" Avatar "
(Previous Post was Julian's "When A Engineer Doesn't Feel Like A Engineer")
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Stardate: 60320.0915
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
The young woman stood at the back of the bridge at her station
preparing the ANUBIS for its departure… occasionally looking up to the other stations to see how the others were doing. Rikar had done this countless times before, but the sight on the bridge had truly been unique this time around because of the appearance of the senior staff.
The Romulan Tal'Shiar operative known as Sevaal sat where the Ops
officer could usually be found, making the redheaded woman take several double
takes… knowing that Serenna and Sevaal were one and the same had been
one thing, but to see a Romulan Intel Operative sitting at the front of the
bridge proved to take some major getting used to.
As the ExO moved her eyes around the bridge, she saw Rixx sitting at
the middle secondary station, the Edo appearing rather comfortable with
performing the many tasks of a Marine CO. The Eneran gave no
impression that his transformation had posed any sort of problems, and at times the young woman even felt as if Pravat actually enjoyed this opportunity to being someone other than himself.
The eyes of the young woman next feel onto the form of the Cardassian
scientist who had been reported as having been instrumental in the
creation of several bioorganic weapons. While looking at the CSciO officer, the ExO recalled her time in that role many years ago and realised that the
line separating pure, peaceful scientific exploration and the research on
lethal means of destruction was actually not all that far from one another.
Looking beyond the disguise to see the peaceful Shillian, Sabrina
wondered how Maya was doing with this assignment… her internal struggles not
having been limited to keeping her immune system from fighting the changes
made to her body, but extended to her mind having to accept that she was now a
scientist who had developed weapons of mass destruction.
As the ExO made a mental note to speak to the Shillian at a later time
about this, her gaze moved to the next station at the back of the bridge to
see the imposing Kreedar Brell, a renowned bounty hunter who seemed rather
versatile in the ways of being a Starfleet Engineer. Although David
had been officially removed from duty, the young woman had thought it best
to keep his mind invested into his work and had requested of T'Reni to
have him assigned to the bridge for the time being. There he would be able to
focus on something other than the death of his brother while at the same time
being both occupied with something he enjoyed and under the supervision
of those who had grown to be concerned for him.
"How are you doing Miss Brakas?" The daughter of a Bajoran collaborator
inquired reminding the ExO that she no longer appeared as she had known
herself to be… but that her skin now displayed the emerald colour
identifying her as an Orion woman.
"I feel like I should be on some barely lit dance floor trying to have
fun." The young woman replied as she glanced down at her green hands and body
to confirm that she still showed the distinct features of an Orion woman
who had been described as being on the *wild* side. Oddly enough that
thought made the young woman think about her wife… making her wish that she had been at her station on the bridge instead of in the IGC.
"This mission is going to be interesting… in more ways than one." The
Cns announced in a somewhat whispered voice which made the ExO look at the
people currently on the bridge once more before nodding her agreement.
Just as the young woman did this, the turbolift doors swished opened
revealing two aliens who under normal circumstances would have not been allowed access to the command deck of a ship such as the ANUBIS.
"Blue suits you well Captain." Susan, who had become better known as
Niema Sol, offered to the ship's CO as he stepped onto the bridge followed by
an Halanan woman who hid beneath her features the vessel's new CMO… Ens.
Lea Summers.
"Thank you… but it is going to take a while for me to get used to these
antennas." James chuckled dryly as he rolled his eyes still unable to
believe that he had been assigned to become an Andorian for this
mission.
"The fun is just starting… Admiral Koneki is in your Ready Room waiting
to see you." The ExO reported with a hint of amusement lacing her voice.
"I *knew* today was going to be one of those days." The Andorian man
sighed before heading for the office where the CO of the NEW ALEXANDRIA base
had been waiting.
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"Captain… I believe you already know Lt. Fairborn." Koniki offered as
soon as James had stepped into his office, the Admiral not at all appearing
phased or shocked that the man he had been waiting for had walked in as
an Andorian instead of the Human he had been the day before.
"Yes… Mr. Fairborn and I met before and even worked together back on
the AVALON. It is a pleasure to see you again." James offered in return as
he made his way around his desk only noticing as he sat down that there
had been another officer in the room with the Admiral and gigantic Engineer.
"James, I will make this quick and simple since I know that you still
have a great deal of preparations to do before you can be on your way to the
TANGIERS ORBITAL. This is Annie, she is being assigned to the ANUBIS…
and for the time being will be filling in the vacant position of FCO.
Also, Lt. Fairborn will also be assigned to the ANUBIS, although in a temporary capacity to assist with whatever engineering problems you might
encounter during your mission." The Admiral announced as he invited the woman in question to take a step forward so that the ANUBIS' CO could get a
better look at her. Although James had never seen this woman before, he could
not help but sense a certain feeling of recognition when he gazed upon her.
"Captain Simmons… it will be an honour to serve with you and I hope that I will be able to perform to yours and the Admiral's expectations." Annie offered in a voice that James immediately recognised as being nearly identical to the NEW ALEXANDRIA's receptionist. James glared at the Admiral for a moment before turning his eyes onto the Oltharian Engineer and then the brightly smiling woman standing between the two of them.
"What is she?" Simmons bluntly demanded as he leaned back into his chair looking at the two men while avoiding making eye contact with the woman whose smile had not faded despite his comment which only confirmed that his initial suspicions had been right on target.
"Well done James… every so often you prove to me that I was right in wanting you to be here. Officially Annie is the ANUBIS' FCO and Lt. Fairborn is being assigned to the engineering team to help take the slack left behind by the problems you are having with Lt. Dawson. The reality is that Annie needs some integration time before she can be fully installed as the ANUBIS's Avatar and Lt. Fairborn will be here to supervise this and make sure that everything goes smoothly." The Admiral explained in a nutshell as he stood across from the captain's desk already anticipating his next question.
"Avatar? What are you talking about?" James inquired, this time casting his eyes on Annie as if she had been some sort of never before seen alien.
"Annie… which actually is a shortened name for ANUBIS, is meant to be
an extension of the ship's computer allowing for a greater ease of
accessing the ship's system when on an away mission. Annie is also meant to
bridge the gap between the automated systems and the crew by providing an
interface which is easy to relate to and which could in time be able to be placed in charge of the ship when all other members of the senior staff are away or unable to take command." The Oltharian explained with a clear hint of
pride in his voice which obviously indicated that he had something to do with
the creation of this Avatar.
"Admiral… with all due respect… this is not the time for this…" James
began before being interrupted by Koneki.
"James… all members of the senior staff will be on the TANGIERS ORBITAL and the ANUBIS will be left without an experienced officer in command. That is exactly why Annie was created, but before she can be as effective as I expect her to be, she needs to become more acquainted with the ship and its systems. While you and your crew are gathering Intel, she and Lt. Fairborn will be on the ship working on this and ready to act should there be any problems with your mission… not that I am expecting anything to happen as this is a rather straight forward Intel gathering expedition." The Admiral explained as he moved away from James' desk and turned to face Annie and Elan as if informing them that they would be staying regardless of what the CO might have to say or thing about this entire affair.
"My crew is bound to ask questions." Simmons pointed out with a rather loud sigh, displaying his dislike about not telling them the whole story from the start.
"For the time being your crew is busy with their next mission… and I want it to stay that way. After the mission is completed, Annie will have had the time to become more acquainted with the ship and therefore better able to perform as she was designed to. You can tell them everything once the mission is over… given that Annie's integration goes well." Charles offered as he glanced at the still smiling woman who seemed to have nothing but absolute admiration for the Admiral.
"I will do my best Admiral." Annie reassured prompting the ANUBIS' CO
to shake his head in disbelief.
"I know you will Annie… I have complete faith in you… in Lt. Fairborn… and in Captain Simmons and his crew. Everything will be as it was meant to be." And with that the Admiral left the Ready Room without looking back at James who was left alone with the Oltharian and the woman who would become the ANUBIS' Avatar.
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"We are Grey, we stand between the Candle and the Star, between the
Darkness and the Light" 2005 post #155
Stardate: 60320.0925
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Captain's Ready Room
Sabrina Jones {sabrina_sweet@hotmail.com}
Commander Sabrina Rikar
Executive Officer
USS ANUBIS, NCC-18501
-Entilza Delenn, Babylon 5
