Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday)
A/N: Still working on the other series. Here is this one.
It was Nyota's first day back on the Enterprise. She was surprised at how much people had changed in the two years that the new ship was being built. This was going to be her last tour of duty. She took this assignment because it was a Federation venture, which meant that there was external funding to pay a premium to those brave enough or dumb enough to sign up.
Nyota was definitely in the second category. She had been on three tours of duty over the course of sixteen years. She was no longer the young sexy ensign she had been when she signed up. Back then it was for kicks. She partied a lot and didn't bother to save any bonuses that came her way. She spent credits on fancy clothes and jewelry, most of which had no value at this point in her life.
As Nyota unpacks the old items, she realizes how foolish she was. She walks over to the recycler and feeds the old dresses to the machine. At least she could have some credits to save for the future. Nyota finished and downloaded the proceeds to her account. She has no security for retirement and she was headed back to Earth in one year to the academy to work in the communications lab.
It was 0500 when Nyota heard her communicator buzz. She yawned and tapped the communicator.
"Uhura, here," she replied.
"Lt. Uhura, report the bridge," Lt. Alden said.
Nyota sucked her teeth. Alden was a decade younger, but he was already a bridge officer. It was her role before the Enterprise was damaged and sent back to Earth for refitting. Pike was fond of the Enterprise. Nyota first deployed on the ship, but it was as long in the tooth as she was. As long as Pike continued to serve as captain, it would only be on the Enterprise.
Nyota was dressed and on the way to the bridge. She had worked the Beta shift and she normally ate later in the day. Plus, she did not get a chance to stop by the mess hall to eat. She had a few dates and almonds in her quarters, but that was not enough to sustain her for ten hours. She entered the bridge and stop.
"Permission to enter the bridge, Captain," she said.
"Of course, Lt. Uhura. That is why I called you," Pike said with a smile.
Nyota liked Pike. He was pleasant and fair. However, she did not care for his new acting XO, Kirk, who didn't know his head from his tail. Kirk believed in the spoil system. He gave plumb assignments to those he liked and females he wanted to bed. Nyota was neither. He had tried, desperately for the first ten years. However, most of the crew of the Enterprise were much older. They were wiser, but also a bit heavier. Nyota included. She had gained two pounds for each year she was a Starfleet officer.
Pike looked at Nyota and said, "Lt. Uhura, do you speak Traditional Vulkhansu?"
Nyota looked at Alden and then at Captain Pike, "Of course, I speak three variations, traditional Vulkhansu, Golic and modern Vulcan," she replied.
Pike jerked back his head, "Hmm, that is impressive. How many languages do you speak?"
"Well, I speak seventeen languages, and twenty-one dialectical variations." She said.
Sulu cleared his throat. He was Uhura's staunch's advocate on the bridge, but he was third in command and Pike listened to Kirk. Pike looked at Kirk and scowled.
"Take over for Mr. Alden. Lieutenant Alden, you will take the Beta shift for the duration of this tour." Pike said.
Lt. Alden pulled the plug from his ear and dropped it on the console. It rolled off the console and fell to the deck. Nyota knelt down to pick it up.
"That won't be necessary Lt. Uhura, Mr. Alden will return with a fresh earpiece," Pike said.
"Mr. Alden, if that device is damaged, you will replace it," Pike said.
"Yes sir," Alden left the bridge.
Nyota sat down and looked at the controls. They were completely different from the old console.
"You do know how to use the controls, right?" Pike said.
"Well, I will have to review the new specifications, but the fundamentals are the same. I can review it at lunchtime." She said.
"No need," Pike said.
He walked over and switched a button. A mini viewscreen lit up. Nyota looked up and smiled. "Oh, it is about time. I suggested this many times." She said with a shake of her head. Alden returned with a small case. He looked at Pike and then handed the case to Nyota.
"Thank you, Mr. Alden," she said with a smile.
He nodded a left. Pike glared at Kirk one more time. Then he walked over to the communication console to chat with Nyota.
"This is a special mission that requires specific scientific, computer and communications backgrounds. We will need your language skills to recover our new XO. Our mission also requires that we negotiate a neutrality agreement with the Tzenkethi Coalition. We are one of three ships responding to a Starfleet distress call in the Badlands." Pike said.
"Sir, I don't speak Tzenkethi," Nyota replied.
"No, but you speak Cardassians, right?" he asked.
"Yes, to be honest, there isn't much to it. It is just that…" she paused.
Pike folded his arms and grinned. "Just what?"
Well, Sir. The Cardassians can be a bit duplicitous. One must be versed in their body language to tell if they are lying."
"Which is why you will accompany me on all the away missions," he said with a chuckle.
"By the way, have you ever tried to learn Tzenkethi?" he asked.
"Yes sir, but I only learned about 40% of the Tzenkethi language. The syntax is different because their physiology has few bones. Whereas, humans rely upon flesh, teeth and bone structure to communicate," she said.
Pike looked back at Sulu. "You were right," he said. Kirk sighed and folded his arms.
"I told you. Uhura is top-notch." Sulu winked at Uhura.
Nyota's stomach growled, "Pardon me, sir. I don't normally work this early."
"No worries, Sulu, can you cover for the Lieutenant while she grabs a bite to eat?"
"Sure, I have been wanting to check out the new console," Sulu said. He sauntered over and sat down. DeSalle took Sulu's place.
"Oh, Uhura do you have a dress uniform?" Pike asked.
"No, I haven't needed one," she said.
"Since when?" he asked.
"Since…ever," she replied.
"I will have by yeoman put in a requisition. We will pick it up and a few new duty uniforms at Starbase 12. It is not too far from our destination. Yeoman Rand will also provide you with a PADD with a mission briefing." Pike said.
Nyota nodded and when to the mess hall. She loaded up with oats, fruit and a protein shake. She wasn't sure if it would work. So, she requested a protein factor bar just in case.
Nyota was waiting for the turbo-lift. It stopped and yeoman Rand stepped off. She was a little older, but her body was still amazing.
"Uhura, I was hoping to run into you. Captain Pike said you were in the mess hall. Isn't he a doll?" Rand said.
Nyota nodded but said nothing else. Janice was kicked out of the academy for fraternization with a faculty member. He got a slap on the wrist. Janice handed Nyota the Padd and they rode back up to the bridge.
"So, when you get off, do you want to have dinner?" Janice asked.
Nyota was not in the mood for gossip. She needed to study.
"I wish I could, but I have homework," she joked and held up the Padd.
"Can you meet for breakfast?" Nyota asked.
"Sure, I guess," Janice replied.
Nyota knew better. Janice liked to party, unlike most people her age who had slowed down or settled down. Nyota was one of the former. Still, Janice looked amazing. The turbo-lift door opened and Nyota waved at Janice. She returned to the console and spent the day sending communiques and studying the specifications on the viewscreen.
A/N: So who is the new XO?