Not that odd,Reyes reminded himself, considering the entire crew is composed of engineers.
Far from a pristine vessel and possessing absolutely nothing akin to the aesthetic beauty Reyes likened to more modern starships, the Lovellnevertheless was a testament to an engineering philosophy and quality of design that had proven its worth to Starfleet and the Federation for more than a century. Its spherical primary hull leading a stocky, cylindrical engineering section and ribbed warp nacelles certainly lacked the streamlined grace of a more modern Constitution-class ship, but Reyes also could see the resolve and tenacity of the era from which it had been born echoed in its rougher, coarser lines.
Among the first model of vessels produced in large numbers following the founding of the Federation more than a century earlier, Daedalus-class starships had proven their worth as instruments of both deep-space exploration and defense as the fledgling cooperative of united worlds made their first joint forays into the vast unknown reaches of the galaxy.
Easily constructed and maintained, the ships made up for their bland appearance and lack of creature comforts found on other vessels of the period with a rugged durability. Though the last of them had been removed from active Starfleet use near the end of the last century, a few Daedalusships had survived to enjoy extended life in the hands of civilian shipmasters.
Then, there was the Lovell.
Before his initial encounter with the ship and its crew of engineering specialists, Reyes had not even known that any Daedalus-class vessels were being used by Starfleet in any capacity. It therefore had come as somewhat of a surprise when the Lovellarrived at Vanguard months ago to assist in the final system installation and adjustments necessary to bring the station to full operational capability in accordance with its accelerated schedule. His amazement only deepened upon learning that the aged yet still reliable workhorse was one of three currently in service to Starfleet’s Corps of Engineers.
“For the love of all that’s good and holy in the universe,” Cooper said a moment later as the decrepit-looking ship slowed to a stop within the confines of its parking slip, “will someone please tell me what the hell is keeping that beast from exploding all over the docking bay?”
Standing behind the exec and Reyes, Lieutenant Isaiah Farber unleashed one of his trademark wide, toothy smiles as he replied, “Strategic placement of forcefields, Commander, along with thermoconcrete and what I assume is the kindness of at least three different benevolent deities.”
Turning from the window, Reyes regarded the brawny, imposing officer, whose layered muscles seemed perpetually ready to rip the seams of his red Starfleet uniform tunic. Though Reyes himself was no small man, even his broad-shouldered physique was no match for the two-time Starfleet weight-lifting champion. “Feeling a bit nostalgic, Lieutenant?” he asked with a slight grin.
Farber shrugged. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t, Commodore.” Lifting his chin as a means of indicating the direction of the Lovell,he said, “She may not be much to look at, but she’s got a heart of cast rodinium. She’s made it through some tough scrapes, and that’s just while she’s been a Corps of Engineers ship. Say what you will about her, but they don’t make ships like that anymore.”
“Thank God,” Cooper said, though he too was smiling, reassuring the lieutenant that he spoke in jest.
Formerly assigned to the Lovell,Farber had come to Vanguard during the ship’s first visit to the station, a few months earlier, when the vessel’s accomplished—if unpolished and unorthodox—complement of engineering specialists had assisted in finalizing the station’s readiness for full operation. So enamored was the lieutenant with the facility and its state-of-the-art technology, not to mention its mission of support for Federation expansion into the Taurus Reach, that he had applied for a transfer. Likewise impressed with the role Farber had played in solving the mystery behind the station’s difficulties, a concession of which was the tragic loss of the station’s previous chief engineer, Reyes and the Lovell’s captain, Daniel Okagawa, had agreed to the request, resulting in Farber’s eventual assignment as Vanguard’s senior engineering officer.
“If you’re really that heartsick, Mr. Farber,” Reyes said, “I can have you back aboard before her engines cool down.”
Chuckling, Farber shook his head. “That won’t be necessary, sir. I’m quite happy here on Vanguard.”
“Glad to hear it,” Reyes said. “Of course, if you’re going to change your mind, I’d suggest you not waste a lot of time doing it. The Lovellwon’t be here that long.”
Making an exaggerated and still joking show of rolling his eyes, Cooper added, “One can only hope.” To Reyes he said, “Any word from Starfleet on a permanent replacement for the Bombay,Commodore?”
Reyes shrugged. “The fleet’s spread pretty thin right now. Along with the new exploration push, there’ve also been reports of increased activity along the Klingon border. Starfleet Intelligence thinks they may be planning some kind of big offensive.”
Given the demands—both scientific and military—currently placed on Starfleet’s resources, the result was a shortage of vessels that met the specific needs of Vanguard and its mission. According to the last report Reyes had received, it would be a minimum of two months before another Miranda-class starship or something in the same capability range could be assigned permanently to the station.
“Of all the ships Starfleet could have sent us,” Cooper said, “they decided on a boatload of engineers.” The exec shook his head. “Far be it from me to question the wisdom of my superiors, but what the hell were they thinking?”
Reyes allowed the comment. After all, there was no way for the commander to know the real reasons for choosing the Lovellas a substitute vessel to support Vanguard. Considering the nature of the station’s true mission, security was of paramount importance. Even though the crews of the base’s other tenant vessels, the Endeavourand the Sagittarius,were oblivious of the mystery surrounding the Taurus Reach, they knew enough to be able to carry out their duties without the need to ask questions that—for the time being, at least—lacked answers. Such would have to be the case with any new vessel brought in to support the station. Starfleet had provided the commodore with a short list of ships that were available on an interim basis, none of which had impressed him in the slightest.
Faced with that dilemma, Reyes instead had opted to go another route.
“They kill two birds with one stone,” he said. “The Lovellhas adequate cargo storage space, even if it’s less than a Miranda,and its crew has tweaked and bribed its warp engines so much that it actually makes better speed than a ship half its age.” He said that last part while casting a respectful nod to Farber. “Add to that the fact that their engineers are already familiar with our systems. The lieutenant here will have more help than he can handle for a month or two. By the time they’re finished, this place’ll probably have its own warp drive. At the very least, the food slot in my office won’t give me any more trouble.”
Of course, Reyes’s true motivation for selecting the Lovellwas far simpler. While his assessment of the ship’s capabilities was accurate, there was also the matter of its crew’s awareness—albeit in an abstract sense—of the anomaly which had caused the station’s rash of malfunctions prior to becoming operational. The commodore would be able to assign the vessel to investigate anything related to that still-unexplained carrier wave with the comfort that the Lovell’s crew would have at least some of the necessary perspective to make their efforts worthwhile to the overall exploration of the Taurus Reach, all while presenting a minimum risk to operational security.