Bridge

After leaving Medical, had come a lengthy three tour of the entire vessel making sure that all ship's
operations were up to speed. Mareesa had beamed as she'd watched her mother work. As head
of ship's operations and communications, this was the area where she shone the brightest and it
gave Mareesa no end of pride to know that it was her mother who was responsible for it all.
Since her early childhood, she would often watch or simply listen to the ship's systems running
and think "That's my Mother!"

After a few hours of this they had headed to bridge. Mareesa's heart had steadily beaten faster
as the time to launch drew nearer and it beat even faster as they approached the bridge. She had
always loved visits to the bridge and no matter how often she went, it was always a thrill.

As they entered, Tav turned from the Command Chair.

"Captain," T'Ring announced. "All decks are ready for launch."

He nodded. "Thank you, Lifemate."

As T'Ring headed toward her station, Mareesa remained where she was near the door. It was a long
standing rule; if she came to the bridge she had to remain out of the way and quiet, particularly during
a launch.

She glanced out the main viewscreen enjoying the view. The Havora was currently docked at the large
Space Control dock for ships that weren't landing on the surface. Nlia stretched out beneath them,
its glow filling the screen.

She also took in the sight of the bridge crew all busily working. This was one of the things she enjoyed
most, the sight of the bridge crew working together, the bustle of energy and preparation, the knowing
that soon they would take the Havora and make it truly alive and moving.

From his seat at Tactical, Kom Vartel glanced in her direction and gave her a friendly smile.
Her clear excitement at every launch was a feeling she knew he shared.

Excitement and responsibility.

Since the ancient Days of Wandering, Nlians had been a peaceful people. They followed the ways
of 'Open hand and open heart', they knew that they were all brethren and they knew to "Never raise
your hand to another, except to express love."

The first ships that had left the Nlian system over a hundred and seventy years before, had been
unarmed; their only defenses, deflectors in the event of space debris. They had encountered
the Tkarites, the People of the Blade, and had learned that there were other species that carried
weapons at all times. Weapons not intended for use against wild animals.

Later they had encountered the C'Tekians and learned that there were species with deadly coils
and poisonous fangs. And finally, they had encountered the Rylarin and learned that there were
species with many limbs and deadly talons.

But their neighbors, although predatory, had been honorable and interested only in trade.
Relations had been peaceful and Nlian ships had remained unarmed.

But then, just over twenty years ago, the Tkarites had developed warp 5 and ventured beyond
their sector. They had encountering many other species and from them the Nlians had learned
that there were a lot of beings that were predatory and dishonorable. Many that would have no
hesitation about attacking a ship or a planet.

The Nlians had heeded the advice of the Tkarites. "To not be prepared is to commit suicide."

The Defense Ministry had formed, charged with the defense of the Nlian System and its people.
A tiny defense fleet had been put together. Every ship that ventured beyond the sector was
equipped with warp 5 engines and every warp capable ship was equipped with plasma turrets.

Mareesa's attention was drawn back to her mother who was comming Space Control.
"Space control, the Havora requests permission to disembark."

Mareesa held her breath. This was it!

"Permission granted Havora. Safe journey."

Tav turned on the intercom. "All decks, this is the Captain. Prepare for immediate departure."

He turned to See'a, seated at the Helm. "Take her out, Koel."

She nodded confidently. "Yes, Captain. Moorings retracted, thursters fired, separating now."
Skillfully she operated the controls. The freighter gracefully pulled back from the dock
and slowly turned, around facing deep space.

Tav next commed Engineering. "How are the engines, Zan?"

"All systems normal, Captain. We are ready for warp."

He turned back to See'a. "Lay in our course."

"Course, laid in."

"Take us to warp."

Outside the viewscreen, the stars became streaks of light.