Captain Marian Dupree is the newest commanding officer of the USS Vallejo. While receiving a tour of Starbase Bravo as part of an orientation for what would likely be her final and quite cushy assignment, she backs out at the last minute and requests the first available ship for command. Turning down prestige and promotion in the process, all that is available to her on such short notice is a California-class utility cruiser – the USS Vallejo.

She accepts this ship without hesitation, scooping up a skeleton crew of fresh academy graduates and curious junior officers. Now departing for the stars with no set course in mind, the start of many careers and the end of one is about to become very unconventional, as everyone settles into their new home.