Star Trek

Stardate 2261

"Welcome back to the Enterprise!" exclaimed Captain James T. Kirk with a wide grin.

Ariantje returned his greeting with a nervous and quiet "Thank you Captain. It is a ….pleasure to be back".

It had been nearly 3 years since Ari had left the Enterprise, to return to Earth, the home she had left so many, many years before. So much had happened in those 3 years. She was very nervous and apprehensive about being back on the starship.

"When I saw your name on the list of civilian contractors, I had to bring you back., explained Captain Kirk. "Bones has been hounding me forever to get him some help around here. I figured you would be the perfect choice, seeing how you have been with us before."

"That was very thoughtful of you Captain", replied Ari. "I never dreamed I'd get a posting with Star Fleet my first time on the roster."

"Please, my name is Jim, just like before."

They walked from the transport craft docking area towards the main part of the ship. The Captain chatted continuously on the trip to the bridge. Ari's contribution to the conversation was minimal - mostly because the Captain was telling her about the mission the Enterprise and her crew had most recently returned from. But also because she was absorbing her surroundings, taking in all the sights and sounds that the starship offered.

Ari was beginning to feel more comfortable the longer she was aboard. It was almost like . …..well, like coming home. She shook her head at how ridiculous that sounded! How far off from the truth can you get? She thought wryly.

Captain Kirk and Ari entered the turbo lift that would take them to the bridge.

The turbo lift doors slid open with a subtle "whoosh". Ari followed Kirk onto the bridge. The sight of the large expanse of space beyond the bridge windows took her breath away. Never in her wildest imagination growing up did she ever see herself on a starship!

The Captain announced her arrival to the crew on duty. Ari looked around the bridge, the faces that greeted her were familiar. There was Sulu at the con , Chekov at navigation and Uhura seated at the console monitoring communications and transmissions. And then there was Spock. The sight of him brought back the cold chill of terror she had felt 3 years ago……….

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"Her vital signs continue to improve. I believe she will be waking soon. Jim".

"That's good to hear, Bones. Spock, have you retrieved any useful information from the vessel we pulled these people out of?"

"Nothing useful, Captain. The computer system of the vessel is very primitive."

Ariantje was trying to focus on the conversation that was happening around her. She wasn't sure is she was dreaming or what. The voices sounded far off and she was sure they were much closer. She was trying desperately to open her eye, but here eyelids were so heavy.

The conversation around her started to move away. Ari fought the battle with her eyelids and was beginning to win. Bright lights were her painful reward.

"Captain, she is waking up."

Ari turned her head towards the voice. The face attached to it slowly came into focus. It was pale, framed with jet black hair and…..what the ?!*?! Ari screamed in total terror. Aliens! She had been abducted by aliens!! The room swiftly went black, Ari had fallen back into unconsciousness.

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"Welcome back to the Enterprise, Miss Brant" Spock greeted her.

Ari only nodded in response.

"Kirk to Bones" the Captain spoke into his communicator.

"Bones here" came the reply.

"I have your new intern here with me on the bridge. Can you come up and get to show her around?"

Bones replied - the exasperation evident in his voice - "Not now Jim! I've got a disaster on my desk right now! Besides, I'm not a damn tour guide!"

Captain Kirk chuckled. "Do you need any help?"

"No. I'll get it taken care of. McCoy out!"

"Well then." Kirk grinned at Ari. "I have some matters that I have to attend to before we can leave space dock." He turned toward his first officer. "Spock, would you be so kind as to show Ariantje to her quarters?"

"Of course, Captain." Spock strode towards the turbo lift. His gaze settled cooly on Ari. "This way please."

Ari followed the first officer onto the turbo lift. She hoped that the fear she felt was not evident on her face. Spock turned to face toward the doors, not appearing to notice her discomfort. Ari scooted around and as far back in the lift as she could get. She wanted no conversation with him and wanted as much space as possible between them.

She stood quietly, staring at the back of Spock's head. She could not take her eyes off of those ears! After what seemed an eternity, the doors of the turbo lift slid open. "Follow me please" Spock directed in a terse monotone.

Ari followed Spock down the corridor and to a side hall on the left. He stopped in front of the doors to her new quarters. Spock turned and faced her. "Your possessions have been delivered. I trust you will find everything in order." With that directive, Spock turned away sharply and strode back toward the main corridor.