To the Neutral Zone....and Beyond

Posted on Fri Jul 15th, 2016 @ 5:46am by Captain John Theisman & Lieutenant Commander Mira Jayde & Lieutenant Zhara Rynn & Ensign Leslie Gallant III

1,849 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Into the Raptor's Shadow
Tags: q

The bridge of the Hyperion was filled with a quiet hum of muted voices and the ever present background hum of a star ship under power and at warp. To John, it was a sign that so far, things were going well, or at least well enough to be called a decent day. He was hoping that it wasn't about to become a bad day. Walking across the bridge, he sat down in his command chair. "Report," he said, hoping that nothing had changed much.


Gallant III had strode onto the bridge in measured strides; the white Uniform was tailored and fit him as a uniform should; he had taken great care in getting his appearance proper, appearances are everything, and to be at one's best when reporting shows respect for the command chain of course. Striding onto the bridge he could listen to the melody of the systems on the bridge all with distinct sounds that are specific to that bridge. HE took a slight hesitation to listen to those tones while he could almost dance to the steady thrum of the floor plates as the power flowed through the ship. He took controlled and balanced steps to the Helm station relieving the Ensign from the last shift.

Sitting in the Chair with the console before him he had to smile as he activated the control systems; resting his hands upon the warm surface; eletricity is a type of heat exchange so the warmth of the console at operating tempature should be known so when out of specifacations it can be brought to attention and repaired. Also the surface of teh console touch screens were of importance and with time he would know each and every contour, he had once found a small fracture because a cadet; well just out of the academy, had kept pounding his fist on the dconsole due to his making slight mistakes.

The closed his eyes for a second as he felt the entierty of the console and how this reality compared to the simulator he had practiced with before arriving. This ship would be a joy to pilot; the micro manipuatiion capability of the console, how the more they add control the better Gallant liked it. To have control of it under the routine would normally be a boring thing with all the autoametd systms but Gallant was one to check the star charts to cross check the computer as it is not a perfect system to be sure. All of this a ritual before the Captain had come on the bridge.

Now tings were ready for the present, the Captain needed a status.

On final approach to the neutral Zone." Gallant informed with a professional tone. "Course plotted, drive systems are a nominal levels. All helm and Navigation systems are working as programmed." He glanced over his shoulder. "Just waiting your order to officially enter the Neutral Zone peaceable for the first time Sir."

"Tactical is ready," Jayde announced quietly. "We have reports of Romulans in the area, so I've set the scanners to notify us if we find any ion trails."

John nodded as he leaned back in his chair. If there were Romulans about, then there was no doubt that they would be playing their usual games. But, if there was one Starfleet ship that they would be hard pressed to sneak up on, it was the Hyperion. "Ensign Gallant, you are authorized to take us through the Neutral Zone. Maintain course and speed to Romulas. Commander Jayde, keep an eye out just in case someone wants to toy with us," he said.

"Aye Aye Sir." Gallant said with a smile. "One for the history books, first time I have to enter the Neutral Zone with permissions and not being a threat to inter Galactic War." He mused. "Course laid in..." He let his fingers dance upon the console. "Engaging Warp Six cruising speed as specified." Gallant put the ship on course and did not hold his breath as they entered; this is truly a first.

John smiled a little at the helm officer's spoken thoughts. It was indeed a day to remember. Starfleet ships had visited Romulan space before, but the Hyperion had been granted unlimited access to the entire Empire. As long as the minor warlords that ruled over the outlaying border systems didn't stir things up, it should be a smooth mission. "Increase speed back to warp eight and maintain as standard cruising speed for now," he ordered, knowing that it would draw some concern and confusion from everyone. The Hyperion could maintain a higher cruising speed, like most modern ships, and most captains still kept to the practice of using warp six as the standard cruising speed. But John wanted to get to Romulas and get the formalities out of the way as quickly as possible, and that meant strecthing the ship's legs a little.

"Aye Sir." Gallant said as he stepped up the console commands, the warp drive was called upon as he watched the speed increase. "Warp Eight established." he reported a moment later. "We have nominal readings, all systems are in the green engines answering Warp Eight Sir."


Zhara walked onto the bridge, curious to see how the crew dealt with this new situation. "Permission to come onto the bridge?" she asked the Captain.

Gallant glanced over his shoulder and saw; a sight, there was a lovely lady along with the voice. He could spare a moment to admire someone lovely it was his duty and were he in that center chair he would definetely allow her on the bridge. It would be nice to make eye contact but then he did have duty and even a pretty lady should not distract him from duty. She had a friendly expression and he could see her being effective in making someone feel more at ease during a session. He might even sign up for one but more likely just maybe see her in a social setting?

Gallant turned back to his work, the lady was shown her respects from across the bridge if Gallant got the sentiment correct?

John offered the counselor a polite smile before he nodded and waved her to the guest chair beside his. "The ships counselor is always welcomed to visit the bridge at any time," he said. "So what brings you up here?"

"Thank you," she said, taking the seat next to him. "I wish to observe the bridge crew during this momentous occasion." Zhara couldn't help grinning as she added, "And I didn't want to miss it myself."

"I seem to recall that the last time a Starfleet ship crossed the Neutral Zone it didn't end very well," John said worridly. "I'm hoping that the rumors are true to the fact that there have been changes over the last few decades."

"Of course there have," Zhara assured him. "This is not the same Empire it was then any more than we are the same Federation." She couldn't help adding impishly, "We'll face all new problems."

"That makes me feel so much better," John said with a friendly if somewhat unsure smile. "The fact that half of the time we didn't know what we were getting in to or dealing with before when we dealt with the Romulans, now we simply have no idea. Plus, we'll be going further than any Starfleet ship has before into the Beta Quadrant. That makes me a little nervous. There are some regions that the Romulans claim as their own that even they've never been to. And I doubt that they will be much help to us."

"Probably not," Zhara replied blithely. "But that is what we all want, is it not? To explore the unknown? We will find both friend and foe along the way, but what we learn will influence generations."

"Crossing into the neutral zone in one minute," Jayde announced to the bridge. It was almost anticlimactic, after so many years of hostility, to know that nothing would come of it. At the same time, there was a definite air of anticipation for what they would find once they entered Romulan territory.

John had to remind himself to breath as his ship was the first Starfleet ship in memory to openly and freely cross into Romulan space without being challenged. Watching the monitor on his chair arm, he noted that the Romulan ships nearby continued along their original heading, although a beeping from the Ops station.

"Captain, we're being hailed by one of the nearby Romulan ships," the ops officer reported.

"On screen," John orderd.

The screen came to life with the image of an elder Romulan male wearing the Galae uniform and rank insignia equal to a commodore. "Greetings, Hyperion. I am AelRiov Maiek t'Solos of the Galae Ninth Defense Wing. On behalf of the Romulan Galae, I will be the first to welcome you to the great and mighty Romulan Empire."

"Captain John Theisman, commanding officer of the Federation star ship Hyperion. On behalf of my crew, I'd like to thank you," John said formally.

"I will inform Galae Commander of your arrival. I'm sure that they are eager for you to arrive."

"I'm sure they are. I'll pass your welcome on to my crew," John said.

"Very well. Good fortune."

The screen blanked and John leaned back in his chair. "Continue on course to Romulus, maintain speed," he said.

"That was well done," Zhara said quietly.

"Thank you, Lieutenant, but now I'm not sure if I'm more worried or just a little jumpy. That was downright polite for a Romulan," John said. "Maybe I've been running the Neutral Zone for too long," he added.

"No, that was very polite for a Romulan," Zhara replied. "They are either happy to have us explore their space, or they're up to something and wish to give us a false sense of security." She couldn't help smiling at that. "I know, it doesn't help at all."

"Or they could just want us to be completely paranoid over nothing just because it amuses them," John said with a frown. "Either way, they were nice and we're on our way to Romulas. Which gives me a few days to think over this. Mister Gallant, maintain course and speed."

"Following it to the millimeter SIr." Gallant said with a hint of confidence. "I am not one to get us shot at by a lurking Romulan Warbird Sir."

"Lieutenant Rynn, Commander Jayde, I'd like to speak to both of you in my ready room in an hour," John said as he stood. "Until then, Miss Jayde, you have the bridge," he said before he walked towards the turbolift doors.

Jayde raised an eyebrow, surprised at the requqest, but nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Very well," Zhara replied. She watched him go, wondering if she'd been too chatty on the bridge. She turned back to the viewscreen. She'd find out in an hour.


Captain John Theisman
Commanding officer

LtCommander Mira Jayde
Chief security/tactical

Lieutenant Zhara Rynn
Counselor NPC

Ensign Leslie Gallant
Helm officer NPC

 

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