A New Venture

[Lieutenant Chloe Renard]

Her trip from the Gamma Quadrant had been uneventful compared to the things happening on the Talon. 

So much had happened there and she would miss her friends, she would even miss her enemies. But most of all... most heartbreakingly, she would miss Van. She still couldn't accept what had happened between them as any sort of reality. Their shipwreck on an alien world and all those months thinking the Talon had been destroyed with all hands. They had only had each other to cling to in the night. Together on that alien world they'd suffered through a winter in a cave and both of them had almost died.

Amazingly they'd finally been rescued only to discover a single day had passed aboard the ship. She still found in nearly impossible to comprehend months later. But once they were back Van resumed his place as Executive Officer and a gulf seemed to open up between them. It turned into a gulf she couldn't bridge and though she'd ignored the signs and known deep down that he loved her, it hadn't been enough. The birth of their son hadn't made anything any better. If anything it had added stress to an already tense situation.

Words had been said she wished she could call back but it all amounted to the fact that she couldn't stay there. Not after the captain she'd served under from the time she'd graduated the academy disappeared from the ship and Van became their de facto captain. She knew then she had to focus on her career. So, when she received her promotion and award she tried one more time to talk to him. Ultimately, she took the promotion and the transfer. 

Now Devereau was settled with the nursery while she got them situated, but first she was hungry. Ten Forward was the spot she needed to find so she navigated her way there with the help of the computer. Ordering some food, she took her tray to sit by the viewport where she could see the beautiful blue vista of Earth turning below them.

She took a deep breath and a sip of coffee.

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[Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Munroe]

Joe had spent some time wandering the halls of the ship, but in the end had decided that the best place to meet some of the new arrivals to the Nike would likely be in Ten Forward. Besides, he hadn't had a good meal yet to satisfy his empty stomach.

Life had been good to him, for the most part, onboard the Nike. He had many friends here, a position that he treasured, and many great experiences. Now, however, Nike's orders had changed. She was headed out on yet another new mission, which had led them back here, awaiting the arrival of many new faces.

Joe had been sad to see many of his friends leave Nike, transfers and promotions abounded. Why was it that a new mission seemed to bring with it a slew of transfers and changes to the ship? He wished he understood Starfleet's reasoning, but alas, he didn't. Joe was pleased, however, that quite a few people he'd known in the past would be rejoining the crew of Nike once again as they took on a more diplomatic role to try and salvage what they could of the situation going on all around them. Truthfully, Joe was a bit eager for the upcoming mission. He had always felt a call to diplomacy himself, aside from his current position as counselor.

Entering Ten-Forward, he glanced around. He nodded to those he knew and looked towards those he didn't. He'd already examined the crew roster, but now it was time to put some faces to those new names.

Moving up to the replicators, he ordered his meal and headed towards his favorite seat in the place, right next to the viewport. Seeing a face he didn't recognize sitting there, he decided now was a great time to meet the new crew.

"Hello. Name's Joe. Could I join you? I like to get to know everyone new who comes onboard." He gave her a smile as he waited for her response.

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[Lt. Cmndr William Roberson]

William was seated at one end of the table, staring ahead as he sipped his drink before setting it down. Taking in a deep breath he looked down at the half filled cup as William slowly exhaled. Today was his first day on board, so far everything seemed to be going smoothly, everyone seemed to be friendly so far as well. He was just not sure how to approach them to start a conversation, he always felt awkward when it came to starting the conversations. Leaning back in the chair a little bit he ran his fingers through his greying hair, he wanted to start a conversation but William could just not seem to drag him around to doing it.


He looked up and nodded to the bloke that just walked into the Ten-Forward before looking away as he picked his drink up and took another sip, quietly listening as the younger man, at least he appeared to be younger, spoke up. Some of the people on board appeared to be just kids on William's eyes, but then he could guess that others looked at him the same way when he was younger. Taking another sip, William glanced around the room.

He glanced again to the woman and the bloke as he set his cup down, not wanting to look like he was eavesdropping, William looked away, back to the table in front of him then to the window just in front. It was an okay view, William honestly enjoyed looking out the windows when the ship was in space. He glanced down at his cup again, he watched as the fluid moved to the other side of the cup as he tipped it. Then thinking about the mission that was going to be taking place soon, he cleared his throat as William leaned back in his chair, putting a finger to his chin as he thought quietly to himself.

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[Lt. Cmdr. Alexis McConville]

Alexis made her way to Ten-Forward as well. She'd been working between her small science lab and the student classroom that was assigned for her use. She had moved to a slightly larger room than during the previous voyage so she could continue to expand the students' science instruction.

She _was_ still going to be teaching science to some of the older students, but had been asked to fill the shoes of a younger grade teacher for the time being as the woman who had done that on Nike for some time had been transferred with her husband. She wasn't as sure she was prepared for all aspects of this age group, but she was eager to give it a try. Not having had any children of her own yet, the one thing she greatly regretted, Alexis was eager to work with some of the youngsters on this voyage.

With her food on a tray, she made her way across the room towards the viewport. She could see it was already taking up the attention of many onboard, both old and new alike. She moved in that direction, near towards a man she didn't recognize sitting at the end of one of the longer tables. Just than her back gave a spasm of pain, causing her leg to go partially numb and her tray to tilt directly towards the man as she reached out for a chair back to steady herself.

"Oh, I am so sorry," she told him, feeling rather foolish and angry with herself at the same time.

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[Lieutenant Chloe Renard]

She was so caught up in her own thoughts that she didn't really pay attention to the sounds in the room around her so she was just a little startled when a voice spoke.

"Hello. Name's Joe. Could I join you? I like to get to know everyone new who comes onboard." 

Her heart pounded a little harder because is voice was so much like Van's it was uncanny. But when she looked up she smiled. "Of course!" 

She tilted her hand to indicate he should take the seat he had his own hand on.

"It's always nice to meet new ship mates." **Though your voice may take some getting used to,** she added in her thoughts.

"My name is Chloe," she added hoping her smile hadn't slipped. 

"Just boarded this morning." 

For once she hadn't been the pilot of the shuttle that brought her to Nike. It had been a pleasure to watch the ship grow larger in her screen without having to be occupied with her instruments and guiding the craft into the tiny opening of a shuttle bay.

She hadn't said a word about her assignment to the flight crew but did congratulated them on a smooth flight on her way out.  Her "nice flying" was met with smiles as she carried her baby out of the craft and onto their new home.

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[Lt. Cmndr William Roberson]

William's  attention turned to a woman who seemed to lose use of her leg, he barely moved in time to catch the end of the tray that was leaning toward him. Coming to a quick stand he wondered just what he could do. William gently took her tray and set it on the table. Keeping his gaze some what on her. He guessed with how she suddenly lost use of her leg temporarily that she had a spasm in her leg, it was something that was strangely common in women.

"Oh, I am so sorry," He saw that she looked rather angry, not at him but possibly at herself. He could understand that though, who would not be angry after a small episode like that?

William shook his head, "It's alright, none of that was your fault. Are you feeling alright?" He thought for a moment, looking to the chair that was right next to his, "Perhaps you should sit down before you have another spasm." William took the back of the seat into his hands and moved it out so the other officer could take a seat. Not wanting to give her or anyone else the wrong impression he sat back down in his seat. The food smelled good but he was just not hungry yet, and there was no point at forcing himself to eat, unless William really wanted to gain some more unneeded weight. Picking his drink up William took another sip, "So.. what is your position here?" He then mentally kicked himself for not introducing himself first, "I'm sorry, my name's William." He scratched the back of his head a little out of feeling rather embarrassed that he missed a important topic when meeting someone new.

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[Lt. Cmdr. Alexis McConville]

"Thank you," Alexis said with a sigh of relief when he helped her. She gratefully took the seat that was offered to her, upset that her back pain had returned. It had been months since she'd had the type of numbness run down her leg. She had hoped she'd put it behind her. Then again, she had been lifting and moving things more today than she really had. When she'd first returned to active duty she hadn't been allowed to do any heavy lifting and she'd been told to keep it to a minimum at all times, but she hadn't listened much today. 

"It's alright, none of that was your fault. Are you feeling alright?
So.. what is your position here? I'm sorry, my name's William"

She decided to do her best to answer all his questions at once. 

"I'm Alexis," she replied with a grateful smile once again, even as she shifted and winced from the pain she felt in her back and leg. "I'm one of the science officers onboard, and I'm also one of the ship's teachers. I think I moved a few too many things around today as they gave me a new classroom space. It aggravated an old injury. But on the other hand, it means I got to meet you." She smiled at that. Alexis has always enjoyed meeting the different people onboard the ships she'd served on. 

"So, William, I know you're new as I haven't seen you around before. What's your position on the ship?"

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[Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Munroe]

Joe had noted the other man looking their direction, but didn't have time to explore it further as the woman before him answered and agreed to his company. He'd make an effort to meet the other man later. Joe took the seat and gave the woman a smile.

"Nice to meet you Chloe. I hope you've found the Nike to your liking so far. She's a big ship, but a great one to serve on. I've been actively serving on the Nike for nigh onto 6 years already. It's hard to believe how quickly the time can go by." He reached for his fork and took a bite of the noodles he'd ordered just moments before. 

"So, what department are you serving in?" Most of the crew were not in uniforms yet since Nike was docked. Even he had opted to enjoy a more casual attire, though he still felt the need to look presentable at all times. He was, after all, planning to meet many of his new shipmates. 

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[Lt. Cmndr William Roberson]

"I'm Alexis,"  "I'm one
of the science officers onboard, and I'm also one of the ship's
teachers. I think I moved a few too many things around today as they
gave me a new classroom space. It aggravated an old injury. But on the
other hand, it means I got to meet you." 

William looked down at his cup with a wide grin on his face, a small chuckle accompanied his grin. Clearing his throat he looked to Alexis, "It's a pleasure to meet you." He took a quick sip of his drink, "Oh so you are pulling off two shifts? You're a brave one for doing that. Yeah you probably aggravated an old injury or you pulled a muscle that is causing your back and leg pains." He nodded in agreement with the last thing she said, "That is very true Alexis." He gave her a cheerful smile.

"So, William, I know you're new as I haven't seen you around before. What's your position on the ship?"

William nodded a little, "Yeah I just got transferred to this ship two days ago. Well told to report to this ship anyways." He glanced around for a moment before looking back to her, "I'm a third shift doctor. I don't have any other positions assigned to me just yet." He took another sip of his beverage, a rather long one.

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[Lt. Cmdr. Alexis McConville]

"Oh so you are pulling off two shifts? You're a brave one for doing that. Yeah you probably aggravated an old injury or you pulled a muscle that is causing your back and leg pains."

"I'm not technically doing two shifts. At least not everyday. I'm teaching classes most days, but they will call in another officer to fill in for me if I'm needed for science purposes. Otherwise I'm mostly consulting with the other science officers and taking care of my plants as well," Alexis knew it would be hard for some people to accept someone of her rank and experience not working full time in the science field, but the current arrangement suited her. After her injury, she had wanted a different style, a different pace for her future. 

"I'm a third shift doctor. I don't have any other positions assigned to me just yet."

Alexis looked at him for a moment, realizing he would probably get to know her injuries and records soon enough considering his position. 

"Oh, don't worry. I know that position alone will keep you plenty busy. I swear people always seem to be sicker or worse during the third shift. Besides, they will pull you on duty quite often when they need you during the other shifts as well." She nodded. On a ship this size when there was a real issue, all the medical staff were pretty much called to duty. It was one of the many reasons she was glad she'd chosen science and not medicine as her field. 

"Do you have any family onboard with you?" She continued to eat while they talked.

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[Lt. Cmndr William Roberson]

"Oh, don't worry. I know that position alone will keep you plenty
busy. I swear people always seem to be sicker or worse during the third
shift. Besides, they will pull you on duty quite often when they need
you during the other shifts as well."

William nodded, "From past experience, it can be as silent as a grave, or as busy as the mall just before a major holiday. I know how busy it can get." He took another sip of his drink and set it down, "Yeah.. people always chose to get hurt or sick around the third shift. And usually I make sure I am close by to the sick bay, for just in case I am needed. But then I a terrible habit of turning up when I am not needed as well." He laughed a little, "But I enjoy what I do so, no complaints from me about my position." He smiled a little as he looked down to the table for a moment. He really did enjoy his work, going places and saving live on or off board the ship. It really made William's day when he helped someone get better, or saved a life.


"Do you have any family onboard with you?"

William shook his head then shrugged, "Would giving a woman on board a promise ring count as her being family?" He was really not sure if giving Grace a promise ring made her family or not, "Her name is Grace Hamleton, she works on board as an engineer." Of course he did not like talking about his personal life but he did not want to come off being completely secretive. He smiled somewhat shyly, "Do you have any family on board?" He picked his cup up to take a drink when he realized that it was empty, he'll refill it in a moment.

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[Lieutenant Chloe Renard]

“Nice to meet you Chloe. I hope you've found the Nike to your liking so far. She's a big ship, but a great one to serve on. I've been actively serving on the Nike for nigh onto 6 years already. It's hard to believe how quickly the time can go by."

She smiled. He seemed so nice it was rather bad of her to fault him for sounding so much like Van. “Thanks for the welcome. I’ve heard great things about Nike. I served in Task Force 82 out in the Gamma Quadrant while Nike carried the flag. So I guess you can say I’ve watched you from afar for sometime now.”

She grinned at the double entendre and poked her waffle with her fork. She guessed she’d lost her appetite but knew she needed the breakfast anyway. Instead she picked up her coffee again and breathed in the aroma.

"So, what department are you serving in?"

She looked back at him over her cup and the friendly blue eyes that held noting but interest and acceptance. She knew then she could make new friends, make a new life.

“I’m a helmsman,” she started, “and a hotshot shuttle pilot.”

“How about you,” she asked before taking a bite of her waffle.

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[Lt. Cmdr. Alexis McConville]

"Would giving a woman on board a promise ring count as her being family?"

"Oh, that's wonderful!" Alexis said, a smile lighting up her face at his statement. "Do you have plans for when you will make things official?" A wedding onboard would sure be an occasion to celebrate. She'd witnessed quite a few in her time onboard. 

Having been picking at her food, she took another bite, finishing off her vegetables. 

"As for me, nope. No family onboard. My parents still live back on Beta VI, but that's really all the family I have," She didn't want it to sound like a bad thing. Alexis cared very much for her parents, and actually missed them quite a bit. They had come to help her with her recovery after her injury, but then when she was stationed back to active duty, they had returned home to the colony. 

Taking a few more bites, she finished up most of her meal. 

"Have you had a chance to explore the ship much? I know they are giving some tours to the newcomers while we are still docked here in the Fleet Yards." Alexis remembered her own tour when she'd come aboard the Nike from the Carolina. She had still been rather shell-shocked after the Borg attack. Thankfully, though she learned her way around quickly enough, as most officers did. 

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[Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Munroe]

“I’m a helmsman,” she started, “and a hotshot shuttle pilot.”

"Ah, so you get the fun and excitement of flying the Nike. I must say," here Joe leaned in a bit, "I've always wondered what they would be like." He grinned and winked a bit, "but honestly, they hardly even let me pilot a plain old boring shuttle by myself!" He laughed a little at that. He had flown shuttles before, but it was true that someone in his position was hardly the one chosen to fly if others were able and available. 

“How about you,”

"Oh, ship's counselor," he replied nonchalantly. It wasn't always the most revered position on the ship and many people didn't take well to it, but he liked it. 

"I'm a rather good listener, apparently," He gave her a half-grin, hoping that the comment would lighten the mood if wasn't fond of counselors. 

He sipped his own tea and took a deep, cleansing breath. "I've always loved this spot on the ship," he gestured to the viewport. "It's definitely got the best view around. Though I much prefer it when we can see nothing but the stars or the view of a new planet." He looked back at her and added, "it's probably not as great for you, seeing as how you've probably seen the views ten times better from the bridge."

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[Lieutenant Chloe Renard]

"Ah, so you get the fun and excitement of flying the Nike. I must say," here Joe leaned in a bit, "I've always wondered what they would be like."

Her eyes crinkled slightly. There was no doubt she loved her job. In fact, she knew she’d be saddened when her career finally took her away from the helm to other duties.

Her smile faltered just a tiny bit when he told her his own occupation. She’d spent a great deal of time with counselors over the last few months. It wasn’t that she disliked them but the endless questions that seemed to go over the same ground repeatedly just made her tired at times. But then, it was part of the mandated recovery process for a mission like she’d been a part of.

"I'm a rather good listener, apparently,"

“Good to know,” she said softly and followed his gaze out the viewport.

"I've always loved this spot on the ship," he gestured to the viewport. "It's definitely got the best view around. Though I much prefer it when we can see nothing but the stars or the view of a new planet."

She agreed with him. She never tired of the beautiful views of worlds turning in the window.

"it's probably not as great for you, seeing as how you've probably seen the views ten times better from the bridge."

She tilted her head in a bit of a shrug. “But that’s just a viewscreen. Not the same as a window at all.” There were a lot of officers who were just dying to get on the bridge for even a single watch. She didn’t blame them in the least. You were at the heart of the action there. And there were things she’d seen that she could never talk about. The discovery, in the gamma quadrant, of a transportation system they were prevented from using in the alpha or beta quadrants. At least for now.

“Besides, I don’t actually get to just sit and appreciate the view up there.” She knew he was probably aware of that and was just making nice conversation and she should probably. She watched the beautiful blue of her home world turn below. “Here I can just sit and watch. It really is breathtaking.”

“So, you’ve been on Nike for six years? That’s a long time on one ship.”

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