Ensign Kira Gale sat on a bench at the arboretum and looked around. She was looking around at the small ponds between the bushes, trees, and flower beds. Everyone was busy and didn’t pay much attention to their surroundings. It was one of the busiest days of the year, because the young Ensigns of 2402 would get their first assignment on a starship. To repel her anxiety, she decided to meditate for a moment and set her head straight. 

Kira awoke from her thoughts when someone loudly called her name from afar. She opened her eyes and noticed another Ensign waving excitedly at her – Victor – maybe he had heard something about their assignment. Kira rose and ran towards him. Victor was a science officer; he was also well-trained and had short, cropped black hair. 

“Finally, I was beginning to think you forgot what day today was,” Victor said as soon as Kira was close enough to hear him. 

“How could I, you’ve reminded me of it every day this past month. Did you get your assignment?” Kira answered with a smile. 

“Of course, I was first in line! Oh, before I forget, Jasper is just ahead,” He wanted to thank you for helping him cram for the astrometrics final,” Victor continued. 

“I’d better accept that thank you then, maybe he’ll even buy me a drink,” Kira said. Both laughed as they made their way towards Jasper 

“There you are!” Jasper called out “I wanted to thank you for helping me pass that final…, and for all other times you’ve helped me. I’ve always admired you, Kira, I hope Starfleet recognizes all you’ve done to lead our class. What ship did you get? He said with one breath.  

Kira blushed and answered: “I haven’t received my assignment yet.” He seemed a bit surprised. 

“Well, good luck! Before you go to Lieutenant Ferra, talk to Valkos. He seemed emotional.” 

“He’s an Orion, I don’t think they get emotional,” Kira said to which Jasper only shrugged, and she continued towards Valkos. 

“Greetings,” Valkos said as Kira approached him. 

“Jasper said you had something to tell me,” Kira enquired. 

“Yes, it was good of you to encourage me to retake the Hyperdynamics final. I was willing to accept my original results, but you saw that I was not at my best that day. My score increased by 12, 8 percent on the second attempt.” She said calmly. 

“S’rrell would like to see you as well; he is ahead of us in the path.” Kira nodded as she continued down the path 

“Oh, there you are!” S’rrell said with his usual purring voice. “Getting excited yet? The moment of truth is upon us,” he continued. 

“So, what’s the buzz?” Kira asked the black & white furred Caitian. He looked in every aspect like a cat; except he talked and walked around on two legs. His eyes were blue with black slit pupils, and his ears had white tufts at their tops, likewise his tail ended with a furry tuft. Kira had always liked cats, but there was something really cute about the Caitians. Of course, she would hurt every Caitian’s feelings if she told them they were cute. 

“The buzz is,” he said, “From what I heard that everyone has gotten their assignments except you, but I wouldn’t worry you’ll get it.” He said to her. 

“Thanks, Rovy I know I will,” Lyzara said as she started walking towards Lieutenant Ferra’s office. 

She entered one of the buildings on the far side of the park and recognized Ferra in an instant. He was also a Caitian, although his fur was grayish colored and his body a bit skinnier than S’rrell’s, the latter doing a lot of mountain climbing, the effects of which could be seen in his well-defined muscles. 

“Good afternoon, Ensign. What can I do for you? He said when Kira looked at him with a face full of questions. 

“Is this where I get my cruise assignment?” Kira asked. 

“Yes, I have the complete assignment list here. Name?” He enquired. 

“Kira Gale,” she answered. 

“Let’s see, interesting…another one” he said aloud. 

“Is there a problem?” She asked. 

“No of course not, just another one for the same ship is all” He replied oddly. “You’ll do great, but you should head up to the mess hall, everyone’s waiting there for the ceremonial send-off toast,” he said with a somewhat smile. 

“OK,” Kira said with a smile. A moment later the doors opened and she stepped into the mess hall. she walked into the lounge where other Ensign’s and her classmates stood and had already opened a bottle of champagne – hopefully one without alcohol – and she was handed a glass. 

“May I have everyone’s attention please,” Kira said once she was in the middle of junior officers. “We are the crew of the U.S.S. Vallejo. Each one of us has trained for the task at hand. And we are ready,” she continued: “I have the utmost faith in each of you. You’re the best the Academy has and together we can do anything. We will go forth boldly like Starfleet has trained us, putting us to use everything we’ve learned here. To Starfleet Academy! To U.S.S. Vallejo! To her crew!” She raised the glass of 2402. 

The Next Day

“I can’t believe we’re finally doing this,” Kira said when she, Jasper, S’rrel, Victor and Valkos were all walking down the corridor that leads to the Vallejo.

“Ah, look at that,” she continued her thought, looking out of a station window there’s our ship. California class, 300 crew, average speed warp five. She’s a tough little ship though, I think I like her,” she said, but with far less admiration.

California class was quite small, compared to the other ships in the fleet. U.S.S. Vallejo had a round saucer section, to which connected two pylons with nacelles on the underside of the ship and an engineering module, connected between them. 

As the group entered the ship through the auxiliary hatch they were met by Lieutenant Shaxea the Vallejo’s Chief of Security. “Well look at this fresh LD’s ready for action,” She remarked as the group stood together in front of her looking a little puzzled by the remark.

“Best get used to it LD’s, cause on this ship that’s what you are,” she said as she pulled up her PADD. With a few taps on the PADD she sent each of the junior officers their bunk assignments. ” Ok kiddes, there are your bunk & shift assignments, I’m Lieutenant Shaxea, the Chief of Security, and I welcome you aboard the Vallejo.

Everyone examined their PADD’s and nodded to the senior officer and continued on to the ship. Kira whispered to Evoran “Wonder what LD meant?” Erovan shrugged as they continued onward….