“She’s beautiful.” Jordan Reid stood at the massive bay windows that looked out on the engineering dockyards. The USS Southampton, blue and emblazoned with the medical seal, lay ready for her command. Reid searched each inch of the hull, in wonder at the moment. Her first command. Three years ago, she’d met Ambrose on the bridge of the Raven-class USS Erigone as his chief medical officer. It felt like a lifetime ago.
Standing next to Reid was Lieutenant Sadie Prentice-Fowler. On the trip from the Olympic, they’d realized that Sadie’s last name would need a hyphen, at least with the crew at large. Two Prentices could lead to confusion in the new crew that was coming their way. Will Prentice had just shrugged. He was content to be wherever his wife was, and flying a ship seemed more incidental. Sadie replied, “She’s freshly painted and refitted. Lots of things to work out, I’m sure.” She gently punched her husband in the shoulder. Prentice had grudgingly accepted the position of flight control and operations. Given the unarmed nature of the Southampton, pulling double duty would not present a challenge.
“Don’t remind me,” he groused with a quiet smile. They were waiting for clearance from the station’s Director of Engineering Operations before they stepped onboard their new command. They each had a PADD in hand, filled with candidates to fill the remaining department head positions. The change of Southampton to a medical ambulance changed the staffing dynamics. They had a lot of work ahead of them.
After a quiet pause, Sadie asked, “You think we’ll get a call from Commander Scott?”
Reid let out a small sigh. “I think the officers of the Southampton that came before are going to have some feelings seeing this ship back in action. We’re getting some of the crew that served on her previously. I’m not opposed to considering some of them coming back.” It was a risk, bringing back members from a command team that had, through no fault of their own, spread across the squadron. ‘Most of them ended up on Justice or Montana Station. I don’t know if they’d want to come back to a small Plymouth-class. Yorktown-class starships are massive.”
Will chuckled as he stepped forward. “I used to want to drive the biggest and the baddest. Edinburgh and Mackenzie were fun to fly. But the smaller ships…those things can sing.”
Sadie and Jordan turned to him, amused looks mirrored on their faces. Jordan asked, “Sing?”
Prentice looked from his wife to his commanding officer, and regret filled his features. “I regret phrasing it that way. I really don’t want to explain it.” Neither of them spoke, opting for silence, and waiting for him. He grumbled. “Fine. Flight controllers have their own way of thinking about how they fly their ships. Each of us has our own metaphors or whatever. Some of us it’s ancient Earth cars and the sounds they made. Others have less appropriate comparisons.”
Park shook her head. “Let us hear no more on that subject.”
Will replied, “Agreed. The singing comes from the power of a choir and a soloist.” He caught a deeply amused glance from Sadie. “I took choir in the academy and learned a lot. Don’t give me that look. Anyway, when the choir, the soloist, the band and the conductor all work together to create a moment of pure musical power, it sings. Those kinds of moments can melt a heart of stone. And so, a ship as it flies can sing.” He crossed his arms, annoyed but still smiling, proud of himself.
Sadie patted him on the shoulder. “Despite this odd metaphorical construct, I still love you.”
Prentice rolled his eyes. “Odd is in the eyes of the beholder.”
Park let a small smile break over her lips. Halsey had been right, of course. Having these two on Southampton with her was going to carry the day. She’d have to send him a thank-you note. Something along the lines of ‘You told me so’ would probably fit well.
“Lieutenant Commander Reid?” The three of them turned, and Commander Shealynn Rhodes Miados stood, hands behind her back. “I’m here to escort you aboard your command.” She handed over a uniquely shaped PADD, adorned with Southampton-specific engravings and imagery. It faintly resembled the shape of a Plymouth-class starship. “The refit team created something unique for you. It’s something like the keys of old. Whoever has the CONN holds the key. It’s a functional PADD, keyed to biometrics like everything else. Some of the team here is heavy on symbolism.”
Reid took the PADD in hand, turning it over, examining the intricate work. “Thank you, Commander Miados. Please let your team know we appreciate this.”
Miados replied with a nod. “It’s your first command, Lieutenant Commander. We want it to start well with a strong sendoff. The bridge is ready for you, as are your ready room and quarters. Final inspections are underway. Once you accept the crew staffing, my crew will stand down and turn the ship over to them.” She looked to the three. She had served on and out of ships with each of them, but had never worked directly with them. Watching them step into the next part of their journey was a moment of pride, even as little as she’d known them. “Good luck to each of you.” The three stood at attention, and Miados dismissed them and headed off down the way.
Jordan turned back to the gangway, staring down the walkway that led to the USS Southampton.
Her first command.
Sadie and Will stepped up beside her, and Prentice-Fowler took a slow, deep breath and exhaled. She leaned on Jordan’s shoulder. “Time for something new. Something borrowed. Something blue.”
Prentice scoffed. “Well, that has new meaning with this ship.”
Jordan didn’t correct either of them. “Maybe. Let’s make it our own. No ghosts. No old stories. The story of the Southampton starts over.” She took a step forward and kept moving, as the two followed quickly behind.
The voice in Jordan’s head had one more thing to say.
Your story starts over here, too.
