Trying to get comfortable in his new ready room was challenging for Captain Horatio McCallister. He had yet to find the place where he felt the most comfortable. On the Bellerophon, he loved the chair behind his desk and the curved sofa under the windows. Here on the Constitution, he had the choice of many seating opportunities, and everything was brand new. The room (in fact, the whole ship) had that brand-new smell to it. Or was that or the environmental controls were glitching. 

   The Constitution’s ready room was slightly longer than McCallister had accustomed to while on the Bellerophon. Though it wasn’t as big as his brother’s ready room on the Odyssey, it seemed pretty excessive, in his opinion. On one side of the room was his desk, shaped in an almost curved rectangular way and made of black marble. The same material was used to make the longer rectangular-shaped table in the middle. Not as long as the one in the conference room. It allowed for six people to meet. On the opposite side was a booth-like-shaped sofa. Every piece of seating was in a dark red colour scheme. Horatio hated it. Everything was so lavish, in his opinion. That said, most of what he found on his new ship seemed over the top. 

Being the prototype of the new Constitution-III class, and as a nod to some Starfleet nostalgia, when the ship was built, she retained some design aesthetics and choices that made her look more like the original Constitution-class from the twenty-third century with a twenty-fifth century take on it. McCallister felt like he was time travelling when he first boarded the ship. When he met with the lead designer and engineer, he was sure they were trying to express their adoration for the golden era of Starfleet exploration. He understood how much Starfleet wanted to return to its original exploring roots. Still, he wondered if they were taking things a bit too far. The more he walked around his ship, the more he felt they had taken most of it out of the Starfleet Museum. When asked, he even discovered that most of the Constitution’s sister ships didn’t look like this. 

However, McCallister soon realised he couldn’t complain. He had a ship, and the Constitution would be one hell of a ship with what she could do. McCallister felt it in his bones as he had read over her specifications. Even with its retro lines, very shiny surfaces and bright white lighting (of which he had to adjust the power levels a few times), he was starting to adapt to the significant differences compared to the Bellerophon. He did miss one thing, though: the carpet! The softer furnishing had made the Bellerophon more warm, more welcoming, and more comfortable. 

Sat on the dark red faux leather chair behind his new desk, the captain was sipping on his first mug of tea for the day while trying to finish off his breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, mushrooms and toast. The replicator behind him certainly made better food than he had tasted on the Bellerophon. 

He was reading the latest reports about the ship’s readiness between bites and sips. Most of the crew had reported onboard and were starting to settle in. Adaptations had to be made to most of the ship to host its new crew, especially as most of them had come from the Triton, and many required particular environmental conditions or modifications to the ship’s life support systems. 

Bringing the crews from the Triton and the Bellerophon together seemed like a good idea to him. He had read how James, his brother, had done it with the Odyssey in 2387.  McCallister knew both crews and knew they would all fit on the Constitution. That said, not every single one of them would be joining them. Some would be assigned to the Odyssey. He had spent a few days reviewing his senior staff choices; some were easy to make, while others were challenging. Thankfully, his brother and Captain Cambil had assisted him. Those who weren’t joining him would be offered roles on the Odyssey, especially as the Odyssey had lost a good number from the Frontier Day Disaster. Whatever happened, his brother was sure of one thing. They would not lose anyone in the Odyssey Squadron since the Triton and Bellerophon were now stuck in drydocks at Avalon. Horatio hadn’t entirely understood James’ whole speech about not breaking up the family – things were getting too sentimental lately. He understood why, but he needed a break from it. Deep down, he wanted a brand new start on the Constitution. He wanted it so badly, especially for both the Bellerophon and Triton crews. They (like so many others in the Fourth Fleet) had lost many comrades from the Lost Fleet incursion and Frontier Day. Like a sharp dagger piercing through their chests, the Dominion and Borg had reared their ugly heads one more time to remind the Federation that the final frontier was still a dangerous place. It might be risky to explore, but it was worth it. So now, they all deserved to return to where they should have been: exploring the deep depths of the Delta Quadrant. 

The door chime went off, and McCallister immediately finished the last pieces of his breakfast on his plate and answered it. “Come in.”

Stepping through, smartly dressed in his uniform, was his new first officer. Commander Thaustin. Thaustin had been his first choice to join him on the Constitution; factors outside their control had put them together during Frontier Day, and experience had taught McCallister that the Xindi was undoubtedly someone to trust and depend on.

“Good Morning, Number One,” McCallister said with a smirk as he picked up his mug of tea. “How are you doing this morning, Thaustin?”

The younger, handsome man didn’t look that happy. He passed a PADD in his hand over to the captain. “Permission to speak freely, sir?” Thaustin requested.

Taking the PADD, McCallister was concerned but also confused by Thaustin’s demeanour. “Sure, what’s wrong?” He looked at the PADD’s contents and saw it contained the new senior staff structure for the Constitution. 

“May I ask why I wasn’t consulted on this, sir?” Thaustin said before jabbing the PADD’s screen. 

McCallister placed the device down on his table and responded by keeping himself calm. “I didn’t know I had to consult you on who I wanted on my new ship, commander.” McCallister placed both of his hands on the shiny marble desk surface. He emphasised certain words to remind Thaustin that he was the captain and his decision was final.

“You don’t, sir, but when you told me you wanted to bring everyone over from the Triton, I assumed you meant everyone,” Thaustin replied, crossing his arms against his chest.

“You must have realised that some people from the Bellerophon will be joining us, Thaustin?” McCallister quizzed. “And what’s the issue with our senior staff makeup?”

“With all due respect, captain, I just think there are more experienced candidates that should have those roles,” Thaustin answered. “For example, Lieutenant Commander Jayshon should have been considered for chief engineer.”

Thaustin’s statement about Triton’s former chief engineer didn’t offend McCallister. He would have liked to have worked with the Tamarian, but that would not be the case. “Jayshon was considered for the position but declined my offer. He was also offered the chance on the Themis; instead, he wanted to join the Corps of Engineers on the Odyssey. He cited he wanted a role with less responsibility, for now.”   

“Well, is Lieutenant T’Penni experienced enough to run an engineering department?” Thaustin questioned. 

“She did it perfectly well on the Bellerophon,” McCallister replied curtly. “I take it you have an issue with Lieutenant Commander Jarata?”

Thaustin nodded. “Again, sir, I don’t mean to sound rude, but I think his promotion to lieutenant commander is a little premature and making him third officer may be a mistake.”

“On what grounds?” 

“Again, experience. Or lack thereof.” 

McCallister rubbed his forehead. He had worked with Rubon Jarata for a long time and knew he was someone he considered a close confidant, almost like a younger brother. Without having Jaz or Jirani nearby, Jarata was the next best thing. “I disagree and believe Rubon can perform the duties of the third officer exceptionally well. He did it well enough on the Bellerophon.” He paused. “If you’re worried about the lack of experience on our senior staff, then why aren’t you questioning my choice to keep Lieutenant Natima Lonar as chief security and tactical officer?”

Thaustin was certainly worked up. “Because I know her, sir. She can do the job.”

“Good, because I’m going to rely on you helping me see that, as much as I know that both T’Penni and Rubon will do the same for you. Furthermore, commander, if we are going to get picky about who is from which ship, you should remember that those from the Triton outnumber the Bellerophon crew almost two to one. That said, we are not keeping score here. We are one Starfleet crew, and I expect everyone to remember that. I expect you to enforce that. Are we clear?”

Thaustin nodded. “It’s just, sir, Captain Canção used to have me involved in the selection process of anyone new joining the senior staff.” 

Standing up and walking around his desk, McCallister eased himself back onto the edge that Thaustin was near. “I get that, I do, and I promise you, moving forward, I will listen to your thoughts and recommendations if we need to bring in anyone new to a senior staff position. I want you to be part of that selection process, but remember, I have the final say.”

Thaustin didn’t say anything in response straight away. He almost twitched before he spoke. “I still don’t agree with Jarata’s promotion, and T’Penni will be running a bigger department than the Bellerophon.”

McCallister sighed, “Objection noted, Commander Thaustin. Is there anything else?”

“I’d like you to reconsider the third officer position and give it to Doctor Uknare,” Thaustin answered.

“No,” McCallister said firmly as he got up and walked away from Thaustin towards the booth sofa. He looked over his shoulder. “I want a bridge officer in that position.”

“But, sir, she is more train-”

McCallister cut him off instantly as he turned around to face in the same direction as Thaustin. “That’s enough, Commander Thaustin!” He raised his voice to be stern. “My decisions are final.”

“Then I want it noted. I firmly believe this will cause unnecessary tension among the crew you are trying to assemble,” Thaustin replied.

“I already said your objection is noted, commander, but for clarity, you should know that our senior staff structure wasn’t just picked by me but also vetted by Captain Cambil and Fleet Captain McCallister. Do you believe you know more than them?”

Thaustin was stomped. “No.”

“Good, then I expect this matter to now be dropped, and I do not want to hear any more on it, am I clear?” McCallister said as he made his way back to his desk.

Thaustin blushed a bit. “Yes, sir.”

“Good,” McCallister said as he stood behind his chair and rested his right arm over the top of it. “Is there anything else?”

“No, sir,” Thaustin said formally. 

“Very good, commander,” McCallister said in a similar tone. He was annoyed that they had this exchange. Still, he couldn’t believe the nerve that Thaustin had in questioning not only his own judgement but also that of his brother’s and Cambil’s. “We have six days to prepare this ship and its crew for departure. I don’t expect Starfleet to give us much time for a shakedown cruise, so we must bring our best when we leave with the others via the next entrance of the Barzan Wormhole.”

Thaustin nodded. “I understand, sir.” 

Not sure what else he wanted to say there and then, McCallister nodded to his first officer. “Dismissed.”

Thaustin stood up straight and left the room.

Sighing heavily as he slumped into his chair, McCallister was now questioning his choice of first officer. Perhaps he should have agreed with his brother’s suggestion of having Commanders Tomaz or Flemen join him. That said, he reminded James of his reason for picking Thaustin. If he was Rio Canção’s choice for first officer, how could he turn him away?

McCallister took one more look at the door that Thaustin just used to leave before looking back at his work. He decided he would get back on with it, hoping that the argument between him and Thaustin would be a one-off.

He hoped.