Not all who wander are lost [Starbase 11]
Making the diversion to Starbase 11 had been easy. Jim had read the report Bones had shown him, and when he spoke with M’Benga the morning after, it was clear the doctor was in full agreement - this was the best option. That it was the only option was also clear, but none of them were voicing that thought yet. After a brief conference with Command, the details had been ironed out, at least to get them there. Enterprise would proceed to the starbase immediately, crew rotating off for liberty while the ship took on cargo and Engineering took care of some upgrades and repairs. All that had remained was for Garnier to accept Bones into her trial, but after M’Benga sent the file, it was clear the woman was intrigued.
I’ll need to do a physical examination first, she had insisted. But going by the record, he’s a good candidate. Jim had seen the hope dawning on Bones’ face as he read the message M’Benga had forwarded and vowed to get them there as soon as possible.
The base wasn’t far out of their way, leaving just two days to get crew rotations set and make all of the preparations for arrival. Jim had worked with Rand and Hayashi, Spock’s yeoman, to make sure everything was done, pulling some long hours in his ready room after leaving the bridge. It had been bad timing, Command’s order for Spock to go on that classified mission just as things were settling back down, but the orders had been explicit and Spock had departed almost immediately. Jim had returned to his quarters late the night before, falling exhausted into bed and wrapping an arm around Bones, asleep almost as soon as his head touched the pillow.
But they had made it.
The starbase was well-established, civilian operations centered on the lower level while Starfleet occupied the upper level and maintained the docking facilities, which were modest but more than adequate to meet their needs. Finished with the formalities of arrival, Jim sat near a window outside the medical wing, nursing a beer from the bar at the back of the small observation deck as he gazed out at the stars. The edge of Enterprise’s saucer was just visible to his left if he turned his head.
Bones was having that examination now, and had insisted it wasn’t necessary for Jim to accompany him just for that. They had arranged to meet back at their assigned quarters for dinner afterward, the guest accommodations here even more spacious than their own on board. Jim had been offered a tour of the facility in the meantime, Commodore Langley offering whatever assistance necessary as he showed Jim around. They had wound up here intending to have drinks, but Langley had been called away to take care of a problem in the shuttle bay. Jim had shaken his hand, appreciating the hospitality but at the same time glad to finally have a few minutes alone.
I’ll need to do a physical examination first, she had insisted. But going by the record, he’s a good candidate. Jim had seen the hope dawning on Bones’ face as he read the message M’Benga had forwarded and vowed to get them there as soon as possible.
The base wasn’t far out of their way, leaving just two days to get crew rotations set and make all of the preparations for arrival. Jim had worked with Rand and Hayashi, Spock’s yeoman, to make sure everything was done, pulling some long hours in his ready room after leaving the bridge. It had been bad timing, Command’s order for Spock to go on that classified mission just as things were settling back down, but the orders had been explicit and Spock had departed almost immediately. Jim had returned to his quarters late the night before, falling exhausted into bed and wrapping an arm around Bones, asleep almost as soon as his head touched the pillow.
But they had made it.
The starbase was well-established, civilian operations centered on the lower level while Starfleet occupied the upper level and maintained the docking facilities, which were modest but more than adequate to meet their needs. Finished with the formalities of arrival, Jim sat near a window outside the medical wing, nursing a beer from the bar at the back of the small observation deck as he gazed out at the stars. The edge of Enterprise’s saucer was just visible to his left if he turned his head.
Bones was having that examination now, and had insisted it wasn’t necessary for Jim to accompany him just for that. They had arranged to meet back at their assigned quarters for dinner afterward, the guest accommodations here even more spacious than their own on board. Jim had been offered a tour of the facility in the meantime, Commodore Langley offering whatever assistance necessary as he showed Jim around. They had wound up here intending to have drinks, but Langley had been called away to take care of a problem in the shuttle bay. Jim had shaken his hand, appreciating the hospitality but at the same time glad to finally have a few minutes alone.