Episode 1: These are the Voyages... (Open)

[Ensign Nuitanna Nyx]

Nyx bit her lip as she took a seat at the table. Normally, she wasn't all that intimidated in a social setting...but today, she felt a bit out of place. She was the lowest ranking officer in the room, and despite her position as the chief comm officer, she felt she didn't have much in the way of authority. Really, it seemed like the only reason she was comm officer was because her psionic abilities might prove of use to the Endeavor and her captain...

Speaking of captain, her dark eyes turned to take in Captain Howard's appearance. Honestly, it seemed like the older Commander should be the one captaining the ship, not Howard...at least if you were going by appearances anyway. Her empathic abilities picked up the hints of some sort of sadness, but it was being supressed. Her lips pursed slightly at that thought, but she quickly schooled the expression to that of a more neutral one.

The Betazoid woman reached up and scratched the back of her neck as she leaned back in her chair. She didn't speak, but if asked she certainly would.

[Commander Tony Hadyn]

Tony didn't get much of an opportunity to speak with the chief operations officer before Endeavor's captain arrived. The portly chief engineer took a seat beside Tom (as he was the only person in the room he somewhat knew), but his brown eyes were trained on Captain Howard. The man didn't look to be much older than himself. At one point in time, Tony probably could have made the jump to captain's rank...but he had never been entirely comfortable with the notion of commanding an entire ship. Give him a crew of engineers and he had no issues. He knew that whatever orders he gave, they were for tasks that he could accomplish (and had accomplished many times in his career) on his own. But to order around science officers, comm. officers, security and medical personel...all in fields of expertise that he was not familiar with...no, he was not comfortable with that in the slightest.

He cast a glance over at Tom, with an expression that seemed to say 'well, now that we're all here...what do we do now?'

[Captain Howard]

Curtis looked at the Commander for a moment, he wasn't petty enough to say anything and of course she could lead a meeting with out undermining his authority, after all he didn't even know what this meeting was about. So he nodded and quietly took his seat folding his fingers together on the table, this was probably going to be a meet and greet situation where they'd all learn a little about each other and then the ship...but it would be interesting if he was wrong.

[Servoc]

Servoc hustled down the corridors of the ship. It was unlike him to be late for a meeting but it couldn't be helped. The person in charge of the personell files at the base had lost his Starfleet file and he had had to wait until they verified it with Starfleet Command HQ. Logic would have indicated just checking it through the intersteller network, but alas, those conflicting humans just didn't seem capable of linear logic sometimes.

As he entered the ready room he chose to ignore any and all expressions of the other officers. He would probably hear something about punctuality from the captain or his second officer after the meeting. He would state his case then, but now was not the time.

"Cheif Science Officer Servoc reporting for duty. Please excuse my delay"

Servoc took his seat and waited for the meeting to continue.

[Folicia Turprine]

Folicia quirked an eye brow as their new captain came in, and she took her seat as commanded.
Not bad. She said slightly 'checking out' her new captain. He was quite handsome, then some one else came in.
Logic waked in his stride, and she almost slammed her head against the table, but remained in perfect composure.
-A full blooded vulcan from the looks of him. That was great, some one to question her logic even further.

[Major Tom]

Catching Tony's glance, Tom shrugged his shoulders in responses, he was just as lost as the engineer.
It really seemed that this ship was grossly underprepared but Tom kind of liked the feeling, he could already tell that he was really going to like this ship.

[Dana Hamilton]

The commander nodded as the Vulcan officer walked in and stated his name.
Seeing that things had settled down Dana took her seat and began to pull up information on her touchscreen.
"Given the unusual circumstances of this voyage, I have been instructed to brief the captain and the senior staff on our mission. It will be a seven year exploration mission, with the aim of finding new life and civilizations, a great tradition in Starfleet. Although we do expect this to be a peaceful voyage, it is not unlikely that you will encounter danger onboard this ship. Whatever adversity you may face will be certainly worth it, considering the importance of this mission. You, the senior staff, will play a key role in our mission and the things that we will discover will hopefully bring a brighter tomorrow to future generations. I expect every one of you to take this mission and your duties with the utmost seriousness. You are some of the finest officers that Starfleet has to offer and it is my pleasure to be serving as your second officer." Dana paused to study the faces lined across the desk, they were certainly a mismatched bunch but she felt confident in their abilities, given their good records. Looking back down at the touch screen she said, "We are scheduled to leave in 21 hours, please make sure you have everything you need from the Star Base before we depart and do try to be prompt."
She turned to Captain Howard, "Captain, would you like to say a few words before we dismiss?"

[Servoc]

Servoc studied the rest of the crew now that the attention was off of him. It would have been illogical for him to draw any more attention toward him than his tardiness had already done. But now the second in command was speaking and attention was away from him. He saw the Betazoid and the partial Vulcan and was slightly intrigued. Those two would be most interesting crew members to voyage with. The Betazoids dealt with the exact opposite of principles than he did. They focused on the strong emotions of living beings. It would be interesting to see if Logic and emotion could work together to accomplish a goal. Likely not, but he would see.

The partial Vulcan could be almost as interesting as the Betazoid. Servoc did not know yet whether she lived by the schools of Vulcan logic or by the training of her other parent, but either way she was Vulcan, at least in some way. maybe she could be someone that he could talk to and feel like he was conversing to somewhat of an equal.

Servoc noted the concise way that the second in command, Commander Dana Hamilton if his memory of the ship's manifest was correct, spoke. She seemed more efficient than most humans he knew, preferring not to waste idle breath with useless words.

As for the rest of the crew, it seemed as if Starfleet had strung together what they could find from vessels that could spare them. But Servoc knew that they each had an incredible service record and that looks do not alway tell the whole story. He would like this ship.

An exploration voyage. This may indeed prove interesting. There were always new things to learn and new ways to put logic in action. They would see some of that action within the month if previous exploration voyages were any testimony.

Servoc turned his attention to the captain. While he waited for a response he pondered whether or not the Federation's enemies would also be exploring the places they would. That may prove most interesting.

[Ensign Nuitanna Nyx]

"Not bad..."

Nyx barely covered a giggle with a cough as she caught Folicia's thoughts regarding Captain Howard. She brought a hand up, acting as if she was stifling her cough, before clearing her throat and settling her hands on her lap. While she tried to regain her composure, she couldn't quite get the subtle smile on her lips to go away. She was doing her utmost best to ignore the Vulcan science officer. Honestly, she wasn't too keen on spending the next seven years trapped on a ship with this Servoc. Based on the emotions she was picking up from Folicia's end, apparently she wasn't the only one who was less than enthused at the prospect. She chose, instead, to focus on the positive aspects to the situation.

Finally...finally she would be getting her chance to go explore the galaxy. Who knows what boundaries they would push in their drive to explore the unknown! She was going to have the chance to studying worlds that no Betazoid or Federation member had ever set foot on! She would get the chance to meet and interact with new life forms, study their civilizations! Surely all that would make up for the minor inconvenience of having to deal with a full blooded Vulcan, right?

When Command Hamilton directed attention back to the captain, her dark eyes glanced his way.

[Captain Howard]

Seven years...he knew it was going to be a long trip but that was going to be a long time to go with out seeing his family. So much he'd miss...but he had to do so, it was his duty to both the Federation and to his family, he knew he wouldn't see them much but he was providing them with a good life, he couldn't let them down now. When the Commander asked him if he wanted to say anything he nodded and stood. Why stand? he wasn't sure, it made it seem more formal he supposed and that was what he liked when he was on duty. He stood straight and looked around at all his senior staff, making sure he got each one in the eye. "Welcome, for those who do not know me I am Captain Curtis Howard. I'd just like to say I am happy to see before me such a diverse crew, it is important that all the Federation races are represented here today. I know we're on this ship a long time and many of us have family we are leaving behind, what we need now is to pull together as a ship should because we are doing a duty that is not only benefiting the Federation but the entire Universe in helping to spread the messages of peace, friendship and tolerance all around known and unknown space and whilst I do not yet know any of you, I'd like to say that I am eternally proud and grateful for any who wishes to aid in this mission." and with that he sat down, wandering what was next, also he wandered how that would go down. He hoped it wasn't too cheesy but it was the best he had off the top of his head.

[Commander Tony Hadyn]

Endeavor's chief engineer leaned forward, his hands clasped together resting on the table, as he listened to first Commander Hamilton and then Captain Howard. While he felt a twinge of excitement, it would be difficult to tell by reading his facial expression. Tony looked as laid back as ever, almost apathetic in appearance. Had he been younger, newer to Starfleet, he probably would've exuded enthusiasm. Life and experience had worn down that exuberance though. Perhaps it was a good thing, as it allowed him to stay focused in even the most dire of situations. HIs focus now was the task at hand: making sure this ship was ready for her maiden voyage in 21 hours.

"I think that all of us gathered here are appreciative of your fine words, Captain Howard," Tony said evenly. He continued on, smiling a little bit as he indulged in a little joke. "Now hopefully we'll remember that when cabin fever starts to set in." He looked on his crewmates...and wondered how many of them would make it through the full seven years. He didn't voice this thought though, as he added more seriously, "If we're to leave dock in 21 hours, I think it's best I take my leave. Inspections of the engine room and engineering itself takes time, and I want to make sure that everything is in order before our departure."

[Servoc]

Servoc listened to the captain. his face was, of course, devoid of emotion. The words were those of an experienced Captain who did knot know his crew except through their records. The captain carefully kept his words neutral. It was the typical rhetoric anyone heard once they boarded a starship. It was also a clear indication that this meeting was winding down.

"I agree with the engineer, sir. If the ship is to be ready to leave the i must run some tests with the ships computer systems, library files, and scientific equipment. They must be in perfect working order if we are to be successful in this mission. I am confident that they are fine and i am familiar with the Endeavor's schematics, but the checks must be performed by starfleet regulation. I bid adieu. I will see you on the bridge at the time of departure"

As Servoc left the room he began to mentally count the minutes away in his head. 20 hours, 54 min, and 23 seconds to launch......

[Captain Howard]

The Captain nodded to the people who were leaving, he should form his own inspections and finish making sure he was completely ready as well. It would be a bad mistake to be on a seven year voyage when 'opps' you forgot a toothbrush and spent the time until your next stop smelling like a Klingon after breakfast. He turned to the Commander and asked "Commander...do you have anything else on the agenda?"

[Dana Hamilton]

Dana turned to the Captain and shook her head, "No sir, that will be all."
She felt nervous thinking about going back into deep space after nearly a 30 year absence. She was so glad that the Captain was on board, and even more glad that she had requested for only a second officer position, she didn't think she could handle running an entire ship, she had great respect for Captain Howard for taking this position.
Despite all the nervousness Dana could help feeling a little thrilled at the though of their mission, it had been years since she had seen the beauty of space travel. Soon her nerves would calm and she was quite sure this would be a pleasant voyage.

[Commander Tony Hadyn]

Commander Hadyn was not alone in wanting to get to his duties, as Endeavor's science officer voiced his wish to leave to go through the various systems the Vulcan would be overseeing. Tony waited to rise from his seat until he was sure that neither the Captain nor Commander Hamilton had anything to say. Once it was apparent that this brief meeting was coming to a close, he finally stood.

"Thank you Captain, Commander," he said as he nodded to both Curtis and Dana. "If anybody needs me, I'll be down in engineering."

WIth that said, the chief engineer left. He had a lot to do over the next several hours.

((Tony has left this thread.))