Maiden Voyage

Twelve

Governor Cyril Vessey woke up to clear skies. The rain had subsided. The sun had just broken the horizon. He headed over to Ruby's for a morning coffee. Breakfast would be on his agenda this morning for the first time in weeks. Typically, he passed with a single piece of fruit. This morning was different. Vessey felt euphoric, nearly skipping across the colony's square. Greeting fellow colony members, he entered the mess hall. His cook had prepared synthesized plant sausage, eggs, and potato latkes for the day's menu. He helped himself to all three.

Taking his time to eat, he took slow, deliberate bites, savoring each morsel placing his fork down at intervals. The cargo resupply had been completed; the sun was shining, and Captain Christopher Pike would soon leave orbit. He came close to discovering the truths beneath Colony M-114, but he failed. This brought great satisfaction to the governor. By this time tomorrow, everything will be back to normal. He could resume the colony's work.

After finishing his meal, the governor traversed the walkway to the government building, entered the foyer, and went into his office. He sat down in his chair to begin his day. Checking his communications console, Vessey noticed a ship to shore message. It was from Captain Pike inviting him to a reception aboard the Enterprise for his cabinet members and him to be held at eighteen hundred hours. He called it a "good will send off."

The governor laughed hysterically as he spun around in his chair. After a pause, he halted. "Computer, reply to message from Enterprise. It would honor us to join you at the designated time to meet you and your bridge officers to say farewell. Vessey, Colonial Governor of M-114."

Vessey had played one more card. By the invitation to the Enterprise, he assumed it had its desired effect. It was going to be a good day.

#

Number One had briefed the captain the previous night, prior to Pike's invitation to Vessey via subspace radio channel. The intel provided by Echo to Corporal Samira confirmed the existence and location of the Ovid Stone. She also confirmed the location of the Council of Isis was in the same location.

This morning also met Captain Pike with enthusiasm. Seeing a sunrise from space was always remarkable. Particularly M-114. The vivid greens, blues, and whites appeared on the main viewscreen like a painter who had mastered brush strokes that could be interpreted as the sheer beauty of simply what it was. It was moments like this that made the days or weeks in the void of space worth the time. This dawn in particular held great significance.

Pike's expectations differed greatly from Governor Vessey's. His purpose was to lift the veil on the secrets of M-114. If the captain's plan worked specifically as planned. Prior to briefing his team on the plan, he felt the need to reach out to Starfleet. The previous evening, he had sent the files from the landing party briefing, Spock's statement and the interrogation recording of Echo by Corporal Samira to Admiral Rodgers. He waited patiently for a response, although he had already put the first part of his plan in motion. There were roughly eight hours until Vessey and his entourage would arrive. He had received his reply. They were coming.

Deciding not to wait for Starfleet's communication on the subject, Pike punched the intercom button on the arm of his command chair. "Doctor Boyce, Gunny Cole, report to briefing room three. Doc, bring Governor Vessey's tricorder with you." He stood up, straightening his uniform. "Number One, Ensign Spock, you're with me. Lieutenant Tyler, you have the con."

The three crossed the bridge and entered the turbolift. Exiting on deck seven, the three Starfleet officers remained silent, each contemplating what their roles would be. Spock was the most confident, as he still had the biochip implanted.

The bridge detail entered the briefing room. Gunny Cole and Doctor Boyce had already arrived. After taking their seats, Captain Pike began the briefing with little fanfare. He knew his plan was going to meet resistance.