Change of Pace Part One

Posted on Thu Feb 3rd, 2022 @ 6:28am by Captain Alex Shepard

Mission: Dark Star Trilogy - M1: Star Fall
Location: United States Airforce Academy, Colorado, Earth
Timeline: Before Change of Command

ON:

Sounds of ancient and new fighters echoed in the valley that the United States Air-force Academy was located in. Being the early 25th Century, the site was now a museum. But given her heritage, the site also served as training grounds for new pilots, as well as a site for pilots who flew old Earth aircraft. Alex Shepard overlooked the airfield as another ancient, but restored F18 fighter jet flew up into the air and activated her afterburners.

The wind was a little bit heavy, which caused her brown hair to blow in the wind. She was wearing her flight jacket, which she got when she first became a CAG. Obviously, she hadn't been in a fighter squadron for a long time, since she got the Normandy as her first command. That was 11 years ago, and she longed for change in her career, even if it was just a different command. There was nothing against her crew. They had been through hell and back together. But it was time for new opportunities for her and her crew.

Shepard had been on leave ever since she left and her former XO had been promoted to the Commanding Officer of the Normandy. He was the right man for the job. There was no doubt about that. But right now Alex had an uncertain future. After an uncertain amount of time being lost in her own thoughts, she felt a familiar presence. Turning around, she immediately confirmed her suspicions.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't for the finest fly-boy in Starfleet," Shepard quipped.

Lieutenant Commander Watson smirked. "What can I say, I'm just that good."

"Don't get your hopes up Rey. You may be an instructor, but I have four pips," she teased her best friend.

"But I still got my good looks," Rey said in an attempted to flex on his friend.

"Sure..." she said skeptically. Obviously, their banter was all in good fun. That's just how the two were. "Anyways, what brings you here aside from the fact that you are a flight instructor?"

"Well, Alex, if you had to ask, Headquarters actually gave me orders to serve you."

"Oh? New orders, for Mon-capitaine?" Shepard chuckled. "It's been a while since I have even seen anything even remotely encoded from Starfleet," she said as she accepted the PADD from Watson.

"Also, I know I am notorious for this, but don't ask what it's about before you read, for once I didn't take a look into your day by day orders and life."

"Good. You're learning," Shepard smiled mischievously at Rey as she turned her attention towards the message. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have orders to- what the-?"

"What is it?"

"I don't believe this," she looked up at her friend who was obviously trying to understand her reaction. "Here, read it for yourself."

Watson accepted the PADD and dramatically cleared his throat before reading out Alex's new orders aloud. "To Captain Alex Shepard, you are requested and required to assume command of the USS Eminence NCC-90008 effective immediately as soon as possible. Best regards, Admiral Charles Star," Watson quoted. "Congrats Alex, no one deserves this more than you," he said more seriously.

"Thanks," she sighed.

"That doesn't sound very enthusiastic about your next command. What's wrong?"

Alex new that she couldn't lie to Rey. He might be two ranks below her, but he could always call her bluffs. "It's just that it has been so long since I left the Normandy. I just don't know if I'm capable anymore."

"You are. Starfleet wouldn't have given you another command if they felt you weren't capable. You deserve this. I am proud of you."

Suddenly, the two were interrupted by Watson's badge. =^=Starfleet Academy Ops to Commander Watson=^=

=^=Watson here=^=

=^=Could you meat in Admiral Tyson's office in five, he needs to speak with you=^=

Rey sighed. =^=I'll be right there. Watson out=^=

"Duty calls?" Alex inquired.

"Duty calls," he handed Shepard her transfer orders. "I don't think I'll get to see you before you leave."

She looked at her friend. "Come here. That's an order," she ordered as she pulled Rey into a hug. "Thank you fly-boy. For everything."

"You're welcome. And thank you," Commander Watson replied.

After a few more minutes the two went their separate ways. She didn't know when she'd get to see him again. She'd hope to see him soon, but she couldn't be sure of when. Alex looked at her orders again more thoroughly. As it turns out, she would have to be transported to the Eminence, which was a normal way of getting command of ships. But she noticed one thing. The ship that would be transporting her to her command would be the USS Normandy, her first ever command in Starfleet.

OFF:

Captain Alex Shepard
Commanding Officer
USS Eminence NCC-90008