New Here

Posted on Thu 11th Sep, 2025 @ 7:38pm by Captain Gordon Francis & Criswell Sandbags & Lieutenant Commander Azusa Nakano

2,163 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: From The Ashes
Location: Starbase Promenade
Timeline: current

ON:

Location: Starbase 109 Promenade

The promenade of Federation Starbase's were always busy and crowded places. No matter where you are in the galaxy there is always a need for trade. There was always someone who needed something, and someone willing to provide that for something they need. Thus the ancient act of trade was born and has spread across the stars.

The promenade of Starbase 109 was no different. It was the home of shops, restaurants and leisure facilities. Everything from a merchant selling rare crystals to fancy restaurants emanating alluring smells to the passing population.

In the centre of this overwhelming city of trade and commerce stood a young Starfleet Officer. Her gold uniform didn't especially stand out amongst the diverse sea of civilian and Starfleet Uniforms.

Newly promoted Lieutenant Commander Azusa Nakano stared up at the decks and balconies of seemingly endless establishments. Her long black hair was tied back in long twintails that ran down her back, and her hazel eyes darted from sign to sign soaking in and assimilating every sight. The one noticeable feature of this young officer was not her crisp uniform, or her long black hair, but her slightly rounded out stomach.

Starbases across The Federation were accustomed to families and children. Some children spent their entire childhoods on huge space facilities like Starbase 109. However, Azusa seemed alone. There was no one by her side, no one to carry her duffle bag which she clutched tightly and any passerby could see in her eyes that she was starting this new adventure alone.

Regardless of this an aura of confidence Emirates from the woman dresses in a gold uniform. A faint smile slowly stretched across her face, only to be interrupted by the distinct growl of her stomach.

"I know, I know..." she muttered as she ran a hand over her abdomen. "You're hungry too... Just wait a little bit longer."

An enticing smell assaulted her nostrils causing her stomach to growl once again. The source, an establishment only a few steps away. She was drawn to it like a predator stalking it's prey through a dense jungle. Her legs moved on her own, guiding her through the crowd and towards the open doors, directly into her preys den. Finally, it was time to satisfy her hunger and provide the nutrients her unborn child craved.

The well-dressed man standing near the entrance to the restaurant, a nice-looking establishment called Orchids & Jazz, immediately noticed her heading that way and stepped up. While the man was slightly tall, he towered over the young Lieutenant. He looked terran, but something about his stature made him reminiscent of a Ferengi. Still, he had friendly green eyes and a smile on his face that completed the demeanor, despite being quite odd.

"Hello, ma'am," he said in a jovial voice. He held out a hand, and even that gesture seemed odd coming from him. "My name is Criswell. I'm host of this establishment, Orchids & Jazz. Forgive my presumption, but you look very tired."

He spoke with bated breath, and his eyes shifted mechanically. He sounded a little over-eager to please, but nonetheless genuine. His receding hairline aged him a bit, but his face looked more youthful, like a man in his late-twenties.

"If you want to come in and rest, I can lead you to a seat," he said. "We have a very comfortable booth open and it's currently happy hour, when all beverages and appetizers are half-price!"

Azusa raised a single eyebrow. The concept of currency was strange to her. The Federation had abolished the need for materialistic ambitions and currency hundreds of years ago; however, some cultures still used such methods for trade and commerce.

Naturally this comment of everything being 'half-price', especially on a Federation Starbase was something that the engineer wasn't expecting. "Half-price? Do you actually use some sort of currency here...?" She pondered for a moment; her knowledge of currency was limited at best. "I don't really have anything like that. I have a few straps of Latinum that I picked up from Telkis Three a few years ago... Is that good enough? This doesn't seem like a Ferengi establishment..."

Criswell's eyes darted back and forth again, and the man stammered for a second. "Um... latinum is accepted here, and most other places as well. By law, we also take Federation credits, which is the more standard form of currency. If you wish, you may have your latinum transferred to credits at any currency stand in the Promenade. Um... unlike starships, restaurants and stores on a Starbase require currency. There are many people here, who live and work here, who are not members of the Federation. My boss, Mr. Qaraq, for example, is from the Delavi system, a territory not part of the Federation. Like hundreds of non-Federation vendors here, Mr. Qaraq is here by way of a work visa, meaning compensation is required for what he sells. How can he feed his family otherwise?"

The last part was a common Ferengi ploy, and it looked like Criswell might actually be trying to scam her. It was then that an elderly man in a Starfleet Captain's uniform stepped forward and gently put a hand on the strange man's shoulder.

"That's fine, Criswell," he said. "Give her anything she wants and put it on my tab."

Criswell's eyes widened and he lowered his head into a small bow. "Yes, um, of course, Captain Francis. Whatever you say!"

Captain Francis' friendly green eyes sat behind a pair of old-fashioned glasses. While he was of average height, the man's strong demeanor had a commanding presence. His smile was one of both geniality and authority.

"You must be my new Chief of Ops. I'm Captain Francis, the head honcho around here," he said with a deep southern twang. He gestured to take the young woman's bags. "Let me take those to my table and you can have yourself a rest."

The sudden appearance of the Captain was also on Azusa's list of 'things she wasn't expecting to happen today'. However, she turned to him. "Captain, it's nice to meet you. To answer your questions, yes. I'm lieutenant Azusa Nakano, your new Chief of Operations should you accept me." She bowed forward a little, the customary Japanese culture that had been ingrained in her coming to light. "There's no need to worry about my bags sir, I can carry them myself, no need to trouble you with such things sir," she added towards the end. "Although I do appreciate you helping with Mister Criswell. It's my first time on a Starbase this size, I've only ever been assigned to starships before now." She bowed again, this time a little lower showing gratitude.

"There are a lot of differences between the two," Francis said. "You'll encounter a lot of interesting people. My friend Criswell over there was raised by Ferengi, so he can be a bit kooky about money. What he wasn't telling you was that currency only applies to civilians. The Federation foots the bill for Starfleet officers for everything here except gambling. It can be happy hour, sad hour, or slightly indifferent hour and you won't have to worry about it."

"I didn't know that." Azusa replied. She then turned and looked Criswell dead in the eyes. Her expression was serious, unamused and one could say a little annoyed. "So Captain, what you're also saying is that this guy was trying to cheat me..."

Francis looked over at Criswell and shook his head. "I doubt that was his intent, but if you want to complain, his boss is the giant intimidating blue man with all the horns surrounding his face tending bar. His name is Qaraq, he owns the place, and I don't think he would be very happy to hear his executive assistant is cheating potential patrons at the door."

"I see," Azusa said looking at the captain. "In that case..." she looked back at Criswell. "About that table...?"

Francis grinned. "If you like, you can join me," he said. "I haven't even ordered yet and I'd enjoy the company."

"I'd appreciate the company too. That's if, I'm not imposing." Azusa replied giving him a small smile. She had no doubt that her new captain had questions he wanted to ask of her.

"Not at all," Francis said. He led her to his booth, which was only a few feet away, close to the entrance. Once they had sat down, he asked, "How was your journey here?"

"Uneventful... but a little uncomfortable. However, i find most things uncomfortable these last few weeks," Azusa replied softly a hand running over her rounded out belly.

"How far along?" Francis said. "If you don't mind my asking..."

"Twenty four weeks," Azusa said with a slight blush. "Although, I don't intend to stop my duties because of it." she told him. "Although, he/she has started to remind me that they're in there. Constantly kicking and moving about." She added with a smile.

"Sounds like a potential boxer," Francis said with a grin. "While I'm glad to hear you can still do your work, don't be a hero. If you need time off, take it. No one will judge you for it, least of all me. Spend as much time with your child as you can. Consider that an order." Francis wished he'd heeded that advice with his own children. His greatest regret was not being there for them when they were little. He wondered who the father was for Asuza's child, but he didn't want to pry. He knew such questions came with implied judgment, and he tried not to be a judgmental person. It was none of his business anyway. If she wanted to tell him, she would.

Azusa smiled and gave him a slight nod. "Thats what my last Captain said." She replied. "However, I know that running Operations on a Starbase is a lot different than the smaller ships I'm used to and I'm prepared to give it my all. I chose this assignment in the interest of my child, a starbase is a better environment than a Nova Class Starship for them. Plus, I can still continue being an engineer."

Francis laughed. "There's a whole heckuva lot more for an engineer to do on a starbase! I guess you'll learn that in time. I figured commanding Starbase 109 would be a walk in the park, but it sure has tested my endurance. I will say that it has a lot more perks to it. Some starships have a restaurant, but we have about twenty on one deck alone, and that's not including the cart vendors! We also have a sizable sports stadium, a canal, a small water park, a few casinos, and there are more attractions I haven't even discovered yet! And then there's the people. There are more civilians here per capita than Starfleet officers, by a few thousand. All of them have some kind of business and story as to why they're here." Francis chuckled. "All this and while I have to run the place, you're the one keeping it running!"

"No pressure then," Azusa replied with a slightly nervous laugh. "May I ask sir, did the previous Chief of Ops leave me anything to do? Am I able to request their logs?"

Francis nodded. "I'll see you get everything you need."

Azusa have him a small smile. "Thank you sir." She replied. "I am looking forward to the challenge. I know its a lot of work with everything going on, but I am determined to make a fresh start here."

"Good," said the Captain. "This place is good for fresh starts." Francis spoke with experience, but didn't want to get into it. He knew what it was like to juggle being a parent and Starfleet officer at the same time. He wondered just how dedicated this new Lieutenant-Commander could be to both. He had tried, and failed. No one, he felt, should be a bachelor at old age. It had happened to him. He would be sad to see it happen to the bright young lady sitting across from him.

Just then on the stage at the further end of the room, the visiting band began playing. Francis recognized them as the bluegrass band The Griffs. He'd seen them perform at Orchids and Jazz just a few months ago and had enjoyed it. After their opening song, and not to Francis' surprise, the man on lead fiddle held up a banjo.

"I see Captain Francis in the crowd out there!" he said. "How about some banjo, Captain?"

Francis turned to Azusa and smiled. "Duty calls," he said, standing and heading for the stage.

Azusa nodded and gave him a smile. "Of course, thankyou Captain." She replied to him. She remained seated, thoughts flooding her head of where she was to start on this new assignment. Safe to say she was excited to see what she could do here.

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