New Additions To The Crew Stardate 2258.25

The Enterprise was gearing up for its five year mission to serve as the Federation’s Ambassador to new worlds and civilizations that had yet to be contacted or even discovered yet. The Enterprise Heavy Cruiser was undergoing repairs and a refit for the newest sensors, phasers and Torpedo bays. They were almost complete and Spock, Kirk’s First Officer, had been looking to replace the crew and officers that had left the ship to entertain new horizons. Kirk was supposed to have the final say on all new personnel but he had delegated that duty and authority to Spock. Kirk trusted Commander Spock with his life and knew the man would pick the right people for the jobs that needed to be filled.

Spock was running low on time so he had to interview these last 2 at the same time. He had Shuttled over to the Starbase for the interview and had set it up in one of the larger conference rooms on the base. Deck 24, Room 102.

As usual Spock would wait until the two women arrived before he entered. The time was 0730hrs.

It had been almost two years since Kaia had last seen Kirk. She had heard he had done very well for himself and was now Captain of the USS Enterprise. The ship was preparing for a five year mission into deep space and Saehir knew that this was her chance to get aboard the Enterprise. Her mission was to gather intelligence information and communicate that to the Romulans. She knew if she got aboard the Enterprise that her connection with Kirk would come in handy. The pair had parted ways on very good terms.

For the past two years Kaia had been working extremely hard. She excelled in all of her classes and was a top student. She had shown outstanding leadership qualities during sims and her instructors thought very highly of her. She knew that Spock not Kirk would be interviewing her and another woman for positions on the ship and she felt her record spoke for itself.

When she reached the conference room, she found the other woman was already there. She smiled and extended her hand. “I’m Kaia Fox.”

Elyse wasn't just thrilled, she was ecstatic that she would be picked, out of all the other candidates, to join the Enterprise. True this was just an interview but she also knew that the Enterprise's refits were nearly done. Which meant if they were still interviewing, they hadn't yet found the right candidate. She had never seen a Heavy Cruiser, the new Constitution Class ship up close outside of a simulator anyway. Just the thought of it made her unable to sleep last night and though she was tired, she had dressed and arrived early. She was a buzz of nerves and excitement and when she saw the other woman who was being considered she jumped up and happily shook her hand.

"Hi! I'm Elyse, Elyse Turner. I can't believe I'm here! Isn't this exciting? The Enterprise? Do you have any idea how many people are wishing they were standing where we are right now? A Constitution Class Starship?! Can you believe it?" She said before she let go of the other woman's hand. "It's good to meet you Kaia!" She said excitedly and her face was all smiles.

Kaia knew the name Turner. The Turner family was a highly respected and well known family in Star Fleet. They could trace their heritage back to the very beginning of Star Fleet and every generation since then had served. Kaia had done a lot of research on the top students in Star Fleet. She knew that Elyse was training to be a Helm and Tactical Officer so no competition for the position she was going for, Communications. 

"I know. It is very exciting. You just finished serving on the USS Zephyr, right?"

Elyse was still all smiles as she spoke. "Yes, It was a rough tour of duty but we made it through," She said though some of her mirth had died down just then. "The war is taking its toll on everyone I think. We lost some good people," she said as the door opened. She snapped to attention. "Attention!," She barked and both women came to attention. "At ease Lieutenants, please sit, we have alot to go over," Spock said plainly as he pulled out his chair and sat. He had their files in his hands and opened them up.

"First off, I want to congratulate you two, You've been deemed the best of the best and that is what we want on the Enterprise. You've both taken steps to be away from your families for 5 years and you've both passed your psychological and physical tests. Those things have only made you eligible to be where you are now, what's in these files is why I've selected you," he said then closed the folders and steepled his hands on the desk in front of him and his dark eyes took on a more serious look. Elyse was in hero warship mode. She was dying to tell Spock how much she idolized him. His career is very well known throughout all of the Federation and was an exemplary officer and a good man by all accounts.

"We likely to be running into anything and everything during this mission. It will be difficult. It is not a sprint but a marathon. It will test your limits as will I," Spock said. "Now, I've been doing all of this talking, why don't you each try and convince me why I should put you on the bridge of the Enterprise...Lt. Turner?" He asked as his gaze settled upon her. Elyse's cheeks turned pink at the sudden abundance of attention upon her but her lips just began to move as the nervous energy inside of her spiked.

"Well...Commander Spock, I think my record speaks for itself. The Zephyr was involved in several engagements with the Klingons and I feel my personal performance contributed to our survival. We could meet anything out there. Having the best person at the Helm is what the Enterprise will need. I feel I am that person. I can do this job sir. It's in my blood," Elyse said. Spock nodded without expression then turned to Kaia.

"And you Lt. Fox...The Enterprise will be, in many ways, an ambassador for the Federation as a whole. We are going to meet new races and new civilizations. Why should I put you in probably, the most important seat for first contact?" He asked.

Saehir was well aware of who Spock was. She suspected that if anyone on board the Enterprise was possibly going to be a problem for her, it was going to be him. Kaia remained outwardly poised and confident, but not overly so. As she listened to Spock's question to her she paused a moment before speaking.

"Well, I speak 11 languages fluently, but I didn't just learn the languages of these races. I studied their cultures and beliefs. While I cannot possibly know every language and culture in the entire universe, I am a quick learner. I remain calm in stressful situations and am well versed in reading body language. I am confident that I can do this job and do it well Sir."

Spock began to look through their files again. He let the silence in the room stretch to gauge how the two women dealt with the possibility that they might be rejected. Turner was an open book to Spock. Her family was well known and she had actual combat and starship experience. It was Kaia Fox that was somewhat of an enigma. Orphaned when she was very young, foster parented until she joined the academy. Number one in her discipline. Not many cadets were given a promotion while at the academy. This was impressive but something was...off about her. He did not know what and he looked up and into her eyes. Blue, determined eyes stared right back at him. Spock closed the files.

'Oh please, please, please, please, please, please!' Elyse said over and over into her head. She would have sit on her hands if it wasn't too late for that now. Not when Spock looked at her as if weighing her to the ounce!

"Report to Ensign Jason Carter here at the station at 1300 hours. He will have your updated orders. Congratulations, you're serving on the Enterprise," Spock said as he stood. The two women stood quickly and stood at attention. Spock gave them one last nod then stepped out of the room.

Elyse exploded and couldn't stop herself from hugging Kaia and hopping up and down. "Oh my god, oh my god! We're serving on the Enterprise!" Elyse said in loud, enthusiastic bursts of words.

Kaia felt as if Spock was looking right through her and into her very soul. Her face was neutral and calm. She knew that there was no one else better suited for this position. She felt that Spock was testing them and she planned to pass his test. She was going to get onto the Enterprise. When he finally informed them that they were joining the crew of the Enterprise she pretended to be relieved. She stood at attention when he stood and as he stepped out of the room Elyse exploded with excitement. Kaia was surprised when she grabbed her and hugged her, but she hugged her back. 

The two women left the conference room and went to pack. Kaia found that she was actually rather nervous about seeing Kirk again...although she wasn't sure why. She wondered if he had changed at all...although she highly doubted it. At the designated time, Kaia and Elyse reported to Ensing Jason Carter to retrieve their updated orders.

Ensign Carter had short, dirty blonde hair and hazel eyes. He was young and also seemed to have a chip on his shoulder. he obviously didn't like riding a desk on a Starbase but he had not done well on the USS Rhode Island and so he was remanded here. He had been an Ensign for 7 years. Carter handed them their digital orders.

"Ok ladies, from here you'll report to the flight desk. Find Lt. Hastings...use the info panels if you can't locate her," he said as if it was a bother to be talking to them right then. "You're scheduled shuttle is at 1430 hours. If you miss it there's another at 1630," he said then looked at them a moment. "But you don't wanna miss it," He said smugly then sat back in his chair as he looked them up and down.

"Two young fillies joining Captain Kirk's ship eh? Well, he sure can pick em," he said and was pointedly looking at Kaia's breasts. "What was that Ensign?" Elyse said. Her cool blue eyes looked hard and frosty now. "It sounded to me like you just insulted not one, but 2 superior officers!" She snapped angrily. "Uh...oh, I..." He began but she didn't give him a moment to say anything. "Get down on your face Ensign and I better see those elbows moving or I'll have you stationed in the coldest and furthest outpost I can find!" She barked. Carter jumped out of his chair and began to doing pushups and fast. Elyse winked at Kaia. "I'm hungry, wanna get lunch before we go?" She asked her as the two women stepped out of the office. There were other people in the logistics office and they all smirked at Carter.

"Nicely handled," Kaia complimented with a smile as she and Elyse strode out of Ensing Carter's office. The two women headed to the cafeteria and each picked out a little something for lunch. They found a small table that wasn't occupied and sat down across from one another. Kaia took a sip of her drink and looked across the table at Elyse. 

"So, are you leaving a significant other behind to go on this mission?"

Elyse looked at Kaia and her cheeks flushed. "Me!? No! No way, I'm a career girl. And I'm not one of those lucky people that didn't have to study to stay ahead of the curve," she said as she tasted her salad. It was 'ok' she supposed but she had hoped the food here was better than on the Zephyr. "I was recruited from the USS Zephyr and Captain Gillian really wanted me to stay," She said. "What...what about you?" She asked though her voice shifted into a lower tone and she shifted a bit closer to her as if she didn't want anyone to hear her talking like this. And she didn't. She had never been with a man in that way. A bit of making out while at the academy but nothing more than that.

Kaia took a few bites of her salad and looked over at Elyse. "There was a guy two years back, but he left and I haven't seen him since." She took a few more bites and then grinned at her. "Maybe you'll meet someone on the Enterprise. I mean, we are all going to be trapped together on that ship for five years."

Elyse smiled at Kaia but hadn't thought much about that if she were being honest with herself. Obviously Kaia was talking about a lover or a boyfriend if she was here. "But...how is that for morale if...thing...don't...you know?" She asked. Her cheeks were still spotted with color. But she found that the more she considered men, the easier it seemed to be to talk about them. She liked men, well, 'some' men, but hadn't considered just taking a lover. She considered it now though and suddenly her salad seemed even more bland than it had before she tried it. She took another bite anyway, she was starving.

Kaia simply smiled at Elyse. It was clear that Elyse wasn't as experienced with men as she was. However, Elyse was gorgeous and she had a feeling that she was going to attract someone's eye. The women finished their lunches and then headed to the flight desk to find Lt. Hastings. Kaia was anxious to get aboard the Enterprise. The Romulans were counting on her and she swore to herself that she wasn't going to let them down.

In the shuttle, there were other crew that were going to the Enterprise as well. Enlisted men and women of differing ranks. There appeared to be a delay on the take off though and Elyse was anxious and impatient to get going! She, like everyone else were buckled in and she leaned toward the cockpit.

"Uh, what's the hold up pilot?" She asked. The pilot, a young crewman who barely looked old enough to be in starfleet, let alone, the academy looked back toward the main cabin. "We're waiting on one more," he said but even as he did there appeared to be some ruckus at the boarding door. A tall, dark haired man was getting a stern talking to from the co-pilot who helped people get settled in.

"Sir, you can't bring all that gear!" The woman said angrily. "You'll have to..." She began but then he just tossed it at her. She caught it and nearly fell to her knees. The large, blue duffel bag looked heavy and the woman struggled to put it down. "The gear's staying ma'am unless you think you can throw us both off," The man said in a very sharp, English accent. Kaia would see Elyse's throat swallow as she set eyes on the man. He was very attractive and quite large as he picked up the duffel bag like it was nothing. He looked their way as there were only 2 seats left in the shuttle. He strapped in the duffel and then himself. He didn't really look at the two women until he felt their eyes on him. He looked at Elyse first. "Good afternoon...Nathan Quinn," he said and gave her a nod. "Afternoon," he nodded to Kaia politely and then gave the two women a more discerning look. "So you're Lt. Elyse Turner and you're Lt. Kaia Fox, If I am not mistaken," he said.

Elyse and Kaia were given the all clear to board the shuttle. The two women sat next to one another and buckled in. Beside her, Kaia could tell that Elyse was anxious to get going. However, when she asked the pilot what the hold up was, he informed her that they were waiting for one more passenger. At that moment both Elyse and Kaia heard a ruckus happening just outside the boarding door. They both watched as an attractive man with an English accent boarded the shuttle. The man looked strong and hefted up the large duffel bag easily. He sat across from them and introduced himself as Nathan Quinn. Kaia raised an eyebrow when he rattled off their names. 

"And how exactly do you know who we are?" Kaia asked curiously as the shuttle started to take off.

"Oh thats a secret," He said with a grin. When they both frowned in confusion he held back a chuckle. "You see, that's top secret information....If I told you how I know, I'd have to kill you," he said in a very straight face. Elyse's eyes went wide in alarm but Kaia's didn't. "I'm the new Master Chief At Arms," Nathan said. He was in civilian clothes. Black denim pants, black boots and a dark blue button down shirt and a brown, leather jacket. He had very large shoulders and his jacket showed the bulges in his arms every so often when he moved. "I've seen the faces and profiles of everyone on board," he said.

Elyse frowned at what Nathan said and crossed her arms over her chest. "Why aren't you in uniform then? I'm sure Captain Kirk won't appreciate that. You are making a first impression on him after all."

Nathan smiled. "I've already been to the ship and met the Captain. I've been helping with the refit. The new weapons are online and I've brought the rest of my gear. I'm not on duty at the moment," Nathan said with a knowing grin. "Be certain to report to Ensign Oliver Klozov. You'll need all of your uniforms fitted for you and your proper ranks put on them," He said.

Elyse immediately became interested when Nathan informed them that he had already been on the Enterprise and met Captain Kirk. "What's the Captain like? I've never met him, but I've certainly heard things about him." Kaia was no longer paying attention to Elyse and Nathan. She was busy looking out the window at the sight that was coming into view. It was a space station and there in front of them was the USS Enterprise. The ship was large and glistened in the sunlight. Kaia took a deep breath as memories came flooding back to her of the USS Aurora. Her memories were faint and scattered, but she remembered the first time she had seen that ship as well. She had never forgotten that moment and she knew she would never forget this one.

"The Captain? Well, I've only met him a few times. Over a pint at the pub...you know. Well, I'll say he's not like any Captain I've ever met. He'd confident, personable, likes a good joke. He's unconventional but its like you want to trust him and support him just after talking to him," Nathan explained. "He's young, like us," he said. The shadows moved inside the main cabin and Nathan's gaze shifted to the window. The Enterprise was huge! A majestic starship with 2 nacelles. Nathan nodded to Elyse. "My god...." Elyse said as the ship's profile began to slide along them. There were people in Worker Bee pods and a few in space suits. They all waved at them as they passed.

Saehir closed her eyes as flashbacks to the day her parents were both killed played out before her eyes. She remembered how scared she was as her mother put her in the escape pod alone. She remembered crying and trying to hold onto her as her mother pulled away. She remembered the tears in her mother's eyes as she said goodbye to her. Saehir knew now that she knew that she was never going to see her again. The worst memory of all wasn't a visual one...but an auditory one...the sound of silence right before the ship exploded. She managed to get a hold of her emotions just as the shuttle docked.

Everyone began to disembark the shuttle. Nathan got up first. "Well, It was grand to meet you two. I hope to see you again...in the next 5 years," he said with a smile. He unhooked his duffel and got in line to leave. Elyse looked at Kaia and couldn't stop the smile on her face. "If all the men are as good looking as him...I think I might be in trouble," She said. She wanted to ask Kaia a favor but she was too embarrassed to so she just kept it to herself for now. They were last in line and as they stepped out onto the shuttle bay, the whole area was a buzz with activity. Men in hazmat suits hauled large cables and conduits. Others in crewman uniforms pushed carts, conferred with one another or were using tools on different areas of the bay. Another shuttle left and one more was coming in. It was larger than either of them had ever seen before.

Kaia and Elyse disembarked the shuttle and stepped onto the shuttle bay. The entire place was buzzing with activity and Kaia and Elyse had to quickly step out of the way of a crewman pushing a large cart, otherwise they would have gotten run over. They looked around for the Ensign that Nathan had mentioned but couldn't seem to find him. Elyse decided to ask a worker. "Excuse me, we are trying to find Oliver Klozov...." However, the moment the name rolled off of her tongue both Elyse and Kaia looked at each other. "That bastard," Kaia said angrily. She sighed and they eventually managed to locate the correct person.

"Oh come on Kaia, it was just a joke. You never engaged in jokes and pranks while you were in the academy? Oh my god, I was the butt of some good ones. "Someone put Blue Andorian dye in my toothpaste once. I think it was that twit, Jenna Reardon. Well, I didn't realize it until it was too late. My teeth were blue for weeks and nothing I did mattered. But I got her back...I put a cream that they use on muscle pulls inside her bra. We were all sitting in Quantum Mechanics class and she suddenly jumped up and ripped her bra off. Oh my god did I laugh! Everyone else did to," she said fondly.

Ensign Donald Ferguson was the go to man for those new to the ship. He hooked them up with a whole new set of uniforms after he measured them. He also told them where their rooms were. Deck 5, Officer's Quarters, Port side D16 and 17. Unfortunately, your rooms butt up against the air conditioning machinery rooms. When there's room to move you, we will. it can get a little loud, sometimes," he said.

He handed them pocket communicators. They had to be bio metrically linked to them. They're attached to your quarters so always have them on you ok? These new Defiant class ships have all the neat gizmos," he said. "If you need help navigating, at each intersection you can access the corridor computers. It will help you find your way," he said. He told them when breakfast, lunch and dinner was and that they also had a professional chef on board if the resequenced proteins don't suit.

"Alpha shift's officer meeting is tomorrow morning at 0800 hours. Until then, feel free to tour the ship," he said. "Glad to have you two aboard," The Ensign said.