Lost Era 05_ Deny thy Father - Jeff Mariotte [119]
“Captain Pressman,” Commander Chamish said, “I’d like to introduce your new helm officer. This is Ensign William T. Riker.”
Will saluted. Captain Pressman returned the salute, and then extended his hand. Will stepped forward and took it. “Welcome aboard, Ensign,” the captain said, shaking Will’s hand firmly and then releasing it. “Outstanding Academy record. I look forward to having you on the team.”
“I look forward to being part of it, sir,” Will said, with all sincerity.
“Has Number One shown you the ship?” Pressman asked.
“Not much of it, sir. We came straight here.”
Pressman glanced around him. “A bridge is a bridge, more or less,” he said. “You don’t get the personality of a ship from the bridge. You get that from the crew quarters, public areas, lounges. The bridge is functional, that’s all. Anyway, you’re not on duty until tomorrow, correct? Why don’t you take some time and see the rest of her, and then report back here?”
“I’d like that, sir,” Will agreed.
“Number One, Mr. Riker needs to continue his tour. Perhaps Mr. Boylen can show him around.”
“Yes, sir,” Commander Chamish said. He touched his combadge. “Lieutenant Boylen, to the bridge.”
Captain Pressman, seemingly immersed in other business, sank into his seat and began studying the status display screens built into the chair’s armrests. A few moments later, the turbolift door whooshed open and a tall, sandy-haired officer appeared. He looked like an athlete, with arms that strained his gold uniform sleeves and a jaw that looked like it could cut steel. “Sir?” he said as he entered the bridge.
“Lieutenant Boylen,” Chamish said. “This is Ensign Will Riker. He’s taking over as helm officer, and the captain would like him to get a full tour of the ship.”
Boylen fixed Will with an appraising stare. “Yes, sir,” he said. Then, to Will he added softly, “Let’s go, rookie.”
Will obeyed. As they stepped onto the turbolift, he caught a glint of mischief in the taller man’s eyes. “You sure you’re old enough to be an Academy graduate?” Boylen asked.
“Yes, sir,” Will replied, understanding that he was being set up for something but not comfortable responding to an officer in any other way.
“Because I don’t want any kids getting in the way around here,” Boylen continued. “There are enough kids as it is, what with the families on board. Chamish has three, all by himself.”
“I’m no kid, sir,” Will answered.
“Kind of a babyface, though, aren’t you?” Boylen needled. “You shave yet?”
Will allowed himself a smile. “Yes, sir. Once in a while, sir.”
Boylen laughed at that. “That’s good,” he said. “I like an officer with a little sense of humor. I think you’ll do just fine around here, Ensign Babyface. You can call me Marc.”
“Thank you, sir. Marc.” Will said. “You can call me Will.”
“No thanks,” Marc Boylen responded with a smirk. ” ‘Ensign Babyface’ works for me.”
They started Will’s tour at the starboard warp nacelle. “All right, Will,” Marc said when they arrived there. “This is where you’ll get to know your new home. U.S.S. Pegasus, NCC-53847. How much do you know about her?”
“Oberth-class starship,” Will recited. “Primary assignments are science and exploration. Named for the flying horse.” Will paused. “That’s about it, I guess.”
“That’s about all you need to know,” Marc told him, suddenly more serious than Will had seen him before. “Because a ship’s history, distinguished as it might be, doesn’t really have an impact on your life. What matters is where she goes from here, and what you can bring to it. What you care about is the ship’s future, not her past, and rightfully so.”
“Makes sense,” Will observed.
“Of course,” Marc went on, “it’s a lie, but then that might apply to anything I tell you, so you’ll have to stay on your toes. You need to know a lot more about the ship than that if you