2. TOGETHER AGAIN
The briefing at Starfleet Command had just finished. Riker, sitting on his chair, let out a relief breath, in the attempt to alleviate the muscular tension of his body. He used to be a very informal person and found particularly bothering that kind of official meetings among Starfleet Admirals. And the growing number of those occasions caused him to miss his previous and less central role of First Officer.
"I will be more than happy to explain further, should you have any doubts, Will" Picard offered.
Riker smiled slightly, accepting the offer. "Any doubts?" he repeated. "I have many indeed. First of all why aren't we going with the Enterprise, instead of using a retired ship?"
"The colony we have to reach is located at the edge of the Neutral Zone" Picard explained calmly. "The presence of the Flagship would cause concern. While we don't wish to draw any attention".
"And the presence of such a small crew is due to the same reason?"
"The Nimitz is not a big ship and doesn't need an extended crew, but only an experienced crew with scientific skills to successfully complete our mission".
After a while Picard felt the need to add something. "Anyway, if the situation became critical I must know I can count on the best crew available. I mean you".
Riker nodded, grateful for the trust of his superior. However there was still much to understand about the mission. "Sir, what can you tell me about the Salusian who will join us?" the captain asked.
"He's been appointed Ambassador by his Government" Picard replied. "However, even if he's still quite young he is a brilliant scientist. And is particularly skilled in those typical salusian mental powers. I'm convinced that his presence will be of great help".
Riker nodded in agreement. "Plus it's free" he murmured.
Picard pretended he had not listened, but smiled remembering Riker's typical sense of humor.
The molecular transporter was one of the most wondrous and innovative scientific achievements, since the late 21st Century. It was after all a very common means of transport in the 24th Century, however nobody, deep inside, ceased to consider it a kind of magic.
Even if he had personally handled thousands of transports, Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge, Chief engineer of the starship Enterprise, stared at the sparkling lights before him with the same sense of wonder of a layman. Two different columns of light shaped up in the small transporter room of the U.S.S. Nimitz.
As soon as the re - materialization process was over, the bright beam disappeared leaving on the platform two women in Starfleet uniform. One of them was Human and wore four Captain's pips on her collar. The other one was a Bajoran Lieutenant J.G.
The Human got a quick look around, then with an unsatisfied expression, she said "Hell, this ship has been pulled out of a museum!"
La Forge hold a laugh and cleared his throat to draw attention from the newcomers. "Welcome aboard the Nimitz, Captain Rank".
The woman, hearing her name, turned toward the transporter station. "Geordi!" she exclaimed, jumping off the platform and hugging the colored engineer. The two of them in fact were very close friends since their Academy days.
"I'm very happy to see you again, Denise" La Forge said with a large smile.
"Not as much as I am" Denise replied. "I'd been waiting for this occasion to break the daily routine for so long". Then she focused her attention on his friend to asses his general conditions. "You grew the beard again" she pointed out. Then Denise signaled the Bejoran to join them. "Ris, I want to introduce you to a good friend of mine, Commander Geordi La Forge. Lieutenant Ris was my Science officer on the Waterloo" she added addressing La Forge. "I recommended her for this mission".
The two officers shook hands.
"There's only a skeleton crew on board, which consists mostly of Science officers" Geordi explained when the introduction was over. "Our mission is surely going to be a very particular one. You must report to Commander Data on deck six" La Forge told the Bajoran.
"Aye, sir" the officer replied and left immediately after a dismissing gesture from Captain Rank.
Finally alone, both Geordi and Denise felt free to speak more confidentially.
"So, you're all here" Denise commented, obviously referring to the senior crew of the Enterprise. Bur Geordi did not need enquiring to know that his friend's interest was focused on one particular person. However, he found it inappropriate to comment on such a private matter in that circumstance. So his only reply was an absent minded "yeah".
After leaving the transporter room, Geordi spoke again. "We must hurry. Admiral Picard is waiting for us on the Bridge. There's a meeting scheduled in five minutes". Then he gave his friend an inquisitive glance. "Do you know anything about this mission?"
Denise Rank grinned. "Of course" she said. "We're going to have a lot of fun!"