Isabella tugged at the bottom of her uniform tunic; her nerves compelling her hands to keep themselves occupied. She hated being nervous. This was Aakon; they’d served together for well over a year. They considered each other friends. Of course, it was a new starship and she’d spent months getting everything settled, something she’d never really done before. 

“Commander?”

Izzy turned to face the transport operator. 

“Captain Kacen has signaled that he’s ready to beam up.”

She nodded. “Let’s bring him up.”

The familiar hum of the transporter filled the room as a shower of blue deposited Aakon Kacen on the transporter pad. Izzy could tell he was a little tanner, a few pounds heavier likely thanks to homecooked Betazoid meals, and quite a bit happier. She was relieved to see the grin on his face; she hadn’t seen that since the loss of the Resnik. 

“Permission to come aboard, Lieutenant Commander Broska.”

A similar grin spread across her face. “Permission granted Captain Keacen, welcome to the USS Merrimack.”

He stepped down from the transporter, arms opening to embrace her. “It’s good to be home, Izzy.”

She warmly embraced him as relief spread through her. This was the Aakon she knew; this was her friend. The shell of a man she watched transport away from DS17 months ago was long gone. She’d kept in touch with Jackson just to see how things were going but it was good to see it in person. She knew the trauma wasn’t gone but it was hard to deny the joy she felt in this moment.

“How about you show me this new ship before we do all the pomp and circumstance of changing over command?”

“I think I can manage that.” The two walked about into the hallway. “Merrimack is a bit bigger than the Resnik but I’d say it’s a pretty comfortable ship.”

Aakon glanced around as they moved through the corridors. “I’ve been pouring over the deck listing since I got the call from Fourth Fleet Command; it’s a fine ship.” Deep reds, golds, and blues were abundant. Even the carpeting felt more luxurious than normal. “She’s no Sovereign but I can’t deny that it’s nice to have an exploratory vessel again.”

“If they send us exploring. The Excelsior’s aren’t usually the first up to bat for wandering around the unknown.” They rounded another corridor, officers nodding as they passed.

“Well, Galaxy might get to go galavanting around the Gamma Quadrant but I’m quite happy to leave that type of adventure to Captain Demar and his capable crew. Plenty of exploration to be had out here.” The two stepped into the turbolift.

“Deck 2.” Izzy said as she leaned against the wall. “You mean to tell me you don’t want to spend five years running around some distant quadrant, barely in contact with Command, no supplies in sight, discovering all sorts of oddities?”

Aakon let out a snort. “If I wanted the Captain Janeway experience I’d just hop into one of the dozen holo-novels that were published after the Voyager logs were made public.”

Izzy shrugged. “I’d suggest not doing that. Maria would fly off in the first shuttlecraft she could find if you started taking after Janeway.”

Aakon could feel the lift start to slow. “Did you ever figure out why she has such a dislike for the Admiral?”

Izzy rolled her eyes as they stepped out of the lift. “She was taking ethics her senior year of high school and the professor made her write a paper about the Tuvix decision because he knew she wanted to take the Academy entrance exam after graduation. After that she had no affection for the Admiral.”

Aakon wrinkled his nose. “Voyager did have more than its fair share of interesting situations that required some eccentric solutions. Still, it’s not like she’s ever dealt with the Admiral.”

The two stopped in front of a door. “I’ve learned that it’s best to smile, nod and say nothing. Speaking of unpleasant superior officers, Captain Caldwell wants to speak to you at 1130. I presume about our next assignment.”

“She’s really not that bad, just.” He searched for the correct word. “She’s just to the point.”

“If that’s how you prefer to think of her then more power to you.” She tapped the bronze name plate on the door. CAPTAIN’S QUARTERS – KEACEN – 2-133 was laser engraved on the plate. “Not much of a tour but I know you’d like to get settled in before things get busy. Per Betazoid traffic control we’re able to hang out on the outer edge of the system until we get orders.”

She was right; he hated rushing around. “You know me all too well Izzy.”

She gave his shoulder a clap as she started to walk away. “Been over a year sir. I’d be a pretty crappy XO if I hadn’t picked up on a few things.”

–1130–

-CO’s Quarters-

At 1130 on the dot the screen on the conor desk chirped. Aakon stepped out of the living area closet and made his way through the room. It was substantially larger than his old quarters on the Resnik; the living area had two desks, a large main seating area, and a dining area near the replicator. He’d have to put in a work order the next time they were in dock to replace the desk closets to the dining table with a small kitchen set up.

He ran his hand down the front of his uniform tunic to smooth the fabric before tapping the ANSWER icon on the screen. The Starfleet Command logo flashed on the screen before it was filled with the image of Captain Anna Caldwell. He could see stars behind her, shuttles and other small craft passing by. He assumed she was at her office on SB339.

“Good morning Captain Keacen.” Her tone was neutral, voice crisp. Aakon wasn’t sure what part of Earth she was from but if she ever had an accent it had been shed long ago.

“Good morning to you as well.”

She picked up a PADD. “I am transmitting orders for the Merrimack’s next assignment. Fourth Fleet Command has authorized a large joint exploration initiative of the Shackleton Expanse with the Klingons and Romulan Republic. As Task Force 17 is the home of our deep space exploration arm we felt it apt to send you. Despite the partnership with the Klingons and Romulans you will be performing the mission solo. The Merrimack is on its first mission after the damage it sustained in the Blackout and it would be viewed poorly if it experienced a malfunction while on a joint mission. You are also a relatively inexperienced commanding officer and leading a group of ships that included non-Federation vessels is not something I’m willing to allow junior Captains to do.”

Aakon held his tongue on that one. “Noted. Last I was aware warp travel was severely limited in the Expanse. Has that situation changed?”

A flash of annoyance crossed Caldwell’s face. It was clear she felt she’d been on this call too long already. “The details are in your mission brief but yes.”

Aakon watched for a moment longer before he realized she wasn’t going to provide any other details. “Noted. I also have one other matter I wish to discuss…”

She cut him off. “I am aware.” She picked up a new PADD. “Your request for a promotion for Lieutenant Command Isabella Broska. I have it here.”

“Yes.” He had a whole speech prepared but at this point it was better if he didn’t bother.

“Her performance since the abandoning of the Resnik has been acceptable. She met all the proper deadlines and metrics during the launch preparations of the Merrimack. Promotion approved.” Caldwell sat down the PADD. “Please reach out to the appropriate contacts listed in your mission brief should have questions.”

That, apparently, served as goodbye considering the screen abruptly shifted to the UFP logo. He keyed in his authorization code and pulled up the mission brief, a smile forming on his face. He quickly closed out the brief; he’d review it later after the command switchover. 

He tapped his commbadge, the familiar chirp he hadn’t heard in many months adding to his growing excitement. “Keacen to Broska.”

“Yes sir?”

“We have new orders. Set course for the Vadia system, warp 8. Inform the senior staff we’ll have a  staff meeting immediately after the command transfer ceremony.”

“Aye.”

The line closed as Aakon turned back to the closet, eyeing the freshly replicated dress uniform. 

It was good to be back.