Rendezvous
Posted on Sun Nov 2nd, 2025 @ 3:30pm by Petty Officer, 2nd Shaun Noakes & Lieutenant Nathan Cole & Lieutenant T'Po & Lieutenant JG Tarek Sousa & 2nd Lieutenant Jekebb ch’Bari & Doctor Diwata Saensuk MD
3,083 words; about a 15 minute read
Mission:
Long Night
Location: Launch Bay
Timeline: Mission Day 1 at 0000
[Launch Bay]
[NX-03 Challenger]
[December 31st, 2155]
[1200 Hours]
"And we're secure..." Shaun Noakes stated. The Scobee's vibrating hum cut when the young NCO reached to a top middle panel above him and killed the thrusters. With a hiss and click, the hatches on the port and starboard sides of the shuttlepod depressurized. The ears of the occupants- at least Shaun's- popped. They did every time for him. He flexed and wiggled his jaw to work out the rest. "Please tip your pilots because..." He smiled back at the two, "They don't pay us anymore. And a boy has to eat."
The weedy form lifted from his seat, donned in the dark indigo blue of his uniform. He was a slender thing, sort of gangly though- enough that his uniform sleeves didn't quite roll over the knuckles of his wrist. As he passed the two, his hips swayed to evade the shoulders of the passengers in a fashion that suggestive of either his diagnosed Attention Deficit, or perhaps some kind of dance skill. He wafted of clean Human with something best described as the distinctive but ultimately dull hotel-style soap scent. "Thank you for flying Challenger Air, we hope we'll see you again soon." Long fingers sidled around a bar with an alcove to accommodate his hand and with a thumb depression, he lifted the door and pushed it out.
Jekebb’s antennae twitched faintly, an involuntary sign of his puzzlement. It dawned on him that the pilot’s words had likely been a joke, though the intent of the humour slipped through his grasp like vapor. Human wit was nuanced, layered in irony and subtlety, while Andorian comedy, when it was attempted at all,was far more direct, often sharp-edged or steeped in martial exaggeration. He filed the observation away as something else he would need to study if he were to thrive among them.
Rising smoothly to his feet, he reached for the rucksack that had remained faithfully at his side. He slung it over one shoulder with practiced precision, then extended a hand to the pilot in a gesture that was becoming more familiar, if not entirely natural. The contact was brief but deliberate, his grip firm without aggression.
“Thank you,” he said, his tone carrying the clipped politeness of a man still translating himself into another culture. The words were simple, but he hoped they conveyed the respect he meant them to.
"Anytime," The slender lad grabbed the Andorian's hand and had to stifle a wince when the warrior did his best impression of a Human handshake. When he finally had his hand let go, Shaun could swear he felt his pulse in it. It was strange... Andorians had colder skin... maybe body temperature? Than Humans.
Tarek watched the exchange, waiting for ch'Bari to exit the Scobee before he, too, offered his hand to the reedy young man who had been their pilot. He shrugged one shoulder in a half shift that seemed to ripple down his body and require a half hop to resettle his bag over his shoulder and clasped the younger man's hand warmly. "Thanks for the lift," he said, grinning. And then, in a break from any kind of protocol, added, "Any tips before I step off the shuttle?"
"Duck," Noakes smiled into a cheek. "Then keep keeping your head down." Shaun replied as his still tingling hand reached out for Tarek's and they shook.
ch’Bari considered the Petty Officer’s words in silence, his antennae angling forward as though to physically weigh them. His hands kept working inside the junction, but his voice came out low and deliberate.
“Is your advice to not stand out?” he asked, seeking clarity rather than challenging. The question carried the same blunt weight as a field assessment, stripped of ornament. To an Andorian, orders were followed; to a Guardsman, precision in meaning was vital. He could not quite tell if the Human’s suggestion was a survival strategy, a cultural expectation, or simply a personal opinion.
His dark eyes flicked toward Noakes, steady and unblinking. “On Andoria, to vanish in a unit is honorable because the unit is everything. But here…” His gaze lingered, searching. “among humans, individuality seems valued. I don't wish to… misstep.”
Tarek chuckled at the Andorian's question and eyed Noakes before offering an interpretation. "I think he's saying don't, umm..." he struggled for a moment as he tried to think of a way to explain the concept of keeping your head down without suggesting that individuality wasn't valued, "don't get noticed for not doing your job," he finally offered lamely.
Jekebb’s blue brow furrowed, his eyes tightening as he turned slightly toward his new crewmate. His antennae angled forward in mild perplexity. “Why would I not do my job?” he asked, his tone sincere rather than defensive. To him, the question was a genuine one, a point of logic that needed resolving.
Among the Guard, one’s duty was absolute; the idea of neglecting it was almost unthinkable. Yet here, among Humans, he was quickly learning that casual remarks and teasing often hid meaning beneath layers of humor or subtext. He wasn’t sure which this was, and that uncertainty unsettled him just enough to make his words sharper than he intended.
Still, there was no challenge in his posture, only a quiet curiosity. He straightened his back a little, waiting for the clarification he assumed would follow.
Optional tags?
"Watch your steps, Sirs." Shuttlepod Two- the Resnik- sat in silence across the bay, evident that it had docked with the Challenger minutes before. That was the flow of the ship- energetic, controlled chaos. The Resnik and Scobee both had passed numerous inspection pods and towing bees that we delivering supplies to open cargo bays and other access gangs. The Launch Bay was hardly empty- the Onizuka was being maneuvered in to place to likely launch.
"Stand clear... stand clear..." Announced over the system, referring to the shuttlepod that was about to be hovered in to place.
A woman wearing a black turban, her skin a warm brown, had come out the hatch of the Resnik and was now gesturing for her two passengers to disembark- a Doctor Saensuk, and a Vulcan woman- T'Po.
T'Po observed the air of controlled chaos whirling about her just as she had observed the aesthetics of the NX class vessel as they approached. As it came to a stop and they were cleared to exit, she reached for her bag and removed her credentials, along with the orders from Starfleet Command and the V'Ket assigning her to the vessel. Her movements were brisk and precise, polished, prim and proper. She stayed clear of the Onizuka as it prepared to launch. Dark eyes scanned the bay for the Chief Armory Officer. She saw a human male with warm, boyish features. She herself likely looked like a woman in her early twenties to human eyes and she was young as Vulcans reckoned such things. She approached, set her bag down, and came to attention. "Lieutenant T'Po, reporting as ordered."
Nathan straightened as the Vulcan officer approached, mirroring her posture. “Lieutenant T’Po, welcome aboard Challenger. Lieutenant Nathan Cole, Armory. With Captain Curry off ship, you’re reporting in to me for now.” He hesitated a beat, then added with a quick breath, “Customary thing on Earth ships when you first come aboard, you request permission to… uhh… come aboard.” The repetition slipped out awkward but earnest, and he let it hang, half expecting her to arch an eyebrow.
T'Po did obligingly raise an eyebrow. There was something very human in the man's earnestness. "Thank you, lieutenant, and I remember. I simply thought you might wish to verify my credentials before granting such permission." She offered the relevant data module.
Nathan’s smile tightened at the Vulcan’s correction, the kind of expression Humans would recognize as politely patronizing, even if she wouldn’t. He accepted the data module, gave it a cursory check, and snapped it back into her hand with a nod.
"Permission to come aboard?" T'Po asked crisply.
“Credentials verified. Lieutenant T’Po, permission granted. Welcome aboard Challenger.” His tone was formal enough to satisfy protocol, but there was a flicker of humor in his eyes, as if daring her to call him out again.
The only break in T'Po's Vulcan stoicism was a very slight tilt of her head, almost curious. It was like she realized that there had been nuances to that interaction that she had not grasped, but she wasn't aware what they were. She didn't understand she had been perceived as calling him out, much less that she had been politely patronized and dared to do so again. Sensing movement behind her, she reached for her bags. "Thank you, Lieutenant Cole. It's good to be here." She moved forward, clearing the way for the others.
Movement at the hatch pulled his attention. The broad cerulean frame of Lieutenant ch’Bari nearly filled the opening, Sousa just behind him — tall in his own right, though beside the Andorian he almost looked average. Dr. Saensuk followed last, small and steady, her presence compact but composed. Nathan shifted to make space for the group to close in.
With his rucksack slung neatly over one broad shoulder, Jekebb crossed the gleaming deck of the Launch Bay with purposeful strides. The cavernous space was alive with movement, deck crew bustling to and from shuttles, cargo handlers maneuvering grav-lifts, but he carried himself as if none of it touched him, his focus locked on the officer ahead. Lieutenant Cole stood, a figure of authority among the ebb and flow of arrivals.
Jekebb’s posture was impeccable, shoulders squared and chin held just high enough to reflect discipline without arrogance. The ingrained habits of the Imperial Guard showed in every line of his stance. Yet beneath that precision ran a current of restraint. This was not an Andorian vessel, nor an Imperial muster; this was Earth Starfleet, and their rituals of command and protocol still felt unfamiliar beneath his skin.
He came to a measured halt a respectful distance away, his boots aligned neatly together, and folded his hands behind his back. He waited without fidget or sigh, patient as stone, though his antennae tipped forward slightly in anticipation. He had been told he was to report to the Officer of the Deck upon arrival and this, by all appearances, was that moment.
Tarek stopped to ch'Bari's right in a far less formal and much more enthusiastic fashion. His gaze roamed the space around them and the glee he'd earlier felt upon first seeing ch'Bari flared again at the sight of the Vulcan woman who was in line ahead of them. Not that he'd never met one, but meeting a visiting Vulcan linguistic scholar was a completely different matter than meeting one who would also be sharing the small footprint of an NX class vessel. Just as distracting, though, was the hubbub of the space around them and though he did his best not to fidget, he couldn't help being distracted by the sounds and bustle of everything that was happening around him.
"Ants in your pants, lieutenant," Saensuk asked, coming to a stop near the communications officer. The younger man's excitement was clearly visible (and had been, ever since she'd seen him emerging from the other shuttlepod). In fact, it reminded her of the first time that she'd gone off-world - the thrill of seeing earth from orbit, the anticipation of what lay ahead. She couldn't really blame him for letting it show.
Tarek's eyes widened as the realization that he was being addressed struck a bit later than expressly polite. "Hmmm?" he asked, turning his attention and enthusiasm on the woman next to him. "Oh, umm... sorry... It's just exciting. Uh... am I being too obvious?" he asked, genuine curiosity in his tone.
The physician couldn't help but smile. "Maybe just a little," she said, "but it's nothing to be ashamed of. To be honest, I'm feeling a bit excited, myself. An NX-class starship...not many people get to say they've served on one of those."
Tarek's smile shifted toward thoughtful consideration and he nodded. "That's true," he said simply then added. "But it probably helps if I don't gape like a fish out of water."
Nathan’s gaze shifted as the next group closed in, Sousa tall but paling next to the cerulean bulk of Lieutenant ch’Bari, and Dr. Saensuk, small but radiating authority in her own way. He let his attention linger on the Andorian first, hoping he’d caught enough of the exchange with T’Po to follow suit without Nathan having to spell it out.
Jekebb closed the distance between himself and Lieutenant Cole with measured, deliberate steps. Every movement carried the precise bearing of a Guardsman trained to present himself properly before a superior. His antennae angled forward, attentive, while his dark eyes swept over the Human’s uniform, insignia, and stance. He was cataloguing details the way any Andorian officer would assess a fellow soldier. The cut of the fabric, the gleam of the pips, even Cole’s posture: all of it spoke volumes.
When he halted, his boots clicked lightly against the deck plating. He drew himself up straight, rucksack resting neatly against his side. “Second Lieutenant Jekebb ch’Bari, Imperial Mechanical Brigade,” he announced, voice steady and firm, the words carrying the crisp cadence of someone who had said his full title more times than he could count. His hand brushed briefly against the strap of his pack before settling at his side. “Reporting as ordered, sir.”
There was no hesitation in the declaration, though beneath the polished surface lay a flicker of calculation, almost an awareness that this was not Andoria, not the Imperial Guard, and that every interaction here would help define his place among strangers.
Nathan had to tip his head back farther than he expected, eyes tracking up past the bulk of the Andorian’s chest to meet his gaze. “Welcome aboard, 2nd Lieutenant. Orders look good.” His voice was steady, respectful, though he let a note of warmth thread through. “Glad to have you with us.” He shifted slightly to make room, attention sliding toward Sousa and Dr. Saensuk as they drew in behind.
Tarek grinned and halted, settling into the at ease stance he'd been taught and giving an odd dissonant impression between the formality of his body language and the expression on his face. "Sir," he said as he stepped forward. "Lieutenant Junior Grade Tarek Sousa, sir. Permission to come aboard?" Then, as if realizing he'd missed a step, he uttered a soft, but enthusiastic, "Oh!" and let his pack drop from his shoulder to the floor. He stooped quickly, digging in a front pocket for the data module with his credentials, and then righted himself on finding it. "Ummm... here you go sir. Uh... redo?"
His expression still remained enthusiastic, though slightly tempered by the realization that he probably should have been ready with his verification details before he reached the front of the line. "Permission to come aboard, uh, sir?"
Nathan accepted the data module with a quick nod, scanning it before pressing it back into Sousa’s hand. “All verified, Lieutenant Sousa. Permission granted, and welcome aboard.” His tone softened as he caught the other man’s enthusiasm, the corner of his mouth twitching into a smile. “No need for a redo. You’re in the right place.”
"Good afternoon, lieutenant," Saensuk said, greeting Cole with a smile, "Permission to come aboard?"
Nathan straightened as the doctor offered her greeting, his reply carrying an easy warmth. “Permission granted, Doctor Saensuk. Welcome aboard.” He let his smile broaden just a touch, genuine in its simplicity. “Glad to finally have our CMO with us.”
"Glad to be here," Saensuk replied. In some ways, it seemed like forever ago that she'd first been approached about taking a position with the (then) fledgling NX-program. Now, her feet were on the deck, and she was being welcomed aboard. "...and to be meeting you, Lieutenant..." she continued, pausing only slightly to give herself time to locate the man's name patch, "...Cole. I take it you're our welcoming committee, this afternoon?"
Nathan’s grin came easily this time, his earlier formality relaxing into something warmer. “That’s me, Doctor,” he said, gesturing lightly to the bustle around them. “Lieutenant Nathan Cole, Armory. They told me someone had to make sure we didn’t lose half the senior staff between the shuttles and the turbolift.” He shifted his weight, still standing straight but no longer at parade rest. “Mostly it means I get to say welcome aboard and point everyone in the right direction, which is a nice change of pace from running diagnostics on phase cannons.”
"Oh, I don't doubt it," Saensuk said with a laugh, "If it's anything like running diagnostics on an imaging chamber...well, let's just say 'greeter' seems like a much more interesting assignment."
Nathan nodded, visibly pleased as she spoke. “Of course, Doctor. Glad to have you aboard, and I think you’ll find the Challenger a good home once you settle in. The crew’s solid, and if you need anything before your first shift, just let me know.” His gaze drifted briefly toward the Andorian and the linguist still nearby before returning to her with a small, good-natured grin. “We’re all still finding our way around the place, so no shame in asking for directions.”
"I believe so..." The Challenger was certainly larger than her previous posting, but it wasn't so different that she couldn't find her way around. Corridors, markings, junctions were all standardized. She knew that both the infirmary and her assigned quarters were both on this same deck. The rest, she would be able to figure out as she went along. "Thank you, lieutenant, for the welcome."
He gave a last glance to the small group, his tone carrying the calm steadiness of someone who already felt responsible for their safety. “Bridge and crew quarters are this way. Once you’ve stowed your gear, the captain will be back aboard within the hour for senior staff introductions.” He gestured toward the corridor and stepped aside to let them pass. “Welcome to the Challenger, all of you.”
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