Making the rounds "
By: Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]
Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]
Melissa Jarvis, Chief Security Officer, [RNPC]
Miranda, Lounge Manager, [RNPC]
Giuseppe Silvio, Chief Engineer, [RNPC]
Dr. Alyssa Caitlin Northrop, Acting Chief Intel Officer, [PST]
Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.26 1600

Hunter left his ready room. He decided to take a tour of the ship.

He decided first to visit the ship's counselor to get her perspective on things.

Stepping into her reception area he waited for her appearance.

"Captain Hunter," she smiled slightly. "Come in," she stepped back and gestured for the captain to go before her into her office.

Hunter smiled and nodded politely, "good afternoon counselor." He looked around, "I hope I'm not interrupting anything?"

She shook her head slightly. "You have impeccable timing. My last visitor just left and I am not expecting another one for another hour."

"I just wanted to know what you were sensing from the crew." he said.

"Anxiety, tension, a certain element of bravado. Overall, you have a crew committed to the course. Most of your crew, though, is young. The only battles they have seen have been on board this ship." Zoei shrugged her shoulders slightly. She nodded toward the sitting area. "Please have a seat."

"Thank you counselor," Hunter said as he eased himself down near the colorful pillows.

He sat back and eased into his next round of questions for Zoei, "In your assessment, are they ready for this battle?"

"Yes," she nodded. "I don't feel anyone showing a great hesitation, nor do I sense any cause for alarm that there are people who are not willing to do what is necessary."

Hunter nodded solemnly, "that's good."

"And how about Mason? Have you spoken with him since his release from sickbay?"

"He is the person I am scheduled to meet with next. Is there anything in particular you would like me to watch for or ask about?" Zoei leaned forward slightly and crossed her ankles.

"Not particularly," said Hunter, "just let me know if you get any funny feelings about him."

"I will file my report to Commander Wright, and copy you for your reference."

"Okay" said Hunter getting up, "If you will excuse me, I'm just getting started."

"Have a good afternoon, you will have the report yet today." Zoei nodded. "Thanks," said Hunter turning to go. He took several steps toward the door and paused, turning back toward Zoei, "Counselor? would you mind coming up to the bridge during situational conflicts" asked Hunter.

"That will be fine," Zoei nodded again.

"Excellent," said Hunter. "Carry on."

Hunter turned and resumed his tour. Continuing his rounds he headed down to sick bay where he found Dr. Dane as busy as usual.

"Good afternoon Doctor," said Hunter politely. "How are things down here?"

" Good afternoon Captain, this is a surprise." Teilani said smiling. It was indeed so. Hunter never came to sickbay that often. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

Hunter looked around briefly, satisfied that everything seemed to be in order he shrugged, "nah."

He turned back to Doctor Dane, "I wish I could say your services won't be needed, but I'm afraid they will be." Hunter paused, "I don't know if I've ever told you that you have been a wonderful asset to this vessel."

Teilani stared at Hunter as if he suddenly had grown spikes. She stuttered a little as she said. "Well.... I.........thank you Sir, I only do my job."

She placed some medical equipment on a small table beside her. She had been doodling with it and was afraid to let it slip out of her hands.

"Is there something wrong Sir," she asked curiously.

"Of course not Doctor," said Hunter, "I guess I always make it a habit to tour the ship before a big battle."

"Why?" Teilani asked.

"I guess to make sure everything is ready," said Hunter

"So you want to remember the people they way the were before they get killed?"

"Of course not," replied Hunter.

"You expect trouble then?"

"We're going into a major battle Doctor, I don't see how it can be avoided."

"Captain, the battle between the Maquis and the Federation is not going well is it? "

Hunter was surprised by the Doctor's remarks, "Excuse me Doctor?"

"We are loosing." Teilani said softly.

Hunter shook his head, "we're certainly not loosing, its just that in war, nobody wins."

"Will it ever end Sir?" Teilani asked as she handed Hunter a cup of hot chocolate milk.

Hunter reluctantly took the beverage, taking a sip. Then, he shook his head, "What is this?" he said curiously, expecting something stronger.

"Its hot chocolate Sir." Teilani said as she saw the somewhat surprised look on Hunters face.

"Not your usual Jamaican Double blend?"

She smiled. "One can only drink so much of it. You think the war will ever end?"

"I wish I could say the war would be over tomorrow, but we're here because we believe in what we are doing...we can not tolerate the injustice and murder carried out by the Federation...right?"

He looked at Teilani.

" I guess you are right Captain, forget I mention it." she shrugged. She looked in the distance for a second and changed the subject before Hunter could say Howdy-doody.

"Tell me Captain, have you been following my advice a little?"

Hunter looked confused as he searched his memory, "Advice?"

"Trying to relax, remember?" she asked with a gniffle.

"Ah, of course." he said with an assuring nod, "as a matter of fact I have. Chester and I managed to log a few holodeck hours recently."

"Excellent," Teilani said, resisting the urge to get her med scanner and check for her self.

"And how about you Doctor, have you taken the Captain's advice and done the same?"

Teilani shook her head. "I am afraid not Sir. Preparing sickbay and such kept me busy.

"tsk, tsk," said Hunter taking another sip of hot chocolate and setting the cup down, "Well, if you will excuse me Doctor, I need to see how engineering is doing, Shall we do dinner sometime again?"

"I would love that Sir," Teilani said smiling. "Go easy on engineering Sir," she called after him as he left sickbay.

As Hunter made his way to engineering, he found Silvio. "Lieutenant!" he shouted up to the catwalks, "Do you have a moment?"

"Sure thing captain," shouted Silvio as he climbed down to talk to the Captain. When he reached the floor he smiled at Hunter, "What can I do for you?"

"Just wondering how are things going?" said Hunter as he visually surveyed engineering. "Is the ship ready to put up a good fight?"

"We have had plenty of time to get things set up. This ship is ready. We are just finalizing some routine maintenance.," said Silvio with confidence. "That's what I want to hear." said Hunter, "That's what I want to hear."

Silvio smiled, "Yes sir."

"Very good, I'll let you get back to work." said Hunter waving as he turned and left. As Hunter continued to make his rounds, he stopped by the security office where he found Lt. Jarvis looking over reports.

"Hello Lieutenant," said Hunter, "what is the readiness status of your department?"

"We are conducting training drills. My men have worked hard after their embarrassment with the prisoner uprising. They are ready," she said.

Hunter nodded, "just make sure they get a little rest tonight. Has Madriani been cooperative with security training too?"

Melissa nodded.

"Good, I have every confidence in your abilities Jarvis." Hunter nodded assuringly as he turned and left. Next stop was the Intel office.

Hunter continued to make the rounds. In less than 24 hours the ship would be at war. He just wanted to make sure everyone was ready.

He stopped in at Alyssa's office where he found her going over information that had just come in. Much of it was the intel the Maquis had on the status of the ships they'd be going up against.

He came in and sat down, "How are you Doctor?"

Alyssa looked up, "Oh...Hello Captain. I'm ok....just looking over a few things. Is there something I can help you with?"

"Just seeing how you were doing, making sure everything is ready."

"Oh...about as ready as we'll be I suppose." She smirked, just a little bit wistfully. "I'll have a report worked up for the Tactical guys on our opponents soon. Weaknesses and other such pertinent information."

"Even with the Klingons, we're outnumbered 2 to 1 here. And based on the Intelligence reports, Starfleet isn't sending the kiddies."

Alyssa looked at the PADD listing the ships the composed the Armada they were to face. Two Galaxy Class, Five Akiras, Two Norway, Three Steamrunners and four Excelsior class ships. The more she learned about this...the less she liked it. But she didn't have to like it. She just had to find the weak points. "From the information I have.....some of the commanders of those ships are pretty tough customers, Sir. All of them are combat veterans. This isn't going to be easy."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "Based upon what Mr. Mason told us....we know that our cloaks are better than the ones the Cardassians have. We can also assume that mixed into the Federation fleet are several Cardassian ships. Given that, we'll need to strike both parts of the fleet and then return to cover. I would certainly recommend against slugging it out straight up."

Hunter nodded, "hit and run eh?"

Alyssa nodded, "Pretty much. Even with the Klingons, we can't stand toe to toe with them."

Hunter nodded, "We'll have to try. Its too bad Tango fleet isn't closer," noted Hunter.

Hunter excused himself and resumed his tour.

Miranda smiled as she saw the captain enter Miranda's. He did not seem to come here very often so she was glad to see him.

Hunter sat down at the Bar, "Hello Miranda."

"Hello captain," replied Miranda, "How are you today."

Hunter grinned, it was delightful and uplifting having a civilian like Miranda on board, "I'm good." he said settling in, "I'm good."

Miranda chuckled, "What can I get you?"

"Say, did I hear you were serving up some sort of Fish?"

"Yes, it is a new dish, Denebian Monk Fish," she replied.

"Okay, that sounds good, why don't you get me a plate of that."

"Umm, sir, when did you start eating fish," she asked?

Hunter chuckled, "You're right, I hate fish." he smiled, looking away for a minute. "Its... not for me, its for...Chester, my cat," he confessed.

"Life on a starship isn't much fun for the rascal. I figure a good meal once and a while is about all he has," Hunter's voice tapered off a little, "with the big fight tomorrow, I just, well, wanted to give him a treat."

"Ok," said Mirnada, "Monk Fish for Chester. What can I get for you?"

"Why don't you surprise me with something Bajoran," replied Hunter.

Miranda stifled an evil laugh as she went to work. Monk fish for the cat, Bajoran hasperat, extra spicy for the captain. Miranda smiled as she pulled his order together. "He did say surprise me," she thought to herself as she delivered his order.

"Hasparat eh?" said Hunter picking up his fork. "I'm going to need a beer with this" he said with a grin.

"How about a glass of bajoran Sping wine," suggested Miranda.

"Spring wine? I guess that will do," he said putting a forkful of the hasperat in his mouth.

Miranda smiled at the captain's expression when he took a bite. "Here, she said as she placed a glass of red spring wine in front of him, "This will help with the burning."

Hunter finished his meal. He could feel small beads of sweat on his forehead. There was no doubt that Miranda's cooking was near as authentic as he could taste.

He picked up the plate of Monk fish for Chester, "it was very good," he said to Miranda has he passed her near the door.

"Thank you," said Miranda as she watched him leave. Miranda wondered absently if he was going to sick bay for burn treatments to his mouth. She chuckled as she cleaned up the bar.