Here is the continuation of the Silverfin's missions, following the discovery of the Cairo. I hope you all enjoy it.
Also a quick question, does anyone know how to write a good Texan accent? I've tried it here, but not sure how successful it is (I apologise if it offends any Texan readers out there).
Now on with the show...
Chapter One
The Bazaar, Star Station Freedom
Stardate: 55069.6 (January 26th, 2378)
The Bazaar was bustling with activity. Captain Susanna Leijten moved between the various kiosks and stalls, where the vendors and merchants were selling various trinkets from all across the sector and beyond.
The crew of the U.S.S. Silverfin were enjoying a few days downtime on Star Station Freedom, after towing in the starship Cairo, a mysterious ghost ship they had stumbled across, four years and dozens of light-years away from where it had vanished. The Cairo was now under the supervision of the Starfleet Corps of Engineer, who now had the job of deciphering the mystery of the Excelsior-Class ship. Seeing as how they had returned to base prematurely, they had taken the chance to load on new supplies, as well as upgrading their environmental systems—something that Lieutenant th’Shaan had reported would need to be overhauled for the last two months.
The work had taken three days, and with it now completed, the Silverfin was going through systems checks and diagnostics. Leijten had remained onboard for the majority of the work, and with the ship due to launch in just over four hours, she had taken a few hours of personal time to snoop around the Bazaar. Part of the reason was to look for a bargain or two, or maybe some fresh tea, or a real paperbound book to enjoy, but on the most part it was to help her try and forget what had happened to Kolanis Daezan—her Betazoid Ops officer who had had a ‘telepathic episode’ onboard the Cairo and had then been sedated and transported back to Betazed for treatment, with Doctor Mbeki going along with him to assist.
The temporary replacements for Daezan and Mbeki were due to report in at 1200 hours, so she had an hour and a half to herself to take in the shops and stalls. Mysterious, exotic, spicy and sweet smells filled her nostrils and made her stomach growl—the bowl of muesli she’d had that morning hadn’t done the job of filling her up until lunch.
She was contemplating getting some of the freshly made foodstuffs to take back to the Silverfin with her, when her combadge chirped. Tapping it she said, “Leijten here. Go ahead.”
“Captain,” came the booming voice of her XO, Commander Amorin, “we have just received a message from the Squadron Quartermaster’s Office. Apparently there is an issue with some of the supplies we requested, and he’ll only speak to you.”
Sighing, knowing that having a morning to herself would be too much to ask for, she said to Amorin, “Understood Commander. I’ll head over there now. It shouldn’t take too long, but if I’m not back before high noon, send out the search parties.”
“Consider it done sir. Silverfin out.”
Leijten chuckled to herself. Amorin often came off as quite stoic and reserved, but that was only to those that didn’t know him well. He had a quick wit and a belly laugh that could almost shake a room. Before she headed off to the Squadron Quartermaster’s Office, she stopped off at a small food cart that had among its many tasty treats, Bajoran jumja sticks. She took one and then headed for the nearest turbolift, nibbling on the almost-too-sweet confectionary as she walked, hoping that she could clear up the problem quickly and enjoy the rest of her morning—but knowing how pedantic and particular some QM’s could be, she didn’t hold out much hope.
***
Ward Room, U.S.S. Silverfin NCC-4470
Docking Berth 7, Star Station Freedom
Harriet Llewellyn-Smyth, better known to her shipmates as English Rose, sat in the ward room enjoying a cup of camomile tea. With the ship in dock, Alpha Shift was on standby, meaning that the crew didn’t need to be at their posts until it was time to depart, but they had to remain aboard ship, and she had opted to pass the time by doing anything but think about Kolanis—
Lieutenant Commander Daezan, a sharp voice quickly corrected, and she could feel her cheeks redden. He had left the ship before they had even docked at Star Station Freedom, heading back to Betazed with Doctor Mbeki, where he would hopefully get whatever treatment he needed and then return to the Silverfin.
She shook her head, trying to clear it of her concern for Daezan, or her memory of his dark eyes that seemed to look straight into your heart, or his broad shoulders and slim waist, or his nice arms.
“Stop it Harriet!” she ordered herself, unaware that she’d spoken aloud.
“Stop what Lieutenant?” came an uncertain voice from the entrance.
Her head snapped upward and she saw Ensign Jose Tyler the Fifth standing in the open doorway of the ward room. Quickly composing herself she gave him a level stare. “Nothing Ensign.”
The new Tactical Officer didn’t look convinced at her brushing off the stray thought, but he didn’t pursue it (if a superior officer didn’t want to discuss something, they you didn’t discuss it). He had been onboard for only a few weeks, and in all that time she hadn’t seen him in the ward room before, except for staff meetings.
“Would you care to join me?” she asked.
The baby-faced young officer stepped over to the replicator and ordered a Bolian tonic water, and then sat opposite her at the long mahogany table, looking a little stiff and straight. There was a moment of uncomfortable silence, and Llewellyn-Smyth moved quickly to fill it.
“So how are you adjusting to life in the Border Service?”
“Fine thank you sir.”
“It’s not like they teach at the Academy.”
“No sir it’s not.”
“But very rewarding though.”
“Yes sir.”
“Okay, stop that now!” she told him sternly, fighting the urge to wag a finger at him as well.
“Sir?”
“That Mr Tyler. We’re alone in here, you don’t have to call me ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am’ or ‘Lieutenant’. My name is Harriet or Rose if you fancy. It’s a little difficult to have a conversation with someone who is being so formal.”
“I’m sorry sir…eh, Harriet,” he amended, looking more uncomfortable than before. “It’s just that this ship isn’t like any of my training cruises. There’s a lot to take in and adapt to.”
She gave him a warm smile. “The Academy doesn’t prepare you for life on a cutter. I remember a lecture Commander Weinstein gave on protocols and procedures, if which he spent half the time criticising the Border Service, for their lack or proper decorum in such matters. As soon as the class was over, I went to the library and started reading up on everything I could find on the Border Service. I guess you could say that I have him to thank for my being here.”
Tyler smiled softly. “I think I got the same lecture.”
They chuckled as they compared notes on the class, and found that Weinstein was almost word for word perfect, despite the six years that separated them. They then moved onto other courses they had taken, instructors they had in common, and how all of the theory they had learnt at the Academy really didn’t prepare anyone for the realities of space. It was the most she had heard the young ensign say at one time, but still the young man didn’t seem to relax. She found it odd that someone so young seemed to be wound so tightly, even his predecessor, Lieutenant Commander Ling-Na, knew when to let her hair down. No one onboard would ever forget their stop over at Star Station Destiny eight months before the war started, when the diminutive Ling-Na had faced off against two Nausicaan enforcers who had teamed up against a frail old shop owner—she was the only one left standing by the end of the fight.
Before she could probe further her combadge chirped. “Ch’Tholin to Llewellyn-Smyth.”
“Go ahead Petty Officer,” she replied to the Andorian shuttle control specialist.
“Any chance you could come down here for a minute sir, I’ve having a bit of trouble with Stallion Two’s nav-computer.”
“Understood ch’Tholin, I’m on my way. Llewellyn-Smyth out,” she closed the channel and stood up, Tyler did so too. “Duty calls, I’ll see you back on bridge if not sooner Jose.”
“I’d better be getting back to my station now,” he quickly said, before returning his glass to the replicator and leaving the ward room.
He’s an odd one alright, she mused to herself, as she put her teacup and saucer back into the replicator as well, and then headed for the hanger deck.
***
Squadron Quartermaster’s Office, Cargo Operations Centre
Star Station Freedom
Leijten quickly moved through the Cargo Ops Centre, always a busy place on any station, seeing as how they had strict schedules to keep with all the ships coming and going, and numerous cargo containers being loaded and offloaded, as well as customs spot-checks and security sweep run on every barrel and box and bag that came through. The crew paid no attention to her as she moved to the QM’s office, which was just off of Cargo Ops. She stepped inside and the doors closed behind her shutting out the noise of a dozen people talking at once, whilst controls chirped and beeped.
She had had a few dealings with the Squadron Quartermaster before, a Zakdorn called Gornak, who thrived on making officers jump through hoops. He loved his paperwork and always made sure that everything was filled out properly, or you’d have to start from scratch. After the first and only time that had happened, she had made sure that everything was filled out properly, and had the Silverfin’s administrations assistant, PO Illan Edris, triple check everything before it was submitted—and it was a rare occasion when the young Trill made a mistake.
Senior Chief Gornak was nowhere to be seen. Great! Is this a new method of showing us officer’s whose in charge down here? He could have been in the small private head or the secure storage room that were accessed through doors at the back of the room.
“Hello?” she called. “It’s Captain Leijten of the Silverfin. I was told there was a problem with our supply request. Gornak?”
“If yer lookin’ for ol’ Gornak, yer gonna be waitin’ a while,” said a deep Texan voice from behind her. Though she immediately recognised it, she couldn’t quite believe it.
Turning slowly back towards the door she had come through, her jaw almost hit the floor when she saw the tall, broad-shouldered man, his eyes were their usual sky blue, his face had a few more lines on it, but still chiselled and handsome and well-tanned as always, his buzz cut hair was now almost completely silver, and his easy smile grew wider at her reaction.
“Mornin’ ma’am, or do you prefer Cap’n?” Henry ‘Hank’ Mitchell asked. She just stayed rooted to the spot and stared at him. “Yer gonna be talkin’ anytime soon?”
“Oh my god!” she said breathlessly. “What they hell are you doing here?”
“Good to see you too Suz.”
She blushed at her rudeness. “I’m sorry Hank, it’s just you’re the last person I expected to see here.”
“Ah’ll try not take that personal,” he said, his lopsided grin showing that he held no ill will against her. “It’s good to see yer again though Suz. Been too long.”
“Ten years since you left Charon to go back home. How is the ranch?”
He moved further into his office and sat in the chair behind the large computer terminal, he gestured to the empty seat opposite. Leijten expected him to put his feet up on the console, and see his wearing cowboy boots. He didn’t though, and she found herself to be a little disappointed.
“Runnin’ smooth. When the war began, ah signed back up—do my duty, y’know. After it ended, an Starfleet rescinded the stop/loss order, ah decided to hang on for a bit longer. Made Senior Chief two year ago. Ah heard you made Cap’n, congratulations.”
“Thanks Hank. Didn’t feel like much to celebrate at the time, but I’ve gotten comfortable in the job now.”
“Ah always knew you would make a helluva CO.”
“Speaking of jobs and duties, I take it that there isn’t any problem with our requisition request. And that all this palaver was just to get me down here,” she stated, knowing the answer before he opened his mouth.
He chuckled softly and held up his hands in a surrendering gesture. “Have mercy ma’am. If ah called you down here, ah’d never have gotten to see the look on yer face.”
She laughed too. “I’d probably have done the same to you if given the chance.” She glanced at the chronometer. It was getting closer to noon—thanks to a breakdown in the turbolift network she’d had to use ladders and Jefferies tubes for half the trip down to Cargo Ops. “I wish I could stay and catch up, but I have to get back to the Silverfin and see to a few things before we depart.”
“Yer don’t depart until sixteen hundred, surely there’d be time for chow and some catchin’ up?”
Looking into his sparking eyes, she found they had the same effect on her as they always had, she just couldn’t say no to the man. “A quick bite and you’d better behave.”
“Ah’ll be a perfect gentleman.”
“I’ve heard that one before Hank,” she retorted, smiling at the fond memories of the two of them intertwined, sweating, laughing and more than satisfied. “When and where?”
“Say fourteen-thirty at the Bazaar? Ah know a nice Bolian place we can try.”
“I’ll see you there Hank.” She rose to leave, and he stood as well. His easy smile still spread across his face, and his eyes shone with the promise of mischief.
Before the doors parted, he stopped her. “Suz.” She looked back at him. “It’s real good to see yer again.”
“You too cowboy,” she said with a wide smile, and then headed out his office and back towards the Silverfin, her heart pounding in her chest, and feeling more than a little giddy.
***
Also a quick question, does anyone know how to write a good Texan accent? I've tried it here, but not sure how successful it is (I apologise if it offends any Texan readers out there).
Now on with the show...
Chapter One
The Bazaar, Star Station Freedom
Stardate: 55069.6 (January 26th, 2378)
The Bazaar was bustling with activity. Captain Susanna Leijten moved between the various kiosks and stalls, where the vendors and merchants were selling various trinkets from all across the sector and beyond.
The crew of the U.S.S. Silverfin were enjoying a few days downtime on Star Station Freedom, after towing in the starship Cairo, a mysterious ghost ship they had stumbled across, four years and dozens of light-years away from where it had vanished. The Cairo was now under the supervision of the Starfleet Corps of Engineer, who now had the job of deciphering the mystery of the Excelsior-Class ship. Seeing as how they had returned to base prematurely, they had taken the chance to load on new supplies, as well as upgrading their environmental systems—something that Lieutenant th’Shaan had reported would need to be overhauled for the last two months.
The work had taken three days, and with it now completed, the Silverfin was going through systems checks and diagnostics. Leijten had remained onboard for the majority of the work, and with the ship due to launch in just over four hours, she had taken a few hours of personal time to snoop around the Bazaar. Part of the reason was to look for a bargain or two, or maybe some fresh tea, or a real paperbound book to enjoy, but on the most part it was to help her try and forget what had happened to Kolanis Daezan—her Betazoid Ops officer who had had a ‘telepathic episode’ onboard the Cairo and had then been sedated and transported back to Betazed for treatment, with Doctor Mbeki going along with him to assist.
The temporary replacements for Daezan and Mbeki were due to report in at 1200 hours, so she had an hour and a half to herself to take in the shops and stalls. Mysterious, exotic, spicy and sweet smells filled her nostrils and made her stomach growl—the bowl of muesli she’d had that morning hadn’t done the job of filling her up until lunch.
She was contemplating getting some of the freshly made foodstuffs to take back to the Silverfin with her, when her combadge chirped. Tapping it she said, “Leijten here. Go ahead.”
“Captain,” came the booming voice of her XO, Commander Amorin, “we have just received a message from the Squadron Quartermaster’s Office. Apparently there is an issue with some of the supplies we requested, and he’ll only speak to you.”
Sighing, knowing that having a morning to herself would be too much to ask for, she said to Amorin, “Understood Commander. I’ll head over there now. It shouldn’t take too long, but if I’m not back before high noon, send out the search parties.”
“Consider it done sir. Silverfin out.”
Leijten chuckled to herself. Amorin often came off as quite stoic and reserved, but that was only to those that didn’t know him well. He had a quick wit and a belly laugh that could almost shake a room. Before she headed off to the Squadron Quartermaster’s Office, she stopped off at a small food cart that had among its many tasty treats, Bajoran jumja sticks. She took one and then headed for the nearest turbolift, nibbling on the almost-too-sweet confectionary as she walked, hoping that she could clear up the problem quickly and enjoy the rest of her morning—but knowing how pedantic and particular some QM’s could be, she didn’t hold out much hope.
***
Ward Room, U.S.S. Silverfin NCC-4470
Docking Berth 7, Star Station Freedom
Harriet Llewellyn-Smyth, better known to her shipmates as English Rose, sat in the ward room enjoying a cup of camomile tea. With the ship in dock, Alpha Shift was on standby, meaning that the crew didn’t need to be at their posts until it was time to depart, but they had to remain aboard ship, and she had opted to pass the time by doing anything but think about Kolanis—
Lieutenant Commander Daezan, a sharp voice quickly corrected, and she could feel her cheeks redden. He had left the ship before they had even docked at Star Station Freedom, heading back to Betazed with Doctor Mbeki, where he would hopefully get whatever treatment he needed and then return to the Silverfin.
She shook her head, trying to clear it of her concern for Daezan, or her memory of his dark eyes that seemed to look straight into your heart, or his broad shoulders and slim waist, or his nice arms.
“Stop it Harriet!” she ordered herself, unaware that she’d spoken aloud.
“Stop what Lieutenant?” came an uncertain voice from the entrance.
Her head snapped upward and she saw Ensign Jose Tyler the Fifth standing in the open doorway of the ward room. Quickly composing herself she gave him a level stare. “Nothing Ensign.”
The new Tactical Officer didn’t look convinced at her brushing off the stray thought, but he didn’t pursue it (if a superior officer didn’t want to discuss something, they you didn’t discuss it). He had been onboard for only a few weeks, and in all that time she hadn’t seen him in the ward room before, except for staff meetings.
“Would you care to join me?” she asked.
The baby-faced young officer stepped over to the replicator and ordered a Bolian tonic water, and then sat opposite her at the long mahogany table, looking a little stiff and straight. There was a moment of uncomfortable silence, and Llewellyn-Smyth moved quickly to fill it.
“So how are you adjusting to life in the Border Service?”
“Fine thank you sir.”
“It’s not like they teach at the Academy.”
“No sir it’s not.”
“But very rewarding though.”
“Yes sir.”
“Okay, stop that now!” she told him sternly, fighting the urge to wag a finger at him as well.
“Sir?”
“That Mr Tyler. We’re alone in here, you don’t have to call me ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am’ or ‘Lieutenant’. My name is Harriet or Rose if you fancy. It’s a little difficult to have a conversation with someone who is being so formal.”
“I’m sorry sir…eh, Harriet,” he amended, looking more uncomfortable than before. “It’s just that this ship isn’t like any of my training cruises. There’s a lot to take in and adapt to.”
She gave him a warm smile. “The Academy doesn’t prepare you for life on a cutter. I remember a lecture Commander Weinstein gave on protocols and procedures, if which he spent half the time criticising the Border Service, for their lack or proper decorum in such matters. As soon as the class was over, I went to the library and started reading up on everything I could find on the Border Service. I guess you could say that I have him to thank for my being here.”
Tyler smiled softly. “I think I got the same lecture.”
They chuckled as they compared notes on the class, and found that Weinstein was almost word for word perfect, despite the six years that separated them. They then moved onto other courses they had taken, instructors they had in common, and how all of the theory they had learnt at the Academy really didn’t prepare anyone for the realities of space. It was the most she had heard the young ensign say at one time, but still the young man didn’t seem to relax. She found it odd that someone so young seemed to be wound so tightly, even his predecessor, Lieutenant Commander Ling-Na, knew when to let her hair down. No one onboard would ever forget their stop over at Star Station Destiny eight months before the war started, when the diminutive Ling-Na had faced off against two Nausicaan enforcers who had teamed up against a frail old shop owner—she was the only one left standing by the end of the fight.
Before she could probe further her combadge chirped. “Ch’Tholin to Llewellyn-Smyth.”
“Go ahead Petty Officer,” she replied to the Andorian shuttle control specialist.
“Any chance you could come down here for a minute sir, I’ve having a bit of trouble with Stallion Two’s nav-computer.”
“Understood ch’Tholin, I’m on my way. Llewellyn-Smyth out,” she closed the channel and stood up, Tyler did so too. “Duty calls, I’ll see you back on bridge if not sooner Jose.”
“I’d better be getting back to my station now,” he quickly said, before returning his glass to the replicator and leaving the ward room.
He’s an odd one alright, she mused to herself, as she put her teacup and saucer back into the replicator as well, and then headed for the hanger deck.
***
Squadron Quartermaster’s Office, Cargo Operations Centre
Star Station Freedom
Leijten quickly moved through the Cargo Ops Centre, always a busy place on any station, seeing as how they had strict schedules to keep with all the ships coming and going, and numerous cargo containers being loaded and offloaded, as well as customs spot-checks and security sweep run on every barrel and box and bag that came through. The crew paid no attention to her as she moved to the QM’s office, which was just off of Cargo Ops. She stepped inside and the doors closed behind her shutting out the noise of a dozen people talking at once, whilst controls chirped and beeped.
She had had a few dealings with the Squadron Quartermaster before, a Zakdorn called Gornak, who thrived on making officers jump through hoops. He loved his paperwork and always made sure that everything was filled out properly, or you’d have to start from scratch. After the first and only time that had happened, she had made sure that everything was filled out properly, and had the Silverfin’s administrations assistant, PO Illan Edris, triple check everything before it was submitted—and it was a rare occasion when the young Trill made a mistake.
Senior Chief Gornak was nowhere to be seen. Great! Is this a new method of showing us officer’s whose in charge down here? He could have been in the small private head or the secure storage room that were accessed through doors at the back of the room.
“Hello?” she called. “It’s Captain Leijten of the Silverfin. I was told there was a problem with our supply request. Gornak?”
“If yer lookin’ for ol’ Gornak, yer gonna be waitin’ a while,” said a deep Texan voice from behind her. Though she immediately recognised it, she couldn’t quite believe it.
Turning slowly back towards the door she had come through, her jaw almost hit the floor when she saw the tall, broad-shouldered man, his eyes were their usual sky blue, his face had a few more lines on it, but still chiselled and handsome and well-tanned as always, his buzz cut hair was now almost completely silver, and his easy smile grew wider at her reaction.
“Mornin’ ma’am, or do you prefer Cap’n?” Henry ‘Hank’ Mitchell asked. She just stayed rooted to the spot and stared at him. “Yer gonna be talkin’ anytime soon?”
“Oh my god!” she said breathlessly. “What they hell are you doing here?”
“Good to see you too Suz.”
She blushed at her rudeness. “I’m sorry Hank, it’s just you’re the last person I expected to see here.”
“Ah’ll try not take that personal,” he said, his lopsided grin showing that he held no ill will against her. “It’s good to see yer again though Suz. Been too long.”
“Ten years since you left Charon to go back home. How is the ranch?”
He moved further into his office and sat in the chair behind the large computer terminal, he gestured to the empty seat opposite. Leijten expected him to put his feet up on the console, and see his wearing cowboy boots. He didn’t though, and she found herself to be a little disappointed.
“Runnin’ smooth. When the war began, ah signed back up—do my duty, y’know. After it ended, an Starfleet rescinded the stop/loss order, ah decided to hang on for a bit longer. Made Senior Chief two year ago. Ah heard you made Cap’n, congratulations.”
“Thanks Hank. Didn’t feel like much to celebrate at the time, but I’ve gotten comfortable in the job now.”
“Ah always knew you would make a helluva CO.”
“Speaking of jobs and duties, I take it that there isn’t any problem with our requisition request. And that all this palaver was just to get me down here,” she stated, knowing the answer before he opened his mouth.
He chuckled softly and held up his hands in a surrendering gesture. “Have mercy ma’am. If ah called you down here, ah’d never have gotten to see the look on yer face.”
She laughed too. “I’d probably have done the same to you if given the chance.” She glanced at the chronometer. It was getting closer to noon—thanks to a breakdown in the turbolift network she’d had to use ladders and Jefferies tubes for half the trip down to Cargo Ops. “I wish I could stay and catch up, but I have to get back to the Silverfin and see to a few things before we depart.”
“Yer don’t depart until sixteen hundred, surely there’d be time for chow and some catchin’ up?”
Looking into his sparking eyes, she found they had the same effect on her as they always had, she just couldn’t say no to the man. “A quick bite and you’d better behave.”
“Ah’ll be a perfect gentleman.”
“I’ve heard that one before Hank,” she retorted, smiling at the fond memories of the two of them intertwined, sweating, laughing and more than satisfied. “When and where?”
“Say fourteen-thirty at the Bazaar? Ah know a nice Bolian place we can try.”
“I’ll see you there Hank.” She rose to leave, and he stood as well. His easy smile still spread across his face, and his eyes shone with the promise of mischief.
Before the doors parted, he stopped her. “Suz.” She looked back at him. “It’s real good to see yer again.”
“You too cowboy,” she said with a wide smile, and then headed out his office and back towards the Silverfin, her heart pounding in her chest, and feeling more than a little giddy.
***
). The "yer" was a bit jarring, but then it sounds a bit like John Wayne, so that's probably a good thing. 
