Day 1

[sonofsarek]

His first shift under Kirk had ended and their journey had changed, but somehow everything felt right. They had been properly welcomed after their successful defeat of Nero, the new graduates were given a proper ceremony and the Enterprise had begun its first mission over who he now knew was its proper Captain

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[setphasersto]

If there was one thing that Ensign Angela Martine could not adjust to, it was the night shift. She found herself awake when she should be sleeping and then struggling to stay alert by the time the end of her shift came around.

Angela was currently curled up on one of the couches, using her few spare hours to catch up on personal reading. She glanced up as the doors opened with a gentle swoosh and nodded at Spock, greeting him with a cheerful "Hello!" knowing full well that she would not be greeted with much in the way of cheer or enthusiasm. She couldn't really fault him for that.

[sonofsarek]

“Ensign.” He acknowledged her greeting with a nod, no smile crossing his face as one might anticipate after such an enthusiastic greeting.

He sat there for a few moments in silence, looking over his calculations before recalling one of his duties. It was important that he knew the crew, particularly those that he would have to work closely with, so an attempt at friendly interact was necessary for him as the first officer. Besides, Angela seemed to be a competent officer. What he knew of her he did respect.

“Miss Martine,” his voice remained monotone, but he tilted his head to the side for he knew this would show her he was actually interested in what he was asking. “Are you adjusting to your new duties on the ship?”

[setphasersto]

She nodded. "I am. It's different than I expected, but not in a bad way. I'm excited to really get settled and just... for everything, I guess." Angela smiled. She appreciated that he had asked.

"And you?" she asked. "I would think that crew changes and new missions always take a little adjustment." She also wondered but didn't ask how he was adjusting to everything else. The woman was sure that there wasn't much worse than watching everything you've known destroyed before your eyes.

[sonofsarek]

“I understand your first commission might be overwhelming initially, but I am certain that with your tactical knowledge you will adjust adequately.”

He looked away from her for a moment to think about her question. A lot had changed in such a short amount of time but he did not regret the changes Starfleet had thrown at him.

“Admiral Pike was an exceptional Captain however the transition of crew has had little effect on the efficiency of the mission. Captain Kirk is well trained, and our new assignment has improved the morale of the crew members.”

His attempt at casual conversation with the Ensign might have been conducted better if he didn’t speak in such a cold manner. He wouldn’t have even realized it himself if it weren’t for a certain Communications Officer pointing out the less appealing aspects of his social skills (or lack thereof).

“Well…” he hesitated and tried again to sound more friendly. “Hopefully you will enjoy your time on the Enterprise.”

[thecaptainkirk]

One of the fantastic things about being captain of a Starship was the distinct lack of sleep Kirk could already tell he was going to get. Being the sole commander in charge of the vast amount of people aboard the Enterprise was a responsibility he hadn't asked for, hadn't mentally readied himself for, but. Joining Starfleet to begin with had been an impromptu decision, why change pattern? Besides, it was only day one, and Jim had an hour or two of what Sulu assured him would be peaceful travel. That meant an hour or two to eat, nap, read over everyone else's initial reports, enter the day's occurances into the Captain's log...oh, who was he kidding? He had a half hour to eat and nap.

To escape the salutes and excited smiles from every single person he encountered on the ship, Kirk ducked into the Officers' Lounge and headed right for one of the sub-zero holding containers for his private stash of popscicles - one of his favorite Earth foods. "Commander!," he called out, collapsing on the couch next to Spock and nudging his side, ice

[sonofsarek]

“Captain” his acknowledgement was perhaps the most enthusiastic he could convey, though it was certain that Kirk himself did not realize it. After what had happened he did have respect for him though they were off to a bumpy start.

Though Kirk urged him to put away his calculations, he continued for a few moments, making adjustments and fixing a few errors and putting the handheld down on the table in front of him before looking over to Kirk.

“Sir, if anything our embarking has increased the amount of time that must be spent ensuring everything is accurate” he paused for a moment, eyeing the ice pop in his hand before looking back to the captain. “However, if your idea of celebrating is partaking in a frozen juice treat, I would not be opposed to one flavored orange.”

[thecaptainkirk]

"Then the crazy man gets a creamsicle!" Jim said enthusiastically, hopping up to the sub-zero container for a second pop and bringing it back to his second-in-command. He'd half-expected Spock to yell at - or, not yell, too much emotion, more like exasperatedly reprimand - him for eating so close to a handheld full of what was probably important data. Hell, he was glad he'd never had to deal with being an ensign or base officer. Always checking to make sure your day's work was correct. If Jim had to second-guess himself that much, he'd never make a single decision.

"Swear to god, Commander, one day I'm going to get you to relax," he promised, already down to half a popsicle and his mouth probably bright red from it. "One day, without realizing it, you're gonna crack a smile. A huff, maybe. And then one day, one day, we're going to be in the middle of fucking...Iota Geminurum, and that little huffy breath sound is going to turn into a laugh. Just wait."

[sonofsarek]

He raised his eyebrow at the enthusiasm Kirk displayed for him wanting a popsicle, but he realized that perhaps they were a comfort for him. They were all far away from what they were used to as well as their families, and Spock fully understood how humans would want to have something to take their minds off of being in the middle of deep space.

“Thank you” he took a bite of the ice pop and while the flavor wasn’t something he consider delicious, it did remind him of a time when he was a child.

“Popsicles were the one thing my mother regretted not being available on Vulcan.” It was odd for him to say something that personal, but he figured Kirk would appreciate. He did notice the effort he was putting into befriending him.

[95wictorwictor2]

When it came to taking a break, Pavel Andreievich Chekov didn't let his brain stop working. As soon as he'd been relieved from his station on the bridge, there had only been one thing on his mind: an hour of chess in the Officer's Lounge

[sonofsarek]

“Ensign Chekov” Spock nodded in Chekov’s direction before noticing what he was doing. As the chessboard appeared on the table, the expression on Spock’s face could be described as a smirk. A very slight and barely noticeable one if it was on a human’s face, but it was particularly distinct on Spock’s face.

“Ah, 3 Dimensional Chess. Do you wish to engage in a match, or you would prefer challenging the computer?” Spock stood and walked over to the chair on the opposite side of the board from the Ensign, his hands resting behind his back. He tried not to sound too arrogant as he spoke, but occasionally a little bit of it came through.

[95wictorwictor2]

"Commander," he gasped, overcome with joy. It wasn't often that anyone actually wanted to play chess. In fact, it was a great honor to have someone with an advanced intellect such as Spock's to want to challenge him.

"You know how to play chess?" he asked, using the console to adjust the game for two players. His fingers moved quickly. He'd played the game many times before. "Good to know people still walue greatest game in entire galaxy."

When the pieces visualized, he saw that his were white. Chekov's turn was first. However, the young man had a feeling that it wouldn't give him much of an advantage.

He ordered a pawn forward a space. Thankfully, he only had to pronounce letters and numbers. With a gleeful smile, he sat back and placed his hand on his chin, waiting intently for the commander's retort.

[sonofsarek]

Smirk still in place, he sat down at the chair and examined the board as if he were calculating his moves already.

“Chess is a game of logic and strategy. Vulcans engage in games such as these as children,” he said as the Ensign made his first move. “However, ‘Vulcan chess’ is more complex.”

Spock grabbed one of his knights and made his first move onto the board. It placed the newly exposed ivory pawn right in its L-shaped path. He let the smirk fade from his face as not to give his tactics away to his opponent, but Chekov seemed to be more enthused about playing than he was in winning.

“What is the purpose of chess on Earth if not a logic exercise?” he never could understand why such complex things that were difficult for many humans were so entertaining for some. As he recalled, his mother hated the game.

[xceptmybones]

Dr. Leonard McCoy left sick bay where he had spent most of the day getting to know the nurses and other medical officers he would be working with. Luckily no one had been ill on the first day of the voyage so he taken some time to review the medical records of several crew members. He would never know everything about all the crew, but it would be beneficial to be familiar with some things such as allergies.

McCoy passed by Kirk's quarters and noted his absence. Officers' lounge he thought to himself as he headed in that direction. As he rounded the corner and then entered the room he saw Spock playing chess with the young Ensign and that Jim was eating a popsicle while getting cozy with a young female Ensign. He raised his eyebrow slightly. "Shouldn't you be resting some, Jim?" he asked as he walked towards them.

[thecaptainkirk]

"Bones!" Jim called out from his seat on the couch. "Sleep is for the old and the weak, Bones. Besides, I like giving you a heart attack worrying every now and then." Even his conversation with the pretty, funny - he wanted to add "young", but in reality she was probably the same age as he was - ensign could be put on hold for a moment to exchange words with his friend.

"Angela, may I introduce my oldest friend in Starfleet, Dr. Leonard McCoy. Bones, this is...Angela." She hadn't given him her formal title, so Kirk was still unsure of it. "We were just talking and sharing a popsicle." One of his own eyebrows raised for just a moment, and his eyes flashed with a hidden smile he knew years of spending time with him had taught McCoy to see. "You should grab one and come sit with us, an amazing way to unwind. It's not a glass of scotch, but it'll do."

[setphasersto]

She smiled at the doctor, and realized Jim didn't actually really know how to introduce her. Deciding to remedy that, she added, "I'm a Tactical Officer. Here's hoping that neither of us find ourselves terribly busy." Liking her particular profession was one thing, but Angela had little interest in the ship being shot at. None that she would admit to, anyway. Part of her hoped they would see some action, just so she didn't all out fall asleep at her station from lack of true excitement.

[sonofsarek]

He looked away from his chess game and over to McCoy, but stopped as he caught a glimpse of Kirk’s positioning on the couch next to the Ensign. He listened for a moment as the Captain fumbled with introducing Angela and noticed the smile he gave the Doctor when the girl wasn’t looking.

Inappropriate. Even though he owed Kirk one for not reprimanding him with the whole Uhura thing, this was just shameless. He shook his head in disapproval, halfhearted hoping Kirk would notice, and turn his attentions to the Doctor finally.

“Hello Doctor.”

[yeoman_jan]

Yeoman Janice Rand had been looking for Captain Kirk to see if he needed any other assistance for the night, but she was unable to locate him. She decided to take a break in the officers' lounge. If the captain needed her, surely he would call for her, right? No harm in a little relaxation.

Janice entered the lounge to find Spock and Chekov playing a game of chess at the far side of the room. Dr. McCoy was over near the corner and Uhura was seated on one of the couches. She greeted them all with a warm smile as she approached. "How is everyone this evening?" Even when off duty, Janice liked to make sure that everyone was taken care of. It was just in her nature.

[sonofsarek]

He nodded to the Yeoman as she entered. “Hello Miss Rand,” he said, while thinking how interesting it was that Kirk selected a group of primarily female Yeoman. Although he really couldn’t be surprised; it was Kirk after all.

“I take it the tasks for the day are all in order. We should schedule out a list of daily priorities when you have time during the next shift.” He stopped himself for a moment as he realized his inability to separate work from leisure. He had enjoyed a game of chess with Chekov, interacted with the others and yet felt the need to bring up work topics with the Yeoman. Even she needed a break now and then.

“Please excuse me. I did not mean to bring up duties during your down time, Miss Rand.”

[yeoman_jan]

"Oh, that's quite alright, Commander," Janice replied. She understood how easily work could spill over into one's idle hours. Sometimes it can be very difficult to flip the "off" switch in your mind. She could only imagine how much harder it must be for a man like Spock to accomplish. "But to answer your question," she continued, "yes everything is in order."

Janice then turned her attention to the ensign sitting at the chess board. He was young. Very young actually. She found him absolutely adorable in a boyish sort of way. She had become somewhat familiar with the names and faces of the crew members who played a role in the defeat of Nero, but had not met all of them.

"It's Ensign Chekov, right?" Janice asked. "I don't think we have been formally introduced. I'm Janice Rand. One of the captain's yeoman."

[95wictorwictor2]

Chekov was still looking at the statistics from the earlier chess game when a female voice stirred him from his activity. He looked up and was greeted by a very attractive blond woman with a very exotic hairstyle. The Russian instantly beamed a warm smile and nodded to her question, forgetting everything about the computer in front of him.

"Ensign Pavel Andreievich Chekov," he corrected her, standing from his seat in order to greet her politely. He extended a hand to shake. "Pleased to be meeting you..." he paused for a moment, thinking about something.

"Yeo- ye-ow... ya-ow..." he struggled to pronounce the title. His face was turning bright red. How come his tongue had to be so stupid at this moment? He cursed in the back of his mind.

"Yeoman!" he finally exclaimed, eyes lighting up. "Yeoman Rand. Sorry, I not exactly have superior speech yet."