|
|
MISSION LOG 00.4 "Enter Captain Dothan"
A large figure materialized on deck 5 of the StarQuest. At the end of the transport cycle the internal sensors of the ship picked up the battle armor the man was wearing and the computer put out a warning message.
"Warning, Security breach on Deck 5. Klingon life form on Deck 5 Security Alert Status 1"
The Klingon figure spoke "Computer, this is Captain Dothan, my Starfleet Identification Number, 29756-Alpha. I am assuming command of this Vessel, Starfleet Authorization Code 7715 Baker. Discontinue Security Alert." Silence filled the air for a moment except for the wine of the klaxon, then the computer announced in a very different mechanical "male" voice "Starfleet Identification Confirmed, Captain Dothan, Welcome Aboard. Starfleet Authorization also confirmed. Captain Dothan now assuming command of USS StarQuest. Bridge staff being advised at this time"
In a firm voice Dothan stated "Computer, location of the nearest bridge turbolift?"
The computer responded "The nearest turbolift to the bridge is straight ahead of you and to port, arrows along the walls are now leading you to your destination." With a firm gait the Klingon strode to the turbolift...once inside he Commanded "Bridge!" the turbolift was on the move. Dothan had time to reflect on the enormous responsibility that lay ahead of him. He Dothan, son of Kempec, Grandson to Dathan of Tamaria...would now be the first Klingon to Captain a Federation Starship. The doors to the turbolift hissed open and Dothan strode out onto the platform, gazed around at some empty stations looked to his right and saw what he thought to be his first officer sitting in the command chair, HIS COMMAND CHAIR!
Lt. Vorun Klemendat was startled to see a large Klingon in full battle uniform approach the Command Chair. It took him one moment too long to realize that this was Captain Dothan, his new Commanding Officer. I was expecting the captain to be Klingon, he thought to himself, but not this much Klingon! He jumped to attention.
"FIRST OFFICER, We have very sloppy security personnel on Deck 5. Please inform the Security Chief that I wish to go over Security procedures with him once we get underway."
Klemendat stammerd to his feet as he replied, still somewhat unprepared...that was twice today..."Aye, sir. It will be done at once. And, uh...welcome aboard the StarQuest." Klemendat hoped that the Captain would not detect his nervous sweat. He hated surprises, and hated even more the disadvantage of obvious feelings. He darted from the Bridge.
Dothan turned to the Communications station. "COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER, please inform the Starbase of my arrival and tell them I wish all command codes for this vessel to be on my ready room console as soon as possible"
Dothan strode to the command chair and switched on the Ships internal Hail, "Attention all ships Personnel, This is your NEW Captain, My name is Dothan, and I wish to see all section chiefs in my conference room at 1530. I look forward to meeting with all of you in the coming days and I know you will serve me well, Dothan out."
Captain Dothan seemed to not notice the slender young El-Orian sitting to his left. Alex, his Ship's Counselor, was noticing everything, especially the emotional tone of every verbal exchange within range of his remarkable hearing. Alex smiled to himself. No matter if his Captain was preoccupied for the moment. When he was needed, Alex would be ready.
Chief "Ships" Engineer, Captain Jeff Handshaw noted to himself personally; Well, the Commanding Officer just arrived. Captain Dothan, I know him. He sure is good at telling a good story. Captain Picard ran into his Grandfather on a mission a decade ago. I better bust his chops a bit and let him know that there are only 3 of us on board, right now.
"Ship's Engineer, Captain Jeff Handshaw reporting, Sir! Just to let you know, Lt. Klemendat and I are the only ones aboard at this time that I am aware of. The crew isn't expected to start arriving until 0800 tomorrow, sir. Nevertheless, I will look forward to our meeting at 1530, welcome aboard!"
Sitting in his command chair Captain Dothan tapped his inner ship communications button. "Engineering, Handshaw this is Dothan, I appreciate the information, I noted the absence of crewmen as I arrived on the Bridge. Honor to serve with such an astute crew member will be mine, Dothan out."
Klemendat shoved the smaller, unkempt man onto the transporter pad, then tapped the controls. He frowned at the man's sour odor. A brief sparkle of molecular energy, and the transporter pad was empty. The air smelled cleaner already. He tapped his Comm badge: "First Officer Klemendat to Captain Dothan--"
Dothan who was in his ready room, had turned on the voice activation feature of the Comm System, said, "Go ahead Number One."
"I am pleased to report that the disorderly person you spotted on deck five was not actually one of our crewmembers, sir. He was a civilian construction worker who was supposed to check out last night, but was chemically impaired and unable to navigate the level surface of a corridor to a transporter bay. I have notified Security and transported him back to base. He will not be returning here again, sir."
With an agitated but concerned look on his face Dothan replied, "Very good Commander, make sure you notify Someone in security, if they have reported in yet, and then report back to me at 1530 that this gentlemen was indeed dealt with"
"Yes, sir. I'm looking forward to the meeting tomorrow." Like a blister on my foot, he thought. Typical Klingon-- all thunder and no enlightening. They would never have made it into space if it hadn't been for the technology they took from the Romulans. And now StarFleet had actually made one a captain!
"Have any more, senior staff members reported in? I understand from viewing the log on the bases Comm system we may be expecting a ships counselor soon."
Klemendat wondered for a moment whether he was supposed to know the name of the new Ships Counselor. Wouldn't be good to tip off the Captain that he already had more information than he was officially allowed to have.
"I'll let you know as soon as he reports in, sir."
Having gotten a response from Klemendat, Captain Dothan cut the communications link, then tapped his communicator badge: "Captain to Engineering, progress report Mr. Handshaw? I want to be able to get underway at a moments notice when we first receive our orders and we have all necessary ships personnel on board."
"Captain Dothan, I'm proud to report that I finished in engineering last night and all systems are fully configured and tested and we could get underway at anytime. I am now giving the fighters a good going over to get all the bugs out. A couple are done, so if any of the fighter teams arrive, you can send them right to me and they can take them out for a 'proper' test run. I'd like to congratulate you on securing command of the most powerful ship in the fleet" More powerful than you can imagine...
Wanting to take a brief moment for a break, Dothan moved the computer panel within his easy vision and ordered: "Computer, Entertainment File 5557BWM, enable."
A small grin emerged as Dothan viewed the small rodent like animated creature and the creature with large nose and big ears, engaged in something he had learned Humans called, what was it now, oh yes, SLAPSTICK.
Klemendat walked quickly to a turbolift and ordered it to the Officers' Quarters Deck. Once inside, he secured the door with a secret command code that most admirals in the Fleet could not override, and then went casually to a small locker hidden behind a grooming mirror. "Caravaggio", he said, the mirror slid aside and the locker opened quietly. He withdrew a cool green bottle, running his fingers along the edge of its label as he checked the vintage. Acceptable, he decided. He popped a bell-shaped corkscrew onto the top of the bottle, gave it a half-twist, and poured himself a glass. "And now to work," he said aloud, and a square section of his desk rose up to become a transparent computer viewscreen. "Computer: Display covert files, code name 'Medici'. Security authorization Epsilon-5-5. Audio silence, please."
The screen blinked to life with an index of names, most of them crewmembers of the StarQuest-A. He sat down, took a sip of the fragrant yellow liquid in his glass, and selected a file to study.
Originally posted by:
Captain Dothan / Ship's Commanding Officer
Lt. Vorun Klemendat / First Officer
Captain
Jeffrey C. Handshaw / Chief "Ships" Engineer
USS StarQuest, NCC-71804-A