“A dark blanket, contrasting with blacks and yellows, and the occasional white, which is shaped as a circle and sometimes a crescent. There are stars which dot the blanket in an intricate pattern. This is space.”

Words of his grandfather, words that had stayed with him for all his life and would be passed to his children if he would be lucky to have any.

“In the ancient time, men used the magical symbols above the night sky for navigation. These star patterns saved a lot of lives in the old age,” he would say as they as they looked up and saw the stars from their garden on Earth. They illuminated the darkness and his fears crumbled to dust beneath his feet as he listened to the wise old man’s words. “Some stars fade and some shine brighter with each passing day. Each of them has its own unique shape, level of brightness and size. Some stars are bigger than others, showing they are the king of the heavens…”

“Sometimes, many stars appear at once above the dark, sombre sky, and they look like flakes of snow flowing out into the galaxy,” the wrinkled wise man would say, always finishing with the same wise words, no matter how often they shared these moments, and he’d always remind grandfather of their earlier conversations because they would always bring him great joy, and there was nothing he loved more than to bring his grandfather such happiness. “As we watch these dust-like particles slowly swimming above our head, we begin to raise our hand, yearning to touch them and be swept into the heavens…”

Ready Room, Deck One
Stardate 71010.38, 2399

Sebastian’s eyes opened suddenly as he dragged himself, metaphorically kicking and screaming back to the late 24th century. Gone was his beloved grandfather’s voice and in its place, there was a calming silence as he stared beyond the bulkheads of the Santa Fe and out into the ocean of space. Whenever he felt particularly restless, he’d enter an incense-induced state of relaxation and he’d call out to his grandfather, to hear his words and to bring him clarity and focus. It never failed to work.

Turning from the window of his private office, the Captain pulled his uniform jacket from the back of his chair and slipped it over his muscular frame, pulling his arms through the sleeves until it comfortably engulfed him. Pulling the zip up to his collar, he let out a sigh as he ran his hands down the front of his jacket, then over each of the red coloured shoulders in turn. When he was content that he looked his absolute best, like a leader of men should, he left the sanctuary of his ready room and entered the command centre of the ship.

Travis, seated at the science station, heard the doors swish open and glanced up. As he realized it was the captain entering the bridge he stood. “Captain on the bridge,” he called out and nodded in greeting to the man who had just entered. He hadn’t really gotten to know him well yet and wasn’t sure how much formality the man required. Some commanding officers seemed to eat, sleep, and breathe the ceremonial aspects, some found them foolish and a complete waste of time and effort. Only time would tell what this particular man would require.

Dante was only a split second behind Travis, and stood as well, going to attention, and giving the man a nod much as Travis had.

Beside him,  Lieutenant Prida did the same, a sparkle of excitement in her dark eyes as she considered that they were about to actually leave on a mission at last. Across the bridge, her Bajoran counterpart stood next to the recently appointed Vulcan strategist. they exchanged glances before looking respectfully at the Captain.

Sebastian nodded in thanks to the Chief Science Officer, and then at the Vulcan nearby. “Lieutenant Prida,” he addressed the Ops Chief at the front of the bridge, “sound departure stations and have all senior staff report to the bridge,” the Captain requested as, for the first time in what felt like forever, he took his seat at the heart of the bridge.

“Aye Captain,” replied the Cardassian, a grin slowly crossing her face. This was it, it was really happening. She tapped a couple of quick commands on her console and opened a ship-wide communique. “Attention all hands, prepare for departure. All decks, report readiness and departure status.” There was a soft chime that followed, toning that alerted the ship it was time to depart. A second whistle tone followed. “All senior officers, report to the bridge.” She said and closed the comm.

Tharia returned to her seated position at the Captain’s right and placed her hands in her lap. “Ready to get this show on the road, sir?” She asked with a proud smile.

“I was ready the minute I arrived here,” the older gentleman spoke as he nodded towards his right-hand woman.

Soon enough, Lieutenant Commander Zinn emerged from the port turbolift, unsure of what purpose he could possibly serve on the Bridge as the ship departed. He’d rather be down in Sickbay doing actual work but the Captain felt it important that he be there. “Medical’s good to go.” Zinn reported when he caught the Captain’s eye.

With no specific place for him on the Bridge, he wandered over to the security console and stood beside the Tactical Operations Officer, making sure to give the officer enough room to work. He had an unobstructed view of the screen and was out of everyone’s way.

Given the proximity of sickbay and the counseling offices, it was not surprising that Vittoria entered the bridge not long after the CMO. She wasn’t sure what would be needed of her just then, but it was less surprising for the chief counselor to be called to the bridge than the chief of medical. After all, counselors were often advisers as well.

“Captain,” she greeted politely before moving to stand unobtrusively to the side–in sight of command but out of the way of everyone at work.

“I thought you both might want one last look at the station,” the Captain told as he looked at his lead medical professionals. “One we leave this station, it’s going to be a long time before we visit another one. You’re going to be the senior most medical professionals in our task group; no relying on support from Starbases once we arrive at our destination, so I hope you’re ready,” he advised them, knowing almost certainly that they would be more than ready.

“No pressure, Doctor,” Tharia commented with a chuckle.

Zinn gave a wry grin. “Nothing like a good pep-talk to put a guy at ease.”

Grinning at the Doctor, the Andorian shook her head a little as she tapped her commbadge. “=/\=Bridge to engineering,” she spoke, “status report.”

“=/\=Engineering here Captain,” the voice of Lieutenant Udal declared over the comm, “all systems available at your request, but we’d appreciate it if the engines were run in slowly. No sudden jumps to maximum warp from impulse… if you get my drift?” and there was an audible smirk on the end of the line which drew a smile from the Commander on the bridge.

“=/\=Understood, Lieutenant. I’ll relay the request, sh’Elas out,” the Andorian pressed the controls on the arm of her chair, and nodded at the Captain. “Engineering respectfully request we break the ship in gently, sir,” she smiled, antennae bobbing freely.

“No promises,” Seb smirked, shaking his head.

With the report from engineering, the Captain and his Andorian colleague were finally ready to take the ship out and into the unknown for the first time. With the bridge crew at their stations and a few visitors present, he called the ship to order. Pressing the small pad of controls built into the arm of his chair, the Captain opened a ship wide communique. Mere seconds later, the trademark boatswain’s whistle sounded across the ship.

“=/\=All Starfleet personnel, this is the Captain,” he began as he rose to his feet and stood at the heart of the bridge. “Today marks a momentous occasion in this proud ship’s long history. In mere moments, this vessel will depart for its latest, and arguably most important mission. What we do from this moment on will have lasting repercussions for the fleet and for the greater United Federation of Planets that we so willingly serve,” he paused for a moment as he looked out at the stars via the view screen. “Out there, among the stars of our galaxy, the Gamma Quadrant looms large,” he didn’t know if telling his people was the right thing or not at this point, but he didn’t feel comfortable keeping the details of their mission from them. “We have been tasked by the Fleet Admiral himself with leading the first exploration initiative of the Gamma Quadrant since the start of the Dominion War. We will begin our adventure with a stop at New Bajor. Usually, a commanding officer would give a speech about how they need nothing but the best from their crewmates, but it’s not me who needs your best in this endeavour; the entire Federation is counting on you to be at your very best in the coming weeks,” he looked around at his people’s faces. “Farrell out.”

“Lieutenant Prida,” Sebastian called out as he retook his seat, “clear our departure with station operations. Mister Rawlins; bring the impulse engines online and prepare to take us out,” he requested in his gravelly tone.

“Clearing for departure, aye sir!” the Cardassian at Ops declared, tapping her console several times until a light turned green. “We are green for departure,” she soon confirmed and fed navigational data across to Rawlins.

Dante noted the information flowing to his console and made a few slight adjustments as his navigational computer interface suggested. “Course laid in,” he called out.

Tharia looked at the Captain and together they savoured the moment for a few seconds. This would likely be the last time the ship would be so deep into Federation space for quite a while. They had a mission to carry out and they would push the crew as far as they could in order to carry it out. With the permission of her Captain, Tharia gave the next order. “Take us out,” the Andorian commanded, looking ahead at the Flight Operations Officer, and then at the view screen.

A few deft taps to his console and Dante had the vessel moving, slowly, and carefully as they moved towards open space. “We are clear, Sir,” he called out over his shoulder.

“Set a course for the Bajor system and the Wormhole,” the Captain requested with a stern tone to his voice, “start us off at warp three and commence a gradual cycle to maximum warp,” he ordered before looking at the XO. “Number One, monitor the engines from the aft engineering display if you wouldn’t mind?”

“Aye, sir,” the Andorian said before he headed to the rear of the bridge. She activated the engineering console and stood ready to monitor the engines.

Dante tapped a few commands into his console and then replied. “Warp three, aye,” Dante called out, and then put in place the necessary commands to increase the speed incrementally from there until they were at maximum. “Projected time to maximum warp twenty seven minutes,” he added.

“Sensors online and calibrated. Nothing on long-range sensors. Course is clear,” Prida announced.

With the ship now cruising along at high warp, the stars were streaking past the main view screen at incredible speeds. It felt so good to be back among the stars again, but this time in charge of his own destiny as Master and Commander of the ship. He took a deep, satisfied breath and relaxed back into his command chair, thinking back to his grandfather once again.

“A dark blanket, contrasting with blacks and yellows, and the occasional white, which is shaped as a circle and sometimes a crescent. There are stars which dot the blanket in an intricate pattern. This is space.”

All was quiet on the Santa Fe. Tharia sat in the Command chair, idly flipping through a report on a PADD; more crew transfers, but she wondered when the ship was being assigned a new Commanding Officer, or a proper Executive Officer for that matter. Going through a refit was bad enough, but doing so without a command team in place for the final stages was never a good thing. This was the time when each commanding officer would ask for minor tweaks and clarify decisions for their ship. Without one in place, the acting Commander had had to make those calls, and to say she was uncomfortable doing so was an understatement.

Aged by modern standards, the Santa Fe was a long way down the list of desired postings for the best and brightest in Starfleet. To those who had served on her for sometime, however, the New Orleans-class frigate was a tough old girl worthy of a new Klingon opera. She’d fought her way through several conflicts, survived the Dominion War and now, she was getting her well deserved reward – a refit to bring her up to the modern standards of vessels Starfleet was producing (or as close to it as her infrastructure would allow). Although she was part of the Galaxy-class sub group, the Santa Fe lacked some of the comfort of her much larger cousins; that being said, she was still a damn sight more comfortable than some of the more modern, combat-oriented ships the fleetyards had been churning out of late. Yes – she was old, but she was ‘their’ ship, and they were proud to serve as her crew.

Even if it meant months in spacedock.

The bridge, as quiet as it possibly could be given the fact the ship had been in its dockyard for close to three months, was about to get a rude awakening. “=/\=Transporter room two to bridge,” the voice called out from down on the lower decks.

“This is the Bridge,” Tharia answered, setting her PADD in her lap.

“=/\=We’re receiving a transporter request from Starbase Bravo. They wouldn’t say who it was, just that it was urgent,” the unknown voice responded.

Well that wasn’t vague at all…

Letting out a wistful sigh, Tharia rose from the Command chair. “I will be right down,” she informed the transporter operator. Gesturing to another Officer to take watch, she then took the lift down to transporter room two. “Energize when ready,” she said to the transporter chief as they made eye contact, then she folded her hands behind her back as she waited for the transporter pad to illuminate them with their guests.

Within seconds, the familiar sound of the transporter activating joined the equally familiar blue hue of the beam as they engulfed the transporter room. A humanoid form gradually formed on the transporter pad itself until the rematerialization process was completed and a familiar face let out a relaxed sigh. “God it’s good to be back,” the man remarked.

“I had a feeling you wouldn’t stay away for long,” Tharia remarked with a grin when she saw Colby Drayton stood on the pad. “Welcome back,” she nodded respectfully to the ships previous commander, and a man who had recently been promoted to a posting on the brand new Odyssey-class starship known as the Achilles.

Captain Drayton took a step down from the pad and placed a gentle hand on the Andorian’s shoulder, as she gestured for the door. “Let’s walk and talk,” he grinned.

“Why do I get the feeling you’re up to no good?” Tharia asked with amused suspicion as they left the transporter room. “I’m about to get transferred, aren’t I?”

Walking with a relaxed, yet purposeful stride, the Captain couldn’t help but smile like a child as he looked around the corridors. It was incredibly good to be back aboard his old command, even if only for a short while. “No, you aren’t being transferred,” he shook his head. “Admiral Nazir thought you might want to hear the news from me,” he continued, glancing briefly at his former second officer. “They’ve finally appointed a new commanding officer for the Old Girl.”

“Finally, I was beginning to wonder if we had been forgotten about,” Tharia declared. It was good to have Cole back, even if only for a short while; Tharia hadn’t realized how much she had come to enjoy being in her former Captain’s company in the time they had served together. “Has an Executive Officer been lined up as well?” she asked, “I want to stop making decisions for a while.”

“I could never forget you,” Drayton smirked as they sauntered down the corridor. “The new commander is on his way as we speak and will be arriving shortly. As for an executive officer,” the taller Terran stopped in his tracks and held out a hand. “Congratulations, Tharia. Your promotion to full Commander has come through. You have been nominated and confirmed to the position of executive officer,” he grinned.

Tharia stopped when she noticed Drayton had stopped, and she narrowed her gaze; did he… no, he wouldn’t… He did… “I always suspected you were evil to the core, but this really solidifies it,” Tharia replied, then chuckled with a shake of her head. “I suppose a ‘thank you’ is in order,” she offered with amusement. “Thank you. Now, who will I be serving with this time? I hope you checked their ‘ambition’ section of the application? I don’t want to have to get used to another new CO just a few months down the line because the Old Girl isn’t cool enough for them…”

Drayton laughed his trademark, hearty chuckle as he slapped her playfully on the back and started walking again. “We’ve vetted every possible candidate and, frankly, we’ve got you the very best for the job,” the Captain revealed as they started walking again, this time headed for the shuttle bay. “It’s his first command, a newly promoted Captain. Very different to me. Made a bit of a name for himself on New-Orleans class ships though. He’s just spent five years as XO of the Boadicea,” he said, recalling as much as he could about the incoming officer.

“Sebastian Farrell?” Tharia quizzed, looking across at the Captain.

“Hmmm? You know of him?” Drayton asked, apparently confirming the Commander’s question.

“Yeah,” the Andorian nodded, her silver hair and antennae bobbing as she did so. “We’ve served together before. If I recall, he’s an uncompromising perfectionist. Just what we need after… well, you…”

Drayton smiled as they approached the turbo lift that would take them to the shuttlebay. “It’s going to be fun for you, I’m sure. So, fill me in. What’s been going on up here?”

“Not a lot, I’m afraid; it’s been terribly dull waiting for Command to assign a new Commanding Officer and watching people come and go,” Tharia remarked as they entered the lift. “We’ve had some transfers, I’ve been letting the crew visit the planet and the station for some shore leave, and I’ve been running regular drills to keep everyone sharp in the meantime. Refit is going as planned, I believe.”

“Shuttlebay,” the Captain commanded the small, mobile room. “Talking of crew transfers,” the Captain nodded slowly, “you’re getting a new Operations officer. She’s somewhat… unique,” Drayton told as he thought about anything else he had to tell the new executive of the Nogura.

“Oh goodie,” Tharia said with mock relief, “We like the ordinary here, not the unusual” she declared with a raised eyebrow. As the lift traversed the ship, Tharia began to wring her hands slightly behind her back, hesitant about asking the one thing that had been on her mind lately. “Any idea what our mission will be?”

“That’s for you and Farrell to discuss,” the former Captain of the ship confirmed as they rounded the corner to the Shuttlebay. “So, I hope you are ready to make a good impression on your new CO,” he put an arm around Tharia’s shoulder and pulled her closer. “I thought you were a Hanson lackey at first but you really changed my opinion. Now, I consider you a close friend and ally. Keep me updated on how things are going here, will you?” the Captain asked his friend. Even though he was moving on to bigger things, he still held the small frigate close to his heart.

She didn’t really have time to answer her friend, not that she thought he really expected an answer. The Runabout was right in front of them now, and making its way into position for landing thanks to the tractor beams which had locked onto the vessel once it had breached the internal forcefield of the shuttlebay.

They watched as the Mustang-class Runabout was guided into position by the beam, a loud metal-on-metal clanking sound as the craft eventually put down on the deck plating. Within seconds the ramp at the back of the craft began to lower itself. With Drayton and sh’Elas stood towards the front of the craft waiting, footsteps began to sound from inside and soon began to descend the steps until…

…a tall, dark skinned Terran with a well trimmed beard and a shaved head, and some impressively chiselled cheekbones rounded the craft and approached the two senior officers. “Captain; Commander,” he greeted gruffly as he dumped his duffel on the deck plating and offered out a hand in greeting.

“Captain Farrell,” Drayton nodded respectfully and took his hand briefly in greeting. “Welcome to the Santa Fe,” he added as he gestured to Tharia, “May I introduce Commander Tharia sh’Elas, the Fe’s First Officer,” he smiled, before adding, “although she tells me you already know each other?”

“Commander,” Sebastian offered a hand to Andorian and nodded in greeting, “it’s been a while.”

“Captain,” Tharia replied in kind, shaking his hand. “It’s a pleasure to see you again.”

“Likewise,” he spoke in his usual deep tone as he noticed a Crewman take his bag, assuming it would be transported to his new quarters. “It’s like being at home on the Boadicea… but I’m looking forward to putting my own slant on things here,,” he told as he puffed out his chest a bit and looked back and forth between the two. “I understand that the Admiralty has plans for us already,” he stated, his gaze finally settling on the ship’s former commander.

“Mmmhmm,” Drayton nodded as he gestured for the exit and began walking. “Command wants the ship ready for her new orders by the end of tomorrow,” he instructed. “Ready to depart by end of play the day after,” he added.

“A number of the crew are on the planet for shore leave, but I can have them recalled right away,” Tharia informed her new Captain.

“Essential personnel only,” the Captain interjected. “It may be some time until we have shore leave again, let them enjoy it while they can.”

“Yes sir,” Tharia replied. A decision that showed his respect for the crew already, a nice touch. “I assume you would like to meet with the Senior Staff after you’ve settled in?” she asked the man, doing her level best to impress him from the get go.

“Not until I have a reason to Commander, no,” the man shook his head as they began walking the corridors. “I’d rather they just get on with their jobs and focus on getting the ship ready for departure,” he instructed. Two days was not long to get the final stages of the refit completed, so frivolous meet-and-greets were a pointless waste of time in his eyes. He’d meet them as and when needed. “You’ll be getting a list of potential candidates for postings in the next hour. I’d like you to peruse them and give me your opinion by eighteen hundred please Commander,” he instructed, giving the Andorian no time to adjust to her new, permanent role before dumping paper work on her.

Lovely, paperwork, her favorite! “I will get right on it, sir,” Tharia replied as they came to a stop at the turbo lift. “Would you like me to show you to your quarters?” she offered, hoping against hope that he might want to go off on his own, or maybe want to walk with Drayton.

“No Commander,” the Captain shook his head, “I believe you have work to do to ensure we are ready on time?” he suggested with a quick glance at his fellow Captain, who simply stood in silence watching the interaction.

“Yes sir, excuse me,” Tharia replied then backed away.

As Colby watched the Commander retreat and make her exit, he turned back to the newly-minted Captain of his ship. “She’s a fine officer Captain. I trust you will find her very useful,” the older man told sternly. He was handing his ship over to someone else at last but that didn’t stop him being protective of his people.

“I am sure I will,” the new Captain nodded. “But respectfully, they need to know that this is my ship now and I do things my way. Especially those closest to you. I can’t have them questioning my orders or comparing what I do to their past experiences. It’s best we start as we mean to go on,” he told truthfully.

Drayton couldn’t argue with him and, had he been in Farrell’s shoes, he probably would have set out his stall early too. This was, after all, no longer his ship or crew and he had no right to question the newcomer’s method of command – at least, not until he’d had a fair crack at the whip anyway.

The two stood in the corridor talking for a while longer until the new Captain escorted the his predecessor back to the transporter room and, essentially, off his ship.

Santa Fe had its command team, now they had their work cut out to be ready for their deadline.

Javorian stepped out of the turbolift with a determined look on his face, one might even say a certain fire in his eyes. In his left hand, he held the padd he’d transferred his latest communique onto. Approaching the ready room doors he reached out and pressed the chime to request admittance. Standing and waiting his mind was still racing, spinning even, as it attempted to process the information he’d received. There was no way he was just going to accept it. He couldn’t. His sense of duty, honor, and frankly comfort weren’t going to just fold and let him do it.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the doors parted and allowed him entry into the executive officer’s inner sanctum. Approaching the desk he spoke, “I am very sorry to bother you, ma’am, but may I speak to you about something?” he asked.

Peering over the top of the large data PADD in her hand, the antennae of the Andorian dropped slightly with concern as the ship’s head of sciences approached her. She’d been in the room for a little while, carrying out a few administrative tasks since she had welcomed the new Captain aboard, but she hadn’t expected to see anyone else for a while. “Of course Lieutenant,” Tharia eventually smiled as she sat forward in her chair and lowered the PADD she had been holding onto the desk gently. Holding out an elegant arm, she gestured to the vacant sofa chairs opposite her.

Javorian sat in the closest chair and leaned forward. “About an hour ago, just as I was starting lunch in the mess hall, this arrived at the terminal in my quarters. I found it about fifteen minutes ago,” he said, showing the woman the screen of the padd he’d carried where his transfer orders were plainly visible.

“I wanted to ask you if there was anything at all we can do to remedy this? I know I’ve only been aboard the Santa Fe for a few months, but this ship has become home, and I’ve come to understand you, and the way you expect things to be done. I’ve also come to think of you, in many ways, as a friend. That’s not even mentioning all the work I have going on. Unless I absolutely have no choice in the matter I must protest my reassignment…” he added, his voice obviously agitated.

Tharia’s brow furrowed as she reached out for the data PADD and took possession of it. After a few moments of reading the contents, she let out a sigh and tossed the data recording device onto the desk, leaning back in frustration. “We’ve been given a new commanding officer,” she frowned, “he’s making his mark felt,” she sighed. Rising from her chair, the Andorian walked towards the replicator on the side wall of her private quarters, stopping to ask if her visitor wanted anything.

Javorian nodded, “Coffee, two sugars, and amaretto cream,” he replied.

After speaking to the replicator, the Commander looked back at her friend and colleague. “In fairness, it’s a fantastic opportunity for you. The Nogura is a Sovereign-class starship, with an excellent commander. They’re headed out into the wilderness, the great unknown… that’s every science officer’s dream isn’t it?”

“Ordinarily I’d say yes, but not in this case. I just got here. I just got settled in. And I’ve got so much work already going on. Plus, I’m sure you’ve noticed it can take a while for me to really get comfortable with people, and I’ve started building bonds here. I don’t want that all thrown away because Command seems to think this ship needs some shaking up. It’s not fair to anyone involved,” Javorian retorted, fully aware of the fact that the last part seemed more than a little petulant.

Reaching out to take the cup the Andorian woman brought back with her he leaned back in his chair and took a sip before continuing. “I’m sorry, Commander. I know I’m more upset than I should be, and I know it’s unfair to bring this to you like this, but I guess I was just grasping at straws…” he said.

“I’m not sure it’s a case of shaking us up, I just think the Captain is trying to blend new people with the current staff at his disposal,” the Commander shrugged as she sat back with her cup of raktajino gripped firmly between her hands. “I can understand why you are upset Javorian, and I’m not exactly pleased about it myself!” she smirked before taking a sip of her warm beverage. “I am grateful you want to stay here, and are so passionate about it. I’ll speak with the Captain and let him know that your presence is mission-critical,” she smiled from behind the steaming drink.

“Thank you,” Javorian replied, exhaling a breath he hadn’t even known he’d been holding. “I apologize for the comment about shaking us up, it was simply the first thing that came to mind when I was so upset. This is a good ship, with a good crew, and no shake-up would be necessary,” he added.

“No apology necessary,” Tharia smiled as she held up a hand in protest before taking a sip of her beverage, “and I agree with you entirely.”

Taking a longer sip of the warm coffee she’d brought him he sighed, “The replicators on this ship get this just right. My last posting was not so lucky. I actually had to switch to tea, and I think that was done on purpose because the ship’s XO hated even the smell of coffee,” he said with a slight chuckle, finally relaxing from the more agitated state he’d been in. “While I’m here is there anything at all you’d like to discuss about my role in the mission going forward?”

“Actually, Jovarian, there is,” the Commander sat forward and placed her cup down. She began to rummage through a small pile of data PADDs on her desk until she had her ‘eureka’ moment and found the very one she was looking for. “As you can tell from reading this, I hadn’t planned on you departing. I know you’ve never really shown any interest, but I feel like this is the obvious next step for you,” she slid the data PADD across the desk, a huge grin on her face. “This is my official request to Captain Farrell, that he consider you occupying the role of Second Officer aboard the Santa Fe.”

Javorian sat back, eyes slightly wide, and quickly blinking in surprise. He took a few moments staring at the PADD, and looking up to the woman’s face, back and forth, before he was able to respond. “I would be honored, ma’am,” he finally said, smiling. “Sorry for the delay, I was just a bit shocked. I had no idea I was even being considered,” he added.

“You have a bit to learn about command, but who doesn’t?” she smirked, “You have the potential to be a fine command-level officer, with training and experience. You could get that elsewhere, even at the Command Academy, but I thought it more beneficial if you did it in a familiar environment where, if you are agreeable, I could mentor you?” she suggested hopefully. Even though she had lost a number of her trusted colleagues, Javorian was one she was more than happy to keep with her and was, in her eyes, a logical choice.

“I am more than agreeable. You’ve shown yourself to be a very competent officer and an exemplary leader. Add in my comfort level with you and I feel that it would be a very agreeable arrangement we can both benefit from,” Javorian replied.

“Excellent,” the Andorian grinned as she took ownership of the PADD once again, “I’ll speak with the Captain… and hopefully you’ll be able to consider these transfer orders null and void,” she told with a satisfied grin.

Standing Javorian took the offered hand and shook it firmly, “Thank you, Commander. I’ll wait to hear confirmation from the Captain then…”

“I’ve submitted the list for your approval sir,” Tharia nodded, shuffling from side to side on her feet as she glared down at the Captain who was looking at her data PADD. “Noli will make an excellent Tactical Officer, and Zinn will be a perfect addition to the crew in sickbay,” the Andorian continued whilst watching the man for any sign of approval or not.

Eventually, the Captain let out a satisfied smile. “Good, excellent. I’ll submit this to command and have the necessary personnel transfer aboard as soon as is practicable,” Farrell nodded, sliding the PADD onto his pile of things to do in the immediate future.

“There was one more thing,” the Commander spoke up, her antennae standing as if on tiptoes, unsure of what the Captain might think of her next move, “Lieutenant Commander Travis; our Chief Science Officer. You’ve slated him for transfer,” the Andorian began. The move drew the Captain’s gaze upwards.

“Oh? And what about him?” the Captain queried, his hands steepled together as he regarded the woman carefully. How this interaction went now would tell him everything he needed to know about their new dynamic. When they had served together in the past, they had been colleagues, but now he was her superior and unsure of how she might act.

“I honestly think his transfer is a mistake, sir. If anything, the man shows clear potential worthy of consideration for second officer,” she responded somewhat boldly. On the outside, she looked as cold as the exterior of her homeworld, but on the inside her heart was racing. Standing up to your new captain in the first few hours of their command was, she thought, well… one could insert any appropriate adjective, but she felt it was right, and that was all that mattered.

“Are you questioning my decisions, Commander?” with a lowered tone about his voice, the Captain slowly, and purposefully, used his hands to push himself up from his chair.

Tharia took a deep breath and steeled herself. “Not questioning your orders, sir. Just offering alternatives so you can make the best informed judgements you can, as the job as executive officer requires,” she concluded.

Sebastian glared at her for several moments, apparently taking in every blemish on her blue skin, until his demeanour thawed. “Consider his transfer cancelled. I was never really set on it anyway, but command wanted some Vulcan brought in instead,” Farrell shrugged as he returned to his seat. “It takes a good executive officer to stand up for their crew, especially to a new captain. Drayton was clearly right about you,” the Commander nodded sagely, “inform Travis of his promotion to second officer and let him know he doesn’t have to pack up his experiments and stuff just yet.” the Captain winked, by means of dismissal.

“As you wish, Captain,” the Andorian nodded swiftly before doing an about turn and exiting the ready room she had temporarily claimed prior to his arrival. Once the door was closed behind her, she left out a sigh and her stance visibly relaxed. Being put through your paces was one thing, but this man seemed to almost enjoy it. He’d changed since they had served together, but at least he was open to her advice.

If he could identify that she would be a good executive officer, then she could identify that, for now, he seemed like he might just make a good commander.

Fresh from getting greasy helping with one of the engineering teams looking at the lateral sensor array on deck three, the Commander of the Santa Fe was now strolling along deck seven, headed for the ships medical complex in the hope of speaking with the two most senior medical officers on the ship. The first step was to grab the Counsellor and then they’d go off to see the Chief Medical Officer.

Stopping outside the Counsellor’s office, the Captain of the New Orleans-class starship reached out and pressed the door chime. The return call of “enter” seemed to come with almost unnatural swiftness. The chime seemingly had barely finished chiming before the word was coming through the door, but that was only because Vittoria had felt the other woman coming toward the office with intent that radiated in her direction.

As the door opened, the Captain was greeted by the appearance of the unusually-presented Betazoid, who looked up and smiled pleasantly. “Hello, Captain,” she greeted. Her head shaved on one side, some unique tattoos replaced the hair follicles that had been removed. To anyone from outside the crew, she would have looked like an intimidating presence, but to those who knew her, the Counsellor was the softest, kindest person.

“Do you have a minute, Lieutenant?” the Captain queried as he stood in the doorway and prevented the door from closing, “I need to have a chat with you and Doctor Zinn and figured it would be easier to talk to you both together?” the well-built senior officer asked, although he wouldn’t have been expecting anything other than a ‘yes sir’ from his subordinate. But, people always had a habit of surprising you once in a while, so it was worth asking.

“I have an appointment in twenty minutes,” Vittoria replied, tilting her head as she thought it through. “Do you think I should reschedule that or will we be in done in time?”

“Hopefully we’ll be done by then,” the Captain grinned before ducking out of the room and slowly heading off in the direction of sickbay a few doors down, expecting the teal-uniformed woman to follow.

“I guess we are leaving now then,” Vittoria said to herself with a faint smile on her lips as she followed the new commander of the ship out the room and down the hall, which was not a long walk.

Entering sickbay with the Betazoid in tow, Sebastian stopped a few steps inside the medical facility and looked around. It was quiet, save for a few technicians that were beavering away in the corner. “Doctor Zinn?” the dark-skinned man called out, hoping the physician was hiding somewhere and he wouldn’t have to track him down.

“Yeah?” Zinn popped his head out of his office. When he saw the Captain and Counselor standing there, the rest of his body followed. “Captain,” he nodded in greeting at the CO and then at Chiera, “Counselor. What can I do for you?”

“I wanted to bring you both up to speed on some changes and figured it would make sense if I spoke to you both together,” the Captain grinned, but his furrowed brow suggested he maybe wasn’t as happy as he tried to imply. “Can we use your office, Doctor?”

Zinn stepped to one side “Of course, sir.” He allowed the Captain and Counselor to enter the office first before following them in.

Wandering to a seat opposite the Doctor’s desk, the Captain took the chair and sat in it, deciding it was significantly less comfortable than his ready room chair. “As you probably know, we’ve had lots of change personnel wise,” he told them. “We need to talk through some of the changes,” he added.

“I’ve already met our new Chief Ops Officer.” Zinn told him. While Medical Officers were often the last to find things out, one upside was that everyone had to come through Sickbay when they joined the ships company. He was sure that he would meet most of the other new additions in the fullness of time.

“Yes, sir,” Vittoria agreed with a small nod. “Changes can be difficult but often equally beneficial. However, knowing as much as I can about them will help me to help the crew with them.”

“The good news is that Commander Travis will be staying, so as far as you guys in blue are concerned, you’re all accounted for,” the Captain told as he relaxed back in the chair. “Commander sh’Elas has agreed to stay aboard as XO, so you’ll both go to her with personnel related matters from now on,” Sebastian revealed, unsure if they would have heard the news yet, no matter how fast it tended to travel aboard a ship.

Chiera nodded as she listened. Her focus was always attentive, by nature as well as training. No one would ever guess what a constant battle that was for her inwardly. That “feeling of change” had been pervasive on the ship of late, so while she hadn’t specifically heard of sh’Elas’ promotion, she wasn’t surprised either. “Understood, Captain.”

“I’d heard the rumour about Commander Travis departing, but his continued presence is good news,” Zinn confirmed. It felt like there was more to come but with the Captain telling them that they would both be remaining in post, he couldn’t see how it would massively affect them, save for getting to know a new group of officers and generating more work in the form of fresh physicals and psych evals.

“We’ve already received several new officers,” the Captain continued with his update, “but the last aren’t due to board until the day of our departure and we’ll still need reviews done before we can depart. You’re both going to be on a quick turnaround I’m afraid,” Farrell frowned.

Doctor Zinn snorted derisively. “Nice to see that the Starfleet bureaucracy is as efficient and as unbending as ever.” He let out a sigh but complaining about it would get them nowhere. “We’ll get it done in time, Captain.”

“Counsellor,” the Captain turned his attention to the woman in charge of the crews mental and emotional health, “I’m not sure what kind of toll this is going to have on the crew. They’ve had friends and colleagues just up and leave with little to no warning. They’re going to have so many new people coming in and there are bound to be clashes…” Sebastian sighed as he contemplated what was to come.

“Naturally, sir,” Vittoria said with a small nod. “Though most will understand that these types of changes are natural in the course of a life in Starfleet. So, I imagine the clashes as seen by most will be limited. Though I am sure my couch will be occupied frequently.” She smiled wryly. “But I can handle it, and I will keep an open eye, as they say, to potential issues.”

Seb nodded appreciatively, “I know the XO is the usual port of call for personnel issues, but if anything comes up that either of you think I might need to know about during these early weeks, then please let me know as quickly as possible,” he concluded as he rose to his feet and stood behind the seat. “Before I go, is there anything either of you need from me?”

The Chief Medical Officer shook his head. “Nothing on this end.”

“Nothing here either, Captain,” Vittoria said with a small smile.

“Right,” he rubbed his hands together with relative glee, “if anyone needs me, I’ll be unwinding on the holodeck. There’s a glacier for ice skating on Andoria that has my name all over it.” And with that, the Terran departed and left his two senior most medical professionals together.

“Typical Starfleet,” Zinn mused once the Captain had left, “pull the rug from under us just as everyone is getting settled and beginning to gel.” He shook his head and let out a sigh, the frustration he felt evident. “At least we’re safe, for the time being anyway.”

Vittoria offered him a sympathetic smile as she agreed, “For the time being.”

With the day nearly over, and more eventful than the new Captain had anticipated when he had first boarded, the man was in desperate need for a break before his first full day in command. He had intended it to be a quiet one by his standards, with little for him to do but continue to trawl through reports and personnel files after the mad few days of changes for the crew. Instead, not only did the ship now have a new mission just days away, but it was down to Engineering to get the rest of the ships systems working before the launch deadline arrived.

Sebastian was heading towards the holodeck when the communications channel had come to life and informed him a prominent member of Starfleet Command had transported aboard and would be waiting for the Captain in the observation lounge on deck one. Sebastian diverted the turbolift to deck one and made his way to the Observation Lounge where he would meet the Admiral in just mere moments.

Standing at the window, his right hand braced the window frame as he looked out at the other vessels moving around the inner sanctum of the Starbase. Across the dimly lit internal cavity, the man could make out the frame of an Akira-class vessel gliding towards the docking bay doors with effortless ease. The Akira, odd in design compared to many Starfleet vessels, was one that he had a particular fondness for. He’d always liked the vessels of odd design, especially ships such as the Cheyenne or even, now, the New-Orleans with its three bulbous mission pods. Engrossed in his own thoughts, the Captain almost missed the sound of the doors parting and granting entrance to the older Admiral, a security officer from the Santa Fe and a third officer he had never met before. He stepped away from the window and offered a hand to the Admiral as he nodded to the security officer for him to wait outside.

“Admiral Hanson,” he welcomed the aged man with a polite nod and a firm hand shake.

“Captain Farrell, a pleasure,” Hanson responded in his gravelly tone before releasing his subordinates hand and gesturing to the Vulcan beside him. “Captain Sebastian Farrell, may I introduce Commander T’Prynn,” the Admiral revealed.

T’Prynn gave the Captain a measured look, one of the more annoying traits her race possessed as if sizing him up and seeing if he measured up to standards only she would know. Vulcans; notorious for holding others to a much higher standard. After a few moments, she apparently felt that he did. Reaching out a hand the tall, elegant Vulcan spoke, looking him directly in the eye, “It is a agreeable to make your acquaintance, Captain.”

“The pleasure is mine, Commander,” Sebastian nodded as he completed the round of welcomes and stepped aside, gesturing for both to join him around the large conference table that dominated the room. He took his now customary seat at the head of the table, with Hanson pulling out the nearest chair to him. “So, to what do I owe this pleasure? It’s not every day that one welcomes the Deputy Director of Starfleet Tactical aboard their ship,” the newly-minted Commander of the ship quipped at last as he opted to try to get to the bottom of their presence on his ship as quickly as possible.

“Commander T’Prynn and I are here with regards to the mission you have been assigned,” Hanson began as he relaxed back into his chair. “To be quite frank, we have virtually no intelligence of what may lay beyond the wormhole, or New Bajor. You’re going to be our most distant asset, so we want Commander T’Prynn to accompany you as the liaison to Starfleet Intelligence,” the much older Terran revealed as he glanced across at his Vulcan companion.

T’Prynn took up her cue quickly, picking up a small, discreet PADD she’d been carrying with her. “I have several years of specialized training in areas such as this, Captain. I am experienced in multiple areas of intelligence gathering, analysis, and infiltration, and will work with all your departments to ensure the proper information is being relayed back to Starfleet Intelligence. We must make sure the presence in the Gamma Quadrant is both legitimate and proportionate.”

“I hope you’re not going to be some sort of SFI spy,” the Captain smirked as he lent forward in his chair, “I’ll be expecting you to put your tools to use helping my people, as well as learning information for intelligence purposes,” he told the Commander in no uncertain terms, but also as a hint to the Admiral.

T’Prynn looked at the man with a blank expression, “I assure you, had I any intention of being a spy on your vessel you would not know why I was there. With that being said, I am to be here as much to help you as to help SFI,” he replied.

“Well, in that case, I think we’re pretty much ready to depart Admiral,” Sebastian revealed as he sat back again, “we’re missing one or two department heads, but I am confident that the officers we have in place in an acting capacity are more than capable of doing their job in the interim,” he advised the older Terran. Engineering would be annoyed with an early departure without a Chief at the helm, but there was nothing going on that they couldn’t complete en-route, and with the acting Chief in place they were in a better place than they had been. Not having a Tactical officer was probably going to be his biggest issue, but the crew would cope in the face of greater adversity elsewhere.

“Commander T’Prynn will report directly to you and your executive officer during her time aboard,” Hanson told as he mimicked the younger man’s earlier stance and sat forward in his chair. “Her security clearance grants her access to virtually everything you are likely to need in this mission Captain, so I am sure she will not mind if you use her talents freely,” he smirked as he looked at the beautiful Vulcan.

T’Prynn nodded subtly, “I would welcome it, Captain. I have spent the last six months on Earth and I’m very much looking forward to having something a bit more challenging to do,” she said, looking to the ship’s commanding officer.

“Then I suggest you go and get settled in, Commander. Let Ops know to give you some quarters,” the master and commander of the Santa Fe nodded to the Vulcan before looking at the Admiral again, “with your permission sir, we’ll depart tomorrow, after the mission briefing.”

“That will be acceptable,” the Admiral agreed as he rose to his feet with a creak that he was sure the others would have heard. “If you need anything in the meantime, or while out there, let me know.”

“Aye sir,” the Captain nodded.

As the other two began to discuss more important matters, T’Prynn did as she was instructed. Standing, she nodded her farewell to the Admiral and to her new commanding officer, and then made her way out of the room to find someone in Ops.

With the Vulcan dismissed, the Admiral and the Captain made their way to the younger ones’ private ready room to further discuss the mission at hand in the privacy of his office. Their conversation would take some time, but upon its conclusion he was left with the strongest belief that his crew and their vessel would be the right ones to deal with the mission parameters given.

All being well, tomorrow would be the day that the Santa Fe would commence perhaps the most difficult mission Starfleet could give them.