Materialising on the transporter pad of the Odyssey, Cadet Parker Hart drew in a sharp breath, his shoulders tensing instinctively as his eyes flicked across the sheer scale of the room. It felt huge compared to anything aboard the Pythagoras. Captain Zobrella had warned him, but she hadn’t even come close. She hadn’t done it justice.

He had trained for moments like this. Formal reporting. New assignments. First impressions. But training simulations didn’t prepare you for the real thing, the weight of it, the awareness that every movement, every word, might be quietly assessed. Don’t mess this up. Not here. Not on a ship like this.

He caught a faint reflection of himself in the polished transporter console, dark curls refusing to sit neatly, uniform still a little too new-looking, the last traces of youth clinging stubbornly to his features.

He didn’t look like someone who should be standing here.

Standing before him, waiting with friendly smiles, were two men. The first, a Lumerian, if the faint geometric markings across his brow were anything to go by, wore command red with the rank of commander, broad-shouldered and composed, with the kind of presence that filled the room without trying. Beside him stood an Ornaran officer in science blue wearing lieutenant commander pips, slightly leaner but no less striking, his posture relaxed, his expression calm and quietly observant.

Straight away, the nerves and anxiety filled Hart’s chest and stomach. He took in a deep breath. He barely had time to understand his orders. Captain Zobrella had been quite subdued in her briefing; besides what he could understand, he had no idea why he was being temporarily assigned to the Odyssey. All she had said to him was that it was critical for mission success that he was on the Odyssey and not the Pythagoras. He had been on the Pythagoras since Captain Zobrella had assumed command of it shortly after the Frontier Day massacre of 2401. His entire training unit had been moved from Starfleet Academy on Earth to the ship in the hope of helping address the shortage of officers in the fleet. After two years on the Obena-class, Hart had come to enjoy his time learning on the job and taking his classes remotely. So this change wasn’t something he was expecting.

He dragged a hand briefly through his dark, slightly unruly curls, trying to compose himself, aware of how young he must look standing there, probably more cadet than officer. He moved towards them and pulled out the PADD with his transfer orders. “Cadet Parker Darok Hart reporting for duty, sir,” he offered the device to the senior-most officer of the two.

Instantly, he was met with an even wider grin from the Lumerian commander. Hart blinked. Not just because of the warmth, but because up close, both men appeared very muscular, and Hart thought the man before him looked so…He cut the thought off immediately. This was not the time to notice things like that.

This was definitely not the time.

Was this some sort of intimidation tactic to ensure he submitted to the chain of command? Sure, he had encountered senior officers who used their size to dominate a situation, but this felt different. He had never seen any of them appear so…well, nice.

“At ease, Mister Hart,” the commander in red assured him, still smiling. “I’m Commander Craig Flemen, second officer, chief diplomatic officer and staff judge advocate. Welcome aboard the Odyssey!”

Hart lowered his shoulders and took Flemen’s hand. Warm. Firm. Steady. Soft. Not what he expected. He glanced up and immediately regretted it. Blue striking eyes. Dimples. That easy, disarming smile. He realised a second too late that he was staring. “Umm, thank you, sir. It’s an honour to be here.”

After an awkward moment of still shaking his hands, Flemen let go and, with a slight chuckle, turned to the other man beside him. “This is Lieutenant Commander Benris, our chief counselling officer.”

Again, Hart found himself lingering a second too long at the counsellor as he shook his hand. Again, strong, soft and warm. What was with this ship? Did all of the senior officers have the same handshake? He couldn’t work it out. He was different from Flemen, but no less distracting. “It’s a pleasure to meet you..umm..counsellor…I mean, sir,” he stumbled out.

Benris gave a smirk after letting go of Hart’s hand. “It’s okay to be nervous, Cadet. We appreciate these are unusual circumstances.”

Adjusting his satchel bag and pulling it back over his shoulder, Hart could feel it slipping. “I have to be honest, I don’t know what these ‘unusual circumstances’ are. Captain Zobrella ordered me to report here at once and informed me I would be fully briefed.”

Both men looked at one another, then back at him. Flemen placed an assuring hand on Hart’s shoulder. That touch made Hart feel a bit uneasy, but far more distracting than it had any right to be.

“Don’t worry, cadet, all will be shared shortly; we won’t let you drown. We’ve got your back.” Flemen guaranteed.
Hart felt himself blushing again, so he quickly looked down at the floor and rubbed the back of his neck. “Thank you, sir. I-I-I appreciate it.”

Benris cleared his throat. “Why don’t we take you to your quarters, help you get settled in and then once the Commodore and Captain are ready to speak to you, we can take them to you.”

“The-the-the Commodore and Captain?” Hart stumbled. He thought it would be reporting to one of the commanders on the Odyssey’s extensive senior staff. “As in Commodore McCallister and Captain Reyas?”

The counsellor nodded in confirmation. “Yes, cadet, but remain calm and cool.”

“Calm and cool,” Hart repeated with a slight nod. “I think I can do that.”

Flemen chuckled at Hart. Hart knew he was showing off how badly nervous he was. “Can I call you Parker?”
Parker hesitated for half a second longer than he should have. “You can call me anything, sir,” was what Hart wanted to say. Don’t say anything stupid, he told himself and realised how inappropriate that would be. “Yes, sir.”

“Then come with us, Parker,” Flemen gestured towards the exit and out onto the wide corridors that were the Odyssey’s. The corridor seemed to stretch endlessly, the lighting warm and golden, the deck plates spotless, the walls alive with subtle LCARS displays.

Again, Hart couldn’t get over how huge this ship was. He knew his eyes were probably bulging out of his head, but he had never seen a ship like this. “Wow,” he muttered.

“Impressed?” Benris asked beside him.

Hart just nodded at first. “Yes-yes, sir.”

“The Odyssey may be reaching her two-decade anniversary soon, but she remains one of Starfleet’s advanced heavy explorers,” Flemen added from the other side of Hart. “She’s probably done as much work as other famed ships like the Enterprise, Voyager, and Defiant.”

Hart gave out a nervous chuckle as he was led down a corridor and out towards another massive area. The sound of water. The scent of greenery. The soft murmur of voices. It was filled with a few trees, grass, bushes, and plants, a featured waterfall, a small pond, and some shops, restaurants, and bars along the edges. Officers passed them in both directions, some mid-conversation, others moving with quiet efficiency. No one rushed, but no one lingered either.

“This is the centre of what we call the Boardwalk,” Flemen introduced. “This is where you may find yourself enjoying your downtime, if you get any. Around the edge are different places you can grab something to eat or drink.”

“If you get lost, don’t worry, someone will direct you, or the computer can!” Benris added.

This was all so overwhelming for Hart. He continued to follow them through the middle of the Plaza, past a few people, who all appeared to be heading towards a few doors.

“That over there is the Auditorium, where most of the crew relax after hours. Their breakfast buffet is to die for,” Flemen said, clearly enjoying himself. “Otherwise, you have other places to get a drink like the Barn,” he pointed to another set of doors. “Come on, we’re almost near your quarters.”

They left the area, and after a few more minutes of more painful and embarrassing low-level chat, Flemen and Benris stopped by a set of quarters. Flemen pressed the button, and automatically the computer recognised his authority and opened the doors.

Flemen stood to one side and gestured for Hart to enter before him. “Cadet Parker, here are your quarters.”

Nervously, he stepped forward, and Hart peered through the doorway and saw his quarters. He expected to have to share a dorm room, as he had on the Pythagoras; however, this was not the case. Though it was bigger than the quarters he shared with three others, he had his own double bed, a small bay window, a replicator and a small lounge area.

“Captain Reyas felt it was important you felt comfortable, cadet,” Flemen said, noticing how Hart looked overwhelmed again.

“I-I-I appreciate it, sir,” Hart gawked. “I really do!” he insisted.

Benris cleared his throat. “Well, cadet, we’ll let you settle in, and one of us will come by and get you within an hour or so to meet with Commodore McCallister and Captain Reyas.”

Hart just nodded and watched them leave his room. The moment the door closed, Parker dropped onto the edge of the bed, staring at the room like it might vanish if he blinked.

What on Earth was he walking into?

And why did it feel like everything had just changed?