[Starbase 84] Launch Day

[cpt_daan]

Thirteen months ago, as the Dominion War came to its close, the Fidelity had limped to Starbase 84. Few and far between were the ships that had served during the war that didn't have some injuries. The Intrepid-class ships, swift and agile, had become what some called dust-off ships - able to dash in, transport out the wounded, and get them triaged on the way to a fully equipped medical station. This had, unfortunately, made them targets. Not every war, not every battle, had the consideration of the wounded being, in their own way, sacred. The wounded were to be spared - except in the Dominion War, that did not happen. Hospital ships and rescue missions were enemies to be shot at, just the same as the rest.

The Fidelity was one of the many that had come away with scorch marks, hull plates missing, a nacelle spitting sparks and spilling smoke into the nothingness of space. The damaged ships had been parceled out carefully among the available spacedocks and, one by one, they launched back into space, into a galaxy less fraught with war, but newly equipped with the advancements that war had brought.

For the last few days, the Fidelity has had crew come aboard - some returning to their old quarters, some seeing the ship for the first time. The Captain, as ever, would be the last to board, and her shuttle was on the approach.


1: Reassignment

Arrivals have been a regular occurrence over the last days. The ship's corridors are full of people finding their quarters, learning where to find the crew's mess hall, the location of the sickbay, the lounge, and the holodecks.

Even the crew that were here when Captain Junir Luzaurs was in command has had some downtime. Recovery from war wounds isn't something that's easily done, but the halls, for that crew, still feels like home, even if there's someone new in the big seat. It's time to reconnect. And time for old crew and new crew to come together.

2: Refits

The Intrepid-class is known to most officers, and even if they've not served on one previously, the specs are well known. This, however, is a refit. Time to getacquainted to new systems. The crew can now find:

• A small arboretum adjoined to the crew lounge. What kind of plants are they growing in here?


• New defense systems meant to destroy torpedoes before impact. Better get familiar with the controls.


• More energy-efficient holodecks. They aren't quite Galaxy-class sized, but with the new emitters, nobody can tell.


• The EMH is still a Mark I, but occasionally drops into humming operettas.

3: Relaunch

The Captain has boarded and, though the ship is only barely starting to move out of dock, the boatswain's call sounds throughout the ship.

"Crew of the Fidelity," she says, her voice showing Vulcan calm. "I am honored to take my place as your captain. As you all know, the Intrepid-class ships were meant for long-range exploration. With the galaxy at peace, the Fidelity at last has the chance to fulfill that purpose. Starfleet has already given us a mission. A planet has unexpectedly appeared in Federation space. We have been sent all data that Starfleet had available. We will be travelling to the Cruces system at warp five."

It isn't a ceremonial launch, but it is a return to business.

Comments

2. refit - arboretum

[tarkaleantea]

He's not sure why this was his first instinct to visit the arboretum. Maybe the want to see something really alive that wasn't another person. Something to remind him of Earth. Even when he had the opportunity to return home, he didn't take it. He took a vacation to Risa instead. Earth was technically home but there were memories and people to avoid. Like his parents.

"The orchids are lovely aren't they?" he says to the next person who comes in to the arboretum with him.

[cpt_daan]

"They are," came the answer. "I hope our botanist does well by them."

She'd not met all of the crew that had remained after this shift of leadership. As soon as she'd come on board, it had been her priority to do so. After all, each captain ran their ship differently. The Fidelity had been used to Captain Luzaurs. Shifting things too abruptly made no sense. But that did mean that the crew needed to get used to her.

When the computer had told her that their Chief Medical Officer was in the arboretum, that was where she'd gone, and, true to form, here he was - admiring the orchids. She was glad to see they were worth admiring.

[tarkaleantea]

He startled a little at seeing the new Captain, but did not come to full attention. This was a comfortable enough setting and Julian always thought of rank as suggestions until someone above him very much reminded him they were solid foundations. He was in Starfleet for the medicine, not the fleet.

"Pleasure to meet you, Captain," he said with a soft smile and a nod. "Doctor Julian Bashir, as you need. Are you getting along well in the new assignment?"

[cpt_daan]

"I find it's too early to evaluate," she answered, her hands lightly clasped behind her back. "But as yet, the assignment seems hopeful. I've wanted to introduce myself personally to the remaining senior staff. All of you have more experience with the ship than I, and I want to ensure a smooth transition."

There was, however, a general appreciation in her expression as she looked around the arboretum. It was well... organised, if an arboretum could be called that. Well-arranged was likely a better term. Why there was an arboretum... Air scrubbers tended to do well enough on ships and on bases. But there was a chance it was for more than simply recreation. Maybe the addition of oxygen. Or maybe just the chance to see something other than people living on this ship.