Project Emissary: The Enigma of Dalab.

In the vast expanse of the galaxy, Starfleet is embarking on a vital mission known as Operation Unity - The Second Contact with the enigmatic planet Dalab.

New Beginnings

USS GLADE
11/2401

“And another successful day for the crew of the Glade, completing the mission and returning safely. CONN, you have the bridge. XO, come to my ready room.” The captain rose from his chair, making his way to the ready room, regardless of whether he knew that Lieutenant Commander Peak was following closely behind him.

In the ready room, the captain took a seat, and Lieutenant Commander Peak followed suit, sitting at the captain’s desk. The captain was not always serious, but he had his moments, especially when he fell behind in his work, becoming stricter than usual to ensure tasks were completed.

“New mission, Lieutenant. Starfleet has a second-contact mission on the horizon. The Dalabians – not much information available, but they require the usual setup: subspace communication keys, Federation Access, and assistance from engineering to establish a permanent Embassy and orbital docking station. Given its proximity to some remote regions, Starfleet has deemed it a critical border security concern.” He tapped through the PADD, reviewing Starfleet’s limited knowledge of the planet and the USS Vincent’s first contact report.

“Sounds like our typical assignment, sir,” Alex replied, aware that this would be their 300th second-contact mission to date.

“The security report needs a closer look. First contact suggests there is a small faction of radicals; while they pose a minimal threat, some members are advocating violence to reclaim control of the capital.” The captain continued to peruse the PADD.

“We can always bring down more security sir.  Shouldn’t be a problem.” Alex said remembering that they could plan all they want but never once has a second contact for them ever go as planned or even on track.  It’s why first contact never has stick around long.  

“And on other thing Lieutenant.” Captain Rainer reached gently under his desk.  He pulled a small wooden box out.  The stained box was clear coated and shiny.  “This time you’ll be calling the shots.  Commander.” He stood up and walked around his desk.  Alex stood up as well.  

“It’s time Alex.  Your at the point you will never move anymore under me.  I still be your supervising Captain with Command but you will be on your own.  Not that you need the practice but more of the safety net pulled out from under ya.”  Rainer removed the black pip and replaced it with the new gold one.  “There ya go Commander.  And now the not so fun part, time to find out your ship.”

Rainer clicked the view portal.  The watched on the big screen as a large starship appeared.  On top she had a yellow strip going across in a arrow shape pointing to the front.  “The USS Merced.  She’s a Cali class out of Devron Fleet Yards.  Shes not new, in fact she has been without a crew and command for three months, so it will need a day to go through a cold start and checks.  Crew should be arriving same time, mostly those who just finished Cadet Cruise, so it’s going to be a green crew all around.  Most of your Chiefs just graduated as well and no XO was free on a short notice so the first outing is going to be rough.”

Alex looked at the screen, staring at how he was going to turn a grew of brand new cadets into a working class crew in a matter of a weeks time to Delab.  “Well sir, I think I see why senior staff drink when they can.  How long until we reach Devron, I assumed we changed course in the last hour?” Alex figured they were too far out to send a shuttle and Starbase 43 and Devron were the only nearest bases in reach in the next few days of Warp travel.  

“We should be there by the end of tomorrow.  I will be giving you Lieutenant Thorp for Operations, it’s about time he steps up as well to a department head position.  With that he will also be your second officer and helping the Command Staff out until a seasoned XO appears.  Rainer said taking his seat.

At this point, they started the military tradition of saying goodbye.  Commander Peak then went to his quarters and started packing the little possessions he had to fill now a bigger suite and now an office.   

A Small Wooden Box

Devron Fleet Yards
Spring 2401

”We dont have much time.”  A dark deep voice whispered.  

The voice awoke Alex as lay asleep in his bed.  It was the last night he was going to lay in bed he had been in for years.  Despite most officer quarters being practically identical, the fact of leaving ones home did not excite Alex the least bit.  He had grown accustomed to his position, his life, and his family.  

He looked out the view port as he got his uniform on.  It appeared they had docked already at Devron.  Typically the crew was not alerted until the ship had been cleared for final dock connect.  It could usually be a few hours before the crew can come on board.   

=/\=Commander Peak, meet me on the bridge.=/\=

The Captain cut the comms before Alex could answer.  The nice thing about Starfleet is he had very few possessions.  No moving couches, no bulky furniture, and no clothes in trash bags.  What little possessions he did have, the lucky thing about being an officer was having it moved over without little notice needed.  

***Thirty Minutes Later ***

Alex made it to the bridge.  When he arrived the entire command crew was standing on the bridge.  The captain standing there holding a small wooden box.  There was nothing special about it other than the fact the crew was excited to see him receive it.  

“Captain.” Alex was trying to hold a smile back on his face.  half of embarrassment the other half giddy to open the box.  

”The only thing I can tell ya Alex, is that every captain has a drink.  Admiral Picard and his earl grey, Admiral Janeway and her coffee, myself and my Carmel macchiato, maybe this will be yours?” He handed Alex the wooden box.  Burned in on top of it was the the letters W.R. Weller.  Alex reached out to grab it.

“This was not easy to track down.  Not many of these spirits left that don’t come out of a replicator.  Probably gonna be a bit stronger too, so I don’t suggest drinking at work.” The crew behind the captain let out laugh.  Drinking while on duty of course was strictly forbidden but many Captains over the years had their fair share of a spirit or two while on duty.

“Thank you sir, maybe I can take this and mix it with a bit of Janeway and call it an evening.  Decaf, of course.”  The crew let out another chuckle.   While it’s not something one typically thinks about, but non the less every captain is known for their drink.  However the only unforgiving drink is water.  No captain would caught drinking just plain water at his desk, unthinkable.

Alex tucked the box under his arm.  The from the back he heard someone say “Speech!” The crew all gave their own agreeance to this.

“I’m not one for speeches to be honest.  Lieutenant Thorp and I will be heading to the USS Merced, a California class cruiser with a crew fresh out of the academy and no XO.  As you know Starfleet has been pushing for better crew and more of a pretense on the outer worlds.  We are no strangers to these kind of missions as well.  While many of these so called routine missions sound like they are not important and more serve of a reminder of all the grunt work laid out by the Explorers of old, Kirk, Picard, Janeway, and even archer, they pose the highest risks.  My friends, please just wish me luck as we take a group of cadets, just like we all once were and turn them into what we are, family.  One who watches each other’s back, and supports one another.  That is our mission, Family.”

It wasn’t half bad of a speech, Alex thought to himself as he watched over the crew all smiling at one another.  The French Foreign legion had a saying in the 21st Century “Legio Patria Nostra” the legion is our homeland, but in a more simpler term family.  The men of the French Foreign Legion while serving France were bound more to each other, their brothern, their mission.  This was what allowed them to overcome such great obstacles no matter the environment.  This was the ship Alex wanted to run, this was the family that he wanted to create.

While they said their goodbyes, Alex made his way with the Captain to the docking bay close to the bridge.  “I’m gonna miss ya Alex.  Remember one thing, you utilimnatly call the shots now.  No one will be coming to save you in a decision.  It sounds like easy but it will be hardest thing you ever have to do.   You dont answer to me anymore but to Admiralty.  They play games Alex, games we only our allowed to watch, not know the rules, and if you foul, it could be worse.  We all are playing, whether we think we are or not.” His hand was now on the shoulder on Alex.

“Good luck Alex.”  The captain gave him a hug. “I left another gift for you in your ready room.” The captain whispered in his ear.

The two finished saying their goodbyes and Alex left, off to his new home and new life.  A new adventure waiting.

 

(((CONTINUE FOR PART 2)))

A Small Wooden Box Pt. 2

Devon Fleet Yards
Spring 2401

“Commander Peak for Admiral Blake” Alex stood in a small waiting room outside of the Admirals office with Lieutenant Secretary that had been appointed gate keeper to the admiral.  She was very mean, which meant she was very good at her job.

 

After a few moments she without looking up from her LCARS panel. “He will see you now.  No more than five minutes, he has 20 of these today.”  She tapped the panel and opened the door.  Just as Alex was walking in, another commander walked into the waiting room.

 

“Sir, Commander Alexander Peak, reporting as order.”  Alex stood at attention.  From what he could see the Admiral was a paper pusher on the verge of retirement.  Certainly not the type to be involved in any games other than a nap.

 

“Yes, Commander Peak, Merced, Cali Class.  Transferring command control to you. =/\= Computer transfer control off USS Merced to Commander Alexander Peak Sierra Bravo 6-2-3 Papa. =/\=

 

“Control has been transferred to Commander Alexander Peak.  Priority Access granted.  Transferring Mission 2 Delta 3-2 Delta to Merced….transfer complete.” The computer stated in the cool female monotone voice that Starfleet had grown accustomed too since the Archer age.

 

“Commander.  I am working on getting an XO assigned to you.  Unknown when that will be.  As for the meantime Lieutenant Thorp will be your acting XO, Second Officer, and Operations department Chief.  With those duties, I do not see him helping you out at as much.  Make it work.  Good day.”

 

“Sir.”  As quick and formal as it was he was rushed out of the Admirals room.

 

The small padd that Alex carried now showed a map to the Merced.  The fleet yard was more or less several yards with a command and control area in the middle.  This set up allowed for multiple ships to be docked over a larger area than your typical space station docks.

 

After navigating several turns he arrived at small dock with a shuttle pod.  The other nice thing about the yards was there was no need to have shuttle pilots as you just tell the pod where to go.  It was then switched padd access to prevent going the wrong ship as several California class ships were grouped together and cadets had the occasional issue of boarding the wrong one and not knowing about it for several weeks.

 

The shuttle pod flew by a Galaxy class.  its massiveness gloomed over several other star ship classes.  It would be several years before he would be able to Command such a ship.  Out of the shadow of the ship was several California class ships with the Merced at front.

 

Captain Rainer was right, she was not new but she had seen some action with some of the hull that been replaced and upgraded.  While on the older side she still looked like she could take hints and put up a fight.  She was stripped in yellow.  The standard color for Operations outfit, it was also attached with modified diplomatic and science desk that allowed them to carry out a variety of missions for Starfleet, it also means that the ship would get a compliment of departments that would be running 24/7 and would require all the senior staff to fill in roles on an already lite crew count.

 

After the shuttle docked and the latch locked with an attaching noise the green light came on.  The doors opened to the tan panels in front of him “U.S.S. Merced NCC-12345.  He was home.