This isn't a vacation

Posted on Tue Sep 9th, 2025 @ 2:14am by Lieutenant Commander David Wallace

Mission: CAPERNUM: {CD&MISSION} On Duty
Location: Alpha Centauri - Shipyards, Dock 5
Timeline: the Seventh day -- 0945hrs

On:

David walked the corridor of the new ship. The officer's quarters were about what he'd expected, comfortable, but minimalist. all twenty two of the officer quarters were comfortable enough for an extended period compared to the bunks of the Athena, the enlisted quarters were basically bunks four too a room, shared wash facilities, the mess hall was comparable too a California Class. The sick bay was extremely basic, four bio-beds and a procedure bay, the medical lab was simply an alcove in the rest of the science facilities.

As David completed his walk through of engineering he made some notes and started to walk to the turbolift, an young crewman followed him on the lift. Sensing some nervous energy from the crewman David put the pad in a pocket, the crewman spoke "Does everything meet with your approval?"

"Yes, it's quite the ship." David said

"I have to ask sir..." the young man started "I heard you're the son of the Director of intelligence, is that true?"

David had become used too the question "Yes, he is, truthfully i didn't know him until about a year ago."

"You hear all the stories, fist fights with klingons, the dominion war all of those stories of those officers who did all of those things." the crewman said "There's a lot of myth around him, it would be interesting too meet him."

David smiled, he liked this kid...kid? he mused "His ship is the Ambassador class that pulled into the repair gantry next too us this morning."

The crewman flinched "I wasn't aware."

"The way he likes it, he tends too keep his itinerary low profile, that way he can do what he needs too." David said fuelling the mystery about his father. "He's coming aboard later today for an inspection."

The crewman gasped "I think it'll be a privilege to have him aboard sir."

"I think he wants too see the ship for himself before we depart, not sending us on some secret mission." David said with a smirk, "What was your name crewman?"

"William Davies, sir." he said

"Mister Davies, ensure that we're ready to depart on schedule so that the Admiral's visit is quick." David said as the lift slowed.

"Yes sir," he paused "Captain."

"As you were crewman Davies." David said as he exited the lift.

As David stepped off the lift on to the bridge and looked around, the small bridge of the Interceptor class had a simple layout, Helm, ops, tactical and four small back stations one for engineering full time, he ran his hand over the tactical station it showed the vast majority of the ship systems on standby, he looked out on the main viewer it showed the scaffolding of the shipyard outlining the ship. he walked too the center chair looking at he paused for a half second, "Computer, transfer command authorization Wallace Seven Six Pi one two."

"Code accepted, USS Cascade is under the command of Lieutenant Commander David Wallace." the female mechanical voice said.

He looked around, it was his. The lift hissed open and a pair of junior officers stepped on the bridge David turned to face the new arrivals, one spoke "Ensign Phillip Evans reporting."

"Ensign Lillian Wilson Reporting." the second one said

David stood "Ensigns' welcome aboard." pausing he looked to the first one "Mister Evans if I remember correctly you're my science officer, Until I get the staffing sorted out you are the department head when we're aboard, and Ms Wilson That makes you my helm officer, take your stations, hopefully the rest of the staff will arrive."

Almost simultaneously a "Yes sir!" rang out.

David smiled as the turbolift door opened, "Lieutenant Junior grade Vandinn reporting in sir." the Vulcan said

David paused, "Chief Engineer Vandinn, welcome aboard."

"Thank you sir." The engineer said, "I hope to perform my duties to your satisfaction."

David paused remembering the Vulcan desire to serve, "You were punctual which is appreciated, begin predeparture procedures while the remaining crew arrive, I believe the engineering teams have arrive."

"Thank you sir, I'm honoured to be serving with the son of such a noted officer." Vandinn said

'Shit...' David froze for a half second "I'll expect nothing less than the best." The Vulcan bowed slightly and left for engineering.

David paused he looked around, things were starting to form up. He wasn't expecting the first officer until later on. He walked over too the ready room and entered. It was small but it was a typical ready room, the desk had something on top of it, with a note.

Congratulations David was written on the note, he opened the package revealing a bottle of whiskey. He didn't recognise the hand writing but he had a hunch since there was only one officer who wouldn't raise suspicion about being aboard.

He sat down at the desk putting the bottle in the drawer, he looked at the computer terminal bringing up a status report, he was ready to go.

End