The USS Quasar Quest had stood on the precipice of the battle line for nearly 72 hours. The Ship had moved forward and backward only on impulse engines relying on the awesome abilities of Commander T'Zohl as a pilot and on the rookie Operations Commander Giselle Veltkamp. These were tough times.
The sovereign was never designed to be a blockade battleship. Giselle looked at Captain Warren, "John, the ship is struggling to maintain altitude. We are in danger of losing our position in the blockade."
"Commander T'Zohl, can you compensate?", John looked at his Executive Officer.
T'Zohl looked at John, "Captain, this is a impulse engine problem. We have student engineers. They cannot compensate. If we cannot get this problem under control, we will have to give up the lead position to another vessel."
"I am not prepared to do that. Giselle, contact Governor's Station. We need an engineer.", John demanded.
Fearful of the Captain, Giselle contacted the station, "Commander Vasa, this is the USS Quasar Quest requesting engineering assistance."
"We have no staff to spare, Crewman.", Summer responded. With no transporters, the station's engineering staff were very busy trying to counteract the Federation jamming devices.
"We could lose our orbital status.", Giselle snapped.
Summer looked at the viewer, "We do have an alternative."
"Go ahead.", Giselle responded.
"Ru'on Dey'lo, the Baku Engineer is here. He came with Station Destiny.", Summer explained.
"We will take anything.", Giselle responded.
"He will be on the first fighter out.", Summer replied.
Ru'on was soon in the Engineering Room of the Double Q. T'Zohl came down to see him. The ship was still loosing altitude. The Baku was just standing there. He was just looking around.
"I believe you would have more success if you actually worked on the engines.", T'Zohl observed in her Vulcan way.
"She is a big bird.", Ru'on looked at T'Zohl.
"A bird. Its a starship.", the Vulcan looked at the Baku trying to understand him.
"She is sick.", Ru'on continued.
"Are you having some sort of psychiatric episode?", T'Zohl looked at Ru'on.
"Her belly is full but she is starving.", Ru'on walked over to the warp core.
T'Zohl studied the Baku like something in an experiment. She watched as he walked around engineering continuing his sick bird metaphor.
"We need to help her eat. We need to eat for her and then regurgetate for the baby to eat.", Ru'on continued.
"What the hell are you talking about?", T'Zohl was growing impatient.
"That's it. That's it. We need to run the fuel into the warp engines, let them light it up for a moment and then feed the weakened fuel into the impulse engines, like a mother bird feeding her child. This will work.", Ru'on was suddenly running around working with the conduits and the feeder system.
T'Zohl was very impressed. Soon the Quasar Quest, the old Double Q was an orbiting sensation once again.
Ru'on looked at T'Zohl, he picked her up and swung her around, "We did it, Chickadee. We did it."
T'Zohl looked at Commander Dey'lo, "I believe, Mr. Dey'lo that we owe you dinner."
T'Zohl and Ru'on Dey'lo headed into the officer's lounge.
T'Zohl looked at Ru'on, "What were you doing while you were standing in the middle of engineering?"
The Baku looked at the Vulcan, "Listening to the ol' girl."
"What were you listening for?", T'Zohl asked, thinking only in logic.
"For her to tell me where it hurts.", Ru'on smiled.
"Its a machine. It can do no such thing.", T'Zohl snapped back.
"All things can feel. All things can speak.", the Baku responded. His people were so mysterious.
"I am Vulcan. I have no such feelings. No such emotions.", T'Zohl forrowed her brow and glared at the Baku.
"You are alone here. John has the ship. They share a special bond. Giselle has her duty. You, you are alone here.", Ru'on looked at T'Zohl.
"You are not Betazed.", T'Zohl growled.
"I am not in your head, T'Zohl. I am in your heart. I am Baku.", Ru'on responded.
"I am alone here too. I have chosen to stay behind.", Ru'on frowned.
"We could be alone together.", Ru'on winked.
"I am Vulcan. I have no such physical desires, Baku.", T'Zohl grumbled.
Ru'on ate his food.
"I think it would be prudent to offer you the position of Chief Engineer aboard the Quest.", T'Zohl responded as the pair walked down the hallway.
"I knew you wanted me around.", Ru'on responded.
T'Zohl glared at Ru'on, "Is that a yes?"
"On one condition. You seal it with a kiss.", Ru'on winked.
"No way.", T'Zohl responded.
"Fine. I shall be on the first shuttle out.", Ru'on nodded.
The Quasar Quest vibrated a bit and then returned to normal orbit. T'Zohl looked at Ru'on, grabbed him and kissed him deeply on the mouth.
"Its done.", T'Zohl looked at Ru'on.
"These will be your quarters.", T'Zohl looked into the crew opening.
She left without even looking back.
"My dear, Commander T'Zohl, we are far from done.", Ru'on smiled.
Posted by:
Commander T'Zohl of Vulcan
Executive Officer
USS Quasar Quest - Phoenix Colony
Pheonix Federation
