Never Saw Her Like

Personal Log

Stardate: 88825.9

It has been well over two weeks since we left the Horizon. Going to merely a light year from Starbase Lotus, with a whole fleet on the lookout for us, our smallish craft maintained warp 5 to avoid notice.

By now, the Horizon would have reached HQ; to bring Captain Syntron to claim the USS Phoenix; and Captain Redding to be grilled on his report of the events at the edge of the galaxy.

I wonder how Syntron will manage to curb both his natural Vulcan aversion to lying and his acquired scientific care for the truth playing repentant rebel. We guess he will be ordered to head the hunt for us; both to exploit his inside knowledge... and prove himself. It will be a delicate game; if he can play it.

Sorripto will care for Captain Jureth, still in stasis, flying the Alsea as a decoy. He will go to the nearer Klingon border, patrolled by the USS McKenzie of Captain Daniel Crist. He knows that ship, it's commander and crew best; might even convince them to join our ''rebellion,'' if he avoids arrest... or worse.

Starfleet is hunting the Alsea, thinking all of us rebels still onboard; they will not enjoy the added risk of what may be a defection of prominent officers to the Klingon Empire.

David Rogers is to take the USS Achilles, now free of her ghosts, into hiding within the Azimuth Horizon anomaly. With the Laforge Program 1 installed and no one aware of her return, she will be our Ace-In-The-Hole. Like us and the Alsea, she will be in striking range, barely a light year from Starbase Lotus.

The Achilles will be our first tactical distraction; when she will emerge in sight of the monitoring stations and the USS Wisconsin of Captain Onia. That is, if she manages to elude them while going in.

Our acting ensigns used those two weeks for intensive training in operating a cruiser-type vessel, as we fly to the warped area of space they themselves discovered. Acting Ensign Gunner Holland's performance as a bridge tactical officer will free Lieutenant Tyvya for Navigation. Acting Ensign Terix proved himself more than capable in handling the Helm, so Lieutenant Lyrya will stay in the diplomatic and medical chair. Acting Ensign Sabrina Shadowhunt will efficiently manage the Science station, Acting Ensign Lep Hansen the Engineering post. Ensign Tethys Daystrom will handle Operations even better than the automated modifications we had on our other ships.

I commend them all for their excellence and their devotion to their oath as Starfleet officers and the values of the Federation. I will personally recommend them for promotion; in whatever fleet we end up serving. But for now, we have a ship to attend to; our final ''October Surprise, '' for whatever Starfleet, and the Federation, have turned into.

As usual, Kheren was standing up, right behind Terix at helm and Tyvya at navigation, between Gunner's tactical and Sabrina's science posts. Hansen was at the back, monitoring engine output, Tessa doing the same with ship systems. Kheren was looking out through the cockpit's transparency at the stars twinkling with a myriad of colors, many invisible to the human eye. As an Andorian, his joint never stiffened up or strained to keep him upright hours on end. It gave him a somewhat ''Jem-Hadar'' presence that initially made a few of the junior officers uneasy. But it made him smile, recalling his last chief of security, Aron'Son, when he was still captain of the flagship.

When Starfleet was still Starfleet; and the Federation...

He shook himself from the past to focus on the present by breaking the silence.

''I don't see anything. You are sure these are the right coordinates, Acting Ensign Shadowhunt?''

As her dexterous fingers maneuvered across the console, Sabrina swiftly ran a series of scans as she verified the data in conjunction with the star logs garnered from the Alsea.

“Sir, this was the approximate region in which the anomaly manifested. Due to the nature of its inherent composition, precise measurements were sporadic at best. Is there something specific that I should be scanning for in this region?”

''Affirmative Ensign; a spacetime rift or anomaly, like a chroniton surge... or a subspace fracture; or any mass of matter popping up.''

The Andorian pointed his antennae towards the Romulan at the helm.

''Mister Terix; find and folow the original path of the Alsea when you first entered this area. The original flight log is avaailable on your console display.''

''No need, Captain; I remember it perfectly. Coming about at 285 mark 24.''

''Stay at full impulse Ensign. Lieutenant Lyrya, keep all channels open; including your own. Ensign Gunner, keep tactical sensors on the look-out for any ship in the vicinity.''

He barely ordered that Lyrya turned her milky white pupiless eyes from her communication board, antennae wobbling.

''Captain, I am receiving a signal.''

Kheren's own silvery pupils went from her to the cockpit's canopy back to her.

''What do you make of it?''

''It was there but for an instant, Sir; barely audible even to my ultrasonic hearing. I could not make a clear identification but it definitely was a starship's disaster beacon.''

This time he darted his eyes to both Gunner and Shadowhunt.

''Locate.''

“Tactical sensors show nothing Captain” Gunner reported.

Sabrina resumed scanning the sector as best she could manage aboard the shuttle. There was nothing to report, until suddenly she detected an anomalous measurement.

“Captain… I am detecting an irregular reading. It is reminiscent of what we encountered during our cadet cruise on the Alsea.”

Kheren nodded.

''So, you brought us to the right place Mister Terix. Well done.''

The freshly-minted ensign simply answered ''Aye Sir'' and concentrated all the more on his task. But there was no hiding the glint in his eyes.

Meanwhile, Sabrina continued scanning the irregularity.

“It appears that spacetime is intermittently warping in this region ahead.”

The Andorian straightened himself.

''Prepare to take us in, Mister Terix. Come as close as Ensign Shadowhunt's data safely allows you too.''

''Aye Sir the Romulan responded.

As she studied it further, Sabrina added;

“Comparing these readings to the record procured onboard the Alsea, it appears to have diminished in volume.”

The Andorian's antennae lowered forward as a human would frown.

''How much smaller?''

She began a computational analysis of the phenomena. She suddenly stopped then turned to face the captain.

 “According to my calculations, it is collapsing at a rate of three hundred thousand kilometers per second. If this degradation continues at this constant rate from the current volume registering, the entire disturbance will completely resorb in exactly two-hundred and seventy-two solar days!”

Kheren's antennae wobbled this way and that.

''Sounds like good news at first glance. However, I would like to have an idea what is causing this... collapse. Especially before we will go in. Any hypothesis about the cause of this?''

“Captain, I have something on sens…ors” Gunner started to report and then trailed off.

“Sorry sir, there was something for a moment and then nothing. A mass of metallic alloy bearing 315 mark 45. Distance thirty million kilometers.”

Gunner worked the sensors to attempt to find the image again, but nothing.

“I had something sir. For the moment it was on sensors it appeared to be a cruiser-sized vessel, but now nothing.”

Kheren glanced at the Aenar woman at comm station.

''Could that match your signal, Lieutenant?''

''No way to tell, Sir. But considering that it sounded much like a starship disaster signal and Ensign Gunner spotted something that looked like one... ''

The Andorian turned his silvery eyes towards the transparency of the flyer as if he could see beyond the stars themselves.

''Mister Terix, take us in along Mister Gunner's bearing, full impulse. Antennae up, people.''

A few minutes later, there was a brief vibration felt by all through the hull, sending a booming echo through the entire shuttle. All panels flickered but for an instant, then all returned to a deathly quiet. Except for the stars as seen through the transparency. It was like looking at them through slowly slushing water.

Lyrya spoke again.

''Here it is... and gone again, Sir; definitely a starship's disaster beacon.''

''Federation?''

''Possible Sir; but... inconclusive. But by it's strength, we are getting closer to the source.''

Kheren blinked, antennae wobbling as much as hers. 

''I do not see anything. All stations report as soon as you have something.''

As Sabrina was running another series of scans, an additional disturbance rattled the shuttle. Sensors blinked off then back on again.

“Captain, I am detecting another energy surge… bearing at 15 mark 15,” Sabrina exclaimed.

 As the readings fluctuated, she strived to identify aspects of what was being revealed.  

“Sir… sensors are detecting a mass of fused duranium and tritanium… along with faint traces of deuterium, electro-plasma, and organic material.”

She continued deciphering the erratic signatures.

“These appear to be within a collapsing field of gravity and decaying chronitons…. as if it is a singularity... barely a few microns in diameter with matter and energy are collapsing towards it.”

Sabrina looked up then turned toward the captain with a hint of dread etched across her youthful face.

“Sir, there are parallels between these readings and that of the Azimuth Horizon anomaly rupture that you and your crew fought to contain. Could this be another tear emerging in the fabric of space and time?”

Kheren looked at Terix.

''Problems at the helm?''

Terix was tensed, his eyes darting as if about to fight.

''Not from our systems, Sir. But there seems to be odd fluctuations in propulsion. As if our matter-antimatter assembly was going on and off and auxiliary power alternating with it. Feels like when you sail and alternatively feel the wind and the current. Hence the shaking. And the gravitational compass is offline''

The Andorian spun around.

''Mister Hansen; if memory serves, this is consistent with technical problems navigating the Azimuth Horizon. But in a ship this size... Watch closely our structural integrity please. Gunner, anything from your angle?''

“Tactical is also picking up a field of decaying chrontions.”

Gunner was about to continue when he picked up another reading.

“Targeting scanners are detecting numerous objects… It is a debris field.”

Gunner worked to make sense of the data.

“Confirmed sir, a debris field. The debris consists of melted alloys with varying decaying energies. Estimated mass or the original object would be over four million tons and approximately twelve meters.”

Kheren's antennae wobbled, his voice wondering.

''Four million tons; that is the mass of a... a capital ship, but.. twelve meters? That is barely more than this shuttle!''

Terix suddenly spun towards him.

''Wait a minute... A compact mass of artificial matter and diverse energies... in a collapsing area of spacetime, like a singularity but... much too small to be readily detected... Captain, that sounds a lot like the debris field of a destroyed Romulan ship!''

He spun back even quicker when the shuttlecraft shook again and systems flickered again to correct the tilt of their axis. Once systems hummed and chirped back to normal, Sabrina worked on her console, frowning.

''Captain,three kilometers directly aft, there is another mass of duranium and tritanium… and a matter-antimatter contained reaction…”

The readings were hazy at best as she focused on identifying whatever she could distinguish.  

“Registering an electro plasma localized pattern… now the hint of a small, localized gravity well, and elements of concentrated organic matter… Sir? Sir, it's... it's gone now.”

Kheren looked at Lyrya, antennae swaying but she shook her head.

''I sense no thought pattern beyond our owns; and my board register no life signs outside of this craft.''

The Andorian looked back at the hulking tactical officer.

''Mister Gunner?''

“Recalibrating sensors now, Sir.”

Sabrina kept her attention fixed on her own, more wide ranging sensors.

“Sir… I am not certain… at six kilometers, bearing directly forward at mark 15...''

 Gunner worked hard to reboot the sensor array after the last shockwave knocked out the tactical sensors.

“I have something, Sir. Not a debris field, Captain. This is stable, a solid mass.” Gunner reported. “A large vessel bearing zero one five, approximately six million kilometers away.”

Kheren went to him as he glanced at the front of the shuttle. His antennae were sharply darting forward, heis eyes unblinking, his voice tense.

'' Yellow alert everyone. Helm, full impulse toward that bearing.''

 Moments later the shuttle was rocked once again as ship-wide systems blinked in response then all went blank. The shuttle was inert, lingering dead in space. Before anyone could react, the systems, including her console sprung back to life. She immediately began recalibrating each system within the console. Within minutes new signals emerged.

 Gunner continued to scan the newly appeared mass when the computer registered a familiar signature.

'' Captain. The vessel is using a Federation energy signature. A cruiser class vessel, and an old one at that.”

Hearing this, her eyes widened as she processed what she saw. She reexamined the fluctuating signals. It didn’t seem possible, but the indications were there.

“Captain… these readings do appear to register as those of a Federation starship at minimal status… except that there is residual decaying chronitons surrounding the outer hull, abundant organic matter within... but... no life signs.”

Sabrina looked bewildered as she processed what she was conveying as she turned to face her commanding officer again.

“Sir, if these readings are accurate… what would an abandoned Federation starship be doing amid an anomaly, or gravity well, a temporal rift or whatever it was caught up in… and what ship could this be?”

The Andorian went back forward and stood right in front of the canopy, lifting his four oculars to the darker mass looming now directly before them. Connected to their sensor suite, the transparency was adjusted by the computer to render the image perceptible to their range of vision, despite the lack of local illumination. Thus, they now stared at a large saucer connected at the end and underneath to the front top of a huge cylinder tappered underside at the end, where two sharply bent struts supported massive nacelles.

Kheren answered the young woman in a voice strained with emotion.

''The stalwart guardian of the Federation.''

Tyvya clutched Lyrya's shoulders with both her huge hands, eyes and antennae also looking out sharply, glistening. But her voice was firm and vibrant.

 ''The sun never saw her like outside of Olympus.''

It was a saying, a motto on a Starfleet vessel's plaque that matched what Lyrya heard in her earpiece, read on her console display. The Aenar's voice too was strained with both bewilderment; and joy.

''Disaster beacon... loud and clear, Sir. Transponder reads... N-C-C... 6-4-1-2-1; USS... Artemis.''

Gunner scanned the ship, a task which was harder than it should have been.

"Captain, I am having a hard time making sense of these tactical scans.''

Kheren kept his eye on the staship as he adressed his tactical officer.

''What is amiss with it?''

"There have no target lock nor active scans of any kind. I am detecting minimal energy outputs. The problem, Sir, is with the rest of what I am seeing. The ship shows minimal damage for what it has been through, and the damage appears negated by armored hull plating which would not be in use for that class. Both sections of nacelles are nullifier designs, Sir; introduced in the first part of the twenty fifth century to nullify damage to subspace caused by warp fields."

Gunner continued his scans and his report.

"She has ten type X phaser strips, also twenty fifth century design, all depleted. Forward and aft torpedo launchers are burst five tubes, also a modern design. I am also detecting numerous explosive decompression bolts between primary and secondary hulls, all still fully charged. If this is the Artemis, Captain, she has had some serious upgrades since she disappeared."

''You describe but part of the upgrades she got when she was assigned to Lotus Fleet. Her spaceframe is still early twenty-fourth century vintage Ambassador class; but everything else is as state of the art as the Alsea, including our own fleet improvements like the Sangliar Impulse Drive, the Syntron Tachyon Sonar, shipwide hologrid for emergency holographic officers and personal inertial dampener belts. This is the Artemis alright; as I hoped from the reports of your little training cruise.''

Tyvya's antennae were swinging wildly.

''Captain; how can this be possible? We left this Artemis in a timeloop.''

A glance from Kheren and Tessa answered her.

''You did Lieutenant; to prevent the Romulans from altering History and from knowing how they failed, so that they would not dare ever try it again. But we just found the Romulan ship; what was left of it, when it got caught here in this remnant of proto-Azimuth Horizon anomaly these former cadets successfully extinguished. Because they got both caught in the spatio-temporal distorsion of this wayward anomaly, the temporal crisis has now resolved itself with the destruction of the D'Dridex; and defying probabilities, this USS Artemis escaped the fate of her prey.''

''Almost...''

That was from Kheren, looking at Lyrya as she opened her sightless eyes and shook her head, antennae drooping.

''Mister Hansen; use the prefix code registered in the fleet's database to revive the Artemis and do alevel 2 diagnostics of all her systems. Mister Gunner, scan tactical systems and report operational status. Ensign Shadowhunt, scan thoroughly for any sign of life. Mister Terix, bring us to the main shuttlebay and remotely open bay doors. We're going in.''

“Aye Sir,” Sabrina noted as she began a series of comprehensive ship-wide scans in search of bio signs.

The graceful saucer of the starship loomed over them as the Romulan swerved the delta flyer behind it, straight at a rectangular aperture at the back.

''Ready to dock as soon as access is allowed,'' he reported from the helm station, eyes on the legendary vessel.

 She looked eerily like the historical representations of the USS Enterprise C, the ship that stopped an ill-advised prelude to invasion by the empire at Khitomer, a century ago. But this close, he could notice the subtle high tech differences in the hull's texture, the shape of the nacelles, the position and number of phaser strips and swiveling, rapid fire torpedo launchers. This was an amazon goddess disguised as an old lady, what as some of the oldest myths of Earth attributed to gods.

This was no museum piece; this was a state-of-the-art active starship.

Lep nodded quietly as the Captain gave orders. Swiftly accessing the database, Hansen then connected to the Artemis' bridge computer and once remote access was accomplished he entered the code. At once the Artemis started powering up from her semi-dormant state. As the status on Hansen's board showed the ship ready for the task, Lep began the level two diagnostic then sat back to await the beginning results.

Several minutes later, Sabrina looked up from her console then swerved her seat toward the commanding officer.

“Captain, sensors have not detected any life forms or bio signatures anywhere throughout the ship.”

Her expression then shifted to one of curiosity.

“Were you expecting someone or something to be present on the vessel?” she inquired.

''Yes, Ensign; my crew... and myself.''

The puzzled, wide-eyed look the Andorian received pushed him to explain further.

''First of, what I am about to reveal to you is classified by the Bureau of Temporal Investigations. But since you are now witnesses to the case, you are allowed some access to what transpired; but under the same classified restrictions and responsibilities and on my responsibility. Do you understand what I am saying to you, Ensigns?''

Once getting their assent, Kheren took a deep breath before resuming, his eyes glued to the ship out there.

''This is the USS Artemis that escaped an altered timeline of the Romulans. Once it was dealt with, pursuing and stopping the time bandits in the twenty-second century, she returned... but missed the mark by several years; coming back before her discovery following the Federation-Cardassian war, stowed away by the Obsidian Order in a secret asteroid base. We hid with our Artemis in a nearby nebula, putting ourselves in stasis until the original Artemis could be found, brought back and restored as History records it... and go again after the Romulans. Once that was underway, we revived and reported ourselves in to the BTI... afterwards to resume our service with our own Artemis; the one that sacrificed herself to tame the Azimuth Horizon anomaly.''

He paused to let the intricacies of time travel sink in, then concluded.

''This Artemis was thus fated to perpetuate a timeloop so that the Romulans would never know how or why their atttempt at changing History failed. But the emergence of the chaotic Azimuth Horizon did what she was ensuring, as it destroyed the time-hopping D'Deridex... leaving this Artemis now free of the Romulan paradox... but, apparently, at the cost of the lives of our original selves.''

Lep took his cue from Kheren's somber statement and entered the command to the Artemis to open her main shuttlebay doors, then informed the bridge.

"Level 2 diagnostic completed on engineering systems. Main computers still under diagnostics. Shuttle bay doors opening now Mr. Terix,"

Lep finished with a glance toward the Romulan who nodded back. 

Sabrina consciously closed her gaping mouth several times as elements of that mission were revealed by the Andorian captain.

“Sir, it has been stated that truth is stranger than fiction, but those convoluted events seem to almost mock that premise!” she proclaimed still striving to wrap her head around what was disclosed. Then a shiver ran down her spine.

“So, there was the possibility, no matter how unlikely, that we would find a full crew of your entire crew… including a duplicate of you and your officers existing on that vessel?”

She gazed with perplexity at the Andorian.

“What would be your course of action if that ship actually contained the full compliment of you and your crew?”

Kheren blinked his silvery eyes.

''Certainly not what we are now undertaking. Mister Terix, take us in.''

Sabrina shot the Andorian a fleeting look of disappointment for the vague response before turning her attention toward the viewscreen.

The delta flyer landed so smoothly on the hangardeck, they didn,t even feel the contact as Terix secured their landing status.

''Do I keep Dawn on standby, Sir?''

''Negative, Ensign; we are taking the ship. Everyone, secure stations. Take any personal or necessary thing you have or need, then fall in.''

So saying, his own duffel bag at his shoulder, Kheren stepped right in front of the hatch, Tyvya and Lyrya behind him at each shoulder, their own baggage in their hands; although Tyvya had a phaser ready at her belt and Lyrya held an activated tricorder.

There was a distinctive fruity scent suddenly permeating the air; the unique sweat odor of Andorians.

As the shuttle's door wooshed open, the Andorian giantess moved out first, with a speed not expected from someone of her size. She lifted a hand to stop all the others from exiting the craft. Beyond her powerful frame, they could see why.

There were bodies strewn accross the deck and against the windows of the control booths. One had even fallen accross a doorsill, his body keeping the door from closing . It's continuous movement eerily suggested a slow, raspy breathing accross the silent, dimly lit starship.

Tyvya stepped back and lowered her antennae towards Gunner.

''Take point, Ensign. I'll bring up the rear.''

The command made perfect sense once she stepped behind everybody. Her impressive size not only covered their rear with all her Andorian senses at the ready, but it allowed her an unobstructed field of fire above the heads of everyone, Gunner included who was himsefl of commanding stature. 

Between them, the full complement of the Delta Flyer moved towards the inner door, Tessa included, as the Artemis had been revamped with a full array of holoemitters throughout the ship, like all Lotus Fleet vessels. The portable computer bank hosting her program was carried by Lyrya, monitoring it in alternance with her tricorder.

''I connected with ship's internal sensors, captain. Regret to report no life signs above except our own.''

Andorian pragmatism quickly took over, as Kheren issued orders.

''Daystrom to main engineering; awaken the lady please. Lyrya to sickbay; see if you can get the EMH online to assist you in clearing all the bodies into stasis pods. Tyvya, go directly inspect weapons systems and complement. The rest, come with me to the bridge.''

They all moved to the nearest turbolift and spreaded on the various decks as they were assigned. When Kheren, Shadowhunt, Hansen, Gunner and Terix stepped on the bridge, they just had time to see the bodies of helmsman Aguk Snow, ops chief Cheonghi, junior officier Danik Brie, chief engineer Montgommery Scott III, counselor Lyrya, science officer Syntron, tactical chief Tyvya, security officer Brad Jackson, exec Michael O'Conner and commanding officer Kheren, lifeless at their posts before vanishing in a haze of transporter beams.

The sober voice of Lyrya came from the speakers.

''Sickbay to bridge; everybody is... accounted for, Captain, including Doctor Castel Aquiel Aguila. EMH is online and proceeding with the... registry and disposal.''

The Andorian only allowed himself a sigh.

''Let us hope we will fare better. Check all stations, people.''

Then Tessa appeared on the bridge.

''Engineering is at full operational status, Captain. According to the engineering log, they were just standing down from red alert when they were caught without warning in what appears to be a massive power surge from some cosmic anomaly; at first report, the Azimuth Horizon Sir, or at least a fraction of it, thrown out through a subspace fracture widened by the temporal loop the ship was under... and the chroniton surge from the destroyed Romulan D'Deridex they were fighting.''

The voice of Lyrya was heard again.

''EMH confirms death by indirect but intense chorniton irradiation, Sir. They were knocked unconscious and never woke up until all bodily functions ceased.''

Kheren sighed again.

''Senior officers, prepare a preliminary report on the demise of the original crew. Junior officers, level 3 diagnostics on all instrumentation.I will be on the poopdeck to review and update ship's log.''

He went straight for the ready room but stopped at the door.

''Let's not waste time, people. Things might be moving fast out there and they will need us.''

Hansen merely nodded an affirmation to Kheren's orders and gingerly made his way toward the engineering console to his left. A console whose recently deceased occupant had just been transported off of. With measured care Lep took the seat and, with a slight hesitation, lightly manipulated the LCARS panel to initiate level 3 diagnostics on the bridge engineering systems.

Terix went to the joined helm and ops station so reminescent of starships of yore and whistled.

''Well this may look like your grandfather's starship, but it's anything else but. Look at this; exactly as the captain said; latest generation geklpack circuitry, modular LCARS with individual settings and genetic encoding access, Sangliar impulse drive controls, Syntron navigation array... and the individual inertial dampeners survival belts! Even the flagship can barely boast better equipement! This old lady has more than just good make-up; she's Lotus Fleet state of the art!''

At their own stations, the others were also finding out that this was not at all the museum piece it appeared to be. It was further confirmed by Tyvya on ship's intercom.

''Tyvya to Gunner; confirming we have fifty-three percent left of the ship's normal complement of transphasic torpedoes. All strips of phaser X are now at forty-seven percent capacity and recharging. Metaphasic shields are at sixty-nine percent and also recharging. Ninety-four percent of hull armor is intact. No visible damage to tactical sensors.''

On board the Artemis, Sabrina Shadowhunt was busily running multiple diagnostics throughout the updated science console. She was still somewhat bewildered yet impressed with the functionality and sophistication of this classic old starship. She had studied its missions and exploits while in the academy, including its sacrifice during what was registered as its final mission.

It was surreal that she was now manning a station at which the renown Vulcan scientist and current captain of the USS Phoenix’s deceased body was recently removed along with the bodies of the other bridge crew members. That in itself was quite creepy and caused her to shutter a few times as the images of their bodies flashed within her mind.

In addition, she had to push aside questions that were infiltrating her thoughts. Why were they now aboard this lost vessel? What was this mission they were preparing for? Too many of these events seemed rather clandestine. Discovering this vessel was no accident. The captain somehow knew that he would find this ship somewhere in the vicinity. What were they going to do once the ship was confirmed as fully operational again?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the science consoles confirming the results of their deep diagnostics. She looked over toward the center seat, but the Andorian captain was gone. She engaged communication to the ready room.

“Science diagnostic complete, Captain. All components registering at operational levels including advanced sensor capacity.”

The deep voice of the Andorian responded with a crisp, cold tone on the bridge's speakers.

''Very good, Ensign. Take a break while your colleagues complete their own tasks. Then, all please join me on the poopdeck. There is much to discuss before we set sails. And we must raise anchor as soon as possible.''

From the diplomatic and medical command chair to the left of the captain's, another state of the art staple of Lotus Fleet the Artemis had been the first ship provided with, Counselor Lyrya turned her wide, black, lightless eyes towards the young woman, antenna curving inward over her thick snowy mane. Her face was typically expressionless, but the amusement in her soft voice was unmistakable.

''Don't mind this funny talk of his. He always was fascinated by Earth's naval History. He owns vintage paper copies of the entire work of Alexander Kent and loves to play Captain Bolitho, Erik the Red or Odysseus on the holodeck. Getting the Artemis back is a very... intense moment for him. And I must confess, for Tyvya and I too.''

Sabrina smiled as the alluring Andorian counselor spoke. The words of Lyra were simultaneously informative and comforting.

“Thank you,” she responded as if in a whisper. She cleared her voice before speaking again.

“Since the captain granted me time for a break, I was wondering where my quarters would be located?”

''Bridge officers' quarters, deck 2; with the rest of us. You will find your name on the doorplate and both door and inner climate system of your rooms keyed to your voice and genetic print. Tyvya and I of course share our husband's quarters, so it will be easy to find us if need arises. If you too want to share quarters with someone else, just says so.''

The Aenear suddenly curved her antennae again in the typical ghelnoid equivalent of a smile. her snowy white cheeks took a hint of pale blue.

''I'm sorry if I embarrassed or offended you, Ensign. We Andorians are a communal species and we have little if any taboos, social or otherwise. I just remembered that Humans value privacy a lot. Please do not see any implication in my remarks.''

She then spoke more firmly, albeit still softly.

''And no, Ensign, I did not read your mind. We Aenar never intrude upon another's thoughts without being invited. It is a code of conduct deeply ingrained for miilenias in us. But I do know how to read body language, voice and facial expressions of many humanoid species, including yours of course.''

Sabrina stood to face the Andorian counselor.

“No offence taken at all!” she affirmed assuredly as her smile grew.

Sabrina then moved in a little closer toward the Andorian as she whispered, “What are you sensing from me, now?”

''Apprehension but excitement, uncertainty but resolve. A deep desire to do and be your best. And a passionate commitment to reason and to the ideals of the Federation and in your role in Starfleet. The hallmarks of a good person and the promise of a great officer.''

Sabrina could feel the tears welling in her eyes as the Andorian counselor spoke. It was as if Lyrya tapped directly into her soul then encapsulated all the mixed thoughts and emotions lurking within. Somehow, Lyrya sorted through all the commotion then verbalized everything in a positive and hopeful way. Sabrina resisted her impulse to hug the counselor and instead bowed her head as she wiped her eyes.

“Thank you Lyrya for those kind and reassuring words.”

Sabrina had more that she wanted to say to the counselor but didn’t know how to say any of it. Instead, she darted toward the turbolift then leaped inside once the doors opened. As they whooshed closed, she felt the tears spill as she issued a command to deck two and it began its minor descent.

In an instant, the doors whooshed opened, and she stepped outside the lift. She followed the line of rooms until she came upon the door with her name embossed on the nameplate. Her fingers ran across the engraved lettering as if confirming that it was real. The door to her quarters suddenly whooshed opened. She gingerly stepped inside.

Her sparse belongings were neatly packed beside her bed. She then noticed several new uniforms hanging near the entrance to the bathroom. She walked towards them then reached over and felt the texture of the pristine fabric. It was as if she was confirming that everything she was experiencing was real. She was aboard the infamous Ambassador-class heavy cruiser USS Artemis. She was serving under one of the most famous captains in the fleet. She was now serving in the role of a key science officer on the bridge of this ship. It was so surreal that she needed to be reminded that this was all truly happening.

Sabrina sat down on the nearby bed and closed her eyes and breathed deeply. She allowed the insightful words of Lyrya to resonate in her thoughts like a mantra until she felt herself more centered and confident.

Moments later, she stood up and began unpacking her belongings. She would use her remaining time to organize her items as she prepared herself for the upcoming briefing within the captain’s ready room. She surmised that at least a hint of what was about to unfold could be revealed. She would need to be calm, confident, and alert throughout that meeting regardless of whatever would be unfurled.

That thought was still on her mind when the deept voice of Khren reverberated throughout the ship.

''All hands, this is the captain; prepare final ship readiness report. Meet me on the poopdeck to dicuss our next course of action in one hour. Captain out.''