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Chapter One
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Captain's log:
The USS Andromeada is nearly completed. Using all three of my design modifications, we have built the galaxy's greatest exploratory vessel...
Captain Scorp stood on the bridge of his new ship. Sure, the veiwscreen was only working under twenty-five percent power, and there were engineering teams attaching panels on three sides of him, but still, it was his ship.
"Captain, It's ready."
"Let's see it ensign."
The Chair. The one thing that was never the same on any two ships. The seat most sought after by ensigns and admirals alike. Scorp took a step towards it, touched it, and sat in it. I could die happy.
Two engineering crews were scurrying around putting the finishing touches on the bridge.
"Sir, we will have full power to the bridge in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1..."
The veiwscreen flickered to life. The lights raised to normal intensity.
"Give me the whole ship." Scorp stood up and tugged down his uniform in classic Picard style, "This is Captain Scorp of the Starship Andromeada. Welcome aboard."
Throughout the bridge and the entire ship Scorp heard cheers. With that settled, I should arrange my ready room.
In the ready room he could control the entire ship. He even had a private turbolift all he needed was the scan of his biosignature and a simple authorization code and he could disable the ship leaving him the only one in control. True, such precautions were not necessary onboard most ships, but this ship and its crew were headed for an new world, and, like on the sailing ships of old Earth that went to the new world, anything was possible. Not that he thought there would be a mutiny.
*. . . . . . . .*. . . . . . . .*
In the space docks of Utopia Planitia, the third warp nessle is being attached to the USS Andromeada. Nearby, the USS Enterprise is undergoing minor repair work. The Enterprise, though a large Sovereign Class vessel, is dwarfed in comparison to the giant Principle Class vessel.
On board the Enterprise Captain Picard sat in his ready room. He was reviewing the design of the Andromeada and was thoroughly impressed. Like all the Principle Class starships it had the modified transwarp drive; slipstream warp, based predominantly on the Voyager design; and phasic shielding, an idea primarily based on making a ship visible, yet invulnerable. There was even more to it though. All three of the design modifications used on the three commissioned USS Principles were in effect: a third nessle; highly advanced PHASERs; and sensors that were far beyond any starship's.
"Captain Picard."
"Yes, Data."
"You are receiving a private communication from Captain Scorp."
"Understood."
Picard flipped open his desk computer, and pressed the button to answer. Upon doing so, the familiar Federation logo was replaced the face of Captain Scorp.
"What can I do for you, Scorp?"
"I just wanted to hear your opinion of my ship."
"It's a good ship, though a bit more powerful than most ships."
"Well, we'll be out in the middle of nowhere, who knows what we'll face."
"True enough. Have you selected a first officer yet?"
"That was the first person I selected. Her name is Anne Sloane. She has a good profile. Joined up with Starfleet five years ago, just received a promotion to Commander."
"What about your chief engineer?"
"Unfortunately, I didn't get the guy I was after. A guy named Garsto Maso. He took a week of shore leave two weeks ago and didn't come back. Starfleet's sending over a temporary replacement, but they didn't give me a name."
"Do you have a good man at tactical?"
"I'm not sure. I didn't have much to select from. Mostly people fresh out of the Academy. I finally chose