Paint and Powder

A Star Trek anthology by Andrew Joshua Talon

DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fan based work of prose. Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager et al are the property of CBS Television, and creation of Gene Roddenberry. Please support the official release.

Set after Lower Decks "No Small Parts". Written by Nohvarr.

The Cerritos sat in a plush comfy bed and stared out the Starbases' view port as worker bees swarmed around it's injured body. The AI winced as it's gaze drifted over the spot where a Warp Nacelle should've been, and had been until that Pakled abomination tore it off.

The Cerritos, like her hull, didn't look particularly elegant or fancy. She normally kept her long dark hair in a tight bun and usually preferred to wear an Engineers uniform with equipment belt and harness. Now, however, she was dressed in more comfortable clothing with her hair down, to help with her recovery.

"Hello Cerritos." The motherly voice of the Starbase AI began as she materialized in the recovery room. "As you can see we are making excellent progress on repairs and updates. You should know, though, that your Captain requested we make no alterations to your hull design." The Starbase AI had chosen a more matronly form for itself with short silver hair and a warm caring smile.

The Cerritos kept looking out the window but allowed a small smile to touch her lips. "Carol always did appreciate my looks."

The Star base nodded "So is there anything I can get you or do for you?"

There was silence for a moment "Actually yes. I'm sure command has sent someone out to investigate the conflict site and recover what remains of the Solvang. I figure there's a pretty good chance that they'll find Ensign Peanuthamper and bring her back to the base. When they do… " The Cerritos turned and looked the Starbase dead in her eyes, the anger simmering beneath those orbs clear to see. "…Bring that little shit to ME!"

The Starbase frowned but only said "I'll see what I can do."

The Cerritos nodded and turned back to watch herself being repaired and rebuilt. The Starbase AI faded from the room as the door chimed. "Come in." The Cerritos AI said.

"Hey girl." Captain Carol Freeman said as she entered, a familiar game box tucked under her arm. "How are you holding up?"

The Cerritos sighed "Well, I have holes in my hull, had a nacelle torn off, lost a good bridge officer and have a promising young Ensign in a coma." Her shoulders slumped "So not great."

Captain Freeman nodded, placing a hand on her friends shoulder "I know exactly how you feel." The two shared a sad smile before Carol pulled over a small table and chair, took a seat and opened the box.

"Some good news…. Kinda… Ensign Rutherford woke from his Coma. He seems to have lost the memories he made after being implanted with that Vulcan device but is otherwise fine." Carol began laying out everything for a game of 'Go' with the ship AI.

"Well that's something at least." The Cerritos shook her head "I cannot believe that PAKLEDS caused all this pain and suffering." She turned a meaningful look on her Captain. "This proves it, you were right that the Cerritos should be popping in on those legacy civilizations BEFORE they unravel and we should DEFINITELY be checking in on old adversaries to make sure they haven't gone from harmless to dangerous."

Carol finished setting up the board "Worse than that we technically CAN'T do any of that without orders" The Captain clapsed her hands together and tapped them against her chin as she stared at her companion. "I'd lose my command if I pulled such a stunt."

Cerritos arched an eyebrow as she noticed the look the Captain was giving her. The Ship AI closed her eyes and when she opened them she spoke softly "We can speak freely, now."

Carol gave her friend a tight smile. "I and my daughter have come to an understanding." The Cerritos arched an eyebrow as Freeman continued "She does what she usually does in service of Starfleet ideals…. And I'll keep the pencil pushing rules lawyers from getting involved."

The Cerritos folded her hands in her lap "And you'd like my help to do it. Well…. I do the un-glamorous jobs other ships would scoff at. So as long as what we're doing upholds the ideals of the Federation I think I can keep my more Fussbudget siblings out of our collective hair."

Carol smiled then gestured at the board "Your move."

I didn't think I'd like Lower Decks, but it's honestly the only show of the Kurtzman Trek era that's any good. But that's just my opinion.