A quiet hum emanates from the modest, utilitarian command center on the bridge of the USS Ukiah. The consoles are clean and operate with utmost efficiency; screens function perfectly, and the bridge looks so pristine that an average person might think it had just come out of the shipyard a few weeks ago. The tension is palpable, everyone on the bridge is eager to depart. Through the viewscreen is Hecate Station, a bustling hub of trading and repair operations.

From the center near the captain’s chair, a young Romulan commander paces from right to left while occasionally checking a PADD containing departure instructions. While she remains calm, there is a slight unease within her. Romulan protocols are direct and minimal, yet Starfleet requires several departure clearances. Likika has been in command for barely a month since her arrival from the officer exchange program. She accepted Starfleet’s offer to help out in command due to their shortage of senior officers, but this is proving more challenging than expected. She flips through the instructions, pausing at unfamiliar Federation terms. Her brows knit in mild frustration.

A smirk comes from Amar Nisari, the assigned first officer of the Ukiah, as he notices Likika’s hesitation. “Request final clearance from Hecate Station’s traffic control,” he speaks in a gentle tone as he points out the next step. Being half Betazoid, Amar picks up on Likika’s uneasy feelings and smiles softly. “You will get used to these steps, Commander. They are quite normal, and you will know them quickly enough,” he reassures her. “It’s part of Starfleet transparency and safety.”

Giving a brief nod to Amar, Likika places the PADD down on the side of her chair. “Open channel to the station, please.” She’s biting back her urge to skip ahead and just leave, but these are formalities she has to endure.

With a brief nod back from Amar as he starts contacting Hecate Traffic Control, the young officers on the bridge watch closely the actions of their new CO. Most of them are fresh from the academy or just promoted, uncertain whether they should help or let her handle it.

Zoe Nnedi, one of the officers fresh from the academy, watches the interaction between Likika and Amar. She is the ship’s pilot and eager to depart. Looking back at her console, she double-checks navigational charts for the next cargo pick-up and shrugs a little. She is rather unsure if they’ll deviate from the route to investigate any rumors that are troubling transport ships.

Meanwhile, a young Ensign rolls his eyes after hearing the interaction between the command team members. His focus is on his console as Sarin De Soto, the Chief Operations Officer, handles the cargo readouts, while one ear perks up towards the awkward hush between the CO and XO.

The doors of the bridge hiss open, revealing T’Zel as she holds a diagnostic tool. T’Zel is the newly promoted Chief Engineering Officer and is known for her logical precision and strict adherence to protocol. She approaches Likika with a report in her other hand. “Commander, the ship’s power relays are stable, but I do recommend a final warp-capacity check before departure.” She notices a certain discomfort from Likika after pointing out more protocols.

But Likika stays calm and listens carefully, her posture stiffening slightly. Taking the PADD and looking at it, she says, “Your thoroughness and precise work proceed you, Lieutenant.” She acknowledges T’Zel’s work but quietly wonders if all these checks are entirely necessary. An average Romulan ship might have departed already. With that, she sees T’Zel give a nod of approval and walk to Sarin.

“I am already busy finalizing the sensor calibrations for the next cargo run, Lieutenant,” Sarin states as he sees the Vulcan walk to him.

Standing next to him, T’Zel remains impassive, focusing on the facts in front of her. “A 2.37% drift from the baseline.” She taps on the console to display the data and looks at Sarin, waiting for an explanation.

Scratching awkwardly behind his ear, Sarin says, “Oh, you know, these low-budget Starfleet ships…” He sees that the joke only causes a typical Vulcan eyebrow arch as a sign of Vulcan confusion. “Never mind… I will get it corrected.”

Meanwhile, in the Corridor

Likika has given Amar the task to take over the traffic control protocol as she enters the corridor to calm her mind. As she walks down the corridor, she nearly bumps into Koro Rixn, the Chief Security/Tactical Officer. “Lieutenant?”

The Tellarite is in a hurry to finish the final security sweep of the docking clamps. Koro nods to the Commander. “Captain, I am almost finished with the security sweeps per protocol.” He doesn’t notice that at the mention of “protocol,” Likika’s face flinches slightly. “I do have to report that I am hearing rumors of missing shipments. I wonder if the ship might run into trouble on its next run? The safety of the crew might be at stake, Captain.”

Taking a deep breath as another worry adds to Likika’s list, the potential cargo tampering. Likika feels that this run might become more complicated than needed. She just wanted to leave on schedule, yet these signs of trouble keep stacking up. “Yeah, that does sound problematic, Lieutenant. Got any suggestions to get some clearance on the case?”

Koro thinks for a second and nods slowly. “I might be able to scan the logs from Hecate Station for any unusual patterns. This might take some time, but if it provides clearance to the case as you said, it might help.”

For a brief moment, Likika hesitates, being torn between her drive to be efficient and her duty to protect the ship. Ultimately, she nods to the Lieutenant. “Alright, let’s do this discreetly and as quickly as possible. We have a schedule to follow. Keep me or Lieutenant Nisari updated.” She sees Koro nod in agreement. “I’ve got to check in with Sickbay.”

With that, she leaves Koro behind and realizes she has to trust these officers. She’s in Starfleet now, and part of that means delegation. But inexperience cuts both ways, as she knows that Koro is new to starship-level tactics, and she is new to Federation customs.

Sickbay

Entering the sickbay, Likika’s eyes dart through the room and stop at the sight of the young Trill named Sylera Ral. She might be an Ensign, but for some reason, Likika feels at ease with her. “Doctor Ral, got me a rundown on the crew readiness before we depart for the next cargo run?” She walks over to her.

Sylera looks up from her PADD as she checks the medical inventories and smiles at her Captain. “Captain, I hope this was more of a social call than a work one.” Sylera wants to know everyone and is known to be a social butterfly. She turns her attention to Likika. “But the medical inventories are at acceptable levels, and staff are updated on crew health. However, I am slightly concerned about the stress levels among the junior officers; they are higher than I had anticipated.”

“What might be the cause of that?” Likika crosses her arms, looking at Sylera.

A bit of an awkward huff comes out of her. “Well, the crew is quite green; they might be on edge working under a Romulan CO.” She is rather blunt about it.

Likika slowly nods to the doctor’s observation yet keeps her posture in check, not letting it get to her. “Keep an eye out for crew morale, Doctor. I might be unfamiliar with it, seeing we Romulans are more in line with duty and less with emotions. But I am learning the Starfleet way, and I appreciate your advice in the matter.”

“Of course, Captain. But I do have a question for you,” Sylera leans a bit against the biobed, looking at Likika. “Do you expect any excitement on this next run?” Sylera has heard the rumors as well; the Klingons have been active these days, and she wonders what’s true and if it could be a potential problem.

“I expect a hopefully smooth flight.” Likika is a bit unsure herself, but in the back of her mind, Koro’s words haunt her. The tampering of the cargo is yet to be confirmed, and many other uncertainties and complications are lurking in the dark. But she doesn’t show it to the good doctor, keeping her traditional Romulan poker face in check. “I have to return to the bridge, Doctor. Thank you for the update, and if something is wrong, please do contact me.” With that, she leaves the doctor behind, who follows her with her eyes to the exit.

Back at the Bridge

Rubbing her temple, the doors of the bridge hiss open as Likika walks to her chair and sits down. “Please tell me you got the clearance, Lieutenant?” She looks at Amar, who is focused on his console.

“Hecate Station awaits your confirmation,” Amar confirms as he looks at Likika and opens a channel to Hecate Traffic Control.

“This is Commander Likika of the USS Ukiah, requesting permission for departure for our next cargo run,” Likika announces, waiting for a response. She wants to follow protocol by the book, while her posture gives a slight hint of Romulan composure.

“This is Hecate Traffic Control. You have clearance to begin your next cargo run. Good luck on your voyage, and see you soon. Hecate out.”

A minor cheer is heard through the bridge from some younger officers. The relief to finally move on to their next cargo run is palpable. “All systems are reporting green. Warp drive is ready,” Sarin confirms.

Ignoring the cheer, Likika gives a brief nod and looks at Zoe. “Ensign Nnedi, ahead one-quarter impulse. Clear the station, then set course for the cargo pick-up route.”

The Ukiah maneuvers away from the docking clamps under Zoe’s piloting. On-screen, Hecate Station recedes as the ship aligns with its new heading. “We are now at a safe distance and the course is adjusted. On your command, Captain,” Zoe says, looking over her shoulder to Likika.

Taking a deep breath, Likika can feel the quiet tension on the bridge as rumors of tampered shipments are yet to be confirmed and the disappearance of cargo on their route remains unknown. She glances around at her officers; young, earnest, but uncertain. She steels herself to lead them effectively, even as she wonders if she’s doing it the right Starfleet way. “Get us on the way,” she commands, and the Ukiah jumps to warp.