USS DISCOVERY Prologue: Endings and Beginnings

Jureth did not wait to socialize with the other officers of Lotus Fleet after he'd been designated his assignment. He made his way down to the spacedock where his first and now former command the Alsea was moored. He looked through the viewport at the triangular saucer, which hinted at her true nature and the teeth which she bared when called upon to serve. The Bajoran was going to miss that ship, the two had been through the fire and back again together. She was like an old companion who never left your side no matter how many tough situations you found yourself in. 

Oseno made his way to the nearby transport pad and nodded at the operator, a human male, standing behind the console. 

"One to beam to the Alsea." 

"Aye Sir, one moment while Alsea security verifies you." 

Jureth knew the protocol, and he waited as ship's security confirmed his biosigns and identity. It did only take a moment and the operator announced

"Alsea has confirmed, they are beaming you aboard Captain." 

The transporter deposited Jureth on the pad of the Alsea's main transporter room where he passed the security protocol given by the waiting officers, one of which he himself had trained when he was the security chief of the vessel. From the transporter room Jureth walked wistfully down the ship's corridors taking in each bend and turn one last time. He made his way to his personal quarters where he removed his few effects, a holo of his parents, one of his father's ship, and a few civilian outfits; from the room. 

Next, with duffel bag on his shoulder, Jureth strode to the bridge of the warship and he walked first to the tactical station. He ran his hands over the console, and closed his eyes for a moment remembering the first time he'd stood behind it. He'd been a green security chief, and a little intimidated by the impressive functions of the position, but from there he had started first for Captain Siduri, and then Captain Rivers his Lotus Fleet career. Of course he'd been on the Lotus briefly, but it was from this station where he'd really discovered what it meaned to server with these, the best Starfleet had to offer. 

Finally, he moved to the command area and stood in front of the chair where Jureth would become the commander he'd never in his dreams imagined he'd be. Romulans, Klingons, and Undine had all challenged him, and in some respects had nearly ended his command track before it had begun. Somehow, he'd made it through, but it hadn't really been somehow had it? No, it had been the men and women that had crewed this ship that got him through, the officers that answered his orders even in the face of unlikely odds. Oseno looked around one last time, and while he would remember his time here aboard this ship, on this bridge, there was new vessel awaiting his orders. 

"Computer, transfer command of USS Alsea to Captain Rachelle Rivers effective immediately, authorization Oseno Bravo-Juliet-Six-One." 

"Authorization confirmed, command transfer complete. USS Alsea now under command of Captain Rachelle Rivers." 

Oseno nodded and tapped his combage "Oseno to Spacedock transport, one to beam from Alsea to Docking Bay 32." 

"Confirmed Captain...standby." 

The transporter took him and then deposited him on the requested pad where he looked up at his new home, the USS Discovery. Jureth knew the class, Vesta, designed in the latter part of the 24th Century as multi-mission explorer. The most famous of which being the USS Aventine which had been used to test many of the technologies Starfleet used today. This ship though was different from those early designs, her lines were sleeker and her shape made as if to glide through the stars. Oseno looked at the operator and announced himself

"Captain Oseno reporting to the Discovery as ordered." 

"Aye Sir, I will signal the ship." 

Once again Jureth waited as the well established protocol was fulfilled and the transporter of the Discovery energized and he found himself in a state of the art transporter room where two security officers, one he immediately recognized as his Vulcan friend T'lana, waited for him.

"Captain Oseno," T'lana greeted him "it is agreeable to see you again Sir." 

"Hello T'lana good to see you too." 

"I trust the Horizon treated you well." 

"I came from the Alsea T'lana," 

"I apologize Sir, my error." 

Of course it wasn't an error at all, Vulcans rarely made them, but another part of the security procedures designed to weed out impersonators. 

"Sir," T'lana continued "I've been instructed to escort you to the bridge." 

"Instructed? who is in command?" 

"Captain Kim Sir." 

"Surely she can't mean.." Jureth thought, but he only knew of one Captain Kim, and that was Harry Kim of Voyager fame. What would such a renowned officer be doing here of all places? He supposed he was going to find out shortly.

"Alright Lieutenant, we'd better get on with it then." 

Oseno followed T'lana out of the transporter room and into the nearby turbo lift. 

"Bridge," the Vulcan commanded

"So.." Jureth said "what do you think of this ship T'lana?"

"The Discovery is quite the impressive vessel Sir. It is equipped with the latest in Starfleet technology, and capable of performing in many different roles and mission profiles." 

"and compared to the Alsea?"

"The Discovery is decades ahead technologically Captain. It is also more adaptable even if it lacks the firepower of your former command." 

Oseno nodded "That's a very...logical assessment."

"Thank you Sir." 

The turbolift doors opened then and the pair stepped onto the bridge and Jureth followed T'lana out onto something that looked like it was out of the future. The bridge was similar in layout to other starship bridges, but it was more expansive than Jureth had imagined. The command area of course had three seats for CO, XO, and a guest or medical officer. Forward of the command space were consoles for ops, helm, and tactical arranged left to right in front of the main viewer. Behind the command area holographic status displays which could be triggered on or off to suit the situation, and stations for engineering and science. Around the periphery of the main stations were several auxiliary stations and more holographic displays. It truly was a versatile space allowing officers flexibility while maintaining fixed stations for traditional Starfleet positions. Jureth observed several crew members working on some consoles and running diagnostics on others, and standing in the middle of the activity was the dark haired, almond complected Captain that the Bajoran recognized as Harry Kim. He turned to face them and a smile crossed his face as they approached. 

"Ah, you must be Captain Oseno." 

Jureth nodded "I am."

"Captain Harry Kim, a pleasure to meet you."

"Thank you Captain, the pleasure is all mine in meeting such a well known officer." 

"Please, call me Harry and you've built quite the reputation yourself. Peacemaker, diplomat..."

Oseno smiled "I think I lucked into those." 

"There's no such thing as luck in my experience. You're either good, or you're not, and from all accounts you're good Captain." 

"Only as good as the people around me, so what brings you out here Harry? Not exactly standard procedure for delivery of a ship."

Kim smiled again "Well, truth be told life at Utopia Planitia can be a bit dull and it had been awhile since I got the chance to travel at warp speed. So what do you think of Discovery Captain?" 

"She is impressive, though I admit to having been rather fond of the Alsea." 

Harry nodded "Your first command?" 

"Yes," 

"You'll always keep those memories Captain, but I can tell you that they only get better. Each ship, each crew you serve with, you'll remember them all. I know I do, but..I should be going. Discovery is yours now Captain Oseno, treat her well and she'll return the favor."

Jureth looked around again and his eyes settled on a blank spot on the bulkhead near the turbolift where the ship's dedication plaque should have been.'

"No dedication?"

"Not yet, that's your first job, she still needs a motto...Computer, transfer command of USS Discovery from Captain Harry Kim to Captain Oseno Jureth effective immediately. Authorization Kim Victor-Oscar-Four One." 

"Authorization accepted, command transfer complete. USS Discovery now under command of Captain Oseno Jureth."

Kim handed Jureth the PADD he'd been holding "Current work in progress, minor bugs that popped up during our trip from the yards. She's all yours." 

Oseno looked at Harry Kim "I relieve you Sir." 

"I stand relieved. Good luck Captain." 

Kim walked to the turbolift and as the doors closed behind him Jureth turned to T'lana.

"Senior officers will be reporting in the next 12 to 24 hours. Have them report to me once they're aboard unless its after hours then have them report at the start of the next shift. For now, I'll be in the ready room."

"Aye Captain." 

Jureth entered the captain's ready room which was more spacious than the one aboard the Alsea, and set his bag down. He would see to his quarters later, for now he had a ship that needed a motto.

 

 

*     *     *

 

 

The towering red-scaled form that materialized on the transporter pad would have startled anyone but the Vulcan woman at station there. Well over two meters tall, his lean supple body moved with a strange clicking step on his bare clawed three-toed feet towards her. Lowering his almost featureless bald head to her and blinking his enormous slitted eyes, the officer spoke with a hissing voice that had almost no tone and yet, was perfectly audible.

"Commander Schaell Ssychyllyss, reporting as executive officer. Please inform the captain that I will report to him at his earliesst convenience."

The imposing Saurian waited with that emotionless patience typical of his species that made Vulcans almost look like hysteric nerve wrecks in comparison, despite the fact that Vulcans were the universal masters of emotional control.

Saurian simply didn't have any. That is, as long as their primary brain was in control. But that didn't exempt them from the subtle security checks now applied to all Lotus Fleet ships.

"Welcome aboard, Commander," said T"Lana just as impassive as he was. "Your transfer orders from the Phoenix have been confirmed."

"Please have them checked again," instantly retorted the Saurian. "My lasst asssignment was on the McKenzie."

"My apologies, Commander; I misread the order sent by Captain Crist."

"Captain Daniel Crisst is no longer in command of the McKenzie," Schaell corrected again. "Captain Josshua W. Riker was my commanding officer."

"Confirmed, Commander. I will escort you to Captain Kim's ready room."

"You will then have to transsport me back because I jusst met him on the sstarbasse jusst before beaming aboard."

The Vulcan nodded.

"Thank you for your patience during the entire security proceedings, Sir."

"Thankss are unecesssary; have you not performed them sso thouroughly, you would have found out what it means to have a Ssaurian as your ssenior officer. May I meet Captain Jureth now?"

"Please follow me, Commander. Your personal belongings will be beamed directly to your quarters once checked out."

There is no need. I have none."

In a silence that was not all uncomfortable for the two of them, they reached the office of the ship's commanding officer and TLana announced him through her combadge.

"Captain, this is T'Lana; your executive officer is ready to report for duty, Sir"

"Thank you Lieutenant," Oseno responded "Please show the Commander in." 

T'lana stepped forward and the door to the ready room opened revealing Captain Oseno who was already starting to rise to greet his new first officer. 

"Sir, Commander Schaell Ssychyllyss," T'lana announced

"Thank you Lieutenant. Please Commander, come in and have a seat." 

Despite his impressive size, Schaell folded himself into the human-sized chair with no apparent effort. His large eyes blinked at the Bajoran with no expression at all on his dummy-like features. As he waited for his commanding officer to initiate the discussion, he became so still that for a moment  he did look like a gigantic rubber puppet left on the chair.

Jureth took only a moment to mark his place on the terminal in a historical record he'd been reading in an attempt to find a suitable motto for this new vessel and then addressed his new XO.

"Commander, first off  welcome aboard the Discovery. Can I offer you a drink?" 

His scaled head nodded in thanks.

"If that would put you at ease, Captain. I have been in Sstarfleet long enough to become familiar with the mammalian need to commune through food and drink conssumption. I can resspect the tradition if thiss will have uss work ssmoothly together."

Jureth was slightly surprised by the response, and he realized he probably should have done some research on the Saurians before he met Schaell. He offered a smile instead.

"Not necessary, Commander. I will be honest that I've not worked with any Saurians in my career,  but I did take a minute to look at your service record. By all accounts you are an exemplary officer and more than capable. I'm also aware you were aboard the Nuntio. Have you suffered any ill effects from that mission?"

"None that I'm conssciouss of, Ssir. And Sstarfleet Medical has certified me fit for duty. I was for a time inhabited by two conflicting energy entities, the Zetarians that had  taken over the Nuntio in that other universse... but the sseparation of my two brains preserved me from the deadly effectss mosst humans ssuffered at such multi-posssessing experience."

He paused to go back to the captain's first comment.

"Thank you for your esstimation of my capabilities; I sshall endeavor to uphold your expectations. But do not be concerned with your lack of experience with my sspecies, Captain. Few non-Saurians can boasst any. There are but a handful of us in Sstarfleet, even lesss outsside of our homeworld alltogether. The few of uss who do are out here to learn and experience. You will not have to adapt to me, Ssir; I will adapt to you."

"Thank you Commander, I think we will be just fine, there aren't exactly a lot of Bajorans in Starfleet either so in that regard we are alike.  I only asked about the Nuntio incident because your science officer Lieutenant Sirus  was aboard the Alsea for my last mission. She seemed...shaken for lack of a better term, I ensured she received an extended leave on our return to the starbase."

"It was a rather intensse emotional experience, according to the reportss I read. As a Ssaurian, I do not experience emotion at all; that is what allowed me to maintain control desspite the posssesssion I too fell victim of; all our primitive emotions and instincts are confined into our secondary brain and that'ss where my own invaders trapped themsselves. It is only that peculiar physiological configuration that allowed me to prevent the Nuntio from returning to our universse and sspread their presence here. Fortunately, the USS Phoenix found uss and managed to ssave the crew and desstroy the Nuntio. I am confident that, in time, Lieutenant Ssiruss and the others will recover. Humanoid will has proven itsself quite resilient in my perssonal experience."

Jureth nodded "Resilient it is at that. Do you have any questions for me Commander?"

"It is my undersstanding, Ssir, sstudying her sspecifications, that thiss classs of ship is firsst and foremosst designed for deep sspace exploration. Is that what will actually be our asssignment?" 

"Well, as of right now we have no assignment. Discovery was delivered straight from Utopia Planitia and so our first job will be to shake down the ship and complete testing of her major systems. Command has given us an area of space not far from the Klingon border to do so and I don't have anything further beyond that. It will give us a chance to conduct some scans of the Klingon border however and look for any build up. The Alsea's last mission took us to that area of space...the Klingons weren't exactly happy about it." 

"I ssee. As Fleet Captain Ssamji ssaid, we're ssending a messsage; we're peaceful explorers but we're not asssleep."

He blinked once.

"I guesss, Captain, that my part in thiss shakedown will be to... shakedown the crew up to your standards?"

Oseno nodded.

"That is one way to put it yes, and to let me know about any potential issues. As you know, a new ship means a new crew, and that means many people who don't know each other and opens the way for potential conflicts. I would also like you to take the lead on the system testing, and serve as a central point of contact for all the departments. They will all have their own checklists, but eventually they will run into each other. In most cases I expect they can work things out, but I would like you to keep track of the testing schedule the event there is an issue. "

"Acknowledged. As per job desscription, my job is to make ssure that the sship runs ssmoothly. Anything elsse you would expect of me, Sir?"

"There is one last thing: Keep me from starting any wars. By nature as a tactical officer I have a tendency to look at the best way to solve things with a well placed phaser shot. Its come to my attention that I have somewhat a reputation as a diplomat. Make no mistake about it Commander, while I did make the decisions that led to resolving the situations I was in it was the officers around me giving me key pieces of information at a precise moment that led me to make those decisions. The telepaths from the Artemis deserve as much credit for the resolution of the Undine conflict as I do. The same could be said for Commander Sangliar and the most recent incident with the Romulans. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Yess, Captain. That is the nature of command. And the position of executive officer has been conceived with thiss exact thing in mind; to point out alternatives to the commanding officer and thuss help him make a better decision."

He blinked again.

"If I may be sso bold, that'ss why I have been chosen to serve with you, Ssir. I am Ssaurian; which means emotions never interfere with my judgment. And I have been a ssecurity officer ssince the relaunch of the USS Enterprise in mid-twenty-third century during the V'Ger crisiss. I know from experience when force may become necesssary and when it is not. On the other hand, you are Bajoran; which means that you are both passsionate and reflective, both fueling your decisivenesss where my ponderouss thoughfullnesss would sstall us. And you as a ssecurity officer, your mammalan nature will recognize danger and react to it fasster than I ever could."

He inclined his featureless head forward.

"I concur with your esstimate, captain; I too think we will be... jusst fine."

"I'm glad you agree. I don't have anything further, you are free to get yourself settled in or to begin your duties as you see fit. I would like to depart within 24 hours to begin our testing." 

"Yess, Ssir," Schaell acknowledged, rose, nodded and exited.

 

*     *     *

 

Lt. Robert Moore appeared on the transporter pad with a small bag, a Federation crew bag and a garment bag over his left shoulder.

He had the look of an impatient man, and was a bit disheveled.

"Lieutenant R. Moore reporting in." he reached down and picked up the small bag awkwardly and walked into the room.

"And I could really use a shower and a cup of coffee, if you could point the way."

T'Lana looked at the out of sorts officer standing on the platform as she reached for her tricorder. 

"Welcome aboard the Discovery, I am Lieutenant T'Lana acting chief of security. You will stay on the pad until directed." 

He eyed her incredulously then took a step back.

She ran the tricorder over Moore reading the man's biosigns and matching them with those logged in the Starfleet database. 

"Moore, Robert Ensign" T'Lana read aloud "transfer from USS Republic, ordered to report as science officer USS Discovery." 

"What? me a science officer? Not even, I'm a pilot, the best in Starfleet." He got a confused look and added.

"The Republic? No.. that's Robert Moore.. with am 'E' at the end. You must be thinking of Roger Moore, I get confused for him all the time." And smiled whimsically.

The Vulcan woman raised an eyebrow "Thank you for your...patience with the security procedure Lieutenant. Captain Oseno has requested that all senior officers report directly to him in his ready room. Your effects may be left here and will be transferred to your assigned quarters after security inspection. You may follow me when ready." 

He rolled his eyes and mumbled "Right.. Vulcan." and with a sigh put his bags down.

He then pulled out a comb from some where behind him and worked his hair before saying.

"All set, after you Sir."

On the way there he regaled T'Lanna with the time he saved the Captains life during the Artemis incident, mostly with descriptions of how 'His' ship, the 'Jolly Rogers' handled like a dream. 

T'Lana didn't spare a look at the helmsman, nor could she have gotten a word in edgewise if she'd tried. As the pair arrived on the bridge the security officer rang the chime on the ready room and turned to the security officer as Jureth's voice said "Come" from within.

"Captain Oseno is waiting. Your tale was....fascinating." 

With that T'Lana left Moore to enter the ready room on his own. 

He grinned as she walked away Yeah.. she likes me.. he thought as he patted his cow lick back into place.

Then after taking a breath, he entered the ready room.

"Lt. JG Moore reporting in Captain." he added the Junior Officer part deliberately.

"Mister Moore," Oseno replied with a smile "It's good to see you, welcome aboard Discovery. Can I get you anything?"

"My own warp shuttle, preferably Kestrel class if you have one lying around sir." He said without any indication of joking.

"Otherwise I'm good Captain, looking forward to getting to know the Discovery and how she responds to my moves." he stayed at attention.

"I"m afraid we don't have any shuttles to spare Lieutenant," Oseno replied with a straight face "but you are free to get to know our shiny new ship here. Take a look at the flight station, and programs. If you find anything that isn't up to your standards please let myself or XO Schaell know. Unless you have questions for me you're dismissed."

"Aye sir." and with a respectful nod he returned to the bridge and looked around for his station.

"Wow, shinny" he said looking around the room. "So this is where it will start, nice." and sat down at his post.

"Glad you like it," said a hissing voice behind and over Him.

The Towering Saurian wearing the three pips of a commander had been standing at the back of the bridge. He had been so still, as only his species could, that it was as if he had been part of the bulkhead near which he had been reviewing the emergency EVA suit closet of the bridge. Even now, he was like a red wax statue as he spoke.

"I'm Commander Sscysshyllysss. Welcome aboard, Lieutenant."

"Happy to be aboard Commander Shish.. shy.. less.." His mouth contorted with the attempt.

"Commander." He followed up with an apologetic look.

His eyes lit up as he sat at the helm. "Hay beautiful, I think we should get to know each other better." and sat down.

"A constructive suggestion, Lieutenant. You may start by reading my Starfleet record. I read yours. I am most impressed by this re-entry maneuver you did with two interlocked workpods. Captain Kheren, your former commanding officer, was lavish in his praise of your skill and composure during the incident. And it takes much to impress an Andorian."

"He said something nice about me? really?" With a look of genuine surprise. "Huh! But that maneuver was pretty sweet, if I can say so myself. That's why I like the smaller ships... Commander." using his rank again.

Then he lowered his voice a little.

"Hay, would you mind if I called you.. um.. Sly? when it's just you and me talking? it's going to take a while for me to get your name down and I hate using rank all the time."

"I already have to sshorten my real name ssignificantly in order to adapt to mosst other sspecies inability to deal with Ssaurian names; not to mention sstandard Sstarfleet regisstry. Mosst people call me Sschaell... but accomodating you thiss way will be no different. As a matter of fact, Ssly is part of my full name."

"Hay thanks, Ssly, I've never been very good with names."

He looked around the bridge with a smile.

"I'd ask for advice on fitting in, but everyone's new here, so I'll just make a few mistakes on my own first."

He had a devious look in his eye.

Looks like the Jolly Roger might already have a Sly first mate to look forward to. He thought.

Although sship ssystems have been vasstly improved over the the lasst two hundred years, their use has been fairly conssisstent ssince the firsst actual sstarsshipss were comisssionned by Sstarfleet. You have been chosen for thiss sship because you are the besst helmsman available. I'm confident you will do your duty adequately."

(Moore and Sschaell may continue their discussion)

 

****

In the Discovery's transporter room the beam disappeared leaving a disheveled looking human on the transporter pad. His black hair was messily to the side, and he was wearing what appeared to T'Lana to be a...red bath robe. 

"Please stay where you are Lieutenant..."

"Pierce, BF Pierce...MD...a pleasure I'm sure." the officer responded with a smile

"Ah, you are one of the ship's medical officers...coming from the USS Shiloh correct?"

"Ummm no, I am the medical officer, as in CMO and I came from Earth via the freighter Ottawa, and the welcome hasn't been very warm. I thought you Starfleet people were supposed to be friendly." 

"Are you not Starfleet."

"I'm wearing the uniform aren't I? But if you must know I was drafted...I had a perfectly good private practice until Admiral Potter plucked me out of it to come here. Something about a shortage of doctors." 

"I see," the Vulcan replied "I am Lieutenant T'lana Doctor, and the Captain wishes to meet all senior officers please come with me." 

"After you." 

As T'Lana led the doctor to the bridge she thought that this man was almost as unusual as Lieutenant Moore. Just when she'd thought she'd encountered every personality the Federation had to offer a new one seemed to appear out of nowhere. On reaching the bridge she rang the ready room annunciatior and turned to the doctor.

"You may want to remove your....coat. This is a Starfleet vessel." 

"But it's so comfortable, I think I'll keep it." 

"As you wish...Doctor."

Jureth rose as the ready room door opened to reveal a most unusual sight. Oseno had never met an officer who dressed as if he'd just gotten out of bed, and looked a bit like it too. 

"Lieutenant..."

"Pierce mon Capitan...BF Pierce...MD." 

"Ah, Doctor Pierce, welcome aboard the Discovery, and welcome to Lotus Fleet. That doesn't look like a regulation medical coat" 

"Oh this old thing? No Sir, brought it with me." 

"I see...well I would appreciate it if you would confine its use to Sickbay. If and when you are on the bridge I expect you to be in a proper uniform." 

Pierce tossed an almost mock salute "As you wish Sir, I would hate to disappoint." 

"Yes, well, I understand you're coming from Earth. Have you served aboard a starship before?" 

"Can't say as I have Captain. In fact I've gone out of my way to avoid it. I prefer my private patients to battle wounds." 

"Hmmm well, our goal isn't to give you any battle wounds to tend. The Discovery is a new ship Doctor so you'll have a fully stocked Sickbay to work with." 

"Well, that's something anyway. I'll give Starfleet one thing, they don't hold back on the toys." 

"Any questions for me Doctor?"

"Nary a one Captain."

"You're dismissed, feel free to settle yourself in."

Pierce bowed "Thank you Captain Sir, I shall do just that." 

With that he did an awkward about face and was gone. All Jureth could do was shake his head.