Space...
The endless and seemingly empty expanse of deep space reduced the already tiny silver shuttlecraft to complete irrelevance. The shuttle's lone occupant sat looking thoughtfully out the forward viewport at the stars streaking by. He heaved a contented sigh because he knew that he had made the right decision. He was a creature of space; he belonged out here among the myriad stars, not at the bottom of some planet's gravity well.
Benton had been en-route to the USS Virgo for over four weeks at an extremely high transwarp speed, and he was almost at his destination. The systems of his Transwarp Sled were being severely strained, and he calculated he would just barely make before the sled's engines failed. He glanced at the autopilot controls. Seven hours until rendezvous. He had time, he indulged himself a little and let his mind wander.
Even back when Benton was still a little boy living in the harsh snow-covered northern latitudes of his adopted home planet, he had always dreamed of going to the stars. After all, that was where his ancestors had lived for hundreds of years while they made the long journey from the Andromeda Galaxy to this one. The surface of a planet just didn't seem a natural place for a person to live. No, up there, speeding between solar systems would be his home. So he applied to Starfleet Academy as soon as he could, endured the necessary next four planet-bound years on Earth while he learned, and then it was onward into the galaxy!
His first assignment on Farpoint Two Station hadn't been very challenging, so he had requested a transfer. When the position for Security Officer on the starship USS Virgo became available, he had jumped at the chance! Serving aboard a vessel exploring the hostile Gamma Quadrant couldn't help but be exciting and dangerous. Unfortunately, an unexpected and particularly violent ion storm had delayed his arrival at Deep Space 15, and he had arrived after the Virgo had already set sail. Now, getting to the quickly receding Virgo would be a perilous undertaking. He would have to navigate the treacherous reaches between the Federation border and the Virgo's position. And to do so, he would have to wait a year until the first Federation Transwarp Drive could be assembled.
A soft cooing sound from the rear of the cabin aroused Benton from his reverie. He looked over at the small enclosure resting on the floor behind the copilot's chair. It held his pet, a brown and white splotched Tribble named Spot. As a joke, one of his academy classmates had given Benton a hamster treadmill to put in the cage for Spot to exercise on, but the joke was lost on Benton. Benton had sincerely thanked his classmate and dutifully put the wheel in Spot's cage.
"Hungry, my little friend?" he asked Spot.
Spot purred, Famished!
Oblivious, of course, to Spot's thoughts, Benton continued, "Why am I asking? You're always hungry. Here you go." Benton tossed a jelly doughnut into the cage. Spot trundled over and began munching, purring all the more contentedly now that his needs had been met.
Feeding Spot reminded Benton that it was time for his lunch too. He moved over to the food replicator and ordered a glass of water, then back to where his few personal belongings lay neatly stacked on the deck. He rummaged for only a few seconds before finding and extracting the object of his search: a small case. He popped the lid on the case and took out a small, blue pill, then replaced the case in the pile from where he had gotten it. He put the pill in his mouth and downed it with the water.
"Ah," said Benton with satisfaction. "That hit the spot." He believed that was the correct phrase. Benton wasn't quite sure what it meant, but he had to practice these idioms if he was going to blend in with the Humans on the Virgo.
Hunger sated, he reseated himself in the pilot's chair and resumed his stargazing until docking time with the Virgo.
Seven hours later, the USS Virgo finally came into view: His long and dangerous solo flight was over. The starship was magnificent! Its alabaster hull stood starkly in contrast against the curtain of space like a pearl on black velvet; as if boldly and defiantly proclaiming its presence for all to see. The top of her saucer section proudly displayed her name and registry number. The sleek engine nacelles trailed gracefully behind, astride her tapered secondary hull.
Benton thumbed the com switch. "Shuttlecraft to Virgo. Requesting permission to dock."
There was a long pause. [Virgo here, shuttlecraft. Identify yourself.]
"I am Lieutenant Benton of the Federation. I have a signed PADD indicating my assignment to the USS Virgo."
The was another long pause. [Permission granted. Approach Shuttle Bay One.]
"Roger that, Virgo. Shuttlecraft out."
Benton maneuvered his tiny vessel to the stern of the mighty starship and powered down his engines as the shuttle bay's tractor beams engaged to pull him safely into the cavernous main hangar. Benton picked up Spot's cage and his duffel bag and popped the hatch. Crewmen came running with a step ladder and set it beneath the shuttle's hatch.
"Thank you kindly," said Benton as he stepped onto the deck. He looked about him in wonder. The ship looked as impressive on the inside as it did on the outside.
One of the crewmen was speaking to him, "We'll unload your personal effects from the shuttle and have them sent to your quarters, Sir."
"Thank you kindly, Ensign," said Benton again. "And would you also see to it that Spot here is delivered there as well. Thank you."
Spot purred, thinking, I wonder if any of these people have food?
"And don't feed him!" amended Benton as an afterthought.
"A Tribble! I'll have to take this cage to sickbay immediately." The ensign took the cage, and turned a defiant eye toward Benton. Benton didn't notice the look, however. He was already headed for the turbolift at the rear of the hangar. Protocol required that the first order of business was to report in to the captain.
"Computer, where is Captain Maruu?" he said to the ceiling.
<The captain is on the bridge.>
Benton nodded. "Bridge," he commanded the lift.
"Halt turbolift," said a voice. It was Commander Lataro. "I'm going to accompany you."
Moments later, the lift doors parted and deposited Benton onto the bridge. In strict accordance with Starfleet regulations, stood stiffly at attention inside the turbolift and in a commanding voice, announced his presence to the man sitting in the command chair below, "Lieutenant Benton requesting permission to come aboard, Sir!"
Captain Maruu gave a small start as the sudden and unexpected announcement rang from somewhere behind him. What the...! He stood and faced Benton.
After a moment's hesitation, he answered, "In my Ready Room, Lieutenant. You too, Commander." They all entered the Ready Room.
Lt. Benton handed Maruu his PADD. "It's signed by Admiral Zultok himself. I was delayed by an ion storm, and missed your departure. So I got here on my own."
Lataro was skeptical. "You got here on your own?! What kind of technology were you using?"
"Borg. Starfleet learned to use transwarp technology some months ago. In fact, they're just getting ready to send out the first transwarp starship. The USS Ilion. It's also in the Alpha Fleet."
Maruu was amazed. "Well, it definitely is signed by Zultok. In fact, he also leaves a note for me. He says, 'I send you a new security officer in a transwarp shuttle in hopes that you complete your mission earlier than expected. Safe journey.'"
Lataro was awestruck. "Incredible. Lataro to Loran."
[Loran here.]
"We have a Transwarp shuttle in Shuttle Bay Two we'd like you to dissect. Get that technology working on the Virgo, Lieutenant."
[Transwarp?! Are you joking?!]
"Loran, just do it! Lataro out."
Maruu smiled. "Okay, you're in. But about your Tribble..."
"Half-Tribble, Sir."
"What?!"
"He's only half-Tribble, Sir."
"I see." Maruu looked dubious. "I'm almost afraid to ask..."
"Glommer, sir," replied Benton helpfully.
He heard a low groan followed by a noise from the direction of Commander Lataro that sounded like a hand slapping a forehead. Before Captain Maruu could object, Benton continued, "I'm sure that your medical officer will confirm that the introduction of key Glommer genetic sequences into a Tribble produces a creature that looks like a Tribble, but is in fact different in a few very significant areas."
"It's infertile," finished Lataro.
"Yes, Sir," nodded Benton. "That would be the most noticeable difference."
"Maruu to Nori. Have you checked the Tribble yet?"
[Nori here. Yes, Sir. It's actually a half-Tribble.] Maruu shot a glance at Benton, but Nori was still talking, [I know what you're going to ask. It's definitely infertile. No baby Tribbles are coming out of this one.]
Maruu smiled again. "Thank you." He looked at Benton. "Well, I guess you're all checked out. You'll have to tell me how you came by your little friend someday. I'm sure it's an interesting story."
Benton opened his mouth as if he was going to tell the story right then and there, but Maruu cut him off, "Later, Lieutenant." The captain looked him up and down. Benton's service record labeled him as "Kelvan". Maruu felt a little let down. What was I expecting? A giant monster with a hundred tentacles? Instead he saw a perfectly normal human, albeit a little stiff: dark, short, neatly combed hair parted on the side, an impeccably pressed uniform and meticulously polished boots, and a face that looked like it concealed an easy smile behind the formal facade it currently wore.
He handed Benton a PADD. "These are your quarters. You may collect; Spot, is it; from sickbay whenever you'd like. As for your status on this ship, our First Officer is dead, and our Chief of Security is now our First Officer, so you are hereby promoted to Chief of Security of this vessel. Congratulations."
"Thank you, Sir." He wasn't quite sure what to do now. He had never quite gotten the hang of social interaction. Should he shake the captain's hand? Smile? Leave? He was spared having to make a decision when both Captain Maruu and Commander Lataro came forward and in turn shook his hand.
Maruu smiled in approval and said, "Welcome aboard the Virgo, Lieutenant. Go get yourself settled in. Dismissed."
He looked after Benton as he left the ready room, not knowing quite what to make of his new Chief of Security.
After picking up Spot from Sickbay, Benton made his way to his cabin. It was on the lower decks near the Engineering machinery rooms: all the larger, more luxurious cabins were occupied, but it was more than adequate. His needs were very simple. His personal belongings had been delivered as promised and he set about the task of unpacking and settling himself into his new surroundings. It wouldn't take long, he traveled very light, a few photos and knick-knacks from back home, and of course Spot.
After the unpacking was done, he went to where he had set Spot's cage to see if Spot was still okay. He looked inside the enclosure and froze.
Spot was gone!
Benton groaned inwardly. "Oh dear..."