Elena tried hard to keep the disappointment tucked down deep; the past few days had been, in her opinion, a complete disaster. She had reported to Starbase 72 for command of the Dragonfly, and somewhere in their infinite wisdom, Starfleet had pulled the Dragonfly. In its place, she had been assigned to the Steamrunner-class USS Galileo on a one-way trip to some aging Watchtower-class station, Eos. 

She had been given some line about how the station needed her diplomatic finesse, along with Commander Harris’s engineering skills. Their explanation seemed more like diplomatic ass-kissing than finesse. She sighed, looking out the window of her ready room as the station came into view. “When they said run down,” she sighed, “I think someone was up-selling it.” 

“The station is a century old,” Harris added from the far side of the room as he ordered a cup of coffee. He turned to face the Captain, “Starfleet had forgotten about this place until the fall of the Romulan Empire. Now suddenly, some four-pip Admiral thinks it is fitting to bring this station into the modern era.” 

“It’s going to be a lot of work and patience,” the Executive Officer added. 

Elena rolled her eyes, “polish a turd, it’s still a turd.”  She blushed, “Sorry, something my Grandpa used to say.” Elena still wasn’t sure how this man connected to her husband, and for the time being, neither would talk about it. However, she was confident that, in time, things would be clear. For now, this was going to be a divide-and-conquer. Gab would have to take over the Engineering side of things and coordinate with the Station’s Operations and Engineer Chiefs while she saw to everything else. It wasn’t the best of plans, but their morning briefings would help keep them on track.   

The next several hours seemed to coast by, each Officer tending to their matters, meeting up for the occasionally awkward silent moment. A good working relationship took time; with Eos, time is about the only thing the station had to offer. It wasn’t long, however, and the Galileo had been cleared to dock. Elena now stood on the deck plating of the station, her first command. For the moment, the only thing she had going for herself was that no one knew her. She could mingle about the station, take in the sights, and settle in before she had to assume command officially. It was, after all, only a matter of time before Petty Officer Bryne found her. A good Yeoman was persistent about schedules.  

As with any busy civilian transportation hub, people were coming and going all over the place. Some were travelers simply using the station as a layover point, moving on to destinations unknown. While others, like Elena, had ended their travel on Eos, ready to call the station home. The Captain couldn’t help but wonder if any figures around her were some of her Senior Staff; she hadn’t been briefed yet, so she wasn’t entirely sure.  

The Ferengi delegation will arrive at airlock two and the last call for the shuttle to Freecloud. The loud announcement rang out from overhead throughout the terminal.

Elena nearly tripped over a potted plant as the announcement sounded. While it was delivered in a calm, professional tone, it was very unexpected. “What the heck was that,” she exclaimed, looking around.

“That was our last Commander’s attempt to add a friendly touch,” a soft-spoken voice from behind her replied. Elena turned around, greeted by a warm face with bright red hair and emerald green eyes. This face she knew all too well, “Petty Officer Byrne,” the Captain smiled, “pleasure to finally meet you.”  

Bryne nodded, “likewise, Captain.”  

Elena looked around, “not so loud,” she waved her hands, “I’m trying not to be noticed, yet…”

Bryne smiled and pointed up. ‘That was something our last Commander thought added an interesting touch to the station. Something he read about in an old Earth train station. Oddly, it was done in his own voice. The man had a bit of an ego.’ 

“I’m not sure I like it.” From behind her, Elena could hear the Ferengi delegation grumbling. She could hear something about the lack of a formal greeting. Elena asked the Petty, “Have I officially assumed command yet?”  She gave a slight nod and a grin.  

“Not to my knowledge, Miss Mitchell,” Bryne took the hint almost immediately. The two quickly tucked into a small coffee shop. From behind the counter, a Bolian smiled. 

“Welcome to the Quantum Brew; it’s the Nebula’s Nectar,” the man added, “or at least that is what Admiral Janeway said.” He paused, “what can I get you.”  

“Surprise me,” Elena started to talk but was startled as someone grabbed her waist from behind and shouted. Elena had her doubts that Admiral Janeway ever ventured this far out, and certainly not to a Watchtower station. The fleet had nicer facilities for Admirals on tour.

From behind her, a figure snuck up on the Captain; with a knowing look on her face and a mischievous grin, the woman grabbed Elena, “Lena,” she shouted.Elena let out a small scream but instantly recognized the voice. “If it isn’t my Medical Maven,” Elena turned around, facing the station’s newest Chief Medical Officer. “It’s good to see you, Millie.” 

Emily Rodriguez smiled as she hugged her friend, “Imagine my surprise when I got a communication about a position opening up on your station. “Imagine the trouble the two of us can get into,” Millie grabbed a cup of coffee from the counter and sipped the beverage. Looking up, she blushed, “Sorry, was this yours?” 

“Not any longer,” Elena nodded at the barista as the Bolian started to make another drink. “No trouble this time around, I am,” she leaned in and whispered, “the Commanding Officer after all.”  

Millie didn’t miss a beat, taking every opportunity, “I know, who in their right mind promoted you?” She sipped the drink again, “Were there no other qualified Officers?” 

Elena looked to Bryne, “my apologies, may I introduce Lieutenant Commander Emily Rodriguez.” 

“Commander, Bryne nodded professionally.  

Elena couldn’t help but feel a sense of hope and excitement as the two friends laughed. She had been dreading her assignment to Eos, but now, with her trusted friend Millie, she felt a newfound sense of confidence. 

She knew Eos would be challenging but was ready to tackle it head-on. She had a competent crew and a good friend to support her every step of the way. With a smile, Elena looked at her companion and grabbed Millie’s arm. ‘Let’s get you out of here before you start spilling secrets that don’t need to be spilled,’ she said, and Millie smirked, ‘me, never.’ Elena laughed, ‘Perhaps this station won’t be so bad after all.’ 

Millie smirked, “Me, never.” 

Elena laughed, “Millie,” she squeezed the Medical Officer’s arm, “it’s good to have you here.”  From behind the two, Elena heard a cough; she sighed. “I think my chaperone is telling me I have official duties to take to see to.”

“I’m not a chaperone, Captain,” Bryne replied, “merely the keeper of the schedule, and you have a meeting with the Admiral in about 30 minutes.”

“I just got here,” Elena exclaimed. “Seriously!”

“Welcome to command, Captain,” Millie laughed, “you go do you, and we will meet up tonight for dinner.”

With that, Elena gave Millie one last hug, “Dinner it is,” with that, Elena turned to face Bryne, “To Operations, lead the way, Petty Officer.”