PRELUDE TO NEW HORIZON: New Discovery

In orbit around Sol IV, Utopia Planitia had been the home of Starfleet’s major construction yard for centuries. The personnel that are assigned there take pride in the ships they construct, and the ship being assembled in Drydock Number 10 was no different. On this morning, workbees flitted around the outside of her hull making final inspections, correcting minor issues, and making sure everything was perfect for her upcoming launch.

She was the first of a new breed of Vesta Class vessels. Her lines were similar to others of her class, sleek and organic; oval saucer forward on a short angled neck to a flattened, profiled secondary hull at the aft of which stretched up and behind long, thin nacelles. But she was built with the most modern materials and outfitted with the best systems Starfleet had to offer.

Callum Roark took more pride in this ship than others because she was his. As lead engineer, he had overseen every aspect of the ship’s construction from the laying of her keel to the stem bolts that went into every last hull plate. It had taken nearly five years to construct her and now, as launch date drew closer, Callum was crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s on her final inspection. He stood on the bridge of the fine vessel alone this day and was surprised to see the doors open and a Starfleet officer walk out of the turbolift, especially this particular officer.

“Good morning Callum.”

“Cap’n Kim, I dinna expect to see you today.” The Irishman responded.

Harry Kim smiled.

“You might not be happy about it after you see what I’ve brought.”

The rather famous captain handed over a PADD and Callum looked at it for a moment and then looked at Kim with an incredulous look on his face.

“Ya have to be kiddin'.”

“I’m afraid not.”

“Do ya have any idea how long these modifications will take?”

“You have sixty days; Starfleet is going to be sending you extra engineers.”

“I hope they be sendin' an army of ‘em! Where are they sendin this ship, into the fires of hell?”

Kim smiled again.

“Something like that, yes.”

*     *     *

For sixty days, it was indeed an army of engineers that swarmed over the ship. One by one, they made every modification on the list Captain Kim had given to lead engineer Roark. They installed, calibrated, and tested every last system until at last she was ready for launch. Manned by a skeleton crew, and with Captain Kim in the command chair, she was ready to begin transit to her new home within the fleet.

“Utopia Planitia control, this is Captain Kim aboard USS Discovery requesting departure clearance.”

“Discovery, you have priority clearance, you may depart immediately.”

“Helm; take us out.”

The USS Discovery seemed to glide out of Drydock 10, her maneuvering thrusters pushing her clear of the framework and into open space.

“Clear of drydock, Captain,” The pilot reported.

“Very good; set a course for Starbase Lotus and prepare to engage quantum slipstream drive.”

“Course laid in, Captain.”

“Let’s show this lady to her new home. Engage quantum slipstream drive.”

“Aye Sir, QSD engaging in 3... 2... 1...”

The Discovery’s new quantum slipstream drive responded with a deep hum only audible in her engineering bay where Callum Roark was monitoring every signal and piece of data coming from the monitors inside the core bay. He would continue to do so until she reached her destination and could be handed over to the Starfleet engineering team that would take her on her maiden voyage.

Outside, a swirling funnel of pale blueish energy opened and swallowed the ship.

For eighteen minutes, the Discovery was propelled within this tunnel of swirling misty energies at speeds that were virtually unheard of even twenty years prior. Even now, the technology was only deployed on the most recent ships serving in very specific fronts; and where she was headed now was one of the most volatile areas of space.

“Captain, if we continue on present speed, we will reach Starbase Lotus in four minutes.” Reported the pilot

“Okay, let’s dial it back to warp 7 and we’ll take the last few hours at normal warp.”

“Aye Sir decelerating.”

Discovery emerged from her quantum tunnel in a flash of swirling particles that collapsed behind her stern as she slowed to normal warp travel. Thanks to personal inertial dampeners and the ship’s own up to date technology, the small crew aboard didn’t feel a thing. Discovery continued under traditional warp until dropping to impulse speeds on the outskirts of the Hromi sector before proceeding to Starbase Lotus.

“Approaching starbase Lotus, Captain Kim,” the helmsman confirmed eighteen hours later.

“Very good; open a channel.”

“Open, Sir.”

“Starbase Lotus ,this is USS Discovery . Captain Kim requesting docking clearance.”

“Discovery, this is Starbase Lotus traffic control; your arrival was expected. Please proceed to space dock under standard docking procedures.”

“Understood Starbase Lotus; Kim out.”

As Discovery approached the starbase, Harry Kim noted several older vessels at station keeping, and now he understood why this new ship was needed here in this sector. There was of course the majestic Lotus class flagship Horizon, looking like a futuristic giant version of the legendary Galaxy class; the new Avenger design of the USS Phoenix; and another new design, this one from the well-proven Luna class registering as the USS Hoshea. But there were also much older designs still proudly serving in this frontier sector of Federation Space but now starting to find the work arduous against the new threats and mysteries of this region of space; the Akira class USS Spectre and her unique DYCEP camouflage; the refited Defiant class USS McKenzie; the USS Lotus, former flagship of Lotus Fleet ; and the versatile Prometheus class USS Alsea. And there was the Nebula class USS Wisconsin and Aurora, the venerable Excelsior class Republic and the Pittsburg, New Orleans class.

All were good ships, legends of the Borg War and of Operation Horizon. But the veterans were now stepping aside as duty and new challenges called for new vessels like the Horizon, the Phoenix and the Hoshea... and now, the USS Discovery.

“Welcome home, Discovery,” Kim said softly. “welcome home.”