A Whole New Beginning

[Sergio Giovanni 0]

"A Whole New Beginning"

Log entry 01: 05 September, 2154

 

Over the horizon, the sun began to set over the waters of the Riviera just off the coast of Monte Carlo, Monaco. A brilliant spectrum of colours -- orange, red and gold glistened off the waters of the Mediterranean. The tempurature was still warm, but there was a cool refreshing breeze coming from the west. One of the many ships in the harbour was a sleek, white 50 foot hydro yacht.

 

Travelling at a speed of 30 knots, the boat skims gracefully over the crystal clear waters. At her helm is Lieutenant Sergio Giovanni IV. Alone with his thoughts Giovanni took in the splendour of the region Having just been beamed back to Earth from the Victory a few hours ago, Giovanni had a whole week to relax and take some time off before he takes on a whole new chapter in his life.

 

Though a space-faring Starfleet Officer for six years now, Giovanni never had the oppurtunity for deep-space travel. His former ship, the old Warp 2 UES Victory (CH-32) was restricted to support missions throughout Sol and surrounding sectors, because of her age and speed. It never really offered much in the oppurunity of exploring the unknown.

 

That though is going to change, come next week. Walking up beside him is Giovanni's good friends Eduardo, and Juan. "So, you're off to the 'wild blue yonder' as the old saying goes" said Juan. Sergio smiled and nods. "Yeah, and this time it appears that I won't be coming back for a long time" replied Sergio.

 

"Heh, yeah look at the Entreprise. They haven't been back to Earth in like three years. But, I think they're missing.. maybe that's not a good sign" replied a semi-drunk Eduardo. Sergio guzzled down his Heineken beer and took out a fresh one from the icebox. "Nope, don't jinx me, man" Sergio said sarcastically.

 

Eduardo and the others chuckled. By now, the sun went down completely and the only source of light came from their boat and the twinkling and glittering of Monte Carlo to the west of them. "But, we are gonna miss having you around"

Sergio placed the boat on 'Auto Pilot', and walked over to a couch on the stern. The others came to join him.

 

"Yes, I most certainly am going to miss this place. The casinos, the clubs, the girls. He he he" the got a good laugh about that. "But, I'm also gonna miss your ugly mugs" replied Sergio. They looked up at the stars high above him. They were far enough away from the lights of Monte Carlo to see the stars above them clearly.

 

"So, do you think you'll adjust to life on a ship like the Challenger? Travelling all that way so far into space?" replied Juan. "Oh yeah, I'm sure I will. I have a feeling I'll be pretty busy there. Much more so than on the Victory. Heck, the Victory seems like a little galactic cruise compared to this assignment" said Sergio.

 

"But don't worry too much about me" Sergio added. "I've lived in worse conditions, like that jungle camping course I took in Costa Rica" Sergio was a tough individual and can cope with pretty much anything life throws his way. On their third bottle of beer, the trio decided venture down inside the cruiser where it was warmer.

 

The night grew cooler, over a half hour of sitting outside. At the bar, below deck, Sergio and his friends ate what probably would be their last dinner in years. Just then, the communications console ringed to life. Answering it, Sergio was somewhat surprised to see the image of his father on the other end. "Hello, son. I thought I'd find you here" replied the elder Giovanni.

 

At 51 years of age, Sergio Giovanni III didn't look a day over 40. He still had his head of brown hair and had no wrinkles on his 5'10" body. Calling from his company's headquarters in Milan, the elder Giovanni was dressed in his usual Georgio Armani tux. Inheriting the multi-billion dollar conglomerate fromhis father before him, Giovanni III continues to rack in big profits year after year.

 

One day the company will be all his, but until that day, space exploration, and his duty to Srarfleet takes first stage. The younger Sergeio nodded and smiled at the screen. "Ah hello papa. How's Milan?" he asked. "Good, good" Replied his father. "So, this is always what you wanted isn't it?" he asked. "Yes, father. It is" replied Sergio.

 

"It's what I wanted all my life" Sergio's father nodded. "Well, I wanted to call to wish you good luck. Sadly, I'll be at the Fashion Show in New Berlin to launch the Fall Season, but I hope the best of luck and sucess on your new ship. Serve your Captain well and serve with honour. I will miss you" The younger Sergio nodded. "As will I, so I take it you won't be attending the christening of the Challenger either?"

 

The elder Giovanni shook his head. "Sadly not. I leave for New Berlin tonight, and won't return for two weeks" Sergio should've known. It was a usual response from his father. Too busy to see him that often, and never really there for his momentus milestone occaisons. It happens. "Very well then. Have a good time. This is goodbye then. I shall miss you, father" Sergio replied.

 

"Yes, same here. Stay safe, son" the elder Giovanni said and the cutt the comm. "Sigh, oh well" Sergio said. He was used to it, but still it would've been nice to have his dear old pop there to see him off. There was also an addendum to the comm, letting him know that one of the company's private shuttles will take him to Mars at his convenience.

 

Leave it to pop to send him off in style, Sergio thinks to himself. "Ahh, too bad about your pop. We'll try to be there anyway. What about your mom and sister?" asked Eduardo. "Mom's on vacation in Avalon-4, and my sister can't get off work at the restaurant" Eduardo and Juan nod. "Aww, too bad" is all they can muster.

 

Sergio pours himself a glass of brandy and takes a gulp. "Yeah, too bad what can you do? Thanks for planning to come out" "Eh, no problem" They say. Looking at the chrono, they see that it is starting to get late, and the boat starting to run low on fuel. Sergio makes a course change back to the harbour. Once they arrive, Sergio bids a farewell to his friends and drives back to his home.

 

Even though he doesn't have to leave in a week, Sergio already plans out what to bring on board to the Challenger. Sergio's three-month-old kitten Mittens meowed below him. He wondered what he'll do about him. None of his friends were willing to baby sit him, and quite frankly Sergio liked the little cat and wanted to take it with him. Captain Archer has Porthos, so Mittens will be in a dintinguished line of pets in space.

 

Only one week left on Earth and the area he knows so well. Sergio walks outside of his beach side home and out at the twinkling lights of the city. At 7000 square feet, and a property spanning 5 acres, this palatial mansion will be a stark contrast to his future quartes onboard the Challenger. Though as Chief Science Officer, and a comissioned senior officer, he will have it better off than most officers.

 

Sergio should be used to it, his quarters on the Victory was about the size of his kitchen, and he had to share it for five years. Sergio should count himself lucky he doesn't have to do that here. Little Mittens purrs and rubs himself on his leg prompting him to pick the cat up. Sergio rubbed its little head, and decided to get things over with. Sitting down at his console, Sergio writes his list of what he'll bring.

 

TO: Comdr. Fitzgerald Moose, Cdr Elias Moore, Chief of Security for Challenger.

FROM: Lt. Sergio Giovanni IV, Chief Science Officer, UES Challenger

SUBJ: Items to be brought on board by Lt. Giovanni

 

- One (1) Three month old male kitten, named Mittens. Current weight: 3 lbs. Ideal weight at adulthood: 10-15 lbs. Required vaccinations taken. No illnesses, diseases, or health problems. Cleared for space travel-- Signed Dr. Claude Tremlay, Monte Carlo Municipal Animal Hospital

 

- Ten (10) bags of 5kg catfood for afformentioned cat.

 

- One (1) food and one (1) water dish for afformentioned cat.

 

- Sixteen (16) various toys and balls for afformentioned cat

 

- Five (5) 1 litre bottles of catnip for afformentioned cat

 

- One (1) Litterbox for afformentioned cat

 

- One (1) Gold Rolex Men's wristwatch.

 

- One (1) Samsung TR-500 Holocamera

 

- Sixty-two (62) discs of various holo-movies

 

- Seventy-nine (79) sets of various holo-novels, and science texts

 

- Seven (7) 300 mL bottles of Calvin Klien: Eternity for Men Colonge

 

- One (1) Stratovarious violin, made in 1767.

 

- Five (5) Holo-picutre frames, of various members of family/friends

 

End of file.