Meeting the new Captain

Posted on Sat Jun 21st, 2025 @ 8:39am by Captain Inara Valérian & Commander Isabella dei`Silvisi & Lieutenant Commander Kenneth Hunt & Lieutenant Commander Zodrac Kosh & Grace Winters PhD

1,743 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Ashes of Unity

Isabella hated to admit to the fact that, at the moment, she was not in a good mood. Her normally calm and outwardly pleasant demeanor was marred by the anger filled glare that had been permanently attached to her expression ever since she had read the orders transmitted to the Endeavour by the Viking. McKeon had already beamed off of the Endeavour, leaving Isabella in charge until the Viking beamed their new commanding officer aboard.

"Commander, the Viking is signalling that the new captain is ready to beam aboard," the communications officer reported, his voice cutting through the tense air on the bridge and giving Isabella a much needed break from her darkening mood.

"Very well," she said as she stood. "Please have Commander Hunt, Commander Kosh, and Miss Winters meet me in transporter room one."

Turning, she headed off of the bridge and towards the turbo lift. The trip from the bridge to Transporter Room One wasn't long, and Isabella forced herself to pause outside the door. Taking a deep breath, she schooled her expression into something at least neutrally friendly before she entered the room.

A minute later Kenneth Hunt arrived at the transporter room. The Second Officer clearly was confused on why they were called here. But it was obvious that were likely awaiting someone important. "Commander."

Zodrac stepped though the doors of the transporter room and immediately felt uncomfortable. He paused for a moment in the doorway, giving those there a quick nod, before continuing on with his head slightly downward. He was avoiding eye contact with the others, mainly because he didn't know where he stood, considering the reactions he was getting from some already. A Starfleet Uniform doesn't hide the fact that he was still Cardassian. To some it was just decoration. To others it was an insult. Either way, as he took a place by Commander Hunt, Kosh was expecting to keep his head down and comments short and sweet. Perhaps he could get away from this sudden invitation unscathed.

Inara felt the transporter beam release her, leaving her standing on the transporter pad aboard the Endeavour. It seemed familiar, but she knew that the feeling was due to the fact that the Endeavour was almost identical to the Venture. She smiled towards the small group assembled before the transporter pad as she stepped down to stand before the highest ranking officer. "Commander dei`Silvisi? I'm Captain Inara Valerian. By order of Starfleet Command, I have been ordered to assume command of the star-ship Endeavour and her assigned crew."

"Then by Starfleet regulations, I hereby surrender command to you at this time, Captain," Isabella said with a formal half bow. After a very short moment of time, she nodded and continued. "This is Commander Zodrac Kosh, chief of security and tactical, and Commander Kenneth Hunt, strategic operations and second officer," she said.

Kenneth simply nodded to the new Captain. This was an unexpected surprise. But he was sure that everything would be explained in due time.

Zodrac remained quiet, although he did manage to look up to nod back at the new Captain in time, but his head immediately lowered again. He wasn't shy, just cautious. Zodrac had such a good interaction with the last Captain that he wasn't sure how this one would treat him. Despite his caution, he remained at attention with his hands behind his back. However, his curiosity got the better of him, as he spoke up soon after. "May I ask... What happened with Captain McKeon?" He asked as he looked up slightly towards Captain Valerian. "One minute Starfleet Command orders us to take on Cadets to fill in the gaps and the next we get a new Captain? What happened? Is he all right?"

Inara turned towards Commander Kosh and seemed to quietly regard him for a moment which was no longer than the time span of a mere heartbeat or two. She had been informed of the Cardassian's presence on the Endeavour, even read through his service files while on board the Viking. She still wasn't quite sure what to make of the Cardassian officer, but he was on the Endeavour as a senior officer and had had the support of Captain McKeon and a number of other officers. It was enough for her, even if she still remained somewhat cautious around him for now. It wasn't out of disrespect or hatred or even fear, but simply because he was an unknown factor in her mind. She finally nodded before she spoke, clasping her hands behind her back as she did so.

"Captain McKeon has been reassigned to Starfleet Command and placed in charge of the presidential assassination investigation," she replied. "It's my understanding that the need for the transfer came due to a need for the Endeavour to be elsewhere, specially in light of the fact that a quarter of the crew are indeed cadets and that the needs of Starfleet extend far beyond its ability to meet those needs."

Zodrac knew there was more to this, although he was sure he shouldn’t push for more. He felt that one question seemed to be one question enough for this new Captain and he wasn’t sure where he stood with her at the moment. He was, after all, a Cardassian in a Starfleet Uniform, which didn’t seem to sit well so far. Why would Starfleet Command reach all the way out here, to a ship they knew needed to be elsewhere for someone to lead an investigation where Earth had a handful of investigators at the ready. More so, if there was for Presidential Investigation. They would certainly want to start immediately and not be willing to wait. There had to be more to this. Kosh was sure of it. The holes in her reasoning, combined with the amount of times she used the work need, was more than enough evidence to get his curiosity going. He could reach out to his Starfleet Intelligence contacts in order to get the full story, but there may be more to this and the reason for it being kept secret could be a good one.

Grace arrived in time to hear the statement and nodded. As a diplomat, she had been informed of the captain's transfer. Beyond that, she was as curious as the rest. "Hello," she said to the others.

Isabella had listened to the new captain as she spoke. She was still upset at the sudden change, but it was to be expected from time to time. That didn't mean she had to like it. The soft sound of the doors opening caught her attention and she felt grateful to see Grace Winters entering. "Captain, this is Miss Grace Winters, our resident diplomat and counselor."

Inara turned and smiled towards the civilian. She had been thankful to hear that the Endeavour had someone with Grace Winters' experience on board. An experienced diplomat and counselor was always a welcomed addition to any deep space explorer's crew. "Miss Winters," she said.

"Welcome, captain," Grace said as she inclined her head in a diplomatic nod.

Commander Hunt stood by and had taken every bit of the explanation that was given to the small group in the transporter room. Pulling a Captain from his ship to work on an investigation was far from practical. In all his years working security and helping to head up several hundred investigations. This simply felt wrong. Did Captain McKeon do something to piss someone off in Starfleet Command? In all honesty, he had questions himself now. But questioning a brand-new Commanding Officer of this ship was not the route to take. At least for now anyways.

With a quiet nod, Inara turned to face everyone in the transporter room. "I know everyone has questions. I have several questions myself, but we also have our orders. Starfleet Command has ordered that we proceed to sector zero four seven zero immediately to begin a patrol along the Badlands. We're to maintain yellow alert as soon as we arrive as well."

"Captain, is there a specific reason that were being ordered to the Badlands?" Hunt questioned.

Grace said nothing, knowing they would be told of any orders when the senior staff was called for a briefing, but she still turned to Inara for her reply.

Isabella quietly let her thoughts take over as she waited for the new commanding officer to reply to Hunt's question. She was was that it was echoed in the minds of everyone else present, including her own. Instead, she tried to think of any reason why a ship such as the Endeavour would be sent to such a region and tried to keep her thoughts to herself.

Inara shook her head before she replied. "At the moment, I don't know," she said. "Starfleet Command had the Viking transmit sealed orders that I was to open after assuming command and getting the Endeavour underway. We'll hold a senior officer briefing in one hour, after I have time to go over the orders and catch myself up on the ship's status." Pausing, Inara turned to Grace Winters. "Miss Winters, I'd like for you to be present as well."

Quietly watching from the side, Isabella let her gaze quickly turn to the other officers before she returned her attention to the captain. She couldn't help but wonder what thoughts and unspoken questions were forming in the minds of the others. For her, more questions formed the longer she thought on the events taking place. Isabella shifted her position, folding her arms across her chest and keeping her expression as neutral as possible.

Inara turned her gaze towards each of the officers in turn, keeping her own expression one of carefully guarded neutrality. She knew that this sudden and abrupt change would bring questions, and she hated the fact that she couldn't provide all of the answers. She only hoped that in time she could. But for now, they all had work to do.

"Commander Dei'Silvisi, will you please inform the other senior officers that we will hold a senior officer briefing in an hour and get us underway?" she said, turning towards her first officer.

"I'll see to it right away, Captain," Isabella said with a nod of her head.

"Very well," Inara said with a nod as she turned towards the rest of the officers. "I'll see everyone in an hour."

 

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