A tall man, he had a commanding presence. His confidence was tempered only by his humility, as evidenced by the way he always gave praise to his crew before himself. He was considered a just commander to serve under. In all that he was and in his every action, he earned the respect of every crew he commanded. Wright sat in his ready room preparing some last minute reports on a PADD in front of him. The chime of his communicator distracted his attention from his report. Almost reluctantly, he tapped the combadge on his tunic.

"Wright here."

"Captain, has the baryon sweep passed through engineering?"

"Yes, Number One. It's already passed through the bulk of the ship and is now aft of engineering on the nacelles."

"Then I'll have our very anxious Chief Brex beam up to start a rundown on ship's systems and unlock the engineering stations."

"Good thinking, Commander. We'll have to get underway very soon as it is. We've received our marching orders."

"Something interesting I hope."

"Probably routine; a simple re-supply run to the Vesuvi system. Until their science observation post is complete, we are to investigate their stars' odd behaviour. Readings are inconclusive from the science teams on Vesuvi 3, and Federation scientists are interested."

"The Vesuvi system? That's in the maelstrom."

"Should make for a fun time for Miguel at the very least."

"I'll let him know so he can get psyched up, sir."

Wright chuckled. "You do that, Number One. I'll need you back here as soon as possible as well."

"Aye, sir."

"Wright out." The Captain went back to writing up his report.

After six months' service aboard this vessel, the Commander has proven to be a most promising First Officer. I have no doubt more seasoning will see him on his own starship command.

A tinge of yellow light pierced the black curtain surrounding the sphere of solar fire illuminating the Vesuvi system. Next to the Briar Patch and the Badlands, the Maelstrom had been listed by the United Federation of Planets as one of the most inhospitable areas for human colonization, mostly due to its dense pockets of radiation and solar disturbances. The Vesuvi system fell near the edge of this volatile area, making its incipient Federation colonies unsavoury posts for any UFP personnel.

The terraforming process had just begun on Vesuvi 3. It was slow work setting up the atmospheric processors that would clean and filter the toxins poisonous to humans while at the same time establishing a more habitable environment replete with breathable oxygen. Until now, trying to colonize any region of the Maelstrom was considered unthinkable. Recent advances in atmospheric shielding made it possible, finally, to carve out a foothold for Federation research. The brightest minds in science had long made a case for establishing research outposts within the Maelstrom to better understand the phenomena recorded within it. The Draegos colony, on Vesuvi 3, was to be the first of these science posts, in addition to two private colonies at the edge of the system established to mine the rich mineral deposits discovered there.

Chief Serson of the Starfleet Corps of Engineers had been assigned to Draegos only three months ago. He'd hoped for a more noteworthy project, but his expertise in terraforming worked against him.

"Six months. I can't believe it - six months until we can get this damned atmosphere processor online." Serson knew he had more to offer than acting as foreman on a project like this for half a year, no matter the scale. "You'd think, with all of my contributions to the Prometheus, I'd be assigned to the Sovereign refit. Instead I'm standing here routing ODN lines for an atmosphere generator."

"It could be worse, you know. If you spend less time grumbling we might be able to finish in five months instead of six." Lieutenant Nathan James had been Chief Serson's friend for the last six years. They enjoyed their assignments together, made frequent by their similar backgrounds in Engineering and Science.

After seven hours outside the Starfleet habitation biosphere the heat from the solar radiation could be felt on their skin, even through the climate-controlled suits they wore. There were one hundred and thirty two engineers assigned to this project, all living within a large duranium composite dome erected as a shelter from the harsh solar radiation that beat down on them relentlessly.

"Hey, James, pass me that coil spanner," Serson said. "Will I ever be glad when our re-supply ship gets here. I received a subspace message from my wife. She's been stationed at Starbase 12, and she said she was putting something on the next re-supply run for me. Said it would help me cope with harsh conditions."

James brought the coil spanner to Serson, then moved back to his task linking the ODN network links.

“I hope it’s Saurian brandy. I’m beginning to get sick of synthehol,” James quipped.

Serson cracked a smile as he used the coil spanner on the ODN network links.

The intercom inside the suits chimed, signalling an open channel. The voice that came over the helmet speaker belongs to Jordan, the female communications officer inside the biosphere. "Okay gentlemen, you've passed your safe time outside. Get back in for your Hyronalin hypos."

"Hyronalin - that stuff makes me vomit." James protested playfully.

"Well, wither you take the hypo, or you die of radiation poisoning. It's your choice, and it would technically only matter if someone left behind missed you."

"Oh, sorry, Nathan. We'd all miss you." She added with a giggle that could be heard over the suit intercoms, "After all, where would we find another pigeon for poker night?"

"Okay, Jordan, we're heading in now. Any word from Starbase 12?" Serson looked up hopefully.

"They've signalled that a re-supply ship has been routed to us; should be here within the hour. A Galaxy Class ship no less. Guess we're getting the royal treatment."

"More like a royal pain in the butt," James snapped. "I'd only be happy if we got to leave with them. I'm going to have a permanent suntan when we leave this post."

He and Serson began the walk back to the biosphere. The gray duranium hull of the saucer section became visible as the Dauntless crossed out of the planet's shadow and into the light of the Vesuvi star.

"We have arrived in the Vesuvi system, Captain," Ensign Kiska reported with exuberance. It was unusual to find this attitude in most Bajorans, but her youth belied resentment of her people's struggle with the Cardassians. She was green, but very bright and extremely eager.

Captain Wright hit the intercom switch in his ready room in response. "Understood. We'll be out in a moment, Ensign."

"Aye, sir," she replied.

"Has the Icarus been prepared for launch, Number One?"

"Yes, sir. If I may ask, is it necessary to take a shuttlecraft down to the settlement?"

"I have a surprise from my daughter for my son-in-law. I trust you won't say anything to the crew if you happen to see it as I pack."

"Of course not, sir."

Wright pulled a blue bottle from his duty chest and held it up for a moment before packing it into his travel case.

"Ah, I see, sir. Can't transport down with that."

"Not unless I want the ship's log to note that I carried Romulan Ale to a Federation colony that's not supposed to have any intoxicants at all. There are certain privileges afforded in deep space vessels, and this is one of them." The Captain put the last of the items into his travel case.

"I understand, sir. I shall omit any reference to it in my official log." The Commander smiled, knowing the Captain would get the joke.

"I have something for you when I get back - your review. I just finished it. We'll talk more when I get back."

"Aye, sir. Have a good time. I'll make sure everything runs smoothly until you get back."

The Captain started out of the ready room as the Commander followed him.

"If the Admiral calls for any reason, tell her I'll return within the next two hours."

"Will do, sir."

"And take care of our ship, Number One. I want her back in one piece."

"I'll try to keep her together while you're gone, sir." Wright stepped into the turbolift, travel case in hand. He looked at his First Officer with a nod of approval. "Commander, you have the Conn. Shuttle Bay Two." The doors to the turbolift snapped shut, and its hum could be heard as it sped away from the bridge.