Story:Star Trek: Ares/Poison Chalice/Act Two

Fade in

Ext. Space (Optical)

The Darwin flies into the main shuttlebay of the Ares.

Int. Main Shuttlebay

The Darwin lands as its engines shut down.

Capt. Taylor: Mr. Clarkson welcome aboard the Ares I'm Captain Marcia Taylor commanding officer of this vessel.

Ltcmdr. Clarkson: Please to meet you Capt'n the Commander has told me alot about you, and been reviewing your service record look I'll try to keep out of your hair lassie just point me to the Engine Room so I canna get started.

Lt. Crusher: If you'll follow me Commander I'll take you to Main Engineering.

Capt. Taylor: I hope you know what you're doing.

Cmdr. Martin: I know what I am doing Marcia.

Int. Main Bridge

Abuzz with activity, as the CREW prepares the ship for departure. Kara is at helm, Lieutenant Crusher is at Primary Tactical. On the otherside of the MSD Ensign Sito is at the Ops console, while Commander Martin is sitting in the Captain's Chair looking at the middle console.

Ens. Carlson: I can't believe that we have to go to Cardassia to help them after they almost helped the Dominion to destroy us.

An Ensign hands Commander Martin a padd and he looks at it and hands it back to her.

Cmdr. Martin: They did help us win the war in the end at the expense of 8 million of their citizens that aren't combatants, which to me isn't right.

Captain Taylor walks out of the ready room and Commander Martin gets up from the Captain's Chair and gets into his chair and Commander Martin looks at Ensign Carlson.

Cmdr. Martin: Ensign Carlson, lay in the course and clear our departure with operations.

Ens. Carlson: Course entered, Ops has cleared us.

Cmdr. Martin: Ready Thrusters.

Ens. Sito: Thruster Ready.

Capt. Taylor: Engage

Ext. Space, Earth Orbit

The clamps of Earth Station McKinley unlatched from the hull of the Ares and the Ares flies out of the station.

(Fade out, End of Act Two)