K’Teira stood contemplatively before the full length mirror secreted in her bathroom, regarding her reflection with a practised and critical eye.
It had been hard to decide which concession she would ultimately indulge in with regards to her apparel - the dress uniform wasn't designed to be worn with a hood, and the occasion called for formal attire amongst the few senior staff currently on board. Yet knowing Terrans as well as she did meant that she knew the probable reaction to the fact that the Fairburn’s Counsellor was Klingon, even though Captain Randall had approved her transfer here. K’Teira wouldn't be worthy of the position if she didn't realise that mentally accepted concepts can be no help in the face of the physical reality, and she had to admit that the idea of one of her race acting in her capacity was quite a shocking one.
Worse, there was an added complication to this first meeting in the form of the two Randall children who were accompanying their parents on the shuttle ride from Earth. How would they react to the revelation?
However, being the protocol officer as part of her duties as Counsellor, she had eventually decided to stay with what regulations dictated and kept the straight dress uniform, with no adornment; the arrival of the new Captain to the newest ship in the Fleet was probably one of the most important times in a vessel's life, and so only the formality of dress uniform would do.
"Besides." she considered with only a touch of her species’ renowned arrogance. "I'm sure she will have taught her children to be accepting of all of us - and if she can't deal with my reality, then she wouldn't be a Captain in the first place."
One last look in the mirror, and she scowled at the softer style her hair had settled into. She much preferred to tie it back, but knowing that accented the harshness of her Klingon features, she had asked the ship's barber to help her reduce the threatening affect. It worked, but in her opinion it wasn't practical as it had a tendency to get in the way. She was looking forward to the end of the day so that she could go back to her simple ponytail.
Sighing resignedly - her image was adequate to her needs, but too many variables made an outcome less controlled than she'd normally desire - she touched the surface of the mirror with an elegant hand and turned to go, the reflection of the tall, blue-eyed officer merging into that of swimming fish as she left the room.
"This is the shuttle Wells on final approach to USS Fairburn." the stocky man announced into the comm. unit, stealing a sneaky look at the woman sitting behind him. Sure, he'd seen her as they were boarding, not to mention at his original interview for the position, but this particular passenger warranted all the extra study he could get before they reached the ship. "Transporting Captain Randall and family, and breathlessly awaiting your response."
"Confirmed, Wells;" came the woman's tinny reply. "Proceed to main shuttlebay. Fairburn out."
"Alright, Viana!" he exclaimed, slapping off the connection and bringing the shuttle about to the approach angle.
"Wow!" came the piping voice of a child behind him as the sleek lines of the Galaxy class vessel loomed across the shuttle's tiny viewport. This time the pilot could look around at his captain on the pretence of answering the small boy who'd spoken.
"It's big, isn't it?" he asked the boy cheerily, his bearded face breaking into a smile as he openly scanned the group.
His new commanding officer was tall and thin, almost skinny, though she was still obviously female. Her grey-touched hair was pulled away from her face into a simple coil tucked away at the back. She wasn't beautiful, but she had an air of authority about her; an authority earned through strength of will, hard work and experience. She was definitely a Captain.
Her husband, who was to be the new Science Administrator on the Fairburn, was seated beside the two children. He wasn't of immediate interest like the Captain was, but their pilot still gave him the once-over, reasoning that anyone who could order him around was worth a look. He seemed a haphazard kind of person to look at, with untidy curls and careless posture, but something told the observer that Lieutenant Commander Randall would come down on him just as hard as Captain Randall would. In fact, they made quite an imposing pair. I kind-a feel sorry for those kids! the pilot thought laughingly to himself.
Those kids - the agog boy and his older sister - were good physical combinations of the two officers, though the girl tended more towards her mother and the boy his father. They were grinning madly, though the girl, obviously approaching adolescence, was desperately trying to hide it. Her brother however didn't feel the same compulsion.
"Yeah!" he gaped, though he glanced more towards his mother than the stranger controlling the shuttle. "Are we going to live there, Mummy?"
"Yes, Jase." the Captain replied in the gently resigned tone parents affected when explaining something to a child for the fifteenth time, smiling as she put her hand on his shoulder. "We're going to live there."
"And you're going to fly that ship?" he pressed, leaning into his sister to see his mother. "Are you? Are you?"
"Mum! He's crushing me!" the girl immediately protested.
Here the pilot turned back, for he had an older sister of his own and he knew all about family politics - this had all the earmarks of a continual and continuing war.
"Jason!" the Captain snapped. "Move away from your sister!" The little boy did so, but with a quick smirk at the other child.
"Are you going to fly it?" he asked again, craning around the girl to see his mother. "Are you? Are you?"
"In a way, yes!" his mother responded, exasperation evident.
At the helm, the pilot snickered.
"We've been through this before, Jason." Commander Randall said in an attempt to divert the boy. "You know your mother is the captain of the Fairburn now, and she'll be telling everyone what to do…"
Right intention, wrong result. The Captain rolled her eyes at the description.
"Ian…" she softly warned, indicating the pilot's stiffened back with a nod. A slight frown to signify understanding, and the man in science teal changed tacks.
"Jason, Lily - you remember what we were talking about last night?" The two children nodded. "Well, we're almost on the ship now, and things are going to be different for us there. Your mum isn't going to be with us like she was on Earth - she's not always going to have the time to answer all of our questions because she'll be answering questions from everyone else on the ship."
"I’ll be there as much as I can." the Captain put in gently, sighing. "I don't love you any less, but I have to go back to work, because Starfleet needs me to."
"Because of the Borg." Jason said sadly, reflecting but not comprehending the grief he'd heard every adult saying these words with. How could he fully understand the emotions that went with those words?
"Yes Jase. Because of the Borg." Again she sighed, but this time it was at the thought of how close they'd all come to annihilation; or worse, assimilation. It was insane she knew, but when she thought of all the friends she had lost at the Battle of Wolf 359, she couldn't help believing that if she had been with them she might have made a difference. The feeling persisted, even though she knew from reports from those few survivors that the only difference she would have made would have been in the number of Starfleet personnel killed - it would have increased by one.
Shaking herself from this sombre train of thought she said,
"Anyway, we're nearly there now." She indicated the window through which the view of the Fairburn now dominated, its shuttlebay doors gaping open, beckoning them in. "So I need you on your best behaviour."
"Your Mum needs to look good in front of her new crew, so they'll think she's a good leader right from the start." Ian put in. "We know it, but they don't, so we have to let her have the chance to show them without us messing around in the background. You understand?"
"Yes, Dad." Lily said earnestly, adding a little ominously, "I’ll make sure Jason behaves, too."
Both Randall parents glanced at each other, but didn't say anything.
"I’ll be good!" Jason avowed.
"That's good." the Captain said, relief colouring her tone.
The pilot, who'd been half-listening to this exchange, now reached across his panel and announced,
"Approaching forcefield."
Across the viewport the huge bay opened, filling it now with the blue tinged light streaming through the forcefield from the ship. Within, they could just make out the tiny motes that were people moving around inside.
"Wells - we're activating the tractor beam." The female's voice sounded from the comm. unit again. "Stand by."
The shuttle barely shuddered as the blue light swept out to catch them, guiding them into the Bay.
"Tractor engaged."
"No kidding?" the pilot snorted, wiping his hands along his mustard coloured uniform as he leaned back in his seat. "I never would have guessed. Wells out. Sheesh!"
The Captain settled her steady gaze upon her subordinate as he shook his head and closed off the comm. line, raising her eyebrows at his indolent pose.
"Mister Daniels…" she said quietly. "It's Matthew, isn't it?" It wasn't exactly a question - she knew exactly who he was, and was gratified to see his slight twinge at the use of his first name.
"Yes sir, but just call me Daniels." There was a little more familiarity in the reply than there should have been. "I hate ‘Matthew’. Always have, always will."
"Your introduction went by me a little quickly." Ian noted with severity. "What's your position on the ship, Lieutenant?"
He received a careless shrug in reply.
"Me? I'm the Security Chief, sir." A broad grin at all of them, and he added, "Nothing but the best for the new Captain, you know! Will this be your first time on a Galaxy, sirs?"
Ian looked to his wife with faintly pursed lips. The words he wanted to say were almost palpable around him, but the Captain indicated he should answer.
"I was given a tour of the Yamato when she was first commissioned." the scientist replied curtly. "But this will be Su… the Captain's first time on one."
"Except my tour of the Fairburn when she was still at Utopia." she added as an aside. Daniels didn’t hear her, already having launched into an enthused raving.
"Ah! They’ve changed heaps since then! The Fairburn is a lot different to the other Galaxys - we make the others look like crates!"
"Crates?" Ian quizzically murmured to the Captain. She shrugged in reply.
"…They looked at all the mistakes they’d made with the others and weeded them out with us." Daniels continued blissfully. "We’re the best ship amongst the stars… even though we’re still stuck in the dock!"
"So I’ve heard." the Captain replied, only half of her mind on her words, for the shuttle was now passing into the bay, and it was hard to concentrate upon her words when a huge chamber was opening out around their little craft. At the pedestrian entrance, the figures they had glimpsed had drawn up into an honour guard along the wall. Three officers were in the front, but from this distance she couldn’t see individual features and could only guess their identities based on their skin colourings and uniforms. "Attend your station, Mister Daniels."
"Yeah, it’s definitely different to everything else in space." Daniels finished, turning back to his panel to check the instruments even as the comm. unit sounded again.
"Shuttle Wells." a masculine voice said. "Prepare for landing."
"Will do." he replied, hitting a few panels. "Seatbelts back on, everyone! Here we go!"
The craft was barely jarred as it was set down upon the deck.
"Fairburn, this is Wells. We’re down and everything’s in the green. Thanks for not splattering us across the bay."
"Acknowledged." came the rather haughty reply from the operator in the booth above, who seemed as though he wanted to say something more but didn’t out of a junior’s respect for rank. "Welcome home."
"Not that I’d gone far. Wells out." He broke the link with a single finger and got to his feet. "There you are sirs, kids - home safe and sound!" He grinned.
"Thank-you, Mister Daniels." the captain said tightly, removing her seat restraints and standing. "It was… an interesting trip."
"Not a problem, sir." He stepped over to the outside hatch and opened it without ceremony. Taking one step down the newly revealed stairway, he paused, then quickly walked back to his new CO.
"Was there something else, Lieutenant?" she asked.
"Well sir," he said a little hesitantly; the first time he’d sounded even vaguely deferential. "I just wanted to be the first to welcome you here, sir." He stuck his hand out rigidly, which the Captain, confused, took.
"Thank-you." she said as he released her to move on to Ian; as she spoke she felt a rush of warmth through her previously cool apprehension.
"You’re welcome." he replied, taking the children’s in their turn. "Anyway," he added once this was finished, impertinent once more, "when Elek finds out I got in first, she’s gonna be so angry!"
Before either officer could offer a reprimand, or even demand an explanation, the Security Chief had issued them a cheeky wave and loped out to stand at attention at the base of the gangway, secure in the knowledge that nothing could be said before all those eyes without ruining the first impression
Without the presence of the stranger, the two children began to chatter excitedly. To this background, the Captain turned to her spouse.
"Sue," Ian said dubiously, "You’ve entrusted the security of this ship to a man like that? What were you thinking?"
"There’s more to him than meets the eye." she replied darkly, frowning unconsciously at his criticism. "But don’t worry - I have plans for him. I’m not going to stand for that kind of behaviour. He’ll learn restraint, or he’s out of the Fleet."It was hard to describe the emotion which gripped her stomach as she emerged into the brighter illumination of the shuttle bay. Hearing Daniels’ words, "Attention: Commanding Officer Fairburn, arriving." reminded her just how long it had been since she had walked the decks of a Starship, let alone commanded one. Was it truly twelve years since she’d been in command of the Somne? Twelve years? It was unthinkable.
Would she be up to the challenge? she wondered privately as she made her way past Daniels and out on to the bay floor. Could one revision course at the Academy and reading every available journal really be enough? Was Kaarin Grainger right in saying that she was ready to take command of a ship again, or was she just letting sentiment and the need to replace those lost at Wolf 359 get in the way of logic?
She knew that she had been one of the best in her day, but had she really kept up enough in order to keep her crew, her husband, her children, herself alive? Starfleet obviously thought so or she wouldn’t have been made the captain of a Galaxy class vessel, but the responsibility was a huge one, and she knew that she really wouldn’t know for sure until she had tested herself in a real situation; perhaps several. Perhaps she’d never know until it was too late…
It was easy to feel inadequate before all of those expectant faces; the anticipation evident in these people would be enough to make even the most cold and inflexible individual have a few qualms.
Yet her hesitation was matched by her excitement. To be in space again after all those years trapped on Earth was a dream come true. It was thrilling in a way that it never had been before, including her initial off-world assignment after graduating from the Academy. Then she’d been an innocent, and everything had been new and shining, untainted by jadedness and heightened by the exuberance of youth. Back then she had joyfully undertaken any grungy job in order to remain a part of the starfaring life, and everything was a delight as she’d had no real conception of what she’d find out there.
Today she was wiser; more experienced. She knew something of what could be found out in deep space and had lived the lifestyle. She was looking forward to going back and showing her children the source of many of her stories. Though she would never admit it to Ian and only now she was about to assume command could she admit it to herself, she had missed the life aboard the starships and had been longing for it throughout these past years.
The first tie, she was stepping out alone into the great unknown; this time, she was going home.
Her family had quietly joined the small group of senior officers, Ian’s hands resting gently upon the children’s shoulders to unobtrusively keep them in check. He knew that this was her moment, the moment Captain Susan Randall presented herself to her new crew, and he wasn’t going to allow anyone to take it from her.
A strange dignity enshrouded her as she stepped up to the podium set up before the waiting crowd; all the habit amassed years ago came flooding back, and she assumed a rigidly formal stance automatically as she turned to survey the lines of new faces.
Raising her chin regally, she stated in her clear British accent,
"By order of Admiral Kaarin Grainger I am requested and required to take command of the USS Fairburn, NCC 54576 on this date, Stardate 44607.5."
"Command assumed at twelve hundred hours, Stardate 44607.5" the computer replied.
The murmur of joy which came up from the crew was hard to deny, and was heartening for the newly instated Captain to hear.
"Today is the first day of what I hope will be a long association between us." she began, looking around from face to face, trying to remember something of each for future reference. "I know that as I look at you now that I am looking at my future workmates, and, I hope, my future friends. We’re going to share a lot together over the next few years, and you already know that not all of it is going to be good." Her voice came out stronger now, ringing with conviction. "Yet we can overcome anything if we all work to conquer any problems." She paused from her impassioned, heartfelt words to smile warmly at the gathered masses. "We are amongst the best the Fleet has to offer, so let’s do them proud.
"Dismissed."
Quickly the Vulcan Second Officer relayed the command in a voice unexpected from such a slender frame. Being the well trained team they were, soon the huge number of people had dwindled to the scant handful of seniors, those few crew members assigned to the bay, and two awestruck kids who obviously didn’t know what to think.
Susan stepped forward to greet the officers, who looked as though they were awaiting inspection as they introduced themselves. Ian did as well, but to judge by the twinkle in his eye, he was only copying them to be polite.
Elek, the Second Officer, and Terigan Rell, the Chief Engineer were, at first glance at least, fairly typical representatives of those found on Starfleet vessels; there were whole groups of Vulcans and Bolians to be found amongst the Federation patrolled stars. However it was the third new officer that was the oddity.
After all, not only was there only one other representative of her species in the Fleet, but the notion of her serving as Counsellor was such a weird one to her people that her existence had to be kept as secret as possible. In fact, if Captain Randall hadn’t been willing to take her on in the position - and seeing her in the flesh again did make her reassess the thought processes that led her to believe K’Teira would work out as Counsellor - it was likely that she never would have been given the opportunity. Few would take on the trouble the Klingon unwittingly brought with her, no matter how exemplary her qualifications. She was going to be a source of added worry to the Captain, but she reasoned that someone had to give her the chance her potential deserved; even if that craggy visage was going to take a lot of getting used to.
"Captain Randall." The wiry Vulcan woman stepped forward out of line and inclined her head politely. "On behalf of the senior staff currently aboard the Fairburn, I welcome you. It is an honour to be serving with someone as noted as yourself."
Randall nodded back, though she was a little surprised by the choice of words.
"Thank-you." she replied slowly, wondering just what she was ‘noted’ for after so long away. "I’m grateful for your indulgence in allowing us to come at this time." she added with a quiet irony that told them that she realised that they wouldn’t have been able to stop her if she had insisted upon it, but that she valued their cooperation. "I know that many of the others aren’t here yet, Commander Grieg in particular, but I do need to start getting the children settled before we ship out."
"That is understandable, given what little I know of human children." Elek responded in an understated yet strong tone of voice. "However, no problems have arisen as a result of your earlier than scheduled arrival, and I can report that all is in readiness for you." She nodded in greeting to the Science Administrator. "Commander, all is proceeding well in the science laboratories, though I would suggest you seek out Lieutenant Jedera for a further report." she informed him.
"I will." Ian replied.
Elek, like all Vulcans, was merely stating fact. Yet it seemed to Susan that there was a slight emotional inflection to her words. Having access to certain files meant that the Captain was in a position to be able to detect these deviations from the normal Vulcan way that Elek exhibited; but it might also influence her judgment of the woman. Knowing that Elek’s difference was more than not having undertaken the kolinahr rite of total devotion to logic meant that there was going to be an element of uncertainty in her dealings with her, and so she was always going to have to go out of her way to ensure she was being fair to her.
"We had also considered that you might like a tour of the ship before the reception this evening." Elek continued. "The crew are conducting their own orientation sessions, and Mister Daniels and I have duties on the bridge that we must attend to, but the Counsellor is willing to escort you to wherever you wish to go."
"That would be lovely." Susan approved when a comment from Ian wasn’t forthcoming. Then she looked towards the Klingon standing off to one side. "That is," she added as she studied the Counsellor’s neutrally expressioned face. "If it isn’t keeping you from other duties."
"No sir." The tone was pleasingly soft and deferential, and the promise of a smile seemed to sound in it, though it wasn’t manifested upon her face. "It would be an honour - also, I have to admit that I actually allotted this time for a tour once I heard you were coming aboard now. If you don’t want to take it, you’ll leave me with nothing to do."
"I doubt that." came the sonorous but gently amused comment from the Bolian engineer.
Susan didn’t miss the quick glance the Counsellor sent towards him; nor did she miss the Chief’s correspondingly broadening grin.
"Well," Susan said, sensing there was some ongoing joke inherent in the exchange and responded to it. "I’ll have to discuss this with my other crew…" She indicated her family. "…but I can’t leave you with nothing to do, can I?"
For the first time the Captain became cognizant of what she would later know as K’Teira’s trademark; the amusement that seemed to dance just underneath the Klingon’s serious mien. Hinted at in voice, quirk of lips and shining eyes, it would be some time before Susan understood that it was done because K’Teira was fully aware of how wary non-Klingons were of the boisterous nature of the Qo’noS natives and so downplayed her reactions, but this moment was a beginning.
"No, sir." The woman paused for a moment and added, "However, if you all decide that a tour isn’t needed, I can just show you to your quarters and leave the tour until later. I have already seen to it that your possessions have been moved there."
Susan noted with some pride that the Counsellor wasn’t just addressing her remarks to her now, but also to Ian and more importantly the two overwhelmed children, never leaving her gaze on them too long in case of an over-tired child bursting into tears; a definite concern given Jason’s age and nature. So as she turned to them, it was hard not to smile, seeing their gaping faces as they stood with these alien adults, hovering on the edge of realising just how important "Mummy" now was to others.
"What do you think, kids? What do you want to do?" she asked them encouragingly.
"What is there for kids to do here?" Lily asked, not of her mother, but of the trio of strangers as she shrugged with a near-adolescent carelessness.
K’Teira looked to the others, then actually knelt down to look the two in the eyes.
"There’s a lot for you to do here." she replied simply, without the sickly tone so many adults assumed when speaking to children. "There’s a nursery, but I prefer to call it a play area. There are the holodecks that you can program to go anywhere you want to, even into your favourite stories. Then there are the sporting courts, the low g gymnasium, the arboretum - that’s like a big park - the lounges, the recreation hall…" Spreading her hands she ended with, "Take your pick."
"And that’s not counting the school." Ian jokingly whispered to his wife, who nudged him silent in return.
"Wow!" Jason exclaimed. "This place sounds great!"
"We don’t want anyone to be bored." K’Teira replied with modest pride. "So, should we go to your quarters and then on with the tour now, or later?" Getting to her feet, the question was aimed at them all, but with a distinct emphasis on the parents this time.
"Now! Now!" Both children were nearly jumping out of their skins.
"I would like to inspect my labs…" Ian said softly, less overt than the children, but no less cajoling.
"Upon consultation with my crew…" Susan rolled her eyes with amused surrender. "…I believe we’ll take the tour."
"Yaaaaaaay!"
Elek had been regarding this scene with a distant tolerance, impassive to the last as the children displayed their excitement.
"I had best get back to the bridge." she announced. "But once again I will bid you welcome." She nodded once more. "It is an honour to meet you all."
"Thank-you, Commander." Susan told the serious Vulcan, the authoritarian affect lessened by the ruckus her children created. She glanced at Ian, who immediately took steps to counter it. In the sudden silence, she could ask, "Will you be at the reception tonight?"
"Indeed I shall. And when will you call for a meeting of the senior officers?"
"I’ll keep that until after Commander Grieg arrives; it’d be inefficient to have to repeat it all after he arrives, and as I’d like to give him time to settle, it’ll be tomorrow."
"Understood. Now please, enjoy your tour."
Elek walked with a kind of rhythmic grace almost reminiscent of marching drills, except not quite as measured, as she moved to Daniels’ position by the shuttle. Susan watched the two of them leave, thinking that the Vulcan was going to be an interesting companion; they all were.
But a ship doesn’t feel right without a Vulcan aboard. she remembered saying to Kaarin when the Admiral was questioning her having the Vulcan woman as a permanent part of the crew. Even a Romulan one! And if I’m going to be put back on a ship, then it’s going to have people of my own choosing, and I choose her.
It’s your ship. Grainger had shrugged. Just don’t come crying to me when all of the problems you’ve set up for yourself come flying back into your face.
Did you read their records? Susan had asked, remembering the glowing reports from commanders of all three of the "problem people".
Did you? Daniels is a layabout with no more respect for rank than a Chalna! Elek has been moved from assignment to assignment to assignment because she couldn’t fit in, and K’Teira! She had laughed. Who ever heard of a Klingon Counsellor?
She has. Susan had scowled at her old friend. Look; they are all potentially good people who haven’t been given the opportunities they need to shine, and I’m going to give them that. If in six months they haven’t shaped up, well, then I’ll concede that you’re right and assign people you see fit. Just give them the chance to prove themselves, that’s all.
All right. Kaarin had said with a faint smile. You always knew how to see the gem in the slough, so I believe you. But you just be careful, OK? You haven’t been out there for a while, and I’d hate to see your first Captaincy in twelve years become an unmitigated disaster. I’ve put too much time and effort getting you back into the service for you to be discouraged by trouble-making people.
Give them some credit and they’ll be fine…
And Susan still believed that now, just as she had when she first said it.
