Eight Months Earlier
Watching the stars passing by at an inconceivable speed it occurred to Maggie Zacher-Hagen that given all the technological advancements the Human race had made there were still the basic almost Neanderthal instincts that couldn't be denied. Like the need to be wanted by another and the need to want another in return.
The Captain issued a communication that all Senior staff and Bridge crew were to report to a briefing, it didn't faze her like it could others. Looking around the room Maggie didn't recognise many faces, apart from her immediate social sphere she, like everybody else, had not had the time to socialise. They had been in deep space for little over 5 months, barely enough time to take a breath.
Maggie took a seat and allowed others to take theirs around her. Giving a small nod to those who passed she wondered how many of these people she would ever get to know. The crew were like a hive, all working to a common goal yet each having their singular role. She noticed the Captain make his way to the front and stand, arms resting on the lectern, looking every inch the Starfleet Captain.
"Christ, he really does like the sound of his own voice doesn't he?" Maggie swivelled her head to the left to look at the heckler, he was still facing forward allowing Maggie to study his profile.
"Was that a rhetorical question?" She whispered.
"For my sake...and yours, let's say it was." Maggie allowed a small smirk and carried on listening.
"Doesn't the man realise I have the work of three men to be doing right now instead of sat here listening to this..." He seemed to trail off in his own despair.
"It's good for moral." She countered. He turned and looked at her then, giving her a lengthy stare. She returned it, with only the slightest upturn appearing at the corners of her mouth. Maggie was slightly taken aback by his gaze, it was unwavering and filled with confidence. His brow furrowed, his lips pursed slightly. She wondered what he would look like sulking. He was closer in age to her than most of the rest of the crew, his hand grated over the stubble that lined his jaw. She could hear the bristles scratch against the palm of his hand.
"You don't believe that." He challenged.
"Shhh." She placed her forefinger to her lips and turned her head back to face forward.
"McCoy, Leonard McCoy, I'm the ship's CMO." It was a simple statement, no sense of boasting or superiority. Just a simple admission of rank and role.
"Lieutenant Maggie Zacher-Hagen, Navigator." She replied.
"And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by." McCoy recited, Maggie turned and looked into his hazel eyes. He didn't seem phased.
"And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover." He seemed to appreciate the retort, they both returned their focus to the front of the room.
"You're dismissed." Captain Kirk nodded and strode from the room. Maggie rose from her seat and looked around, McCoy had already left. She couldn't deny she felt a small sense of disappointment. Guess I'll see you around McCoy.
Maggie noticed that the Doctor would come to the Bridge quite often, standing beside the Captain. They would discuss all manner of topics, at times it would seem like the only reason McCoy would visit would be to argue with Commander Spock.
"Sir, the possibility of successfully navigating an asteroid field is approximately three thousand seven hundred and twenty to one."
"Never tell me the odds Spock!"
The asteroid field, was an extensive, wildly erratic asteroid belt occupying the farthest orbit of the system. Forged as the resulting effect of a collision between two rocky planets eons prior, the belt was a favoured sanctuary for smugglers and pirates. The field was rich in untapped mineral resources such as metal ore, The chaotic nature of the asteroid field sent a constant bombardment of meteorites to the surface of the system's sixth planet.
"It would be unwise to enter the area Captain." Spock persisted. The Captain was circling his chair, Spock characteristically stayed where he was. McCoy stood leaning against a console, arms crossed looking decidedly apprehensive.
"Lieutenant, can you navigate your way through?" The Captain directed his question towards Maggie, turning in her chair she focused on Kirk.
"Yes Captain." She answered confidently.
"What are you doing Jim? You're not actually going into an asteroid field?" McCoy couldn't bite his lip any longer.
"It'll take us off track for 5 weeks Bones, we have a rendezvous to make in 3." McCoy could tell he'd already made his decision, the fact that the Lieutenant had agreed with him meant no amount of admonishment would change his mind.
"Lieutenant Zacher-Hagen, what knowledge do you have pertinent to this situation?" Spock questioned.
"The asteroid field, also referred to as the Leonardo Asteroid Belt, is an especially wide ribbon of countless free-ranging rondures confined to a set orbit. The field is the resulting effect of a collision millions of years prior between what were once the system's two farthest outlying planets. Large and rocky in composition, the planets were fractured into scattered masses of debris that were strewn throughout the system and eventually were pulled into erratic orbits around the system's star. Commandeer Spock, Scientists and surveyors have also speculated that the asteroid field may have formed after the crumbling of one of the nearby planets' own moons, or even that the two planets' collision caused the moons to crumble, augmenting the rock storm. Due to the system's remote isolation, the asteroid field has remained largely uncharted. I was member of the stellar cartography team at the Academy that was tasked to complete the mapping. I'm confident that I can safely navigate the field Sir." Spock's eyebrow arched in acknowledgement, the Captain beamed and McCoy was captivated but incredulous.
"Does that answer your question Spock?" The Captain queried.
"The chaotic nature of the asteroid field has created an environment all but impossible to chart as I'm sure the Lieutenant is aware. Additionally, the random maelstrom and constant collisions prove a great hazard for hyperspace travel through the region."
"I can do this Sir." Maggie was steadfast, she chanced a glance at McCoy who was staring at her. "I can do this." She repeated, still looking at the Doctor.
Spock simply nodded. Maggie spun back to her console, swiftly inputting the projected data necessary. Kirk took his seat and announced to the crew to take defensive action.
"Let's do this Lieutenant."
"Aye Captain." Rocky chunks continually collided with one another in front of them, grinding each other down to smaller asteroids. Some of the collisions were nearly catastrophic, creating vast craters in the many large asteroids they passed. Maggie could feel herself begin to perspire, she swiped at her forehead hastily. The action didn't go unnoticed by the Doctor. The collisions became less frequent and less powerful by comparison as they made their way further through the field. The asteroids began to enter relatively stable orbits.
"Easy does it Lieutenant." The Captain spoke reassuring. Maggie nodded, focusing too much to answer properly. Maggie could see that the asteroids had collided and increased in number, the belt's composition was growing in range from microscopic dust particles to tiny pebbles, large boulders, and asteroids that rivalled small moons in size. Some were considerable enough to contain limited atmospheres. Suddenly her console lit up red, indicating there was a mass fast approaching the starboard side of the ship.
"Initiating evasive manoeuvre Captain! Hold on!" Maggie took manual operation of the ship and directed them around the large mass. She looked up at the viewing screen to see the emergence of a clear horizon ahead. A small smile played on her lips, she turned her chair to face the Captain.
"That was…spectacular Lieutenant." Kirk stated.
"That was damned lunacy! I thought you were the only one with a death wish Jim, turns out I was wrong." McCoy shook his head, inside he was immensely awestruck, if not feeling a little sick.
Hello Ladies & Gents! Hope you enjoyed the second instalment, a prequal! Felt the need to set Bones and Maggie up a bit more than the first chapter allowed. That was the plan from the start but let me know what you think, as ever, by reviewing (if it takes your fancy of course)! Cheers! Ta Ta for now! :-)