Welcome to Port

Posted on Sun Aug 5th, 2012 @ 11:46pm by Captain Benjamin Byrne

Mission: Klingons on the Starboard Bow
Location: USS Endeavour - In orbit over Cestus III
Timeline: MD01 1020hrs (Early 2389)

As the USS Endeavour exited warp and settled into a high orbit over Cestus III, the sheer amount of traffic visible over the viewscreen was a pleasing sight to Captain Byrne. Spending months out at Deep Space 19 - past the crook of the Federation's lengthiest elbow and out into the unknown - followed by months of solitary warp travel had created a deep longing to be in and amongst other life.

Unfortunately it wouldn't be for too long. The ship was being ordered into the neutral zone of space between the Klingon and Gorn territories. The two governments were in a state of cold war with each other, and the Endeavour was being sent in to try and prevent the conflict from boiling over. The ship and crew would be in orbit of Cestus for just five days - long enough to resupply, recuperate and take on new crew before heading off again.

"Captain," the operations officer called back. "Starbase 48 confirms our orbital path and has offered to be a way-station for personnel and supplies passing between ourselves and Cestus."

"Very good," Byrne replied from the Captain's chair, still relishing its feel again. "Inform the crew that they are to coordinate their shoreleave periods with their departments heads, and then begin organising resupply and off-loading."

"Aye sir."

As he stood from his own chair and headed towards the turbolift, the captain smiled to himself. The last time they had been to Cestus their time had been just as short, but Benjamin had promised to take his wife and son down to the surface to see the sights. He'd already decided to ask them to stay here whilst the Endeavour headed off; sandwiched between the Klingons and the Gorn was hardly the safest place in the Galaxy for his family.

"You have the Conn, Lieutenant," he called to the senior officer on the bridge as the turbolift doors slid closed behind him.