Star Trek: The Lower Decks.
Chapter One.
During my time at Starfleet Academy, I was always the quiet one. I would barely speak unless spoken to first or I had something to say, which was something that I had carried on from my childhood as I was the shy one in the class and group. Upon my graduation from the Academy, I remember standing with my classmates as we had been handed our first deep space assignments, which many read aloud and proud. Starships like, the new USS Intrepid, a deep space science vessel which was currently undergoing her first deep space trails, and the USS Crazy Horse. As each new Officer and Enlisted, read out their first assignment names with pride, all eyes turned onto myself as the last in our group. I simply stood with my hands shaking as I had already opened and read my first assignment and to say that I was beyond nervous? Was an understatement of the century. Excusing myself from the small group of friends that I had made during my four years of training, all eyes where uncomfortably on myself as I walked away from the group with my orders pressed firmly against my chest. The first thing that I was to do, was to check the authenticity of the orders, especially as many of the class had made it their mission to often prank me, if those orders where in fact a joke? It was the cruellest joke played on me to date, by one of my classmates.
Ordinarily? One would speak with one of the officers where our orders had been issued, but my hands where shaking so much, I could barely even think. My only stop, was the Academy Commandant's Office, to check the validity of my given assignment. To my surprise and horror, the orders had been confirmed as official by the Commandant and his staff, that's when I almost broke down before the senior most officers at the Academy, when my nerves instantly took over.
"Ensign, what is wrong? What you have, is the assignment that everyone wants. Only one person, per graduation year even makes the short list for that assignment, and out of those? None, have ever been selected for assignment, during the service of that vessel. You should be proud Ensign Tate"
"I, I am proud Admiral. But, this is the Enterprise we're talking about. The very Flagship of the Federation. From what I hear? There is a waiting list, light-years long for officers to be assigned to that ship. Of all of those people, why me Sir?"
"I believe that it was third year dissertation, which had singled you out for this very prestigious assignment, Ensign. Since then, the Chief Engineer has been keeping an eye on you and your progress"
"Sir, I failed that dissertation, the first and second time around. I rewrite the entire essay, twice before it was finally accepted" I replied, with shock echoing within my voice.
"As it states in your file. Your first attempt, was so far off from the actual engineering assignment, although you had failed? It had displayed potential. The USS Lexington is due to depart tomorrow evening at 1930 hours, in five days, it will rendezvous with the Enterprise for crew replacements and resupply. Your orders are to be on that ship, prior to her departure. Congratulations and good luck, in your first assignment, Ensign Tate. Oh and whilst we are on the subject of Enterprise, please inform her Captain, that he still owes me for that last game of Pool we played, back at the Academy?"
"If it is permissible, I will relay your message. Thank you Admiral, for everything. I know that I have not been the model Cadet? But, I will try to be the model Officer"
I eventually caught up with my once fellow classmates, whom had been awaiting to hear of my first assignment, as I stood before them, tall and proud and telling them all of my first official assignment? I saw several looks of both jealousy and shock in their eyes. I was after all assigned as a member of the crew, of the most famous Starship name in the history of the Fleet, the very Flagship of the United Federation of Planets. The USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D. shock, turned to jealousy and eventually, congratulations from each of my fellow classmates. I have no idea how or why the Chief Engineer had come into possession of my first, failed works. But, truth be told? By that time, I didn't care. Hell, I was the envy of the entire Academy by the time I had boarded the USS Lexington for our rendezvous with one of the largest and most advanced starships in the history of the service.
Onboard of that old, Excelsior class starship, I made myself available to the Engineering department, as much as possible so that I may continue with my studies and to learn of an active service vessel. I knew that the old starship, was far less advanced than the pride of the fleet, but I still wanted to learn. But, my ego had begun to grow as I had been noticed by some of the most influential officers currently serving in the fleet. It had been known across the history of the starship name, that the Enterprise can either make a career, or break a career. I planned on become one of the former, rather than the latter.
I had only ever seen a Galaxy Class starship, once before and that was the USS Odyssey, but the ship at the time, was so far away as I was piloting a training shuttle. I had no idea just how large such a vessel actually is, until we had pulled along side of the ship, after five days of travel. I remember running to the nearest window on the saucer section of the Lexington, just to get a good look at the ship. My god, those ships are huge. That was my first thought, my second? I'm sorry to say was, it's beautiful in an ugly way. Something that I had never repeated to anyone, before nor since.
I was so nervous to travel to that ship, onboard of one of the new Runabout class shuttles. Even though the pilot had asked me if I wanted to pilot the ship, I turned it down instantly as I was afraid that I would crash the shuttle into the side of the Enterprise's larger hanger deck. After disembarking the new Runabout, which was to be delivered to a new Starfleet outpost along the outer reaches of the Federation, I had arrived at a time when a single member of the crew, was about to leave the ship with his family to take up his next assignment on that station. Signing the official documents for the new Runabout over to the care of the hanger bay technician, I instantly saw the Chief Engineer of the Enterprise entering the hanger deck to examine the new and large support vessels for himself, I could barely contain myself as I snapped to attention and even made a fool of myself before the entire hanger deck crew, as I saluted the man.
"Commander La Forge? Ensign Jessica Tate, reporting in Sir!"
"I don't know what they're teaching you at the Academy, Ensign? But, we don't salute, and stand at ease before you hurt yourself"
"I am sorry Sir, I can not do that. You are a superior officer, I am your junior…" It was all that I could say, and I felt stupid by saying it.
"Less than ninety seconds on the ship, and you're already disobeying orders? Ensign"
"Sir I…!" I protested, before the Commander laughed slightly.
"That's a joke Ensign, relax. So, what do you think of the new Runabout design?"
"I have, no opinion Sir"
"As an Engineer, you must have an opinion Ensign"
"Permission to speak, freely Commander?" I asked, as I blushed deeply.
"Granted, Ensign Tate"
"I am not an Engineer, Sir? I am what people used to refer to, as a Floater. Although I am trained as an Engineer, my interests lay, elsewhere. I have a keen interest in Medical, although I had failed my entrance exams to Medical school? It was always my first and foremost passion, to one day become a Nurse, or perhaps even an MD"
"Impressive, but right now? You're an Engineer, and I am asking an Engineer for her opinion on a new design"
"Very well Sir. The design, is limited sir. Low to mid warp capable. Capabilities include, a removable rear section, which can be equipped with several different modules. Weapons systems can be added, with a… 'Roll-bar', above the rear section which is capable of housing and launching several micro-torpedoes…"
"Ensign, I asked for your opinion, not for schematics"
"My opinion, is simple sir. I believe that it was a mistake, for the fleet to accept this design. When a much more… agile and stable platform, would have been made available. This design, still has yet to be perfected, Commander. That is my opinion, Commander. Now, if I may ask something of you. Why was I selected for this assignment, Commander La Forge?"
You know, I should have kept my mouth shut, when he asked for my opinion on the design, mainly because what I didn't know at the time? Was that the commander, knew one of the primary designers of the class. Hell, I had just called them both out on the design, which to be honest I had not spent as much time as I would have liked with and I would pay for that later on, of that I was certain.
I am proud to say, that I was present when the truth behind the latest Starfleet outpost, was revealed to the galaxy, the very gateway to an unexplored and distant quadrant of the galaxy. A station which was to be known as Deep Space Nine, the protector of the only known, stable wormhole in the universe and what seemed to be more impossible? Artificial.
During my first weeks on the job, I was mainly confined to Engineering although I had yet to be told why I was selected for this most prestigious of assignments. During my off-duty hours, I found myself volunteering for short duties, in the medical section of the ship. Mainly as a runner between the Sickbay and Medical Labs, a runner would carry samples and reports between the locations in the medical section of the ship. Within a month, I had become known by some of the command staff and the junior crew, as an All-rounder, a Floater after volunteering for duty in several different departments other than Engineering and Medical. It wasn't unusual for Junior officers to take up such a position on any ship, especially those mere weeks and months out of the Academy. Although I was exhausted, on regular occasions? I still maintained my thirst for knowledge of the operations of the vessel, but I had yet to qualify for an away mission. To be honest, I didn't want that actually. I was happy learning everything possible, about the operations of the Enterprise.
People have often asked me, why I had never visited the hub of activity on the ship, the lounge area known as Ten Forward. The truth is, beyond my duties? I'm not much of a social person. But, one day? I chose to enter that bar area for the first time, basically? I was just passing by and wanted to see for myself, what all of the fuss was about the place. It was almost in the middle of the night, when I had entered and the room was empty. I loved it, I was alone in the lounge, but for the exception of the bartender whom had just been sat at one of the tables, reading what had seemed to be, an old book.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Am I disturbing you Ma'am?"
"Not at all, Ensign. Please, come in. Can I get you something?"
"That's okay, you're reading. Mind if I help myself to a drink?"
"Of course, help yourself. I haven't seen you in here before Ensign" The bartender replied, with a pleasant smile, as I stepped around the bar towards the replicator, to order myself a cup of Tea.
"I, I'm not one for crowded rooms, when off duty. I prefer silence. Tea, strong, no sweetener, no milk"
Retrieving my drink, from the replicator, I stepped towards an empty table, next to the bartender as I sipped from the cup with a slight smile before she spoke once again. All I had wanted, was silence to enjoy my drink. I guess that I had stepped into the wrong room on the ship.
"You remind me of my Son, he always was a quiet child…"
"Your Son?" I asked with a deep sigh.
"From my fourteenth, no fifteenth marriage. He always was the quite one"
"Fifteen, what are you addicted to saying I Do?" I asked with laughter.
"I haven't heard that one, in a very long time. Since before your grandfather, was even born…"
"My Grand… you're an El-Aurian, explains a lot. I've heard of your people. So, you've been married fifteen times? I can barely hold down a friendship for more than a week"
"Don't tell anyone, but to date? I've been married twenty-three times…" She replied with a smile, before I made her laugh, almost uncontrollably.
"I was wrong, you're not addicted to I Do, you're addicted to Wedding Cake. Let's hope we're never invaded by hungry Cannibals, you'd be a sweet and tasty meal for them"
Hearing her laughing uncontrollably, set myself off also, I hadn't truly laughed in a long time. After recovering our own composure, the woman identified herself as called Guinan. I must admit, I was intrigued by the mysterious El-Aurian female sat before me, it seemed like the more so spoke, the less she had actually said, if that was even possible. I had no idea that it was so late, when the Off Duty Captain, seemingly an old friend of the bar tender entered the bar, late at that night. Instantly I leapt from the seat and stood to attention as the bar tender laughed at me once again, as the Captain stepped towards me and smiled slightly.
"At ease Ensign…?"
"Tate Sir. Ensign Jessica Tate, Current assignment…"
"Ah yes, the Engineer whom has worked in almost every department on this ship since your arrival, word has spread. Thinking of tending bar next?"
"No Sir, I just popped in for a late night cup of tea, which is now cold. I must have been here for longer than I thought. Well sir, if you will excuse me? I must get some sleep before my next duty shift in Engineering, Good night Captain, Guinan"
"Good Night, Ensign Tate" Replied the Captain with a polite nod, as I turned to leave the bar, before Guinan spoke.
"Jessica? You should drop by more often. You look like you could use someone to talk with"
"I will, take that into consideration, thank you for the talk. Good night"
Although the Galaxy class starship, was one of the largest vessels in service to date, it had appeared as if very few people had any form of privacy, especially as the majority of the crew onboard had brought their own families along with them, which gave those family units, the larger of the quarters onboard. For myself however? I had opted for one of the smaller sets of quarters on the ship, due to the fact that I was basically on my own, although I had maintained regular contact with my family back on Earth, since I had been onboard. Since I had no one onboard with me? I guess I was one of the lucky ones actually, I had my own privacy which I had loved, more so for my entire life, back on my home ship and the Academy, I had lived with my family and had a roommate, now? It was just myself in a room twice the size of what I had once had.
If you had seen my private quarters, you would wander why I had wanted such a small place to live, mainly as I had slept on the sofa in my quarters, since I had removed the bed to move the computer station into that large room, which for myself, was now a small office from where I would continue to study. The only problem was? I shared the shower and toilet facilities of the quarters with the officer in the next room, through an adjoining door which led from what would have been the bedroom. Since my duty shift in Engineering often started mid-afternoon, and I had spent my earlier hours of the day as a volunteer in the other departments, I had never met my neighbour as she worked the nightshift. As it was around 0200 hours, I chose to take a quick shower, before retiring to sleep on the pullout sofa in the living room. After cleaning myself, I stepped out of the shower, wrapped a towel around myself and used a second to dry my long ad wet hair, from the real running water shower. One of the major luxuries of the Galaxy class vessels, as opposed to the sonic showers on many other vessels.
I almost leapt out of my own skin, when the door to my neighbour's quarters hissed open and a tall, beautiful, dark haired female stepped into the room and screamed slightly out of shock at seeing me stood in the middle of the room.
"Oh My God! I am so sorry. I, I had no idea that… I'm sorry"
"It's okay, it's okay. I'm Jessie Tate. I guess that I'm, your neighbour" I replied with complete shock, as I saw shallow points on the tips of her ears.
"Ensign T'Lara, Astrometrics. People just call me Lara"
"You're, you're a Vulcan?" I said in shock, as I just stood looking at my mysterious neighbour.
"Half, my Dad is Human. Um, I'll let you dry off"
"It's okay Lara, I was heading back into my quarters anyway"
I had never seen any one with her unusual features before, for a half Vulcan anyway. Her skin tone, was not usual colour of a Vulcan, she looked more Human than Vulcan, beyond the shallow points on her ears and long, curly black hair. As I stepped back into my quarters, I don't know why? But she followed me to the door to my quarters, perhaps out of interest in comparing her quarters to my own. There was a slight surprise on her face, when she saw what should have been my bedroom, only to see a large office space, complete with boxes of my own files, spread around the room.
"Hey Tate? Where the hell is your bed"
"That's a little forward, we've only just met. Bad joke I'm sorry. Other room. I prefer small rooms, pull out the sofa and boom, nice and comfortable. Now, if you will excuse me Lara? I've taken a short shift in the main hanger deck in, six hours. I should get some sleep"
"Of course, good night. I'll, try to keep it down in the other room"
I was wrong, I didn't have my own quarters anymore, I had a roommate as we had shared the bathroom. Well, that's how it felt to myself anyway. It seemed that the more I tried to avoid my new roommate, the more that I had failed, especially since the Ensign had earned herself a transfer of shifts, to the mid-shift on ship. Which, put our schedules almost side-by-side and for some reason, the most unusual Vulcan Hybrid I had ever met, seemed to take a particular interest in entering my quarters, unannounced through the adjoining door as I continued to study. It got to the point where I was becoming more than angry with her, especially as she would not shut up. She talked more than anyone I had ever met in my life, and my roommate at the Academy, was an Andorian and they love to talk.
I had gotten a message from my parents, whom had since handed over the family business, to my mother's younger brother to continue operations and had settled down, on of all planets? Risa. I was half way through the conversation with my parents, in what should have been the bedroom, when the connecting door slid open and once again, my rather annoying roommate entered, unannounced. My parents instantly saw and heard the deep sigh in my voice as I looked up past the screen, I was close to going supernova on my very annoying roommate.
"Jess, Jess?"
"Mom, Dad? Can we finish this some other time, I have to deal with something"
'Alright Jessie, keep your calm. We'll talk some other time'
"No promises. Once again, happy anniversary. Say hello to everyone for me, when you speak to them next…" Upon closing the channel, I stood instantly from my seat with a deep anger, resonating within me as I spoke, with little regards for anyone. "… Get out, of my quarters. Get out Now! before I call security"
"Jess, I, I need someone to talk too, please? I will only be…"
"How can you be deaf, with ears like that? I said, get out!" I yelled instantly.
I hadn't actually looked at my more than annoying roommate in her eyes, ever if I am being honest. And to anyone around me at that time, they should have seen that my eyes where burning with the purest of anger. But, the moment I looked into her eyes, I saw a deep sadness which had rippled backwards into her very soul, as tears welled in her eyes as she lowered her head, before turning to walk away.
"What's wrong, Lara? What's happened?"
"You're right, I should leave you alone. I'm sorry, I just wanted to talk with someone"
"Lara, wait please. Tell me what's wrong?"
"I got word from back home, on Vulcan? Both of my parents have been killed, in a shuttle accident"
My gut, instantly twisted as I slowly stepped around my desk towards her as she just stood motionless. My anger instantly vanished and replaced with absolute shock and guilt at yelling at a young woman in grief. I had no idea what to do, but walk towards her and hug her as she wept on my shoulder, her tears dripping onto my uniform shoulder.
"I am so sorry is, is there anything that I can do?"
"I just, I just need to talk to someone. I, I promise you. I won't take up much of your time, I swear"
"Take as long as you need, I'm not due back on duty for a couple of days anyway. Come on, I got just what you need. Don't tell anyone? But I have a bottle or three of old Earth Bourbon, hidden away. I think it's time that one is opened. Replicate some drinking classes, will you"
I never thought that I could ever get that drunk, without dying. But, I did or should I say that we both did. It was strange getting to know the unusual woman, whom had made the last week or two, a living hell for me. As we talked about her past and my own, we saw that we both had an awful lot in common. Like myself, she was always shy to be around people, simply because she was born on Vulcan, to a Vulcan mother, but what is most unusual about her, is that her Biology is predominantly Human, her internal organs and even her blood are mainly Human, as opposed to other hybrids of the same parental species, being mostly Vulcan.
We had built the foundation of a friendship with each other, and I actually enjoyed her company. Helping her past her own grief, not at the bottom of a bottle or two as it was that night, but with a growing friendship in the days and weeks which had passed. We both became more outgoing, often meeting each other in the bar area of the ship, after our shifts, using the ship's gym and Holodeck time together. It had even come to a point where we had both volunteered for the same extra shifts, in the same departments, as Lara had become as hungry for a promotion as I was, actually. I wanted that Lieutenant Junior pip, on my collar.
About eight months, with a great friendship and knowledge from departments across the ship later, a position had opened up on the ship, with a Lieutenant Junior rank on the line in a joint department on the ship, Sciences. We both went for the position, like hungry women, offered our first meal in weeks. The selection for the position, came down to just two people, myself and Lara. I had the experience in the department, but my friend Lara, had the knowledge due to her knowledge of Astrometrics. That's when I made my choice, a choice that I do not regret, for one moment as I made an appointment to speak with those officers whom would make the final judgment, for the Captain.
"Commander Riker, Councillor Troi? Ensign Tate, reporting Sirs"
"Ensign, early as always I see. Please take a seat"
"Thank you, Commander I will only take a moment of your time. First off, I want to say that this assignment, has been a true honour for me. This ship and crew, are everything that I have heard of and more"
"We have been reviewing your record and your application for the…"
"Forgive me for saying so, Councillor? But, I would like to say, what I have to say? Before I change my mind. May I please continue and to speak freely Sirs?"
"From what we have been told by Commander La Forge, self expression is not your weakest point. Please, continue, Ensign Tate"
"Thank you, Commander Riker…"
I was beyond nervous, as I paced the private quarters of the Commander, thinking about my next choice which could either make or break my future career. My mind ran at warp ten, occupying every corner of the universe at the same time, well that's the theory anyway. It took me three seconds before I turned to face the two senior officers in the room, before taking a deep breath and speaking at high speed.
"More than anything, I want that promotion to Lieutenant Junior and think that I disserve it, as I have given everything that I have to this ship and beyond. I have the experience to run that new department, and Lara, I mean Ensign T'Lara? Has the knowledge. I know that it's down to the both of us, Sirs. She's been through a lot in the past several months, this promotion means everything to her. That's why I have decided to pull my application for the position, I am withdrawing from the so-called race. Lara, is the better applicant and it should be her, not me"
"Ensign, do you realise what you are saying?"
"I do Councillor, I do. I know that promotions like this, don't come around very often? A chance to build and to run a new department on any ship. But, she is the perfect choice Sirs, not me. Just, please do me the honour of not telling anyone, especially Lara that I withdrew my application? I'm, I'm a Floater Sirs, I go where I am needed"
"Ensign Tate, I have never seen anyone, shoot their own career in the foot with such, perfection as you have just done. Very well, we shall make our announcement to the Captain this evening. Dismissed, Ensign Tate and Ensign? Very noble of you"
"Thank you Commander Riker, Councillor Troi. Enjoy the rest of your evening"
I felt vindicated, in that one moment when I stepped out of the Commander's quarters, with a bounce in my step as I walked through the ship and back to my quarters. The next day, the announcement was made that Ensign T'Lara, would receive the promotion to Lieutenant Junior, in Ten Forward along with her acceptance of the position, the right to build her new department, which was a subclass of the sciences division. I knew that instantly, along with the promotion beyond Ensign, that T'Lara would be recognised as one of the senior officers on the ship, and running her own department, that would also mean a voice at the big table, when needed, along with that new rank, new quarters had been issued to the new, senior officer while I would remain on the lower decks and probably with a new roommate. At least, that was my belief anyway.
I had given up, what I had most wanted? But, I had gained something much more valuable in the process, the respect of my fellow officers, at least those whom had known of what I had done. All I had ever wanted, was the promotion. But, now? I had my eyes, on another prize. Now nothing, will stop me from going after that new prize.