New Year, New Captain, New Mission
Posted on Thu Feb 5th, 2026 @ 3:01pm by Lieutenant Callan Armidale & Petty Officer 3rd Class Brix Saad & Captain Maxwell Culver & Commander Rylen Lyo & Lieutenant Commander Mathias Bjornsson & Lieutenant Commander Frasier Greene & Lieutenant S'tera & Chief Petty Officer Lyara Dahris & Captain Lorut Vila
2,222 words; about a 11 minute read
Mission:
Intrepid: Maximized
Location: USS Intrepid: Various
Timeline: MD1: 0800 hours
Captain Emma Ambrose took the center seat of the USS Intrepid for the first time. She was replacing one of the original officers on the ship and she was acutely aware that she was also the third commanding officer of the ship. Already the Intrepid had a story that spoke of the quick change of direction in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants.
Turning her attention to the display of her armrest, she gave her first commands. “Helm, signal Deep Space Nine that we are ready for departure. Operations, clear all moorings and prepare to embark once we receive confirmation from stations Ops.”
"Aye, captain." Mathias signaled DS9 Ops. "Intrepid to Deep Space 9 Ops. Requesting permission to depart." Seconds later, "DS9 Ops to Intrepid. You are free to depart. Safe voyage." Mathas turned to the captain. "We have been cleared to depart, captain. DS9 sends safe voyage."
Callan’s fingers flicked across as console as he replied to the new CO’s commands. “Umbilicals are retracted, moorings are cleared. Awaiting confirmation of departure from DS9, captain,” he replied smoothly.
Rylen Lyo was incredulous. After reading the bulletin, he had begun to prepare a statement for the crew; he knew from personal experience that changing of COs can be disruptive to the crew. Only to find out that Command had already changed hands, and that someone named Emma Ambrose was taking the center seat. Lyo did not expect to be considered for the Captaincy himself, not until he had more experience as XO. This was not about him; his ego was not that fragile that he required validation on that level. He stormed onto the Bridge, hoping he would be able to make his announcement before Ambrose was on board.
He saw that he was mistaken. There was a strange woman in the Command Chair. Lyo’s face flushed deep red, his lips pursing tightly. He took his duty station without a sound. As he sat, he uttered a single word in acknowledgment of the new CO. “Sir,” he said with a curt nod.
“Ah!” Emma exclaimed. “Commander Lyo, apologies to be meeting in this fashion, but time is apparently short. I look forward to speaking with you once we’re underway,” she added.
“In the meantime, if you don’t mind, please give me a department readiness report.”
“Respectfully, It’s pronounced Lee-Oh with emphasis on the second syllable,” said Rylen tartly. It was a common mistake, and most times he would let it slide until they met privately. This was not one of those times. “All Departments report ready for departure, Sir. Repairs were completed on schedule, and all scheduled maintenance is up-to-date.”
“Excellent, Commander Lee-Oh,” Emma responded, sensing a coolness to the commander’s tone.
S'tera entered the bridge. "Captain Ambrose, I'm Lieutenant S'tera, Chief Science Officer. Welcome aboard!" Her tail flicked back in forth. She didn't know much about the new captain but hoped they would work together well.
Emma nodded to the pretty Caitian woman who had introduced herself.
Rena stepped on the bridge next, a quiet calm in the upcoming storm. She could already FEEL it, and directed her glance at Lyo. She nodded once, but took a seat quietly near S'tera for now. "Sir, Lieutenant Campbell reporting. Doctor Gocx asked me to come up here instead of staying in medical; he thought I might be useful," she said. She didn't probe him. Not yet. But she DID do her best to manipulate the atmosphere to calm everyone down. "He says that medical is prepped. I am unsure as to where Doctor Greene currently is, but you know me, I don't ask those things," she said. The truth was that she knew EXACTLY what was going on, but she wouldn't say. It was against her own personal ethics as well as her oath.
”We can talk later.” A quick mental note to Lyo. She knew he'd get it. She knew that he was telepathic, even though she was pretty sure she wasn't supposed to know. It was hard not to, though she did her best to ignore it. She turned her attention to the Captain's chair. "Captain Ambrose," she said, with a nod. "Counselor Campbell," she said, and then stood at attention. She'd just come from a quick visit with Vila, who was in the privacy of the Captain's yacht for now, until her reassignment was completed. Command had bungled this handover, but Rena could do what she could to try to handle it smoothly. Incidentally, that's also where Dr. Greene was, but she was unsure if he was leaving, too, or just there to assist Lorut.
The muscles of Lyo’s jaw tightened noticeably. He was next in the Chain of Command on the Intrepid; despite that, he felt like he was being deliberately held at arm’s length by Starfleet Command. Rylen acknowledged the Counselor’s mental note with a single slow nod and his typical penetrating gaze.
Rena nodded back, nearly impercetibly. She spoke aloud. "Captain on deck," she said, and each officer's head snapped up. "Ma'am. The Intrepid is yours," she said. She took a seat near the Science console, quiet, but alert and listening.
“Thank you, Counselor. It’s my understanding that the previous commanding officers did not utilize your talents on the bridge. Commander Lee-Oh and I will be sure to correct this as bridge duty will become secondary nature to you.”
Rena smiled tightly, but nodded. "Understood, sir," she said. She didn't WANT to be a bridge officer. She liked her ability to go hide out in Medical when things got dicey. She preferred the more temporal parts of her job, really.
Lyara was stationed at tactical awaiting orders. She was thinking about going to become a Commissioned officer, all she had to do was take a few tests then get a Commission rank of Lieutenant due to her certifications.
Lyara entered the room and was just wanting to get some time away from being on duty.
Still at the helm, Bjornsson monitored their course. At one point, he saw that their current course would bring them very course to a neutron star, So he made a slight course correction that would only add three minutes to their journey.
Back on the Yacht, Vila looked over at Frasier. "You should go," she said. "I will, too. I just...needed a moment and everything was taken over already by Captain Ambrose," she said. She paused a moment. "But I do...need to know as soon as possible what your plan is. Stay here or come with me to the Pathfinder," she said. "I know we talked about it...and you needed time." As much as she wanted to shout to him, "pick ME. Choose ME," she knew it had to be his final decision, otherwise, he'd resent her and them, and she would support whatever he DID choose, even if it wasn't how she wanted it. She loved him enough to understand his career goals, and didn't want to come in between those. She kissed his cheek again, and then slipped out quietly.
"Wait," Frasier called catching her wrist before she slipped away.
She paused, and turned around.
"Let's stay a while longer," he pulled slightly on her arm to draw her back inside the yacht where they'd sought privacy from the storm that had swept through the ship like a whirlwind.
"I want to give you my decision before speaking to Ambrose."
Vila nodded once. "Ok," she said. "I am ready. Do you want to sit down?" There was a desk nearby, meant for the CO to use to work whenever they wanted a getaway. She'd never used the Yacht, but she liked that it was an option.
Her question surprised him as he'd been ready to launch into his hurried explanation. "Sure," Frasier nodded and led them both to the desk opting to perch upon the desk edge instead of the gathered seats.
Vila sat across from him, in a chair, facing the desk. She smiled lightly, but nodded once. She was ready to listen.
"Remember when we spoke about why we signed up to Starfleet?" he began. "You'll recall that I didn't join to better myself or to see the wonders of the galaxy as many of our peers? I joined up to escape my past knowing my medical skills could be required in any corner of the quadrant."
"I don't place a high level value on my position, rank or commission. It's the people that matters the most and making a difference to everyone we encounter, friend, foe or otherwise. I want to join you the Pathfinder as both your romantic interest and Medical Officer. If the Brass take offence to our relationship - they can shove it. Consequences be dammed I want to be by your side, just as I promised."
She smiled bigger. "I understand... and I am glad. Thank you...I will finish the transfer paperwork today, then," she said. "If you're really, truly sure." She said. She did want it to be completely his choice, though she was ecstatic.
"I'm sure," Frasier repeated firmly.
Vila nodded. "Ok. Me, too," she said, and stood up. "Now. You better get to work because you're still technically crew of the Intrepid until your transfer is official," she said. "But luckily, that's not an order," she joked.
He pouted playfully. "I suppose so."
She chuckled as she stood up. "Unfortunately. BUT at least we can have dinner tonight at your quarters; the guest ones aren't as nice as the Captain's quarters," she said. She was living out of her sea pack for the next few days, and even though she'd never taken full advantage of all the things that a Captain COULD, because she still saw them as Max's, she did have her quarters and office/Ready Room to her liking. Now all that stuff were in crates, ready to transport when everything was finalized.
"That will be nice," Frasier nodded. "You're welcome to stop by as much as you want, as always."
She led him out of the room, and the Yacht, and into the corridors. It was weird to be going the opposite direction she usually went. But now, she was free to hold his hand without worry, and she did.
"I hope Gocx knows what he's getting into," she said. She had never been super friendly with the Klingon-professional, always, but never close. But he'd saved her life so she supposed he was OK...for a Klingon.
"He'll be grumpy, properly threaten to bludgeon me but ultimately won't mind," Frasier chuckled.
Vila laughed. "He'll be ok," she said. But she would let Fraiser do the explaining; that part of her job was now over for the next three days.
Lyara was at her stationed reading the lastest reports from lower decks and other departments when a alert sounded and showed. "Captain, incoming transmission from Starfleet Command."
Emma stood and glanced at Commander Lyo. They weren’t expecting anything from Command and certainly not this early after their departure. Their orders were to proceed to rendezvous with the Beta Quadrant Task Force at the border before resuming their mission with the New Romulan Republic.
“On screen, Chief,” Emma responded, curious what this message would be about.
On screen an admiral she had yet to meet appeared. A war grizzled Caitian with obvious body modifications that kept him alive. “Captain Ambrose, apologies for the interruption so early into your command, but there is a situation developing and it’s approaching your position rapidly.
“A Federation runabout was stolen from a planet in the Beta Quadrant and is heading directly for the USS Intrepid. You are ordered to intercept this runabout since it already appears to be en route to your immediate position.”
Emma was confused. Why would there be a runabout en route to the Intrepid. Who was the thief? How soon would they intercept.
“I’m sending you the pertinent information directly in a separate, coded, eyes only message. Please review it immediately.
“Intercept coordinates have been determined by recent sightings of the shuttlecraft by Starbase 210. I suggest you get underway and then review the necessary information, Captain.”
Emma raised an eyebrow, but responded with a simple, if slightly curt, “Aye, Admiral,” before the viewscreen turned off, the signal cut by the felinoid.
“Commander Bjornsson, enter the coordinates given to us by Starbase 210 and engage at maximum warp.”
"Aye captain." Mat's fingers flew over the helm console. "Course and speed laid in." He tapped another button and the ship jump to maximum warp.
“Commander Lyo, please join me in the ready room to review the additional details,” she said before turning away from the command chair and heading back toward the Conference Room.
“Of course, Captain,” said Lyo, a touch of frostiness in his tone of voice. Like the remainder of the bridge crew that had heard the dispatch from the Admiral, he was curious as to the nature of this supposedly rogue runabout. Hopefully, the upcoming conversation would shed light on that.
“Mathias, you have the bridge,” she added.
"Aye captain. "Mat stood up and sat in the command chair while his replacement took his seat the the helm station.
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