A spot of flash-fiction here with a random idea that just popped into my head this evening.
Enjoy!
* * * * *
“Captain on the bridge,” announced Commander Thaddeus Stone, who stood beside the command chair, his posture straight and hands clasped behind his back.
Stepping off the turbolift, Captain Saavik gave her first officer a nod and moved into the centre of the bridge to join him. All the outer station were manned, each operator quickly running through last minute diagnostics and systems checks, all of them wanting this to go as smoothly as possible—after all it wasn’t every day Starfleet launched a brand new class of ship, one that was poised to change Starfleet forever.
“Status, Commander?” she asked, standing opposite him.
“All decks have reported in, all sections are ready for departure, Captain.”
“Very good, take your station.”
Stone grinned as he stepped up to the free-standing console on the starboard side of her chair, a design feature that was a departure from most other bridge configurations. The console was mirrored on the port side, though it was vacant. Saavik took a moment to look around at the command centre, just as she had done on numerous occasions, just yesterday she’d had to explain to the flock of reporters some of the changes that had been made—such as the removal of dedicated communications and navigation stations, with their functions now being split between the helmsman and operations manager, whilst the tactical officer now sat within the command well to the left of the helm.
The chronometer above the viewscreen changed to 11:58.
Two minutes until they launched. Saavik slid into her seat and crossed her legs comfortably. “Prepare for departure. Secure all connectors and cast-off moorings.”
“All connectors secured, moorings disengaged,” Lieutenant Shalenidash th’Kere replied immediately from ops.
“Power up thrusters. Set aft at two-thirds, port and starboard at station keeping.”
“Thrusters on standby, sir,” confirmed Lieutenant Tionojj.
With everything onboard ready for the final order to engage, she had to face the public spotlight once more—something she’d had just about enough of over the last week. If it weren’t for the years she’d spent honing her emotional control and discipline the strong sway of her half-Romulan heritage could have gotten then better of her. She turned to Stone.
“Commander, hail station operations.”
Under normal circumstances, a ship sought clearance from the dockmaster, but given the importance of this particular launch they had to go just that little bit further. Clearing her throat, she squared her shoulders and rested her forearms on the armrests.
The viewscreen activated to show the interior of the dry-dock control centre, which was filled with reporters, admirals, and dignitaries from across the Federation—they were pulling out all the stops for this moment.
“Operations, this is Captain Saavik of the starship Ambassador. Request permission to depart.”
The familiar face Admiral Morris Foster stepped forward. She had known him since the Academy, having numerous classes together as well as facing a life-or-death training cruise onboard the U.S.S. Enterprise. Whilst she had decided to remain on active starship duty, Foster had entered the admiralty and was now Director of Starfleet Operations.
“Ambassador, you are cleared for launch. Fair voyage to you, Captain.”
The control room erupted in applause. Saavik gave a polite smile to the cameras once again, then gave Stone a subtle gesture to close the channel. The station interior disappeared, replaced with the view of the dock cradle the enormous new starship was berthed in.
“Engage thrusters.”
“Aye-aye sir,” the Boslic helmsman replied, unable to keep the excitement from his voice.
In a matter of seconds, the Ambassador left the dry-dock behind them. As soon as they were free of the structure, she ordered Tionojj to increase to half impulse power which saw them pull away from Mars’ gravity well and leave the Utopia Planitia Fleet Yard. They would need to clear the system before they could go to warp, only at which point would they finally get clear of the probes that flanked them, filming the majestic new starship as she began her service to the Federation.
There was a lot riding on the new ship, her name was evidence of that. The Federation was in a time of great uncertainty; relations with the Cardassians and Tzenkethi were, at best, tense, whilst there were many in the fleet that believed the Romulans were secretly building up their forces, ever since the Tomed Incident and they sealed their borders once again, whilst the alliance with the Klingon Empire was fraught with difficulties following almost a century of hostility and mistrust. With the threat of conflict from almost every corner, Starfleet needed to demonstrate its pursuit of peace and dogma of solving issues with diplomacy and understanding.
May you live in interesting times, Saavik mused to herself, feeling cautiously hopeful for just what she and her crew could accomplish on the Ambassador.
* * * * *
END
Enjoy!
* * * * *
“Captain on the bridge,” announced Commander Thaddeus Stone, who stood beside the command chair, his posture straight and hands clasped behind his back.
Stepping off the turbolift, Captain Saavik gave her first officer a nod and moved into the centre of the bridge to join him. All the outer station were manned, each operator quickly running through last minute diagnostics and systems checks, all of them wanting this to go as smoothly as possible—after all it wasn’t every day Starfleet launched a brand new class of ship, one that was poised to change Starfleet forever.
“Status, Commander?” she asked, standing opposite him.
“All decks have reported in, all sections are ready for departure, Captain.”
“Very good, take your station.”
Stone grinned as he stepped up to the free-standing console on the starboard side of her chair, a design feature that was a departure from most other bridge configurations. The console was mirrored on the port side, though it was vacant. Saavik took a moment to look around at the command centre, just as she had done on numerous occasions, just yesterday she’d had to explain to the flock of reporters some of the changes that had been made—such as the removal of dedicated communications and navigation stations, with their functions now being split between the helmsman and operations manager, whilst the tactical officer now sat within the command well to the left of the helm.
The chronometer above the viewscreen changed to 11:58.
Two minutes until they launched. Saavik slid into her seat and crossed her legs comfortably. “Prepare for departure. Secure all connectors and cast-off moorings.”
“All connectors secured, moorings disengaged,” Lieutenant Shalenidash th’Kere replied immediately from ops.
“Power up thrusters. Set aft at two-thirds, port and starboard at station keeping.”
“Thrusters on standby, sir,” confirmed Lieutenant Tionojj.
With everything onboard ready for the final order to engage, she had to face the public spotlight once more—something she’d had just about enough of over the last week. If it weren’t for the years she’d spent honing her emotional control and discipline the strong sway of her half-Romulan heritage could have gotten then better of her. She turned to Stone.
“Commander, hail station operations.”
Under normal circumstances, a ship sought clearance from the dockmaster, but given the importance of this particular launch they had to go just that little bit further. Clearing her throat, she squared her shoulders and rested her forearms on the armrests.
The viewscreen activated to show the interior of the dry-dock control centre, which was filled with reporters, admirals, and dignitaries from across the Federation—they were pulling out all the stops for this moment.
“Operations, this is Captain Saavik of the starship Ambassador. Request permission to depart.”
The familiar face Admiral Morris Foster stepped forward. She had known him since the Academy, having numerous classes together as well as facing a life-or-death training cruise onboard the U.S.S. Enterprise. Whilst she had decided to remain on active starship duty, Foster had entered the admiralty and was now Director of Starfleet Operations.
“Ambassador, you are cleared for launch. Fair voyage to you, Captain.”
The control room erupted in applause. Saavik gave a polite smile to the cameras once again, then gave Stone a subtle gesture to close the channel. The station interior disappeared, replaced with the view of the dock cradle the enormous new starship was berthed in.
“Engage thrusters.”
“Aye-aye sir,” the Boslic helmsman replied, unable to keep the excitement from his voice.
In a matter of seconds, the Ambassador left the dry-dock behind them. As soon as they were free of the structure, she ordered Tionojj to increase to half impulse power which saw them pull away from Mars’ gravity well and leave the Utopia Planitia Fleet Yard. They would need to clear the system before they could go to warp, only at which point would they finally get clear of the probes that flanked them, filming the majestic new starship as she began her service to the Federation.
There was a lot riding on the new ship, her name was evidence of that. The Federation was in a time of great uncertainty; relations with the Cardassians and Tzenkethi were, at best, tense, whilst there were many in the fleet that believed the Romulans were secretly building up their forces, ever since the Tomed Incident and they sealed their borders once again, whilst the alliance with the Klingon Empire was fraught with difficulties following almost a century of hostility and mistrust. With the threat of conflict from almost every corner, Starfleet needed to demonstrate its pursuit of peace and dogma of solving issues with diplomacy and understanding.
May you live in interesting times, Saavik mused to herself, feeling cautiously hopeful for just what she and her crew could accomplish on the Ambassador.
* * * * *
END
