| May 15th, 2155
| Bridge, A-Deck, Discovery NX-04, Deep Space
| 1130hrs

Just when life had started to feel a bit normal on the ship, with nearly two whole days behind her, Chloe's whole world changed yet again now that Cayne was dead. Now the Discovery was sitting lifeless in space while they searched for however was responsible. Bishop was monitoring channels from her console on the bridge, but deep in thought. She very nearly jumped when the station reported the incoming hail. "Captain, the Andorian ship Docona is within subspace range. They're hailing us."

"Put them on the viewscreen, Chloe," Christina said. She hadn't been able to sit still in her chair for very long since she had emerged from her ready room following the announcement to the crew of Cayne's death and the statement of hope that the Andorian vessel would increase speed to rendezvous with them sooner than expected, but she had tried to make an effort not to appear to restless as she waited for the Andorians to arrive and for Luís to progress with his checking of the ship's systems. She took the opportunity for movement to make her way around and in front of the helm console, so that the viewscreen was almost the only thing she could focus her attention on.

Chloe adjusted her earpiece with one hand while reaching over her controls with the other. She was a linguist first, but she was quickly getting used to running the communication equipment. "Channel open."

The screen flickered on to show the Andorian captain seated on his bridge, "Captain Curtis, we detected your vessel drop out of warp, Is everything alright?" His antennae twitched curving slightly, revealing his concern. Dalton stood off to the side and behind the Captain's chair, his arms behind his back.

"There was an accident in one of our armouries," Christina answered, deciding that the best thing would be to tell the Andorians the truth, even if she didn't tell them the whole story. The Andorians were allies, but Admiral Gardner still wanted to keep information about Discovery's mission compartmentalised until the threat had been dealt with, so she didn't want to tell them that she thought there might be a saboteur onboard. "We decided to come to a stop until we can confirm that we aren't going to suffer any more accidents with any of our other systems."

"Understood Captain, we stand ready to assist. We have diverted course to intercept you at your current position, and increased our speed. Docona will rendevous with you in around 2 hours," The blue skinned captain replied.

"Thank you Commander," Curtis replied, remembering the differences between Andorian Guard and Starfleet ranks, where in the former commander was the rank given to a starship captain. "When you arrive you should use our starboard docking port - our forward port proximity sensors were damaged in the accident."

Nodding, "Docona out."

The viewscreen flickered off and returned to the view outside, the stars stationary.

---2 Hours Later---

| May 15th, 2155
| Starboard Docking Port, E-Deck, Discovery NX-04, Deep Space
| 1330hrs

Curtis watched the readout next to the airlock, waiting for it to report a hard seal with its companion on the Andorian vessel, and once the indicator flashed green, she hit the sequence to lock off the docking ring, preventing the attachment from coming loose accidentally. She then turned to the hatch and entered the sequence to unlock the inner door. Normally the transfer of personnel between two ships would be done in stages, always with only one hatch out of the inner and outer airlocks open. With the number of MACOs that would be coming through with their equipment however, Curtis had entered the manual override to allow a direct passage from one ship to the other.

Dalton ran through his mental checklist in his mind, as well as his written checklist on the PADD in his left hand. His right hand held his Drill Cane firmly, index finger over the base of the brass casing, slightly tarnished from his having handled it. Didnt help he was sweating. However cold the Andorian vessel, didnt stop the nervous perspiration. His issues were not of how prepared his people were, but more the current MACO persona, he had to work at changing the opinion of this Starfleet crew, a group for all intents and purposes, explorers. The military doctrine of his organization did not fit well with their ideals, and would definitely put him at odds. Having to also contend with previous incidents with MACO/Starfleet personnel was also a concern.

Being first to step on to the Discovery was Dalton's prerogative, having to hand over his orders to his new CO and formally request to come aboard. Made a lot easier when he was first to come across. Captain Curtis could say no. He smiled to himself, then looked over to his people assembled behind him in a loose gaggle of equipment bags and crates. He made eye contact with a couple, who straightened up slightly as he did so. He looked through the group to see Ragnar getting the weapons and equipment crate ready to bring aboard. Ragnar gave a small nod after one last count. There was the hope that there would be some 'Starfleet Sherpas' as Sergeant Richards, the detachment's medic, had coined, to help them bring their equipment across. Otherwise it would be a couple of trips. Deck E was one deck above the MACO training section, and one deck below their quarters, lots of carrying. Another day in the MACOs.

The last of the seals cycled open and the dull hiss of the hydraulics started the movement of the large circular blue door. He wondered if he rated high enough on the Captain's list to get her as a welcome party, or any of her senior staff. However nervous, he was eager to be on an Earth vessel again.

"Lieutenant Wakefield, I assume?" the captain said as the hatch opened and the MACO commander stepped through.

Standing as upright as he could, with his right hand he tucked his drill cane under his arm, and gave a salute. His arm returning swiftly to beside him, "1st Lieutenant Dalton Wakefield, Commanding MACO Detachment, Callsign Salamander. Requesting permission come aboard," He said in a regimented fashion.

"Permission granted, welcome aboard," Curtis answered, following the official protocol for welcoming new personnel onboard. She took the PADD of the Lieutenant's orders and, after a quick glance, she tucked them under her arm. "I'm afraid we don't have many personnel to spare for helping your team bring aboard their equipment, but if you need the extra bodies, I think we can spare a few able hands to bring your crates in."

He slackened a bit as now the official bit was over, "I have exactly the right amount of personnel Ma'am," He said with a wry smile. Picking up his equipment he added, "Its just going to be two trips."