Game session: 3/12/18
Aaron leads the others down to the docking bay, and they get their first view of the USS Boston, NCC-31630. Although she's a venerable sixty-five, the Boston gleams like new. They walk to the connecting airlock and enter their new ship on deck seven. They then travel to "The Ring" on deck four; The Ring is the series of senior officers' cabins in a line along an inner curved corridor; none of the crew cabins abuts the hull. The cabins are all small, with a desk, a bed, bookshelves, a replicator, and a private head with sonic shower. Aaron's and Shil'vala's cabins are slightly larger and contain a dining table and tub.
Once the new officers stow their possessions, they head up to the bridge on deck one. They find the bridge, although updated to modern technology and connecting conference room and ready room, still echoes her 23rd century origins. There is one center chair for the commanding officer and no additional chairs for the executive officer or counselor. Conn and ops are separate stations ahead of the center chair, with science and engineering at freestanding stations on the central chair's left and right respectively. Other stations dot the back wall, but tactical has its own alcove in the rear of the bridge, another holdover from the Miranda-class's origins as a tactical vessel and shuttle carrier.
On the bridge is chief engineer Commander T'kora, a female Vulcan of average height, piercing gray eyes, and shoulder-length hair, which is unusual for a Vulcan. They also meet the paired Bynars, Lieutenant (junior grade) 01101 at conn and Lieutenant (junior grade) 10011 at operations. Aaron guesses 01101 is male and 10011 is female, but it's hard to tell with Bynars. They wear Starfleet uniforms with some additions, both sport reflective stripes and auxiliary devices at their hips. Both are very friendly and are willing to accept "Eleven" and "Ten" respectively as shortened names. Although they do complete each other's sentences and often communicate with each other in rapid-fire binary, Aaron notices that Ten is slightly more aggressive socially.
Ten and Eleven report that the upgrades are ahead of schedule and the ship will be space-worthy later today. They ask Aaron about his tolerance for "excessive minutia," and Aaron admits, "We'll figure that out as we go." In contrast to the gregarious Bynars, T'kora greets them all by rank and says little else but appraises them all coolly. The officers explore the bridge a bit, but Aaron simply places his hand on the armrest of the center chair and doesn't sit. Kelly finds a square marked in red tape along the side of the science station; T'kora calmly explains that there's a design flaw she's been unable to correct in sixty-five years and sometimes the lateral sensor array gores offline. When that happens, a precise blow at exactly 20 grams of pressure will reboot the sensors.
T'kora adds, "I should clarify that there is a way to permanently correct the flaw, but the solution compromises the tactical systems. Captain Shen felt that was unfeasible." Aaron agrees, and admits he's looking forward to seeing Lieutenant Perrault have to smack his station. Kelly shrugs and accepts the limitation without quibble. Kimball eyes the tactical alcove but stops and winces when he smells lavender. T'kora notices his expression and explains, "My apologies, but I have been unable to eradicate the stench of dead flowers your predecessor favored." Aaron clarifies, "I believe you mean perfume," but T'kora counters, "I believe it was a deliberate assault on my senses." The Bynars titter, but Aaron notices the smell and is forced to admit it's pretty strong. Kimball shrugs as he settles in.
Aaron decides he needs to explore his new home, and the other new officers all agree. The five head for the turbolift and go to deck two. Deck two is another holdover from the Miranda-class's origins and contains the CIC – the combat information center. Aaron likens it to a war room, and it was used to oversee shuttle operations and tactical situations. It also functioned as a conference room. Although it's obsolete now, Aaron decides to leave it as is and christens it the strategy room. Access to the main computer core is also on this deck. Deck three is primarily set up for officers, as it contains the officer's mess, the officer's dining room, and the officer's observation lounge. Upper parking for shuttlebays one and two, impulse control room, and enlisted quarters are also on this deck, and Aaron notes the old-style of cabins for the enlisted crew: rows of bunkbeds. There are unused offices here too.
Deck four has The Ring, main engineering, and sensor bays. It also overlooks the main cargo bay and the gymnasium and rec lounge. Deck five has junior officer's quarters and the afore-mentioned rec lounge, gymnasium, and pool. Transporter rooms one and two are also on this deck. Deck six has enlisted cabins, more open offices, the shuttlebay complex, lounges and mess for the enlisted crew, holodecks one and two, and the arboretum. Aaron notes the portion of the arboretum already marked out with Andorian writing, and Shil'vala nods in approval. Deck six has another 23rd century holdover, a chapel/theater room. It also overlooks cargo bay two.
Deck seven contains the security complex, sickbay complex, and cargo bay two. They meet the chief medical officer, Lieutenant Commander Hel-Torin Ghatorii, a male Efrosian who greets them all enthusiastically – and eyes Shil'vala and M'Belaa appreciatively. Aaron winces but says nothing for now. Hel-Torin shows them the recent upgrades to sickbay – some of which are his design – but also says with total seriousness that cargo bay two is reserved for overflow space for sickbay in an emergency. Aaron notes the marked change in demeanor, but Hel-Torin turns to Kimball and adds, "Security also uses the cargo bay as an overflow area if needs be as well. We'll be seeing a lot of each other, down here in the bowels." Kimball smirks but nods.
Deck eight is the airlock and emergency transporter bay. Deck nine used to be the ship's laundry but is now an open science deck. Kelly finds a note from the quartermaster's office stating he may partition the deck however he sees fit. The officers note with amusement the sole washing machine and dryer still hooked up and usable in the corner. Kelly shrugs and realizes he doesn't mind. They finish the tour on deck ten, which contains cramped tactical scanner bays.1) They note that there is an additional torpedo bay on the Boston's roll bar but getting there requires a transporter or an arduous hike through Jeffries tubes and up ladders. Aaron and Kimball plan to visit, but the others are fine with skipping it.
As they head back up, M'Belaa says her previous commander held daily staff briefings before alpha shift to keep everyone aware of the state of the ship. Aaron nods but decides to start with weekly briefings. Along that train of thought, he turns to Shil'vala and puts her in charge of a full "meet and greet" for the nine senior officers in the CIC immediately. She nods and starts issuing orders. At this point, it's 1530 hours, and T'kora hails Aaron and states, "Captain Englyss, the refit is complete, and the Boston is ready at your command." Aaron thanks her, and the senior officers gather at 1545 hours in the CIC.
Aaron opens the impromptu meeting by formally introducing himself and the new officers. He notes Hel-Torin is friendly with the Bynars but doesn't flirt with either of them. He does flirt heavily with T'kora, who shows no reactions. Aaron then states, "We have to adapt; the ship isn't going to adapt to us. We need to work together, follow protocol, and look for ways to improve our efficiency. Your free time is your own, but respect each other's private and public space." The Bynars perk up at the mention of efficiency, and pass on a padd to Kelly. He tabs it open and finds hundreds of possible layouts for his science deck, including one lifted wholesale from his prior vessel.
Shil'vala lays claim to her corner of the arboretum, but says she enjoys growing vegetables and cooking meals for her crewmates. Aaron declares such group activities vital but voluntary. Hel-Torin says he uses a portion of the arboretum to grow medicinal herbs; Aaron cedes that to Shil'vala, who doesn't have an issue with it. Ten cocks her head and announces, "Incoming transmission from Starfleet Intelligence for you, Captain Englyss. I've routed it to your ready room." Aaron nods in thanks, but inwardly concludes having Bynars is going to take some getting used to. The senior officers all head up to the bridge, and Aaron ducks into his ready room. It has a desk and a sofa and is smaller than his cabin.
Aaron accepts the hail and the channel decrypts to reveal Bjornson. Bjornson confirms the Boston is ready to go and issues formal orders: Captain Englyss is to take the Boston to a point roughly three light years from Starbase 211, whereupon he will acquire an "asset" for SI and then may proceed under his own initiative. Aaron tries to get more details, but Bjornson simply sends another encrypted file and says, "Follow protocol and you'll be fine. May the wind be at your back, captain." Aaron nods and replies, "And may the seas be calm for you as well." Bjornson snorts, "That would be a pleasant change," and terminates the channel.
Aaron examines the data packet and discovers he's being sent to retrieve a surveillance drone, which is currently powered down to prevent detection. He returns to the bridge and sketches out their mission to his senior officers. Eleven estimates, "At warp six, we will reach the probe in three days. At warp nine, eighteen hours. Maximum speed, which can only be sustained for twelve hours, will see us there in fourteen hours." Aaron nods and realizes Cardassian long range sensors are likely trained on the station right now, so he orders a cruising speed of warp factor eight. The crew takes their stations and Starbase 211 releases the Boston's umbilical supports. As Eleven glides the ship out under maneuvering thrusters, Aaron finally sits in the captain's chair – and wiggles a bit when he realizes the chair is still shaped for Captain Shen – and she apparently had tiny hips.
The Boston flies free of Starbase 211 and jumps to warp almost immediately, as the starbase is in open space. Eleven toggles warp speed, and the Boston jumps to warp one. Eleven then carefully increases speed until the Boston is cruising at warp eight. The Bynars estimate a travel time of twenty-four hours, which Aaron finds an acceptable compromise. Hel-Torin wanders back by the tactical alcove, winces, and mutters, "Wow, I thought that smell would have been purged by now." Kimball snorts but T'kora says frostily, "I have tried." Aaron calls for Kelly and T'kora to join him in CIC and gives Shil'vala the conn.
The three officers depart as Shil'vala heads over to Kimball, stops, and winces. She growls, "Uzaveh have mercy, did she slather herself and the station in that crap?" Kimball shrugs helplessly as the Bynars titter. She shakes her head and says quietly to Kimball, "I'd like you to draw up some tactical drills. We're going into a potential combat situation with us being new here." Kimball nods in agreement and decides to work up some basic plans to start with.
Once sequestered in the CIC, Aaron tasks T'kora and Kelly with coming up with a way to beam the probe aboard at warp speed. T'kora points out the probe may have safeguards to prevent such maneuvers, such as automatically deleting files, but starts theorizing. Kelly takes a supportive tack, prompting T'kora along but letting her do the talking. T'kora concludes the operation is possible but will require two hours of work to modify the transporters and cannot be performed at any speed greater than warp five. Kelly suggests having a second probe in their warp wake to act as a triangulating device; T'kora agrees and starts factoring that in. Aaron brings up the Cardassian long-range sensors, but T'kora says dismissively, "They are not as advanced as ours. Their maximum range is three light years." She muses that she will require Ten's help and heads off to the emergency transporter bay on deck eight to start work.
Kelly returns to the bridge and quietly tells Kimball that the captain will be speaking with him shortly. Kimball nods and reveals the tactical drills just as Aaron enters the bridge. He heads to the tactical alcove and approves Kimball's plans before filling everyone in on the near-warp transport plan. He then reclaims the center seat from Shil'vala, who mutters something about Captain Shen's narrow hips. Aaron smirks but says nothing.