Observing

Posted on Thu Jun 13th, 2019 @ 4:06am by Galatea & Daeren Iril & Secretary Jonathan Grayson of United Earth
Edited on on Thu Jan 2nd, 2020 @ 5:33pm

759 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Atlantis
Location: Observation Lounge, Starfleet One
Timeline: 2429-12-02, 11:30

Daeren Iril, Federation Secretary of Defense, watched their departure of Earth from Starfleet One's observation deck. As he was not crew, it wasn't proper for him to be on the ship's bridge unless invited--certainly not during so critical a time as leaving the orbit of a planet whose nearby space was as crowded as Earth's. Trill had a similar amount of traffic.

Earth was a pretty world--all blue, brown, and swirling clouds that made it look more like some sort of frosted confection hanging in space than anything else. At the moment it took up a good portion of the viewports, but Daeren knew it would soon vanish into the distance, once the coaxial drive--or even impulse power--was enabled. He waited and watched as Starfleet flight control cleared a path for them.

With everyone busying themselves with the ship, Vikki had hoped for some quietness in order to observe their departure; she hadn’t expected the shadow by the observation viewer. Hesitating for a moment, the woman moved to step to their side as her own eyes never left the sight through the glass. “The calm before the storm.”

Daeren heard the faint hiss of the door as it slid open and closed and then the slight unevenness of gait as someone entered. He turned to see who had come in and gave the woman in the blue uniform a brief nod. "So it appears," he agreed, "and a beautiful calm it is, Commander--?"

They were interrupted, "Attention, crew, this is the Admiral. Starfleet One has been assigned by the President to investigate a distress signal located in uncharted space. Our unique engine means we're the only ship capable of reaching the signal in time, but we're going to be on our own. I need all personnel to be prepared for what we encounter. We will be traveling at Coaxial 3, which means we should arrive a little after 1300 hours. We will remain at Black Alert until we return to normal space, so please remain at stations. Teagarden out."

Jonathan had entered just as the Admiral was making his announcement. "Hello Daeren, Commander. Does that mean we have to stay here?" He asked fellow companions.

Galatea smiled at the Ambassador as he entered the room, "Greetings. I will leave you three to get acquainted. Good day." She shimmered out of existence.

Daeren chuckled. "Hello, Jonathan. I've been wondering where my post is, myself. In the office in my quarters, perhaps? Backing up the Tactical Officer?--Which I could, but I'd think their second would object."

Jonathan nodded, "I dare say they would Daeren. Best to leave them to it." He looked around, "I suppose I could go to my quarters. It has an office but somehow that doesn't feel right."

"No, but I'm not certain what does feel right," Daeren said. "My impression of the crew is that they will treat us with all due courtesy, but they would just as soon have the politicians off their ship--and I certainly understand that feeling. I spent twenty years in Starfleet. I'm not used to being supernumerary."

Jonathan chuckled, "Of course they do Daeren. We are in the way. In the crew's eyes, we cause the problems they have to clean up. I understand their feelings perfectly and I have no wish to annoy or irritate them … especially unnecessarily."

Daeren gave a faint grunt of agreement and turned away from the window. Pretty as it was, Earth was mostly static at the moment. "Neither do I. It is just the change in relationship I am having to adjust to--from being part of the crew several years ago to now being extra baggage.

"And what stings the most is--'baggage' is an appropriate role for me. I approved some of the current technology Starfleet uses in their ships, and I've read the tech manuals for it--but I've never used any of it myself, in space., and I read those manuals a while ago." He gave Jonathon a look of wry amusement. "And I sound like the worst sort of whiner. I do apologize."

"It was rather rushed." Jonathan agreed. "However you know as well as I that the President has his reasons and I'm sure Admiral Teagarden wants to get to the bottom of this distress call as well."

The Holographic AI of the ship appeared, Galatea carefully looking at the Counselor, "Counselor Rigby, you are needed on the Bridge. I will see to getting the Ambassadors to lunch and their Offices aboard the vessel." She looked to the Ambassadors, "Shall we?"

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