Building The Hellcat (Part Three of Three)

The Hellcat sat lifeless in the new hanger, waiting for the one day that she would become the help of Leviathan. Ensign Ambrose stood outside the heavily armed shuttle admiring his work. He figured that she was nearing completion except for the initial startup of her main computer and the warp core. He walked to the port side and entered his security code so that he could enter the new ship. Commander Toran suggested it to be done this way so that he could insure the overall security of the Hellcat.

"Computer. Ensign Ambrose Kirk Chief Helmsman, USS Leviathan."

<Access Granted>

The door to the Hellcat opened to the first deck which lit up as Ambrose stepped in. He immediately took in the beauty and looked around the corridor whereby he noticed that he was the only one on the vessel. The first deck was cramped and had a lot of access and control panels. Obviously, this deck was mainly for working on the ship and was not a livable deck. Kirk hung a right and walked about forty feet and came to a door that read "Deck one, Main Engineering". He entered engineering and the lights came on. The area that contained main engineering was small for it was in the middle of the warp core. It was set up similar to the Defiant class' main Engineering.

When he finished, he walked up the stair well leading to the second deck where stopped at a door that read "Crew Quarters". To the left of that door was the door that lead to the Bridge, which Kirk entered. After working almost one month on his 'baby', Kirk lived for this moment.

He stepped on to the Bridge and walked over to the ops station and turned the secondary computer core on. He then walked to the command chair and pressed a few buttons that resulted in the Bridge lights powering on. "Computer start main power flow to the *Hellcat's* main systems."

<Working. Task will be complete in four hours twenty-four minutes.>

The air began to turn more comfortable as the main environmental systems were on line.

"Computer Began Warp Core power up in 2 hours."

<Affirmative Warp power up procedure will start in two hours.>

Kirk was happy now that his baby was running smoothly. He wanted to share the news so he got up and waled to Ops where he pressed a few buttons.

Bridge

Commander Harris was at the Ops station on the bridge of the Leviathan checking out some stuff when he saw that he was getting a hail from the Hellcat.

"Captain." Harris said tapping his com badge.

[Go ahead Commander.]

"Sir the Hellcat is up and running sir."

[Outstanding. When will be ready to see her ?]

"Unknown sir. "

[Okay. Well then tell Ensign Ambrose to meet us in the officers lounge at 19:30 hours for a report on his progress. That just may get him going]

"Aye sir."

Crew Quaters : Kirk Ambrose

Ensign Ambrose was in his quarter's reading some report that was given to him last night by one of the other helmsman. However, he had very little interest in it. His ship was ready to be piloted and now he was waiting for the captain's go ahead. Then it came

[Ensign Ambrose. Report to the conference room at 08:30 hours]

"Acknowledged." Kirk was a little interested in seeing what the Captain had to say. .Kirk was growing bored with his helm duties since building the Hellcat and he was waiting very excitedly for the meeting, that was twelve minutes away. He finally got up and straightened his uniform and left his quarters heading for the conference room. He turned the corner and entered the conference room and saw Captain Devore, Commander Harris and Lieutenant Barker who were all ready there all ready. By the looks of things and the aura of seriousness that surrounded the area they were talking about the Hellcat.

Finally, Devore looked up and addressed Ambrose. "Take a seat Mr. Ambrose. We are taking your ship out in a few hours for the first of several tests and Commander Harris and Lieutenant Barker will be conducting the test. Of course you will be piloting the Hellcat. I figure that since this is your baby, you should have the honour of flying her on its maiden voyage. Mr. Hanson will be there for the engineering assistance if need be."

"Thank you sir."

"I want you to have a preflight conducted and be ready to leave at 11:00 hours Ensign."

"Aye sir."

Bridge

[Ensign Ambrose be in the Hanger Bay not later than 10:30 hours] Commander Harris from the Bridge over the comm channel. Kirk was just getting out of the sonic shower when the message came to him.

"Aye sir."

[Wear the jumpsuit uniform Ensign.]

"Acknowledged." Kirk was excited and was wanting to test his new ship. However he still had his Helm duties to attend to. Kirk stopped at the mess hall and ordered a coffee and it came out right, the first time since the replicators were fixed. Kirk was little uneasy about drinking the coffee and sniffed it first before tasting it.

"Morning Ensign." Lieutenant Rashad said sitting down and across from Ambrose. Kirk was little interested in speaking with Lieutenant Rashad after all she was half Bajoran herself. "Yes Lieutenant did you want something."

"I thought you'd like to know that your sister has been assigned to Starfleet Academy and promoted to Lieutenant JG."

Kirk smiled at the news that his sister was doing well, but he wanted to know how Lieutenant Rashad knew that. Then he saw the black and red intel uniform and figured that it would be better not to even ask. "That's great Lieutenant. Thanks for the information. Have you ever visited Bajor ?" He asked in polite conversation.

"No I have not yet made a complete pilgrimage to Bajor."

Kirk was born six years before Bajor was liberated so he had no memory of the world his mother knew. His mother never spoke about the Bajoran roots for all he knew that he has family on Bajor. Kirk drank his coffee and sat back and thought of his father and how proud he would be if he knew what his son was doing.

"Morning Ensign." Kirk turned to see Commander Harris sitting next to him.

"Morning sir." Kirk replied "So are you looking forward to the Helm station once again or are you anxious for another project." Harris said in friendly manner.

"Hmm. Yes, the helm will be a welcome site once again but I feel a sense that the Hellcat is missing something, commander." Harris sat back and didn't reply to Kirk's reply. With the silence, Ambrose just sat and drank his coffee realizing that the commander was in his own world.

It was awhile when Kirk broke the unsettling silence and asked a question that brought up an unwelcomed reaction. It seemed that it was a sore spot to the Commander, "Sir how did my father die ? I was only eleven when he died. All I can remember was the day when we received the word of his death and that was sven weeks after it happened."

Harris put his coffee cup down and ran his fingers through his hair. "I've got to get some things done on the Bridge I will see you later ensign." Harris got up and walked out of the mess hall.

Kirk was a little confused he was never told what happened he felt he had the right to know he was twenty one years old. Kirk ate a slice of toast and finished his coffee, before heading towards the turbolift. After seven hours of work, Kirk went back to his quarters to prepare for the launch. He pulled out his red wrap around dress tunic and placed his one pip on it and put it on. He then heard his door chime and walked to the door with his wrap around not closed. "Enter."

Harris walked in and was in his wrap around he had something in his hand tucked in his arm. "Ensign, your father was a good man he loved all of your family and was especially proud of you. He bragged how well you did in building things and wanted you to be a doctor more then anything but knew your heart was in Engineering. He wanted you to be happy at what ever your job was and some how he knew he'd never see any of you so he made this for you. He was a dear friend and cared equally for everyone Jem'Hedar, Cardassain, or Federation." Harris handed the young ensign a PADD. "Come button your self up and let's launch your ship."

Hellcat Hanger

Ambrose headed for the Hellcat. As he entered the cargo bay, He did something that seems to be coming a ritual, stopping and looking in awe at his beauty. He noticed that the security measures weren't in place anymore as he walked into the first deck.

"Lights."

The deck lit up. As soon as that was accomplished, he walked into main engineering and powered up the ship's main systems making plasma conduits buzz to life. Last step, Ambrose walked up the stairs and to the Main Bridge. As he got there he pressed a few buttons causing the door to open. He entered the Bridge and took in the sight !

*This is damn near the best thing I have ever done. Building a ship.*

Ambrose walked over to Ops and sat down. He immediately started pressing buttons and checking out the shipwide power readouts, then in turn went to system to system making sure everything is operational.

"Damn Ensign you're just full of energy."

A voice came from the door area that lead to the crew sleeping area. He turned to see Commander Harris walking in with three PADDs followed by the other officers, Lieutenant Barker and Lieutenant Hansen.

"Sir."

"All right Ensign take the helm and start prelaunch sequence. Lieutenant Hansen get down into Engineering. Mr. Barker man Ops. Let's get ready to disembark in twelve minutes."

Hansen walked backed into Engineering and Barker sat at Ops. "Computer note Commander Harris is the commanding officer of the Leviathan during test flight. Lieutenant Barker is the first officer."

<Acknowledged>

Harris sat down in the command chair and pressed a few buttons and then asked. "Ensign status."

"Sir, impulse engine online, thrusters operational."

"All right open hanger bay doors and prepare to leave Leviathan at full thrusters."

"Aye sir."

Kirk pressed a few buttons and the Hellcat was free from the Leviathan and was it's own ship.

"Sir we've cleared the hanger and are clearing 123 meters from the Leviathan."

"Sir we are receiving co ordinates from the Leviathan and are to meet them there." Barker said from Ops.

"Mr. Ambrose when the warp engines are online, set a course to rendezvous with the Leviathan, warp five."

"Aye sir."

April 28, 2383

The test flights were going on as planned and the Hellcat was performing above and beyond all expectations. Captain Devore was pleased with the performance and ordered the senior staff to the newly refitted hanger bay along with some other junior officers and the team responsible for the construction of the Hellcat. Everyone was drinking something either coffee, beer, wine and other spirited drinks. They all wore the wrap around uniform and were appearing to have a good time. Kirk just stood in front of the Hellcat and was still awe-struck as he looked at his creation. He hoped that she would do the job that he built it for.

"She is a fine ship Ensign." Kirk heard an unfamiliar voice behind him that caused him to turn around to the face of an older chief petty officer wearing the gold uniform.

"Thank you chief ?"

"Chief. Call me Robert. Call me Chief Petty officer. I've got thirty-two years in Starfleet and right now I am the forth Operations Manger."

"I'm Ensign Kirk Ambrose Chief Helms officer."

The two shook hands and smiled then the chief asked a question that took the Ensign by surprise.

"Are you related to Chief Ambrose, a medic."

"Yes he was my father."

"Well how about that. I am serving with my old CO and medic's son. It is a small world after all. I should of known quality work when I saw this fine ship."

Kirk felt a little excited he was serving with another crewmate that knew his father.

"All right everyone. Listen up." Captain Devore said walking up to Ensign Ambrose with a bottle of champagne in his hand. "For us on the Bridge we have known of Ensign Ambrose's absence and now know why he has been missing. The reason is right in front of us. We also see the birth of new class of starship that serves as warrior and scout ship. It is effectively called Hellcat so I hereby order Ensign Ambrose to christen his ship, a way that is now tradition." Captain Devore handed the bottle to Kirk where he read the year to himself : 2349.

"I am not big on words but I dedicate this event to all those who died in the war and my father." Ambrose broke the bottle over the front of the ship where it read *NX-91372 Hellcat*.