "We still have a few days.."
"Yes" Grolka replied "We will pass the very anniversary date of that battle that occurred at Wolf 359." It was at that moment that Snavely jumped out of the lift before the doors closed. Again not many knew 3's true age, Tolek even looked over from the science station and stood up.
"Captain, Many good people fought bravely that day, perhaps we should perform a ceremony of honor." Grolka said and then added: "To Honor the dead."
"And the living." Added Snavely.
"Not many survived that conflict Doctor." said Grolka.
"True but your looking at one." said the Doctor. And 3 looked at Snavely with a contemptuous look. "You've never been back have you?" Asked Snavely.
Grolka looked from the Doctor to 3. She noticed how the color had drained from the Captain's already Pale complexion.
As she looked at her she said: "Impossible..." she said quietly but then she suddenly remembered what she said about her being the oldest ever attending the academy.
"How old are you Captain?" Grolka asked.
3 looked down. She looked back up at the Doctor. And quietly said: "No," and she paused and wiped the very hint of a tear that had formed. "No, I have never been back." She then looked at Grolka and stood up "Old enough." she simply stated to her.
"Captain, I think it would behoove you to honor this request not only for the sake of honor but for the sake of - you. You need to face this." The Doctor said.
3 walked over to the dedication plaque for the Milford, she ran her hand along the top. And with her back to everyone she just breathed out a long sigh.
"Make it so, Grolka. You are in charge of the ceremony." 3 said. "I'll be back, Tolek you have the bridge." and she stepped onto the lift and left.
Grolka looked at the Doctor with a questioning look. "She was there?"
"Yes" replied Tolek for the Doctor.
Doctor Snavely looked at him and asked: "You read her full file?"
"Indeed." Tolek replied solemly. He then looked at Grolka and continued: "The Captain was aboard the USS Yamaguchi during the battle of Wolf 359."
"But she does not look that old!" said Grolka
"No she doesn't" said Snavely "She was - or still is Borg. Her captivity suspended her aging process and her nanites that are still mostly Borg, and - we have only just a little bit of full understanding of her nanites, apparently, are still keeping her young."
"How old is she?" Grolka asked again
"Grolka, as you are not human, I will only say it is impolite to ask a human woman's age." And Snavely left via the turbo-lift.
"Do you know Tolek?" asked Grolka.
Tolek cocked his head sideways and just replied with: "Old enough – Lieutenant Grolka." and as he turned back to his station he said again more quietly: "Old enough."
3 stepped off of the lift and stood in front of the command chair. "Well, Kids it's 15:58 hours... Do we know were everyone is?" She received a few looks of confusion. "Old Earth Humor. Sorry." she grinned to herself and hit her combadge "3 to Engineering. Status?"
"Captain, all engines are ready at your discretion." Came Matt's reply
2 of 5 turned from her station and shook her head to confirm.
"Well, done Matt you can keep your weeks pay." she smiled and added "For now."
"Acknowledged captain, I aim to please."
Oh this is great 3 thought. Matt gets my humor.
"How about everyone else Mr. Tolek?"
Tolek turned from his station to look at the captain "All departments report ready captain."
"Excellent!" 3 clapped her hands and notice Novasath flinch. "Helm, Status?"
Novasath looked up but not directly at 3. "Dock control reports that we are cleared for Launch and the Dock Master wishes us "safe travels," and I have a departure course on plot once we clear space dock."
"This is the Milford to Dock Control Captain 3 of 11 of speaking." after a moment an acknowledge beep came up and she was answered.
"This is dock Control , go ahead Milford."
"We are clearing all moorings, and my helm is going to station keeping."
"Thank you Milford, we show all moorings clear and you are free to depart. The path is clear for you." Dock Control replied.
"Acknowledged Dock Control, don't hold the door open too long for us we'll be back soon. Milford out." and the connection was cut.
"Reverse thrusters Ms. Novasath. Head for open space."
The Milford crept away from it's gantries and slowly moved toward the spacedock doors. On the view screen they could see men and women in spacesuits waving and in the observation area were a few officers waving as well. 3 Smiled and was sure there might be a few crew members near a few windows waving back.
Once the Milford cleared the doors Novasath anounced: "We a free and clear to navigate captain."
3 sat down in the command chair. Looked around at everyone who was busy at their stations. "Come about 180 degrees helm, and go to full thrusters."
The view on the screen went from the broad expanse of the the star base to the even broader expanse of open space. A few shuttles were going buy and 3 noticed a few starships lined up waiting for their turn to dock.
"We are at full thrusters mam, on departure course."
"Bring us to half impulse."
with a flick of Novasaths wrist and and a jab of a finger. The star-field began to shift as planetary bodies and debris whizzed by the view-screen.
"Helm answers half impulse captain and we have passed outer marker, speed is at our discretion."
"Set course for Vulcan warp factor 6 and engage." A yeoman came up and gave 3 a pad of the initial energy consumption reports and 3 took it and signed it.
"Course laid in and engaging." and the star-field streaked and a mild groan was heard. But settled away.
"What was that?" Asked 3.
She turned to see 2 of 5 looking at her console with concentration.
"Captain I'm not sure what that was but we are holding steady at Warp 6." Novasath called out.
"Captain, I checked the logs. There was brief power surge from the Enhanced Plasma Manifold, the computer automatically compensated." 2 of 5 said.
"Bridge to Engineering, Matt what the hell did you do to my Plasma Manifold?"
"Bridge, It looks like your Enhanced Plasma Manifold Isn't playing well with another one of your toys. Looks like when the navigational shields kicked on - there was a brief power surge... The computer automatically compensated but there was about a .05 millisecond delay in the compensation."
"Actually captain it was a .0575 millisecond delay." Said Tolek.
"Let me guess" answered 3 "The resonance cascade modulator."
"Yup, but captain I think I can compensate for this once we get to Vulcan. I'm running simulations now on the computer, I think if we change the intermix varience setting to .135 over specifications that will be more than sufficient to compensate." came Matt's reply.
3 automatically looked up to 2, in her head the math sounded reasonable but 2 was slightly better at this. 2 was running her fingers over her console looking at a a simulation model and coked her head and turned to 3.
"The Chief Engineers models and plan are sound. I have run 3 different simulations of his intermix formula and not only will it compensate for the modulator variance, but it should also grant a .02% energy consumption improvement."
"How long to make this change?"
"With the the "Chief's" permission I can go to engineering to program the engineering computer and backups to have the modified formula while we are underway. The formula would take effect on our next warp jump however I recommend a full power-down of the warp core at some point to make sure the intermix is good for "cold start" procedures."
"Actually Captain, I'm embarrassed to say my models show a problem with the cold start procedures." came Matt's reply from the overhead speakers.
"How so?"
"with that intermix formula I show a .4 percent chance of a cold start shutdown. In other words: there is too much deuterium in the plasma flow and the automatic safety protocols would initiate an emergency cascade shutdown of the injector assembly."
"Recommendations?"
2 of 5 looked at the models some more. She turned and calmly said:
"While the Chiefs concerns are valid they are marginal but what we could do is program the computer to cold start at standard intermix and gradually build to the chiefs specs over a 30 second period. We could buffer in a safety protocol that would still enable the computer to compensate after if and when anyone had an emergency need for warp within that time period."
"What do you think Chief?" asked 3
"Captain, with your permission I wonder if you could spare 2 of 5 and have her meet me in engineering to implement this change."
"Granted" and 3 turned to see 2's back as she entered the turbo-lift. "She's on her way bridge out."
As the doors shut to the lift 3 walked around the bridge overlooking everyones consoles as she came to Tolek's station she stopped. Tolek looked up at her. "It is as you humans say, nice to see that Mr Landucci , and 2 of 5, appear to be working well together."
"hmmmm, Let's hope so Mr. Tolek... Let's hope so..."