Chapter 8
Many hours had passed since launch; the bridge was no longer the hype of exuberance that it had been not so long ago. Sitting in the command chair Sara quietly contemplated the mission. He wondered would the opportunity present itself for him to lead an away team. As an experienced combatant he never hoped for war, but would be ready for it if it was necessary. Although not quite sure who would comprise his away team, he began reading through some personnel files. Cumbrae would obviously be his first choice, but Sara was unsure how the others would perform in an armed landing party. Starfleet Command gave glowing reports for all the senior officers, which in all truth made it harder for him to decide whom to bring. The reports only said so much, but there are aspects of a person that can not be measured, and can not be put into writing on a personnel file. He believed it would benefit the bridge staff if some sort of rendezvous could be arranged. He would like to get to know the crew a little better. In turning around, Sara noticed Counsellor Kestra Vall chatting away to Lieutenant Anel Jura at the Ops station. Although Vall never seemed to stop talking, Jura looked to be quiet and always trying to focus on her work. Maybe she knew Sara was watching.
However he quickly turned around and headed for the Captain's Ready Room leaving the bridge in the trusty hands of Commander Cumbrae.
"Enter," the voice from within called out, Sara walked in admiring the size of the area compared to his own office. He noticed the Captain still unpacking and in particular was drawn to an ancient facemask sitting on the table.
"Now this is remarkable. What exactly is it?" he asked admiring in particular the artistry of the orange stripes around the wooden brow.
"That is an ancient medicine mask, worn by a Maori doctor." Noticing Sara's face was still slightly confused he elaborated, "Maori were the first inhabitants of New Zealand, arriving by boat from Polynesia almost a thousand years ago. The mask was worn by the village doctor who practised medicine, practised very loosely."
Sara still stood there admiring the mask and complimenting it further.
"So what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" said Captain Lennon. As if surprised by the question Sara's mind snapped to attention and he put down the mask.
"I was just thinking Captain, it would be beneficial if this crew became better acquainted with one another. Do you have any objection in staging a 'welcoming' gathering in the Mess Hall tonight?"
"I agree, in would be a good idea to have some sort of bonding session on the eve of taking her to the Cardassian border," Lennon replied.
"Excellent Captain, I'll spread the word," he replied and jokingly added "And by the way sir... you should have said 'to go boldly'." Lennon seemed puzzled by this comment, unsure what Sara was referring to.
" On the bridge earlier, when Kestra interrupted you for being sexist." The memory sprung to the Captain's mind. Sara went on " 'To boldly go' is grammatically incorrect, you should have said 'To Go Boldly'."
The captain just gazed strangely upon his 1st Officer.
"Did you swallow a dictionary this morning Commander?"
"No sir"
"Good."
Many hours had passed since launch; the bridge was no longer the hype of exuberance that it had been not so long ago. Sitting in the command chair Sara quietly contemplated the mission. He wondered would the opportunity present itself for him to lead an away team. As an experienced combatant he never hoped for war, but would be ready for it if it was necessary. Although not quite sure who would comprise his away team, he began reading through some personnel files. Cumbrae would obviously be his first choice, but Sara was unsure how the others would perform in an armed landing party. Starfleet Command gave glowing reports for all the senior officers, which in all truth made it harder for him to decide whom to bring. The reports only said so much, but there are aspects of a person that can not be measured, and can not be put into writing on a personnel file. He believed it would benefit the bridge staff if some sort of rendezvous could be arranged. He would like to get to know the crew a little better. In turning around, Sara noticed Counsellor Kestra Vall chatting away to Lieutenant Anel Jura at the Ops station. Although Vall never seemed to stop talking, Jura looked to be quiet and always trying to focus on her work. Maybe she knew Sara was watching.
However he quickly turned around and headed for the Captain's Ready Room leaving the bridge in the trusty hands of Commander Cumbrae.
"Enter," the voice from within called out, Sara walked in admiring the size of the area compared to his own office. He noticed the Captain still unpacking and in particular was drawn to an ancient facemask sitting on the table.
"Now this is remarkable. What exactly is it?" he asked admiring in particular the artistry of the orange stripes around the wooden brow.
"That is an ancient medicine mask, worn by a Maori doctor." Noticing Sara's face was still slightly confused he elaborated, "Maori were the first inhabitants of New Zealand, arriving by boat from Polynesia almost a thousand years ago. The mask was worn by the village doctor who practised medicine, practised very loosely."
Sara still stood there admiring the mask and complimenting it further.
"So what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" said Captain Lennon. As if surprised by the question Sara's mind snapped to attention and he put down the mask.
"I was just thinking Captain, it would be beneficial if this crew became better acquainted with one another. Do you have any objection in staging a 'welcoming' gathering in the Mess Hall tonight?"
"I agree, in would be a good idea to have some sort of bonding session on the eve of taking her to the Cardassian border," Lennon replied.
"Excellent Captain, I'll spread the word," he replied and jokingly added "And by the way sir... you should have said 'to go boldly'." Lennon seemed puzzled by this comment, unsure what Sara was referring to.
" On the bridge earlier, when Kestra interrupted you for being sexist." The memory sprung to the Captain's mind. Sara went on " 'To boldly go' is grammatically incorrect, you should have said 'To Go Boldly'."
The captain just gazed strangely upon his 1st Officer.
"Did you swallow a dictionary this morning Commander?"
"No sir"
"Good."