CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Apollo's shuttle approached the Valiant's shuttle bay. He felt that if he were going to command the ship, he wanted to view her from the outside. Traveling by transporter was fine, but it took away some of the majesty of traveling through space. What good was boarding a ship if you didn't inspect her lines? It was just Apollo's way of carrying on tradition, although these days, instead of checking for seaworthiness, it was spaceworthiness.
His shuttle landed, and he stepped out. He looked toward the gaping maw he just entered and silently praised the inventor of the atmospheric force field. He turned toward the exit into the ship and was met by a familiar face. "Thelem! Good to see you, old friend!"
"Welcome aboard, Captain," responded the Andorian. "We've been expecting you."
Apollo recalled when they arrived at the starbase that Thelem was slated to transfer to the Jocasta. Apparently, he found another assignment. "I should hope so. Are we set to go yet?"
"One thing I've learned from your people is that the application of patience makes the forthcoming experience sweeter. You would do well to exhibit some of that patience now." The statement surprised Apollo. Andorians are a race of warriors, who favored the tactic of shooting first and asking questions later. To hear this one talk of waiting for something brought a smile to his lips. "Besides, we have not received our full crew yet. Some of the crew aboard the disabled ship were replacements; you were supposed to select from the personnel as crew for the Firestone. The remainder would switch off with people from this ship and the Oberth. They have yet to be cleared by the medical staff."
"Well, I didn't take the Firestone, did I?" the captain said in an in-your-face tone.
"Unfortunately." The sarcasm was evident in Thelem's voice. "Then I would command either ship remaining."
"Sorry to hold back your career." Those who served with these two on the Oberth knew that this bickering was just show, and that they were actually good friends. Apollo nodded. "I take it then that they'll be... straggling on as the situation permits."
"You could say that," Thelem said.
As if on cue, the comlink in the shuttle bay's control room beeped. Apollo strode over and answered it. "Racer."
"Welcome aboard, sir." A bouncy female voice prattled over the speaker. "Transporter Chief Robinson here. Your first batch of crew replacements are ready to beam aboard."
"I'm on my way." Apollo shut down the comlink and left the bay with Thelem in tow.
They made their way to the main transporter room in silent anticipation. They arrived just as Robinson initiated the transport sequence. the six pads lit up, columns of shimmering blue light appeared over them, and humanoid forms sparkled into existence. He greeted them and Thelem showed them to their quarters. While Thelem was gone, Apollo got to know Robinson a little better. He found her to be a very friendly person. As she was probably the first person someone saw when they beamed aboard, Apollo decided that she was just the right person for the job.
Thelem returned to the transporter room. "Captain, transporter rooms two and four are also participating in crew beam ups. This won't take long."
Robinson chimed in. "In fact, I'm getting confirmation that I'll only get two people this time. They're the last ones for today."
"Today?" Apollo questioned.
"Yes sir. Medical projects that our crew won't be fully aboard until the end of the week."
Thelem leaned over to his captain. "You know, sir, you don't have to stay and greet people. Such a menial task is why they created the first officer's position."
Apollo mocked a startled look. "Bite your tongue. I'd like to meet my crew. I don't mind welcoming them aboard."
Thelem stuck his tongue out and felt it, as if seriously considering the captain's suggestion. Seeing the look on his face made him realize that it was just a figure of speech. "I'm sure you will have plenty of opportunity to meet them before we get under way. Besides, how do you propose to be in every transporter room at the same time?"
Apollo thought about that, without much hope for an answer. "I see your point."
Robinson sighed. "They're waiting, sir."
Realizing his faux pas, Apollo got back to the task at hand. "Oh... yes, right. Energize."
The transporter activated again. Two figures formed. Apollo didn't see the first person step off the pad. He was staring at the second one, realizing that he was looking at a dream. She was wearing a sling on her left arm, and Apollo made the connection; she was the one he saw on the starbase, at the triage scene, staring out the viewport. Without any regard to protocol, he rushed up and scooped Samantha into his arms. At that point, time seemed to stop. He gazed into her tear-brimmed eyes, moving in to kiss her.
"I take it you two know each other."
Thelem's comment brought both of them back to the present. Apollo looked at the room's other occupants. Thelem was smiling; The officer who arrived with Sam was staring at them nervously. Robinson's face was turning a deep shade of crimson; she turned her head, smiling in an embarrassed fashion.
Apollo cleared his throat. "Uh, ahem, Thelem. This is..." he looked at Sam's shoulder, "Commander Taylor. She is... uh... that is, she..." He was looking at her, puzzled.
"Your new science officer, reporting for duty, sir," Sam said, bailing him out. The look on her face told him that she was thoroughly enjoying this.
"Ob, da, yes. Well, Thelem, looks like you won't have to double for me on this ship." He turned to Sam to explain. "Thelem was both my science officer and first officer on the Oberth."
"I see. Well, Captain, I appreciate the warm welcome. But according to doctor's orders, I was supposed to rest after coming aboard, so if I could be shown to my quarters."
Instantly, Apollo's bearing snapped back into place. "Indeed." He stepped down and shook the other officer's hand. "Sorry about that. Didn't want you to think I was neglecting you."
"Tha-that's okay, sir. Lieutenant Gerard reporting." he said. He was obviously still baffled by the scene which played out before him.
"If you two won't mind, Commander Thelem will show you your quarters. And if the doctor said rest, then I expect you to do so. No roaming the ship." This was directed toward Sam. But she gave no quarrel, and the three of them left the room. Apollo leaned against the transporter console and wiped his brow. He then realized he wasn't alone, and turned toward Robinson. Her face was still working on getting rid of her blush. The captain's attention back on her, it returned full force. Apollo straightened himself and marched out of the room. Just before the doors could close he stopped and looked back at Robinson. After a moment, he smiled exuberantly, and allowed the doors to close, where she could finally indulge in some good-natured giggling.
~ * ~
"Captain on the bridge."
Apollo stepped out of the turbolift. He waved them all back to what they were doing. "All right, knock it off. Captain's standing order: next person who says that in my presence again gets flushed out an airlock in their skivvies."
He was joking, but his meaning was clear. His bridge crew kept the response to a brief chuckle. He looked around the bridge at his crew. Thelem was standing near the command chair. They should have a seat for him, too, he thought. Perhaps next to the captain. Maybe in my next report to Starfleet, I'll mention it. Sam was at the science station, performing a diagnostic on the systems. He then noticed his communications officer, M'ress, and Arex, his helmsman. He recalled in reviewing their records that they had served aboard the Enterprise shortly before the end of her first five-year mission, before her major refit. M'ress was a Caitian; her felinoid features were all too obvious. He had served with Caitians before, and was glad to have her. He noted with a smile that her tail twitched lazily back and forth, showing her contentment with her task.
He then turned his attention toward Arex. He had never seen an Edoan before, let alone served with one. He nodded with approval that the quartermaster had altered his chair accordingly. Humanoids could still sit in it with comfort, but the seat was more of a U-shape, to accommodate Arex's third leg. Arex noticed Apollo studying him. He turned his head and, while doing a system's check with two hands, saluted him with a third. Apollo winked and walked toward his seat.
His navigator, Ensign Turner, whirled around in his seat. "Sir, navigation systems check out just fine, sir."
Apollo looked toward Thelem, who rolled his eyes toward the ceiling. They were going to have to work on Turner's overenthusiasm; if it was anything that rubbed Apollo the wrong way, it was a brown-noser. "That's... just fine, Ensign. Carry on," he said, patronizing the eager young officer.
He made a final scan of his bridge. He then hit the com control on his chair arm. "Engineering, how's it look down there?"
"Commander McCormick here, sir. Everythin' down here is just bonny, Cap'n." The voice on the other end had an unmistakable accent of a Scot.
The captain smiled. "Very good, Mr.McCormick." He switched off, then turned back to Thelem. "Well, I think we're ready to get under way. Mr. M'ress, contact starbase, request clearance to depart."
"Aye, sir." She turned to her board. A moment later, she said, "Captain, starbase gives us clearance to depart. They tell us good luck and Godspeed."
"Thank them. Helm, reverse thrusters. Take us away." He felt a slight shift as the ship moved. "Set a course to 239 mark 70."
Turner responded smartly, repeating the course heading. The Valiant swung gracefully around to the prescribed heading. "Reading a heading of 239 mark 70, sir."
Apollo nodded. "Mr. Arex. Ahead one-half impulse. When we reach the edge of the system, go to warp three." The Edoan acknowledged the order. Apollo waited until he could watch the transition to warp speed; then he headed for the turbo lift. "M'ress, let my senior staff know that I'd like a meeting with them in the conference room in half an hour."
He stepped in the lift. It was about to close when a hand came between the doors. They reopened, and Sam came in. "Deck eight," Apollo called out. The lift started to move.
"Hold lift." It stopped in transit. Apollo looked at her quizzically. She turned to face him. "Well, Captain, you seem to fit the part quite well. I'm glad you reached your goal."
Apollo could sense something wrong. Her comment should have made him feel good, yet there was an edge to her tone that made him feel uncomfortable. He decided to take it at face value. "Thank you, Commander." He tried to follow up with something, but couldn't, and the silence made things more awkward. "I'm assuming that since you stopped the lift, you have something you wish to say to me privately."
"Oh, I'm just wondering why I didn't find out you made captain until I saw you in the transporter room."
"I don't understand." Apollo had an idea where this was going, but he let the cards play themselves out.
"Why didn't you contact me sooner? Why didn't you try to get assigned with me? And what the hell happened to you?" She moved from side to side, studying him. "You're so... different." As she spoke, the discomfort he sensed became more clear as her anger grew.
"I tried getting in touch with you. As time progressed, your messages became more... formal, distant. Then I wasn't getting any messages all together. I heard about the Lexington, and I was afraid..."
"By the time of Lexington's destruction, I had been halfway into my tour on another vessel. And I had been writing frequently, and some of them certainly weren't formal. What's your excuse?"
Apollo was about to respond when it hit him that on his past ships, he never personally received any messages. They were handed to him from another crew member. He seethed in anger at the realization that his mail had been tampered with. By the time the messages stopped, he was on the Excalibur, but the damage had been done. "Would you believe me if I said I was a victim of circumstance? My first two assignments weren't too... friendly. By the time I reached Skip's ship, I lost contact completely with you." He paused. "As for what happened to me, that's going to take a little time, and right now, I don't have it." He could tell she was skeptical, but he couldn't help her now. "Lift, resume."
They continued to their destination. He gripped her shoulders. She didn't move away, but she didn't relax, either. "I know it's been hard, but trust me, I will tell you everything. Right now, all I ask is that you don't let your personal feelings for me, whatever they may be at this time, to get in the way of our mission. Can I expect that much from you?"
She looked at him hard, then slowly nodded. "Yes, sir." He accepted that for now. Just before the lift stopped, she told him, "By the way. I like what you did to your eyes." The doors opened and she stepped out. His friends who knew him before the Excalibur always said that upon meeting him again. Just one more thing to explain, he sighed.
~ * ~
Thirty minutes later, Apollo strode through the door to the conference room. His senior staff were already there, patiently waiting. He smiled at their punctuality, and headed toward his position, at the head of the table; he didn't sit down, though. "Greetings," he started out, making eye contact with everyone there. "Some of you already know me from serving with me in the past. Some of you haven't served with me at all. Those of you who knew me before I served on the Excalibur, let me just get this out of the way now. This," he waved his hand in front of his eyes, "is not artificial. These are my real eyes. If they cause you some discomfort, I apologize. It's not something I can turn on and off. Deal with it. Those of you who want to know more about it, I hold an open door policy; if I'm not doing anything important at the time, I'll be happy to tell you all about it. Later.
"That's not the reason I called you here, though." He paused and was a little disappointed. Were he on one of his previous ships, someone would have made some type of crack. The room here remained silent. "Our first mission sounds simpler than it really is." He sat down, hitting a few controls in front of him as he did so. An image of the Firestone sprang into existence a foot and a half above the table. The hologram slowly rotated on all axes so everyone could get a complete view of it. "We have to find this ship. She's the USS Firestone, and let me assure you, she's the most powerful ship that Starfleet has constructed. But she's far from invulnerable. About five years ago, Starfleet attempted to build a dreadnought. This battle cruiser is the second generation of their attempt. Those of you who have read those specs would know its capabilities: trinary-shielding, honeycomb superstructure support, with a hull made of a new substance, designed to absorb and distribute energy more efficiently than any ship we've got."
McCormick partially raised a hand. "Beggin' yer pardon fer interruptin', sir, but I happened to have read the specs on the Firestone. 'Efficient' would not be a word I'd use for that behemoth."
"You're right, Mr. McCormick. Don't let this third nacelle fool you. This ship can't go that much faster than ours. It's basically a power supply for their upgraded weapons and shielding. Without it, they wouldn't be able to afford the power curve for them; their phasers would never be able to fire at full capacity. Now, as difficult as it sounds, our mission is not to destroy the ship, merely disable it; Starfleet doesn't want to lose its prototype.
"As McCormick revealed, you all should have received a file of the specs. Any insight you might have to help out our mission, no matter how insignificant you think it would be, will be greatly appreciated."
He waited to give anyone who wanted to say something a chance to say it. When he got back nothing but silence, he stood up. "Those of you who don't work on the bridge, I shall visit your departments soon for a more proper introduction. Dismissed." He watched them as they filed out. Before Sam went out the door, she turned and caught his eye. Something told Apollo that she would be the first person to see him about some explanations.
~ * ~
He had returned to the bridge for the rest of his shift. There was basically nothing for him to do. He sat back and closed his eyes, listening to the running of the ship: the movements and conversations of the crew as they walked from station to station or in and out of the turbolift; the various electronic noises everyone's consoles made; or most especially, the thrumming of power that traveled through the ship, causing the deckplates under his feet to vibrate. Occasionally, he would glance at the science station, but if Sam saw him, she took no note; she kept busy at her post, whether because of normal duties or as a way of avoiding contact with him was unknown to him.
When the end of his shift came, he was relieved by Thelem; he then headed off the bridge to make his rounds. He started at Engineering, getting more acquainted with McCormick, or Mac, to his friends. He was a cheerful soul who loved his engines and enjoyed friendly conversation. He reminded Apollo off Mr. Scott, Kirk's engineer, and he wondered further if these traits were typical for Scotsman. The ones he had met so far had all been born engineers and very social. If everything went true, this man also had a phenomenal temper, but since things were running like clockwork in the bowels of his ship, he doubted that he'd witness this temper.
He continued up through the ship. When he reached Sickbay, he met his CMO, Sorel. "Greetings, doctor." He raised his hand in a split-fingered salute, his common practice for any contact with a Vulcan. "I trust that everything here is to your preferences."
If Vulcans smiled, Sorel would have done so. Honor clearly showed in his expression. "Thank you, Captain. Everything is indeed satisfactory."
After a second of silence, Apollo gave Sorel a sideways glance. "This is the first time you've served aboard a starship."
Sorel raised an eyebrow. "You are very perceptive. Before the Valiant, I was a healer at the Vulcan Science Academy. I worked there with Dr. Daniel Corrigan. Remarkably, I am here at Starfleet's request."
Apollo did Sorel one better, raising both eyebrows. "Starfleet recommended you? This is indeed an honor for both of us." Thinking back, Apollo recalled reading sometime while at the Academy that Kirk had been on Vulcan, solving a murder. He remembered Sorel's name being mentioned in the article. "Is Dr. Corrigan here as well?"
"Unfortunately, no. Dr. Corrigan died 1.7 years ago."
"Oh. My grievances go with you." Another memory hit Apollo, and he wasn't fast enough to keep a smile from creeping on his face. "The last time I was in the presence of a Vulcan medical officer aboard a ship, it was on the science vessel Surak. His name was Selek."
Sorel nodded. "He now teaches medicine at the Science Academy. A very honorable man. It was under his tutelage that I received my training."
"You had a very good teacher."
Then it hit Sorel. "You are the one; the one he spoke of."
Apollo was thrown. "Excuse me?"
"There is one story that Selek was quite fond of telling. He told it to each of his classes, of the time he was assigned to the Surak; they had rescued a ship that was frozen. The human pilot was in a state of cryogenic stasis, having apparently been so for two centuries." He pointed at Apollo in reverence. "You are that pilot."
The captain shrugged. "Small galaxy."
He could have sworn that Sorel had just bowed, though anyone else would have simply perceived the doctor as merely nodding his head. "I had always been interested in the fate of that pilot. It is indeed a privilege to be in your service."
Apollo wanted to clap Sorel on the shoulder, but he naturally refrained from doing so. "Thank you. Knowing you're here bolsters my confidence in the medical staff."
As he headed for the door, Sorel said to him. "I shall see you soon, as you probably already know, since your physical examination is due."
Apollo merely glanced behind him, then continued out the door. Doctors, he thought in frustration, they're all the same. They want to be friendly, but at the same time, they want to poke you and prod you in experiments they mask as routine examinations. Due to his rare situation, Apollo had more reasons than others to have something against doctors, as well as some reasons to trust them implicitly. Still, it felt good to have a Vulcan on board.
He was so deep in thought that he didn't see someone coming around the bend. Sam ran into him full tilt and wound up sitting on the deck. Apollo merely looked down at her and raised an eyebrow. "Where's the fire, Commander?" He proffered a hand to help her up, which she gracefully took.
"I, uh, I was looking for you, Captain. Thelem told me that you usually take a stroll through the ship when your shift ends. Then I remembered you said you were going to the departments for more informal introductions."
He smiled. "What's on your mind?"
"I wanted to take you up on your offer. For a further explanation. Sir." She had said the last word with a slight smile.
Apollo simply shook his head, still grinning. "You know, I had a hunch you would be the first, though I'm sure the doctor will be next. He reminded me of an exam I have due."
"You always hated exams," she said coyly.
"I always felt that I had too many of them. They could have found something else to do." He jerked his head in his direction. "Walk with me." As he continued, she slipped beside him, reminding him of the times they always took walks at the Academy. They both allowed silence to dominate for a while, then he said, "It's been a while."
"Hmm? Since what?" she asked.
"Since we've taken a walk together," he said quietly.
She nodded. "Mmm-hm. This is nice." She had noticed they moved back down through the ship. When he guided her through a door, she wasn't surprised to find herself in the arboretum.
He answered her unspoken question. "I always found it more comfortable to be here when I talk about unofficial matters."
She nodded. "It certainly looks appropriate." When they reached the floor-to-ceiling viewports looking out to the stars, streaking by at warp speed, they stopped and she turned to him. "So, I assume the titles can be dropped here." He nodded. "Would you mind telling me now what happened to your eyes?"
He led her to a nearby bench and they sat down. He started at the beginning, with his time aboard the Merrimac, and continued from there. As far as any changes he went through, he restricted that information to obvious physical changes, such as his eyes and the rest of his unique physiology. He felt it wasn't the right time to tell anyone about what else he could do, but he did tell her that as far as the skills he possessed since the Academy, he still had them.
Sam drank all of it in, slightly overwhelmed. "So, your saying that you're not a cyborg anymore, but rather something all together different."
He nodded. "If anything, I guess you could say that the whole has become more than the sum of the parts." He paused. "Are you okay with that?"
She got up and slowly walked to the viewport, putting her hand on the cool metal. "I don't know. I could deal with you as a cyborg, but now..." she turned to face him. "Now you're completely different. Hell, I don't know if you even can be considered human anymore."
For some reason, that statement hit home. He got up and went over to her. Taking her by the shoulders, he asked her to look at him. She did, finding it not at all difficult to stare into his eyes. "I told you years ago that as long as my heart remained whole, I'll always be human."
"So, are you?"
It was a simple question, one to which demanded a simple answer. He moved his face closer to hers. When he kissed her, a wave of emotion, long shut away by distance and inaccessibility, suddenly washed over him in a flood. They both melted in each other's arms; it was obvious that this contact was what they needed. They had been apart far too long. They held each other so closely that a piece of paper couldn't fit between them.
After what seemed like forever, they separated. They each found themselves breathing a little heavily, Sam's fingers resting on his cheeks. When they embraced again, it was in a friendly hug. "God, I've missed you, Sam," Apollo whispered. They held each other at arm's length, and Sam noticed a tear trail down Apollo's cheek. It, like his eyes, glowed, though a paler blue than its source. "I've missed you so much. I've always thought about you, wondered what you were doing, wondered if you were thinking of me. Sometimes, I think I could actually tell that you were."
Sam felt a little giddy with this emotion. She let out a laugh that was half a gasp. "I felt the same way. I'm sorry I accused you earlier of forgetting about me. I felt guilty as soon as I had said it... I should have known that you were never the type to do that." She traced her foot across the floor, again acting coy. "Do you... suppose we could pick up where we left off?"
"No, too much time has passed." His expression was too serious, and her breath caught in her throat, but her apprehension was without warrant. "It would be easier if we took what we had and started anew. I mean, as you can see, I'm a different person now."
She shook her head. "No, you're the same man. Like you said, outside you may have changed, but you're still the same here." She put a finger on his chest, and traced a heart-shaped pattern there. She wanted to say something, but figured that it could be best said by reaching up and kissing him again. Giving him another hug, she said, "I'm glad we're together again."
"So am I," he said, looking out at the stars. It was almost perfect.
Sam could sense his mood change. "What is it?"
He sighed. "I was thinking of Skip. He should've been here, too. This was something I wanted all of us to share."
"Well, it's close enough," she said.
Apollo took a step back. He studied her for a moment, then said, "You know something I don't."
She smiled. "My, my. Always the perceptive one. All right, Captain Know-It-All, tell me what I know. And if I catch you trying to read my mind, I'll make sure you walk funny for a week."
He grimaced at that thought, but refrained from telling her that he doesn't read minds. So he simply studied her, God, she looks good in that uniform, and spitted out, "Someone else is on board."
"Well, I should hope so. I wouldn't think we could run the ship by ourselves."
"Ha, ha. I meant someone we both know is on board."
She nodded, and decided to swipe his opportunity to figure it all out. "Karen came back to Starfleet. She's in Stellar Cartography, and she also doubles as a geophysicist. So... she won't exactly have much reason to go to the bridge, but she's here."
Apollo's face lit up with excitement. "That's wonderful! But who's watching Ethan?"
Sam looked confused. "Ethan...? Oh, her son. She has a sister who's watching him. As soon as he's old enough, she'll send for him."
Apollo gave her a wary look. "Define 'old enough'." He didn't much like the idea of having children aboard a ship that just might get the stuffing kicked out of it by one of their own ships, never mind Klingons or Romulans.
"I don't know. She gave the impression that it would be soon, at least while she's here."
"That much I figured out." He gazed out of the viewport. "Well, I'm sure she knows what she's doing. Hey, I'm hungry. You up for something to eat?"
She thought for a second. "Now that you mention it, a bite sounds pretty good right about now."
"Great. Let's do it." He offered his arm.
"Okay." She took his arm, and used it as leverage to lean up and bite his neck.
"Ow! I thought you wanted something to eat." She gave him a predatory smile. He knew how to deal with it. He reached out and grabbed her sides, tickling her until she collapsed, kicking and screaming in a fit of laughter. He could only be glad that at this time, they were the only ones in the arboretum. He would have had a hard time explaining their behavior.
After a few minutes, he helped her up; she was gasping and holding her side. "Oh," she groaned, "I give, I give. Can we go, now?"
"I think we can now." He again offered her his arm. She took it again, but this time she just held it, and they headed for the officer's lounge.