Thanks to Robert Bruce Scott for proofreading this.
Stardate 38677.85 (Sep 5, 2361)
U.S.S Edison-Corridor(Deck 2)
Archer excitedly jogged down the ship’s corridor alongside his tired guardian, as the canine smelled out his surroundings and enjoyed the pats on the head given to him from the crew members that passed by. It wasn’t very often that the spunky little canine got to visit a new part of the ship.
He only got to visit the lackluster Botanical Gardens or the scary Sickbay, when not confined to the deck corridor where he and his owner resided. He wondered where she was taking him today. His enthusiasm became more pronounced upon approaching the turbolift.
"Archer, calm down!" Captain Grace McCallister commanded, as the doors swished open, and the two entered the empty turbolift. "Deck 1," she told the computer, and the turbolift started to move.
USS Edison-Main Bridge
The turbolift doors swished open, as Grace picked up Archer and carried him onto the bridge. The canine’s curiosity was now in overdrive as he looked around at all the blinking lights, and the people tapping noisy buttons, while listening to the crew members chatting.
"Morning Captain, and to our little morale booster," Commander Icid Gaihia, the Edison’s First Officer, greeted, as she patted the beagle on the head, much to his delight. He really liked the person with the ridges on their nose.
" Commander," Grace acknowledged back to the Bajorian as she took her place in the command chair. "I noticed the Chief Science Officer is not at his post. He’s not the type to be late for duty." She inquired.
"Lt. Cmdr. Drak was admitted to sickbay last night with a moderate case of Bolian Influenza," Commander Icid responded. Dr. Gehen, the Asst. Chief Medical Officer, says he’s going to recover, but he is going to be off duty for the next couple of days."
" Status report on the strange broadcasts coming from the Delphi system," Captain McCallister ordered, as Yeoman Trena Saperstein handed her a mug of coffee and took Archer to her ready room.
"Captain, long range sensors indicate communications are still being transmitted but are no longer coming from the Delphi System. The location is now unknown, "answered Lt. Tai-Anna, the Asst. Chief Science Officer.
" Lt. Tai-Anna, I want you to calculate all possible trajectories for the object’s next destination using the Delphi system as a point of reference. I hope to have the information in my hands by the time we arrive at Starbase One," she ordered the Vulcan. She was already missing the Bolian’s science officer cheerful personality.
"Already feeding the data into the computer, Captain."
"Very well, Lieutenant. Chief, what’s the current ETA to Starbase One?"
"Captain, at our current speed, the Edison was expected to arrive at Starbase One in approximately 24 hours," reported Chief James Fogerty, the Edison’s Chief of Boat, who is temporarily filling in for Lt. Cmdr. Adora Glenn, the Chief Conn Officer.
"Thank you, Chief," Grace replied as she turned her attention to Commander Icid. "Lt. Cmdr. Glenn still feeling under the weather, Commander?" She sipped her coffee.
"Yes, Captain," Icid replied. "The CMO has further limited her duties, meaning no strenuous action of any kind until the child that she carries comes to full term." She stated
The Captain just sighed; she could sympathize with what her Chief Conn Officer was dealing with from being pregnant, but that would leave the Edison Flight Team understaffed. She doesn’t want to add any additional responsibilities to the Chief of Boat's already busy schedule. The flight team had been doing their part as well, pulling double shifts at the Conn.
"Ensign Zh’Nann, report on the operational status of the Edison." Grace smiled encouragingly at the nervous female Ktarian, who’s working her first Alpha Shift at the operation’s station.
The young ensign took a deep breath before speaking, "Captain, all es-es-essential systems are op-op-operational and functioning within normal pa-pa-parameters. Chief Engineer Blix had reported the holodecks were still offline from the Edison’s previous skirmish with the Ca-Ca-Cardassians. He also reported that any remaining repairs would have to be completed at the starbase. Sorry about the stumbling of my words, Captain. "
"Thank you, Ensign, for your report, and I think you did just fine." Grace beamed.
"Thank you, Captain."
"And lastly, Mr. Thess, I hope Edison’s security department had a peaceful night."
"Captain, permission to speak with you privately in your ready room. There’s an urgent matter that needs your attention," the Andorian Chief of Security requested.
Grace just sighed. "Granted; Commander Icid, the bridge is yours," Grace said. She rose from the captain’s chair and motioned for Lt. Cmdr. Thess to follow her to the ready room.
USS Edison-Captain’s Ready Room
Archer looked up from the bed he laid on as he watched his guardian and the pale person with the things poking out of their head entered the room.
"Please take a seat, Mr. Thess," Grace offered as she sat down at her desk.
"Thank you, Captain," the Andorian responded. He pulled up a chair and sat down.
"So something happened last night, Commander?" Grace questioned.
"Yes, Captain, there was a drunken brawl in the mess hall late last night, involving two crew members."
"Let me guess, Lt. Robert Graves from engineering and Lt. Eric Friestadt from operations both had too much to drink again?" Grace frowned.
"You’re correct about Lt. Friestadt having too much to drink, but the other crewmember that had too much to drink this time around was Petty Officer Falco, the shuttle pilot."
"So, any idea who instigated the drunken brawl?"
"Captain, according to Saria Lefleur, the bartender who witnessed the incident. Both Lt. Friestadt and Petty Officer Falco at first kept to themselves, not bothering anyone. It was after both crewmen became intoxicated that the trouble started. A drunken Lt. Friestadt began to unexpectedly demean Falco’s Avaionan heritage,
Falco took offense to Lt. Friestadt’s choice of words and proceeded to literally claw and peck at Lt. Friestadt’s face. It required several security guards to break up the fight. As of this moment, Friestadt is currently recovering in sickbay while Falco is being held in confinement in the ship’s brig," Lt. Cmdr. Thess, answered.
Captain McCallister cringed, knowing the Avaionans take pride in their heritage and they had short tempers towards those who deliberately disparage it.
" Mr. Thess, I’m wanting a complete investigation to be conducted about this incident. I’m demanding statements from anyone else who witnessed the fight. I’m expecting both Lt. Cmdr. Frestradt and Petty Officer Falco to be sobered up and questioned about what exactly happened and why,
"Both crewmen are being ordered to undergo physiological testing once we arrive at Starbase One. Lt. Frestradt would be held in confinement, once he’s cleared to leave sickbay. A security guard would be assigned to keep watch over him until then,
"Punishments would be decided pending the results of the physiological testing and the outcome of the investigation. Security guards are to be in the mess hall and ship lounge areas at all times, until further notice."
"I would carry out your orders at once." Lt. Cmdr. Thess stood up.
"You’re dismissed, Commander."
Lt. Cmdr. Thess nodded and exited the ready room.
"Archer, it seemed like today was going to be one of those days. With an overworked crew, a crewman in the brig, two officers in sickbay, one pregnant officer confined to limited duty, and her daughter joining the crew," Captain McCallister said to him. She just hoped things would improve once the new ship’s counselor had came aboard, as she poured herself a glass of Centaurian cola and quickly gulped it down.
To Be Continued
A/N:The Avaionan’s are a humanoid bird like species with feathery like hair, claw like hands and feet, a beak shaped face, and eye sight of an eagle.
