"The Long Way Home"
By Nestadion
Disclaimer: Not mine, never will be...
Lt. Michelle Trav'Gondah walked onto the bridge of the Nova refit class, USS Hood, NX-87573. Even after the past few days, she wasn't quite used to the changes that Starfleet had made on the bridge. Not that it was not for the better, but it was a shock nonetheless. Starships had not been built in that formation for almost a hundred years. The single chair in the center of the room, the single console for two officers in the front for the Conn and Tactical. Not to mention, the Communications, Science, Engineering, and Auxiliary Science stations in the back on either side of the MSD.
Michelle had only been on a ship with this configuration once. It was when she was eight, and her parents had made the trip to Earth and visited the Starfleet Museum, and walked along the corridors of the USS Enterprise. That was the day that she decided to become a Starship Captain, back then she hadn't taken into account how long it would take.
With a spring in her step, Michelle quickly walked over to one of the only two consoles that did not match the old ship equation. Just down the steps from the Captain's chair, and just behind Conn and Tactical, were the First and Second officer's control consoles. Each was nestled against the railings in the lowered section of the bridge.
She took her seat at the Second officer's position, her eyes scanning the readout before her. She specifically looked for the readouts pertaining to security breaches, or security systems failure. Beyond the main deflector's power generation standby rerouter needing programmed, there was nothing for her to do. Just another slow day, even though she wished a Romulan would attack, or...
"Lt. Trav'Gondah" A thickly accented Russian voice said. Michelle quickly turned her head to Captain Rameos, the older man smiling slightly.
"Sir?" She asked, turning her attention from the power coupling. This was her fourth day onboard, and she had yet to fit in with the rest of the crew. Everyone believed that her father, the powerful ambassador, had gotten her into her position in Starfleet. But the fact of the matter was; his intense hate of conflict made him disliked by the big brass at Starfleet.
Rameos seemed to ponder what he was going to say, his left hand stroking his thick, white beard. He was the cautious type, always pondering, thinking, and choosing each word carefully, as if each one were precious. He quickly took a deep breath, possibly to help clear his mind of any confusing thoughts, or jumbled mess that did not pertain to the moment.
"The Senior officers and I are planning on meeting in holodeck 2 at 1300 hours." He said, his deep voice just ever so slightly echoing on the metal pieces of the bridge. And as if it helped him think, he was stroking his beard again. "The Doctor thought it would be interesting to use his program of Sherlock Holmes, and he invited us to come along. Your welcome to join if you want, if, that is, you don't already have something planned."
"Well sir, I do need to modify a power coupling, so I think I will pass." She said, brushing the honey-brown hair out of her eyes. The slight curls made it extremely unruly.
"Very well, I'm sure you will be missed, lieutenant. I will give everyone your regards." Rameos said, his head nodding as if the words were truly heart felt. He re-affixed his eyes on the view screen, as if admiring a work of art.
For the first time since she came on board, Michelle looked out on a blue and green planet known as Tevross IV. The white clouds swirling in unique patterns and shapes, hiding the surface like a bride's veil. The sun was even beginning to join the symphony of beauty and grace, by gently peeking out around the planet. Reflecting off of the surface, the rays seemed to stretch on for miles, bathing the planet in a pure red light.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Rameos said quietly, as if anything else would scare it away.
"I can't even think of words that could describe it." Michelle said, not even wanting to look away. She knew that she would have to in order to get any work done. Yet, her eyes would not leave the awesome scene before her.
Rameos chuckled softly, his hand reaching into his jacket pocket to pull out the old pocket watch that it held. He sighed slightly as he read the time, not wanting to leave his seat, as if when he returned to the bridge, the planet he had gazed out on would be gone.
"Lt. Trav'Gondah, you have the bridge." He said as he slowly strode off of the bridge, still gazing at his watch.
A/N: Just a note; I may not be able to post as much as I would like due to my busy schedule...but, I will be working on the story.