Lance Fox took a deep breath before touching the icon on his display. It took a second or two but eventually an uplink was established with Earth and he was looking at the face of his grandmother. Her face was slightly smudged with dirt, as was her shirt. She had to have been out in the garden, not a surprise for this time of day. 

“Hey, grandma.”

“How is my grandson, the great space explorer? Run into anything else lately?”

Lance rolled his eyes. “That happened once at the academy, why do you insist on bringing it up.”

“Someone has to keep you humble,” she said. “How are things out on Starbase Bravo?”

Lance smiled again, although this time he knew that she could see that mischievous twinkle that had appeared in his eyes. After all, he had inherited it from her side of the family as she often pointed. No wonder there was no fooling her when he was a kid.

“I’ve actually got some good news.”

“You got promoted again?” she asked.

Lance shook his head. “No, although it’s almost as good as that.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “What do you mean almost as good?”

“I mean I got my own command today,” Lance said. He watched her eyes go wide and then she let out a loud cry of excitement. “It’s nothing huge, just a Raven-class Corvette but it’s something.”

“I’m so proud of you! Now I can tell Angela Gerwin that my grandson has his own command, that outta shut her up about Jasper. Who cares if you’re serving on a Sovereign-class, he has to take orders, you get to be the one that gives them!”

Lance sighed heavily. “I really wish that you’d let this thing with Ms. Gerwin go, I haven’t even met Jasper, I’m sure that he’s perfectly nice.”

“I’m sure that he’s a perfectly nice man as well,” she said. “But the way that women goes on and on about him, like he’s the greatest thing to happen to the Federation since James T. Kirk.”

“That’s debatable,” Lance said. “As much good as that man did, there are scholars who say that he did his fair share of damage as well.”

“Do not speak ill of James T. Kirk young man!” 

Lance held up his hands. “Okay, okay, point taken.”

“Good, so when do you take off on your first mission?” she asked.

“Not sure just yet,” Lance said. “My chief engineering doesn’t arrive until tomorrow and I still haven’t heard if they’ve found me an XO or an operations chief and some of the systems might need some updating. I’m hoping to get her out for a shakedown cruise by the end of the week.”

“I take it that you’ll still be based out of Starbase Bravo?” 

Lance nodded. “Yeah, the ship is good for short journeys but there is no way you’d want to live on it full-time. She’s not the fastest or the most advanced but it at least gets my foot in the door. If I can prove I can handle this command, who knows what’s next.”

“I really am very proud of you Lance,” she said. “My little boy is all grown up.”

“You’re the only reason that I made it this far,” Lance said. “Without you taking me and putting me on the right path, who knows what might have happened.”

“You did that yourself honey, all I did was nudge you in the right direction.”

“Thanks,” Lance said. “How’s the garden this year?”

“Could be better,” she said. “I’m trying a new compost method this year so we’ll see if that helps. I should get back at it before all my lights gone. I’m seriously proud of you Lance. Love you.”

“Love you too grandma,” Lance said.

She cut the channel and Lance leaned back in his chair. After a moment, he stood up, grabbed his PADD, and exited his quarters. He caught a glimpse of himself in the nearby mirror. He stood at 5’11 with red hair, blue eyes, and athletic build. He continued out the door and into the corridor. 

It took him about five minutes to arrive at the docking slip that held the USS Opharus. The ship was still pretty dark, save for the work lights that were shining on her. He gave up on the urge to board her for what have been the fourth time that day. Instead, he made a few more notes on his PADD and was about to walk away when he saw someone else giving her a once-over.

The man was slightly taller than himself but packed with muscle. He had short brown hair, blue eyes, and the faintest of nose ridges that marked him as having some sort of Bajoran heritage. 

“Can I help you?” Lance asked.

“Just getting a look at my ship.”

“Your ship?”

The man nodded. “Yup, Ensign Archer Valentine, I just got assigned as her chief tactical/security officer. I was actually on my way to meet up with the CO, hopefully he doesn’t mind his officers randomly stopping by.”

“I don’t think he will,” Lance said. “Because he’s right here staring at his ship.”

Archer smiled and thrust out his hand. “Well, nice to meet you, Lieutenant Fox.”

“Lance will when we’re not on the bridge.”

“That’s not regulation-like,” Archer said. “I know some COs that would have a cow about that.”

Lance shrugged. “I’d like to start my first command off with an atmosphere that isn’t pure and utter abject terror. So, would you like to take a look onboard?”

“I’d love to.”