Returning to the Wayfarer

Posted on Wed Jul 20th, 2022 @ 12:15am by Captain Akeno Misaki & Lieutenant Commander Raelyn Mckenzie

Mission: Arista
Location: USS Wayfarer

After the meal, Akeno and Raelyn led Sistine towards the landing site of the Wayfarer. The Intrepid Class's sleek lines were hidden by some tall trees as they made their way through farmland.

"So Sistine..." Akeno began breaking the silence. "What made you abandon the Arista and start a colony? From what we've seen the ship might have been able to be spaceworthy again"

Sistine sighed. "We did try that. But as usual the Tyranians prevented us from doing so. They hunted us down early that year, ripped half of us to shreds. Myself included to teach us a lesson"

"That's... brutal. So you've been left with no option but to become..." she paused pondering on the correct wording. "Livestock? Sorry if that sounds offensive..."

"No you're right. Just as Humans raised Cows, Sheep and Chickens for slaughter, the Tyranians do the same for us" Sistine replied. "It would seem not all races have the same morals or ethics we do"

Raelyn decided to remain quiet while listening to Sistine and Akeno's words carefully. It was a sad reality they had to face in that matter. Not everyone had the ethics and morals of humanity of the 24th Century.

They eventually came through the trees and there stood the majestic Wayfarer towering above them. The Intrepid Class sat there proud sad strong casting long shadows in the evening light.

Sistine stared at the ship. "She's... beautiful. I never thought I'd see a Federartion starship on a planets surface like this"

Akeno smiled. "There is a loading ramp on the bottom deck. We can walk right onto her. She's a small ship, but one if the most advanced designs in the current fleet" she turned to Raelyn. "Lieutenant, would you be willing to do the honour of taking her on a tour? I need to check in with the other away team"

The Security Chief smiled lightly. "I'd be happy to Captains" she turned to Sistine and motioned to the entrance to the Intrepid class ship. "Right this way ma'am."

Akeno nodded before proceeding up the loading ramp I to the bottom of the ship.

"So where first?" Sistine asked.

"Right now we are relatively close to the Main Shuttlebay and Main Engineering. We could start with either of those, but there is also the bridge and my personal favorite, the Security Complex. But ultimately it's up to you Captain as you are our guest."

Sistine simply smiled. "Well, anything is good for me. I'm Eighty years out of date. So it's all new to me" she explained. "Start at the bottom and work upto the bridge, that's if Starfleet still put the bridge on deck one"

"Very well Captain. Main Shuttlebay first it is then" she smiled then chuckled lightly. "And for the record, for most ships, the bridge is still on deck one" she motioned her hand in the direction of the Shuttlebay.

Sistine nodded. "Sounds like a good place to start"

"If you'll follow me Captain" Raelyn said as she began to lead Sistine to the shuttlebay.

"Sure" Sistine said as she followed in awe at the technological advances that Starfleet had made.

[Later]

The doors of the bridge opened and Sistine stepped out. "This is much bigger than I imagined" she said in awe.

Raelyn smiled. "The older Starfleet gets the more advanced these ships get. And these vessels get larger too."

"I can see that" Sistine said in awe. "Although, my bridge was much compact. I'm a little out of date on starship operations, but its nice to see the general design hasn't really changed" she replied with a smile.

"I personally think that it is good that it hasn't. I have a feeling that Starfleet would have to retrain everyone on were everything is if they had to do that" she chuckled.

"I guess you're right" Sistine replied. At that moment the doors of the ready room opened and Akeno walked out onto the bridge. She spotted the two and walked over swiftly. "How was the tour?" she asked.

"It was good" Sistine said. "Things are much different on your ship than what I remember of mine" she explained.

Akeno smiled. "We've come a long way"

"Indeed" Sistine replied. "I was wondering if Lieutenant McKenzie could catch me up on the tactical systems. I'd like to see how they work"

"It isn't an issue with me" Raelyn smiled and looked at Akeno for approval.

Akeno nodded. "Sure, she's going to need to know it all eventually for if the Tyranians come back"

"Agreed" she began as she looked at Akeno. "But despite being an Explorer, the Wayfarer's tactical systems are quite advanced" she said as she turned her head to Sistine.

"I wouldn't be surprised if you could blow half of this planet away. I thought our weapons were powerful at the time. But I can't imagine what yours could do" Sistine nervously smiled. "I hope they can fend off the Tyranians"

"I hope so too" the Security Chief said honestly. "But the Wayfarer has teeth even if she doesn't show it."

Sistine nodded. "I'm glad she does. I'm guessing there are more powerful ships in the fleet than the Wayfarer?" she asked curiously. "Do they all have the ability to land these days?"

"Depends on the ship. Some smaller ships like the Wayfarer, which is an Intrepid class do have the ability because of their size and their design. But most ships in the fleet are either much bigger or have unique enough designs that don't allow them to land. At least landing normally" she began. "The previous ship I served on was a Sovereign class, which is a Heavy Cruiser and essentially our modern Constitution class. Because of her size she can't land really land normally on planets like the Wayfarer can."

Sistine nodded as they approached the tactical console and she stood behind the controls. She ran a hand over the smooth surface of the console. "I think, when all this is over. Imight return to Starfleet. Retrain and get back out there. I don't want to leave my crew behind, but there still so much to explore. I should apply again to the Academy" she turned to Raelyn. "What do you think?"

"Well on hand you would be leaving some of your crew. But on the bright side, you could still have some crew follow you into that vast galaxy. But ultimately, it isn't my choice to make" she began. "Personally, if I were in this situation, I'd rejoin" she smiled.

"That being said I believe that either option would be rewarding. For one thing if you rejoin the fleet you have plenty of command experience under your belt and it may just be a few refresher courses you would need. Because ultimately many of our structures have not changed all that much. If you did stay with your crew and not rejoin, then you would be remaining with people you may call family. But also, we do still have FTL, so many things are still closer than they were hundreds of years ago" she chuckled.

"Seems I have a lot of thinking to do" Sistine sighed. She pulled her hands away from the console. "I think I should rest. Its been a long day, the Captain said you had a place for me to stay?"

"I believe so" she tapped at the PADD that was in her hand. "Your quarters are on Deck Two" she nodded.

Sistine followed Raelyn into the turbolift to make their way down to deck two. She couldn't help but feel a surge of adrenaline for being back on a Federation starship again. It was a good feeling, but she felt conflicted, leaving her people; her family behind, was it selfish? She didn't know.

Posting by

Lieutenant Raelyn McKenzie
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Wayfarer

Sistine Fibel
Ex-Commanding Officer
USS Arista