“Captain’s log, stardate seven-six-oh-seven-seven point eight-five. It’s now been over a week since I returned home from the recent conference at Starbase Bravo. Odyssey finally arrived in the Hellian Expanse yesterday afternoon to begin our re-mapping exercise. This small region of space is filled with a range of spatial anomalies that requires us to keep our cartography records updated. The last time I was here was prior to the fateful loss of the Trinity, I do hope with this stint I’ll be returning home in my own ship and not an escape pod! While we start our survey, we are also using the time to celebrate some recent achievements on the senior staff.”

Gently bobbing on the ocean water, the tall nineteenth century galleon was an impressive site to see on the seas. On her stern read the name all in gold. Odyssey. On deck her crew were working extremely hard under the watchful eye of their commander: Captain James Preston McCallister.

Starring out at the sea, McCallister took in the fresh air through his nose and smiled at the sweet salt that filled his nostrils. The change of scenery was a welcome one for many of his crew, their mission of exploration had just started and there was a buzz on every deck. However, this little holographic distraction was a needed one. Slowly approaching him from behind, dressed in a British navy officer’s uniform, was his first officer. Commander Cambil Bexa, like everyone else, appeared to be enjoying herself in this little recreation of theirs.

Speaking in a formal tone, the Bajoran executive officer cleared her throat. “Captain, it’s time.”

Turning around, he smirked at her and nodded as he looked around on his “ship”. The recreation of an old galleon from Earth’s past with the name of Odyssey had been something suggested by the Chief of the Boat, Senior Chief Petty Officer Court. The captain’s yeoman and senior most enlisted officer on the ship had got his hands on a copy of the holoprogram through an associate of his that had worked on other ships, including the Federation’s flagship. It had been used as a way to make promotion ceremonies more memorable and had become a custom for the crew to perform this little ritual of theirs for every promotion.

Today was a big day in promotions. Three members of McCallister’s senior staff were being promoted. It was a bigger day for Cambil, as the three individuals were three of her former pupils that she had taught at the Academy together and had begged McCallister to take them on board the Triton so many years ago. He was glad she did. Right now, her smiles were huge with her sense of pride for all three.

“Bring out the prisoners!” shouted Cambil as the entire crew, who were present, turned towards the large hatch in the centre of the main deck. Being pulled out by their chief engineer, chief medical officer and their chief counsellor were the three officers in question.

A few of them were jeering them on, all the while making the experience fun. None of them were dressed in their navy jackets, just the undershirts and white trousers and boots. This was all complimented with the iron shackles around their wrists and ankles. The three of them stood almost shoulder to shoulder with the same bemused expression plastered across their faces, well except for one.

T’Rani, the ship’s Vulcan pilot remained placid as ever with her expression and emotional response. A typical logical woman. Her dark brown hair was pulled up and tied into a small bun behind her ears. Normally she would have it hanging in a short bob. Beside her and in the middle of the two of them was their chief operations officer Lukiz Jen. The joined Trill man was trying his best to remain in characters but couldn’t stop smirking at the others. Finally, next to him was Cline Lenjir, the ship’s security and tactical officer from Tiburon. Like Jen, he tried to compose himself and take the whole event seriously but was failing.

“T’Rani, Lukiz, Cline, words cannot describe how proud I am of you all that we have finally reached this moment in your careers.” Cambil spoke. Normally McCallister would be leading the opening speech, but today the captain allowed Cambil to do it as it meant a lot to her. “Are you all prepared to face the charges?”

Immediately, and on time, the three officers that had pulled them all out took out their swords and pointed them towards their “prisoners”.

Speaking to them all in a deep harsh tone was Doctor Sylvexs, the ship’s Denobulan chief medical officer. A shortish woman with normal wavy blonde hair, today she had followed in tradition and had pulled it up into a beehive like bun. “Answer her!” She bellowed.

A range of “I am” and “Yes” followed from the three officers. T’Rani kept her unamused response still in check.

Taking out a large white scroll, Cambil read out what it said in a clear voice for all to hear. “We, the officers and crew of the U-S-S. Odyssey, being of sound mind and judgment, hereby make the following charges against Lieutenants T’Rani, Jen and Lenjir. One. That they did knowingly and wilfully perform above and beyond the call of duty on countless occasions. Two. Most seriously, that all of them have earned the admiration and respect of the entire crew.”

Smiling at the foolery they were engaged with, McCallister stepped forward, just before the top step that would lead down to the lower part of the main deck where everyone else was. “Miss T’Rani, Mr Jen and Mr Lenjir, I hereby promote you all to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, with all the rights and privileges thereto. Congratulations!”

Everyone erupted into cheers and applaud after the captain had finished. McCallister walked down towards them, still plastered with the smile across his face. Approaching each one as they were released from their handcuffs, he shook their hands and congratulated them. Cambil was close behind and was hugging each one affectionately.

McCallister turned around to see his wife, Karyn Reyas getting everyone to cheer as she shouted “Hip! Hip!” and they answered with “Hooray!” More applause followed and cheers echoed across the old sailing ship.

Walking over to his wife, he pulled her into a hug. It was a nice to be home with her and their boys, who were all climbing the riggings at this point.

From another point on the deck another voice was heard, this time it was the chief of the boat himself, “Now walk the plank!” Court shouted.

More encouragement as the three of them were guided to the three planks that sat on the port side of the ship. Again, another custom that had been shared from the Federation’s flagship was the challenge for each newly promoted officer to walk out on the long beam of wood and jump for their officer’s hat.

“Do you think they’ll do it?” His wife said as they both watched from the upper deck.

“I wouldn’t want to-” The captain barely had a chance to finish his sentene when he was interrupted.

“Bridge to Holodeck One.”

Rolling his eyes at the bad timing of the call, McCallister turned to face away from the crowd and tapped his combadge that sat under his coat. “McCallister here, go ahead Lieutenant Oran.”

Lieutenant Naef Oran, the ship’s assistant chief science officer, was currently on the bridge on duty. The Brikarian officer spoke in his deep gravelly voice. “Captain, we’ve receiving a distress call from the U-S-S Holt. They report they’re under attack, but their message stops there.”

The mention of the Holt startled the captain as it was his former first officer’s new ship. He was confused though at that statement. “Are you sure Naef? The Holt was patrolling the Gorn border near to Cestus.” McCallister was confused. They were hundreds of light years away from Gorn space, in fact they were closer to Romulan space than anything else.

“I was sceptical too sir, but we’ve confirmed it is legitimate.”

“Take us to red alert and lay in a course at maximum warp for their last known location.” McCallister ordered. He tapped his combadge and looked around to see that his three new lieutenant commanders had all been successful in their challenge. Gutted he didn’t see it, the cheers from everyone else were stopped as the klaxon for battlestations were sounded.

“Computer, end program.” McCallister ordered and the silver and grey hologrid appeared as the computer complied with his request.

From the nineteenth century paradise, the crew were brought back to reality of the twenty-fourth century.