by Ensign Hok
81118.18
Time: Current
-=Bridge, USS Serendipity=-
81118.18
Time: Current
-=Bridge, USS Serendipity=-
The trip to Lethus IV had been uneventful, as far as piloting the Sera, though there was still an undercurrent of concern throughout the senior staff, especially with Lair Kellyn. Though Hok shared her concern, especially since he'd be the one flying the Hugreti box back to the ship, he had to admit, that some of her objections made him laugh.
"When we find that box, it's probably going to be covered with nicks and marks, from people touching it with ten-foot poles!" she had said.
Unknowingly, she was actually helping to release some of the tension.
Once the Sera had gotten close to Lethus IV, Commander Salvek told the bridge crew to be alert, though he didn't put the ship officially on Yellow.
Science and Tactical were conducting intense sensor sweeps, searching for anything that could indicate that someone else was coming.
Oddly, and to Hok's relief, they were all negative. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.
"Approaching Lethus IV and preparing for standard orbit," said Hok. He tapped the console and laid in the proper course.
With a steady hand, Hok guided the Sera into place. "We are now in geosynchronous orbit over the colony site."
"Thank you, Mister Hok," said Salvek. "Comm, contact the colony and inform them of our presence."
"Aye, sir," said Ensign Tenney, who was filling in for Dane Christiane.
Hok waited, surprised when he realized he was holding his breath. He let it out in relief, when Tenney spoke again.
"Commander, I have a Mister Colby Harris. He's the manager of the construction crew."
"On screen," said Salvek.
"Aye, sir," said Tenney.
Hok watched as a large Hewmon man appeared on the forward view screen. He looked like he was tall and muscular. His hair was brown and cut short, and he had a mustache and goatee. He appeared to be in his forties, but his chiseled features showed strength, and his brown eyes indicated that you didn't want to be on his bad side.
"I am Commander Salvek of the USS Serendipity. We were sent here in response to a message you recently sent."
"It's about bloody time someone got here to look at that box," said Harris in an Australian accent. "We haven't touched or moved it, and it's beginning to put us behind schedule. What do you plan to do about it?"
Hok could see that Harris was not a happy man.
"We will send a team of our people down," said Salvek calmly. "Until then, I must ask that you be discreet in what you say over an open comm channel."
"Yes, whatever," said Harris. "We're sending you the coordinates of the b-, uh, the item. Please hurry and do whatever it is you're going to do. Time is money. Does Starfleet think this is the only contract I have?"
"I cannot speak for what Starfleet thinks," said Salvek.
"We have the coordinates, Commander," said Tenney.
"Thank you, Ensign. Mister Harris, we will be there shortly."
Harris had an impatient expression on his face, and he signed off without saying another word.
Hok took a very deep breath and let it out slowly. *Here we go,* he thought.
Ensign Hok
Acting Senior Flight Controller
USS Serendipity NCC-2012
Acting Senior Flight Controller
USS Serendipity NCC-2012