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Part 3 of 3
The human runabout pilot told Lukon they’d be at Eden “before you know it”. He wasn’t kidding. Apparently there was a transwarp corridor between the Sol System and Starbase 817. Who knew? Apparently it was on a need to know basis.
“And we’re here. Welcome to Eden sir”. The pilot saluted. Lukon saluted back, noting the “44” patch on his shoulder. He then looked out the window at his new posting. The starbase was impressive. It certainly wasn’t as big as Earth Spacedock. But his trained eyes told him Eden definitely was a fully developed and operational base.
Beaming into the transporter room, then walking across the adjacent spacious promenade, Lukon found himself waiting next to a row of pictures depicting ships named Enterprise. He put his hands behind his back and did his soft, nervous laugh as he looked at the Earth 1961 version, which appeared to be a human ocean going, atmospheric craft carrying warship, much like the Midway’s earlier namesake.
Which was why he barely noticed the voice behind him, “Admiral?” A few seconds later it registered that he was being addressed by his new rank. Spinning around, Lukon noticed the human looking at him quixotically.
Quickly regaining his composure, Lukon replied “Captain Huckabee?”
After exchanging pleasantries, the two ascended a nearby ramp to a cafeteria with wide windows looking out into space. “Your crew has already begun transferring to your new ship, sir”, Captain Huckabee said matter-of-factly.
Wait a minute, a ship? Admiral Quinn never said anything about a ship. Lukon figured he’d be assigned as Starbase staff, or maybe lead a science station on Dranuur colony.
Captain Huckabee gave him a bemused look. “Admiral Quinn left that part out?” He gave a knowing chuckle. “Well, there it is” he said, gesturing out the window.
There was only one ship in that area. Lukon’s eyes went wide as he beheld the huge, unmistakable profile of a Jupiter class carrier. Shuttles, presumably carrying his crew and their effects, flew into the cavernous hanger deck. The front of the saucer section, forward of the “44” painted on its side, read USS Kitty Hawk; NCC-49056. “That…” he stammered “…that will do very nicely”.
OOC: I bought the Jupiter during the last flash sale, and assigned it to an alt character who just made Level 50 (despite the fact I’ve had him for years). Since I haven’t done much with him, I decided to give him a quirky, somewhat insecure and introverted personality and make him a background character just now coming into the forefront and joining the 44th (even though he’s been in the Delta fleet for awhile now).
😉
aka @robofearth
Part 2
“I’ve been following your field tests on the Midway. I must say I’m quite pleased with the results”. Admiral Quinn looked up from the PADD at his desk.
Lukon was relieved. Admiral Quinn did indeed look pleased. His Betazoid senses confirmed this too, though he found joined Trill so hard to read at times…
Admiral Quinn continued, “I admit I was a bit skeptical of this Ryn’kodan carrier design, based on Vorgon data found from rather sketchy sources on Risa. But you’ve shown the design is sound, and I’m particularly impressed with your additional flight operations experiments. Starfleet does not have much experience in this. I’ve been reading you combined Vorgon Echentis frigates with Peregrine fighters?”
“Yes sir”, Lukon replied. “We were trying to find combinations which could compliment the Midway herself to function as a single operating unit”.
“You even got the Romulan Republic to loan you a wing of Scorpion fighters?”
Lukon allowed himself a small smile. “I wanted to be thorough sir”.
“Well, you certainly were. You even formed several small squadrons with whatever cruisers and escorts you could get your hands on for a few days to see how they and your carrier wings worked together”.
“Yes”, Lukon replied. “We designated them task forces, task groups, strike groups, battle groups, etcetera, based upon force composition and mission”.
“We’re still evaluating that data, but it does look promising”. Admiral Quinn smiled “If I didn’t know any better I’d say you actually enjoyed commanding the carrier”.
“Well”, Lukon chose his words carefully. “I definitely liked it better than the Breen Chel Boalg warship. The science labs were different than the Krenim design, but…” Lukon noticed the Admiral was staring at him intently. The fact was he HAD particularly enjoyed is time on the Midway more than he thought he would. Normally he was more than ready to move on after field testing new designs. But despite it’s Vorgon quirks, the Midway had grown on him…
Admiral Quinn cleared his throat. “Lukon, you’ve proven invaluable testing alien ship designs. In fact we’ve already begun introducing the Vorgon carrier to Starfleet, incorporating many of your recommendations”.
“Thank you sir. I noticed a couple of Lukari prototypes in Spacedock. Will we be evaluating those next?”
“No need, we’ve already done that”, Admiral Quinn responded. “No, I have other plans for you and your crew. I’m promoting you to Vice Admiral and transferring you to Starbase 817. I’ve been keeping the admiral there…quite busy. So you’ll be reporting to Captain Huckabee there for reassignment”.
This was quite unexpected. Very unexpected. Lukon stammered “Starbase 817. Isn’t that Eden?”
“Yes Vice Admiral, it certainly is. Home of the 44th Fleet, one of the finest in Starfleet”. Knowing the quirky Betazoid was probably over-thinking, Admiral Quinn spoke softly “Lukon, you’ve done a great job field testing starships. I could have you doing this indefinitely. But after the losses we suffered in the Iconian War, Starfleet needs good officers on the frontier. I feel you’re ready for this, even if you may have doubts”.
There it was again. This time a Trill was sensing his feelings! Was he that transparent?
The 44th has been assisting a joint Kentari-Lukari colony in the Dranuur system in the Alpha Quadrant. Needless to say, they have many hurdles to overcome, including learning how to work together, to say nothing of the Tzenkethi threat. With your scientific background, combined with your creative adaptation of alien technology, I think you’ll prove to be an asset to the good work the 44th is doing out there”.
For a brief moment, Lukon was overwhelmed processing all he had heard. Then his Starfleet training kicked in. Next thing he knew, he was on his feet, saluting Admiral Quinn “Yes sir, thank you sir”.
Admiral Quinn smiled, and Lukon could sense his satisfaction as he returned the salute. I know we can count on you, Admiral Lukon”.
aka @robofearth
Part 1
“All stop”.
The eyes of the bridge turned to Captain Lukon. Normally this would make him nervous, but his years of experience with this crew, combined with his Betazoid senses, told him he was in friendly territory. They long since grew to accept him, despite his…peculiarities.
“All stop sir” First Officer Chamberland replied. The ship shuddered slightly. “We are docked. Powering down”.
“Very good” Captain Lukon replied. “Computer, record the USS Midway has safely arrived at Earth Spacedock after successful field tests”. He paused for a moment. This was always awkward, what to say next…he was a scientist first, Starfleet captain second. So many Starfleet officers were better at this than him. What profound thing could he say to wrap up six months of field testing the Midway? What a strange name for a ship – Midway. The literal Betazoid translation meant something else, but he learned on Earth it was a tiny island in the middle of the planet’s largest ocean. The humans fought a battle in that area during one of their wars amongst themselves, about 400 years ago. Several of Earth’s ships have been named after it since, including an ocean-going vessel that was propelled by fossil-fuels and carried atmospheric craft into combat. How did the humans come up with such a bizarre concept?
First Officer Chamberland interrupted his thoughts “Sir, Admiral Quinn is requesting you at Starfleet Operations”. It was amazing how the human woman could sense when his mind was wandering, even if she was not a Betazoid. Not the Lukon was particularly adept at sensing emotions. His abilities in that regard were below that of an average Betazoid…
“Sir?” Chamberland repeated again, once again returning Lukon to reality.
“Yes, of course. Computer end recording”. Putting his hands behind his back and laughing softly, nervously (one of his many odd habits), he added “I guess it’s time to see where we’re heading next”.
“Most of us have already packed” Chamberland replied kindly.
“Well then. Alright, I guess I’m off to see the Admiral then”.
aka @robofearth
Thanks to Novellus Caine and Drake for patiently waiting while I stumbled and bumbled my way to the top!
aka @robofearth
I don’t think the series has established it’s feel and tone yet. We still haven’t met most of the main cast or even seen the title starship. The first two episodes were intriguing enough to keep me watching, though, and I am curious how the groundwork they laid plays out. We should have a better idea of what the series is about after a few more episodes. Also bear in mind most likely Episodes 1 & 2 have the heaviest influence from Bryan Fuller, who is no longer with the show.
I admit to being a bit befuddled by the Klingons’ appearance. I did enjoy the “Klingon intrigue” episodes from TNG and DS9, so I found their storyline was interesting. I also appreciate they’re making them more than just 2-dimensional villains who must be blown away before they kill the good guys. But their appearance is taking some getting used to. I hate to say it, but a viewer from 1967 could look at Sarek in Discovery and say “That’s a Vulcan!”. The same viewer would look at the Klingons from Discovery, as well as their various appearances over the last 50 years, and think they are several different species. I don’t know why they keep changing their appearance.
aka @robofearth
Regarding the Klingon picture, I found this today: “This photo, posted early on Saturday (and quickly removed by the originator), rapidly made the rounds over social media this weekend and sparked a flurry of discussion around the look of the aliens. The photographer stated that while he labeled the aliens as a “Klingon crew”, he actually “just thought they kinda looked like” the warrior race when questioned about it – so don’t lean too hard on the original statement, which appears to be just speculation”. Source is http://trekcore.com/blog/2017/02/leaked-star-trek-discovery-set-photo-reveals-alien-design-costumes/
Also, since we’re talking Discovery – new cast members announced yesterday: http://trekcore.com/blog/2017/02/next-star-trek-discovery-officers-beam-aboard
aka @robofearth
Thank you, I appreciate the feedback. All my Fed characters have joined. I think I joined the chat channel correctly, never joined a channel before. Sometime in the future I may need some guidance on the voice aspect.
Also think I sent the request for my KDF alt correctly, if not please let me know.
Proud to be a member! Looking forward to participating!
Addendum: Oops, never mind, I got the KDF request while I was typing this. That was fast! Thank you.
aka @robofearth
