Lieutenant Commander Stephanie Locke led Captain Kirok Skyrunner and Lieutenant Commander Catersha on a brief tour of the USS Carlsbad. As they walked through the ship’s corridors, Kirok’s eyes scanned the advanced systems with excitement and curiosity. Despite hours of studying the ship’s specs, nothing compared to seeing it firsthand.

The tour concluded in the conference room, where the senior officers waited for the first mission briefing. Kirok took a seat at the head of the table, flanked by Catersha and Locke. The room fell silent, awaiting Kirok’s words.

“Thank you, Lieutenant Commander Locke, for the tour,” Kirok began. “I’m impressed by the USS Carlsbad’s cutting-edge technology and innovative design. I can already tell this is going to be an incredible journey.”

Catersha smiled, nodding in agreement. “She’s a beauty, Captain. I’m eager to see what she can do.”

Kirok’s gaze swept the room, meeting the eyes of his senior officers. “I know we have a lot to discuss, but before we begin, I want to express my enthusiasm for the opportunity to work with each and every one of you. I heard good things from Command about each of you. Let’s make this mission one to remember.”

With that, the briefing began as the Starbase 74’s regional star chart popped on screen. Captain Skyrunner stood by the screen.

“Our first mission is simple. We are taking equipment and supplies to Starbase Bravo. When we get there, we have supplies and equipment to drop off, drop off and pick up crew members, and load up on medical supplies for Joint Base Dathon. Starfleet Command has managed to send out a one way communication message, advising the whole fleet that all subspace signals between ships, stations, and planets can’t reach. An alien race called the Vaadwaur, from the Delta Quadrant, has called this interference the ‘Blackout’. This interference has isolated and cut off the whole Federation into isolated bubbles. No subspace communication, long range scans, no warp drive can penetrate these ‘barriers’ that cause these isolation bubbles. Command clearly has warned the fleet that this subspace jamming is clearly a prelude to a full scale invasion that is imminent. Our part is simple, just run supplies between Starbase in this sector and keep our eyes open. I expect this crew to give 100% at all times. Any questions?”

All the senior officers looked at each other and at the Captain. They all shook their heads, indicating no immediate questions.

“Alright. Let’s get this lady ready to go. Departure stations. We leave in ten minutes. Dismissed.”

The senior officers stood and left the conference room, leaving just Kirok and Catersha alone. She walked to stand next to Kirok.

I’m a low voice, she asked him, “are you ok Kirok?”

He turned his head to look at her as he stood in front of a window.

“I’m ok Cat, just concerned about Sophia. I refuse to accept that she is dead. Missing, maybe, but certainly not dead. I’d feel it.”

Catersha put a hand on his arm, offering some comfort. “I’m sure she is ok. She is a tough cookie and has been in tough spots before. She did marry you after all.”

She said the last part with a playful smile. Kirok laughed at that part. “Yes, she is tough. She has to put up with me. Station please Cat. Time to head out.”

“Aye Captain.”

Catersha left the conference room and headed to Main Engineering to make sure the engines were ready to go when the Captain said go.

Hearing the conference doors swoosh close, Captain Skyrunner turned back to look out the window, his thoughts out there, to wherever his wife and her ship was last.

“Baby, I hope you are still alive and well somewhere. I don’t know what I would do without you,” he whispered to himself, but also to her.

He hoped that somehow she would hear him and tell him where she was located, so he could rescue her, even if it meant going against direct orders from Command. He knew of a legendary Captain that was notorious for breaking the rules, he thought he could as well, if the situation warranted it.

He fought back a tear that started to well up in his eye. He forced himself to regain control. He told himself a Captain doesn’t cry. He summoned his inner strength and steeled his emotions for now. He considered them a liability right now. He focused his attention on his new ship. He is a seasoned Starfleet officer, where he had served on his fair share of vessels, but there was something about the USS Carlsbad that felt different. He was impressed by the Carlsbad’s advanced sensors and cutting-edge propulsion systems, but he also knew that there was still much to be learned about this complex and powerful vessel.

“It’s time to get the show on the road,” he quietly told himself. He turned and walked to the conference room doors. They whooshed open, granting him exit from the conference room and into the corridor. He headed for the main turbo lift. It opened for him immediately, as if the lift was waiting for him. He walked inside.

“Bridge,” he ordered the computer.

The lift started moving. He has his last few seconds of peace to compose himself and quickly think of an inspirational speech to give his crew to recognize this day. The lift stopped and the doors opened. He stepped out of the lift and onto his bridge. He stood for a second and took a good long look around the bridge. He saw his bridge officers hard at work on their stations, preparing the ship for its first historical mission.

“Captain on the bridge!”

The officer in charge, the Operations Officer and third in command, loudly said. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stood at attention facing him. Kirok nodded to his bridge staff.

“As you were, everyone.”

He walked from where he stood in front of the turbolift to his command chair. He carefully sat down, enjoying the feeling of accepting his first command. The officer who called attention on deck stood to his right, looking at him.

Captain Kirok Skyrunner sat in his command chair, his eyes shining with determination. The USS Carlsbad’s first mission loomed ahead, and Kirok was ready to inspire his crew to greatness. He opened a ship wide comm channel. An attention whistle sounded on all decks and stations, designed to get everyone’s attention. The bridge staff stopped and looked at their new Captain.

“This is Captain Kirok Skyrunner, the new commanding officer of the USS Carlsbad. According to my orders from Starfleet Command, I am hereby requested and required to take command of the USS Carlsbad, as of 0900 this morning. Deck Officer, note the date and time.”

He paused for a second, glancing around the bridge. His eyes locked onto each senior officer for a second. He can see their determination and courage in their eyes. He resumed his speech to his crew.

“We stand here today, on the threshold of a new adventure,” Kirok began, his voice filled with conviction. “We are not just a crew, but a family. We will work together, support each other, and push ourselves to be the best that we can be.”

He paused, surveying the bridge again.

“We will pursue the uncharted, encounter the unexpected, and courageously venture forth into the unknown. We will face challenges, overcome obstacles, and emerge stronger and more united than ever.”

Kirok’s gaze locked onto each of his bridge officers, seeing their courage and passion burn brighter in their eyes.

“I believe in each and every one of you. I believe in your skills, your talents, and your dedication. Together, we will achieve greatness. Together, we will make history.”

The bridge stayed silent, the officer’s faces set with determination. Kirok’s words had ignited a spark within them, a spark that would fuel their journey into the unknown.

“Let us embark on this mission with courage, with honor, and with the knowledge that we are not just a crew, but a family. All decks, prepare for departure,” Kirok concluded, his voice ringing with pride.

The bridge officers turned back to their consoles, performing final checks. The third officer walked around to each station, doing a final pre launch check of ship systems. After she did her final check, she stood next to the captain.

“Ship’s status is all green sir. The USS Carlsbad is ready to launch Captain,” the Operations Officer reported.

Captain Skyrunner looked up to see a bridge young lady who wore a friendly smile and wore her command uniform proudly.

“Very well Lieutenant Commander Locke. You can be my ‘Number One’ temporarily until we arrive at Starbase Bravo.”

Captain Skyrunner smiled at her, gesturing to the empty Executive Officer seat to his right.

Lieutenant Commander Stephanie Locke nodded acknowledgement and proudly sat down, taking her position well.

“Helm, thrusters ahead. Port and starboard at station keeping,” Captain Skyrunner ordered.

“Thrusters ahead. Port and starboard at station keeping. Aye, sir.”

The beautiful Federation starship USS Carlsbad slowly crawled forward in the enormous docking facility in the Starbase. The huge space doors were already opening as the Carlsbad crept toward them.

“One quarter impulse power,” Kirok ordered.

The helmsman, an Ensign, glanced back at the Captain with a silent confirmation question. Before the Captain could answer, Lieutenant Commander Locke said in his place.

“You heard the order Ensign,” Locke told the Ensign.

“Aye sir. One quarter impulse power, aye sir. Thirty seconds until we clear space doors.”

The Ensign engaged the impulse engines and the ship started moving a little faster. Lieutenant Commander Locke looked at the Captain, thinking she might have overstepped. Kirok glanced at her and nodded his approval. She took delight in his confidence in her first command decision on his bridge.

The USS Carlsbad slipped through the open space doors with ease, its sleek hull gliding effortlessly into the vast expanse of open space. As the ship emerged from the docking bay, the warm glow of the space station’s lights gave way to the inky blackness of the cosmos, punctuated only by the twinkling pinpricks of distant stars.

“We are clear of the Starbase and free to navigate sir. What heading should I plot,” the helmsman asked.

“Set course for Starbase Bravo, warp 2. Execute,” Captain Skyrunner said, giving the official order to start his first mission.

With a gentle hum of its warp engines, the Carlsbad flew out into the unknown, its graceful trajectory a testament to the skill of its crew and the precision of its advanced systems. As the ship vanished into the depths of space, the silence was broken only by the faint whisper of its engines, a reminder that the USS Carlsbad was bound for adventure, exploration, and the uncharted frontiers of the galaxy.