Captain’s log, stardate 79512.33. The crew of the Vallejo are all aboard and ready to depart. Our directive is to visit Federation frontier outposts along neutral space near the Cardassian border and ensure that they are attended to following the Vaadwaur incursion.

“I believe the dispenser fault should be remedied now Lieutenant Okada.”

The Vulcan slipped herself out from beneath the dispenser and stood to test her work. The central nutrient dispenser flickered into life, and before long a sudden hiss dispensed a misting cycle across the hydroponics lab.

Rina clapped her hands in joy. “My thanks T’Rel! Boy, this dispenser has all the grace of a Ferengi in a dive bar.”

T’Rel dispassionately glared at her for a few moments “I fail to understand your analogy, and your thanks are unnecessary. This is my job.” She gathered up her belongings and passed out the door.

‘Ah yes, that typical Vulcan hard assery, I am sure we’re going to get along great…’ The Chief Science Officer sat herself down and began slowly brushing a delicate leaf on one of her saplings. ‘Don’t worry I’m sure we’ll be friends soon enough.’

The doors slid open once more to reveal Chief Ross carrying a box of assorted botany equipment. “This is the last one Lieutenant.” she looked down at a heap of boxes congregating in the corner of the room, some neatly, some haphazardly. “Are you sure you’re going to need all this?”

Okada looked up at Ross, who was slowly beginning to huff from the exertion of the weight of the box. “We all need our hobbies Chief, please do place that with the others, thank you.”

–

Dr. Jovana Mirell sniffled, bleary eyed, how long had it been? 24 hours? She was starting to-

“Good of you to finally join us Lieutenant.” The captain’s voice pierced through her skull in the daze as she stepped into the conference room. “We were just getting started with the briefing, take a seat if you will please.” Captain Davidson-Garnier had short shrift for lateness and, after a few exchanged glances between the senior officers, Jovana found her way to her seat.

“Well then, now that we are all here, we can get started properly.” Arcadia stepped up to a nearby screen to begin the presentation. “I want each and every one of you to know that myself, working with Commander Barnes, have personally selected you for joining this crew. That’s a privilege that few captains have the right to exercise, especially in their first command, but my time at headquarters have afforded me that opportunity.”

The captain slowly walked across the room in front of them, looking down, pondering her next words. “I’ve read the reports on each and every one of you and I believe that all of you have the qualities needed to go far in Starfleet, perhaps even have your own commands. I seek to empower you in doing that.”

She looked up and pressed a button on the clicker in her hand. A map of the region of space between the blue of the Federation and the gold of the Cardassian Union flashed up on screen. A section of dark blue belonging to the Talarians broke the two apart, but a great black void sat between. A bright mark indicating Minas Korva and Starbase 72, their current location, sat within Federation space.

“We will be taking an extended tour of space that has been neglected since the recent incursion by the Vaadwaur. Obviously, we would like the current air of collaboration between us and the Cardassians to continue as long as we are able to sustain it, but we must be wary and vigilant of potential dangers.”

The captain pressed the clicker again and a planet flashed up on screen, images of an enormous mountain, no, a volcano, appeared. “We will be visiting Tohvun III as our first stop. We’ll ensure that trade is stable and do some sight seeing perhaps.” Ari allowed herself a slight smile. “All in all, nothing too complicated to start, we’ll be ready to respond if Starfleet gives new orders and we need to adjust.”

With another click, the screen went silent.

“Any questions? Speak freely.”

After a few moments, Lieutenant Commander Gax straightened up out of his slump in the chair “Do you have any standing orders Sir?”

“Only what I would expect from you as committed officers Gax. Attention to detail, timely attendance to your duties and commitments, nothing special.” Mirell could feel the sides of a few of her colleagues eyes fall upon her.

“A sound policy captain.” T’rel chimed in, with all the enthusiasm that a Vulcan could muster.

The group nodded in agreement. Arcadia placed her hands behind her back. “You may all feel free to meet with me as you see fit, but in the meantime, I will let the Commander attend to your specific orders. We depart in two hours. Until then you’re dismissed.”

–

Trevix was beaming from ear to ear as he sat down at the helm. This was the first time that he was ‘the guy’ so to speak. Of course, he would be just one of many to handle the piloting of this vessel, but he was the one that the captain would be counting on.

“Enjoying yourself there Lieutenant?”

The French accented tones of the Captain sliced through Trevix’s composure. He stood out of his seat rigidly to attention.

“Yes sir. Captain Arkad-”

Arcadia raised an eyebrow.

“Sorry sir. Captain. I’m just very eager to serve under your command.”

She smiled. “At ease Trevix. You’re here because of your talent, I don’t want you to be inhibited by the pressure. I’m not a vulture.” She stepped away and the shoulders of the trill relaxed. He slumped back into his chair and gazed up at Commander Barnes leaning against the wall, snickering to himself.

Arcadia sat herself down in the central chair and soon enough was joined by Barnes in the chair alongside her. “Let’s get this show on the road then.” he whispered lightly.

The captain straightened up in her chair. “Take us out of dock Mr. Trevix. Half impulse. Once we’ve exited the proximity of the starbase set a course for Tohvun III”

The silent grey silhouette of the California class vessel soon found itself edging out of the dock. As it exited the proximity of the station, it picked up its pace and soon enough found itself prepared for warp.

“Awaiting your order captain.” Trevix looked around at the captain in anticipation.

She raised her arm in preparation for the long awaited moment. “In the words of my forebears, allons-y! Let’s go!” she lowered her arm in sync as a brilliant flash of blue and white light signaled their entry into warp.