“Captain on the bridge.”, quirked a petite-looking trill in teal uniform as Saffiya Nassar left the turbolift and for the first time set foot on what was going to be her new home. She had reached the rank of Captain only a few weeks prior, and since the USS Saint Raphael already was in capable and experienced hands, she had received transfer orders to the USS Cupertino, a California-class vessel. Which was a step down from the Olympic-class Saffiya had served as First Officer on, but would be an excellent learning environment for a new captain such as herself.  The bridge didn’t deviate from what she had expected and come to know from similar vessels, though it was a lot more empty than she had anticipated. Besides the female trill, only two other officers manned the heart of the Cupertino, and while all of them were giving Saffiya their full attention until she gave an at-ease nod, neither of them appeared to be her first officer – or any other senior staff for that matter. “I was expecting to meet Lieutenant Trova.”, she remarked to no one in particular. Thankfully, the trill seemed eager to chat. “She went to see Captain Jurev off.”Saffiya sighed. Captain Jurev had retired due to personal reasons, and from what she had gathered, he was tightly knit with his crew. She could understand Trova going to see him off, but she didn’t exactly like it. “When is she due to return?”, she asked, to which the trill shrugged. Wonderful. Saffiya had expected a lot, but not this. She would have loved to ask what the hell people thought was the right way to act towards their new CO, but if not even her First Officer had the decency to greet her, she couldn’t exactly blame the Ensign for lacking decorum. And she had no interest in losing face within mere minutes of her first command. “I will be in my ready room.”, she said instead, and headed into the corresponding direction. She would have familiarise herself with the vessel and its crew, and then hope that things would normalise themselves. 

Saffiya let out a long, pent up sigh. She was glad to have been able to leave the bridge, and that Starfleet Command had postponed sending them on an assignment until she got this mess sorted. The request had been a necessary step, but didn’t reflect well on her as a first-time captain. 

She had been thrilled when receiving the promotion and transfer orders, but it seemed that the former Captain’s personal problems had allowed chaos to spread – and now she was the person to clean it up. Fix it. 

Which was ironic, because fixing things was what she was good at. Just that those things were usually broken systems, not a broken crew. The problem was that the crew wasn’t realising just how broken things actually were, and she expected very little help from them in that matter. Instead, she decided to call up an old friend of hers. “Morning.”, said Saffiya with a tired smile, raising her cup of coffee in greeting towards the display of her console. 

Hina yawned, plopping down in front of her terminal. She was still aboard the Kongo, assisting with the ships deactivation even though she was technically waiting for reassignment. But the Kongo was her ship, and she wanted to see it taken care of. She wondered who could possibly be calling her. She pulled her robe around her before tapping the button to answer the call. The face that greeted her surprised her. She perked up a bit, glancing at the time display on the screen. 0335. “Saffy! Morning.” she replied. It was technically correct.

“How are things on the Kongo? You’re still there, right?”, Saffiya asked. She and Hina had served on the USS Kongo’s Engineering department for several years until Saffy decided to pursue the command track instead. Eventually, she had become the USS Saint Raphael’s First Officer, and their ways had parted.

Hina looked around her quarters, she had been mostly packed, but as Starfleet hadn’t yet reassigned her, her quarters weren’t completely barren. Yet. “Mmhmm, I’m still here. Things are ok, getting the ship ready to go into the reserves.” she explained, shrugging. She was attached to her ship, even if she tried to downplay it. “What about you? How’s life on the Saint Raphael? Anything exciting out there?” she asked.

Resevers? Saffy had heard about that, but somehow pushed it far away from her mind. It was a shame to see her long-time home being declared obsolete, to some extent. “Well, let’s say they are looking for a new First Officer.”, she grinned.

“Oh, you’re not XO anymore? They finally make you the Captain?” she asked, fiddling with a PADD stylus between her fingers. Saffy had always been slightly more ambitious than she had and knew it was only a matter of time before the other woman had made Captain.

“Yep.”, she beamed. It was certainly something to be proud of. 

Hina grinned. “Congratulations! I always knew you would make it.” she said. “Still on the Saint Raphael then?”

“No, I was transferred to the USS Cupertino. It’s… been a few days, so far.”

Hina raised an eye brow. That didn’t sound like it had been the joyous time Saffy had been hoping for it to be. “What’s going on Saf?” 

Saffiya sighed and reclined in her chair. She didn’t want to complain, but then she did. “It’s a mess. My XO is somewhere, there is a random FNS reporter on my ship, and I think the computer has become self-aware.”

Oh, so Starfleet sent brand new Captains to ships like that? Perhaps it was for the best that they hadn’t reassigned her yet. Even if her ship was becoming a ghost town, it wasn’t as disorganized as the Cupertino sounded. She leaned back slightly. “Sounds like you have your work cut out for you.” she commented.

“More than that, I fear.”

“But you said your computer seems to be self-aware? How does any one actually manage that? There’s supposed to be safeguards against that…” she said, frowning. It was quite a feat to cause a Starfleet computer to become self-aware. Hina was almost impressed, and would have actually been had it not been her friends ship.

“Well, I don’t think it has become self-aware per se, but it’s… doing things. I wanted to talk to my Chief Engineer for an update on the situation and… surprise! I don’t have one.”

“Is this your way of offering me a position, Saffy?” she asked, skeptical.

Saffiya bit her lip. It hadn’t meant to be an offer for a position just yet, especially since – until a few moments ago – she had been sure the other woman was still happy on the USS Kongo. Then again, she could really use the help. “I could use a consult, at the very least.”, she admitted. “And then we can see. It’s not that I don’t want you here, I just want to make sure I don’t request anyone else to join this …. crapshow… until things are resolved. It’s why I haven’t put in a request for new senior staff as of yet either. Not fair to condemn someone to being here when they could be… literally everywhere else.”

That was certainly considerate of her friend, but at the same time she couldn’t stay on the Kongo forever. Well she could have, but she’d have been the only one aboard after a certain point and that would just be lonely.

“So how about you come by and help me fix this? You would have my eternal gratitude.”

“Yea ok… I can come give you a hand at least. I’ll requisition a shuttle and head out there in the morning.” she said. “See you soon, Saffy.” she added, suppressing another yawn.

FIN

There was something really strange about having to ask for help, and it didn’t sit right with Saffiya at all. During her career as Engineering Officer, she had learned to figure things out on her own, and if she had needed help from a more senior officer, there was no shame in it since it was expected. 

But now she was Captain. Where did Captains go when things weren’t working out? Probably their chief counsellor which… well, she didn’t have right now. Not before she cleaned up this mess. 

Luckily, Saffiya wasn’t the first commanding officer in history who needed help. And luckily there were mentorship programs in place, and friendships formed, that she knew would support her. Which, bringing her to the here and now, was a conversation with Harold Vaughn. 

”Ah Saffiya, greetings. What may I do for you?” greeted Vaughn with his traditional and often response. “Is there are particular reason why you are contacting me over comms? I might also add that congratulations on your first command!”

“Thank you.”, smiled Saffiya, allowing herself that small moment of actually feeling proud of the accomplishments that led her here. “Actually, that’s also why I am calling. I… need help.” 

“Speak your mind, I’m here to help after all.” replied Vaughn.

She didn’t love needing help. “Did I anger anyone in Starfleet Command so they gave me the worst posting possible, or did I just have really bad luck?” 

“It is not uncommon for captains to have their first command to be a California-class starship. It was always called the first stepping stone for people who are in command of a starship.” said Vaughn. “Why do you ask, Saffiya?”

“Everything is a mess, and people just think they can do what they want. For instance, Captain Jurev invited an FNS reporter onto the vessel. Or some reporter anyway, I think it’s actually that ‘Starcrossed’ tabloid she used to write for. And she’s housed with an Ensign, and has accesses I personally think she shouldn’t have. I mean she shouldn’t even be here. How do I get rid of her?”  

“First of all, calm down Saffiya. This reporter is just dying to rile you up so that they have something to write about. Dont make them catch you, the more resistant and overreacting you get. The more information they might think you’re hiding. Just smile and just follow the wave. They’ll eventually leave. They obviously can’t overstay their welcome, or in this case, their unwelcomeness.“ commented Vaughn.

”Oh and for the people. It is your ship and crew after all. Make a stand. They will follow you. Sometimes, I found my self being a bit harsh but it works.“ said Vaughn.

”Well, the reporter isn’t all that easy.”, she sighed. ”It might all be an act, I don’t know. She didn’t come here for me, apparently she was invites to participate in a mission were queued up for. She is… young, and nice. She asks if she can help, and she shares crew quarters with three Ensigns.”

Which was probably what made her so hard to get rid of. 

“Ah, that seems to be the case. I mean if that’s the case, it isn’t that bad am I right?” asked Vaughn. “Apologies seems like we have to cut this short I’m afraid, duty calls. Do contact me another time, Saffiya. My doors will always welcome you.”

“Thank you.” Saffyia smiled. “It really is appreciated, more than you could possibly know.” 

They ended their call, each going about their day. Hopefully they would be able to connect again, soon. 

Finally a little peace and quiet, Saffyia thought as she slumped down on the chair in front of her desk. She had spent the day trying to prepare for Hina’s arrival, and stooped to sweet-talking the computer into making her a cup of the chai tea she craved ever since arriving aboard the Cupertino. 

If her crew needed her, they knew how to find her. Though that would require them to stop avoiding her. 

She shook her head, trying to clear her mind. Which was when she noticed a notification of an incoming call, one she hadn’t expected at all… 

Daily reports done, Vilgi was on a little bit of a nosy into the goings on of the fleet, and quickly found himself in the personnel changes and the new commands section. Scanning the list a name jumped out, but the reason was a little slower to come. Nassar, he mulled the name over and then it came to him. Engineer, a gifted one at that if he recalled, the Kongo had figured large in her career for a while, then the command transfer. Of course they crossed paths briefly while she was on the Saint something or other, now a command of her own.

Vilgi leaned back for a moment, considering making contact once more, not all new commanders were as open to old faces reappearing, he recalled. But this time he felt would be different. Sent the communication request though the duty ops officer, no sense hogging the comm array, if vital transmissions needed to be made. 

“Saffyia Nassar as I live and breathe. Captain now isn’t it? You remember an old lecturer dont you?” Vilgi asked by way of introduction, it had been while, so he figured on being helpful and toss in the ‘where they first met.’

Saffyia wasn’t amazing at remembering faces, or names, and even worse at matching the one to the other. It took her a second or two to regain composure and not look too confused, slowly putting things together. Lecturer. Academy. Oh right.  

“Of course.”, she replied sheepishly. She wondered why he was calling her now, and for a brief moment worried that her reaching out to old acquaintances to help her sort things, had somehow made rounds. Then again, most people probably had more interesting things to gossip about. “It’s been a while. How have you been keeping?”

“You know, seeking out new life, or showing the up and coming officers how to seek out new life. Which is basicly the same thing.” Vilgi responded with a smile, his answer was perhaps a little general, but it would do for now. He launch into the reason for his call with a couple of searching questions “Running around in a california-class at the moment. You’re in the same class at the moment? How was the ship left for you?”

Saffyia hesitated for a moment. “Uh.”, she started. Let’s say… it’s definitely a challenge.”, she allowed herself a sigh. “Okay, seriously, is this always as much of a mess like this? Nothing, really nothing, is working. I don’t know why the former captain left, and if the condition of the Cupertino had anything to do with it, but I would love to find him and have a friendly talk with him to find out.”  

“The challenges of being an engineering captain.” Vilgi responded with a slight grin, even though to his mind the state the ship  was passed on to her sounded like a raw deal. Right now Safira needed encouragement and pointers, as opposed to someone stoking the frustration she clearly felt. “Sometimes you get the fixer-uppers. Treat it like a big engineering project, with a bit of leadership thrown in.” He carried on his advice, it was basic, but that was often a good start point. “What would you say is the biggest need at the moment?”

She thought about that for a moment, not quite sure where to start. Hina was en-route to help her with the computer, and talking about that weird reporter was already on her list. “I am wondering whether to keep my senior officers or to see if transfers can be managed.“, she admitted. “I feel like they’ve spent the past getting through with way too much, and I am not sure if they can adjust to a new Captain, or if they will poison any additional incoming crew.“ 

Vilgi sat back for a moment, problem officers could be just that a problem, or an opportunity. His expresion gave away how much thought he put into the responce. “Your concerns are valid of course, any leader would act in the best interests of the crew. But that applies to the serving crew as well. Cleaning house should be measure of last resort.” Feeling that last point while needed was hard hitting, so Vilgi shifted tack and tried to find the base for her concerns with a couple of direct questions. “Have you sat down with each one of them individually? Have you had a conversation that doesn’t revolve around the status of their department?”  

“Well, let’s see… my XO is not even present. She accompanied the former Captain and asked for short-term leave, which she then approved herself.”, Saffy rolled her eyes. “Which means I am currently missing a First Officer, which is already not great. The thing is… ”, she paused, sighed, and reclined in her chair. “I don’t know if this is the time to be strict. People are still people, we don’t have a pressing mission – next up is a science assignment, but whether that happens today or in a week or two doesn’t really matter, and I can justify any kind of delay. If the former Captain left due to some kind of family issue, it’s a touchy subject to start with. If the XO accompanied him, maybe the support is needed. I don’t want to judge or take action before she’s back.”

“It sounds like you have an opportunity to go at a pace that you’re comfortable with regarding crew evaluations and actually getting out there.” Vilgi started off, going for the commend and then correct approach,  it was one he used frequently enough, including with his own XO, to know it worked well. “It might be a bit more work in the short term but, it might benefit you and them to take on the crew relations part of the XO’s role. In fact right there you have an opportunity few captains have, get to know your staff better.” A pause to let that part sink in before the word of warning. “Regarding the outgoing CO and posabliy XO, there no longer your concern, don’t waste time and energy worring about things out of your control.” Vilgi paused again, and took a hard look at the woman on the screan trying to gauge her reaction and hoping his well meaning advice found a receptive ear.

She replied with a nod, and a moment of consideration. “You know, I like to do things by the book. Tried and tested, and deviations only when said approach doesn’t work. It’s an engineering thing, I think. Some human saying about not reinventing the wheel.” She explained, taking a moment to formulate her thoughts. “So if something is imperfect and not done by the book, but has been approved and is currently working – or at least not harmful – should I just… let those things be?” 

She was thinking about, for example, that random reporter she had on board. The former Captain had okayed her presence, the crew liked her, and as much as Saffiya wanted to kick her out because it made her uncomfortable to have her here, perhaps that would do more harm than good. 

“It’s an approach that’s worth trying.” Vilgi responded with a smile, glad of being able to steer the new captain towards a more constructive line of thinking and potential course of action. “I need to be at a consult with my chief engineer and operations manager in ten. I will check back in with you in a week or so, see how you’re getting on..” Vilgi pointed out and made a suggestion for a follow up contact.

“Thank you. I would like that.”, Saffiya stated simply, but if you knew her, you could tell that she really appreciated the gesture. She needed help, and she needed someone not on the ship to talk to when things didn’t go as planned. 

They ended their call, and she got up, feeling like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Not all the weight, but some of it. And that was worth a lot.

It had been ages. 

Not only that Saffy hadn’t seen Hina in person in several years, but also that her arrival on the Cupertino appeared delayed by several days. But finally her shuttle had arrived, and the new Captain was waiting to greet her old friend. 

The shuttle trip to the Cupertino had been rather long and uneventful. Hina had passed the time reading a rather fascinating paper on upcoming propulsion systems. It was long and technical, but she loved it. When the shuttle dropped out of warp, she tossed the PADD onto the empty co-pilots seat and retook the controls. She piloted the shuttle into the ship’s waiting shuttle bay and set it down in the indicated position. She could see Saffiya waiting for her. She grabbed her bag and headed the the rear hatch tapping the controls to drop the ramp. How to greet her? Officially or unofficially? Given what little she had hear about the Cupertino, maybe officially. She reached into her bag pulling out another PADD, a copy of her transfer request to consult on the Cupertino while awaiting her next actual assignment. She hurried down the ramp, a faint smile on her face.

“Captain.” she greeted, offering up the PADD.

Saffy took the PADD and then pulled Hina into a hug. A few of the present crew glanced at each other, evidently not sure yet what to make of her new Captain. But Saffiya had decided that if they were imperfect, she had the same right. 

“Finally. You know, I was standing here for the past half hour, I’m pretty sure I made people nervous.”, she grinned. 

‘Guess unofficially works too…’ Hina thought to herself as Saffy pulled her into a hug. One which she happily returned. It had been far too long since she had seen her friend in person. Far too long since they had worked together.

“You were waiting here that long?” she asked, stepping back to look at her friend. “If I had known that Id have piloted the shuttle a bit quicker…” she laughed. “But Im happy to be here. Its been too long…”

“It has.”, Saffy agreed. The two women made their way out of the shuttle back and towards one of the turbolifts. “So what happened to the Kongo? It’s not that old of a ship, how come they are looking to effectively retire it?”

Hina fell in alongside Saffy, glancing around at the corridors of the Cupertino as they headed toward the turbolift. She glanced over as Saffy spoke.

“With the Excelsior-IIs filling the older Excelsiors role, Starfleet is retiring most of the older ones. She not going to be fully retired… only put into the reserve fleet in case shes needed again. Maybe one day if I ever grow some more ambition I can rescue her from that fate…” Hina explained. She sighed. Such pretty ships going to sit, replaced by such ugly soulless vessels. Poor copies of brilliant originals. She shrugged.

“But the Kongo isn’t why I’m here… tell me about your ship. I imagine a California-class wasn‘t your first choice…” she said, smiling.

“Not really, but I don’t think it’s bad per se.”, Saffiya shrugged. They stepped into the turbolift, and within a few moments were headed toward the bridge. “It’s a good ship for getting started, with missions that are not high-stakes.”

“Yea, I suppose it would be a good ship for a first time captain..” she agreed, leaning against the wall of the turbolift as it headed upwards toward the bridge.

They arrived on Deck Two, where the main bridge was located, featuring a design akin to that of Galaxy-class starship bridges. There were two other officers present, both of them too wrapped up in a heated discussion to notice their Captain’s arrival.

“Yeah that’s… normal.”, sighed Saffiya. Should she tell them to stop? Did she want to know what the argument was about? Probably not.

Hina frowned. She had been used to the Kongo, both when Saffiya had been Chief Engineer and after, where things were a bit more strict. Not suffocatingly so, but she couldn’t have imagined a such a heated discussion in Main Engineering, or on that ship’s bridge for that matter. Espeically not with the Captain in earshot. She let out a bit of a loud cough, before turning to Saffiya.

“So then… you brought me in to consult… how can I help?” she asked.

“Where do you want to start?”, she asked, since evidently there was quite a lot that needed to get done. 

Hina nodded. “Well, why dont we start with your computer… you said it seemed to be self-aware?” she asked, realizing that if that actually was the case that speaking aloud about it wasnt the best idea.

“Let me show you what I mean.”, shrugged Saffy as they moved out of the bridge and into her ready room, leaving the fighting officers behind. The room itself was nice and had just the right size for a crew that wasn’t overly large, and a staff of senior officers that didn’t mind things getting a little cuddly every now and then. 
There was a replicator, which was where Saffiya was headed to. 

“Coffee, black. Hot.”, she said, and… nothing happened. She looked at Hina.

Hina blinked. Not even an acknoweldgemnt tone. She set her duffel down opening it and pulling out a tricorder. Because she was the sort of person to have her own personal tricorder. No it wasnt weird.

“And thats how its been acting?” she asked, scanning the device.

“Yes, but watch this.”, she shrugged. “Hey Computer, can I please have a black, hot coffee?”

The replicator came to life, depositing the beverage where it was supposed to be.

The surprised Hina. So much so that she neglected to look at her tricorder for a few moments. When she got over her initial shock she looked down at the device. She tapped a few controls, scrutinizing the scan results. Something was off, but she wasnt sure what.

“Now you try.”

“Ok… green tea, hot, double sweet.” she said to the replicator. She fully expected nothing to happen and yet was still surprised when nothing happened. “That shouldnt work that way…”

“See? Now be nice to it.”

Hina approached the replicator and tapped the panel gently. Everything seemed normal.

“Computer, could I have a hot green tea with two sugars please?” she asked, mimicing the style Saffiya had adopted

Hina watched her tricorder as the computer responded to her request, tilting her head to the side. That definitely wasn’t normal. She turned the device to Saffiya could see.

“Im an engineer not a doctor… but that looks less like a computer and more like brain waves… but not fully either.” she said. “Dumb question… but you said you think its self-aware… have you tried just… asking it?” she asked.

“…. No…. I did not ask the computer how it’s feeling.”

“This is all new to me… but youve already changed how you order your coffee… what have you got to lose at this point?”

Saffy rolled her eyes. “My remaining dignity.”
She sighed and gave a shrug. “How about we continue the tour, I show you your quarters, we eat something and THEN get to work?”

Truth be told, she wanted to reconnect, and not just over a shared puzzlement over the computer.

Hina laughed.

“Sure sure. Food sounds good.” she said, closing her tricorder. She dropped it back into her bag. “Where to?” she asked.

“Sickbay, probably. Then Engineering and then your quarters”, Saffy suggested

“Lead the way!” Hina said with a grin, and off they went. 

As Hina and Saffyja made their way through the different departments of the ship, Saffy paused for a moment. They were probably both looking forward to dinner, but she wanted to finish this last part of the tour before heading into her personal quarters.

The trip through the ship had been interesting. The California-class was certainly much smaller than what she was used to.

“I know you are not a big fan of sickbay, but…”, she started, looking at her friend.

“Most people aren’t…” she pointed out. “They usually end up there with some sort of injury. No reason we need to go there right? Neither of us is hurt after all…”

“I mean it would certainly be good to know where it is, and who to expect there.”

Hina sighed. Her friend was right of course. Wouldn’t do to be in need of their services and not know where to go.

“Fair enough… I take it that’s where you’re taking us now?” she asked.

“Yep.”

Hina nodded.

“Yea I guess it cant hurt… then we can get some food, right?” she asked, looking over.

Saffy grinned. “Yes, then we can get some food. Oh, is that doctor still on the Kongo?”, she asked without considering that virtually no one was still on the Kongo. It would have made her a little sad to see her first home-away-from-home to be rendered useless and waiting until need was dire enough to put it back on the map.

Hina looked over, a little incredulous at Saffiya’s question.

“Saf… no one is on the Kongo anymore… the only reason I was still there was to help them ready her for storage.” she pointed out. “But yes, before the crew was transferred off, that Doctor was still there… just as wisecracking and playful as the day I met him.” she said.

They reached sickbay, which  – like the rest of the ship – was fairly small. A few biobeds, a lab for more scientific but still medical work, a nicely decorated room for the ship’s counselor, and the CMO office.

“What’s the nature of the medical emergency?”, stated a voice belonging to a Bajoran woman with auburn hair who was… clearly not a hologram.

“Very funny. No emergency, just a tour.”, said Saffiya, trying to not roll her eyes. “May I introduce Doctor Trova. Doctor, this is Lieutenant Hina Morishita, visiting us from the USS Kongo.”

The doctor eyes Hina and inclined her head. “Pleasure.”

Hina looked around at the sick bay as they entered. Small was becoming a very easy to spot theme on this ship. Though it was an efficient use of space, which was impressive in its own way. She turned as the Doctor addressed them.

“Doctor.” she said with a slight nod. “I don’t mean to intrude, but the Captain thought it would be good if I knew where sick bay was.” she said, not wanting to draw the ire of the Doctor since she was going to be aboard for a while and likely wouldn’t be able to avoid her that much if she did.

The Doctor’s expression seemed to soften ever so slightly at that. “It’s not hard to find, but perhaps for the better to make yourself familiar with it. I run regular exercises for the crew, and as long as you are part of it, I expect you to attend.”

Hina nodded.

“I will be there.” she stated. It didn’t seem there was much point in arguing it.

“It is a very nice sick bay though…” she added. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I hope to never have need of your services…” she said with a smile. So much for trying not to draw the Doctor’s ire. Still it was the truth, getting hurt was not high on her list of ‘Things to do while on the Cupertino’.

“Understandable.”, the Doc nodded. “As you can see, it’s not like we have ample space to accommodate people getting injured.”

“Like many things on this ship… I have noticed the… lack of space.” she admitted. It was truly hard to miss.

“Do you have any expertise at all in the medical field?”

Hina raised her hand and waggled it a bit.

“Basic first aid and triage… enough to tend to minor injuries that can occur in a jefferies tube or elsewhere when working.” she explained. “I couldn’t do much more than that without significant guidance.” she added.

“That’s a shame.”, Doctor Trova admitted, but didn’t say much more on the subject.

“But if you ever need anything repaired… Id be happy to come take a look at it. I may not be good with the fleshy bits… but I’m very good with the metal-y ones.” she commented, smiling widely.

To Saffyia’s surprise, the Doctor returned the smile. “Let’s both stick to our specialities, then.” 

And with that somewhat awkward introduction behind them, it was finally time for dinner. 

Hina had been aboard the USS Cupertino for a good few days now, and Saffiya’s (very subjective) opinion was that things were going better. At the moment, they tried their best to figure out why the Computer seemed to have a life of its own – which, as a Captain, Saffiya found inconvenient, but as an Engineer, somehow charming. 

Hina had taken some time to get adjusted to the Cupertino. Its engines had a different hum and that had given her some trouble when getting to sleep. Maybe should have to tune them up while she was here. If she could ever find the ships Chief Engineer. If it even had one. Now however she was with Saffy, talking about her computer problems.

“I guess my current main problem is that the computer gets to simply refuse certain commands. I mean I am happy to phrase them nicely – as odd as that is – but that’s as much as I want to compromise with it.”

Hina chuckled. That was more than the Saffy she had known on the Kongo would have done.

“Well… you can always try leaving it an opportunity…” she suggested.

“An opportunity? Like what? Leave it room for suggestions or interpretations?”, Saffy raised an eyebrow.

“Sure.” she said.

“I hate that idea.”

Hina sighed.

“Come on Saf… think about it for a moment.” she stated. “Let’s just assume it is alive, and I’ve no reason to assume it isn’t based on what I’ve seen of it, alright?” she continued.

“Right…” so why does it not follow orders any more?”

“Well it isn’t an officer. It’s not going to just be accustomed to following orders, and if– if it is sentient… then just like I’m here giving you suggestions… it will almost certainly have its own, and it has a huge database of knowledge to pull from.” she explained.

“So you are thinking that it… thinks… and because of that it doesn’t follow normal orders any more?”

“Yea… pretty much.” he confirmed, nodding.

“Makes sense.”, Saffiya sighed and gave a nod.

She was about to say something else when the young trill in blue-collared uniform approached carefully, and under glares from her fellow officers.

“Captain, I think we should talk.”, Velix said quietly.

Hina had recognized the Ensign that had approached from around the ship. The space aboard made it hard to not atleast notice people, even if she hadnt interacted with her yet. She was however surprised at the tone and the way everyone else seemed to not want her to say anything.

“I can step away… if you need…” she offered politely.

“Does she need to step away, Ensign Velix?”, asked Saffyia with a patience she surprised herself with. After a few days on the ship, Saffiya was starting to learn that she needed to approach the crew in certain ways, or it would be chaos for everyone involved. 

Hina shrugged, waiting to see what the Ensign needed to say to the Captain. She atleast busied herself with her tricorder for the moment, analyzing some readings she had taken of the computer. She had so far stopped short of asking Saffy to actually make friends with her ship. She didnt quite thing she would be ready to go that far… yet.

“It’s… ”, started Velix, then hesitated. Not because of the other officer present, but because of something else. She looked almost scared. “Are you familiar with the last missions under Captain Jurev?”

Saffiya nodded. Of course she had read the reports. She went through them in her head, and…. the penny dropped. 

“You encountered an articifical entity that… oh.”, she said. 

Velix just gave a slight nod. 

“I think we need to talk.”, she told Hina. “And congratulations, you’re acting First Officer now.” 

“Captain Nassar?” He raised his PADD and offered it to her. “Lieutenant Junior Grade Silveira reporting for duty.”

Saffyia looked up from the cup of coffee she had been nursing, offering the newcomer an easy smile before reaching for the PADD he held out to her. “Ah, Lieutenant. Pleasure to meet you, and not a second too early.”

Vitor smiled.

“The pleasure is mine Captain. I am glad to be part of your crew. I wasn’t aware that my arrival was so well timed.”

“We are due to embark on a sort of… rescue mission. Walk with me.”, she said, climbing out of her chair.

Vitor resisted the urge to raise an eyebrow, and took a side step as the Captain raised from her seat.

“Of course Captain. What can I help you with?”

“Tell me about yourself. I will admit I did not have time to review your personnel file as of yet, so I am curious as to what you can tell me.”

He shrugged and kept smiling. Vitor was still young and although he had served for some time, there wasn’t much to tell.

“What can I say Captain? I graduated in the class of 98 in Security and Tactical, served on the Adelaide for a few years, transferred to the Sovereign, and now I am here. I prefer serving as a Tactical Officer, but I can do almost anything you might order me.” He again shrugged and recalled that old running joke, that lasted beyond his Academy days into his service. “And I cook.”

“Cook?”, the Captain asked, confused by state statement. When she had asked about what her newest officer could tell her, it certainly wasn’t what she had expected to serve as response.

Vitor smiled and blushed slightly.

“Actually Captain that is a bit of a running joke. During my time at the Academy I earned a reputation for being a sort of Chef. Later my Department Chief in the Adelaide dug that old story and teasing me he did actually added to my duty post Cook. I am not that bad, but believe me, my reputation is far greater than my actual skill.”

“Well, we will see about that.”, she smiled. “As for me… you might know know – or not, I won’t judge – that I only took over the Cupertino recently. I have served as First Officer on a medical vessel, and as Engineer on the USS Kongo before that. And I can’t cook.”

“I won’t take that against you Captain. And congratulations for your recent command. Is the crew also newly assigned?”

“We have had quite a few recent transfers.”, she nodded.

Vitor nodded, so he wasn’t the only new face on the ship. He wondered where they were going, and he couldn’t resist asking that imposing question.

“Captain, if you permit me to ask, you mentioned a rescue mission?”

She gave a nod. “There will be a briefing shortly, as soon as we have secured the room. It’s a… somewhat sensitive issue.”

She led him off the bridge and toward her ready room, where several officers were already waiting. There was tension in the air, and Silveira got the impression that this was a crew that was still in the process of figuring out how to work with each other. 

But what better way to achieve that than a common goal?
 

Saffiya paced through her office, mot entirely sure that she had figured things out, but fairly sure that she was on the right track – and at the same time utterly unsure what she was going to do about it. 
She glanced at the door when her new acting XO entered, giving a somewhat tight smile. 

Hina hadnt even been in the ready room for more than a second after the doors had closed before Saffy had started talking. In truth she was only heared every third word or so still a bit in shock of the bombshell the Captain had dropped on her before walking off.

“I think this is more of a mess than I initially thought.”, she sighed, rubbing her temples after she took a seat in her usual chair behind the desk. “And I don’t like that at all.”

Hina blinked. Oh she didnt like it?

“Youre telling me…”

”Despite the ship being what it is, the Cupertino always had a track record of completing missions successfully. With one of the last ones being an encounter with a program referred to as B.L.A.D.E – a Defense engine that took over several civilian vessels to bolster the firepower of the colony that designed it. You might have heard of it.”

Hina had been about to ask her own questions but stopped when she had heard the name.

“Yea… I read something about it on the way here actually… interesting piece of tech from what I could see.” she stated.

“I tried to get in touch with Captain Jurev, but I didn’t reach him. I know he wanted to retire, but he never made it home. Exact same thing with the First Officer, aside the fact that she never wanted to retire but logs indicate that she accompanied Jurev when he left via shuttle.“, Saffiya explained.

“And you think–” Hina paused. No wait, Saffiya was purposefully trying to keep her going in one direction so she couldn’t think about the other thing. “–Saf… we need to talk about what just happened… about what you just did.” she stated, putting the brakes on the other talk for the moment.

”… huh?”

“Saf… I cant be your XO… I’m just a Lieutenant… and perhaps more importantly… I don’t want it…” she stated as if the last part was actually more important than the rank thing.

”Sometimes you have to do things you don’t want.”, Saffy shrugged. Truth be told, she needed someone she could work with, and she needed that someone to be a capable Engineer. 

Hina sighed, pacing a bit herself.

“You’re kidding me right? I have zero command ambition… I was… literally… still on a ship that was decommissioned when you called!” she pointed out, slightly more exasperated than she actually meant to be. Had this Captain been anyone else other than an old friend it might have actually seemed disrespectful.

”But you came here to support me, and that’s the support I need right now.”, Saffiya frowned. She hadn’t expected Hina to like her decision, but she hadn’t expected her to hate it that much either. 

Hina pointed toward the door.

“And did you stop to consider that there are people on this ship who might resent you now, for promoting someone who just arrived to XO… even in an acting capacity? That they might resent me for it?” she asked.

Oh, for that, Saffiya had a retort. “I have. And I have decided that it doesn’t matter.”, she stated bluntly. “Now sit down. You’re not hearing me. And I need you to listen to me, okay?”

Hina sighed. It was clear that her friend and Captain was locked in on a course. She plopped into one of the chairs across from her.

“Okay…”

Saffy took a deep breath. “Look at the situation we’re in. The computer is acting up, and that seems a little too much in line with the B.L.A.D.E mission to make it coincidental.  It’s like getting a cold after you’ve spent time with people with runny noses. In either case, that there was an infection spreading is too likely to just dismiss it. Agreed?”

“Ok… I follow…” she said. “It is a bit of a coincidence.” she admitted.

”Then, you saw that the crew is like, and how they treat me. They don’t trust me, and I don’t trust them. I kept thinking it’s something I did, but… their very well liked captain basically vanished. When Velix approached me, the others disapproved. What if it’s all connected?”

“I mean… it was weird that they seemed angry that she even wanted to talk to you… but… now you’ve lost me. The crew not liking you could be as simple as you being new here.” she stated. She left out that her most recent choice could have quite possibly made the crews feelings of dislike even stronger.

“What we know for sure is a missing shuttle and a Captain who never made it home. An FO who wanted to accompany him, and also disappeared. I mean sure, maybe they went AWOL and eloped, but with the computer being what it is, and the crew not wanting to say a word…”

Hina was still a bit lost. She wasn’t sure what Saffiya was suggesting. She let her continue to speak.

“So tell me again how an experienced engineer and someone outside the crew isn’t exactly what is needed at the moment, and how we can sort this mess without giving you the necessary privileges.”

“Ok… look, I agree that you needed outside eyes… and given your paranoia here, that perhaps you need someone actually on the crew you can trust.” she stated. “But if your goal is to solve this situation, whatever it is… you just made your job, and mine about ten times harder.” Hina pointed out.

“Maybe.”, she conceded. 

“You just very publicly announced that an outsider was being made XO. Anyone who doesn’t like you… for whatever their reason… has now even more reason to dislike you… and oh by the way now has reason to dislike the person you field promoted.” she pointed out. “If something is going on with the crew or the computer… related to their last mission… and its being hidden, or whatever… no one involved is going to want to talk to me now… you’ve just put me on your side. I was there anyway, but now everyone knows it.”

“I am just… trying, okay?”

Hina nodded.

“You could have made me Chief Engineer… they seem to be absent as well, I certainly haven’t seen them anyway… I’d have had just as much access… maybe even more, and I don’t think anyone would have cared.” she pointed out.

And now Saffyia felt a little stupid. Perhaps that would indeed have been better.

Hina sat back. Their course had been decided.

“But we are where we are… so lay this out for me again… you think the old Captain and XO disappearing, the computer, and the crew’s dislike of you are connected?

“I do.”, she nodded. 

“How? Exactly.” she prompted.

“Okay so… there was a situation on the Saint Raphael that was a little similar. I might absolutely be reading too much into it, I will admit as much. But I can’t go from much else than experience, and this is something I have experienced.”

“Sure sure…” Hina commented, nodding.

“There was a situation in which we got a bunch of new doctors, and a new Chief Medical Officer with it. There wasn’t any ill feeling towards him personally, but trust is something that has to be built and doesn’t come with a track record.” She paused, then continued. “One of our very well-liked senior officers got injured, and what happened was that the part of sickbay’s staff that wasn’t new was very… protective.”

“Ok?” she asked wanting her to continue.

She sighed. “Protective to the extent that they didn’t inform the CMO although those injuries were his main field of expertise, and excluded the new doctors from the medical treatment of that person.”

“Ohh I think I see now…” she said as she started realizing where Saffiya was going.

Saffiya nodded. “So, and this is just a hypothesis – I realise that – let’s say that the very beloved Captain of the Kongo is in trouble. The trusted FO has left together with him, and now you suddenly get a new Commanding Officer who… is inexperienced, new to the chair and the ship, and doesn’t have a clue what is going on. I…”, she hesitated, and then admitted. “I think I wouldn’t trust them. Just like I don’t quite trust the crew here. And just like I ambushed you and made you my First Officer for the time being, I think I would seek out trusted colleagues and try to work on rescuing the Captain.”

“So you think theyre trying to solve the problem by working around you?” she asked.

“I think so, yes. And trying to work around whatever is going on with the Computer.”

Hina nodded. One thing bothered her however.

“Saf… couldn’t you just go to the crew and tell them? Like… they want to rescue their Captain… you would have no reason to not want to assist with that.” she said. “Starfleet clearly promoted you to Cpatain… you were gonna get a ship anyway.”

“… Maybe.”

“Or are you worried about the computer hearing you?” she asked.

“Well there is a reason I disconnected it from this room.”, she sighed. Yeah okay, maybe she was indeed a little paranoid. 

“I will speak to the crew, I have another transfer coming in today, and then I will speak to them.”

“Good. How will you make it look to them?” she asked.

“I think I will make it look like it was my idea to begin with. I won’t claim I know what they are doing, because I really do not. So I will approach them, tell them of my worries about the Captain, and we’ll go from there. And in addition… well, we’ll need to find a way to make friends with the Computer, I think.”

“Make friends with the computer thats potentially plotting something?” Hina asked.

She smirked. “What could possibly go wrong?”

Hina could think of several things that could go wrong, and none of them ended pleasntly. Still she chose to keep that to herself.

“Yea I think I can work on befriending the computer atleast…” she said. “Guess we should get to work…” 

Saffyia led the Cupertino’s newest crew member – Silveira – past her ready room and into her office, and the first question on the Lieutenants mind was most likely why they didn’t use said ready room. Instead, the office had been rearranged from the layout that was typical, with the personal workspace removed, and chairs around the desk instead. There were beverages in the centre of it, a somewhat failed attempt on making this a friendly atmosphere. 

“Please, take a seat.”, Saffyia said, giving a somewhat tight smile. She was nervous, and it showed. 

Vitor has followed the Captain into her office. He was curious as to what rescue mission they were diving into. For a second, as the Captain offered him a seat he almost reached for one of the beverages,  but hoping to make a good first impression he smiled and sat down. 

“Thank you Captain.”

The door opened again, and a somewhat confused woman in gold-collared uniform stepped inside. “Lieutenant Keller.”, said the Captain and inclined her head. “This is Lieutenant Silveira, he has just transferred to the Cupertino and will be joining the tactical devision.”

Keller, who appeared to be human and in her forties, gave a nod. “Pleasure, Mister Silveira.” 

Vitor stood up and smiled at the newcomer, nodding to her.

“The pleasure is mine Lieutenant Keller.”

He took a side step and looked at the Captain. 

“With the Captain’s permission I believe you can join us.”

Nassar gave a nod, and Keller took her seat. Arriving after the woman was a male science officer who was introduced as the Cupertino’s CSO Lieutenant Pereira, accompanied by the Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Nichelle Trova. 

“I think we are only missing one more person, and then we can start.”, Saffiya said, more to herself than anyone in particular. Glances were exchanged, either questioning who was to come, or why they were holding their briefing in such an odd setting. 

Vitor was surprised by the arrival of of the other officers, he smiled and nodded politely at each of them. Apparently the Captain was quite right in stating that his arrival was timely. However he wasn’t expecting to be jumping into a briefing this soon.

And then the doors parted and a short woman in a new-looking, red-collared uniform stepped inside. “This is Lieutenant Morishita, acting First Officer.”, introduced Nassar, and most of the crew gave a simple nod of acknowledgement.

Hina still didn’t like the position she had been thrust into, red certainly wasn’t her perferred colour, but she nodded to the rest of the assembled crew as the Captain introduced her. She moved to a seat.

“Hello.” she commented, sitting.

Vitor nodded and smiled. “Hello Lieutenant.” He then took a seat and waited.

Saffiya took a deep breath, then decided to get the elephant out of the room and approach the matter proactively, rather than waiting for someone to ask. “I have decided to make the Lieutenant acting FO because, frankly, I need you all in your corresponding departments, and not stuck at a desk trying to sort through mountains of bureaucracy.”

Which seemed to pacify most of them.

No instead she wanted her closes friend stuck at that desk trying to sort through mountains of bureaucracy. What a wonderful friend Saffiya was.

“I dont intend to overstay my welcome…” she said, looking over at Saffiya for a moment before returning her attention back to those at the table.

Vitor smiled at the Lieutenant and leaned back on his seat. “Still welcome and congratulations are in order, Lieutenant.”

“I’ve had a few days to spend on the ship… its a great ship from what Ive seen.” she said. Which wasnt a lie. There were some niggly things she wanted to fix, like the alignment of the engines, to make the hum a little more pleasant, but everything else really seemed to be running well.

Saffiya nodded in agreement. 

Being the lower ranked officer in the briefing Vitor couldn’t help but shrug raising slightly his hand.

“I have to say I literally just arrived, but whatever you and the Captain need me to do, I am at your full service.”

Hina nodded, looking over to the Captain, waiting for her to get to the reason why she had called everyone in. Who, in turn, gave a slight nod. “I’ve called you here because I am concerned.”, she started. “I tried to get in touch with Captain Jurev, but it seems he has never actually made it home as he had indicated in his request to retire. In addition, I can’t get a hold of Lieutenant Commander Löwe, who left with him but was due to return today.”

Glances were exchanged between the crew, and Saffiya exhaled. At least they didn’t call her crazy right away. 

Vitor had no idea who the Captain was talking about.

The Captain continued: “With the last know location, I am worried that something might have happened, and that they were unable to call for help when needed. I know both have served on this ship alongside you for quite some time, and I was wondering if either of you has heard anything from them, and if perhaps my worries are unfounded.” 

Keller spoke up. “I have not heard anything, no.” 

Vitor straighten himself in the seat.

“What was their last location? And are we aware of their destination?”

Saffiya gave a nod. “Captain Jurev wanted to return home. We…”, she nodded at Hina. “Ran scans looking for the signature of the shuttle they took.” She waited for her friend to explain the rest.

“However those scans came up inconclusive… almost like the shuttle disappeared.” Hina finished, brining up the results of the scans.

Vitor raised an eyebrow. “How were they getting there?”

“Through an otherwise normal region of space. Nothing out of the ordinary. Should have been an easy trip.”

“Is there any other ship close by?”

“None that we know of. I might be overly worried, as I said, but I am rather too cautious than not cautious enough. We will set course for the shuttle’s last known location, and prepare teams for a search and rescue effort.”

The crew nodded – a grim nod of determination that let Saffiya know that she was right. Something was up, and her crew had already know. Now it was about winning their trust.