“It is 0800 hours,” spoke the computer’s authoritative voice, before a series of tones served to rise André from his sleep. The Italian man slowly roused himself from the deep slumber he had been in just moments before, pulling the multiple layers of thick linen off of himself. Before standing from the bed, Montanari muttered a muted ‘thank you’, to the computer, prompting it to cease its incessant beeping. This was the fourth consecutive night the scientist had been unable to sleep - the extended workload of maintaining a skeleton crew, paired with the excitement of some time back on Earth for shore leave, had become a considerable combined effect on his sleep. At this rate, however, André would have accumulated enough sleep debt to pass the entire time in a catatonic state!

After finishing his morning routine, the Italian was slightly more upbeat about the state of affairs - it happened to be the day the USS Aztec arrived at Mars’ Utopia Planitia for a complete refit. The remainder of the crew that was unable to transfer to the USS Memorial back at Starbase 243 (due to differing crew sizes between the Victoria and Memorial classes) would now be dismissed to Earth for reassignment; the respite would certainly be welcomed by the entire remaining minimal crew of the Aztec! André found this sentiment was continually echoed in the numerous wide grins of the officers entering shuttles departing regularly to Earth Space Dock, as he put his crate of possessions in the dedicated cargo section of the small vessel. A wave of emotions rushed over the ensign whilst settling into his allocated seating - the Aztec had been his home for the past four years, and now he was watching it slowly disappear as a small speck out of the window of a shuttlecraft…

“What about the USS Valour?” André posted the question to the two other science officers sitting at the table with him in the starbase’s local bar. After a few moments, the silence amongst the trio seemed to speak for itself. Tapping the PADD once more with a slight agreeing chuckle, Montanari read off the next ship.

“The USS Europa?”

One of the other scientist’s eyes lit up at the mention of the Europa. “Oh, yes. I’ve been wanting to get aboard a Discovery-class for years!” The officer’s thick British accent somehow both conveyed his excitement, but kept the display tempered in a sensible fashion.

“Interesting.” The Italian gave a polite nod to the Englishman’s choice, followed by few more taps upon the touchscreen to bring about yet another ship for pondering. “The USS Manhattan. Ahh, yes, now this is my first pick!” André’s excitement at this prospect was immeasurable. “The Manhattan-class is the most advanced scientific vessel Starfleet has on offer! Add that to the fact that this is the lead ship of the class, and the CSO is one of the brightest scientific minds in Starfleet…”

“I think you’ve more than made your point, André!” The other officers chuckled, whilst the ensign kept his wide grin. A final series of taps had Montanari pull a very bewildered face. The other two scientists set their drinks down for a moment. “What’s the matter?”

“The USS… Memorial? I thought the reason we were here is due to it being filled to capacity.” Manipulating the PADD to bring up a crew manifest, Montanari would find almost a third of the crew had jumped ship in the time it took the Aztec to reach its destination for refitting.

“André, come on. Between the ship’s class, the mission it was planned for… and, not to mention the CO, for Christ’s sake. You really think it was going to be full by the time we got back here?” The three erupted in laughter at the thought, unanimously agreeing to the charges laid upon it.

A while passed in general conversation, interrupted by the Italian standing from the group after about an hour of talking. The third officer questioned André’s motives, whilst the ensign finished the remainder of his drink. Montanari placed the glass back down on the table before speaking one final time. “I’m off to meet someone whilst I have the chance. Besides, Charles, you’re still yet to pick a ship, remember?”

A final warm and acknowledging nod to the other two officers had André turning around and walking towards the shuttlebay. Meanwhile, the announcer’s voice spoke authoritatively about a shuttlecraft leaving for Sydney, Australia, in all of about five minutes. The scientist’s stomach turned with emotions and anticipation, occupying his thoughts so much so that he managed to completely miss an incoming transmission whilst boarding the small craft. Just a shuttle and train ride away…

Stepping out of the intercity train that had just taken André from the centre of Sydney and into Wollongong in less than fifteen minutes, the scientist checked his PADD for the umpteenth time. A short walk of about three minutes from the station was all that stood between him and his destination; the butterflies of swirling emotion were nearly having a physical effect on him in recognition of this. Step by step, the scientist edged closer to a part of him that he had not seen (in person, at least) in a very, very long time…

This part of the city had been kept very quaint and quiet over the years of development - the architecture more resembling a small 21st century residental district, than a 24th century metropolis. Nonetheless, the buildings were beautifully crafted in the older aesthetic style, which Montanari was thoroughly admiring as he strolled through the quiet street. Of course, his journey had to come to an end at some point - and, as he arrived in front of a two-story house that was relatively large for the district, the Italian straightened his collar and tugged on his cuffs. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, the ensign opened the gate, stepped down the small path to the porch, checking his uniform one final time.

Upon the Lanta residency’s front door, André knocked, with great anticipation…

Ensign André Montanari,
Scientist