Third Star to the right & Straight on til Morning

[Vice Admiral Lara Rell]

Lara enjoyed her final moments of down time and the private lunch that Mack provided. But once she'd finished and reviewed her mission brief one last time she stood, smiled at her Yeoman and proceeded onto the bridge.

A smile lit her face as she heard an unidentified voice "Nike, this is Zelus -- We're away."

Her tiny companion circled the bigger sister and took off in a trail of rainbow light. "Good sailing Captain Hunt." she wished as they disappeared.

The bridge bustled with preparations for the upcoming launch and as she walked toward her chair said to the communications officer. "Give me intra-ship." then paused a moment as she sat in her command chair.

"All hands, this is the Captain. Prepare to get underway. We will be leaving space dock in one hour."

Then she smiled and issued a personal invitation. "Captain Kavanaugh, please feel free to join me on the bridge."

"Duty officer please summon bridge officers to their stations."

Soon people were arriving on the bridge and activity redoubled. Soon her crew would understand that when she gave a time frame she followed it.

She tapped her personal Com "Captain to Lt. Monroe, Counselor, please join us on the bridge for the launch. Rell out"

She stared at the place the Zelus had disappeared. "Soon little brother." she said to herself.

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[Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Munroe]

Having spent the past few hours seeing to a few of his appointments and sending some personal messages to his own family, Joe was currently enjoying a few minutes of peace in his own personal space when the captain's message came over the comm. Finally, the time had come, he thought with a smile. Then, moments later a personal message arrived for him, requesting his presence on the bridge. Joe was thrilled. He still hadn't quite figured out Rell's preferences for counselors on the bridge or not, but the current message seemed to indicate that that was an open and expected place for him to be.

Tapping off his computer system and making sure all his appointments were re-scheduled for a more convenient time, Joe left his office and made his way to the nearest turbolift. The corridors themselves seemed abuzz with activity as the crew prepared for this exciting moment. Their new adventures together as the Nike's crew were about to begin. He could sense their anticipation as he moved among them. Nothing like a change of scenery to give new life to so many, he mused as the doors to the lift shut behind him.

"Bridge," he stated and was soon whisked to his destination.

"Captain," he greeted her as he emerged from the lift. If the corridors were bustling, the bridge had an almost undercurrent buzzing through the air. People were moving to their places, fingers were tapping away at consoles. The Nike was alive and ready to tackle the unknown space before her.

"Thank you for your message, ma'am. I'm pleased to know you would like to have me on the bridge." Joe slid into a vacant seat slightly away from the main command chairs, which were reserved for the higher ranking officers onboard - officers like Lara, Vlad and even the other captain Joe had heard had joined them.

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[Lt. Commander Tricia McAdams]

She entered the bridge quietly and moved to the Security console, She looked around and shook her head then simply went to work. She brought the console to life and check in with all the various offices made sure she knew where all her people were located in the ship.

She also ran a check on the marines and added them to her display as well in another overlay. She brought up a tactical overlay with easy access to all sections of the ship.

Finally she looked around and saw Joe on the lower level speaking to the captain. Her solumn expression was softened with a half smile. She was glad to have him as a friend. At least that is what she thought he was after he'd helped her so much the other day.

She turned back to her console as her thoughts turned to Vhatter. He's watched over her last night with almost no explaniation at all and not only that. Fixed her more than one meal.

She was beginning to like this ship, or at least the people aboard her.and now... they were off on a mission together.

She smiled as she tapped away at her keys bringing up a tactical readout.

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[theresa]

"Hello ever'yone!" The greeting was offered with some facade of professionalism and a great deal of soothing cheer as Terry stepped onto the bridge, having passed on work to one of her ensigns. Tall, slender, and youthful, she somehow managed to exude an air of control and command. It hardly rivaled the mere presence of Rell, as the captain, but she made an entrance. Other tasks set aside, she was living in the current moment, enthralled with the idea of the launch. It was a pinnacle event.

Presence known, and a couple of respectful smiles passed towards a medical officer sitting to the side, the captain, and the security officer at her station, she strode forward and slipped into her part at the front. She wouldn't always hold that place at the left of the front, since she would have other things to do, but it was her throne for the time being, her throne that she took without the slightest bit of regality.

Tapping on the screen, Terry started the necessary checks, gathering information. In truth, she already knew the information that ran across the screen. She'd made sure that everything was working before it actually got to the launch shift. Still, she read over it again, eyes move quickly. Things could always change, and she was caught up in the excitement easily. New station. New position. New assignment. New launch. She perched on her seat in a settled manner, but she still exuded an almost childish energy. Almost. Her features weren't quite that young, and they managed to hold some sharpness from dedication. It would just take her a few moments to be able and ready to report to the captain.

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[Special Envoy Bryson Kavanaugh]

Entering the bridge with a smile on his face, Brice took in a deep breath. It felt good. Standing here, even though it wasn't his place anymore, for a brief shining moment, he could feel himself as though he were at home here on this galaxy bridge once more.

Moving down to the front, he nodded and approached Lara, "Lara," he said quietly, "thank you for the invitation. There is no better place to be for a launch than on the bridge." With a slight inclination of his head, Brice moved off to the side, leaving the seat beside her empty for the first officer. Brice was here as a guest, here to watch, observe and enjoy the moment, not command. It was an interesting position for him to be in, one he was not quite comfortable with quite yet.

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[xCommander Vladik Fedorov]

He couldn't seem to fight the feeling that had settled into his bones since the meeting earlier. Things were going along fine. Crews were meshing together properly and people were beginning to form the early bonds of friendship. However... He rubbed his arms as he stood in the turbolift. Goosebumps. A chill hung in the air around him and he couldn't shake it. His mother used to laugh at him when he said he knew something bad was going to happen, but she quickly learned that his instincts were usually correct. She had taken him to the Temple on Bajor, blaming his birth in the anomaly. It just strengthened their opinion that he was a Child of the Prophets. She argued that he was her child, which made them just smile and shake their heads.

"Prophets or not," Vlad said quietly, "something wicked this way comes."

Stepping onto the bridge, he immediately saw his empty chair and Brice standing off to the side. He was unsure what protocol had to say about this little wrench in the works.

"Captain," he said to Brice, then gestured to his chair.

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[Special Envoy Bryson Kavanaugh]

Brice remained off to the side, shaking his head as Vlad offered his chair.

"No, my friend. This is your moment. I remember those days myself and I would not wish to take this moment from you." Brice indicated that Vlad should take his designated spot. Brice, meanwhile, moved off to the third chair, nearest to the counselor who was sitting in the special jump seat to witness this event as well.

As he settled into the cushioned seat, Brice ran his hands along the new leather. Feeling the seat conform to his back, Brice couldn't help the slight sigh. This chair felt so much more 'right' than the one he had been sitting in behind a desk at command. One day, soon perhaps, he'd find himself sitting in a captain's chair of his own again. That was if command didn't decide to keep him working for them. Not that a life back on Earth with Kathleen and Alex wasn't heavenly, but he would surely miss the thrill of soaring through the stars to points unknown.

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[Lieutenant JG Fau'cheth]

Fau'cheth hurried onto the bridge to see the Helm empty. She rolled her eyes, there was no way out of it, she didn't know where Lieutenant Star was but he certainly wasn't here.

She shook her mane back and her tail whipped as she paced to her station and took her seat. She nodded to the Lt. Commander at the ops station. "Ma'am" she said and proceed to activate all her systems.

She could see Lieutenant McAdams at the securty station had already handled the tactical startup. She verified the status of the engines both impulse and warp. Her course was plotted and ready to take them on a least time course to Evadne. About a two week voyage almost directly to the galactic east of Sol system.

She took a deep breath and in her soft purring tones reported "Helm ready Captain."

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[xCommander Vladik Fedorov]

"No, my friend. This is your moment. I remember those days myself and I would not wish to take this moment from you."

"Thank you, Sir," Vlad replied. He waited a second longer to see if there was any hesitation in Brice's mannerisms. Seeing none, he slipped into his chair and immediately got to work. He checked all systems, though the crew behind him would have already done so, but Vlad wanted to make sure this crew was as good as everyone kept telling him they were. His eyes flitted to the empty helm chair and he frowned. Helm should have been there by now, checking and rechecking the course. The doors opened and he relaxed slightly as Fau walked to her station.

Returning his gaze to his console he noticed that the last of the supplies had finally been transported aboard. "Nothing like cutting it to the last minute," he grumbled to himself. "All departments are ready, Captain," he said, giving Lara a confident smile.

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[Lt. Commander Tricia McAdams]

Tricia saw from her security station as the quite handsome first officer entered the bridge and spoke with… what another Captain? Ok…

She wasn’t quite certain what was going on but the other one seemed to be a guest even with the four pips on his collar. Dang why was she thinking that every man she saw was a hunk these days. She wanted to kick herself and turned back to her station to make certain every thing was up and ready.

She’d stand at Tactical once the ship began to move. While she was waiting she remembered something she’d intended to do, so she began her message.

---

To: Commander Federov
From: Lieutenant McAdams

Sir,

Last evening you danced your first dance with me and suggested that perhaps we could schedule some weekly meetings for practice. As Assistant in Security, I’m currently making the duty schedule for my department and would be happy to fit into your schedule at any time you deem appropriate. I realize there were many others who had requested lessons so if this is no longer your intent I would not wish to intrude on your time.

Thank you for the offer, and the dance. It was very enjoyable.

Tricia McAdams.

---

She looked at it several times and made some edits before screwing up her courage enough to press [SEND]. Then she rolled her eyes at herself and taking a deep breath rose from the workstation and walked to Tactical right behind the Captain. She looked down at the very senior command team and then saw Joe there to the side.

When he looked in her direction she waggled her fingers at him and smiled happily. They were about to take off on an adventure, hopefully without the Borg crashing their party this time.

“Tactical Ready Ma’am” she said.

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[theresa]

Other people entered the bridge and the sound of voices speaking floated through the air. However, Terry remained focused, concentrating on her task and her task alone. It would do no good to fret over others, and she needed to get it done. While her smile remained easy and ready on her face, her expression was quite intent. Distantly, she heard the other stations reporting that they were good and the second officer, Vladik, confirming all of their reports in a sweeping statement. Hey, that was her job! Faintly, her smile quirked. An inkling of a competitive streak twisted within her, but she refused to rush. She worked to finish perfectly.

In good time, quickly enough, about right after the tactical officer reported, the operations chief finally turned to face the captain and the ranging collection of high ranking officers keeping company with her in their chairs. With her grin settled and defined on her face, she addressed them with a voice that cut, not loudly but distinctly, through any clatter. She definitely had some experience with a command position, even with her young age. "We are, in fact, gr'een ac'ross the boar'd, ma'am." With that line in a vague Australian, they were clear for launch. Trying to quell the urge to think something ridiculous as a mental shot at the second officer, she turned back around and went back to work. The amusing notion of thrilling power was extremely quick to fade from her mind.

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[Vice Admiral Lara Rell]

Lara listened to the flow of reports as the bridge crew brought Nike to the point of rediness. An undertone of excitement permiated the air. She didin't think of either the Counselor or Captain Kavanaugh as guests on her bridge but had yet to set the precident of their inclusion. So this was the golden opportuninty.

Brices' quiet "Lara, thank you for the invitation. There is no better place to be for a launch than on the bridge." made her turn and smile at him. She knew he'd been through the wringer and was still under evaluation but everything she'd seen so far told her this man was born for command. "Not at all Brice." she said.

The arrival of Ensign Fau'cheth at helm signaled the completion of the bridge complement, yet she briefly wondered about Mr. Star and whether he'd managed to land himself in sickbay again.

When helm reported ready and ops confirmed, the confident voice of her First Officer spoke.

"All departments are ready, Captain,"

She felt the ships crew figuratively holding their breath. She returned his confident smile.

"Very well Number One. Take us out."

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[xCommander Vladik Fedorov]

"Very well Number One. Take us out."

"Yes, ma'am," he said, a huge smile forming on his face. He looked over his shoulder, "Commander Kimball, contact dock control for clearance to leave dock. Release umbilical support arms and docking clamps." His head swung forward and to the Caitian, "Ensign Fau'cheth, once we are free, engage maneuvering thrusters. As soon as we're clear of the outer space doors, proceed to warp six."

He could imagine what was happening outside of the ship. The huge umbilical clamps and lines would swing free as the large clamps released their embrace of the USS Nike. The exterior lights would illuminate, shining onto the sides, sweeping across the saucer, and enabling any who looked out of the Utopia Planetia viewports to see the name of the ship. The battle scars had been removed, but the sense of pride remained. The ship had not been defeated. It had simply regrouped to fight again. He knew some of the crew had been left behind and he was sure they would stand at attention, if they were physically able, as the grand vessel slowly departed the spacedock. He knew tears would be flowing, both inside the ship, and on the station, and he vowed to do them all proud.

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[Lieutenant JG Fau'cheth]

"...Release umbilical support arms and docking clamps. Ensign Fau'cheth, once we are free, engage maneuvering thrusters. As soon as we're clear of the outer space doors, proceed to warp six."

"Aye Sirrrr" she responded

Fau'cheth already had their course laid in and she was certain the Commander was well aware of helms standard proceedures. She knew the order was coming when the Captain ordered him to take them out. She smiled as she delicately nugged the thrusters. The ship handled like a dream. She'd been used to piloting small quick fleet craft and had thought Nike would lumber but she didn't...

They glided through the doors and as soon as her board showed clear she said "Warp in 3 - 2 - 1" and Nike's engines built their music until they threw her at the stars on streamers of prismatic light.

Nike flew.

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[theresa]

The communication with the dock personnel and the release only took a few deft motions. It was hardly a good show, and Terry did it without speaking, with only the briefest of acknowledgments in half formed words, a smile, and a curt nod towards Vlad. Her eyes slid over to Fau'cheth once her easy job was completed. For a moment, they rested upon the Caitian. Then she turned her attention forward, gazing out at the slowly expanding sight of space before them, infinite and endless, mysterious and beautiful.

Knowing to stay attentive, the lieutenant commander looked down at the display in front of her, checking readings that would doubtless be fine for sometime. Beside her, Fau'cheth started her countdown, and Terry raised her gaze. All around her, beneath the expectant quiet and eager soft sounds of the bridge, the engines were picking up. Silently, she congratulated Pesh'ewa on a job well done with what he'd been given.

Then they were gone. Outside, in the space they were flowing through, everything started to blur together as they exceeded speeds unimaginable to some. The smile on her face brightened with a surreal satisfaction. Terry found nothing better than the sight before her and the innumerable possibilities that lay amongst the stars in all the black. They were off! They were away! On a tough missions, perhaps, but not an impossible one, not with the inspiration of what they had. Leaning back in her seat, fingers remaining over her controls but unmoving, she let it all soak into her mind. The Nike wasn't hers to command, but it was hers to make succeed.

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