3. THE NIMITZ
When the turbo – lift doors opened on the Nimitz Main Bridge, Geordi experienced a strange sense of claustrophobia. The Bridge in fact was quite small, the stations very close to one another and the ceiling pretty low. For him, who was accustomed to work on the Starfleet flagship that was an unappealing view. The U.S.S. Nimitz was undoubtedly an old type starship. Even if the word 'old' was referred to Starfleet standards. The procedure indeed prescribed a periodic refit of all vessels, so that the systems were always updated. However, when the next technological step was no longer compatible with the existing systems, the ship was withdrew from active duty and replaced. And that was exactly what happened to the Nimitz, after she served Starfleet with the same value of her predecessor, centuries earlier.
Anyway, all things considered, seeing Jean – Luc Picard on the central Captain's chair made Geordi feel as if he were on a Sovereign Class ship.
The only thing that really matters is the man factor, La Forge thought. "Not bad for an engineer" he muttered, satisfied with himself. In that very moment Denise surpassed him heading to the command center.
Picard turned to them and rose."Oh, Denise, here you are. Welcome aboard" he said.
"Thank you, sir" she replied.
"Don't worry, I've been assured that the boat will take us at destination" Picard added, after realizing the worried expressions on his officers' faces.
William Riker tried to suppress a laugh. Everybody was there again, like the old times.
"Well" Picard went on, becoming serious again "unfortunately, we must discuss here. This ship doesn't have any meeting room".
In that moment the turbo – lift doors opened again admitting on the bridge Data, Beverly Crusher, Ris and other two scientific officers. Picard turned to the newcomers.
"I am sorry for the delay" Data said apologetically. He had just finished a meeting with the scientific division.
"Don't worry, Commander. We're just beginning" Picard replied, signing everyone to get closer.
Beverly and Deanna Troi nodded kindly toward Denise to welcome her. Data remained near one of the aft stations, while the others occupied the center of the Bridge. Denise considered the android's withdrawing attitude as a reaction to her presence and realized that also her colleges had noticed that fact.
They know everything, Denise thought, suddenly feeling awkward. She and Data had had a strange kind of involvement, months earlier and the woman had hoped to maintain it reserved. It seemed evident enough now that things did not go as she wished.
Picard's voice, beginning his report, got Denise's attention.
"…an urgent call from our colony on Cirri Nine in the Glavia System" the admiral was saying. "As you know, it is located at the edge of the Neutral Zone. Considering our current relations with the Romulan Empire, Starfleet Command decided to avoid stressing the situation and to send a small ship with a reduced crew and myself as a…diplomat, as a matter of saying, in case there were difficulties. We have twenty – five people onboard, only a skeleton crew for a ship of this class. The nature of our mission requires that most part of the crew is composed of scientists. About the others, well, let me only say that I've wanted you with me because I consider you the best. And in case of emergency I know I can count on your respective skills".
Picard exchanged an agreeing look with Riker and took a padd from his hands.
"Together with Captain Riker we've decided your assignments onboard. But first of all I'd like to underling something. It's not been easy to convince Starfleet of the necessity of your presence in this mission. Many of you, in fact, are senior officers and if anything went wrong it would be a considerable loss for the fleet".
There was a moment of silence until Riker filled the void with his usual humor. "Are we supposed to feel pleased or worried?"
Picard had been knowing Riker for too long to misunderstand his attempt to relieve the tension. So he played along. "Well, I feel more pleased than worried, Number One. You're free to choose".
Everybody smiled and the atmosphere relaxed a little bit.
"However" Picard went on "for the duration of this mission everyone of us, myself included, must perform his duties apart from his own rank. I believe this is not a problem".
No one objected, so they passed to the distribution of the assignments.
"Captain Riker, as you have probably already understood, will be my Fist officer and will also manage the Tactical station" Picard explained. "Commander Data is the Chief Science officer". The admiral turned to look for the android and realized for the first time that Data was not in the group before him. "Is your team ready, Data?" he asked.
"Yes, sir" Data answered.
"Very well. A scientist from Salusa Secundus is supposed to join you shortly" Picard continued. "We must pick him up at Star Base 32. Captain Rank will bring you up to date about him later".
Then Picard turned again to the group of officers in front of him. "Counselor Troi, would you handle Communications, please?"
"Of course, sir" Deanna replied, walking toward the console.
"Everybody else, already knows his post, I suppose".
Slowly but efficiently everyone reached his station, until only Captain Rank remained. The admiral looked at her sympathetically. They had been working side by side at Star base 385 for more than one year and he had learnt to trust and respect the woman both professionally and personally. "If you don't prefer the damage report station, Denise, I'd assign you at the Helm" Picard said with amusement. Notoriously, the helmsman was the youngest officer of the whole Bridge crew and seeing that task assigned to a Captain was something that made inevitably smile. But the woman did not complain at all and in fact caught the humoristic side of the situation. Rubbing her hands, Denise headed to the Helm station. "Well, I have to admit that's been a very long time since I last flew a ship. I hope not to be rusty!"
With a certain grace she settled the navigation consol on the right position and began the routine diagnostics. "Which is the maximum speed of this beauty, warp one?" Denise asked addressing nobody in particular. However, from her back arrived the answer of the Chief Engineer La Forge.
"According to specifics, warp eight. But if necessary you can reach eight point nine, sir".
Denise whistled loudly. "You made a miracle, Mr. La Forge".
When Data took place at Ops, next the Helm, Riker announced that they were ready for departure.
"Very well, Mr. Riker" Picard replied. "Helm, a quarter impulse ahead. Take us out of orbit, Denise".
"Aye, sir" the woman replied.
"Course two, seven, zero mark three, three, one" Picard ordered.
"Course laid in, sir" Denise confirmed.
The admiral moved to the center of the Bridge and with the naturalness of someone who had commanded starships his whole life, he said "Engage!"