Pt 2 - Flight

Posted on Mon Apr 6th, 2026 @ 6:25pm by Commander David Wallace

Mission: STELLAR NURSERY
Location: USS Cascade
Timeline: --First day--

The first few hours at slipstream speed were almost uneventful. David had promptly shortened his shift to be ready personally when they arrived to be part of both the observation of the potential eruption and evacuation of any remaining personnel from the ground. As he walked the corridor back too his quarters he heard a voice, "Captain!"

David turned too see Sara approaching him almost at a jog "Thank you for letting me see the departure, I've never been on the bridge for a ship departure let alone a jump to slipstream speed, it was quite exciting."

"The downside of being a junior officer is you don't always get too see the action, I've learned that the hard way." David said.

"Half the time when the ship is at red alert I'm either in the lab or my quarters so being on the bridge was a new experience for me." Sara said with some obvious excitement

"I'm glad you had the chance, I'm going to get something resembling downtime before we arrive." David said resuming walking down to his quarters "This is the first break I've had in quite a few days."

Sara seemed a bit confused in that reply "Have you thought about changing assignments, maybe moving on from the station so you have fewer or more manageable duties?"

"I've thrown my name in the hat for a few assignments but considering the potential list of candidates out there it's a long shot." David said as the approached his cabin, "There was a rumbling from some intel colleagues of mine I was short listed for something but there's been no bites so to speak."

Sara looked at David, "I think you've done a great job here, even if it's just some garrison ship, I'm sure there are ships of the line that would kill for an officer like you."

"It's not that easy for me, if I don't earn it myself it comes across as if my father got me the position." David said pausing as they approached his quarters.

"I don't know your father, there are a large number of Captains out there who likely don't know your dad and are looking for a good officer like you." Sara said

"It's nice to know I have a cheering section, even if you've only known me for a few hours." David said
"Captain LeVay was impressed with you, when we were discussing the change in the mission to move the station along with the three of us going to observe the eruption." Sara admitted "The fact that you were able to take us there and not oversee your plan left a mark."

"I should be there..." David said "But I think my time there is coming to an end, I'm not exactly needed there most days."

"You're too hard on yourself, from what I've seen you are one of the best officers in the fleet." Sara said trying to be reassuring "I'm just a rock sniffer but I've been on enough ships to know who the good officers are."

David wasn't sure what to feel with that statement, he decided to make an excuse instead, "I was going to grab something to eat..."

Sara felt something 'He's a commanding officer, don't do anything stupid...' she said mentally, "I should let you have some time..."

"Why don't you join me in the Captains' mess?" David said not thinking

"An hour?" Sara said realizing what was potentially happening.

David smiled, a genuine smile “I’ll see you there.”

End