I do not own Star Trek: TNG (at least not on paper or in the eyes of the law, but in my heart...)
Kirkian Legacy
"Come," Captain Picard's voice rang out. Lieutenant Kirk entered the room and assumed the 'at ease' position. Along with the captain, Counselor Troi and Admiral Colin Shatterly from Starbase F-19, their previous conversation dying out upon her entrance.
"Come in Lieutenant, please have a seat, we would like to discuss an assignment with you."
Lieutenant Kirk slid into the seat closest to the door and gave them her full attention.
"I assume that you are aware that Starfleet has been monitoring the activities of several courier and smuggler groups while you've been on board. That is because certain factions have come forward seeking to form a coalition. Should they be able to form an alliance, it would not only end hostilities in several corners of the galaxy, but they could then also be recognized as a governed body and apply for Federation membership," explained Captain Picard.
"Due to the long standing history of animosity amongst the factions, they have asked for the Federation to mediate," continued Admiral Shatterly. "Captain Picard to be exact. In a situation such as this, distrust is high each party is suspicious of the others and Starfleet. They've agreed to meet on Torrian, chosen for its difficulty to access – it is surrounded by three meteor fields making it only accessible by shuttle craft. That's where you come in, initially."
"Yes, the approach to the planet is treacherous to say the least, only the most highly skilled pilots can successfully navigate to the planet. We all agree that you would be the best choice for this task. Second since all sides will be limited to two delegates, their main negotiator and a second of their choice, you would serve a second function during the negotiations using your empathic abilities to aid me and to ensure that everyone deals honestly and forthrightly," finished Captain Picard, "in effect filling the same position as Counselor Troi."
Then Counselor Troi spoke up, "At this point, this is only a request and you are feel free to decline if you do not feel comfortable being as to use your psi talents in such a way. Also we would like for you to consider the difficulty of the task we are asking, group scanning can be difficult and painful without the proper preparation and training."
When will she give it a rest?, thought the lieutenant.
"Yes," Admiral Shatterly agreed, "feel free to accept or decline one or both of the tasks. This is totally voluntary, should you opt out of participating we have a second plan available to us and you can return to your normal schedule."
"The gathering is set to begin in three days, please take the next day to consider our request and then let me know your decision. That will give me enough time to implement our other plan if needed."
As Captain Picard finished speaking, Lieutenant Kirk took a deep breath and responded, "Thank you sir, but I will not need to consider your request. I accept."
Counselor Troi looked mildly shocked (again), while Captain Picard and Admiral Shatterly looked pleased and launched into explanations of the tasks before them.
Stardate 42560.2
As she eased the shuttle Galileo out of the shuttle bay, Lieutenant Kirk was nervous. Captain Picard sat beside her in the co-pilot's seat watching her expert handling of the controls. Passing through the meteor fields would take approximately seventeen hours. Navigating the first band of space debris would take just under three hours at impulse, then they would have to wait for an alignment window before entering the second band, and finally the third band would require a EMI filter to clear it and land on the planet.
It was a tense three hours negotiating the first band, Lieutenant Kirk remained focused on the task at hand, while Captain Picard quietly enjoyed a book. As they exited the field, Lieutenant Kirk initiated the autopilot to notify her when the alignment window as about to open. Then she rose to go to the rear and prepare lunch for herself.
"Captain," she inquired, "would you like anything while I'm in the back?"
Looking up slightly disorientated, Picard replied, "What? Oh, thank you Lieutenant, no."
Deciding a change of scenery would be good, Lieutenant Kirk decided to take advantage of the momentary break and sat down in the aft section to enjoy her lunch of tomato soup and half a ham sandwich. Three hours of intense concentration in silence had left her antsy and in need of distraction, speaking to the shuttle computer,"Computer play musical opera, Davani, level 2." In response to her command, the aft section was filled with the ambient lull of the opening aria of Angelo Enzitti's Davani opera.
"May I join you?" Picard asked.
"Yes, sir please do...Is the music to loud or distracting? I can turn it off if it is," stumbled the lieutenant.
"No, no, I am quite a fan of Enzitti's works, as a newer talent he has gained quite a following. I would not have expected his works to appeal to someone your age."
Lieutenant Kirk smiled, "I am a little older than I look." She was gratified to receive a smile in return. Talking with him was so easy.
Picard walked to the replicator and prepared a cup of Earl Grey tea for himself, then decided to add a chef salad. Sitting down across from the lieutenant, he placed his book on the table.
"What are you reading?" she asked genuinely intrigued by the leather-bound tome.
"A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens. Are you familiar with his works?"
"No, I'm still very new to earth-based literature. I love to read great epics and dramas, but I've never seen one in a covering such as that...is it difficult to read? Why do you have it in that form instead of on you PADD?"
Sensing her curiosity, Picard pushed the book across the table, "Go ahead give it a look, I find the written and bound word fascinating, preferring to read the works of great masters in their original form."
As she picked up the book, Picard saw her slowly draw her hands across the cover, seeking to know the full character of the leather, then opening the cover she smiled and ran her hand across the ink on the page. She lifted her gaze and met his eyes with a bright smile, then closed the book and brought it up to her face and inhaled deeply, a slight hum escaping as she exhaled – her joy with the experience abundantly evident.
Watching her, the way her hair swayed as she looked down then fell behind her shoulders as she again raised her gaze, Picard was entranced. She was undeniably the most beautiful creature that he had ever seen and not for any effort on her part. This was only the second time opportunity that Picard had had to behold the beauty up close. She attacked his senses in a myriad of small ways: the brightness of her eyes and smile, the way her hair skirted her jawline, the elegant and smooth arch of her neck, the long graceful legs that he watched her cross while on the bridge, the fullness of her bosom and the way it moved when she breathed.
She seemed to draw every available male on his crew, all of them younger than Picard and all of them eager to give chase in hopes of catching the prize. Everyone was aware of the offers she continually received, to Picard's knowledge there were no less than twenty pools taking bets on whom she would choose to bestow her favor upon. But as of yet, she could be seen daily in Ten Forward, listening to the offers of company and flattery, then politely declining and leaving the lounge as soon as her meal was complete. Her exodus was an event that every eye turned to behold, the soft swish and sway of her hips as she strode sensually from the room with relaxed shoulders.
Picard was aware that even Commander Riker had made several plays for her attention. If he were a gambling man, his money would be on Will Riker, his manner with women was unequaled on the ship. As it was, any number of his crew would trade their right arm to be confined with her on a shuttle craft for seventeen hours.
"I like this binding, can other works be replicated?" Lieutenant Kirk asked.
"Replicating books is too complicated for available replicator technology. Books are printed and bound in much the same process as in the twenty-first century. Collectors, like myself, custom order books from publishing houses on earth for private libraries."
"Does the Enterprise have a library with books?"
"No, to the best of my knowledge, I am the only person on board with a penchant for the written and bound word. They are quite expensive and Starfleet views them as highly wasteful, considering their size and content limitations."
"Oh," Lieutenant Kirk responded glumly, "I had never seen one before, but I guess it's okay."
"Its not like I don't have enough to keep me busy with two duty stations. I really don't need to find any new diversions," she added trying to lighten her disappointment.
"If you are interested, you are more than welcome to borrow from my collection," Picard offered before he knew the words were leaving his mouth. It was an automatic response to seeing her smile darken with disappointment.
Her smile flickered back and she replied, "Thank you sir, but I don't want to be a bother."
"Its no bother, a love of literature is to be encouraged," Picard said settling the issue. "Now Lieutenant, how are you settling into life aboard the Enterprise?"
Shawnay smiled and said, "Honestly?"
"Always."
"In general the Enterprise is everything I could have hoped it would be, the crew are knowledgeable and I am learning a lot. The only thing I would change...if I could... would be my quarters."
"Well, that is an unexpected surprise, most crewmen are extremely pleased with the Galaxy-class accommodations. May I ask what you were expecting?" the captain asked with a very serious look on his face.
"Oh no it's not what it sounds like!" the lieutenant said with a nervous giggle, realizing that the captain's pride had been pricked. Finally she collected herself enough to explain, "I am not commenting on the crew quarters, I am currently assigned to the transient guest areas."
Picard was aware that special short term quarters were located on decks fourteen and fifteen, but to the best of his knowledge they had never been used – he had never even been inside of one. Hearing one of his junior officers was quite a surprise. Picard did not like surprises in the running of his ship.
"Really, tell me more – I've never been inside of the short term cabins."
Trying to not sound like a complaining prima dona, Lieutenant Kirk tried to choose her words carefully, "Well, even though it is small I guess it meet most of my needs, I have a cot, a shower, sink and commode."
"I see and when you say small what do you mean exactly?"
"Um," she stuttered in a decreasing voice, "ten by fifteen feet."
"You know something about my ship that I do not. If I were reside in the transient quarters, what do you think would be the most important things to change to make them more closely meet expectations?"
"A replicator, if the cabin had a replicator, then I wouldn't have to get all of my meals in Ten Forward or worry about missing the open hours."
"Have you had trouble getting meals?" At the lieutenant's faint nod, Picard continued his inquiry, "May I assume that you brought your erroneous placement to the attention of Ensign Goslin?"
She nodded again. And Picard asked, "Did he provide a sound reason for keeping you in quarters below your rank and station?"
"To keep me separate from the general populace until control of my psi abilities is adequately verified," Lieutenant Kirk replied with her eyes on her plate.
"Adequately verified!" the captain was incensed to hear that someone dared to justify segregation of a member of his crew on a prejudice as old as psi ability. That type of thinking was almost as archaic as slavery. Psychics had been targets of hatred and fear because of their talents in the early twenty-second century. Every graduate of Starfleet was required to have completed a sensitivity course that included the history of psychics in the Federation. It was a vital and eye-opening course that tore down barriers and helped 'normals' and psychics live and work together.
"Lieutenant, let me assure you that this will be corrected immediately upon our return. You are a Federation Officer and as such guaranteed certain rights and privileges. It pains me to know what has been done to you." Then he reached out and took her hand in a comforting gesture.
"Captain, I really don't want to cause any trouble, I recognize I am not what most people expect. But I think that patience and persistence are the way to change their minds. I would be very grateful for new accommodations that included a replicator, but I would rather deal with the personal beliefs myself. If you get involved, I will never gain the respect of my crew mates."
"Are you sure that's what you really want?"
Lieutenant Kirk's nodded as the autopilot chimed the five minute warning of the alignment window.
They returned to the cockpit and prepared for the second leg of the journey. The remainder of the trip down to Torrian, Captain Picard and Lieutenant Kirk chatted about lighter topics, such as hobbies, family, music, and goals.
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