The aft-port turbolift doors of the Bridge opened and Falinn Ehlara stepped out brusquely. She walked quickly around the tactical station to where Captain Freeman and Commander Yilaan were rising out of their chairs to greet her. "Captain, good to meet you face to face," Falinn said, smiling, as she offered forth her hand.
Freeman shook her hand. "Nice meeting you as well, Commander Falinn," Freeman said, addressing her properly as Bajoran names are constructed with the family name first, personal second. "This is my First Officer, Commander Cecilia Yilaan, my Chief Engineer, Commander Jevor, my tactical officer, Lieutenant Ivanovna, and my navigator Ensign Gates. I believe you're already acquainted with Lieutenant Reiv," Freeman continued, indicating to various members of the Bridge crew as he spoke.
At the mention of his name, Reiv attempted to stand, but neglected to push the helm console far enough to one side, and ended up tripping quite badly. Only a quick hand on the adjacent navigation console kept him from falling flat on his face. Falinn Ehlara giggled as the Bristol's Bridge crew tried desperately not to. She nodded to the Captain and walked over to Reiv, whereupon she slapped him soundly across the face. He stumbled again and was caught by Ensign Gates, still seated at the navigations console. Falinn was there in a second to help him up, "Reiv, I'm so sorry, but I promised myself if I ever saw you again, I'd do that before I did this." She then lifted his head up to face hers and kissed him passionately. Yilaan fidgeted as she attempted to block the resounding wave of emotion bombarding her empathic senses. Fortunately for all involved, the moment passed soon enough.
"Commander Falinn, if your schedule permits, would you be able to stay on board for a couple days? I'd like to talk to you about any intelligence you may have concerning Cardassian activity in this sector. I'm sure having been in the thick of things for awhile, you'll have many stories to share that could prove useful to us in this war," Freeman suggested.
"Thank you Captain, I'd be happy to," Falinn replied.
"Lieutenant Reiv, will you show our guest to quarters. Commander Falinn, we'll get our repair crews to your ship straight away," Freeman said.
Falinn nodded, "Sounds excellent Captain." She was then escorted to her quarters by a hyper-active Reiv. As the two entered the turbolift, Reiv could only smile dumbly at her, while the lift waited for vocal instructions from the love-struck Lieutenant as to a desired destination.
At length, Ivanovna, who'd been watching this entertaining display, tapped her comm-badge. "Computer, this is Lieutenant Ivanovna. Send the turbolift car currently in the aft-port bay on deck one to the guest quarters section of deck eleven." Reiv's consciousness jerked back to reality just as the doors closed and the lift sped on its way. No longer able to contain herself, Ivanovna laughed loudly.
"Yilaan, I'll be in my Ready Room. You have the Bridge. Keep the ship at yellow alert for the duration of our stay here," Freeman ordered.
"Aye sir," Yilaan replied. As Freeman strolled toward the Ready Room, Yilaan followed, adding almost as an afterthought, "Uh, Captain, could I speak with you briefly?" He nodded and the two went to talk in private.
"Apple juice, three degrees Celsius," Freeman requested of the food dispenser in his Ready Room. "Can I get you something, Commander?"
"No thank you," she said, taking a seat opposite his. "Sir, can I ask you something?"
"Of course," Freeman replied.
"What's up with Falinn? I mean surely it wouldn't take days for her to give you whatever information you're interested in. Not to mention that we get regular intelligence reports from the Bajorans on Cardassian fleet activity."
Freeman merely smiled and winked at his First Officer as he took a healthy draught of juice. All at once she understood and mentally kicked herself for not having put two and two together. "You're the best captain in the fleet," she said simply, sitting back in her chair.
"Well, that's what people tell me," Freeman said jokingly. "What do you think of them, Commander?"
"Who, Reiv and Falinn? They're unquestionably one of the cutest couples I've ever seen. Their feelings are certainly genuine as well. I wonder why Reiv never mentioned her?" Yilaan speculated.
"None of our business really," Freeman replied. "Though I'll warrant it had something to do with that slap on his face."
Yilaan nodded and got up to leave, "I'll be on the Bridge sir." With that Freeman began to look over reports and low priority messages the computer had logged for him.
At length he came across one message that grabbed his attention. "Ensign Gates, this is Captain Freeman," he said, tapping his comm-badge. "Will you join me in my Ready Room as soon as your duties permit?"
"Aye sir," she responded simply.
A moment later Freeman's door chimed. "Come in," he beckoned. Gates entered and sat down at the captain's desk. "Ensign, I want you to read something and tell me what you think," Freeman said, swivelling his computer screen around for her to read.
Gates read what was on the screen, her usual stoic expression changing to one of surprise and disbelief. "Captain Picard wants me to transfer to the Enterprise?" she said finally.
Freeman nodded. "He's read my evaluation reports and is very impressed with you Ensign. A position has opened up for you; a second shift navigator on the Bridge of the Enterprise. Now normally he might not have made such a request, but I do owe him a favor. We don't want to lose you here, but it probably would be a real boost for your career to serve on the Federation's flagship. You can go if you wish, and you're free to decline if you wish. It's up to you. Take some time later and think this through and let me know what you want to do." She smiled and nodded; he nodded in acknowledgement and said, "Return to your station." She got up and left the room as Freeman returned to his computer, a half-smile on his face, thinking of the days when he was much like her; faced with transferring from his first posting.
Minutes later Freeman was interrupted by a comm signal. "Captain this is Jevor," the chief engineer's voice crackled over the intercom.
"Go ahead Commander."
"Sir if you have a moment, I'd like to go over our preliminary findings regarding damage to the Drexler," Jevor continued.
"Certainly," Freeman said, "go ahead."
"Ah sir, if you don't mind, could you come to Engineering?" Jevor asked.
"Why? Is there something you can't say over the comm channel?" Freeman asked, sitting forward in his chair.
"Er well, if you could come down sir," Jevor reiterated.
Freeman sighed, "Very well Commander, I'll be there shortly."
Sure enough, Captain Freeman arrived in Engineering within minutes of Jevor's signal. "What is it Commander?" he asked.
Jevor took him to one side, "Captain, the guest of ours; the one that Reiv is escorting around."
"Yes?" Freeman asked.
"Well, he's taking her on a tour of the ship, you see, and showing her things; many many things. Now the Bajorans aren't our enemies by any means, but . . ."
"But you're worried about a security problem here?" Freeman interrupted.
Jevor shrugged, "Far be it for me to do Ivanovna's job."
"Or her yours," Freeman inserted wryly, recalling the chief of security's aptitude as an engineer.
Jevor smiled, "Well I just thought I might mention it, that's all."
Freeman clapped him on the back, "Thank you Commander. I'll talk to Reiv about it. Now, about the damage assessment for the Drexler?"
The Andorian nodded and retrieved a portable document holder from a nearby table. "Sir, my teams estimate a repair time of one and a half days. They'll need some supplies and some structure reinforcement, and some of their instruments will need replacing, but it shouldn't be too difficult."
"That's good news then; please get your teams on it right away," Freeman commanded, leaving Main Engineering as Jevor acknowledged the order.
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