Side Quests

The USS Carlsbad sailed through the vast emptiness of space at warp five. Her destination was Starbase Bravo, returning with passengers and supplies. She carried an experienced crew, one that had been familiar with her for years. But now she was captained by someone new, someone who had yet to prove himself to her or her crew.

“Priority one message from Starfleet, captain’s eyes only, sir.” the tactical officer, Threll, called out from behind him, their signature saurian hiss trailing behind the report.

Ty looked to his right, where Commander Karema Patel was already looking back at him. His strikingly attractive executive officer returned his puzzled expression before she gave a curt nod.

Ty nodded back and rose from his chair, “I’ll take it in my ready room, XO Has the Conn.” he said as he turned and left for the Captain’s Ready Room, behind him, he heard his orders echoed, “XO has the Conn, aye.” from Patel.

As the doors closed behind him his posture slackened. He wasn’t used to such a tightly wound crew with military-influenced protocols drilled into them. The Carlsbad’s former commander was quite strict and preferred Earth Naval traditions aboard the ship. Ty thought about how he might be able to dismantle some of those strict policies as he rounded the edge of his desk and sat down before the terminal.

“McQueen here,” he was greeted by the familiar logo for the Federation soon replaced by the face of an Admiral he’d never seen before.

“Captain, you are hereby ordered to delay your return to starbase and to take part in Operation Golden State. You’ll find details attached to this broadcast, further operational details will be provided by Captain O’va of the Solvang” then the message ended.

“Not even the courtesy of a conversation?” Ty said in a jestful manner to himself. He then manipulated the controls on his terminal and read through the file and spoke to himself, “A second contact mission. Wait… Missing personnel? That’s a bit more concerning. Not much else here.” Ty tapped his commbadge. “Capt-” he caught himself remembering the regulations the XO laid out and then spoke again “McQueen Actual to Bridge,” the acknowledging beep sounded followed by Patel’s voice, “Bridge here,” Ty shook his head slowly at having to conform to his crew, “set course for La’Ktozia, Warp six.” he could hear the XO repeat his order, then a third time from LrZon the Benzite helmsman who replied in his deep baritone voice and then the channel closed.

Ty then looked over the brief in more detail. With all the food mentioned in this society’s culture, he wondered if he might have a secret weapon aboard already. Ty tapped his commbadge again, “McQueen Act-” he had to catch himself again, this time his hand slapping his desk at the mistake. “Tyler to Grimes” as soon as the acknowledging beep sounded Ty could hear objects shifting on the other side along with grumbling and then finally a grizzled voice responded, “McQueen do you have any idea what time it is?”

“Yeah it’s Thirteen-hundred hours, why are you in bed?”

“Because, I’m a civilian and I spent last night entertaining four of your officers until oh-five-thirty hours. By the way, can you let Ensign Parker know I need my pants back?”

It was Ty’s turn to grumble a response with a few curses, then finally saying, “I’m sorry Emil, but we’re not going to Bravo, yet. We’ve been given a mission and had to change course for La’Ktozia.”

“La’Ktozia!? The new foodie planet?” Grimes’ voice changed from half-asleep to excitement.

“The very same,” Tyler said in an even tone.

“Ty, you’ve got to let me go down there. It’s so newly discovered and already the talk of the culinary world!” Grimes pleaded.

“Leave it to a chef to know about a frontier planet before most Starfleet captains do.” Ty said.

“It’s already being called the hub of culinary delights! They’ve got cheeses that are said to be so good they are euphoric!”

“I don’t know, I think I’ll probably need a science officer, maybe look at a species that has more taste buds or higher evolved olfactory senses.”

“I am one of the few traditional chefs in this sector, I only use real ingredients. Not that replicator rubbish. You would be hard pressed to find someone better than me all the way out here, captain. And, you owe me!” The begging continued.

McQueen sat back in his chair, basking in the hand the universe had dealt him. “If you mean that business on Betazed, forget it!”

“They were triplets, Ty!”