<html><head><style type='text/css'>p { margin: 0; }</style></head><body><div style='font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000'><style>p { margin: 0; }</style><div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">// Bridge \\<br>
<br>
T'Pren stayed on the turbolift for a moment after the doors opened. She
smoothed her uniform over her hips as her eyes took in the activity.
The SCI console was still unmanned at the moment, but she was here to
redress that deficit, since their arrival time was quickly approaching.<br>
<br>
She left the lift and walked over to the CO, where he sat in his chair.
He appeared to be deep in thought, so she didn't say anything, just
clasped her hands behind her back and waited, standing at his left
elbow. The TAC console was also unmanned, she saw, only Helm and COMMs
had personnel at work. Lt Bingham was minding the steering, and Lt
Sattal was routing communications.<br>
<br>
Corad glanced to his left and saw T'Pren walk up beside him. His focus
was on the main view screen. He watched as the stars returned to being
pin points instead of the streaking bars.<br>
<br>
"Sir we've arrived at the rendezvous coordinates." Lt Bingham informed the bridge.<br>
<br>
Corad looked to T'Pren, "We're here." He said with a smile.<br>
<br>
"Indeed." She leaned forward and checked the coordinates on Lt.
Bingham's console readout. "New Darwin Colony," she said quietly. She
looked up at the main view screen. "Mr. Sattal, contact New Darwin
Control for our orbital coordinates." She could tell that the Captain
had already told Lt Bingham to slow to impulse. "I see several of our
sister ships have arrived here before us," she said to the Captain.<br>
<br>
Corad nodded, the last time the challenger was here was shortly before
the colony was established. He looked at the other ships that where in
system, he recognized the one NX ship. "Looks that way, That's the
Shenandoah over there." He said pointing at the ship on the view screen.<br>
<br>
"Mr. Sattal, contact the Shenandoah and let them know the Challenger has arrived." Corad ordered.<br>
<br>
Lt Sattal did so at once, as Lt Bingham maneuvered the Challenger
toward her orbital slot. T'Pren watched ... Lt Bingham had come quite a
long way in his handling of the helm, he did it now with confidence and
flair. T'Pren decided that she would remark upon it later to the CO,
who must be feeling the loss of his wife doubly, in her capacity as an
excellent helmsman, now that the ship was on the brink of battle. She
felt that Mr. Bingham could be relied upon to perform more than
adequately.<br>
<br>
"Are we the last to arrive?" asked T'Pren, looking at the other ships
as they passed, slipping by on the viewscreen as the Challenger reached
her orbital coordinates. <br>
<br>
"Full stop." Bingham announced.<br>
<br>
"Thank you Mr. Bingham." Corad said to the helmsmen before turning to
T'Pren, "I don't believe so, we left before Meridian so they'll be here
momentarily, I'm sure. Now we wait for further orders while making sure
we're as ship shape as possible." Corad said.<br>
==============<br>
Captain Corad Cole<br>
Commanding Officer<br>
NX-04 Challenger<br>
&<br>
SubCmdr T'Pren<br>
XO/CSO<br>
NX-04 Challenger </div></div></body></html>