| The U.S.S.S. Minnow |
| Episode 3- Far From Home |
| Terra poked her head into the brig cell that Klik was still lying in. �Captain, what are you doing here?� Klik opened one eye, and then closed it again. �I like it here, it�s so quiet.� �Well, I�m sorry to bother you, but I have the results of the job search.� Terra said, apologetically. Klik sighed and got up. �Oh, well, I guess the good things are never meant to last.� She walked past Terra and gestured her to follow. Klik lead the way into the Turbo Lift, demanding it take them to the bridge. �So what�s the verdict?� She asked at last. Terra consulted the data pad she�d been carrying with her. �Well, first of all, I�ve assembled an engineering team I believe is capable of handling the job. Most noteworthy are the triplets, Dec Dor and Dee, who work extremely well together.� Klik nodded. �How about security?� �We have several people suited to that position.� Terra answered. �We considered Ensign Sulig for the job of Chief of Security, but he didn�t want it. So we assigned Lieutenant Niya, she has an affinity for weapons.� There followed a list of science officers, bridge officers, and some people who still needed to undergo Starfleet training. �Ensign Izzer has volunteered to be our resident Starfleet Training instructor, but I thought I�d run that by you before you agree to it.� Terra looked at Klik as the turbo lift opened. They started to make their way to Klik�s ready room, while Klik answered. �That sounds fine to me, but keep me posted on his progress.� Terra nodded. �No one volunteered to be the ship�s cook, so we�ll either have to rope someone into the job, rotate the job between several people, or simply eat replicated rations. Oh, and one of the citizens that was on my ship has volunteered to mind the ship�s bar.� They had already reached the ready room when Klik turned around and looked at Terra with a puzzled expression on her face. �Bar? I didn�t know this ship had a bar? Where is it?� �Um, Deck 10, right above the mess hall.� Terra looked at her cousin strangely. �Oh�� Klik entered her ready room, followed by Terra. �What about the medical staff?� Terra fidgeted. �That could be a problem. There is no one on the ship with enough medical knowledge to fill the position of Ship�s Doctor.� Klik sat down at her ready room desk. �Do we have an emergency medical hologram?� She asked hopefully. �The ship�s too old, EMH�s were implemented many years after the Minnow was constructed.� Terra answered. �But I�ve got an idea that might work.� Klik was busy examining her desk. �I�m listening.� �I�d like to make our own holographic doctor�� She began, but was interrupted by Klik, who had pulled out a pad with a singular button on it. �Yeah, do that.� Klik looked the strange pad over, debating if she should push the button or not. �Just�don�t make him bald.� �Um�ok.� She watched Klik push the button and look around her expectantly. When nothing happened, the captain threw the pad over her shoulder, muttering to herself. �Anyone else I should know about?� Klik asked, turning her attention back to the task at hand. �We have one woman by the name of Tristan, who has expressed interest in becoming the ship�s tailor-you know, make our clothes for us.� Terra wrinkled her nose. �You don�t look too happy about it.� Klik observed. �To be honest, I don�t like her�neither do most women, actually. But you�ll find that out when you meet her yourself.� Klik nodded, indicating Terra to continue. �We have a psychic onboard, who specializes in counseling, however�� Terra trailed off. �However what?� Klik asked. Terra took a deep breath. �However, he�s a bit of a hypochondriac, and he refuses to work until we have a doctor.� �Well then, it sounds like the doctor has to be our primary concern for now. Assemble a small medical team for now to treat minor injuries.� �But if I�m working on the EMH, who�ll mind engineering?� �I�m sure your team can handle it for the moment. Dismissed.� Klik answered, indicating that she was done with this particular conversation. Terra exited the ready room, shaking her head. * * * * �I don�t understand why you had to do this.� Daz complained, sitting alone in a Jeffery�s tube, fixing circuits. �It was necessary, Daz.� �No, it wasn�t.� Daz answered testily. �There must have been another way to get out of the situation. Now you�ve stranded this whole crew�wherever it is we are.� �Correction: We got this crew stuck.� �No, it was definitely you.� Daz replied. �I take no responsibility for this.� An unmistakable black haired head peered inside the Jeffery�s tube from engineering. Spek looked around, then focused her judgmental eyes on Daz. �Ensign, who are you talking to?� Daz just stared at Spek. �Excuse me?� He asked innocently. Spek sighed. �Never mind. Continue doing�whatever it is that you�re doing.� She closed the Jeffery�s tube, and turned back to engineering. She looked the room over, trying to locate the individuals whose orders she was carrying. Finally she spotted them, all identical, whispering amongst themselves over one of the consoles. She rushed over, determined to get this over with. �Ensigns�� She announced her presence to Dec, Dor and Dee, then shuddered as three identical evil looking people simultaneously looked up from their task. �Yes?� They all asked at once. �Er� I have these orders for you.� She handed them the data pad. �And could you please inform Lieutenant Broknra to report to training immediately. �Yes, ma�am.� The three triplets answered together. Spek suppressed another shudder as she exited engineering. Dec looked over the orders on the pad. �They expect us to get all this done by tomorrow?� He complained. �It�s impossible!� He looked at his two siblings. Dee was staring, mesmerized, at the reactor core, while Dor was at another console looking up pictures of� �Dor!� Dec yelled, throwing the pad at him. �That�s disgusting!� Dor rubbed his sore head and looked reproachfully at his brother. �What�s your problem?� He picked up the pad and looked at it upside down. �This doesn�t make any sense�� Dec snatched the pad from Dor�s hands and shut off the console his brother had been using. �Get to work, Dor.� He turned to Dee, who was looking at him curiously. �Dee, you go find Broknra and tell him to report to training.� Dee yawned and nodded, disengaging herself from the trio. She approached the formidable figure of the half Klingon with long curly red hair. �Hey, Broknra.� She greeted him timidly. He turned and looked down at the trembling human female. �Yes?� he asked shortly. He really didn�t want to be interrupted. �Er�you�re supposed to report to�uh�to�training.� She delivered the message, then cringed. �Don�t hurt me.� Broknra twitched and growled. Without a word, he brushed past her and stormed out of engineering. He fumed all the way down the hall. Who were these people to tell him he needed training? He could fight as well as anyone; after all it was in his blood. He was half Klingon, and half Irish, and those Irish were a formidable bunch. He continued to growl as he entered the training room. He approached Izzer, who was busy taking attendance. Broknra opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off. �Broknra, you�re three days late.� Izzer commented, not looking up from his list. �Nice of you to join us.� Broknra tried once more to say something, but Izzer was persistent. �Please join the line so I can mark you as here.� He looked over at the twitching angry half Klingon. �Now.� Broknra growled and grabbed hold of Izzer�s uniform and lifted him straight out of the chair. He held him dangling a foot above the ground. �Listen here, you�Starfleet. I don�t need training.� Izzer remained calm. �It is required of every new Starfleet�� He never got to finish his sentence, since Brokra�s fist had come out of nowhere and connected with his head. With a feeling of satisfaction, Broknra placed the limp form of Izzer on the floor. He touched his com-badge. �Broknra to sickbay, Izzer hit his head�possible concussion. I believe he needs medical attention.� * * * * Izzer groaned as a bright light glared in his eyes. He held out a hand to shield himself from it, but to no avail. �Would someone stop shining that at me?� he complained in a groggy tone. �No one�s shining anything anywhere.� A woman�s voice answered irritably. �Is he done yet?� A nervous voice asked. �No! Now stop asking me!� �But�but�� the nervous voice stuttered. �Shut up and go sit down!� The woman�s voice ordered. Izzer opened his eyes to see a tall thin man with grey hair and grey eyes walk up to him. �Boy�that Klingon sure is mean.� He commented dryly, taking a seat on a nearby bed. He watched as Izzer slowly sat up. �If we had a doctor, your headache would be gone now.� Zyllo told her, turning his head to face Terra, who was working under one of the medical consoles. �Then I could get my physical done and get out of here.� Terra sighed and looked at him, her eyes narrowed. �If I�ve told you once, I�ve told you a hundred times�I�m working as hard as I can!� Zyllo rolled his eyes as Terra went back to work. �Just because some guy shows up and starts hitting on you doesn�t mean you have to take it out on me.� He told her. �You�re a Starfleet officer�you should be above that.� Terra twitched. �First of, all, I�m not a Starfleet officer, I�m a pirate. Secondly�he was not hitting on me so shut up!� With a huff, she returned to her duties. She only had a few more things to connect and she should be able to get her program operational. If only all these people would stop interrupting her. She connected the last circuit and heard the console come back to life. �Finally.� She mumbled, getting stiffly to her feet. �Computer, activate the Emergency Medical Hologram.� The figure of a tall, blonde haired, blue-eyed man with glasses appeared in the center of the room. �Please state medical emergency.� �No, it�s please state the nature of the medical emergency.� Terra corrected him. He looked at her strangely. �Excuse me?� �Nature�the nature of the medical emergency!� she waved her arms in the air. The doctor blinked. �My you�re a hysterical woman�would you like an anesthetic?� He watched as Terra twitched. �No!� She sighed. �Whatever, fix that guys head, and give the other one a probe.� The doctor frowned. �I am not programmed to give�probes. It sounds most unpleasant.� �I just want a physical.� Zyllo commented from the other side of the room, not liking all this talk about probes at all. �Ah, now that I can do.� The doctor smiled, then looked at Terra. �Has this crew received their physicals yet?� �Um�I don�t think so�� Terra answered, unsure. The doctor broke into a grin. �Well, we�ll start with you, then.� Terra groaned and slapped her forehead. �No, do me first.� Zyllo complained. Izzer wasn�t saying anything; this was just too strange for him. �Fine.� Terra grumbled, taking one of the beds. �If you need me, I�ll be asleep.� And with that, she fell asleep. The doctor shook his head and turned to Zyllo. �Well, let�s get started then�� But before he could finish his sentence, the door opened and a confused looking man with small reddish tinged sunglasses and brown hair entered. �Is this the bridge?� he asked uncertainly. �No, this is sickbay.� The doctor answered politely. �Are you here for your physical?� Alec backed away from the intimidating looking doctor. �Um�no�sorry to have bothered you�I�ll just be leaving now.� The doors closed behind him. Shaking his head, Alec continued down the hallway, hoping he was going in the right direction. He didn�t notice the many maps posted on walls all through the ship. �One, two, one, two�� An energetic woman in pink and blue jumpsuit came running in the hallway, followed by several exhausted looking recruits, struggling to keep up. �Want to join us?� she asked pleasantly. Alec took one look at the worn out recruits and shook his head. �Uh, no thanks, I have to be getting to the bridge.� �Oh, well I hope you know that your going the wrong way.� She answered as the group and her turned the corner and disappeared out of sight. �Hey!� Alec started to run after her. �Waro, wait for me! You have to show me where the bridge is!� He turned the corner but no one was there�odd. He turned to see an open door leading into some sort of bar. Shrugging, he let himself in. Quay looked up from the bar he was polishing, and smiled. �Come in, come in. Would you like some Tarcadian tea? Or Romulan ale?� He stopped. �Wait�that�s illegal, isn�t it? Sorry, can�t have that then.� Alec took a stool. �I have a problem�where�s the bridge?� Quay sighed. No one seemed to want any drinks for some reason. They all wanted directions. Well, to tell the truth, Alec had been his first customer ever but still� �It�s down the right, take turbo lift one to the command deck.� He told Alec, who grinned thankfully. �Thank you!� Alec exclaimed, then ran out, immediately taking a left turn. Quay shook his head, and returned to his polishing. There was a scuffling of feet as Torte, who was running down the hall, dashed into Quay�s bar and leaped over the bar itself, to hide behind it. Quay looked down at him. �Hello Torte, what brings you behind the bar?� �Be quiet, will ya?� Torte rolled his eyes. �She�ll be here any minute.� As if in answer to Torte�s odd comment, the newly appointed security officer, Niya, appeared, holding a very large gun over her shoulder. �Where is the little booger?� she demanded. Quay looked down at Torte, who was shaking his head frantically. �What little booger?� he asked innocently. �Torte!� Niya complained, adjusting her gun to a more comfortable position. �That little jerk had the nerve to hit on me while I was arresting someone.� �Well I haven�t seen him, so could you please stop waving that gun around in my establishment? You�re upsetting my customers.� Niya looked around at the empty room and shook her head. �Whatever.� She turned and walked out, still stalking the hallways for Torte. Spotting a suspicious looking figure huddled over a console on the wall, Niya snuck up on it, thinking it was Torte. �Aha!� She cried, leaping into view, making the figure almost jump out of his skin. �Wait, you�re not Torte!� �Would you mind not sneaking up on a body like that?� Janx the janitor, a very odd and evil looking Vulcan, scolded Niya with his suave, condescending tone. �What are you doing?� Niya asked suspiciously. She�d never liked Janx very much. �I�m cleaning out these relays, unless you want to do it.� He answered. That sounded a lot like work, so Niya passed. �Well then you should move along and leave me to it, it�s very difficult work.� Janx told her, returning to his task. After she�d left, however, he broke into a grin, thinking of how clever he was. He�d just sabotage this console and the ship would be out of power. It was brilliant, it was genius, it was� BOOM! Slim looked up from reading his poetry while walking down the hall to see the source of the explosion. Janx was black in the face, the console in front of him having blown up. Slim shook his head and continued down the hall. After all, Janx blew something up in his own face at least once a day, so it was nothing new. And besides, he needed to get the hole in his precious hat sewn up, so he had better things to do. He reached the newly established Tailor shop, owned by a woman named Tristan, someone he tended to avoid. Indeed, as soon as he stepped inside, she attached herself to him. �Welcome!� She cooed. �What can I do for you?� Before he could answer, the ships COM system came on, and the captain�s voice could be heard, asking for her crew�s attention. Both he and Tristan became quiet as they listened. �I would like to inform all of you that our new Medical Holographic Program is online and that you all need to report to sickbay for your Physical. Also, in regards to the scuffle that occurred this morning, such behavior will not be allowed, and anyone behaving in such a manner will have to answer directly to me. Hopefully, though, we will be able to get along peacefully as we make our way home to the Alpha Quadrant. This is your home now, so lets try to make the best of it. Klik out.� The crew was silent for a moment. As odd as their captain was, she had a point. For better or worse, the crew of the Minnow would have to learn to live together. To be continued, because I can�t think of anything else. p.s. yes, the ending is corny, leave me alone |