Chapter 2
3 weeks later
The buildings of Christchurch in New Zealand were somewhat smaller than their counterparts in San Francisco, but Christopher Lennon always thought the area far more beautiful. The snow-capped rolling hills of the Southern Alps could be seen in the distance on clear days, the area seemed so much more peaceful and natural. He was glad to be home. For the last three weeks he had been cramming on Starfleet's undercover protocols as well as extensively studying the Cardassian Union. He had one week left of preparation before the USS Spartan was due at Earthstation McKinley and in that time he had an entire senior staff to meet.
He was ordered to meet his First Officer, Riccardo Sara, back in San Francisco shortly. But for a while he just gazed out his window and felt content a little longer. His thoughts became lost in the endless view of the Pacific Ocean from his window, but his laptop beeped bringing him back to reality.
"To Captain Christopher T. Lennon, Your executive officer for the forthcoming mission, Commander Riccardo Sebastian Sara, has arrived at Starfleet Headquarters. He is currently awaiting your arrival."
He contacted Starfleet Command through his computer and requested immediate transport to San Francisco. In a brilliant flash of light he appeared on a transporter pad at Starfleet Headquarters, immediately he rushed to his office and found Commander Sara awaiting him there. Lennon had had no trouble recognising him. Unlike himself, Sara looked exactly the same as he did in his personal file.
"Commander Riccardo Sebastian Sara, welcome." He stated with his hand outstretched,
"Thank you sir, I'm glad to be serving with you on this mission,"
"Likewise Commander," replied Lennon before showing Sara into his office.
They sat down at his desk and Lennon put his laptop on the surface before opening it. He offered the commander a drink before walking over to his replicator and ordered 2 cups of coffee. Unsure how to start the conversation he opted for a direct approach.
"How much do you know about the forthcoming mission Commander Sara?" he inquired as he placed the coffee on the desk.
" I know we are participating in an undercover mission to the Cardassian Border to determine the state of the Cardassians military readiness. I've already spoken with Admiral Nechayev."
"Our cover is a science mission to the Badlands, but we are looking for proof that the Cardassians are arming for war. This probably will constitute an away team, lead by you to bring back any evidence."
Ric Sara nodded taking in everything the Captain had to say; this explained why he was ordered to do so much training in the holodeck recently.
"I'm assuming our senior staff have already been chosen, sir." Ric asked.
The Captain called up the Admiral's database on his laptop turned it around for Ric to see.
"All except for one, I think a mission like this needs a counsellor, and I plan to include Lieutenant Kestra Vall in that list. I'm awaiting the admiral's clearance on that. But on the general crew, I'm expecting you to familiarise yourself with as many of them as you can, as well as our objectives." He said while downloaded the database onto a pad for the Commander. Lennon handed it to him.
"I'm sorry to say I'm not familiar with any of them, Ric added.
"Starfleet undercover protocol tends not to assign officers who are acquainted,"
"Of course, I'll begin looking them up in person immediately, most of them are currently situated on Earth,"
"And one last thing Commander, I've been informed of a relatively new group of breakaway Federation citizens calling themselves the Maquis, they are against our peace treaty with the Cardassians, and could be hostile to both sides, I also want you to look into the matter."
That was about all Lennon had to say in official matters, he was aware Ric received an almost identical briefing from the Admiral as himself.
"I expect to see you a lot over the next week, I've assigned you an office just down the corridor," he said whilst completing the paperwork from his laptop.
" So tell me Ric, has it been a long time since you were last home", Lennon added.
"Three years, in all that time I've really missed this place,"
"Where are you currently staying?" the Captain asked,
"Back in my old home, Naples, Italy."
3 weeks later
The buildings of Christchurch in New Zealand were somewhat smaller than their counterparts in San Francisco, but Christopher Lennon always thought the area far more beautiful. The snow-capped rolling hills of the Southern Alps could be seen in the distance on clear days, the area seemed so much more peaceful and natural. He was glad to be home. For the last three weeks he had been cramming on Starfleet's undercover protocols as well as extensively studying the Cardassian Union. He had one week left of preparation before the USS Spartan was due at Earthstation McKinley and in that time he had an entire senior staff to meet.
He was ordered to meet his First Officer, Riccardo Sara, back in San Francisco shortly. But for a while he just gazed out his window and felt content a little longer. His thoughts became lost in the endless view of the Pacific Ocean from his window, but his laptop beeped bringing him back to reality.
"To Captain Christopher T. Lennon, Your executive officer for the forthcoming mission, Commander Riccardo Sebastian Sara, has arrived at Starfleet Headquarters. He is currently awaiting your arrival."
He contacted Starfleet Command through his computer and requested immediate transport to San Francisco. In a brilliant flash of light he appeared on a transporter pad at Starfleet Headquarters, immediately he rushed to his office and found Commander Sara awaiting him there. Lennon had had no trouble recognising him. Unlike himself, Sara looked exactly the same as he did in his personal file.
"Commander Riccardo Sebastian Sara, welcome." He stated with his hand outstretched,
"Thank you sir, I'm glad to be serving with you on this mission,"
"Likewise Commander," replied Lennon before showing Sara into his office.
They sat down at his desk and Lennon put his laptop on the surface before opening it. He offered the commander a drink before walking over to his replicator and ordered 2 cups of coffee. Unsure how to start the conversation he opted for a direct approach.
"How much do you know about the forthcoming mission Commander Sara?" he inquired as he placed the coffee on the desk.
" I know we are participating in an undercover mission to the Cardassian Border to determine the state of the Cardassians military readiness. I've already spoken with Admiral Nechayev."
"Our cover is a science mission to the Badlands, but we are looking for proof that the Cardassians are arming for war. This probably will constitute an away team, lead by you to bring back any evidence."
Ric Sara nodded taking in everything the Captain had to say; this explained why he was ordered to do so much training in the holodeck recently.
"I'm assuming our senior staff have already been chosen, sir." Ric asked.
The Captain called up the Admiral's database on his laptop turned it around for Ric to see.
"All except for one, I think a mission like this needs a counsellor, and I plan to include Lieutenant Kestra Vall in that list. I'm awaiting the admiral's clearance on that. But on the general crew, I'm expecting you to familiarise yourself with as many of them as you can, as well as our objectives." He said while downloaded the database onto a pad for the Commander. Lennon handed it to him.
"I'm sorry to say I'm not familiar with any of them, Ric added.
"Starfleet undercover protocol tends not to assign officers who are acquainted,"
"Of course, I'll begin looking them up in person immediately, most of them are currently situated on Earth,"
"And one last thing Commander, I've been informed of a relatively new group of breakaway Federation citizens calling themselves the Maquis, they are against our peace treaty with the Cardassians, and could be hostile to both sides, I also want you to look into the matter."
That was about all Lennon had to say in official matters, he was aware Ric received an almost identical briefing from the Admiral as himself.
"I expect to see you a lot over the next week, I've assigned you an office just down the corridor," he said whilst completing the paperwork from his laptop.
" So tell me Ric, has it been a long time since you were last home", Lennon added.
"Three years, in all that time I've really missed this place,"
"Where are you currently staying?" the Captain asked,
"Back in my old home, Naples, Italy."