Welcome to the Valley

[Cptn Corizon 0]

The Vulcan sun glowered angrily down on the plains of Sh’ntal. Dark, ruddy metallic spires rose from the city of Havol that startled the lone source of water on the desolate plain. It was here, among the spires of glass and metal that Starfleet had moved its primary headquarters for operations inside the Vulcan system, following the transfer of operations to Vulcan from what was left of Earth. The magtrain carrying Rear Admiral Ah-Windu Corizon hurdled out of the Erej Canyon and onto the open plains.

 

Glancing out of the windows of the train, Corizon’s yellow eyes widened and took in the city from a far, as the magtrain blasted past tiny farms setup along the river. In the distance he could see the silver husks of condensers constructed on artificial rises, making it possible to farm the desolate, sun beaten plains. Soon the pastoral, if not dry, landscape turned into city outskirts and outskirts turned into the towering constructions of a modern city, albeit a modern city with ancient roots dating back to at least the time of Surak.

 

The magtrain arrived in an airy station with cool air blowing as much of a breeze as possible. Waiting on the platform, a tall-blonde haired Lieutenant greeted the gruff, white-haired Dameon.

 

“Good afternoon, Admiral,” the Lieutenant said, wiping perspiration off his brow. “I’m Lieutenant Hayden Cash. I hope your trip wasn’t too uncomfortable.”

 

“I’ve had worse,” he said. “Though I don’t understand why I just couldn’t have shuttled over from Tirhak City. It’s what, about 15 minutes if you go orbital?”

 

“A little more,” he said. “Ever since they’ve moved half of Starfleet in, not to mention the Council, the President’s office, and a whole mess of other offices, they’ve been real touchy about airspace for non-priority transports. I suppose you could change that?”

 

Corizon smiled and shouldered his duffle bag, “I don’t mind the magtrains honestly.”

 

“You want me to get that for you?”

 

“No need Cash, I am a big boy.”

 

The lieutenant nodded and led the way off of the station and to a waiting grav-shuttle that carried them off to a military complex on the edge of the city that was clearly a new construction.

 

“Welcome to Valley Forge,” Cash said as parked the grav-shuttle in a bay next to several others barring a Starfleet logos. “Your office is over there in the central complex. The Vulcans have been busy installing datalines from the central administration building so that we’re connected to the planetary data network.”

 

“We’re not now?”

 

“Not hard-wired,” Cash said with a shrug. “This facility is only a couple weeks old, sir.”

 

“The best thing about this,” Corizon replied flatly as they trudged out of the grav-shuttle and towards the actual complex, “is that they’ll move us again once they have a more permanent facility constructed.”

 

“True, but how long do you think that’s going to take.”

 

Corizon grinned fangily. “You said it’s taken three weeks to get connected to the data network?”

 

“Something like that?”

 

“Then about the time we’re moving the Council back to Earth.”

 

Cash grinned and led the way. He could tell that rumors of the Admiral’s unpleasant demeanor were wildly exaggerated – or at least stilted.

 

Valley Forge, as it was being called, was a collection of thirteen prefabricated, duranium two and three story buildings with four more under construction that would serve as the central nexus for Starfleet’s defensive efforts in the Vulcan system. Partially out of practical concerns and secondarily out of tactical concerns, most of the major “organs” of Starfleet weren’t being grouped on one place on Vulcan, but spread out across the planet.

 

“Officer’s quarters are in Building 12, but you’ve got your own quarters in 11-C. It’s got a great view of the river.”

 

Corizon nodded and took a breath. The hot, arid air stung at him and he frowned ever so slightly. He really hated Vulcan. It was dry, hot, and boring. Sure there was an uptick with so many off-worlders being stationed on the planet, but not so many as to give the place any feeling. Exhaling, he decided that at least he’d be able to meditate better.

 

“Something wrong, sir?”

 

“Nope.”

 

“Ah, well okay. We’re almost there. It’s not as pretty as the Starfleet campuses on Earth,” he said nostalgically. “But it could be worse, I suppose. Granted you’re used to space commands. I’m sure riding a desk isn’t your idea of fun.”

 

The Dameon grinned as they came to a single story structure labeled 11-C. “I spent the first twenty years of my career behind a desk; I only got into commanding starships as a hobby.”

 

“So you’re not going to mind being in charge of the defense of Vulcan then?”

 

“I didn’t say that.”

 

Cash grinned and stopped just short of the door. “Here you are, sir. I’ll let you get settled in. If you need anything I’ll be in my office. It’s right next to yours.”

 

“Thanks, Lieutenant. I want a senior staff meeting in three hours. I’d like to meet everyone. I know some of them…”

 

“Of course, sir. Again, welcome to Valley Forge, I look forward to serving with you.”

 

Giving a crisp salute and turning on heel, Cash turned and headed off into the Vulcan sun.