Story:Starship Helena/Point of Divergence/Act One

Act One

Fade In

Est. Space

The Helena is at impulse speed.

Int. Briefing room

Captain Taylor, Commander Martin, Lieutenant Kelby, Lieutenant Commander Samson, Lieutenant Daniel Mitchell, Lieutenant Junior Grade Sasha Mitchell, Doctor Steven Carlson, Lieutenant Commander Smith, Lieutenant Commander T'Shar are sitting around the table.

Capt. Taylor: Are there inhabited systems nearby?.

T'Shar turns to her.

Ltcmdr. T'Shar: None.

Captain Taylor is confused by that.

Capt. Taylor: Why fly right up to us just to give us the silent treatment?.

Smith looks at them.

Ltcmdr. Smith: Maybe they got our signal but it didn't make any sense to them. Our translator is far from perfect since the refit was completed.

Cmdr. Martin: Maybe they checked us out and decided we weren't very interesting.

Samson turns to him.

Ltcmdr. Samson: Us? Not interesting?.

The staff snickers a bit.

Capt. Taylor: We're far from the nearest subspace relay, let's calibrate the subspace amplifier. At least the people back home want to talk to us.

The senior staff leaves the briefing room.

Ltcmdr. Smith: Sir? (quietly) I tracked them down. It took me all week.

Martin walks up to her.

Cmdr. Martin: Where are they?.

She looks at him.

Ltcmdr. Smith: Kota Baharu. It's in Malaysia.

He looks at her.

Cmdr. Martin: What time is it there?.

She thinks for a minute and looks at him.

Ltcmdr. Smith: A little after nine at night.

He thinks for a minute.

Cmdr. Martin: That shouldn't be too late. Let's break in that new amplifier. I'll be in my office near my quarters.

They both leave the briefing room.

Ext. Space

The Helena is at impulse speed.

Int. Commander Martin's office

John is sitting in his chair.

Cmdr. Martin: Admiral Taylor how is it in Malaysia?.

He smiles.

Adm. Taylor (on monitor): Great I'm guessing that this isn't about my vacation with my wife Commander?.

Fleet Capt. Taylor (On monitor): Is Marcia all right?.

John smiles.

Cmdr. Martin: Yes, ma'am she's fine her birthday's coming up in a few months.

Her parents smile.

Adm. Taylor (on monitor): Yes it is

Mary Taylor chimes in.

Fleet Capt. Taylor (on monitor): August 23rd she usually calls us when she told us she was going to be commanding the Helena, and we've not heard from her in along time.

He looks at the monitor.

Cmdr. Martin: I was wondering what she liked to eat?.

They look at each other.

Fleet Capt. Taylor (on monitor): Commander, Marcia's never been comfortable making requests.

John is confused by what she said.

Cmdr. Martin: I'm not sure I'm following ma'am?.

Adm. Taylor (on monitor): She always ate what was in front of her.

John leans forward at the monitor.

Cmdr. Martin: Are you saying that she has no favorite food sir?.

Fleet Captain Taylor chimes in.

Fleet Capt. Taylor (on monitor): Not that she's ever told me.

He looks at the monitor.

Cmdr. Martin: Well if you can think of anything you know you can always reach us anytime.

They nod.

Fleet Capt. Taylor (on monitor): Give Marcia our best.

He nods.

Adm. Taylor (on monitor): Safe journey Commander.

The transmission ends.

Int. Main bridge

Commander Martin walks onto the bridge and walks over to Commander Smith.

Ltcmdr. Smith: How did it go?.

He breathes.

Cmdr. Martin: Could of gone better, apparently she's not talked to her parents since we've left Earth, and they don't know what she likes to eat I want you to find out what she enjoys to eat.

She looks at him.

Ltcdmr. Smith: Me, sir?.

He looks at her.

Cmdr. Martin: But don't let the Captain know.

She leans back in her chair.

Ltcmdr. Smith: Can't Chef do this?.

He looks at her.

Cmdr. Martin: We're talking about a delicate assignment, Julia. It needs your finesse.

She looks at the screen.

Ltcmdr. Smith: Sir, I'm running a diagnostic on our subspace transceiver array.

He looks at her.

Cmdr. Martin: Get some help if you need it, but make this a top priority. That's an order.

She looks at him.

Ltcmdr. Smith: Aye, sir.

Ext. Space (warp field)

The Helena is at warp speed.

Int. Corridor, deck 5