The shuttle from Earth to Jupiter Station took almost four hours. Lieutenant Reed sat in between Ensign Travis Mayweather, the pilot, and Ensign Lila Petrov, the Nav Officer. He noticed that also on the shuttle was a marine captain, several marines, a two midshipman, and five non-coms. It definitely was a full shuttle. He assumed that everyone on the shuttle was part of the Enterprise's crew just like him. No wonder he was sweating his arse off in this shuttle.
Harris had given him several data crystals with information about key personnel, as well as a special frequency to contact him in an emergency. Although, he wasn't happy spying for Section 31, Malcolm knew he had no choice. Once you agreed to join Section 31, you agreed to living life by their rules. It wasn't fair, but he made the mistake of joining the section right after he finished the academy.
Back then he had visions of spy work as being exciting, even romantic. After several years he learned that working for Section 31 was dangerous, not exciting, and never was it romantic. Over the years he had lied, stole, and even killed for Section 31. Now he was the wolf in sheep's clothing for them.
"I wish they would let me at the pilot controls. I'd have us there in far less time," yawned Travis.
"You've that good of a pilot, mate?" asked Malcolm.
"You think they'd have me at the helm of the NX if I wasn't?" smiled Travis.
Malcolm liked his confidence. He noted to make sure that the young man was as good as he thought he was. The Enterprise was going to need a stud pilot. Everyone on this ship was going to have to be the best of the best. Harris said he wanted the Enterprise to succeed. One of the first things he was going to do when he got on-board was check the weapons to make sure they were working at their most efficient and to check on those who were going to be working for him. Yes, he was a spy, but he was also going to be the lead tactical officer on this ship, so he wanted his department to be the best it could be. Maybe if he did a good enough job, Harris would finally let him go.
STSTST
Trip wore an Engineering Department jumpsuit instead of his usual uniform. If you didn't know who he was then you'd have thought he was just some grunt engineer personnel working on getting the engines ready for the shakedown mission. Lt. Commander Angus Macfadden also wore an Engineering jumpsuit but his has his new rank on it. Trip insisted the Chief Engineer of the Enterprise should be at least a Lt. Commander and AG agreed and fought for a promotion of Macfadden. The Chief Engineer's face was redder than his strawberry blonde hair, as struggled to pull a plasma filter. Trip wanted them replaced before they even left dock with higher quality filters. He was right to want them replaced, Angus thought, but it was a pain in the ass doing this know instead of when everything was first being put in.
Finally, the filter gave way and Angus was able to replaced with the higher quality filter. Wiping his brow, Angus looked down at the prone body under the warp engine whose legs were only visible. Trip was under the engine busy adjusting a regulator, a job that would easily be done by a specialist. The more he worked with Commander Tucker the more Angus wondered why he was on the Bridge instead of Engineering. Trip pushed himself from under the engine. He had grease all over him, yet he was smiling.
Looking up at Angus, he said: "We are going to leave space dock with less kinks to work out than most new ships. I honestly think we are going to get warp 5.4 on day one."
"Ah, our bairns are beauties, sir," said Angus. "Warp 6 is well within their reach."
"You know it, Chief," Trip said as he grabbed Angus' offered hand. The Chief Engineer pulled him up to his feet.
"The captain's coming on-board soon. You should get showered and changed so you can greet him," said Angus.
"Yeah, you're right," sighed Trip. "You mind if I keep the Engineering suit."
"I suspect I'll see you in it again," grinned Angus.
Trip waved at Angus and headed off to his quarters. As he reached a turbolift, he pressed the button to call one. The doors opened and Trip got on the lift. He grabbed the stick letting the turbolift know he was on it, twisted it, and announced his destination: "Deck 1, section C."
The turbolift took off. As he sped to his destination, Trip thought about how remarkable this ship was. It was 12 decks, had four shuttles, two cargo bays, an extensive sickbay, and a crew of now 221 since they added a marine captain and five fireteams. The turbolift stopped and the doors opened. Trip hustled off down the corridor to his quarters. He punched in his code and entered.
Trip was thrilled when he saw the completed captain and XO quarters. They were bigger than any quarters he had on an Intrepid Class or Daedalus Class ship. It was what he called roomy, but it would do. Going to the closet, he opened it up and grabbed a uniform on a hangar and then headed into his personal bathroom. On the Rebel he shared a room with the second officer. Usually XO, or first officer, had a room alone, but the Intrepid Class was tight.
Once he saw showered and changed, Trip decided to check with the Bridge, where he had the duty officer monitoring who was coming and going. Walking over to the comm unit on his wall, he rang the Bridge.
"Ensign Stamkos," answered the duty officer.
"This is Commander Tucker. Have we heard from the captain?" he asked.
"Captain Robinson commed. He said he'll be on-board in ten minutes with a new crew member, XO," answered Stamkos.
"Which airlock?" Trip asked.
"Airlock three, sir," answered Stamkos.
"Tucker, out," Trip said then cut the feed.
Trip wondered who was the new crew member. He guessed he'd find out soon.
STSTST
"I was shocked when Admiral Forrest told me about this program. You Vulcans provide star chart and intelligence along with an adviser and get nothing in return," stated AG.
AG carried a duffle over his right shoulder and a luggage bag in his left hand. T'Pol carried single duffle bag-like bag over her left shoulder.
"You sound dubious about our intentions, Captain Robinson," stated T'Pol.
She was straightforward, AG thought. He appreciated that much, though he still wasn't thrilled to have a Vulcan on-board his ship. Forrest had sprung the Vulcan and star charts on him at the last moment. Of course, if he done it earlier AG would have filed protest after protest, which meant that Forrest has our foxed him. AG also appreciated that T'Pol was one of more attractive women he had ever met, though he never tell her. AG didn't trust Vulcans. To be honest, he didn't trust most alien species.
They walked along the gangway along the space docked Enterprise. He stared at his ship through the synth glass. Damn, it was a beauty.
"So, as adviser and observer what do you expect to do, SubCommander T'Pol?" AG asked her.
"I expect to offer advice when appropriate and observe," stated T'Pol.
AG wasn't sure if Vulcans had a sense of humor or not, so he wasn't sure if she was pulling his leg or that was her actually answer. It wasn't like he could read her. He decided that he'd give her the benefit of the doubt.
"Admiral Forrest said you had extensive time in space serving on Vulcan ships," remarked AG.
"Ten, eight days, and eleven hours serving in space on three different ships. I started as a SubAltern and worked my way up to SubCommander," she stated.
"Okay," smiled AG. "Ah, here we are."
AG walked over to the umbilical that was attached to one of Enterprise's airlocks. They walked down the umbilical then AG keyed his code into the airlock and it opened to expose Trip along with an honor guard of four security guards, not marines. AG smiled at this.
"Captain aboard," announced Trip, as he stood at attention.
"At ease, XO," smiled AG. "Commander Charles Tucker III, I'd like to introduce you to our latest crew member. This is SubCommander T'Pol of Vulcan."
Trip looked at AG with slight confusion. AG shrugged but with a grin on his face.
"SubCommander T'Pol, welcome on-board," said Trip.
Trip offered her his right hand to shake. T'Pol raised her right eyebrow in disdain and didn't shake his hand. Trip was shocked to see T'Pol here. He couldn't wait to speak to AG.
AG tossed his bags to one of the security personnel, who caught his bags.
"Son, take those to my quarters. I believe the door is unlocked and open, since I haven't reported in yet. Drop them off for me," said AG.
"Yes, sir," said the security personnel.
"Lieutenant...," AG waited for the lieutenant to offer his name.
"Lieutenant Sandra Toews, sir," she told him.
"Lieutenant Toews, escort SubCommander T'Pol to our best guest quarters," AG said.
"Yes, sir," said Toews then she looked at T'Pol. "Do you want me to carry your bag, ma'am?"
"I shall carry it," replied T'Pol.
"Follow me, ma'am," said Toews.
T'Pol nodded towards AG then Trip. She followed Toews down the corridor. AG looked at the two remaining security personnel.
"Dismissed," he told them.
"Yes, sir," they said at the same time.
They started down the corridor. AG waited until they were gone before he spoke to Trip.
"What the hell, cap'n?" complained Trip.
"My ready room, XO. We've got to talk," said AG then he headed down the corridor towards a turbolift. Trip followed.
STSTST
T'Pol strolled along the corridors in her Vulcan Uniform, which turned out to be a skin tight catsuit showing off a body that deserved showing off with a insulated undergarment underneath. The Humans kept their average temperature too cold for Vulcan tastes. Crew members passed by her trying not to act curious but checking her out when they thought she was looking. T'Pol, though, was always paying attention.
She didn't ask permission to tour the Enterprise, knowing Captain Robinson would have her escorted by security personnel. Instead she started strolling, avoiding sections that she was told were off limits to her for now, and checking whatever else she could. Now she found herself standing in front of the Sickbay. She entered.
"Ahh, my lovely," Dr. Phlox said to the Talaxian worm in his hand. Noticing T'Pol Phlox placed the worm back in its container then faced T'Pol with a inhumanly large smile.
"I am Dr. Phlox from Denobula," he introduced himself.
"I am SubCommander T'Pol from Vulcan," she responded.
"I gather we are the only two non-humans on this starship," his grin grew even larger.
"It's surprising to see a Denobulan on a Human starship as the ship's doctor," stated T'Pol.
"Ah, well, I was on Mazar as part of a Interspecies Medical Exchange when I met a Human doctor. After spending two days with Dr. Jana Mohr, I became fascinated by Humanity, both its biology and personality. I convinced Denobula to open a dialogue with United Earth," he said.
"Fascinating," said T'Pol.
"Why are you on-board?" asked Phlox.
"Adviser and observer," she stated.
"Oh, that sounds interesting," said Phlox pleasantly.
T'Pol looked around and saw many cages and containers filled with alien insects and animals.
"You appear to have a menagerie," she pointed out.
"Each one of these creatures has a therapeutic use. From the saliva from an Edosian eel or the slime from a Talaxian worm can heal wounds more efficiently than antibiotics," he told her.
T'Pol raised her left eyebrow in doubt, which made Phlox smile.
"Have you sampled Human food yet?" he asked her.
"Some. Vulcans are vegetarians," T'Pol pointed out.
"I find Chinese food delicious, especially egg drop soup. I recommend it to you," he said. "They have many dishes which use soy instead of meat."
"I see," she said. "Well, it is good to meet you, Dr. Phlox. I have no doubt that we shall see each other again."
"Pleasure," Phlox smiled.
T'Pol exited the Sickbay and continued to tour of the Enterprise.
STSTST
The Executive Mess, or Captain's Mess, was for invitation only. The captain invited whoever he wanted depending upon mood, whim, or award. Having procured a chef with the help of Admiral Leonard, AG wanted to show him off for his first dinner. Chef Tyrone Smith started enlisted as a marine was he was 18 years old. After a twenty year career where he worked his way up to first sergeant, he retired and changed careers opening a restaurant in Pensacola. When his restaurant was destroyed in a hurricane, Captain Ned Leonard offered Smith the position of chief petty officer and chef. He took it. He'd a chef every since on ships.
For his first captain's mess AG invited Commander Tucker, who had a standing invitation, Lt. Commander Macfadden, SubCommander T'Pol, and Dr. Phlox. He made sure to tell Chef about T'Pol's vegetarian diet. As AG sat at his dining table waiting for his guests, he read a PADD with the daily reports on it. It appeared that his ship would be ready for departure ahead of schedule. His door buzzer rang.
"Come in," he barked.
Dr. Phlox entered looking amiable.
"Thank you for the invitation, Captain," he said.
"Sit down. Tell me how things are setting up in Sickbay," AG said.
By the time Trip showed up, everyone else was there. They were in the middle of a discussion about sports, it appeared that Vulcans did not believe in competition. Trip entered and took a seat on AG's right and across from T'Pol, who was sipping a water. Macfadden, Phlox, and AG were having beer.
"Glad you could finally make it, Commander Tucker," smiled AG.
"Sorry for being late. I was working out some problems with quarters with the COB," said Trip.
"Sounds like fun," smirked AG.
Trip didn't respond. He knew when he was being needled by his captain.
"We are having babyback ribs, backed macaroni, green beans, and corn bread for dinner and key lime pie for desert," smiled AG. "A taste of the South for our Chief Engineer and Doctor."
"And what are you having for dinner tonight, SubCommander?" asked Trip.
"I've been told I am having vegetarian minestrone soup and a salad. Vulcans do not have desert," she answered.
"Chef said that we have a few vegetarians on-board. He likes the challenge," said AG.
"How is being a vegetarian a challenge?" asked T'Pol.
"Well, you have a limited palate. There is only so many ways to cook soy and vegetables," answered Trip.
T'Pol stared at him. For reasons she needed to meditate on, Commander Tucker irritated her, yet she was intrigued by his company.
"Vulcans do not eat for pleasure but for sustenance," she told him.
"Which explains why you don't smile," grinned Trip.
T'Pol raised her right eyebrow. She believed she was just insulted and was readying to speak when Captain Robinson cut her off.
"Trip is teasing you, SubCommander. He does that sometimes," AG explained.
"Humor is a difficult concept for Vulcans," she noted.
The ship's steward entered the Mess pushing a cart with meals on it. The first thing he did was place two baskets of cornbread on the table then he started to place meals in front of the guests. Once he was finished giving out the plates, AG motioned him for a beer for Trip and another one for him and Macfadden. The steward left.
"Dig in," smiled AG.
Tentatively, T'Pol sampled the minestrone. She was shocked to enjoy the melded flavors. Everyone dug in and started enjoying the meal. Phlox was trying to use a knife and fork on the ribs, which made AG laugh.
"Nay, Doc, use your hands like Trip, Angus, and me," grinned AG.
He picked up a rib and started gnawing on it. Phlox did the same. T'Pol had to fight revulsion at the sight of Humans and Phlox eating with their hands. But she knew that she had to remain open minded. Commander Tucker reached into the basket on the table and took a cornbread muffin. He looked over at her.
"Try the cornbread, T'Pol," he said using her name instead of her rank. "It's vegetarian and taste good."
She reached over and took a muffin then sampled it with a small bit. Its taste was pleasant. Humans had a sensory approach towards food that was fascinating. She looked again at Tucker, who was unmistakably enjoying his meal. Fascinating.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you that Forrest had another surprise for us. In five days you and I have to sit in Jupiter Station's large conference room along with Forrest and do a big presser," AG told him.
Trip groaned. A big press conference. Damn it.
"The good news is the next day we launch our shakedown mission to great fanfare," smiled AG. "Six days, Trip. Will we be ready?"
Trip looked at Angus, who nodded yes.
"We'll be ready to leave in four," grinned Trip.
"That's my XO," chuckled AG.
STSTST
Trip and AG sat a conference table along with Admiral Forrest and a Starfleet PR person. In front of them were hundreds of journalists along with a large viewscreen. The viewscreen allowed journalist in the crowd to be seen and ask a question. As the PR person spoke then Forrest, Trip's stomach churned. He hated this part of the job.
"Now, I'd like to introduce you to the command team of the UES Enterprise," stated Forrest. "Captain Andrew Gatlin Robinson and his Executive Office, Commander Charles William Tucker III."
The was applause from the gathered journalist then the PR person explained to wait for a Starfleet personnel to ask a question, so that they would appear on the large viewscreen and be heard and seen clearly. It began.
Most of the questions were inane. Some were overly personal but as the press conference continued they became more and more antagonistic. Finally, what Trip feared happened.
"My name is William Tucker of Global News Feed. Either officer can answer this question. Is the Enterprise a warship?" Trip's brother asked.
AG leaned close to Trip and whispered to him: "Your brother so it's your question."
"Thanks, cap'n," sighed Trip.
Trip pulled at his tunic jacket and sat up straighter.
"The Enterprise is about to go into deeper space than any Earth starship before it because of its warp capability. This means that we are going to meet alien races that we have never met before. Some of these races are going to be friendly. They'll offer their hand in peace and we'll shake it. Other of these races will be violent, aggressive, and even warlike. They'll probably try to punch us in the nose. Well, the Enterprise can punch back hard," explained Trip.
Forrest tried to hide a smile.
"So it's a warship," said Billy.
"It's a starship. Besides weapons it has interstellar cartography to chart stars and extensive science sensors and probes to examine nebulae and other phenomena. It has a Sickbay with a highly respected doctor from Denobula so we can offer assist to other races when needed. The Enterprise is a lot of things," stated Trip.
"It is also a representative of United Earth, which means we want to demonstrate the best Humanity has to offer on every level," added AG.
Forrest spoke up quickly knowing that it was a good point to end the press conference.
"Gathered journalists, that was the last question. Tomorrow, the Enterprise launches and Captain Robinson and Commander Tucker still have a great many things to do," stated Forrest.
The press conference was over. AG looked over at Trip leaned in and whispered: "I need a stiff drink."
"Me, too," replied Trip.