Old Friends

Posted on Thu Dec 12th, 2024 @ 1:20am by Commodore Wilkan Targaryen & Commander Galatea

823 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Tosk
Location: Main Bridge, U.S.S. Enterprise
Timeline: 2439-03-10, 11:45

Commodore Wilkan Targaryen looked at the silver-colored door before him, carefully studying it as if he were gathering the courage to pass through. It had been about ten minutes since he heard the last sonic screwdriver and five since the station's Chief Engineer, Lieutenant Hezaar, had stopped by his Ready Room to tell him that the Bridge was ready. The Gorn Commander had offered to give the new Commodore a tour of his new command center, but Wilkan had politely declined. This was his honor, and he wasn't going to share it. He toured the Enterprise's Bridge by himself with the last design, and he'd do so again today.

Reaching forward he input the authorization code. The audible alert tones of the computer emanated from the keypad, calculating out a diverse series of algorithms and instructions from ages past. With the refit to the Bridge Enterprise had direct access to Deck 1 through twin doors at the back of the Bridge. The computer knew this and needed specific information regarding access. Each crewmember would have to do this at least once and then the computer would identify them in the future, letting them skip this process in the future.

With an audible hiss the pocket door slid open as a single unit, letting the Enterprise's Captain see the new Bridge for the first time. Stepping inside, Wilkan couldn't help but smile as he looked upon the new design with nostalgia. Being El-Aurian he had lived for many, many years and been part of Starfleet for most of them. His first midshipman cruise, and later first assignment, was on the Excelsior Class Enterprise-B and this Bridge was very reminiscent of the one used by Captain Harriman over a century ago. It made him feel young for the first time in a very long time.

Walking around the Tactical table at the back of the Bridge, Wilkan walked toward the center of the Bridge and looked over it proudly. Brushing a hand over the Flight Control console - where he served on the predecessor vessel decades ago, Wilkan turned toward his chair and looked upon it. The Engineers had swapped out his chair for a different model, not that he minded, but it was a bit surprising to see. A small box was located in the center of the center seat. Reaching down, Wilkan picked it up.

In the dim light of the Bridge he read the inscription, "To boldly go where no one has gone before."

Opening the box, Wilkan saw the single positronic chip located in the case. The replacement for isolinear chips, positronic chips were the next generation of computing. Even a single chip had memory enough to hold the collected works of a 23rd Century Constitution Class vessel. Opening the armrest of his chair, he slid the chip into its housing.

Immediately, the Enterprise awoke around him. Lights rose to full and the computer terminals moved from their standby notification to full enabled mode, the LCARS interfaces winking to life in a flash. The viewscreen switched from the hologrid to a view of the interior of Starbase 419, a Reliant Class ship flying by as the Enterprise prepared to depart.

Wilkan sat down in his chair and looked at the viewscreen, a smile across his face. "Hello ship," he greeted.

"Hello Commodore," a voice announced from behind him.

Commodore Targaryen hid his surprise and turned his chair toward the source. A beautiful, young Starfleet Officer stood next to the Tactical console at the rear of the Bridge. Dressed in a Command Uniform with three pips on her chest, the young lady had a stern, yet welcoming demeanor about her. Friendly, yet threatening. The Enterprise's captain rose, surprised by what he saw.

"Galatea?" He questioned.

"It's me," she announced with a smile. "You look surprised."

"I thought you were dead? Died with the G at the Battle of the Foundry," Wilkan remembered the predecessor to this very ship. His last command, Enterprise was destroyed by the Vaadwaur and Wilkan had, barely, survived the destruction. Most called it miraculous, he called it a blessing, but there was something far more to it that he couldn't get his finger on.

She nodded, "You and I both know death isn't always the end. It's a long story, but Starfleet has integrated me as your AI. I didn't think you'd be opposed since we work so well together."

"Not at all," he answered as he looked at the avatar. "Are you ready to get to work?"

"Indeed," she answered proudly. "All systems are functional, the ship is fully loaded, and the last of the new crew are coming aboard now. 419 reports that they are leaving the equipment to refit the Battle Bridge and will give the specifications to Commander Randall's team. If you like, I'll..."

Wilkan noticed the pause, "Galatea?"

"We have an intruder."

"Time to go to work them," Wilkan said as he walked toward his chair.

 

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