“…and with the latest diagnostics looking all good, I think we’re good to go.” Ra’s final report regarding the installation of Atlantis’ new warp core was met by a satisfied murmur that circled the conference table. Everyone it would seem was keen to get going again.

They’d spent longer in other locations before but they’d always had the option of moving on. The last month hadn’t been by choice but enforced by circumstances. And that had started to weigh on folks it would seem.

Cabin fever.

“So if I was to give the order for maximum warp, you’d be keen then?” Tikva asked and was met with a chuckle from Ra.

“Oh heck no!” he exclaimed in good humour. “Give me a few days, Captain. But,” he took a moment to think, gaze shifting to the ceiling, fingers playing with his beard. “Warp eight I’ll be happy with.”

“Right now?”

“Sure thing,” he answered.

She nodded in acknowledgement, attention shifting to her science officer. Gabrielle Camargo was nursing her second cup of coffee for the meeting, attention on the padd before her then on what was going on around her.

“Gabs,” Tikva said.

“Oh, shoot, sorry,” the young woman responded, looking apologetic. “All good on my side. We’ve recovered all the probes we used in surveying the system and as you asked transferred all geological survey data to the Qalians as part of our data exchange.”

Atlantis’ warp core replacement had been a simple thing. Systems integration and testing had taken a few days longer. Days which Sciences had used, in conjunction with Perseus to map the Qalian’s home system for them with a degree of exactness they’d possibly find overwhelming to start with. And as part of their going away gift, a sign of the Federation’s friendly intentions, they’d gifted all that data to the locals specifically to help them.

Useful mineral deposits in the asteroid fields had been highlighted. Mysteries about a few of their early space probes had been answered. But this data was accompanied with such information as knowledge of a few local warp-capable civilisations that were of a friendly disposition, and others that weren’t and best avoided for now.

And all of this had been in exchange for a wealth of knowledge about the Qalians that they hadn’t been able to ascertain from afar. Medical data, historical records, cultural libraries – the wealth of Qal’s distinct nature shared with them. And as soon as Atlantis got within range of a subspace relay it would be shared with the Federation.

Your distinctiveness will be added to our own…

No. Shut up. We’re not the Borg.

Of course not. We ask. We respect a refusal. But still…

Tikva’s gaze fell to the padd in front of Gabs. “Found anything interesting?”

“Oh, plenty. But, uh, don’t want to bore everyone. Most of my department are pouring over everything right now, but we’re suffering a serious case of where do we start.”

“Have you liaised with your counterpart aboard the Perseus?” Kendris asked from Tikva’s left. During most of the major briefings to date Kendris had established herself as a quiet figure, asking questions only when necessary and this meeting was no different. She’d asked Rrr to clarify a single point regarding departure readiness and now this question.

It was an effective tactic for getting noticed though.

Always the quiet ones.

Oh, she isn’t quiet.

Or Ra isn’t.

Gee, thanks for that image. Didn’t need that.

Gabs just blinked at Kendris a few times, as if her brain had stopped processing at the sudden interruption. “Yes?” she eventually responded, though it came as a question and not a statement. “Yes,” she repeated, more confidently this time. “We’re holding daily stand-ups to make sure we’re not all combing over the same stuff. We’ve got no illusions we’re going to go over everything, but we’re confident we can get a few primer papers written up before the anthropological academics absolutely devour this.” She emphasised ‘this’ by tapping on her padd.

“Right then, well that’s everybody yes?” Tikva waited for any denials or last-minute addendums. A count of three passed quickly enough but before she could dismiss everyone, Lin cleared her throat and slowly rose to her feet.

“Captain,” Lin said ominously. “I have it under good authority you are out of uniform.” And with that she strode down her side of the conference table to Tikva’s side, setting a small box down in front of her.

A small box she’d left in her quarters that very morning, its contents still inside.

A small box she hadn’t spoken to Lin about at all.

Rachel.

Fucking Rachel.

Can we kill her now?

If we’re lucky she’s dying of laughter right now.

Like we’re that lucky.

“Uh, what?” Ra asked, brow furrowing in confusion at Lin’s statement, Tikva’s blush and Kendris’ smirk. “Someone want to explain?”

“Captain Theodoras has been promoted,” Kendris answered. “To the rank of Fleet Captain, yes?”

“Yes,” Tikva grumbled.

An expected chorus of ‘Way to go!’ or ‘Congratulations’ didn’t come. But the emotional wave she felt from everyone present might as well have done the job. She rubbed at her forehead, shielding her eyes for a moment, then glanced at Kendris and then Lin. “Which one of you is doing this?”

“This is a Starfleet matter,” Kendris answered demurely, offering an upturned palm to Lin in concession.

With a sigh Tikva got to her feet, picking up the jewellery box as she did and opening it, glancing at the single silver bar contained within. Just long enough to under the pips on her collar. She then turned it so Lin could pluck the small bar out.

The chorus of congratulations arrived just after Lin had placed the bar on her collar.

It was just enough to mask her threat and promise to Lin. “You’re going to pay for this.”

Lieutenant Commander Adelinde Gantzmann, capable of perfect professionalism in her own time, merely raised an eyebrow at that, then a slight smile and an accepting nod of her head. The wave of emotions Tikva felt from the woman tasted sweet and honeylike – promises, promises it said.

“Alright, alright!” Tikva finally said, calming her people down. “Cats out of the bag now I guess. Yes, I got promoted. Yes, Perseus has been assigned to the squadron. Yes, we’re going to sort out a party for the crew in a few days. After Ra tells us we’re good to go and get this ship sprinting on home.”

“A party is waiting on Engineering? Oh, we’re clear for max warp right now then,” Ra joked.

“No, no. Nice and safe. Got it?”

“Aye-aye, Fleet Captain,” Ra answered smirking.

Tikva couldn’t help the eye roll. “Right then. Commander Kendris, break orbit and let’s get Atlantis back underway. Set course for Deep Space 47 and let’s go. The rest of you are dismissed save for Gabs and Ra.”

Lin was the last to depart of those that could, having taken a moment to whisper a sweet promise in Tivka’s ear that brought back her blush. Ra had the good grace to engage Gabs in conversation looking out a window before that had happened but was now turning back, chuckling at the flustered look of his captain.

“Right, you two. I wanted to discuss a change in the command structure aboard ship. Just a trial mind you, not a statement on anyone’s capabilities.” That had killed the mood.

“Ma’am?” Ra asked.

“Ra, having you as second officer at the moment is a bit…troublesome.” She waited for a protest, but the Efrosian simply nodded. “And your duties do keep you in Engineering more often than not anyway.”

“Can’t argue there,” he said.

“So I was thinking, on a trial basis, of bumping you down to Third Officer and bringing Gabs here on as Second Officer.”

“Ha!” Ra barked. “Congrats Gabs!”

Gabrielle had for her part however simply locked up. And then suddenly sprung back to life. “Uh, you are ma’am?”

“Yes,” Tikva answered.

“Oh…wow. Uh, wow. But what about the likes of…” Gabrielle trailed off.

“Oh Gabs, the captain, sorry, fleet captain, can’t have Guns as second officer.” Ra was having way too much fun with her rank. “Just like why I’m assuming having me as second officer is a ‘bit troublesome’ yes?”

“That’s about the sum of it,” Tikva answered.

“How long is the trial period?” Gabs asked.

“Until either the officer exchange is over and Kendris leaves or I change my mind.” Tikva smiled. “Gabs, I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t have confidence in you. You’re a capable officer and I think you’ve got potential. And the fleet right now needs everyone to step up wherever they can.”

“Right. Yes.” Gabs’ response was short and sharp as she collected herself. “I appreciate the offer ma’am and look forward to it.” Now once more there was the confident officer that had been showing up more and more.

“Excellent. I’ll make it all official soon. You’re both dismissed.”

They both left the conference room after that, Ra offering to help show Gabs the ropes and give advice when needed. They both nodded to a figure waiting outside who stepped in after they left.

Adelinde Gantzmann stood there, hands clasped behind her back and just far enough in the room to let the door close behind her.

“Rachel told you?” Tikva asked.

“No ma’am,” Lin answered. “Commander Kendris did. Captain Garland informed her directly after you returned from Perseus. But I did confirm with the commander when I found your rank bar.”

“I was waiting you know.”

“You’d have waited till DS47,” Lin countered.

“Would not,” Tikva challenged. It sounded weak even to her. “I…just…it’s too close to being promoted to the admiralty and out of the centre seat.”

“May I speak freely?” Lin asked, clearly still the professional, clearly on duty.

“Lin,” Tikva responded, tilting her head and her tone completing the answer. Of course you can.

“Commodores run around in command of ships to this day. And Starfleet is struggling for command officers right now anyway. They aren’t going to yank you away from a command.”

“They still could,” she responded, gaze shifting to the floor. “Got a lot of brass to replace.”

She hadn’t heard Lin’s footsteps, hadn’t noticed the larger woman close on her. Blasted carpeting did have a downside after all. But the finger under her chin, lifting her gaze was just perfection. The smile that greeted her washed away any concerns. “Well when it happens, just become a commodore-errant and keep the chair.”

Tikva snorted in agreement before she completed the break in professional decorum by reaching out and sliding her arms inside Lin’s and hugging the woman. “Thank you,” she said. “I needed that reality check.”

“You’re welcome, love.” Lin’s arms wrapped around Tikva easily.

“Now,” Tikva said, pushing back as much as she wanted from Lin. She had a mischievous grin and a sparkle in her eyes. “I’d like to report a theft from my quarters.”

“Oh dear,” Lin answered with amusement. “How tragic. Could I perhaps inspect the crime scene before we jump to any more conclusions?”

As the two women departed the conference room, one in a hurry, the other dragged along, Atlantis finally spun away from the planet Qal. Past the fledgling orbital infrastructure, past the grip of the planet’s gravity and then away once more as the stillness of the universe gave away in a flash of blue light to the streaking of stars past Atlantis as it finally started its return home.