Change of Command

Posted on Mon May 26th, 2025 @ 4:00pm by Captain Inara Valérian
Edited on on Mon May 26th, 2025 @ 4:01pm

384 words; about a 2 minute read

Inara stood quietly beside the command chair on the bridge of the USS Viking. Around her, the humming of the powerful Defiant class ship seemed loud, a constant background noise that drowned out the quiet movements of the ship's crew. She had little to do during the short voyage, so standing on the bridge and waiting patiently and remaining lost in her thoughts had won out of the very short list of things to do. The debriefing she had been given before leaving the Venture had been concerning, even more so given the recent events that had thundered across the Federation.

A shift from one of the officers on the bridge caught her attention. A young Bajoran ensign sitting at the helm turned towards the Viking's commander, Commander Salvatore, and spoke up. "Sir, we're approaching the Endeavour."

"Hail them and bring us to sub-light," Commander Salvatore ordered. "Pass along the emergency orders from Starfleet and prepare to match their vector and speed."

Inara watched as the view screen flashed to life. The Viking dropped out of warp, followed quickly by the Endeavour. Both ships matched speed and vector for nearly five minutes before the Endeavour came to a full stop, followed by the Viking. She didn't know the exact wording of the orders that had been transmitted to the Endeavour, but Inara had a general idea of what they were. No doubt Captain McKeon was as surprised by the orders he had just received as Inara had been with the orders she had been given only mere hours before.

"Sir, the Endeavour is signaling that Captain McKeon is preparing for transport aboard," the operations officer reported.

Commander Salvatore turned towards Inara and nodded. "Captain, I believe that's your cue," he said.

"Indeed," Inara said with a faint smile. "Thank you for the ride, Commander."

"Anytime, Captain. Good luck and godspeed," the commander nodded.

Inara turned and stepped towards the doors leading out of the bridge. The walk to the transporter room was short, and she took a deep breath as she entered the small compartment. The transporter officer nodded as she stepped up onto the transporter pad.

"Coordinates received, Captain."

"Energize," Inara said. Instantly, she heard the humming of the transporter and felt the transporter beam de-materialize her, whisking her off to the Endeavour.

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