Phoenix Crew attends Horizon Ceremony

Captain's Log

Stardate   87549.086

The meeting of the senior officers in the briefing room concluded yesterday after status reports from each department were presented along with an unscheduled visit from the starbase's leading nanotechnologist. This visit, arranged by Fleet Captain Samji, involved a presentation from Lieutenant Decatur bringing her proposal to implement nanites throughout our ship's system to increase the processing time of data flow and connections through the bio-neural circuitry. The intention of implementing this procedure according to her words and her detailed data, is ultimately to increase ship-wide data flow and processing time by an exponential rate.

Although apparently nervous during her presentation, her brilliant purple hair seemed to reflect a brilliant mind within. Following an extensive discussion among the senior staff, the Lieutenant and myself, we developed a series of phases in which this process will be carried out. Strict attention was adhered to in regards to safety concerns and precautions. It was also my recommendation that the Lieutenant join us in all phases of implementation, including the final phase, in which she and her team will now join us on our shakedown to test all systems throughout the ship.  Confirmation of this recommendation was just received by the fleet captain moments ago.  Lieutenant Decatur and her team are due to arrive back to the ship at 0800 hours.

We are now currently 84.5 minutes away from the starting ceremony the USS Horizon within the main hall of the starbase. With this vessel serving as the Flagship for the Lotus Fleet, it will be an official event filled with formal speeches by all the top brass of the Federation and the fleet.

Having come to know the Andorian captain through years of serving together throughout our missions on the Artemis, it is a formality, that I would predict with certainty, that he would prefer to avoid. As his former chief of science and first officer, I concur with his sentiment. Nevertheless, I will make an appearance during this occasion as a gesture of respect and as a fellow captain and representative of the USS Phoenix. The senior officers of this ship were also extended the opportunity to attend during a portion of the ceremony as well.  

The great hall of the starbase was again in full regalia, banners proudly displaying the colors of the United Federation of Planets, of Starfleet and of Lotus Fleet. There was also on display the logo of the Lotus Starship Project, honoring both the researchers and technicians of Utopia Planitia, the premier starship development facility in the Alpha Quadrant and the elite division of Starfleet honored for it's sacrifices and accomplishments with a starship class rechristened in it's honor.

The four banners were framing the great transparencies that showed the immense vista of space around the base. But much closer, docked at the vast ring circling the main body of the starbase itself, was seen in all it's glory the USS Horizon, first and only starship of the new Lotus class to be commissioned on this very day.

Star fleet officers, civilians, non-com personnel and media people, hundreds were filling up the huge area where a circular, slowly turning podium occupied center stage with the Federation symbol covering it's flat, currently unoccupied surface. That was where the dignitaries for the official commissioning of the starship would stand and address not only those hundreds present, but people from over a hundred and fifty worlds across the Alpha Quadrant via UFP media; maybe even beyond via efficient intelligence and spying services.

There was also a series of seats reserved for the officers that would be presented along with the new starship; those that had the honor of first flying her during Operation Horizon and those who would have the singular honor of first serving aboard her. Many of those were already being filled up by white-coated officers in formal wear.

Commander David Rogers entered the huge hall where the gathering for the commissioning ceremony was currently underway. Hundreds of star fleet officers were in attendance already, similarly dressed as David currently was in formal dress uniform. Again, David tugged at the hem of his collar and straightened the already straight uniform again. Although rarely worn, David's uniform was certainly constricting enough to remind him that it was through participation in events such as these that Star Fleet showed it's pride to the Alpha and Beta quadrant's premier personages and attendant crews and populations through out. Every fleet officer and NCO present wore their medals and awards prominent on their uniforms; not out of any sense of pride or vanity, but to honor the events or personnel sacrificed in which ever circumstance that the displayed medals were presented for. David's own small display was similarly arranged and, although David rarely thought about them, he did know that the one that he could not wear on his chest on it served to remind him that everyone in this hall who diligently displayed their own medals were, like himself, aware of the commitment and dedication and sacrifice's these awards entailed.

Skirting the outer rim of the hall, David stopped at the great window that showed, in her sleek lines and almost graceful stance, the largest star fleet vessel Rogers had ever seen. The soon-to-be USS Horizon reflected the lights around her in a subdued glow that only heightened her hidden menace, but glorified her pent up spirit. To boldly go. After a few minutes of study, David turned and made his way to the second row of seats near the podium, to the right of the assembled crew that would soon board the fleets newest flag ship. He recognized Captain Kheren immediately. The unique physiology of the Andorian was as unique and distinctive as a warp signature on sensors. Taking a seat near the center portion of the group of seats in the section, David sat and, with another tug to straighten his already straight formal jacket, awaited the pending arrival of the rest of the Phoenix crew that would honor this new ship and crew.

Not long after, the chief medical officer of the Phoenix entered. With his bald head and mature features, he looked amazingly like a younger version of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in his white and black dress uniform when seen from a distance. But his easy smile and complete ease in the setting of such a social event immediately corrected that impression, faster than any notice of his few medals and science-colored undershirt.

Elliago went to pay his respects and leave his best wishes with Captain Kheren in but a few words. Both officers had served so many times together since their Academy graduation that but few words were needed for them to understand each other; and between Andorian passion and Deltan sensibilities, understanding was more a matter of feeling than of rhetoric.

That left the Deltan free to go and meet the rest of the Horizon's crew, and especially the officers who were taking over from his former assignment.

"Doctors, it is a pleasure and a privilege to meet you, " he said to 110 and 011, the Bynar chief medical officers of the new flagship. " I am Doctor Elliago Nasaro-Myth, former family doctor to your captain. "

The pair of diminutive bald, blue-skinned Bynars looked quite dignified in their uniform, They both nodded together in greetings to their Deltan colleague.

"Speaking of the true blue captain of your new ship, I quite accidentally managed to notice what looks like a cortical stimulator working under his temporal lobe, where any other than an Andorian would sport ears, " Elliago then said. "My congratulations to you, Doctors. Before you came along, it would have taken a Gorn and a phaser on stun to keep him still long enough to install such a thing on him... and a threat of immediate court martial to prevent him from removing it afterwards."

((let the encounters begin))

Movement at the side of his vision brought David's attention back from the podium and he saw the Phoenix's doctor step near to Captain Kheren and pay his respects, then move toward a pair of Bynar officers, their identical backs facing David. The thought of enduring another visit to a doctor brought exasperation to his thoughts again. It was enough to remind him of the rigorous. No! Strenuous! Strenuous medical exams that he had needed to endure to join Star Fleet Academy. First, the suspicion surrounding his upbringing on a Ferenginaar ship. Then his half Romulan ancestry had reared it's ugly head again, and another round of doctors and tests and samples. Only the fact that his five years service at Utopia Planatia had enabled him to barely pass the entrance requirements and write the entrance exam. Turning away from Nasaro-Myth's direction, David crossed his arms and scowled at the view of the Horizon out of the large window.

'Always with new physician's it is the same,' David thought irately. 'Oh? Half Romulan? Is that so? Let me take a look at ... and out come the tri-corders and needles and probes.'

David brooded, not really seeing the spectacular ship before him, and debated the pro's and con's of sabotaging the entire Phoenix medical bay.

*    *    *

Captain Syntron transported down alone to the ceremony in the great hall of the starbase fifteen minutes before the official program began. He estimated that this would provide him enough time to pay his respects to his former captain and then find a suitable location to witness the speeches and the introductions of his new senior officers.

As he meandered his way through the dense crowd of Starfleet personnel, the Vulcan spotted the Andorian Captain engaging in conversation with several  current and former acquaintances and shipmates. Syntron eventually arrived in proximity to the Andorian just as he finished conversing.

With a slight nod of his head, the Vulcan began "Greetings Captain Kheren. How is your transition proceeding on your new vessel?"

The Andorian turned to greet his former first officer and lifted his chin in respect.

"Captain Syntron... you honor us by your presence. As for your question... well, since I come aboard with almost my entire original crew of the late Artemis, I would not exactly call it a transition... more like a... relocation. And as it is on a much larger and modern ship, with an exceptionally highly competent senior staff, Like Commander Oseno here, I would say... smooth sailing all the way."

Then he pointed his four oculars at the Vulcan in obvious interest.

"How about you, my friend? "

The Vulcan thoughtfully pondered the inquiry for a moment before responding.

"Since we last spoke Captain Kheren, it would appear that my time has been almost a blur of a equipment augmentations, a collage of conversations, a multitude of transitions, a series of hurried and varied initiations, and a range of potential incorporations. Other than this, it would seem like we are relatively on-schedule for our upcoming launch."

"Count your blessings, Captain. We on the Horizon are still missing an assigned chief engineer... on the eve of testing the most revolutionary propulsion system since the advent of warp drive. Of course Mister Baoule, our propulsion specialist, is more than capable of assuming the job if need be, again, even if he is but a mere Junior Lieutenant... but you can imagine the pressure on the poor man's shoulders; all the responsibilities and no official authority or recognition for it."

The Vulcan nodded in affirmation as he spoke.

"Based on my experience working with Mister Baoule, he is indeed a very competent and knowledgeable engineer. He certainly has proven his tenacity and capabilities during our many encounters with the anomaly alone. To a lesser extent, we too are facing a similar irony.  We are advancing all of our science systems and yet have no chief science officer assigned to oversee them. I currently have an ensign from the starbase trying her best to fulfill that demanding role. In addition, there has yet to be a chief operations officer identified for our crew at a time when we are addressing the staffing of an entire crew along with attempting to balance out our allocated resources."

The Vulcan then gazed around briefly at the flurry of activity transpiring all around them. It appeared that the official aspects of the ceremony we showing signs of initiating.

"However, the remainder of our crew thus far seem competent and diligent. We will also be experimenting on improving the processing time of data flow and connections through our bio-neural circuitry; with the supervision of a lieutenant from the starbase. So overall, this initial imminent shakedown cruise should prove to be rather... intriguing."

"Science people rushing in, science tech to test, science problems to tackle, science missions planned... my friend, you must be just like a fish in warm waters; and do not tell me that you are a Vulcan and that you feel nothing because I know better. I heard you play on that violin and that lyre often enough."

Syntron allowed a very subtle smirk to sneak upon his expression.

"Merely preparing to do my job, Sir. And the instruments... simply devices in my meditative toolbox."

The antennae of the Andorian curved inward as his tone of voice became lighter.

"Ah yes, I heard well how "meditative" you are when you play. Made me an all of us hearing you feel so... "detached" as well. "

With a raised brow, the Vulcan countered.

"Indeed Captain. Perhaps as the old human expression goes, music does sooth the average beast. Even perhaps an extraterrestrial martial arts champion from an icy environment."

"I am not sure but I think I have been insulted here, " Kheren said, his antennae curving even more towards one another.

He did a short laugh.

"Nevertheless, you are a scientist, Captain Syntron; you of all people know that nothing comes from out of a void... or is truly created or truly annihilated. What goes to touch others can only come from you. "

"From that perspective Captain Kheren, I acknowledge this assertion to be a reasonable conclusion."

The Vulcan then noted stoically.

"However, I bear no responsibility in anyone's reaction to my performances; be it of a positive or negative nature." 

Now the Andorian truly laughed.

"This is a historical moment. Captain Syntron, I believe you have uttered the most illogical statement ever spoken by a Vulcan since Surak's days. There is still hope for you yet, my friend."

With a slightly coy expression, the Vulcan retorted "Now it is I who is being insulted Captain Kheren."

He then added with a poker face "However, given the circumstance of this ceremony and the fact the you are have yet to present your speech, I will attribute your transgression to that of a nervous reaction. As a human might say... all is forgiven Captain."

"Or more to the point; all is fare in love and war," Kheren said good naturedly. "And you are right; I am nervous. The last time, I got the center seat right in the middle of a crisis. No ceremony, no speech, no crowd... just duty, danger and responsibility. Now that was easy..."

"Well...perhaps this time Captain, the crisis will be in surviving the pressures and expectations of this ceremony itself. By comparison, at least on the surface, this would appear a less treacherous terrain to navigate through than that of the anomaly."

"We will see then if I also survive this, " simply said the commanding officer of the flagship.

The Vulcan then inquired discretely "Other than completing our impending shakedown excursions, have you been informed of any upcoming mission that the fleet may have planned for us?"

The Andorian shrugged.

"Negative. Not surprising though; they can hardly assign us anything if ship and crew are not properly assessed yet and proven... seaworthy. But I am not worried. As soon as our shakedown cruises will be over, there is plenty to do in this sector alone. And space is quite vast beyond this one sector."

"Indeed it is Captain Kheren. We may even have the opportunity to explore some of these unfamiliar regions of space as well. We will certainly have the capacity to do so now more than ever with these new vessels at our command... filled with legions of Starfleet personnel seemingly eager to traverse amongst the stars ."

((This thread post is full. Continue in  Phoenix Crew attends Horizon Ceremony (Part II)))