"Departure"

Commander Buford sat at his desk staring into the computer's screen, on the other end was Admiral Pike. AJ was wondering what was so important, however deep down he hoped it was word on when the Ship and his crew get to leave.

"Admiral, may I ask what this about?" Buford asked saying to himself please give us a mission, like a kid wanting a certain toy on christmas morning.

[If you wait a dang minute Commander you'll find out? The rest of your crew is awaiting your arrival at Star Base 375 your executive officer and Chief Medical officers and other crew members. You're ship has been pressed out of space dock faster then I hoped it would be Commander.] Pike said with a frown that wrinkled his forehead.

"Sir I believe my crew can handle anything that Command ask of us." Buford said boasting about his crew's abilities after all he felt that every crewmember was very capable.

[Well don't thank me yet. The USS Defiant is undergoing a refit at Utopia Plantia, and a Federation Outpost in the Gamma Quadrant needs resupply and crew rotation. Deep Space 9 can't resupply this outpost with runabouts so it falls to you. You're to leave ASAP. I'm sending over the data as of now.] Pike said sending some information over to the desk top computer on Buford's desk. [Pike out and I wish you good luck.] The screen went blank and a smile from ear to ear ran across AJ's face. He quickly stood up and tucked his tunic and walked out onto the bridge.

Upon walking out onto the bridge he noticed his entire bridge staff was on the deck and looked squarely at Buford, they all seemed to know some how."Chief Hawk open up the ship wide comm channel," The comm channel gave a beep.

"Attention all hands this your Captain speaking. We've been given our orders, prepare for departure." Buford walked over to his chair and watched Ensign Davis take the helm and began to tap in the departure sequence.

"Take us out at 1/2 impulse Ensign,"Buford said sitting in his chair and leaning forward.

Davis ran her fingers over the control panel making a musical note as the Taurus pulled out of dry dock. "Clearing Dry dock," she replied sitting comfortably in her chair.

"Very well Ensign. Once we've cleared the sol system set a course to Star Base 375, Warp 10." Buford said as leaned back in his seat. He waited patiently as the Taurus took about 16 minutes to pass and clear Pluto giving her enough time to give over full power to engines and structural integrity field. Then the Taurus hit it's peak and took off for it's destination.

"Chief Hawk how long before we reach SB375?" Buford asked the Chief Petty officer who seemed to have the most fleet experience.

"10 Hours sir at this speed, but we need to slow down after 6 hours, or the core will explode sir." Hawk was rather familiar with the ship and that was a plus on the Commander's list.

"Very well, Ensign Davis slow to Warp 8.5 after 3 hours. Gentlemen and ladies I'll be in my ready room. Chief Hawk you have the Bridge for now." Buford stood and walked into his ready room.

Hawk stood sort of dazed he had never herd that before in his whole life. "You have the Bridge." He however adapted rather quickly.

"Ensign status report of the ship?" Hawk asked a young human male at the OPS station next to ensign Davis. "Everything is running smooth Chief. Power is normal, plasma is handling normal."