Commander Matt Kirby, an Ops officer on Starbase 93, was called in to meet with his section leader.  At age 32, he was an assistant leader himself, having served on the base for his entire career since graduating from Starfleet Academy.  Confident that a promotion was coming, he stepped into the office.

“Have a seat, Matt.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Since things have gotten so busy with the Romulan situation, I’ll get right to it.”

Matt’s curiosity was piqued.

“With the massive relief effort that’s been launched, our need for ships has increased.  To do that as quickly as possible, the Brass has put into service hundreds of Raven-class vessels.  Are you familiar with them?”

“I am,” said Matt.  “I’ve been keeping up on anything to do with what’s happening.”

“Good.  I’ve also seen from your file that you recently completed command training.  How did that go?”

“It was a challenge.  I need to learn as much as I can so I’m ready to go where I’m needed,” said Matt.

‘Well, you’re definitely needed.  How would you like to take command of one of the Ravens?”

It took several seconds for that to fully register in Matt’s mind.

“Me, sir?  The CO of a ship?”

“Yes.  I know you’ve been here your entire career, but you’ve demonstrated your abilities.  The initiative to train and learn as much as you can, well I’m not the only one that noticed.”

Matt smiled.  “Thank you, sir.  I’m honored to be chosen.”

“As you know, there are only twenty crew on a Raven.  Pick your senior staff, I’ll provide you with a list, and the rest will be filled in with NCOs and enlisted.  Do you have any questions?”

Matt was so excited, he must have looked like a teenager going on his first date.  So much was running through his mind, there was only one thing he could ask.

“What’s the name of the ship?”

“The USS Sitacus.  It’s a river on Earth.  It was also a name for a canal on Mars.  Congratulations, Matt.  You deserve this.”

<i>These were definitely changing times</i>, thought Matt. 

Commander Matt Kirby sat in his office, bleary eyes staring at two stacks of PADDs.  To his right were files of people he was considering choosing to be senior officers on the Sitacus.  The PADDs to the left were people he wouldn’t select.  The problem was, the yes group was too big.  Matt was having a hard time eliminating anyone.

So many qualified and not enough positions to fill.

Matt was realizing, that if he couldn’t come to a decision on his department heads, how could he come close to being the successful CO of a ship responsible for his people, someone his crew trusted with their lives?

There was one name that had risen to the top of the list.  Lieutenant Commander Sorek, a Vulcan security officer.  The man had recently transferred to Starbase 93 after serving on a ship.  He was experienced and had an excellent record.  He would be perfect for chief of security.  Matt would probably name him as XO as well.

“That’s one,” said Matt, setting Sorek’s file onto a table next to his desk.

Hours Later

With a large sigh, Matt rubbed his eyes.  He had finished.  He had his command crew.  Now it was time to contact each of them and tell them the good news.

Matt paused.  What if one of them declined the offer?  The positions on the Sitacus weren’t orders, but optional.  Maybe someone he picked wanted to remain on the base?

Matt needed to stop.  If there was a no thanks, he would find another.  The first thing to do was to reach out to each person’s immediate superior, letting them know he wanted one of their people.  He needed to stretch his legs, so standing up, he grabbed the PADDs and began his trek. 

Commander Matt Kirby, the new CO of the USS Sitacus, sat proudly in the command chair on the bridge.  It was the day the ship left Starbase Bravo to help in the Velorum sector and Kirby couldn’t be more excited.  The process to head out had taken time; there were briefings and intelligence reports to study, crew interviews, and learning the schematics and layout of the ship.  All necessary preparations, but now the real adventure was before them.

Looking at the senior staff, Kirby could feel their excitement as well.  At least all of them except for his XO and chief of security, Lieutenant Commander Sorek.  The man was Vulcan, someone Kirby felt he needed to keep him balanced.  The day they met, after accepting the transfer to the Sitacus, they worked together to fill the senior staff positions.  It also began the process of creating a chemistry between them.

In many ways, Sorek was a typical Vulcan.  After working together, Kirby got the impression Sorek had an underlying humor.  Dry, and most likely unintentional, but it was present.

The first person they chose was the chief medical officer.  The candidate that would fit the best was Doctor Lori Weaver.  A Human woman, she specialized in emergency medicine.  The Raven ship class wasn’t designed for long-term missions, so that specialty was most important.  Weaver had an outgoing personality, with a no-nonsense attitude, but she also knew when it was time to relax and unwind.

Nick Saunders was the chief engineer.  Good at his work, innovative, but a jokester sense of humor.  He was the person that would keep everyone laughing.

Haia Ohtani was the pilot, and in fact the helm department head.  Fresh out of the academy, Haia couldn’t believe Kirby offered her the position.  With so many people needed to help, officers were being given assignment sooner than they should, but she was one of the highest rated pilots in her class.  Kirby felt lucky to get her.

Though not a department head, Ensign Roger Allen came on board.  He spent several months on Starbase Bravo and was on one mission with another Raven, so Kirby was grateful for any experienced personnel available.

Fourteen enlisted were added to fill the roster.  All twenty on board had skills, but each was new to what they were facing now.  They would do their best, and in the end, that’s what counted.