Star Trek: Mayweather
Stardate: 2381.71
Earth
Captain Sean O’Sullivan and Admiral Kathryn Janeway materialized aboard a small shuttle. At the helm was a young woman with extremely long hair, done up in a tight braid that was wrapped mostly around a short staff thrust through her uniform belt. There was just enough slack in her braid to allow her to turn her head with ease. She turned in her seat to acknowledge her passengers.
“Admiral. Captain. Welcome about the Archangel.”
The Admiral spoke. “Captain O’Sullivan meet Commander Zal.”
O’Sullivan nodded. “We already know each other. We were stationed aboard the Yorktown together, but then it was Lieutenant Zal. Congratulations on your promotion, Commander.”
“Thank you, sir. Nice to see you again. My condolences.”
O’Sullivan nodded. He turned to Admiral Janeway. “Mission briefing, Admiral?”
“Yes. Commander, plot a course to the Mayweather.”
“Aye, sir.” Zal turned her attention back to the instrument panel in front of her. Outside the viewport, Earth swung around, followed by the Moon and a void of stars replaced the view. The ship accelerated.
“Jupiter Station in twenty minutes, Admiral.”
“Thank you. Now, Captain, you will be assuming command of the USS Mayweather. She is a Nova class ship, into Jupiter Station for refitting. Previously she saw duty as an explorer, but Starfleet command wants her ready for any number of situations you may encounter. We are upgrading the hull plating, weapons, sensors, installing extended range transporters, and giving a boost to her warp corp.” She handed the captain a PADD*. “Your chief engineer is Lieutenant Commander James Tucker. Until recently he was a professor of Advanced Warp Theory at Starfleet Academy, but he is uniquely suited to understand the modifications we are making to Mayweather’s engines.”
“Very well. What is my mission?”
“As I mentioned earlier, Deep Space 15 was hit by meteor shower. Officially your mission is to aid in repairs and relief efforts.”
“Officially?”
“Yes. Unofficially you are there to monitor nearby regions. Deep Space 15 sits adjacent to a number of hostile regions who may take advantage of the situation. The other ships we are sending are not equipped for battle or for defending against marauders. You will be the front line of defense until Deep Space 15 is operational.”
“Understood.”
“The rest of your crew are already en route or aboard Mayweather. Commander Zal will be your first officer.”
“Excellent. Thank you, Admiral.” Captain O’Sullivan was pleased. Having Zal at his side was about the best he could have hoped for. Having served together already, he knew her and knew they both shared a sense of the cavalier, neither being too faithful to Starfleet rules and regulations. This was a boring assignment he was being given, but at least with Zal it could be an interestingly boring assignment. Even the possibility of marauders didn’t do much to raise his spirits. His was a babysitting mission and he knew it. A mission to give the grief stricken captain something to do while he sorted through his personal issues. He didn’t quite resent the mission, after all, it was something to do, but he almost resented it.
“Any questions, Captain?”
“None, sir. Thank you. I look forward to getting underway.”
From the front of the shuttle, Commander Zal reported, “Jupiter Station approaching.”
The Archangel banked around the massive planet of Jupiter, and the twin monopods of Jupiter Station came into view. Each pod supported three discs at the top, and various arms and gantries jutted outwards. A few other shuttles were orbiting the station, flying to and fro. Docked on one of the arms was a Nova class ship that could only be the USS Mayweather. Docked opposite her was a long, slender ship that O’Sullivan recognized immediately.
“Is that Voyager?” he almost gasped. The ship was legendary. The only ship more famous was the USS Enterprise, currently on deep space exploration assignment.
“Yes. We are here for a reunion tour of the solar system.”
Meanwhile the Voyager had vanished and the saucer section of the USS Mayweather had superseded the view out the viewport. The Archangel swung around and sidled up underneath of the saucer, fitting into a perfectly shaped berth.
“Prepare for docking.” Commander Zal locked down the necessary controls and those aboard could hear docking clamps taking hold of the shuttle.
“Well, good luck, Captain, Commander. I’ll be in touch.” Admiral Janeway moved towards the transporter pad at the rear of the shuttle.
“Yes, Admiral. Thank you.” O’Sullivan nodded to Commander Zal.
The Commander tapped the comm badge on her breast. “Voyager, prepare to receive the Admiral.” A voice sounded over the comm channel. “Standing by.”
Commander Zal manipulated the transporter controls, and with a faint whine and a whoosh of twinkling light the Admiral vanished.
“Well, Commander. It will be good to working with you again.”
“Likewise, Captain. Hopefully this assignment will be more fun than it sounds.”
O’Sullivan smirked. “I doubt it. After you, Commander.” He motioned to the rear airlock.
Pressing a control, the door slid aside and a gentle breeze told of the exchange of air between the Mayweather and the Archangel. On the other side of the airlock was a felinoid creature. She resembled a humanoid lioness. What fur protruded from the sleeves and collar of her uniform was bright orange, with flecks of white. Her tail danced ever so slightly behind her.
“Welcome aboard the USS Mayweather, Captain. Commander. I am Lieutenant M’Tel, your helmsman.” She held out a paw. Zal and O’Sullivan shook “hands” and introduced themselves. M’Tel seemed surprised that neither had anything with them.
“You two pack light.”
Commander Zal looked towards O’Sullivan. “I already have my stuff aboard. Captain?”
“I don’t need anything the replicator can’t provide. Shall we?”
“Certainly. This way.” M’Tel led the way to the nearest turbo lift. The doors whisked aside, then closed behind the three. M’Tel called out to the automated ‘lift systems: “Bridge”. The turbo lift beeped, then started moving.
O’Sullivan scowled down at the floor beneath his feet. Ireland to the bridge of a starship in twenty minutes. His brother’s grave probably wasn’t even covered with dirt yet. He sighed. Maybe he did need a cushy assignment for awhile. His brother’s death weighed heavy on his soul.
The doors whooshed open. M’Tel and Zal stepped out. O’Sullivan stayed where he stood, glowering for a moment longer, then he took a deep breath. The bridge and his newest command beckoned. He stepped onto the bridge. A crewman stood and called out:
“Captain on the bridge!”
*a PADD is a personal access display device, Star Trek’s version of an iPad like device
a simple man 