That's it! My first ever mission on my first ever SB starship is in the books! I hope you enjoyed it, and I am excited to start the next adventure...after my *own* shore leave.
Commanding Officer’s Log, Stardate 2403.199
The Culver City has completed her first mission, delivering goods and provisions from all over the Federation to the Colludia System in time for the fleet-wide shore leave. All personnel were efficient and expedient shuttling our cargo to all reaches of Colludia–no doubt wanting to get off duty early and enjoy the festivities. I certainly do not blame them!
The ship will be under the care of our holographic backup staff. My regards to Commander Bill, whom I’ve just met, but I fully trust he will take care of CC in orbit. To my surprise, some of the crew have volunteered to remain aboard ship and maintain watch, though I did mention they should keep in touch with their shift cohorts to trade off if some suddenly get tired of the beach…
The starship Culver City rose high above Colludia II in geostationary parking orbit above the main continent. With the ship’s mission complete, most of her crew switched immediately to vacation mode and changed out of uniform for tropical shirts and casual wear. Some had already made their way to the ship’s bar for first drinks before disembarking, and the entire Cetacean Ops department beamed directly to the waters off the western coast of the main continent.
Commander Brian Park was making his own preparations in his quarters, wearing garb more intended for Colludia V. Captain Ame Zel had joined him, looking through PADDs trying to decide her own itinerary while Brian finished a log entry.
“…though I do not anticipate any major issues. If the smooth sailing of our transit to Colludia was any indication, the hard work of all those who contributed to her maintenance availability and the new crew who made her final preparations for this mission are to be commended. End log.”
Brian sighed, relieved that indeed, his first outing on the Culver City was a pleasant and successful one.
“So formal, Brian!” Ame Zel teased, not looking up from a large PADD.
“Like I said, Ame, I’m a traditionalist.”
“When did you say that?”
Brian tilted his head, then remembered. “Oh right. You weren’t on the bridge when that happened. Everyone looked at me waiting for my ‘warp command’. I don’t know how that tradition started, but I see absolutely nothing wrong with the classic ‘engage!'”
Ame smirked. “Did you do the hand thing?”
“What hand thing?”
“You know! Picard says ‘engage’ and he does the thing where he raises his hand beside his head and then points at the viewscreen when he says it!”
Brian squinted his eyes at Ame. “You sound like Beckett Mariner.”
“Well, did you?”
Brian’s tone went slightly defensive. “It was more like a ‘Janeway’ engage.”
“Oh right. ‘En-GAge’.” Zel took a beat, then continued tapping her PADD.
“Where are you headed, Ame?”
Zel kept scrolling. “Haven’t decided yet. I might do Colludea like half the fleet is doing, though I might pull some strings to get me a clearance for Colludia IV.”
“Ah, Jurassic Park?”
“Huh? Is that a reference to something?”
“Yes, it’s a Michael Crichton classic.”
“Brian, you and your Earth pop culture references. I’m Trill, remember? I have a culture of my own to remember, you know.”
Brian sighed. “You’re right, Ame. There’s a thousand worlds’ worth of references. Sorry.”
“It’s fiiiine, Brian. I’ll look it up later. Anyway, what about you? That clothing doesn’t look tropical at all.”
“You’re right. I want to hit the slopes on Colludia V. It’s been a while since I’ve been skiing not on a holodeck. My parents used to take me skiing up at Whistler in British Columbia.”
“Bridge to Commander Park, you have an incoming message. The location is masked, but the signature is definitely from your parents.” said Commander Cullain over the com system.
Ame’s and Brian’s eyebrows raised at the same time. “Did I summon them?” Brian wondered out loud. He tapped his combadge. “Thank you Commander. Send it here.”
The com channel closed, and the images of a tall Human man and short Bajoran woman appeared on the viewscreen behind Brian’s office desk.
“Ahoy, Brian!” the man shouted and waved. “Oh, hi Ame!”
“Hi Mom, hi dad!” Brian waved back. Ame waved as well. “Thanks for calling…sorry, it’s been busy!”
“Yes, we know, promotion, new starship, of course, child,” the woman smiled.
“Ugh, mom, ‘child,’ really? That’s, like, the worst.”
“Yes, dear,” she replied.
“You’ve been spending too much time with Dad’s ancestors. Anyway, what’s up?”
“Well, son, we just wanted to check on you since it’s been a busy few weeks, and…are you wearing ski clothes?”
Brian looked down and back at the viewscreen. “Yes, yes I am. Heading to Colludia V soon to check out the mountains and the skiing.”
“Makes sense, just like when you were a kid huh? Well, guess where we are!”
Brian’s dad took his console and pointed the visual sensor out behind them to show the view beyond their balcony: the snowy landscape…of Colludia V.
Brian’s eyes went wide. “What‽ You’re here? I mean, there? How did you know I was going there?”
Brian’s mom took center stage. “We knew the fleet was going to Colludia, and you like skiing, and we know there’s a whole planet for skiing, so we put everything together and booked transport a week ago. I’m not sure what cabin you have, so we just picked one at random. You have to come over of course. I’ll have soondubu, and your father’s making–or is trying to make–hasperat soufflé.”
Brian’s dad piped up. “Ame, are you coming?”
Brian looked at Ame. She looked at the viewscreen. “No, thank you, Parks. I’m headed to Colludea where most everyone else appears to be going.”
“Well, alright, but you know you’re welcome to see us any time, even back in Renton!”
“Soon, Ame! And we’ll see you soon, right Brian?”
“Yes, Dad,” Brian responded. “I’m leaving the ship in a bit and checking into my cabin first.”
“Alright. Hot soup waiting for you!” Brian’s parents waved.
“Bye y’all!” The communications channel closed.
“Well, I’m off to…Colludea. I hope you’re taking the yacht,” Ame smirked.
“Of course, it’s my yacht, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“That’s what I wanted to hear, Captain.”
“You’re welcome, Captain. By the way, will I see you before the end of leave?”
“Yeah. I need to actually pack the rest of my things before I head to Trill.”
“OK.” Brian responded, continuing to shove clothing into a suitcase. He sighed. “Commander Park to Ensign Hexalera.”
There was a slight delay, but the Ensign eventually responded. “Captain…uh…yes, Captain–Commander?”
“Sorry Ensign, I know you’re also probably about to depart but…could you just have my personal effects beamed to the captain’s yacht?”
A gentle chuckle could be heard on the com line. “Yes Captain, I hear you. Just scan everything you want beamed on a tricorder and send it to me.”
Brian Park walked over to a desk, picked up a spare tricorder, and scanned the mostly-packed suitcase, and two piles of unpacked clothing. “Is that good enough, Ensign?”
“Yes sir, it’s fine. I can do site-to-site. Do you want it in the yacht primary bedroom?”
“Yes, on the bed like these piles are.”
“Yes sir, energizing, Hexalera out.”
The suitcase and the unpacked wares sparkled and disappeared.
“I hate doing that to her. I’m just ready to get out of here,” Brian said, somehow mildly exhausted, even from the short mission.
“And from the sounds of it, so was she. And she empathized,” said Ame. “Isn’t she great?”
“Yes, indeed. You were right. She’s got the lobes. From what I’ve seen so far, I’m going to have the best cargo operation in the fleet.”
“Right you are, Brian. Well, I’m off, you best be getting to your yacht.”
“Thanks, Ame. Bring me back a souvenir?”
“Sure. Coffee mug with your name on it?”
“That’s a thing?”
“Tell me you haven’t been to an Earth theme park without telling me you haven’t been to an Earth theme park.”
“And you say you don’t know Earth culture,” Brian said, sarcastically.
Ame simply shook her head and walked out of Brian’s quarters.
Lieutenant Ian Rockwell had changed into simpler, more tropical-friendly clothing as he packed a small duffel full of similar casual wear. In went toiletries and one medium-sized PADD, plus a smaller handheld PADD with a holoimaging array on the back.
“I hope you’re not reading engineering journals this trip,” said Denver Hayle, walking in from the common area of their quarters.
“Just one! For fun!” Ian defended. “But no, most of it is classic novels and science fiction.”
“So, typical non-engineering engineering reading, got it. Anyway, me and some of the engineering crew from the other starships are going pub crawling tomorrow, if you want to join us.”
“I’m in, no hesitation,” Ian smiled. The pubs across Colludea–and indeed the entire continent of Colludia II were famous…possibly infamous? “I’m going to settle into a hotel tonight, maybe watch the sunset, just get some relaxing in.”
“Okay Ian. See you down there!”
“See you.”
Hayle turned wearing his own duffle and exited the quarters. He picked a few more classic novels to download to another PADD, and placed it in the duffel with his other things.
The com system came to life with the sound of the classic boatswain’s whistle.
“All hands, this is the Captain. The ship is officially ordered on leave. Enjoy yourselves, but I of course remind you, behave yourselves. Commander Cullain will be aboard most days should you need anything, otherwise Commander Bill will be in command if our XO decides to leave ship. All personnel must return to ship and report for duty no later than stardate two-four-zero-three-point-two-two-one, 1800 hours. That is all. Park out.”
Ian finished his packing just as the captain signed off. He took one more look around to make sure he wasn’t forgetting anything that couldn’t be replicated, and walked out to the common sitting area.
“Computer, one bottle of sparkling mineral water, cap off, lime already in it.”
The common replicator presented his desired beverage. Ian took it and took several satisfying gulps. After this, there was no further preparation, or surprising assignments. The Culver City was his home now, and he was leaving with his comfort beverage in hand.
“Computer, all lights off.”
The computer made its acknowledgement sound, and the quarters went dark as Ian Rockwall walked out to the corridor, towards a turbolift to a transporter room that would bring him down to the warm glow of the streets of Colludea.
Congratulations on completing your first mission with the USS Culver City; I hope you've enjoyed creating it, and look forward to seeing your future adventures.