Star Trek: Falcon
Light in the tower
2. Mission
"Captain Riker's personal log, stardate 55853.7," Will Riker was in his semi-dark quarters, cradling a cup of Betazoid tea, recording his personal log. "It has been a hectic but smooth couple of weeks. All preparations are finally done, and we're leaving tomorrow. Our mission is still pretty vague; our only order is to head in the general direction of the Delta Quadrant and to wait for the final test results of the slipstream drive. If they're successful, we'll receive new orders. If not, we'll stay close by and be prepared to return to have modifications done." Riker got up from the chair he had been sitting in and walked over to the viewport, sipping his beverage. "Even though we're not heading into unfamiliar territory, I'm not completely at ease." He laughed a little to himself. "I'm sure we'll all be fine, but I still can't sleep," he looked into his cup. "Of course, all this strong tea I've been drinking today could have something to do with that. I just hope…" He trailed off as he caught a glimpse of something moving towards the ship. He squinted his eyes, trying to make out what it was. "What the…? Computer, end log." He tapped his combadge. "Riker to the bridge."
"Shelby here," his First Officer answered promptly.
"Are you aware that there's a shuttlecraft moving towards us?" Riker asked.
"Yes, Captain," Shelby replied over the comlink. "We were just hailed by the vessel." She stood up from her chair and started pacing the empty area in front of the two command chairs. "A text only message with Starfleet's top priority codes, requesting that you go down to the shuttle bay and meet them personally," she said and stopped pacing, waiting for the Captain's reply.
Riker furrowed his brow. What was this all about? Well, he thought to himself, there's only one way of finding out. "Wake Lieutenant Commander Peterson and tell him to meet me on deck twelve. Riker out."
"Yes, sir. Shelby out."
Riker took one last look at the approaching shuttle through the viewport, then put down the cup and walked out of his quarters. It was only a short walk to the turbolift from his quarters, but those few steps had never seemed longer. He entered the turbolift and stated his destination almost on automation; his mind was filled with thoughts about the approaching shuttle. Why in the galaxy would Starfleet send a shuttle? Top priority codes? A feeling of dread momentarily washed over him, but then he straightened his back. He was the Captain, he wouldn't be consumed with worry. Just go down there and see what it's all about, he told himself. Still, he couldn't stop his thoughts from wandering. When he stepped out of the lift, he was so deep in thought he nearly ran into Lieutenant Commander Peterson, the Falcon's Chief of Security. "Peterson?" he said, surprised. How had he managed to get down her so quickly? It was as if the tall Scandinavian had been waiting for him to arrive. Later, Riker thought to himself. There'll be time to ask him later. Right now, they had a mysterious visitor to greet. "Let's go find out who our surprise guests are."
"Yes, sir."
They entered the shuttle bay in silence and waited for the shuttle to land. When the hatch of the shuttle began to open, Riker moved towards it, with the Chief of Security half a step behind him, his phaser ready.
Of all the people Riker had thought might be in the shuttle, these weren't any of them. He was genuinely surprised to see his former Captain, now Admiral, Jean-Luc Picard step out of the shuttle, followed by a woman everyone in the Federation knew about since her grand return to Federation space a year earlier, the newly promoted Admiral Kathryn Janeway. He had met her briefly at the Academy years ago, but had not seen her in person since then. She was older now, of course, but he couldn't help but think that the years had been kind on her. There was an air of grace and power surrounding her now that hadn't been there then. It suited her, he thought. "Admirals," he said and greeted them with a nod.
Admiral Picard stepped forward and smiled at his former First Officer. "Number One!" he exclaimed in his usual exuberant manner, intensified by his European accent. "Ah, sorry," he then said, "I mean Captain Riker." He gestured towards the woman standing next to him. "I believe you know Admiral Janeway?"
"I do, sir," Riker said and turned his attention to her. "Ma'am," he said and bowed his head slightly to greet her, smiling at her despite the situation. He then gestured to the man standing beside him. "This is my Chief of Security, Lieutenant Commander Peterson," he said, bringing forth polite nods from both Admirals. "From the top priority codes and your secretive arrival, I assume this is not a social call?"
Picard's expression grew serious. "I'm afraid you're right, Will," he said. "Is there somewhere we can talk privately? And perhaps you should invite your First Officer too."
Riker studied his former Captain's face, looking for clues. But when he wanted to, Jean-Luc Picard's face was impossible to read. "Yes, sir," he said, then tapped the combadge on his chest. "Riker to Commander Shelby, please meet us in the conference room."
"Aye, sir," came her reply over the comlink.
If Shelby was surprised when Riker entered the conference room with the two Admirals, she didn't show it. She was as professionally cool as always, only an eyebrow lifted. Riker smiled a little to himself, remembering that she had been pretty good at poker. Yep, that was a poker face if he ever saw one. "Admirals, this is Commander Shelby, second in command of the USS Falcon. Commander, this is Admiral Picard and Admiral Janeway." Shelby and the Admirals exchanged another round of polite nods. The tension between Janeway and Shelby was obvious. He could understand that. They were roughly the same age, Shelby was very career oriented, but still a Commander. Janeway, on the other hand, while being determined too, didn't seem to pursue her career as seriously as Shelby. Yet she was an Admiral. Well, it didn't matter, the admirals were only here for a visit. That's what he thought anyway. It struck him that he really didn't know. Perhaps they had planned on going with them? He gestured for them to sit down. "As much as I enjoy a surprise visit, it's late and I have an early morning tomorrow. So if you don't mind my asking," Riker said, directing his gaze at the Admirals, "how come you're here?"
For the first time since arriving, Janeway spoke. "As you may know, two of my former crewmembers, Tom and B'Elanna Paris, have been leading the development and testing of the slipstream drive."
This was no news to anyone in the room, so they all nodded, quietly waiting for her to continue.
She leaned forward, her elbows on the table. Suddenly, she looked very tired. "They've disappeared," she said.
She certainly knew how to put things dramatically, Riker thought. "Disappeared?!" he said out loud.
"Yes. We lost contact with them during the final test flight," Admiral Janeway said. She stood up and started pacing. She stopped for a moment in front of the huge viewports showing space ahead of the ship. The stars seemed stationary now, but it was still a fantastic sight. Janeway didn't seem to see the stars, though. She turned back and continued talking. "We think they encountered some sort of obstacle in slipstream space that made the tunnel change direction. In the last message we received from them, they were, involuntarily, headed for the Delta Quadrant."
Suddenly Riker understood why she looked so haunted. She'd just spent seven years trying to get her people back home, and now two of those people were back in the Delta Quadrant, lost again. He waited quietly for her to continue.
"We're sending the Falcon to find them," was all she said. She stopped pacing and leaned on the backrest of her chair.
"But how do we know we don't encounter one of those obstacles too?" Shelby asked.
"We don't," Admiral Janeway said.
"Then why risk a brand-new starship with a crew compliment of 300 to find two people?" Shelby retorted.
She probably didn't mean to be rude, Riker thought, she was only concerned about her own crew's welfare. But he could see Janeway's eyes darken. It was Picard who answered the question, though, sensing the tension between the two women.
"This is extremely bad publicity for Starfleet," he said. "We've just lost two of the heroes returning from the Delta Quadrant back to the Delta Quadrant…" His gaze traveled from Shelby to Riker. "…while they were developing new technology for Starfleet. We have to get them back safely."
Shelby nodded. She probably didn't like the idea, but she was a Starfleet Officer. If an admiral gave her an order, she would follow it. "Yes, sir," she said.
Picard continued. "Admiral Janeway will come with you," he said, "she has all the information needed."
Riker was sure Shelby disliked the fact of having Admiral Janeway on board longer than five minutes, but her poker face was firmly in place.
Picard got up from his chair. "If you don't mind, Captain, I would like to pay a visit to sickbay before I leave."
Riker nodded. "Of course."
"Are you unwell, Admiral?" Shelby asked.
"No, Commander," Picard said, with a hint of a smile. "This is strictly a social call."
The Falcon's sickbay was run by the red headed Doctor of the Enterprise, Doctor Beverly Crusher. She was also the widow of one of Picard's closest friends, and Beverly and Jean-Luc Picard had become very close friends themselves over the years. Riker had often suspected that given the chance, they would become more than friends. Now that they weren't serving on the same ship any more, they had the chance. He hoped they would take it. Taking a deep breath, Riker stood up. Back to business. Riker was almost happy about the assignment, even with the uncertainty surrounding it. As much as he loved to seek out new worlds and new civilizations, he felt more comfortable with a specific mission. He glanced at Shelby. She looked slightly distressed, her cool facade wavering. He walked over to her. "We'll be all right," he said quietly, hoping to calm her.
She merely nodded.
Riker spoke up. "Commander, please notify all members of the senior staff that a briefing will take place at 0700 hours. Dismissed."
"Yes, sir," she said, nodded respectfully at the admirals and left the conference room.
"I'll be on my way too," Picard said. "Good luck, Number One."
"Thank you sir," Riker said, and then turned to Admiral Janeway. "Let me show you our guest quarters, Admiral."
She smiled and walked up to him, a little less tense than she had been during the briefing. "Lead the way, Captain."
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annika@ebox.tninet.se
www.twentysevenandfortyone.cjb.net
Light in the tower
2. Mission
"Captain Riker's personal log, stardate 55853.7," Will Riker was in his semi-dark quarters, cradling a cup of Betazoid tea, recording his personal log. "It has been a hectic but smooth couple of weeks. All preparations are finally done, and we're leaving tomorrow. Our mission is still pretty vague; our only order is to head in the general direction of the Delta Quadrant and to wait for the final test results of the slipstream drive. If they're successful, we'll receive new orders. If not, we'll stay close by and be prepared to return to have modifications done." Riker got up from the chair he had been sitting in and walked over to the viewport, sipping his beverage. "Even though we're not heading into unfamiliar territory, I'm not completely at ease." He laughed a little to himself. "I'm sure we'll all be fine, but I still can't sleep," he looked into his cup. "Of course, all this strong tea I've been drinking today could have something to do with that. I just hope…" He trailed off as he caught a glimpse of something moving towards the ship. He squinted his eyes, trying to make out what it was. "What the…? Computer, end log." He tapped his combadge. "Riker to the bridge."
"Shelby here," his First Officer answered promptly.
"Are you aware that there's a shuttlecraft moving towards us?" Riker asked.
"Yes, Captain," Shelby replied over the comlink. "We were just hailed by the vessel." She stood up from her chair and started pacing the empty area in front of the two command chairs. "A text only message with Starfleet's top priority codes, requesting that you go down to the shuttle bay and meet them personally," she said and stopped pacing, waiting for the Captain's reply.
Riker furrowed his brow. What was this all about? Well, he thought to himself, there's only one way of finding out. "Wake Lieutenant Commander Peterson and tell him to meet me on deck twelve. Riker out."
"Yes, sir. Shelby out."
Riker took one last look at the approaching shuttle through the viewport, then put down the cup and walked out of his quarters. It was only a short walk to the turbolift from his quarters, but those few steps had never seemed longer. He entered the turbolift and stated his destination almost on automation; his mind was filled with thoughts about the approaching shuttle. Why in the galaxy would Starfleet send a shuttle? Top priority codes? A feeling of dread momentarily washed over him, but then he straightened his back. He was the Captain, he wouldn't be consumed with worry. Just go down there and see what it's all about, he told himself. Still, he couldn't stop his thoughts from wandering. When he stepped out of the lift, he was so deep in thought he nearly ran into Lieutenant Commander Peterson, the Falcon's Chief of Security. "Peterson?" he said, surprised. How had he managed to get down her so quickly? It was as if the tall Scandinavian had been waiting for him to arrive. Later, Riker thought to himself. There'll be time to ask him later. Right now, they had a mysterious visitor to greet. "Let's go find out who our surprise guests are."
"Yes, sir."
They entered the shuttle bay in silence and waited for the shuttle to land. When the hatch of the shuttle began to open, Riker moved towards it, with the Chief of Security half a step behind him, his phaser ready.
Of all the people Riker had thought might be in the shuttle, these weren't any of them. He was genuinely surprised to see his former Captain, now Admiral, Jean-Luc Picard step out of the shuttle, followed by a woman everyone in the Federation knew about since her grand return to Federation space a year earlier, the newly promoted Admiral Kathryn Janeway. He had met her briefly at the Academy years ago, but had not seen her in person since then. She was older now, of course, but he couldn't help but think that the years had been kind on her. There was an air of grace and power surrounding her now that hadn't been there then. It suited her, he thought. "Admirals," he said and greeted them with a nod.
Admiral Picard stepped forward and smiled at his former First Officer. "Number One!" he exclaimed in his usual exuberant manner, intensified by his European accent. "Ah, sorry," he then said, "I mean Captain Riker." He gestured towards the woman standing next to him. "I believe you know Admiral Janeway?"
"I do, sir," Riker said and turned his attention to her. "Ma'am," he said and bowed his head slightly to greet her, smiling at her despite the situation. He then gestured to the man standing beside him. "This is my Chief of Security, Lieutenant Commander Peterson," he said, bringing forth polite nods from both Admirals. "From the top priority codes and your secretive arrival, I assume this is not a social call?"
Picard's expression grew serious. "I'm afraid you're right, Will," he said. "Is there somewhere we can talk privately? And perhaps you should invite your First Officer too."
Riker studied his former Captain's face, looking for clues. But when he wanted to, Jean-Luc Picard's face was impossible to read. "Yes, sir," he said, then tapped the combadge on his chest. "Riker to Commander Shelby, please meet us in the conference room."
"Aye, sir," came her reply over the comlink.
If Shelby was surprised when Riker entered the conference room with the two Admirals, she didn't show it. She was as professionally cool as always, only an eyebrow lifted. Riker smiled a little to himself, remembering that she had been pretty good at poker. Yep, that was a poker face if he ever saw one. "Admirals, this is Commander Shelby, second in command of the USS Falcon. Commander, this is Admiral Picard and Admiral Janeway." Shelby and the Admirals exchanged another round of polite nods. The tension between Janeway and Shelby was obvious. He could understand that. They were roughly the same age, Shelby was very career oriented, but still a Commander. Janeway, on the other hand, while being determined too, didn't seem to pursue her career as seriously as Shelby. Yet she was an Admiral. Well, it didn't matter, the admirals were only here for a visit. That's what he thought anyway. It struck him that he really didn't know. Perhaps they had planned on going with them? He gestured for them to sit down. "As much as I enjoy a surprise visit, it's late and I have an early morning tomorrow. So if you don't mind my asking," Riker said, directing his gaze at the Admirals, "how come you're here?"
For the first time since arriving, Janeway spoke. "As you may know, two of my former crewmembers, Tom and B'Elanna Paris, have been leading the development and testing of the slipstream drive."
This was no news to anyone in the room, so they all nodded, quietly waiting for her to continue.
She leaned forward, her elbows on the table. Suddenly, she looked very tired. "They've disappeared," she said.
She certainly knew how to put things dramatically, Riker thought. "Disappeared?!" he said out loud.
"Yes. We lost contact with them during the final test flight," Admiral Janeway said. She stood up and started pacing. She stopped for a moment in front of the huge viewports showing space ahead of the ship. The stars seemed stationary now, but it was still a fantastic sight. Janeway didn't seem to see the stars, though. She turned back and continued talking. "We think they encountered some sort of obstacle in slipstream space that made the tunnel change direction. In the last message we received from them, they were, involuntarily, headed for the Delta Quadrant."
Suddenly Riker understood why she looked so haunted. She'd just spent seven years trying to get her people back home, and now two of those people were back in the Delta Quadrant, lost again. He waited quietly for her to continue.
"We're sending the Falcon to find them," was all she said. She stopped pacing and leaned on the backrest of her chair.
"But how do we know we don't encounter one of those obstacles too?" Shelby asked.
"We don't," Admiral Janeway said.
"Then why risk a brand-new starship with a crew compliment of 300 to find two people?" Shelby retorted.
She probably didn't mean to be rude, Riker thought, she was only concerned about her own crew's welfare. But he could see Janeway's eyes darken. It was Picard who answered the question, though, sensing the tension between the two women.
"This is extremely bad publicity for Starfleet," he said. "We've just lost two of the heroes returning from the Delta Quadrant back to the Delta Quadrant…" His gaze traveled from Shelby to Riker. "…while they were developing new technology for Starfleet. We have to get them back safely."
Shelby nodded. She probably didn't like the idea, but she was a Starfleet Officer. If an admiral gave her an order, she would follow it. "Yes, sir," she said.
Picard continued. "Admiral Janeway will come with you," he said, "she has all the information needed."
Riker was sure Shelby disliked the fact of having Admiral Janeway on board longer than five minutes, but her poker face was firmly in place.
Picard got up from his chair. "If you don't mind, Captain, I would like to pay a visit to sickbay before I leave."
Riker nodded. "Of course."
"Are you unwell, Admiral?" Shelby asked.
"No, Commander," Picard said, with a hint of a smile. "This is strictly a social call."
The Falcon's sickbay was run by the red headed Doctor of the Enterprise, Doctor Beverly Crusher. She was also the widow of one of Picard's closest friends, and Beverly and Jean-Luc Picard had become very close friends themselves over the years. Riker had often suspected that given the chance, they would become more than friends. Now that they weren't serving on the same ship any more, they had the chance. He hoped they would take it. Taking a deep breath, Riker stood up. Back to business. Riker was almost happy about the assignment, even with the uncertainty surrounding it. As much as he loved to seek out new worlds and new civilizations, he felt more comfortable with a specific mission. He glanced at Shelby. She looked slightly distressed, her cool facade wavering. He walked over to her. "We'll be all right," he said quietly, hoping to calm her.
She merely nodded.
Riker spoke up. "Commander, please notify all members of the senior staff that a briefing will take place at 0700 hours. Dismissed."
"Yes, sir," she said, nodded respectfully at the admirals and left the conference room.
"I'll be on my way too," Picard said. "Good luck, Number One."
"Thank you sir," Riker said, and then turned to Admiral Janeway. "Let me show you our guest quarters, Admiral."
She smiled and walked up to him, a little less tense than she had been during the briefing. "Lead the way, Captain."
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annika@ebox.tninet.se
www.twentysevenandfortyone.cjb.net