Episode 38. Ready for Duty
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Wednesday, July 24, 2024 - 8:01 AM
- Location
-
- Space
- Lunar Orbit
- NATO Starbase
- USS Enterprise
- Bridge
- Timeline
- Unknown Timeline
- Previously
-
Agnes Rodriguez, captain of the USS Mercator, led the evacuation of Brussels during a nuclear crisis worsened by the appearance of a non-human vessel. After desperate maneuvers and heavy losses, the Mercator reached the NATO starbase in lunar orbit. There, Agnes and her team discovered top-secret files revealing the exploitation of extraterrestrial technology since the 1950s. Admiral Michaux appointed Agnes to command the USS Enterprise. Between political tensions and moments of everyday life, the crew now prepares for the operations ahead.
Characters
| Name | Affiliation / Branch | Title / Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Agnes V. Rodriguez | NATO / Special Fleet | Captain |
| Angie Chen | NATO / Special Fleet | Commander |
| Eric Corda | NATO / Special Fleet | Lieutenant Commander |
| Emilie Flores | NATO / Special Fleet | Ensign |
| Charlene Savea | NATO / Special Fleet | Lieutenant |
| Eros Vitos | NATO / Special Fleet | Ensign |
Manifest
| USS Enterprise | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | NATO |
| Location | Docked at the NATO Starbase |
| Captain | Agnes V. Rodriguez |
| First Officer | Angie Chen |
| Pilot | Eric Corda |
| Communications | Emilie Flores |
| Operations | Charlene Savea |
| Advanced Weapons | Eros Vitos |
| Infirmary | Victor S. Calpel |
| Counselor/Consultant | Manu |
| Custodian | Manu |
TL;DR
The Enterprise powers up: position reassignment, weapons inventory, management of the problematic new uniforms, and one last review of procedures. The crew adjusts to its gaps, Angie takes tactical, Flores handles comms, and at 15:00 the Enterprise leaves spacedock for its first operational mission.
Story
For most of the day, Angie and I reworked the Enterprise's organization chart from top to bottom.
Names moved around, sections merged, redundancies eliminated... a complete administrative overhaul.
Since Admiral Michaux gave us very little time for shakedown, we had to improvise.
Once again.
The next morning, we report to the bridge.
Our officers are already at their stations, focused on their tasks.
As is tradition, Angie announces my arrival.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Captain on the bridge!
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Good morning, everyone.
At ease.
I hope you recovered well.
Ah... Vitos.
You are here.
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
Good morning, Captain.
Yes.
I just finished installing your chair.
What do you think?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
This is much better than the previous captain's ridiculously high chair.
Thank you for your work, Vitos.
By the way, I saw in the inventory that we have a new stock of DX.
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
That's correct, Captain.
We have fifty DX and fifty DXS.
They are all ready for use.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
DXS?
What exactly is it?
And when you say "ready for use," am I to understand that our torpedo launchers are inoperative?
Ens. Eros Vitos Weapons Engineer
The DXS is similar to the DX, except that it is designed to operate in the vacuum of space.
As for the launchers, they are fully operational.
Unlike the Mercator, the Enterprise has two separate systems.
A vertical launcher for the DXS, and a forward horizontal launcher for the DX.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Perfect.
Thank you, Vitos.
That clears things up.
You are dismissed.
I watch him leave the bridge, then my eyes drift back to my old chair.
The texture of the dark leather, the curve of the armrests... everything is familiar.
I sit down slowly.
I find my bearings again.
I breathe.
The Mercator may be gone, but its imprint remains with me.
A discreet step approaches.
Instinctively, I raise my head.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
Excuse me, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Yes.
Go ahead, Flores.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
Could you sign this document?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
What is it about?
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
A petition about the new uniforms, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
You don't like them, Ensign?
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
I'm starting to get used to the crop...
But the skirt is hell.
These uniforms are not comfortable and are causing several problems among the crew.
Ask Charlene. She's already received complaints.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Go ahead, Savea.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
Indeed, Captain.
Manu reported inappropriate behavior.
I had to call in security several times.
And this morning, while walking through the ship, some crew members made inappropriate remarks to me.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Very well.
Thank you, Charlene.
I will sign your petition, Flores.
But let me be clear: I cannot go any further.
The suppliers are civilians.
You will need to address them directly.
As for inappropriate behavior, the regulations are unambiguous.
Depending on the severity of the offense, you put the offenders in the brig... or expel them from the ship.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
Understood, Captain.
For now, are we required to keep this uniform?
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
You don't have to wear it, Flores.
The priority is your effectiveness.
I will not let a stupid uniform problem get in the way of your work.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
Thank you, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
All right... kids, that is not all.
We need to get to work.
Lieutenant Savea, what do you know about this ship's history?
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
The USS Enterprise has never been deployed on a mission.
It left spacedock several times for shakedown cruises and warp-engine trials.
During the last quarter of 2023, it made about ten round trips between the Moon and Mars.
Then, in January 2024, one round trip between the Moon and Jupiter.
Its last voyage was in February 2024.
It crossed the boundaries of our solar system at warp 3.5.
It returned twelve weeks later, in critical condition, at warp 1.5.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
What happened during that last test, Lieutenant?
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
Impossible to say, Captain.
It appears that the information was deliberately deleted or censored.
All we know is that when it returned to spacedock, the ship underwent numerous modifications, including hull reinforcement.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
What do the crew members who took part in that test say?
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
Not much more than what is in the reports.
They all mention a warp-related problem, without going into detail.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Very well.
Thank you for that summary, Savea.
Now, let's move on to the protocols.
Have you studied the new procedures?
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
I've started, Captain...
But we have an organizational problem.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Which one, Savea?
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
There are only three officers on the bridge.
However, the new procedures require five officers.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I don't understand.
We have always operated with three officers.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
That is correct, Captain.
On the Mercator, we had a pilot, a communications officer, and an operations officer.
On the Enterprise, the protocols also call for a dedicated tactical station and a science station.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
I see.
Lt. Charlene Savea Operations
For now, Eric and I are sharing tactical, as on the Mercator.
However, for the science station, none of us are qualified.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Thank you, Savea.
We will do without the science station for this mission.
Number One, you will relieve Corda and Savea.
Take the tactical and weapons stations.
Cmdr. Angie Chen Number One
Aye, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Flores, are you also having difficulties with the new procedures?
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
No, Captain.
On the contrary, they have been simplified.
I can manage internal communications more easily, locate personnel thanks to the implants, and contact them through the nearest intercom.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Excellent, Flores.
You can't stop progress.
For much of the day, my crew familiarizes itself with its new environment and prepares for the operations ahead.
Operations that will begin precisely at three PM
The moment the Enterprise begins its very first official mission as flagship of the NATO fleet.
Ens. Emilie Flores Communications
Captain, we've been cleared to leave spacedock.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Thank you, Flores.
While everyone goes about their duties, the bridge's ambient light softens.
The controls glow with a cold blue light as the monitors display the exit trajectory.
I glance toward Angie.
She adjusts her gloves, then gives me a discreet smile.
One of those smiles that means this time it really is ours.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Mr. Corda, it is your turn.
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda Pilot
Moorings released, engines engaged.
Awaiting your departure order, Captain.
Capt. Agnes V. Rodriguez
Full ahead.
The Enterprise slowly pulls away from the bay, freed from its magnetic moorings.
The walls of the spacedock slide behind the forward viewscreen, replaced by the gray glow of the Moon.
Under my feet, I feel the engines settle into a steady rhythm.
A steady pulse.
Like a heart beginning to beat.
It is the first breath of a new ship.
And now it's ours.
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