Change Of Command

Posted on Fri 20th Mar, 2020 @ 9:55am by Lieutenant Commander Dallas Briggs

813 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Resolution
Location: Space Dock Earth
Timeline: Back Story, about a month ago

It was a momentous occasion on the Thunderchild. Everyone had gathered in the hanger, a massive room designed to hold dozens of support craft and fighters. At one end of the hanger, several people stood behind a podium and two highly polished fighter craft also flanked the podium with Starfleet banners draped over the front of their fuselages.

Standing at the podium to one side was Captain Adam Riley. Adam was a tall man with short, dark hair with some grey on the sides. He kept his hair neat. He also kept in good shape; his dazzling blue eyes were captivating. For this ceremony, he was a place holder.

To his right was Admiral William Stone Jr. Will was also a tallish man standing about 6 feet. He had some brown hair left, but it was quickly being taken over by the grey hair. He wasn’t all that old either, he mainly blamed it on stress. Will’s beautiful wife stood not far from him in the crown that faced them. Captain Estell Sanchez of the USS Pegasus and her crew were taking extended shore leave on Earth. The Olympic class ship was getting a much-needed overhaul after seeing two large fleet battles in a short period of time. Estell smiled at her husband as the ceremony was about to begin.

To Will’s right side was Zed, the reason why everyone was here and why the place looked so nice. Zed, a young, female half Vulcan was taking command of the Thunderchild. This would be her first command of a long, promising career and Will was very happy for her. He had been keeping an eye on her progress after teaching at the Academy and taking note of her academics. Zed had been an XO on the Winchester and the Prometheus. She had to assume command of the Prometheus when the Captain was killed on an away mission and was actually offer the command of the Prometheus, however, she turned it down when she heard about the Thunderchild. She said there was just too much memory there and wanted the change of a new ship. Captain Eric Chapman was like a mentor to her.

Here she was, about to take her own command. “Attention to orders!” Will called out and you could hear the whole room come to attention and it became eerie quiet as everyone gave their undivided attention. Will read directly from his PADD, “To Captain Adam Riley Commander of the USS Thunderchild, stardate 28863.2, you are requested and required to relinquish command of your vessel to Commander Zed as of this date, signed Rear Admiral William Stone Jr, Star Fleet Command.” Once Will was done speaking he glanced over at Adam.

Adam smiled at Zed, “Computer, transfer all command codes to Commander Zed, voice authorization Riley one zero beta.”

“Transfer complete, USS Thunderchild is under the command of Commander Zed.” Replied the familiar computer voice.

“I relieve you sir,” Zed said as she stepped up to Adam.

“I stand relieved,” Adam replied and shook her hand. “Congratulations Commander.”

“Thank you, sir.” She replied.

“Yes, congratulations, Commander, I’m proud of you, you know,” Will said as he too shook her hand. This was just the beginning of the celebration as many others congratulated her and shook her hand. Soon everyone would be drinking, dining, and dancing. Basically, having a very good time. In a couple of days the Thnderchild would ship out, she was needed along the Romulan and Klingon borders to curb the Pirate activities in that sector of space.

Zed looked around as everyone seemed to have a good time. She watched as Admiral Stone danced with his wife, Captain Sanchez. They looked incredibly happy together and she wondered if she would ever have something like that. Then the realization hit. She had her first command and that was her love. No man would come between her and her ship.

The evening went on, she listened to Command Staff and Brass talk about war stories and with her she only had a couple to share with everyone. Up until now, her career had been mainly uneventful. She had looked around at one time for Admiral Stone, she had wanted to thank him for everything that he had done for her throughout her career, but she could see that he and Captain Sanchez had left the party.

As the hours passed the crowed thinned down and then there were only a few. Zed was finally able to run them off as well, politely. She was exhausted from the day's festivities and was ready to go back to her quarters and spend time alone hours ago. Finally, she was alone, "Computer. lights off." She said as she approached the door. As the door opened, the hanger lights turned off, ending a long but eventful day.



Commander Zed
CO
USS Thunderchild

 

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