[Captain’s Ready Room – USS Anaheim]

Once the docking clamps had been loosened and the ship was on its way the Captain nodded to his bridge crew with instructions that they should continue on what they were doing. Though most of the crew seemed to be new, a result of a nearly full rotation following the attack of the Borg on Fleet Day he was pretty sure anyone but the most brain dead Ensign could handle driving a ship straight for a few hours. Captain Hawthorne was not a micromanager. As long as things got done, and he looked good having had them done he was fine with it, four years of acting as a glorified baby sitter to young doctors had taught him not to sweat the small stuff. It was not as if the doctors ever really wanted his opinions anyway. That was why his First Officer was once again one of them, at least this time he was not a Captain as well which had happened on his first year on the USS Anaheim.

”In about half an hour can you join me Mister McCleod?” he said before the door slid shut.

Half an hour gave him a chance to send a communique to his mother, and a status update to the fleet. Not that the fleet needed it but he had so little that he could actually do to stand out that he figured at least he’d stay on top of status reports. His mother just needed to know now to try calling him on the starbase and instead route any future messages via his command. 

About half an hour later the First Officer rang at his door. The man was tall, with broad shoulders and a Scottish accent. He would have been intimidating but he was a doctor, and they had codes and such. He was also older than Hawthorne which the Captain was surprised by but he supposed getting a medical degree took some time.

”Would you rather be called Doctor McCleod or how would you like me to address you?” Hawthorne asked, directing the new number one to a chair across from him at the desk. 

“I did go to medical school captain,” the man said acting as if he did not particularly care, “however you are in charge. I’m the first officer, and so you can call me whatever you like.“

Hawthorne knew that meant he’d preferred to be called Doctor McCleod but was not going to fight on the issue. However he knew that the new Chief Medical Officer, whose duties were predominately to be the ship’s doctor in charge was going to set her foot down. At least the Counsellor didn’t have a doctorate this time. 

“Alright Doctor,” he said, pretending he also did not care either way. It was just frustrating that every voyage he went on with his own command he was at the whims of these doctors, rather than a proper exploration or combat purpose. He knew they did good work, but gosh all that education made them pompous like Vulcans, and least he had fewer Vulcans this time.

He stood and got himself a coffee from the replicator on the far wall, “Would you like something?”

”A water is fine,” Doctor McCleod said and was shortly holding a glass of ice water.

”From my perspective this first voyage is pretty simple. The crew gets its sea legs, and I get to know you all. We have a Chief Counsellor straight out of the Academy so she’ll need some hand holding. A first time Chief Medical Officer, and more. Everyone but us is pretty green on this cruise. I have to pick a Second Officer at some point from our Lieutenant Commanders, which we have three. I’d appreciate your suggestions,” Hawthorne said, trying to include the first officer in the decision even though picking his most senior staff was one of the duties Hawthorne most enjoyed.

”Of course sir,” McCleod said nodding.

”I’d also like a report at the end of the week on deficiencies,” the Captain said, “Anything we could improve, either procedures, equipment, or crew. I trust you can find some things.”

Nothing was perfect, and certainly not the USS Anaheim. Maybe if its performance improved enough then that long awaited reassignment to a more important ship would come. 

The door chimed indicating that some one was wanting entrance. Hawthorne inclined in his chair and said, “Come.”

In came Yuhiro Kolem a newly minted Lieutenant Junior Grade who due to the craziness of Fleet Day had been given to him as his Chief Counsellor which was both an indication on how lowly Counsellors were valued on this ship, and what regard this posting was held in by the fleet. Still her dark Betazoid eyes were startling to the Captain and he knew that he was lucky she was not a full telepath.

”Lieutenant,” he said nodding in acknowledgement, “How are you settling in?”

”Good sir,“ she said. She was stiff and formal, a sign that she had not served with many (or any) Captains before. He was not mad about that, having at least one member of the senior staff respect him was better than a bunch of doctors.

Nathan Hawthorne Captain’s Log: After a two day delay returning a stranded shuttle to Starbase 72 the new crew of the USS Anaheim is finally under way. While I had been anticipating a shakedown cruise we’ve received commands to travel to Artagus IV a human colony with an outbreak of the old human disease mumps. We are delivering vaccines and administrating them to the population. My Chief Medical Officer Doctor Mueller has assured me that this will take most of two weeks. Artagus IV‘s chief export is potatoes, and the colony is best known for this being the third medical intervention Starfleet has run since it’s founding five years ago. 

For now the crew is getting to know each other…

[USS Anaheim – Forward]

The Ensign looked around. Titled Forward he knew that someone was going to come up with a better name for the ship’s lounge / bar. It had the unique feature that its name was constantly in flux, since given the turnover of the USS Anaheim’s crew it was always being named something different. Something snappy, with a real zing.

”Excuse me that’s mine Ensign,” a voice said as he picked what he had thought was his drink up from the bar. He realized that the drink was green, and that a slender dark eyed woman in a blue science uniform was looking at him amused.

”Lieutenant,” Ensign William Hume said to the Junior Grade Lieutenant watching him as he straightened from his casual slouch. 

“Come on, easy. I’m not pulling rank, just wanted my drink,” Yuhiro Kolem smiled. 

“You’re the ummm… Betazoid,” he said, suddenly unable to control his thoughts.

”Half,” she said.

”Oh thank God,” he said.

”I get that a lot,” she said.

”It’s because humans are disgusting, you wouldn’t want to know what goes on in our heads,” Hume joked.

Kolem smiled, “Well it’s kind of my job as councilor.”

“Our very own Diana Troi,” Hume said handing her her drink.

”I have a calendar I have to reset now. Days since someone mentioned DIana Troi to me,” Kolem said.

”Get that a lot I take it?” 

“The Captain spent an hour with me describing in detail the close working relationship between Admiral Picard and his Chief Councilor yesterday, and how I was going to be so useful,“ she said taking the drink. She gestured to an open table, and Hume picked up his own drink a synthaholic attempt at whisky and followed the Lieutenant (JG) to the table.

“So excited to be here on the USS Disney?” Hume asked.

”USS Disney? What’s that?” the Betazoid asked.

”Umm, like the movies from the twentieth century, and the quote on the plaque. In the American city of Anaheim this guy made cartoon movie like Snow White and the Lion King. Then he built a theme park that he called Disneyland,” Hume said.

”I‘ve seen those. You know I’m from Mars, I grew up human,” she said.

”Ah, so your mom isn’t going to show up and make the Captain super uncomfortable?” Hume joked.

Kolem shook her head, “Probably not. My father was the Betazoid, my mother is from Detroit.”

“So anyway that’s why I call the USS Anaheim the USS Disney,” Hume said, “Well a few of us do.”

”That’s dumb,” she said.

”Hey you took an oath not to call your patients’ ideas dumb,” Hume protested.

”I really didn’t, no. Also you’re not my patient yet,” she said.

”Well then, sure it’s dumb,” Hume said, “but Starfleet is full of dumb ideas. Everyone writes books about Janeway or Archer or Flox, but nobody writes them about the red shirts who spend ten years in the service and get incinerated the first time they go to a planet with the senior crew. We’re all naming things dumb things and trying not to die horribly in space.”

”So why do it then?” she asked.

”Chance to maybe see some action. Didn’t realize this was going to be a doctor ship before I took the assignment. My family loves Starfleet, I do too honestly,” he said, “You?”

”I wanted every Commanding Officer to greet me with the words ‘my own Diana Troi’,” she said teasing him back for the earlier reference to the fleet’s most famous half-Betazoid. She took a drink and made a face, “They really didn’t get Romulan ale right.”

”Never order synthahol Roumlan ale. Stick to human or Andorian drinks, we drink the most so they tend to be better,” Hume shared his advice ”My sister, she’s on Bravo Station, she sent me a bottle of whisky back in my quarters if you wanted something better.”

Kolem smiled, “You know I know that’s a line.”

”A line yes, a lie no,” Hume said.

”Okay, let’s go,” Hume said, ”Umm my bunk is a hallway.”

”Mine isn’t,” she said. 

Nathan Hawthorne’s Captain’s Log: My medical team is getting sorted out on the details of our new mission. I’ve tasked my new first officer Commander McCleod to oversee everything to ensure that nothing goes wrong on our first mission together. I hoping as a unit we can move from strength to strength together.

[USS Anaheim – Sickbay Conference Room One]

“Already? I thought you’d want to go against stereotype?” the Chief Medical Officer said sitting back in her chair around the conference table. It was only her and the Chief Councilor a Lieutenant Junior Grade half-Betazoid named Yuhiro Kolem. The German woman was quiet once the door swooshed open and they were joined by her new Head Nurse Senior Shipwoman Rachel Smirth and the ship’s First Officer a Doctor McCleod.

”Sir,” she said and he nodded in response.

He had a thick Scottish accent, “Don’t mind me, the Captain wants me to supervise but this is your show Commander. You’re the Anaheim’s Chief Medical Officer and not me, I don’t want to get in your way. Oh by the way I’ve talked to the Captain about calling doctors doctors, so hopefully he sticks to it.”

As a primarily medical ship most of the crew was in someway or another a medical professional whether they were doctors like Mueller and McCleod, registered nurses like Smith or simply worked in a support field like Kolem.

He continued, “Oh by the way our Chief Operations Officer is El-Aurian so expect some challenges on that one if she ever gets sick.”

Down to business Mueller was right back talking, though she was no longer gossiping with the young councilor. Leaning forward in her chair she said, “For now this is the medical senior staff. There’s a few roles I may fill out as we go. The Anaheim is unusual in that we’re almost parallel with the regular command structure since this is a medical ship. He’s the XO has always been a medical officer and the CMO is usually second officer in the chain.”

McCleod cleared his throat and said, “I would not expect that this time. The Captain seems frustrated by having so many Doctors around him. I’d expect him to opt for Security of Operations as a second officer this time”

Mueller nodded, not that she had been counting on the job but it was never good to hear that her commanding officer was not a fan of running the exact type of ship that he was running. 

“That captain is an accomplished man. Doctors’ education puts them in a unique place in Starfleet and the ship’s chain of command. A CMO can discharge a captain, nobody else can,” Kolem observed.

”Or you get your captain’s pip and you want to be Captain Riker,“ the nurse said.

Trying to bring things back on track Mueller cleared her throat, “As to our assignment on Artagus IV, it’s pretty basic. They’ve gone unprepared and require our help. The USS Bravefoot was there for basically the same reason fourteen months ago. We have the pro visions already so it’ll be a case of setting up three vaccination centers in their main cities.”

”Make sure Commander Th’kaotross is involved, we’ll want security to help organize the lines and protect the vaccines from theft,” Commander McCleod added.

”We’ll run shipboard sickbay at minimal staff and have the bulk of our teams deployed. I’ll have to select an Assistant Chief Medical Officer by then and have them oversee the shipboard care of the crew,” Doctor Mueller said. Turning to the Chief Councilor she asked, “Anything you want to add, this mission doesn’t really include your team.”

”We’ll have a councilor accompany you down at every site, but I don’t foresee us needing to do that much. Talk to some kids nervous about hyposprays, and the like,” Kolem said.

”Anything else to report?” Mueller asked.

”It’s only been a few days. The team is still meeting with all the crew and we’ll setup a regular rotation of visits depending on the needs of the crew,” Kolem explained.

”The Captain would like you on the bridge more. He likes umm…” the Commander paused.

”He likes having a Troi,” Kolem said.

”Yes,” McCleod said as if apologizing with his voice.

”Perfect, that’s validating for me as a person,” the half-Betazoid said rolling her eyes.

McCleod decided they’d taken enough shots for now, “Alright he’s still our Captain so we need to show him some respect. Obviously Troi was very useful for Admiral Picard and a good officer in her own right. I’m sure you will be to and entirely due to your own abilities. We do need to listen to him, the Captain not Admiral Picard, and he’s got lots of experience which we will all benefit from.”

The others nodded, realizing that they needed to toe the line a bit more.

”Sorry sir,” Nurse Smith said.

The First Officer shrugged, “Don’t worry about it. You’re all young, most of this ship is. Talking behind our backs is what you do. But you’re all senior officers now, you need to set an example. Now I’m going to the gym, so you can talk about me behind my back. Carry on.”

He rose and left the room nodding.

Doctor Mueller looked over the others, “Alright everyone, I’ll talk to our friendly neighborhood Andorian Security Chief you get your ends ready. We arrive in two days and I expect us to deploy within six hours of landing. I’ll liaise with the local authorities to secure the sites. Dismissed.”

The remaining crew rose and exited the room. They had things to do, and  while they had ample time to do it, everyone wanted to make a good impression early on in the mission.

Nathan Hawkthone’s Captain’s Log: We have taken up orbit around Arcturus IV and opened communications with the planet. The medical team is preparing to beam down to our injection centers and the support staff is hard at work ensuring that they have the proper support while on the mission. Operations and security have their hands full as we deal with thousands of civilians in a calm and orderly manner over the next two weeks.

[USS Anaheim – Shuttle Bay 1]

The Vulcan flight control officer examined the shuttle.  It was not a starship, that was obvious, but it would do. While her talents were wasted acting as a gloried driver down to the surface there was too many things to beam down and she had nothing to do while the Anaheim was in orbit. Inside the shuttle an Andorian Lieutenant Commander was checking armaments.

”Should we be armed?” a human security officer named Ensign William Hume asked.

”No, the population is peaceful. However we should have a supply just in case. Keep them locked up and out of sight, it’s a last resort,” said Kan Th’kaotross the Andorian Chief of Security. He was likely next in line for the role of Second Officer, a move that Pr’Nor had heard the Captain speculate would show someone called ‘the brass’ that he took this position seriously and was prepared for more than just medical missions.

Another Lieutenant Commander in the mustard yellow and black uniform of Starfleet, this time indicating Operations, and a human Lieutenant were moving medical supplies onboard a second shuttle. Pr’Nor watched them work, their Operations team. The human was strong and efficient, the other it was hard to tell. Etheral was a more poetic term than she would normally have used but it seemed to fit. The woman looked at her and nodded shooting the Vulcan a smile.

Pr’Nor approached, “I am Pr’Nor, the Chief Flight Control Officer.”

”Tashai, I do things,” the woman said.

”Things Is not a specific term,“ Pr’Nor said.

”After a few hundred years you learn to be vague,” the other woman said, “To leave open the pathways of possibility.”

”Definition helps reveal possibilities,” the Vulcan said.

“You’re Vulcan, you would,” Tashai said and smiled wider.

”You are, vexing,” Pr’Nor said.

”I know, it’s my fifth best quality,” Tashai said heading back to the boxes of medical supplies to be loaded. 

For her part the Vulcan boarded one of the shuttles and examined its controls. Nothing stood out as being unusual and she was sure a complement of semi-competent pilots would be able to handle these duties without any problem. Powering up the shuttle she ran through a simple systems check then powered it back down. There was no surprises and everything was up to standards. Courses would be plotted once they had exact locations of the sites, and those negotiations were ongoing and based on the needs of the Chief Medical Officer and her teams.

“A pilot heh,“ the Operations human said from behind as he set a crate in place, “You know I always wanted to be one.”

”Is that relevant? When I was two I wished to be a type of insect similar to an Earth butterfly that’s native to Vulcan, I do not go around announcing it,” Pr’Nor pointed out.

The man nodded, “You’d have made a great alien butterfly. See that’s how you make friends. You say ’Yi I bet you’d have been a great pilot’, and let me feel good about it.”

”Yi you would have been a great pilot,” Pr’Nor said, not knowing if any of that was true, but familiar enough with human nonsense to sense that it was the right response to what he had said.

”Thank you,” Yi said, ”and you would have made a beautiful butterfly.”

”You are not going to call me that as a moninker or nickname are you?” Pr’Nor said sensing more human nonsense on its way.

”Why not?”

”I will break both your arms off,” she said feeling it best to stop that right now.

”Yes ma’am,” the human said not quite apologizing but at least not calling her a butterfly. To Pr’Nor this seemed like a reasonable resolution to the issue so without pomp or circumstance she got up from the shuttle’s flight controls and headed out into the fuller bay.

”Hey, don’t break my officers’ arms,” Tashai said as the Vulcan passed her.

”He was being illogical,” Pr’Nor said, “I would not actually break his arms off. Yet I find humans respond to strong imagery.”

“Well they do, but I need those arms,” Tashai said, “Remember Tashai’s arms are off limits. The rest of my though, we can talk about.”

Pr’Nor frowned she did not even understand what this woman was talking about, but rather than inquire she simply nodded and said, “I will keep that in mind.“

[USS Anaheim – Briefing Room]

The full, as it was, Senior Staff was assembled in the Briefing Room. This had been the first time they had assembled and for the more junior members it was a big deal. Save for Captain Hawthorne everyone was new, to both the ship and the responsibilities that they were taking on. Fleet Day had created a lot of openings all across the fleet and the ambitious had jumped at them.

Hawthorne hoped that this would be his crew now for awhile, and his year for promotion and great successes. This mission however was not what was going to do it. At best it was the sort of easy to handle assignment that could have been given to any ship in the fleet. At worst it was a chance to some how screw up and bring shame down on all involved.

Not that this was going to happen. He had to admit, as much as he had grown to dislike working with doctors primarily it seemed that Doctor Michelle Mueller knew what she was doing. He first week as a ship’s Chief Medical Officer and she was capably leading a team of two hundred and deploying them planetwide. Trust a German to be able to handle logistics, they were like less annoying Vulcans.

”… and Lieutenant Junior Grade Pr’Nor has the coordinates and has distributed them to our pilots. Three sites, it’ll take six hours to set up our facilities then we can run the sites in shifts with fifty nurses and doctors a shift. Operations, security, and flight control have people allocated too,” she explained and then sat down.

”Okay make sure you use Doctor McCleod as well. He’ll join one of the teams as my eyes and ears on the surface. I may have to go down for a state dinner of boiled potatoes, but ideally I’ll remain on the ship,” Hawthorne said, not wanting to mix with the local politicians or enjoy their potatoes.

”What’s the tactical situation Commander?” he asked his Andorian Chief of Security.

The Andorian seemed a bit surprised, “They have a local militia for peacekeeping and minor law enforcement. Each shuttle has a locked supply of firearms. If there was conflict we would prevail rather handily.“

The Captain nodded thoughtfully, “And do you sense anything Miss Kolem?”

”Sense, anything,” the half-Betazoid councilor said carefully, balancing making the Captain happy and pointing out that she could not just sense anything from orbit about a people she’d never met. She was empathic, not a wizard, “Ummm no, everyone seems honest. I would need to be closer to read anything more specific sir.”

”Good, go on the first transport, get a lay of the land and report back,” Hawthorne said.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Kolem nodded thinking this was a dumb and pointless idea and that she had a lot of other work to do, but one did not have to be an empath to tell that the Captain seemed pleased by this idea so she simply nodded.

“Operations, we good to go?” he asked.

”Good to go go go,” Tashai said giving the Captain a thumbs up which was a gesture she had been taught before anyone else on the ship was born. Her smile was meant to be reassuring but had the opposite effect.

”Okay,” Captain Hawthorne said uncertainly, “Anything to report?”

“We have new panel hatches on the fiber optics doors in engineering. They’re pretty spiffy,” she said.

”That’s not what, okay we’ll come back to that. Thank you, speaking of Engineering, how are we Mister Young?” the Captain asked.

”Since we just left space dock there’s almost nothing for us to do, but we’ll be running basic tests while in orbit making sure the team there didn’t miss anything. I can currently give us warp seven without issues, warp eight for a limited time if we need to press things. We’ll also supplement our Operations teams with some engineers in the field,” James Young said massaging his beard.

”Perfect. Okay crew on another note, you’re my senior staff. After this mission I’ll be picking one of you to be my Second Officer. Rank doesn’t really factor into this it’ll be based on instinct and your performance on this mission. You’re all new, and have been given a great opportunity to serve on one of the best ships in Starfleet. So let me officially welcome you to the Anaheim,” the Commanding Officer said and smiled at his senior staff.

[USS Anaheim – Shuttle Bay 1]

Ensign Hume was trying to flirt but there were a lot of people around. It made things awkward. The Betazoid (half) likely knew this but did not really do anything to make it easier for him. 

“So we’re together again, on a mission,” he said.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Kolem nodded, “Yup, us and thirty others.”

”Well it’s nice to spend time with you,” he said.

”I have actual work to do not magically look at the locals and be reveal a secret plot,” she said, “You know I bet the Enterprise went on thousands of missions where not one thing was decided by their councilor being an empath. People just write books about the exciting things.”

Hume nodded, “I guess, but it’s those books that we learn the most from. Maybe this is some kind of trap, and you’ll save us all.”

”More likely I waste six hours,” Kolem said.

”Stop flirting and buckle up,” Pr’Nor entered.

”How did you know that’s what I was doing?”

”I am intelligent,” Pr’Nor said.

”Ignore her she threatened to rip a guy’s arms off earlier,” Kolem said.

“I did, and I stand by that Councilor,” Pr’Nor said sitting in her chair, “Now let us go.”

The shuttle’s doors slid shut as everyone sat down and its engines started. Soon it was descending and the task had begun in earnest. 

Nathan Hawthorne’s Captain‘s Log: Half was through our assisting of the population of Artagus IV we are working quickly to distribute the vaccine and it’s already being proven to lower infection rather. Doctor Mueller reports that by the end of this week we will be ready to withdraw our team and set off. Tonight however I have a state dinner with the colony’s Prime Minister and other distinguished guests.

[USS Anaheim Bridge]

”So nothing suspicious?” the Captain asked.

Sitting in a chair next to him the Chief Councilor had learned by now that he thought of her more as a magical lie detector than a therapist there to help his crew. She smiled politely, “No sir. They seem honest upon visiting all three sites. I think we have been very diligent.”

This praise of him sending her down three times pleased him. He liked to have things to report back to Starfleet Command even if things were not worth reporting. The peaceful local population remaining peaceful was not a major accomplishment, but it was enough of a win that he was going to take it.

”Excellent. I have been roped into a state dinner on the planet’s surface tonight. You’ll accompany me along with Doctor Mueller and someone else, I haven’t decided yet,” he said, “One of the Lieutenant Commanders. Who’d you suggest?”

Lieutentant Kolem thought about it, “Well sir, bringing your Security Chief would be a projection of strength and also a show of our crew’s diversity with two humans and two other species. Tashai is…”

”Weird,” the Captain said, “No not her. Okay Kan Th’kaotross it is. Thank you for your council Councilor.”

”Sir if I may object slightly. Tashai is not weird, but as an El-Aurian she is simply, different and finds things interesting that you or I may not. Also perhaps this would be a better ready room conversation, rather than the bridge crew hearing you call your senior staff weird,” she said feeling nervous about contradicting the Captain.

He nodded and stoked his beard, “You’re right Lieutenant, very well spoken. She and I just need to get to know each other better. Okay she’ll come in Th’kaotross’ place. I’ll get to know her better, both of you. It’ll be a bonding experience, eating potatoes together. Have you had them they’re originally from Earth.”

”I have yes, I was born on Mars,” she said.

”Ah, right, sorry I have so many files I’m learning,” the Captain said.

[USS Anaheim – Chief Engineer’s Quarters]

”I think that looks good,” William Hume said, he was not sure what this was. Nor had he bothered to try to get it nailed down. Him and the Chief Councilor had been spending pretty much all their social time together but it was not clear to him whether if she liked him. He had one night of a good idea that she did, but after that nothing had happened. Of course he was spending most of his duty shifts down on the world, and the Captain had been sending her all over the place.

”I want it to say, friendly but touchies,” she said.

”You think he’s that kind of guy?” Hume asked.

”Everyone is that kind of guy when they hear you’re a Betazoid. They all think I’ll be that way, you know,” Lieutenant Kolem said.

”Yeah,” Hume said, he had had that thought himself.

As if sensing what he was thinking she looked at him, “Hey I don’t mean you, you know.”

”The Captain is great. I’m sure he wouldn’t do a thing, he’s just a fan of history, and in love with the stories of the old Enterprise and its crew,” Hume said feeling the need to defend the man who had proven thus far to be a good Captain. Everyone had different styles and opinions and Hawthorne seemed to do well managing a ship load of doctors on what was from a Security perspective one of Starfleet’s top five most burning missions.

Kolem seemed less convinced but shrugged, before holding up another dress, “How about this purple one?”

”Besides he probably sees you more as a daughter,“ Hume said.

”I should be happy about that?” Kolem asked, “I have a mother, I had a father. I need a CO not another father.”

”Humans like recreating family bonds with new groups of people,” Hume suggested.

”Stop explaining humans to me. I’m human too. I know what potatoes are, I know what humans are, I’m from Mars not Betazed,” she said tersely. 

Hume held up his hands as if surrendering to a Klingon boarding party, “Okay whoa I can leave.”

”Sorry, I’m just stressed out,” Kolem said. 

“No worries, I get it. First posting, running a department, assigned some make work project, and clearly the Captain’s favorite new person. You’ll be great,” he said supportively. 

Kolem looked at him appreciatively, “Thank you. We should do a holodeck thing one day, you know to get out and have some fun.”

”Some fun, or some fun?” Hume asked.

”Some fun,“ Kolem said, “Now back to your hallway I have to change.”

”You didn’t answer the question,” Hume protested as he was ushered out the door to her quarters.

[Artagus IV – Grand Palace Dinning Hall, Prime Minister’s Residence]

“Excellent boiled potatoes your honor,” lied Kolem as she set her fork down.

The Prime Minister smiled, “Thank you, my chef originally came from New Paris. He is so talented.”

The Captain looked less convinced by this but nodded, “I am glad our assistance had brought this opportunity for our people to get to know yours so well.”

”And eat potatoes,” added Lieutenant Commander Tashai, “Yummy potatoes. I once ate nothing but potatoes for a year.”

Lieutenant Junior Grade Kolem was pretty sure the El-Aurian was making this up, but nobody would ever be able to confirm this to see if she had or not. The Prime Minister seemed impressed as did everyone but the Captain who seemed annoyed. He was also annoyed that the El-Aurian had worn her usual duty uniform and neither a dress nor a formal uniform. While it was not as if they needed to impress the delegates he was always focused on making a good impression.

The dinner continued on like this for two hours, with the Captain praising the resilience of the Artagus IV colonists, the Prime Minister praising the Anaheim, and Commander Tashai interjecting with random non-sensical facts. For her part Kolem worked to grease the wheels, and keep things on track keeping the Captain from getting mad. In her own opinion she did a brilliant job at it.

”It’s good wine though,” the Captain said as the three crew members stood on the balcony overlooking the gardens of the Prime Minister’s residence.

”Real alcohol, I haven’t had that since,” Kolem began then stopped.

”Since graduating the Academy,” the Captain assumed incorrectly.

”That was a fun night,” Kolem admitted.

”The Academy was fun, how about you did you go back when shuttles were steam powered?” Captain Hawthorne asked the El-Aurian.

She laughed, “That is a good one. No I was there recently, I waited until I was a few hundred years old to enter, rather than rush into things. I figure I’ll do this for a century or two then try something else. Do you think the Vulcans will let me into their science Academy?”

”I don’t think you’re cut out for Vulcan,” Kolem said.

”Yeah, probably not. Humans are my favorites. I might try Klingons next though they seem fun,” Tashai said.

”You talk like we’re pets,” Hawthorne observed.

”You sort of are. How long do dogs live? Humans live about that long in comparison to me, you’re obviously more than dogs or cats, but well you’re not here that long. No offense,” she said.

The Captain drank his wine, “I guess you have a point. Thank you both for coming. I know I’ve been a hard CO on this mission. I just… everything is fun by Doctor Mueller, there’s not a lot of captaining to do. So it’s nice to have a staff who I trust, and like.”

”Of course sir,” Kolem said, noting that Doctor Mueller had pulled an extra shift rather than come enjoy the potatoes tonight.

“We should get back,” the Captain said.

[USS Anaheim – Chief Councilors Quarter]

Yuhiro Kolem rolled over in her bed. She had debated stopping by Ensign Hume’s hallway bunk for some company but she did not want to start tongues wagging if she showed up late at night and took him away. Besides she was trying not to be the kind of woman that everyone seemed to (wrongly) assume that she was just because she was a half-Betazoid. Playing it cool let him wonder what was going on, and kept her in control of the situation.

Unable to sleep she sent a letter to her mother back on Mars, before retreating back to bed. Tomorrow, unless otherwise assigned by the CO, she had office visits and would start a rotation of sessions with new patients. She had also enrolled in school again, feeling a bit overwhelmed she had decided to get her doctorate so that she was also a doctor. It wouldn’t be easy, or fast, but it gave her something to do and hopefully would give her more confidence once she graduated. For now though she was going to keep it under her hat, as the old saying went. Part of why the Captain liked her, she knew, was that she was not a doctor and so he felt they were more equals than if she was just another ‘Poindexter’ that he had to deal with.

[USS Anaheim – Captain’s Ready Room]

The truth was Captain Nathan Hawthorne liked his ship. He’d liked it from the first day years ago he’d laid eyes on it. The white and blue paint job was distinctive and the ship’s mission was vital when used right. He missed being able to be on the front lines, to face down pirates, or chase off Romulans, but he liked helping people in distress. He supposed maybe this new younger crew could reignite his love for the old girl, and get him back into the game.

If nothing else tonight had been interesting and had helped him make a few decisions. He picked up a nearby PADD and began his next report to Starfleet.

[USS Anaheim – Holodeck 2]

The Vulcan studied the picture perfect mountains of her homeworld curiously. She undertstood how this technology worked but not why anyone would use it in this manner particularly when the mountains were not what humans called rainbow colored. They were in fact far more realistically colored and a reddish sand color.

”Why are have you done that to the ground,” she asked puzzled.

”To confuse you,“ Tashai said.

”I do not understand. To what purpose do you wish to confuse me?” Pr’Nor asked, quite confused. The El-Aurian only smiled and tapped the side of her nose. The Vulcan was not sure being ‘friends’ with this woman was going to work out. Granted there was a need for social connection that even Vulcans had but Tashai seemed to be the least logical member of the Senior Staff and despite her rank and age which she had hinted was quite old, the woman acted like a mischievous child, which the Vulcan found vexing.

”Keep you interested,” Tashai said.

”Interested in what?” Pr’Nor said.

”Me, of course,” Tashai said, asking “Do you like them?”

”I like their original color. I find this fictions coloring the be garish,” Pr’Nor said honestly.

“Fooey,” Tashai said and adjusted the rocks and outcroppings back to their real color.

”Thank you,” Pr’Nor said, bowing her head In thanks. She understood she was hard to get along with, despite being Vulcan she was also a pilot and thus could be impulsive. She appreciated that Tashai was trying to be her friend, and did not want to be what humans called a ‘stick in the mud’.

”I’m just glad I made you smile,” Tashai said.

”I did not smile,” Pr’Nor corrected her, “I simply appreciate exact reproductions of Vulcan’s natural beauty.”

”Yes let’s talk about Vulcan’s natural beauty,” the El-Lucian said, grinning at Pr’Nor.

Pr’Nor had the feeling that this conversation was about two things, but she could not quite tell what the secondary one was. She instead reached up and began to scale the rock wall, they had come to rock climb after all.

”You’re lucky this place exists, in another time it does’t” Tashai said, “My home doesn’t the Borg got it.”

Pr’Nor pulled herself up further, “Is that information something you sense, you have knowledge of other worlds do you not?”

”Or just chance, the theory of divergent worlds, but yes I used to dream of Vulcan dying being killed by someone,” she said, “your people scattered. But those dreams have stopped recently, though I do not know why.”

Pr’Nor was not sure what to do with this information, “What am I meant to do with this information?”

”Nothing. It is only my dreams, you’re right where you belong,” the other woman said.

The two were quiet for a long time, moving upwards or at least seeming to. At a ledge Pr’Nor pulled herself up and sat down looking at the valley that now lay below them.

”This is far more aesthetically pleasing than when the rocks were rainbow,” she confirmed.

Tashai pulled herself up beside the Vulcan and shrugged, “Less fun.”

”Color is not meant for fun,” Pr’Nor said.

”You are so Vulcan,” Tashai teased.

”Thank you,” Pr’Nor said.

Tashai leaned in and kissed the other woman on the lips. Pr’Nor looked at her, not quite sure what had just happened. 

“You kissed me?”

”Yes, did you like it?” Tashai asked.

”I found it satisfying though unexpected,” Pr’Nor said.

”That was the plan, would you like to do it some more?” she asked.

”I believe I would,” Pr’Nor said.

[USS Anaheim – Engine Room]

The warp core gave off the familiar blueish glow that constantly filled the room. James Young stood watching it, silently counting off the seconds between pulses. Starbase 72 had done a masterful job of setting everything up, and it all ran like a new car driven right off the factory floor. This was obviously good, but gave him and his team nothing really to sink their teeth into as it were. While medical was carrying out the mission and the other departments were supporting them, he was working over time to get a one percent improvement out of the engines and realizing that maybe there was no improvement to be found.

Once they’d been out a month sure. Things could always be realigened to recalibrated, but a week out of having a refitt? It was too early to find any noticeable improvements to make, which meant telling the captain that he and his team were basically useless.

A tall broadly built Andorian entered that James recognized as the Chief of Security. He nodded and want over to greet Kan Th’kaotross.

”What’s up?” James asked.

”I was wanting to see if you wanted to train today. I understand you used to be a boxer,” the Andorian said.

”Back in the Academy yeah. Sure, I’d like that, you box before,” Young asked.

”I am an Andorian. I am sure I can hit you in the face,” Th’kaotross said.

”Yeah, we’ll work on getting you boxing then. I don’t want to have Mueller reset my nose,” the Chief Engineer said.

”She would not do it, she’d have someone else do it,” the Andorian pointed out.

”That takes all the fun out of being hit in the face,” Young joked.

”Do you like Doctor Mueller?” Th’kaotross asked.

”What no she’s just a fellow collegue, an attractive fellow colleague. But changing subjects I’m off in an hour, want to get dinner at Nine Forward first?” Young said quickly.

Th’kaotross let him change the subject, and nodded, “Dinner would be good. I will save you a seat then.”

[USS Anaheim – Medical Bay]

The bond that had formed between the First Officer and the Chief Medical Officer had lead to the inevitable rumors though nothing of the sort was going on. Commander Doctor McCleod knew about what was being said, and steadfastly ignored it realizing there was not a particularly good way of clearing things up and Lieutenant Commander Doctor Mueller had not yet realized what was being said as she was too focused on the logistics of their work.

It was not particularly complicated, during what they were doing. The Anaheim was possibly one of the best equipped ships in the fleet for it, able to deploy the resources and manpower while not taking up an entire Olympic class medical ship. This was really what this medical variant of the California Class had been made for. And Michelle Mueller was rightfully proud of her work overseeing it.

Doctor McCleod kicked his feet against the counter, “The Captain showed me his short list for Second Officer.”

”I’m not on it am I?” Mueller said, recognizing the tone of voice as one her father used when he had bad news. 

“It’s either our Security Chief or our councilor,” confirmed Doctor McCleod.

”Seriously, she’s on her first posting. She’s a Lieutenant Junior Grade,” Mueller said, “Nice. I’m sure she’s great at her psedo-science but not ready for any leadership let alone a new role above being a section chief.”

”You know the Captain sees her as someone he trusts and who listens to him,” McCleod said, “You and me intimidate him. She’s good at talking to him, and of everyone on this ship he listens to her which is good. Look I don’t disagree with you, it’s a mistake but it’s entirely his call.”

”He thinks she’s Diana Troi,“ Mueller said, “but Troi was no Doctor Pulaski. Not even a Doctor Crusher.”

“You read her book?” McCleod asked.

”Pulaski’s sure of course. She was my hero growing up, and why I specialized in cardiac medicine,” Mueller said.

McCleod sighed, “I‘ll mention you again, but he’s pretty set. I’m sorry. You’re doing great work though.”

[USS Anaheim – Nine Forward]

“Getting married was fun, staying married that was the boring part,” Nurse Rebecca Smith said.

”Wow, six months, that’s quick,” Yuhiro Kolem said.

”Hey you’re not supposed to judge me,” teased the nurse.

”I’m not here as your therapist I’ve assigned you to someone else. Also I don’t care, it’s not like I’m a role model,” Kolem said.

”I took a job in Starfleet to get out of Calgary,” Smith said shrugging, “A city can get small after an ugly divorcee.”

”How ugly?” Kolem asked.

”I cut up his great grandfather’s prized Stetson. It’s a hat, a cowboy hat,” she said.

”Ah, I see. Sounds dramatic,” Kolem said.

”It was that’s why I’m just fooling around these days,” Smith said.

”I don’t know if that’s healthy. If you had to get out of Calgary, imagine how bad it would be on a ship. Maybe just not for awhile?” she suggested.

”This isn’t a Galaxy Class ship with families. We’re all young, and fun. You should have some fun too,” Smith said.

”I have plenty of fun,” protested Kolem.

”Sure, then why has that cute security ensign been looking this way and you’ve not once met his gaze?” Smith asked.

”That’s Ensign Hume and I’m mad at him,” Kolem said.

”Ah, so you do have fun,” Smith said making a dramatic realization. 

“I make mistakes, just like you. Being empathic doesn’t solve that sadly,” Kolem said.

The doors to the lounge opened and two other senior officers walked past. Kolem waved which caused the two women the stop. It was the Vulcan Chief Flight Control Officer Pr’Nor and Tashai the El-Eurian.

”What have you two women been up to?” the Councilor asked.

”We have been expressing fondness for each other,” Pr’Nor said.

Kolem looked at the two of them, both were like blank slates giving her nothing to read. El-Eurians had some kind of telepathic abilities and Vulcans were too damned mentally disciplined, both of which prevented her empathy from doing much of anything. She frowned, then nodded slowly, “Okay.”

Whatever that meant.

“Join us, we were just talking about the Councilor love life,“ the Nurse said.

”I am not interested in that conversation,” Pr’Nor said.

”I am,” piped up Tashai.

”I concede that learning Betazoid dating rituals may be more fascinating than I anticipate,” Pr’Nor said taking a seat.

”I’m not teaching dating rituals, and I date like a human. I’m also half human,” the councilor protested.

”Which half?” Tashai asked.

”What?”

”Which half of you is human?”

”All of it,” Kolem said.

”So you’re all human?”

”What? No half,” Kolem said.

”But which half,” Tashai asked, sticking with the dad joke.

”What’s happening am I going crazy?” Kolem asked Pr’Nor.

”I do not understand her either, but as she pointed out that is intriguing,” the Vulcan said.

Kolem’s eyes narrowed something was up with these two, and as long as it kept her mind of either Hume or the promotion to Second Officer that the Captain had brought up to talk though the possibility with her, she was happy.

”Now what does expressing fondness for each other men?” the Betazoid asked.

Nathan Hawkthorne’s Captain’s Log: As the mission on Artagus IV is well under way most of it has been handled capably by the lower decks. At this point there is not a lot of management to be done as everyone know their role and their position. Thus taking a page from Captain Sisko I have arranged a bonding excercie that I believe will build a sense of camaraderie within my senior staff. We’ve pulled a few other members into the game to help fill out the ranks. 

We will be playing baseball this afternoon.

[USS Anaheim – Holodeck 2]

”I think we should play football,” the Scottish First Officer said as he examined the baseball that the Captain had handed him. What followed was a debate about what football was and whether you actually called it soccer but in the end the Captain overruled everyone and while it had been going to a vote about which they’d play American football or the rest of the world’s football, they stuck with baseball.

It turned out that only Ensign Hume and the Captain himself knew anything about baseball, or anything to be useful, and so we’re chosen as Captains and picked their teams one player at a time which the Captain referred to as ’playground’ rules to the amusement of some of the crew who thought this was all dumb. Doctor Mueller had to keep from sniggering, but managed to.

The teams broke down like this:

• Team 1 – Anaheim Angels
• Captain Hawthorne
• Lieutenant James Young
• Lieutenant Yi Zhang
• Lieutenant Va’Tok
• Chief Petty Officer Nurse Rachel Smith
• Petty Officer Nurse Jennifer Westbrook

• Team 2 – Sehlats
• Ensign William Hume
• Lieutenant Commander Kan Th’kaotross
• Commander Travis McCleod
• Lieutenant Junior Grade Pr’Nor
• Lieutenant Junior Grade Yuhiro Kolem
• Lieutenant Commander Doctor Michelle Mueller
• Lieutenant Commander Tashai

There was a brief discussion on the two teams about naming the teams which is how one team got the historic focused named of the Angels, while the other team was called the Sehalts after a pet that Pr’Nor had owned as a young girl, at the insistence of Tashai who promised/threatened to throw the ball away anytime it came to her if she didn’t get her way. As just an Ensign and not all that bothered Hume as the team captain almost instantly agreed to the terroristic negotiating position.

Neither team was that familiar with the rules so they watched a holographic replay to teach them how the rules worked. Then after a coin flip Captain Hawthorne’s team was first up to bat, and the Sehlat’s collected their holographic baseball gloves and took to the field to scramble around arguing about who stood where as Ensign Hume had to physically move people around like giant 3-D chess pieces.

“Can I pitch,” Tashai asked.

”I think I should start,” Hume said.

”I would be very good at it, I bet you’ll see,” Tashai said.

”Given that the game‘s outcome has no bearing on anything would it not be logical to allow her to pitch,” Pr’Nor said from first base.

”We want to win,” Hume argued, it was pretty clear that the dynamic of those two was throwing off the team though he did not know why. They just always seemed to either be what he’d call if they had been human ‘cute bickering’ or having one and other’s backs. They were less a team than a two headed person with wildly different personalities.

The first two pitches were strikes but Hawthorne, who was first up, managed to his a home run and rounded the bases his arms in the air as the Angels scored their first point. Hume managed to strike out Westbrook and Smith but the general fitness of the rest of the team meant hits for them and then the Vulcan male whose name Hume had not caught hit another home run.

When they finally retired the other team and went to bat they were down four to nothing.

”It seems the strategy of picking mainly athletic humans is working for the Captain,” Pr’Nor observed.

”We’re going to get it back. Okay Tashai, you’re up first Lieutenant,” Hume said, sending his weakest player out to bat first.

She nodded, “I will score a field goal.”

Hume moaned as she strolled out to the plate and hit the first pitch over the simulated fence. She returned to a surprised team who had, like Hume all assumed she was going to be very bad.

”How’d you learn to hit like that?” Hume asked.

”I practiced, a lot. You have to be talented to play professional women’s baseball on Earth in 2105, I was the first basewoman for the Tokyo Dragon,” she said.

”I don’t know if you’re making that up but I could hug you,” Hume said.

”Please refrain from doing so, it would not be logical,” Pr’Nor intoned.

Hume nodded, “Okay Commander McCleod let’s keep this run going.”

He did not keep the run going and within six innings it was 13-5 with all five of the Sahlats points having been scored by Tashai, who was clearly the best person on either team. While even Captain Hawkthorne who knew the second most about baseball had to check the computer at times the El-Auriah was as if she was a living embodiment of the sport. She knew the rules, faster at times than the computer and all the angles and soon was let free to run around the field on her own catching the ball for other players.

At the end of the sixth inning the Captain called an extended time out and served food. A picnic in the park he called it but it had a selection of all sorts of foods from Andorian chowder to Vulcan vegetables. Hot dogs (both full meat and vegan) were served alongside burgers, and other picnic like foods. The teams broke up and grabbed plates and glasses.

Hume found himself a way of being alone with Lieutenant Junior Grade Kolem. 

“Are you avoiding me? We’re on the same team and haven’t said three words,” he said.

”I’m mad at you,” she said.

”Why?”

”Lieutenant Bartara walked by while we were talking,” she said, “And you had a rather intense emotional reaction.”

”But… ohh, ummm,” Hume said it did not seem fair to have his girlfriend or whatever Kolem was be able to read his emotions. He’d kept a perfect poker face as he had avoided eyeing the other officer, “That’s not fair.”

”No, it’s not,” admitted Kolem, “but I wanted to go slower so I just went with it. I’m only human I can’t control how I feel.”

”Well I’m sorry but I can’t promise never to look at another woman,” Hume said.

”I know. I wouldn’t ask you to, it’s my own thing to deal with, just keep trying okay. I promise I’ll get my head in the game,” Kolem said.

Hume laughed, “We talking about us or baseball?”

”Definitely not the baseball.”

”What’s up with Pr’Nor and Tashai?” he asked looking over where the apparently ancient baseball player was laying on the Vulcan’s legs which she had set on the ground to sit. Rather than seem annoyed by this the Vulcan seemed to not notice, or at least tolerate it without looking disturbed. 

“Can’t say anything,“ Kolem said.

”Because you don’t know anything?” Hume asked.

”Councilor rules,” Kolem said.

Eating a stalk of celery Va’Tok had the same question which he addressed to Pr’Nor standing over the two women as he looked down and asked, ”Why are you sitting on our Chief Flight Control Officer?”

”She’s the best pillow I brought,” Tashai answered.

”I do not understand she is a Vulcan not a pillow,” Va’Tok said.

”We are physically affectionate with one and other,” Pr’Nor said, “As to establish a deeper emotional connection.”

Va’Tok took this in stride, “I understand. A curious choice, as she seems most illogical. I had intended to ask you to accompany me to a musical recital but given your situation I will redirect my interest.”

Pr’Nor nodded, “Thank you. I may normally have said yes, but this is going well.”

”You make a most, aesthetically pleasing couple,” Ta’Vok said and walked off chewing on his celery.

”Oh I love Vulcans, that was cute, he has a crush on you,” Tashai said, leaning up and kissing Pr’Nor’s lips, an act that pretty much everyone at the picnic noticed but nobody commented on.

In the bleachers the tall Andorian sat next to the Cheif Medical Officer who was engaged in eating some corn on the cob. Kan Th’kaotross sat down next to her, his own plate mainly meat based. Doctor Mueller looked at it and judged the health effects of everything on it though she also knew that the Andorian could eat all of it and still be the healthiest person on the ship.

”You deserved the Second Officer’s position,” he said, “I’ve just stood at attention this entire mission, my department is fourth the size of yours and… well you’ve been to use a human phrase ‘killing this’.”

She shrugged, “You look like you rolled off a recruitment poster for Starfleet. You’re doing great too, yes it should be the CMO on a medical ship but we already have Doctor McCleod and the Captain wasn’t going to have another doctor. So yes it should have been me, but next best is you.“

”Are you suggesting I only got it because I look good in uniform?” the Andorian said in a way that Mueller could not tell if he was joking.

”Umm… maybe,” she said.

He smiled, “Thank you. I do look good in uniforms. You know he’s trying, he’s a good man he’s just. Bored I think. For most of us this is all new and exciting, for him, it’s been however many years and he’s not once got to do anything that the computer couldn’t do. I understand wanting to bring honor to your name.”

”Yeah I know, I just don’t have time for juggling the feelings of my male commanders while I’m running a large scale operation,” Mueller said.

”You ever not work?” Kan Th’kaotross asked.

”Not yet,” she confessed.

”Do you want to get a drink after this?“ he asked.

”As a date or as friends?”

”We can see how it goes.”

Mueller smiled, “I thought there was a ritual fight or something to ask me out first.”

”Well I’m trying to blend in, not a lot of Andorians on board,” he said.

”Clever,” Mueller said, “Okay but not Nine Forward, I don’t need everyone speculating.”

”Because of the rumors about you and Commander McCleod?”

”What rumors?”

Across the field Va’Tok was looking puzzled, “Hitting you would not be logical.”

”Trust me my core is tight man,” Li Zeng said lifting his shirt, “Pure muscle.”

Nurse Westbrook touched it and giggled, “It is.”

”I still do not believe hitting it would prove anything useful. I may be reprimanded,” Va’Tok said.

”Hit me come on,” Li Zeng said.

Against his better judgement Va’Tok him his stomach. The human bent over and fell to the ground the air punch out of him. 

From across the field Commander McCleod yelled, “Oi, don’t hit the junior officers. We only have so many.”

”Apologies Commander he insisted,” Va’Tok said.

The baseball game resumed due to the insistance of Captain Hawkthorne but only two more innings were played and seeming Tashai was the only one truly in it for the Sehlats. She scored another run and made a series of remarkable plays but it was not enough and the team lost to the Angels which had the effect of pleasing the Captain who presented them all with trophies.

”Thank you all this was fun. Next time we can play a Vulcan game,” he said.

”There is a game where we sit in quiet meditation for six hours and then discuss divergent points of opinion. I am quite good at that Va’Tok said.

“Maybe not a Vulcan game,” McCleod said, “How about caber tossing?”

”Sounds fun what’s that,” Captain Hawkthorne asked.

”You get a bloody big tree and throw it,” McCleod said.

”Wow, that’s…” Hume said then thought better of it when Kolem nudged him.

”Brilliant,” McCleod said, “We could eat haggis.”

Mueller made a face of disgust, as did a few of the other humans.

”What’s haggis?” Pr’Nor asked.

”Sheep’s guts,” Tashai said, “You wouldn’t like it.”

”Let’s table it for now, thank you all, and as a reward no work for two days, any of you,” the Captain said, “Let the lower decks handle this, and then we’ll finish up. This has been a dull, but important mission. We’ve saved lives and proved Starfleet’s non-military value once more.”

Hume found Kolem again, “Still mad at me?”

”No,” she admitted.

”You want that Holodeck adventure now?” he asked.

”Can we use it to play baseball?” she asked.

”I have better ideas,” he said as they exited into the hallway behind Pr’Nor and Tashai. 

[USS Anaheim – Holodeck 1]

As the USS Anaheim continued it’s latest orbit around the planetary colony below, with shuttles buzzing up and down delivering supplies the senior staff broke into smaller groups and went about enjoying their downtime. 

A solitary man Commander McCleod went and read medical journals in his quarters. Captain Nathan Hawkthorne returned to his Ready Room to let Starfleet know all was going well with the mission. Some went to check up on their duties, even thought off-shift, and others stayed far enough away. Lieutenant Commanders Michelle Mueller and Kan Th’kaotross had a rather awkward and chaste date in the Chief Medical Officer’s quarters while the less said about what Lieutenants Pr’Nor and Tashai got up to the better.

Assistant Chief Security Officer Ensign William Hume and Chief Councilor Lieutenant Junior Grade Yuhiro Kolem headed for a long awaited engagement in the Holodeck. Hume had promised to take care of everything and so spent about ten minutes at the computer console in the black room with yellow grid-lines as he programmed in what it was he wanted. He was careful to meet all historical documents, and even prepared but did not load a program that would add crowds of A.I. simulated people if they so choose. But while A.I. was not really people, it did feel weird being on a date in a large crowd. When he was finished he gestured at it dramatically, “Ta da the happiest place on Earth circa 2110,” he declared.

She looked around dubiously. Though she had been to Earth, it was a simple trip from her home on Mars, she had never heard of Disneyland and this did not look like the happiest place on the entire planet. The Eiffel Tower or the great fields of Idaho were more monumental. Still she understood this was THE Anaheim, the city that the ship had taken its name. Learning a bit about it couldn’t hurt.

”Looks a bit old,” she observed. 

Hume smiled, “Built in the 1960s it should be, though lots of stuff had been built up since then. The castle is original I think. Fixed up sure, but just like Walt Disney wanted it. Come on.”

He reached for her hand, and for a brief moment she paused. Her anger at Hume had mostly been about her, it was not fair to be mad about a thought he had in passing however strong it may be. She could sense the genuine affection that he had, along with a swirl of other feelings that she could not deal with right now. Still hand holding, as sixth form as it sounded, was the real thing. It meant something, though the pair had not decided what that was. In a way it seemed like it was probably easier just to do what Pr’Nor and Tashai had done and kiss in front of the entire senior staff.

She took his hand, intertwining her fingers within his and feeling a surge of excitement and satisfaction from the Ensign. It was weird, when she had first learned that her actions affected the emotional state of others and she could feel that. At first it had mostly been her mother, but now it had become a lot of people. Well more and more people as she saw more crew for therapy sessions, certainly.

They entered first an iron gate that acted as a checkpoint, which Hume explained was where you showed your tickets, and then went under a very old style train track which overlooked the entrance and ran around the park. Nearby the old style futuristic looking track of the monorail stood and a simulated one ran past but did not stop. With no people loaded it was completely empty.

Under the track were posters for things that Yuhiro Kolem did not understand, and on the other side was a seemingly near perfect recreation of 1900s small town America save for the castle at the end of the street. It was definitely not what she expected. It stuck Kolem as a kind of physical Holodeck, built years before the underlying technology had been created. Not having been around for the 1900s, or spent a lot of time off Mars where there had been nothing in 1900, she was not sure how faithful the recreation was, but she took it as probably being pretty good. 

“The buildings are stores, for the sake of the program we can take anything, or eat anything,” Hume said as Kolem wandered into a bakery. She took a cupcake from a display case and even though it was essentially the same food she had on the Anaheim every day it was sweet and caused her to smile. Treats and candies, both packaged and unpackaged ranged for awhile and then things turned to merchandise.

Kolem had been raised culturally like a human so many of the figures on display remained familiar. Though culture had advanced most children still new the stories of Snow White, The Little Mermaid, and other tales of princesses. They both found empty rooms in the back to change out of their uniforms and into merchandise, to better simulate the experience. Hume came out wearing a Mickey Mouse t-shirt, jeans that he must have fabricated with the replicator and the baseball style hat that he had been wearing during the game. Kolem came out wearing a tank top with the Princess Moana on it, and shorts along with sneakers and socks.

”You look cute,” Hume said.

Kolem nodded, “Okay, like powder puff cute?”

”Badass councilor cute,” he said.

”You look cute too,” she said.

Hume approached and kissed her, for once Kolem did not push him away or act like he was invading her personal space. Instead she wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him closer. He smelled good, a mixture of sweat gained from the baseball game and whatever he used to hold his hair in place. 

“Now the rides,” Hume said, grinning.

”Rides?” Kolem said setting back as he took her hand, leading her towards the castle and then to the left to something called Adventure Land and a ride named the Jungle Cruise. There an A.I. boat driver took them down a river (such as it was) filled with various animatronic animals. Today in the days of Data and other cyborgs they seemed quaint and backwards which gave these not very real looking robots a certain charm. 

The rest of the rides were similar. Given that the year was locked to 2110 everything had a backwards out-of-date feel that was kind of creepy and kind of sweet. Some of it, like talking to a holographic Moana seemed almost cool, and others like Mister Toad’s Wild Ride was just a bit unnerving. They ended up in a special room, a hotel suite in the castle where they sat looking out at the park.

”This was nice, but I still don’t understand it,” Kolem said.

”There was a lot less to do back then,” shrugged Hume.

”I remember some of these movies. Classic old films now,” she said.

”Even in 2110 most of them were. Snow White was the first feature length animated movie humans made,” Hume said, “People remember Houdini and Charlie Chaplain, why not Snow White?”

”Who is Houdini?” Kolem asked.

”A magician,” Hume answered, “anyway we should get back.”

”Got a bunk next to a Trill?” Kolem teased. A unique feature of the California Class was that the lower decks, usually ensigns and enlisted crew, slept in the hallway in bunks. She had skipped that by being a Lieutenant Junior Grade and section chief. 

“Trills aren’t supposed to smell weird right, that’s just him,” Hume asked.

”Nope. Not unless something is going wrong medically with their symbiot.”

”He’s not joined, so it’s just him. Alright computer end program,” Hume said and then when their surroundings were replaced with the black room with yellow grid lines he offered his hand and helped Kolem to her feet. Still wearing her Disneyland attire she rose and followed him down the hall to the turbolift and then her own room.

”I could stay,” he said, only partially motivated by the much nicer privacy of quarters. 

She smiled, “You could but we’d both regret it, or I would. We go slow okay, I’m not rushing into some first assignment romance. I mean I am, but not without my eyes open.”

Hume nodded, “See you later Lieutenant.”

”Ensign,” she said nodding as he headed towards the nearest turbolift.

Nathan Hawkthorne’s Captain’s Log: Our mission progresses successfully. I have given the senior staff time off today after we bonded over a game of baseball. I have allowed Assistant Chief to take over for their chiefs and fill out the duties around the ship. While the crew is young, this is about training the next generation of talent to trek through the stars. I hope the senior crew takes my directive seriously, and relaxes as the lower decks hold everything together.

[USS Anaheim – Holodeck 1]

“Is there any part of Andorian that’s not a frozen wasteland?” complained Doctor Michelle Mueller the Chief Medical Officer. They had not even adjusted the Holodeck’s temperature to what Andor was meant to be and she was already cold looking at all the snow. A winter wonderland was one thing, this was, well unpleasant.

Feeling a bit attacked by the suggestion Lieutenant Commander Kan Th’kaotross frowned pulling down the down hood on his coat, “It’s an ice planet.”

”The entire planet?” Mueller asked, dumbstruck by that.

”We didn’t all get to grow up on Earth like moneys,” he said.

The others looked between themselves, silently debating jumping in. For once even Pr’Nor held her silence. With the Captain on the bridge and Commander McCleod likely reading or avoiding what he’d taken to calling ‘the kids‘ they had decided some Holodeck bonding was in order. Sadly so far it was not, both Vulcan and Andor seemed too harsh for various reasons and Earth seemed too cliche.

Quickly wanting to be the peace maker, the Chief Councilor Yuhiro Kolem pipped up, “Risa, we can go to Risa.”

The two stopped fighting as they each considered it. Finally they both nodded as they accepted the wisdom of the idea. Risa was a vacation planet and while a Holodeck was not as good as the real thing, at least it was not Earth which everyone had ever been to already in real or simulated form.

”Our favorite Martian saved the day,” Lieutenant Commander Tashai the Chief Operations Officer said. She had taken to calling Kolem a Martian because she was from Mars colony and Tashai was old enough to be from a time when humans did not know about the rest of the galaxy. She found it funny that they’d come up with fictional aliens in their own solar system when such a thing was impossible.

The Holodeck changed from the snowy plains of Andor to a lush tropical paradise. The team‘s clothing then changed from down jackets and snow shoes to very thin materials that were perhaps a bit too revealing, and made Kolem grateful that there was not Human Resources Officer present. 

“Okay we’re just having fun, no more fighting, okay,” she said, trying to follow the spirit if not the letter of what the captain wanted. Granted he had not sent them to Risa (simulated or not) but he had told them to relax and have fun. Keeping the ship’s crew happy was her job, in a round about way, and the captain had the right instincts on this, even if other than Doctor Mueller nobody was being pressed to the breaking point. She had taken on a lot, and it was clear to Kolem that she was disappointed by not being made Second Officer, which effectively made her the third in charge of the ship. Not that Th’kaotross did not deserve it as well.

Pr’Nor, who had immediately marched over to a console and adjusted her own clothing to a Vulcan robe, nodded, “We understand Councilor. We will enjoy our enforced frivolity.”

”I hope there’s a pool,” Lieutenant James Young said.

”RIsa is famous for its natural pools,” Mueller said.

”More famous for other things, I think,” Th’kaotross said.

”But also natural pools,” Mueller said.

”Other things,” Th’kaotross snapped back.

The Doctor looked as if she were going to hit the much taller Andorian. To his credit it was Chief Engineer James Young who jumped in taking Th’kaotross off down a forested path looking for drinks and leaving the women senior staff alone.

”I take it the date didn’t go well,” Kolem observed.

“He’s just so, Andorian,” Mueller said.

”And you’re very German,” Kolem said.

”Now that you and your date are finished making it awkward, we should endeavor to find one of those pools,” Pr’Nor said, “And synthahol.”

”That was the worst invention in my life time,” Tashai observed, ranking it mentally above the killer robots on the Moon Colony that destroyed the armada that Admiral Picard had been working to assemble and save Romulus.

In a pool, which they found fairly easily, Kolem asked, “I take it that it’s going well between you two.”

Pr’Nor inclined her head impassively which Kolem took to be confirmation. The Vulcan and the El-Aurian shared a look, as if they had discussed just how public they wanted to be after dramatically kissing during yesterday’s baseball game, and Pr’Nor eventually said, “We are making sufficient progress to satisfy us.”

”Vulcan dating sounds easy, you just ignore it,” Mueller said.

”That is a mischaracterization,” Pr’Nor said.

Mueller seemed unconvinced so she paddled away and swam a lap. Kolem floated on her back and looked up at the sky, enjoying the feeling of heat which at least in this respect she agreed with Mueller, Andor would not have provided. She wished Hume was off-duty and not presumably on the bridge, as she’d like to show him Risa which was the modern adult orientated Disneyland like he’d shown her yesterday.

James Young and Th’kaotross returned holding a bevy of half coconuts, “We found drinks!”

”Real drinks,” asked Tashai.

”No, but they came in coconuts, do they have cocunuts on Risa?” he asked as the pair distributed them.

”The computer thinks they do,” Kolem said when it was discovered that not one of them had been to Risa. They all vowed, except for Pr’Nor, to travel there as soon as they had the chance and find out.

[USS Anaheim – Bridge]

Newly promoted Lieutenant Scchhttt’aaakkk cackled. Given the difficulties of a dolphin leaving his tank, the Chief Navigation Officer normally operated out of the Cetacean Operations center. Truthfully Captain Hawthorne had forgotten to give the Lieutenant the day off, or invite him to the baseball game but given the difficulty getting him in the bridge now it was not looking like Lieutenant Scchhttt’aaakkk would be joining them that often. 

The Captain had decided to run a simulation of an Orion pirate attack and was finding a dolphin distracting. He was however pleased with getting to run a war game, and Ensign Hume seemed competent filling in on Security and handling tactical duties. 

“Shields holding,” Hume reported as a simulated pirate unleashed phaser fire.

”Any injuries Doctor Va’Tok?” Hawthorne asked.

The Vulcan looked down at his readout, “Medical bay is reporting a few cuts and sprained body parts but nothing life threatening sir.”

”FIre all we have Mister Hume,” the Captain gave an order he had never been able to give under real circumstances. 

“Yes sir,” Hume said and a simulated spread of torpedoes and phase fire appeared on the screen destroying the simulated Orion pirate cruiser. Hawkthorne knew it was fake but he felt satisfied non-the-less. 

“Thank you all, reset the ship, Lieutenant Scchhttt’aaakkk thank you for joining us,” he said.

Scchhttt’aaakkk gave a series of clicks which translated to “You’re welcome sir“ and was off. Hawthorne was not sad to see him go. The Captain rose and called Ensign Hume into his Ready Room where he praised the Ensign and told him there were grand things on his horizon if he wanted them. It was the kind of speech he with he’d gotten from a CO, and he figured that mentoring a smart up and coming officer with a good background as with Hume was a good idea. The kid was smart, and his family lived and breathed Starfleet. Heck both his mother a Captain level and his sister were serving and his father had died in the Dominion War.

“Sir can I ask, what would you want your next post to be?” Hume asked.

Hawthorne mused, “Enterprise? No, that’s too ambitious, but I want to explore. We do good and vital work but I’d like to be pushing the frontiers of the Federation out rather than just handling these Doctors and acting as a glorified taxi driver.”

Hume nodded, “Well you’ll get it one day sir. We’re doing great and Command will eventually notice.”

Hawthorne smiled, “Well until then thank you for your contribution yesterday. You did darn well at baseball.”

”No I didn’t I had a ringer and we still lost, but I appreciate the praise,” Hume said.

”I have some correspondence to do Ensign, dismissed,” Hawthorne said eventually, sending Hume back to the bridge. Once the Ensign had departed the ready room he sat down and wrote letters to those members of his family he was in touch with, as well as a few friends. Then he departed the bridge and headed to his own quarters to rest himself and prepare for the not exciting next day.

Soon the medical teams would be done, and they would return to a starbase to restock and prepare for what was next. Then they’d do this all over again, at least until he was either given a new command or retired. Both seemed just as likely at this point, though he had enjoyed musing on brighter futures with Mister Hume, however brief and however unlikely.

[Artagus IV – First Injection Site]

The hypospray gave a satisfying click as it emptied its contents into the young woman’s arm. A brief discussion and a lollipop given and the girl ran to her mother excitedly. That had not hurt anywhere near what she had anticipated. Doctor Michelle Mueller set the now empty hypnospray, in a box which an Operations Officer sealed up, and the looked down the line satisfied. After a lot of work they had finished, they would remain for another day and run some educational campaigns to try to get the last of the stragglers but anyone who wanted treatment had now gotten it curtesy of Starfleet.

Turning she looked at the Chief Operations Officer Lieutenant Commander Tashai, “We can start taking crates back up to the ship. We’ll have to take them to Starbase 72 for resupply.”

A number of yellow suited Operations Officers stepped forward starting to load crates of empty hyposprays into the shuttle. Tashai nodded, “Sounds good. I’ll have my team working to collect these and bring them back aboard the Anaheim.”

The two women looked at the fledging colony city that they had just saved, though that seemed like too dramatic of a world for what they had done.

”Think they’ll be better at this this time,” Mueller asked, this was the third major health care intervention that Starfleet had to do for the colony, and all of them had come down to just not ordering medical supplies in time. Resources were tight but the citizens had built a water park instead.

Tashai shrugged, “Humans can be dumb, but they usually hang on. We’ll see.”

Mueller looked at the El-Aurian and decided not to comment on the answer. She did not want to seem universally offended on behalf of humans, and frankly the woman was right, there was a streak within humanity that made them stubborn and at times kind of dumb. Starfleet had run counter to that, but independent colonialists were not Starfleet. 

It had been quite a first mission. The Captain was a wanna-be explorer who saw himself more as a Picard, Kirk, or Pike type but had been stuck in a largely administrative role. The First Officer was a doctor who had been largely marginalized and the rest of the crew was freshly in their roles. While nothing unforeseen had happened, at least as of yet, Doctor Mueller (who was also a Lieutenant Commander) knew that things would not always run this smoothly. Granted the USS Anaheim was not the Enterprise, Defient, or Berlin and not about to get in shooting matches with Orion pirates or anything but things happened. Things could go wrong.

As if able to tell what she was thinking Tashai hit the Chief Medical Officer with a jovial backslap and said, “Stop worrying. You can a good mission. Let’s go make real booze in the medical lab.”

Mueller shook her head, “We’re not making moonshine in the medical lab.”

”Agree to disagree,” was the cryptic reply.

Back at the tent Crewman Nurse Jennifer Westbrook was helping clean things up, and loading the shuttle. This was her first posting and she had assumed that Starfleet would be more exciting than visiting provincial towns and handing out candy. Still it was something to do, and as she had done nursing school and not the Academy she could always quit and work as a civilian in a clinic somewhere if it got to be too much of a bummer. For now though she’d say, if only because she liked the uniforms.

[USS Anaheim – Ready Room]

It took a few hours for the shuttle to be loaded up with used crates and the majority of the crew, save for a small security detail, to head back up to the ship. Doctor Mueller washed up, having a sonic shower to get the grim of the surface off her and then at the request of Captain Nathan Hawthorne joined him in his ready room. The Captain rose as she entered the bridge signaling that he join her in his private sanctuary. 

“Good job Doctor,“ he said sitting behind his desk.

Mueller who had grown to not like the Captain very much nodded, he was suspicious of doctors likely because they held knowledge he did not, and that was bad in a captain of a ship full of mostly doctors.

”Thank you sir,” she said.

”Now comes the reward for a job well done. Commander McCleod know this, but for now keep it between us. We’ll be returning to Starbase 72 for resupply, and then traveling to the Hahana III which was just hit by Orion pirates. There’s a Galaxy class ship in orbit now providing the first emergency aid as well as security a USS San Paulo. They‘ll stick around as we come in, set up some longer term medical facilities from a team we bring in and shuttle there,” he said. Though the Galaxy class ship would do any fighting and likely scare off any pirates, it was easy to tell the idea of being in a potential active conflict excited the Captain.

”What’s our timeline?” Mueller asked.

”Expedite departure here. Two maybe three days at Starbase, and then off at top speed,” Hawkthorne said, he tapped a PADD, “I’m sending you what I have from the San Paulo on the situation on the ground. Draft up plans from that, though likely you’ll have to adapt once we get there.”

Mueller nodded, “Of course sir.”

”Leverage Commander McCleod as much as you can. He’s got experience, and not a lot to do,” Hawkthorne said.

 Though she admired the Commander she knew that he was not a warrior, or someone who brought a lot to this that she was not already bringing. Still it was nice to have a fellow Doctor around to bounce ideas off. She nodded, and after a few more details left to make her way down to sickbay. She had been planning on going through her Assistant Chief Medical Officer’s work running sickbay while she was in the field but for now Doctor Mueller had to rely on the fact that he seemed to know what he was doing and nothing had been reported to her that it had gone wrong.

Hahana III was deftly hard hit. Most of their infrastructure had been targeted in space based phaser fire causing floods, droughts, and electrical grid shortages that would be hard to work around. This was going to be a challenging deployment.