Author: Christy Anderson
You can contact me at kittyunlimited@go.com.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Paramount minus Ensign Christy Anderson and a few selected insignificant characters
Here's the second part!
Stars of Night (Sterne der Nacht): Part 2
"Ich werde frustriert und ich lasse meine Gefühle aus Steuerung heraus laufen. Möglicherweise benötige ich abbrechen vom Druck… I am very frustrated, and I am allowing my emotions to run out of control. I know there is no reason to support my feelings, and I am being impractical. Perhaps, I should divert some of that energy and concentrate more on my studies," I found myself telling Samantha in the Science Lab. She looked up from her console and stared at me as she concentrated to translate my words. One look at my face and she knew I was testing her. After six months of German lessons, Samantha still struggled with the verbal and listening part of the language.
I saw a dirty look come from where Lieutenant Gebhart was sitting. "Christy, I do not believe that I have to remind you that you are on duty. Lieutenant Stanfield made it quite clear that you were to refrain from your German during this time. There is plenty of work to do, yet I gave you time to study your lessons. Since you have time to chatter incessantly, I expect you have already finished reviewing lessons 16 and 17. Tuvok will be quite upset if you fail his test a third time. I do not want to take the rap for your oversight."
I sighed and I put down the PADD I had been glancing at. "I apologize. I will continue to review my lesson, Lieutenant. Although, I believe I that I almost have them all down. There is just so many of them that it is hard to remember."
Lieutenant Gebhart's face softened. "I remember how hard it was in the Academy, I'll come up with a review that should help you. If you are finished, get started on the long-range scans of the Moheelean home world. When we stop at their trading port, I want you to be able to tell me everything about it."
I nodded in submission as he turned and exited through the doors. "I'll get right on it sir," I responded automatically.
Turning around the lab I moved to the console that was interfaced with Astrometrics. Recalibrating the long-range sensors, I began the scans and recorded them onto a PADD. As the computer began to do its work, I turned back to Samantha who had gone back to studying the molecular structure of some of the unique vegetation we had picked up at the last planet. I felt horribly as I watched her suddenly reach for her abdomen in pain. At almost seven months, Samantha already looked like she was overdue. I knew that the long months of pregnancy had been hard on her, even treacherous, but she had continued her duties as scheduled. "How many more weeks left?" I questioned lightly.
Samantha looked over at me. "Not many, Christy. The Doctor says the baby should come early, and he told Commander Chakotay that this was to be my last day of duty. I am now supposed to stay in my quarters and get some more rest."
"A good idea," I confirmed.
Samantha shook her head. "I don't know; resting sounds heavenly, but I don't think I can go that long without something to do."
"I am sure that if you want I can supply you with some additional studies of German…" I let my voice trail off to give her time to contemplate the thought.
"I'd love that, Christy. Your company is always something I would welcome."
A large boom rang out from the back of the Science Lab and I scurried to find the source of the noise. I arrived at the scene to find Lieutenant Gebhart sprawled out on the floor. "Ensign," he said weakly, "you might want to oil this hatch to the Jefferies tube. I could barely get in."
I stood there lost in giggles as I watched my commanding officer roll over and stand up off the floor. However, Lieutenant Gebhart was not amused. Recovering his breath, he turned to me and glowered. "Get on it now, Christy," he said sternly.
The Comm system beeped. "Senior officers report to the bridge," Captain Janeway's voice boomed over the Comm.
I turned back to the Lieutenant whose eyes seemed to dance 'Saved by the Captain'. "Reporting to the bridge," I said stiffly.
As I heard the doors shut behind me, I began to make a dash for the turbolift. Hast. Sie tut nicht, um spät zu sein… Hurry. It will not do to be late... I told myself as I prodded myself onward.
"Ouch!" I exclaimed as I saw a blur flying towards me, collide, and spring backwards.
My hand instinctly flew up to my head as I gingerly rubbed the throbbing spot of the collision. Alarmed, I looked down to see Tom completely sprawled out on the floor. Nicht das erste mal… not the first time...
Tom forced a smile. "Remind you of anything?" he asked innocently.
"Not in particular," I replied to evade his question. I reached down and helped him up, and together we got into the turbolift.
"Bridge," he said with a wince. As the turbolift began to move, I shifted me eyes around nervously. Sensing that something was wrong, he turned to me and stooped to my height. As he grabbed my shoulders and gazed in my eyes, I desperately tried to hide the emotions behind them, but as I pulled away I knew that he had seen the storm clouds that dwelled there. "Everything all right?" he asked concerned.
I nodded, "Yeah," I said softly. Suddenly he pulled me into a comforting hug.
"We can talk about it later," he said knowingly.
The turbolift lurched to a stop and we both stepped out onto the bridge to join the crowd that was forming around the Captain. I could hear everyone talking at once, but suddenly the Captain's commanding voice was above all others as she told us to settle down.
"All right, as most of you know, for the past two days we have been making trade agreements with the Moheeleans, who are from the next planet we plan to intercept," Captain Janeway began. "They have been most generous, and they have agreed that when we reach their home world, the crew can take shore leave…" she let her voice trail off to give us time to contemplate what she was saying, then hastily she continued. "We plan to be there for an entire week, so I am granting the entire crew two days of shore leave that they may take. After all, it isn't every day that we get such a unique opportunity," she said with a smile. "However, on the first day we get there, the Moheelean ambassador and his parliament will be hosting a dinner in honor of us. The invitation has been extended to the senior staff, so I'll expect nothing less than your best dress uniform. Understood?"
We all nodded like children in a first grade classroom, delirious with joy at the prospect of two days of shore leave, except for Tuvok, of course.
"The Moheeleans will also be sending over some of their representatives to Voyager, which Commander Chakotay will assign to you accordingly. They will be very curious about Voyager, so I know that you will show them around the ship and do your best to answer their questions. As my senior staff, I also know that you will treat them with the sincerest respect and that you will be a proper host to them. Let's show them the best side of Starfleet. Any questions?"
No one dared to question the Captain. We all had our orders; it was pretty clear. The prospect of visitors and shore leave left us with raised spirits. I saw her let out a sigh of relief, which she quickly combated with he hopeful smile. "Well, now that this is over, you are all dismissed. Report to your current stations. Ensign Anderson, I would like for you to stay behind and join me in my ready room." She saw my acknowledgement and turned to lead the way.
As the doors swished shut behind us, Captain Janeway wasted no time in pointing me to a seat. "Christy, I heard that the security protocol test you took with Tuvok this morning did not go so well."
Embarrassed that the Captain knew of my recent failure, I nodded slowly. "Yes, I did not fare so well," I exaggerated- to break 32 protocol in 35 minutes was almost a protocol broken every minute, but I would do better next time.
She laughed, "That's okay, Christy, I am sure you will put your best efforts forward next time." She paused and then continued, "However, Chakotay tells me that you have requested a shift on the bridge again. I know I told you last time that you would have had to complete your studies, so I'm not going to refuse you this time. I have already talked to the Commander, and informed him that once you have passed the security test, he is allowed to assign you shifts to the bridge at the science station."
My eyes lit up. "Thank you, Captain," I cried out. On an impulse, I stood up and embraced her; at first, Captain Janeway was startled, but she relaxed as she saw the tears of joy in my eyes. "It means a great deal to be able to achieve the goal I have worked at for six months," I continued.
"I bet it does…" her voice trailed off after her last words. She looked up at me. "So much for avoiding Starfleet," she continued slowly with an amused tone.
I dried my tears and gave her a weak smile. "I was pulled into the ranks despite my efforts," I said as new tears began to form in my eyes over the memories of home.
Captain Janeway noticed my oncoming distress and tried to comfort me. "I am very sure, Christy, that if your Father were here, he would be very proud of you today… Admiral Paris too."
To be continued…