Chapter 3
USS Darkhawk , Utopia Panitia, Mars
The doors opened to reveal the bridge in chaos as crewman, officers, and engineers were working at a frightful pace on all the ships main stations and console. Double checking and triple checking controls and all the major systems was the Starfleet standard. Captains usually disliked all the checking and rechecking due to the extra time it took to finally get underway. Some Captains feared all the checks because to them it showed that the engineers were unsure of the work of the designers, when in reality it was for safety.
After visiting his quarters for some time Captain Kirk now felt more at home, now with the bridge already in full swing he could not wait to get underway.
Nothing beats a starship, Kirk though to himself as he passed a pair engineers working at the emergency transporter pad and console in the back of the bridge. The engineers take their jobs very seriously as have all ship builders through time. They build them, we play with them, we break them, and they fix them. It is a cycle that has gone on for centuries and nobody seemed to complain a bit about it.
Kirk soaked up all the new aromas. Everything was new, the carpet, the seats, the plastic covering the walls, it smelled clean, and it smelled wonderful. On some levels he felt like a kid again getting a Christmas present, except this Christmas present came with a cloaking device and quantum torpedoes. Kirk approached his chair from behind. Nobody was standing near it so he decided to take a second and become 'one' with the chair. Closing his eyes he ran his finger tips along the brand new cloth feeling all the bumps in the seat, the perfect stitching, and the smooth metal that ran along side the back of the seat along the side and down to the arm rests where comfort met command. Opening his eyes his journey of the chair was over and now it was time to get busy and get himself acquainted with this wonderful lady.
One of the engineers finally recognized him and called out with a firm and loud voice, "Captain on the bridge."
The entire bridge snapped to attention around Captain Kirk. This was something he was not used to. He looked around the bridge at the faces that were looking back at him in silence. One person said later they heard a pin falling all the way down in engineering.
Reaching the peak of his level of comfort he said with a clean, and casual voice, "As you were."
The bridge erupted into chaos again, with everybody going back to work Kirk went back looking over the command controls on the arms of the chair. On the left hand side of the chair were controls for the three conditions. With one touch Kirk could go from Condition Green to Condition Yellow, know better as 'Yellow Alert' to Condition Red, best know as 'Red Alert'. Secondary functions on the console gave the Captain control over weapons firing. It still took the tactical officer to properly get a lock on to a target, but this made it possible for the Captain to fire at without having to relay an order. The right hand arm rest console had small letters, all twenty six. This was used in sending secret encrypted messengers right from the bridge with out the rest of the bridge officers knowing. It also allowed for text messages to be sent from station to station. With the console being taken up almost entirely by letters, a space bar, and a enter/command key there was not anymore room for anything else on the screen. This arm rest however was equipped with a second page button. The second page displayed an emergency stop button and instant read out of weapons charge, torpedo status and quantity as well as shield percentages represented around a top view of the ship in three different colors; Green 100-85, Yellow 84-65, Red 64-5, and finally a blank representing 5-0.
Once Captain Kirk finished up his review of the arm consoles he looked up to notice a lot of the engineers had already left the bridge, there was now only one engineer at each station showing the senor officers the new advanced features off the ship.
"Captain," A young engineer said walking in front of Kirk as he was sitting in his chair.
"Yes."
"I need you to press all ten of your fingers onto this PADD for me. It will authorize that you and only you can fire weapons from this chair."
"What if I am not on board the ship?"
"Sir, Starfleet regulations prohibit Captains from leading away missions."
"I know the regulations," Kirk said sounding frustrated with the young man, "Hand me the PADD."
The engineer extended Kirk the PADD which he took it in one fast motion to show his frustration with the engineer.
I have got children telling me what I can and cannot do aboard my own starship. Kirk thought as he pressed each one of his fingers and both of his thumbs on the PADD to register his identity with the PADD and with the Computer. Kirk handed back the PADD to the engineer who quickly made a few last minute commands to the PADD.
"Thank you Captain, you are now all set to transfer you command codes to Main Computer."
Kirk nodded to the engineer and got up from his chair. Commander Kesloh overheard the conversation and got up from her station to join the Captain. Kirk watched her come over and waited for her to join his side.
"Computer," Kirk called out, waiting for the computer to chime in return, "Recognize Captain Kirk, Jonathan as Commanding Officer of USS Darkhawk, Transfer Command Codes, Kirk, Alpha, Tango, 3-1-6."
"Command Codes accepted, Captain Kirk, Commanding Officer, USS Darkhawk."
"Computer, Recognize Commander Kesloh, Samantha, First Officer of USS Darkhawk. Transfer Command Codes, Kesloh, Beta, Charlie, 5-9-8."
"Command Codes accepted, Commander Kesloh, First Officer, USS Darkhawk.
"Now that we have that little bit of business take care of, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Captain Jonathan Kirk, I am as you can see the Commanding Officer onboard this ship. I can see already by the look of the senior staff this is going to be a very good crew."
"Captain, Utopia Panitia reports all Panitia workers have reported back to their respective stations, we are clear to head out." Informed the young OPS Officer.
"Thank you Lieutenant. Commander, do we have all our crew members aboard?"
"Yes sir."
"Good," Kirk said sitting down in his chair, "Helm, take us out, one quarter impulse power."
"Aye sir, one quarter impulse power," Repeated the Ensign, "Thrusters set to full power, docking clamps disengaged, clearing all moorings."
The Darkhawk's main engines began to glow a beautiful blue glow from the back as she began to slowly move out from the moorings, while maneuvering thrusters fires to help stabilize the brand new ship on her way out of the 'dry dock'. The light from the sun reflected beautifully on the post side of the ship as it passed the waving workers and engineers inside the command room of the dry dock.
"Helm, set course for Deep Space 9, Warp 5."
The helmsman plotted the course into the ships computer. He double checked to make sure he had done everything correctly, once he was satisfied with his work he turned around in his chair to face the Captain.
"Course laid in sir."
"Engage."
"Aye sir."
Outside the blue glow from the back of the engines started to glow brighter as the warp field charged up side the warp core. Once the core was full powered to transport the ship at the desired velocity the Darkhawk took off in the blink of an eye leaving only a small splash of light in the distance as they broke the light speed barrier for the first time in this new ship.
"Now that we are underway I must go introduce myself to the rest of the crew, and meet the Chief Engineer. Ms. Kesloh you have the bridge."
"Aye sir."
Kirk got up from his chair and walked quickly to the turbo life in the rear of the bridge next to the emergency transporter pad. The doors slide open and Kirk stood in the turbo lift and watched the crew work until the doors slid closed moments later.
"Engineering."
The single word command had the turbo lift sliding down towards the bellow of the ship. With in seconds Kirk was now several decks below the bridge exiting the turbo lift. Captain Kirk stepped out of the turbo lift and walked to the nearest wall console and pushed it for directions to engineering.
I should have really taken the halo tour when I had the chance. Kirk thought cursing himself for not doing it.
Walking through the doors into Main Engineering was just like walking into a ghost town. During shake down cruises ships are normally fitted with just the minimum amount of people it took to run the ship. In the case of the Darkhawk the crew count was just over twenty-five people including the senior staff. Once the ship had docked with DS9 the crew would count would more than double to seventy-five crew members including the senior staff.
Kirk slowly walked around the engine room noting its rather small size. He was used to rather large and elaborate engine rooms with tall towering warp cores. The warp core hummed with the same beautiful sound all Federation warp cores make, and Kirk noted for the size this was actually one of the more powerful compact units available in the fleet. He began to hear talking around the corner and he proceeded to investigate.
Turning the corner in the engine room revealed two engineers, one engineer was clearly young and not his Chief Engineer, the other could fit the bill, he was a bit older than most starfleet active engineers, around his fifties. Kirk was told his man was the best anybody would want as a Chief Engineer. Kirk would just have to get a good look at this mans pips to know if this was indeed the man he thought it was. As the man turned Kirk noticed first off the man's jet black hair with solid gray streaks clearing invading the youth this man tried to keep with his natural hair color.
"Ah, you must be the Captain," The man extended his hand to shake Kirks, "I am Captain Scott McLean, your Chief Engineer."
"Jonathan Kirk." Kirk said grasping the mans hand.
Captain Kirk shook Captain McLean's hand and started to notice the age difference between the two men. McLean was clearly a good fifteen years older than him, with wrinkles that clearly showed the man has seen his days in battle. McLean's clean shaven look took Kirk a bit off guard, he was half expecting a bearded red head by the sound of his name.
"Glad to meet you Captain." McLean said finishing up the hand shake.
"Mr. McLean, this is the first time I have ever met a Chief Engineer at the rank of Captain." Kirk said with an inquisitive tone.
McLean looked a bit shocked and Kirk was quick to pick up on it. He began to think he had insulted the man, but before the could speak the Engineer spoke up again.
"Do you mean you have never heard of the great Captain Montgomery Scott? One of the most famous Starfleet Engineers ever?"
"Yes, Scotty. Of course," Kirk said still caught a bit off guard, "I just didn't know he held the rank of Captain."
Kirk could now feel this conversation had run its course. He started walking around the room checking out a few consoles. Captain McLean watched as his new Commanding Officer inspected the engine room. He could feel the authority that Captain Kirk projected; It was easy to see why Captain Picard has selected this man to head up the First Fleet in the task force.
Continuing to look at various stations Kirk said, "Join me on the bridge as soon as you get everything under control down here."
"Certainly sir." Replied McLean.
"Thanks Scotty." Kirk said with a smile on is face as he left Main Engineering.
Stepping back into the turbo lift Kirk chuckled to himself about the encounter in the engine room.
"Bridge." Kirk ordered the turbo lift.
I Cannot believe they placed two Captains on this ship. There is not room enough for two Captains on a Space Station. Kirk thought to himself as the turbo lift continued to scream up the shaft. Exiting the shaft Commander Kesloh stood up and turned to face Kirk as he entered the bridge.
"Captain, we are getting a priority one encrypted message from the Enterprise."
"I will take it in my ready room."
Kirk walked off the bridge into his ready room. This was the first time he had actually seen the ready room, but he did not take the time to admire it, Captain Picard was on the line and he would not leave that man waiting. Clicking the small private console on top of his desk the words Priority One appeared on the screen for a few moments before Captain Picard's image suddenly appeared.
"What can I do for you Captain?" Kirk asked as his end of the transmission started.
"Captain, I hate to be straight forward but you arrival to Deep Space Nine must be delayed. The USS Minsk has gone missing in the Alonious VII system. Starfleet wants an immediate investigate into this matter, and you're the closest ship."
"Captain Picard, I would like to note I do not have a full crew yet."
"I am aware of that," Picard said with a sigh, "But Starfleet feels it is of the up most importance now that the situation in the Alpha Quadrant is a bit...uneasy. I want you to go to the Alonious VII system and see what you can find out. Report to DS9 as soon as you get done, we shall be waiting for you here."
"Yes sir."
"One last thing Captain, I have been ordered to give you full authorization to use the new cloaking device. Starfleet does not want to lose its newest ship on its shake down cruise. Picard out."
The view screen went black, Kirk leaned forward and shut off the console and sat back in his seat, taking in his new orders. Kirk could tell that Picard did not want the Darkhawk to arrive any later than it had to, and this was one of the situations where Starfleet rubbed Picard the wrong way.
Getting up out of his chair Kirk left his ready room and reported on the bridge. Commander Kesloh got up out of the Captain's Chair and took over her station again. Sitting down Kirk adjusted his uniform.
"Helm, set course for Alonious VII, Warp 8."
"Aye sir, Warp 8."
Kirk turned to his senior officers, he could tell they wanted to know what was with the dramatic change in orders.
"We have to look for a lost ship. Starfleet feels that there is a chance there could have been a confrontation," Looking at the Klingon manning the tactical station, "Commander, engage the cloaking device."
"Aye sir."
The Lt. Commander turned and back to his station and worked on his console bringing the cloaking device online. The ship was suddenly over taken by the sound of the cloaking device coming online. It was a much different sound than any of the other cloaking devices in the Alpha Quadrant, it sounded as if a burst of air had been instantly sucked out of the ship as the device came online. With in a matter of seconds the Darkhawk was no longer visible.
"Cloaking device online sir." Informed Commander Kesloh.
"Course laid in sir." Informed the Helmsman.
"Engage."
Sitting in his chair, Captain Kirk looked out the main view screen. He wondered what was going to be waiting for them at Alonious VII when they go there.