Chapter One: It Never Snows on Risa

 Da'mi'en D'arko sat in his guest room, environmental controls set as cold as they could possibly get, and yet sweat still poured off his deep blue skin as he tried to focus his attention on the PADD and the information regarding his new assignment. This task, however, proved impossible.

Why in K'ohlk'r's name, the Andorian thought, did Starfleet command insist I take sabbatical on a TROPICAL BLOODY PLANET???

 

D'arko closed his eyes, letting his antennae droop slightly, allowing his mind wander back to Andoria. He could almost ... ALMOST... feel the icy wind against his face, bringing him comfort not afforded here on Risa. 

Certainly, Risa was beautiful in its way, but Da'mi'en longed for the brilliant white/blue ice coating almost everything from his childhood. Even at the Imperial Academy, studying pre-Federation military strategy, his mind would wander to the wind-beaten mountain-tops, where he was most comfortable. 

His mind snapped back to the present and the oppressive heat and humidity in his room. Peeling himself from the sofa on which he sat, he forced himself to the replicator.

"Water," He croaked out, the tropical climate trying to still his vocal chords,"two degrees Celsius."

Any colder, he feared, might cause the system to confuse his request. 

The glass and water materialized and Da'mi'en drank it gratefully, cooling his core enough to function. He picked the PADD up again and reviewed his reading.

Effective stardate 58112.3, Da'mi'en D'arko has been promoted to the rank of Captain in Starfleet and has been assigned command of U.S.S. Pendragon (NCC 99623), a duty to which he shall report no later than stardate 58117.0, when he will rendezvous with Pendragon at Risa.

Mission brief...

The recent discovery of the origins of the Hur'q and its connections to the Changelings of the Dominion has left the UFP in a less stable diplomatic position with the Dominion, and, hence, the various worlds of the Gamma Quadrant. Additionally, further scientific and exploratory work is to be done on the farther reaches of the Gamma Quadrant. 

 Starfleet Command is assigning U.S.S. Serenity (NCC 74825-A) for research and exploration and U.S.S. Pendragon (NCC 99623) for diplomatic and defence/security to the far reaches of Federation-explored Gamma Quadrant. Ships' missions are independent, though they will support each other, given the distance from other Starfleet resources.

U.S.S. Pendragon recent operational history...

U.S.S. Pendragon has recently seen the retirement of her previous commanding officer Captain Patrick David and has also just completed 18 months of repairs, refits and overhauls including, but not limited to the following...

Impulse engines refitted with newer configuration increasing efficiency

Warp M/ARA replaced due to age-related failure of previous array.

Phaser banks replaced with Type XIII phaser beam/pulse multi-form weapon systems.

Bio-neural circuitry installed throughout ship.

Main computer upgraded with prototype data interface located in Starfleet Archive (Historical File U.S.S. Enterprise NCC 1701-D, prototype built by Lt. Commander Data - Deceased)

Previous squadron of Peregrine-class assault craft replaced with newer Kestrel-class pursuit craft.

1 Yellowstone class runabout replaced (per request of incoming Captain) with refit Danube class runabout designated Maelstrom to function as Captain's Yacht.

 

As the newly promoted Captain D'arko finished reading the brief, he mopped sweat from his forehead and tried to convince his long, white hair to stop trying to strangle him from the heat.This endeavour was largely unsuccessful.

A glance at his chronometer showed it was still an hour before nightfall. Pendragon would be reaching orbit for their rendezvous in ten hours, at which point he would finally beam off this damp rock and at least have quarters where he could enjoy a lovely cold while he slept.

For now, he though as he walked to the lavatory, one last night sleeping in an ice bath.