Maiden Voyage

Eighteen

"Captain's Log, Stardate 23016.2: Tentatively, we have a new member of the Federation. There was initial trepidation from Starfleet Command with their inclusion because of past indiscretions. Who are we to judge misunderstandings of a new culture when we each have our own sins to atone for, either privately or publicly? This is more of a matter of trust. If the words I shared with the Solarian are worth any weight, trust is indeed our intent.

"Interestingly enough, ten minutes after beaming Lieutenant Rios over to the Solarian vessel, two Andorian freighters showed up in response to our message to command concerning locating the Xerxes. One was amicable enough to complete our task by transferring the mining equipment to their home planet. The other took the Xerxes in tow, along with three of the six Andorian ship members that were taken by the pod shuttles. The remaining three have stayed on with the Solarians, as have two members of the Council of Isis.

"We are currently on approach to Starbase 3, with the Solarians as escorts. Doctor Daksha Sharma, the foremost authority on the study of psionics and neurobiophysics, will join the initial group to join the Solarians, along with the others already mentioned.

"As for the conduct of the first-time crew members; these kids did pretty well. This was anything but a routine mission. Two stood out by selflessly putting their lives on the line for not only the mission, but their crewmates. I formally request a ribbon of merit be awarded to both science officer, Ensign Spock and Federation Marines first squad fire team leader, Corporal Samira. Their conduct was in the highest keeping of the principles of the United Federation of Planets and so noted in their official record.

"On a personal note, the hardest thing to do as a commanding officer, other than to report the loss of a crewman to their loved ones, is saying goodbye to a friend and trusted colleague. This is a task I am now faced with. With a little luck, they will return to the Enterprise within a year's time. If not, I wish them the best of luck. Pike, Commanding Enterprise."

#

Captain Pike walked grimly along his path of deck seven. Crew members greeted him as he walked by, but he half-heartedly returned the salutations. This felt more like a funeral march than a joyous occasion, yet, for him personally, it was not something he welcomed. He reached a crewman's door, pressing the chime. The doors swished open. He stepped inside.

"I received your request for temporary transfer to the Solarian ship. The final authority rests with me signing off on it. I considered denying it, but then decided what kind of bastard would do that?" The captain stopped momentarily. "I guess you already discussed this with Evie?"

Lieutenant Rios stood up half-heartedly. Suddenly, the decision that had kept him up the past two nights seemed to be the wrong one. "Yes, captain."

"And what does she think?"

"She thinks I'd be an idiot to pass up the opportunity, especially considering how easily I adapted to the Solarian technology. Besides, it would only be for a year." He was making the same argument that solidified the decision for him the night prior.

Pike dropped the commanding officer bearing. "Hate losing you, Hector, but I understand."
He sat down, clasping his hands together, looking off at a painting Lieutenant Rios had hanging on his wall. It was the launch of the first earth space shuttle named Enterprise.
"I talk so much about exploring new life, but I've never really seized the opportunity to immerse myself in the cultures of those we discover. I'm jealous or afraid of the possibility that there maybe something more than what I've committed my life to. This is a once in a lifetime moment. I'm proud you have the courage to seize it. If your wife is okay with this, I'm just the guy who married you two." Pike half smiled, returning his attention to his engineer. His friend.