Chapter 2:
Captain on Deck
(The Enterprise(s))
As Picard, Geordi and the rest of the crew beam aboard the USS Enterprise A, they are greeting by...silence. "No one's on board to meet us, Geordi."
"Well, the ships docked are controlled by a sophisticated computer system, a ship A.I, if you will. We upgrade the systems on the ship; without replacing the boards, monitors, screens, etc. We've also created A.I.s who are holographic but also interactive." Eyesbrows lifted, Picard remembers, "Similar to Dr. Soong's holographic program Data used regarding his 'mother'." LaForge winked, "Excellent memory, Jean-Luc. And that's exactly what we did here for most of the ships. Any crew members who were considered lost in space, or died after their service, we've integrated their mannerisms and profiles into the holographic A I.s to answer questions, based on mission logs, files and miscellaneous items."
"That must have painstaking difficult for you and your staff." LaForge answered, " A lot of Red Tape, that's for sure. Without the assistance of Dr. Bruce Maddox and his team; these ships would be sitting ducks."
After walking corridor through corridor, they finally approach the Bridge. "Welcome aboard the Enterprise, Admiral Picard." The holographic A. I. James T. Kirk, admiral greeted them. "Mr. LaForge, you're the new boss here now." "Still working with Dr. Maddox; but he is due to retire from Starfleet in the next few months. We have still have plenty of work." "Of course. Please enjoy your tour of the ship." James T. Kirk returned to his seat.
They next meet Dr. McCoy, Mr. Spock (pre-Ambassador), Captain Uhura, Admiral Chekov, and of course, Scotty in Engineering. (All A Is)
They make their way back to the transporter room and Picard looks out the window. "Geordi, what ship is that?" "That, Admiral, is the 1st ship to be called Enterprise, which was able to go beyond our solar system. It's the NX-01." "Archer's ship!" Picard gasped. "Yes, sir, and she's next on our list."
They visit Jonathan Archer's ship, get to know the A Is of the crew.
They approached the Enterprise B and meet John Harriman III, current captain. They get acquainted with the A I Rachel Garret on the Enterprise C and revisit Tasha Yar.
They also meet the current living captain of the USS Excelsior: Demora Sulu, daughter of Captain Hikaru Sulu.
Mr. Sulu is frail and over 100 years old. He couldn't make the trip to see his daughter off.
A new Constitution class starship, the USS New Jersey (NCC 1975) is commandeered by officers newly promoted by Starfleet, class of the year 2400.