Sidetracked

Posted on Wed Nov 3rd, 2021 @ 5:10pm by Captain Aviram Drell & Lieutenant Commander Irwin Riley

Mission: Episode 05: "Deep Water"
Location: Astrometrics Lab, USS Vesta
Timeline: Day 3 at 0904

ON: [[Astrometrics Lab, USS Vesta, Mission Day 03, 0904 Hours]]

Spencer Riley was without words. In front of him was the control center for one of the most extensive, and most sophisticated, sensor pallets in all of Starfleet. And it was all his.

The Vesta's new chief science officer ran his hand over the edge of the center console while his eyes roamed over the massive display in front of him. Spencer had been reading through the ship's specs while in transit, but he was still in awe. He had served on a handful of ships prior to this one. But none of them were this advanced. None of them were this elegant. He couldn't help but smile at thought of all they had yet to learn on the coming journey.

"Nice, isn't it," a voice asked.

"You can say that again," Spencer replied to the voice. It took him a moment to actually process that there was another person in the room. He turned away from the big display to see who had snuck into the room behind him. It took another moment for him to process the number of pips on the newcomer's collar. "Ah, Captain. I was actually on my way to see you. It's just that I got a little, uh, sidetracked."

Drell shook his head from side to side. “Totally understandable,” he assured the younger man, taking a step forward. He crossed the short distance between them until he came to stand near one of the consoles opposite, just below the main viewscreen. “I had no doubt you’d find your way here sooner or later,” he continued, “and I don’t blame you. The Vesta may be closing in on a decade of service already, but as you can see, we’ve managed to stay a few steps ahead…”

"Indeed," the younger man said with a smile. He extended a hand towards his captain. "Where are my manners? Lt. Commander Spencer Riley, at your service."

"Glad to finally meet you," Drell said, giving the offered hand a firm shake, "in-person, that is. I know we've spoken a few times, but even that is a poor substitute for actually coming aboard and settling in. Speaking of which, how was your trip?"

"Compared to the Vesta? Slow," Riley replied with a laugh and a smile. "I can't really complain, other than getting a bit antsy. But it did give me some time to read up on some journals from ships already in the Delta Quadrant, and from the Voyager's original journey. I can't wait to add our names to the next scientific paper."

"Be careful what you wish for," Drell cautioned. He had also taken some time to review ship's logs, both from the exploratory group as well as the Voyager mission, and he had noted there were definitely occasions when crews got more than they bargained for. Then again, the same could easily have been said about some of the things the Vesta had encountered under his command. And it wasn't all bad...

"I suppose you're right," Spencer replied with a shrug. "But that's why we're out here, right? To know the unknowable? To explain the unexplainable?"

The El-Aurian gave a small smile at the younger man's response. "...or perhaps, to simply ask the question, Mister Riley," he said slowly.

Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, Drell reached out with one hand. He entered a quick series of keystrokes into the nearest console, causing the display in front of them to immediately come to life. It shifted and changed until it showed an unmarked view of a stellar cloud. Dust and gasses swirled around in a brilliant display, turning slowly upon one another. Occasionally, a bolt of static discharge flashed from somewhere within. And beyond that, to the right-hand side of the screen, was the dotted blackness of open space.

Spencer's eyes lit up in awe at the display in front of him. He approached the massive screen, his arms outstretched to either side, as if he was going to give the display a hug. He turned and pulled his arms back to his chest. "You are a man after my own heart. Where did you find this beauty?"

“A few dozen lightyears inside the border of the Delta Quadrant,” Drell replied, “Unfortunately, this one is a bit out of our way, so we won’t be making a pit stop. But there will be others…”

"I certainly hope so. I'd be disappointed if we go all that way and find nothing.”

The young man could not have known how much it pleased Drell to hear him say that. Yes, their primary objective was a serious one and a lot rode on their ability to complete it successfully. But that did not mean they were supposed to abandon their mandate of exploration. Now, more than ever, Starfleet needed people like Riley whose unbridled enthusiasm for such could be a light in the darkness.

“Agreed.”

Riley flashed his new captain a smile. "I have a feeling that we're going to work well together."

---

OFF

Captain Aviram Drell
Commanding Officer
USS Vesta (NX-94200)

Lieutenant Commander Irwin Riley
Chief Science Officer
USS Vesta (NX-94200)