Fleet Opening Mission: To Our Future

[Ethan Trane]

Starbase Thrinicia
Promenade-Lounge
0730 Hours

Ethan sat at the table, nursing the cup of coffee that had been brought a short time ago. Though cooler, it was still hot in the grip of his hands. As he sat sipping at the liquid, feeling the caffeine begin to take effect, he noticed one of his helm underlings from the Braveheart enter looking around the bar obviously for someone in particular.

Ethan watched the ensign for a moment, waiting to see who else might be here, when they locked eyes on each other. From the look of the ensign’s widening eyes, Ethan was who he had been looking for.

What in the world could he have done to my helm in this short amount of time? he thought as he took another drink of the coffee.

As the ensign approached, he said, “Sir, I was told to find you and give you this when I came aboard the Starbase.” In his outstretched hand he held a padd.

Looking from his eyes to the padd, Ethan sat for a moment, contemplating even taking the padd. Padds never contained anything good: new orders, reassignments, or parties, none of which Ethan was very fond of.

“Thanks, ensign. Dismissed.” He said with no more effort than it took. He watched as the ensign departed his step a bit lighter than it had been. Ethan chuckled at the thought that the ensign had “accomplished his mission.”

Looking down at the padd, Ethan read the orders of a party:

TO: United Federation of Planets Defence Fleet Commanding Officer
FROM: Malloway, S. Admiral, Fleet Commander
RE: Ceremony and Debrief

LOCATION AND TIME OF DEBRIEF: Starbase 402 'Thrinacia', Conference Room Alpha, 1300 hours, Stardate 65784
LOCATION AND TIME OF CEREMONY: As above, @ 1900 hours, Main Gallery

DEBRIEF ATTENDEES: Commanding Officers, Executive Officers
CEREMONY ATTENDEES: All Officers and Crew

ATTIRE: Duty Uniform for Debrief, Dress Uniform for Ceremony

“Parties tend to be worse than reassignments sometimes.” Ethan said aloud but barely over a whisper. He wasn’t concerned with anyone hearing it with the noise level as loud as it was. “At least it didn’t require him to debrief, the downside: Dress Uniforms.

Shaking his head, Ethan took and last sip of his drink, set the mug back down on the table, and stood. Letting his legs regain their feeling, he walked out of the lounge, his intentions being to re-board the Braveheart, relax for a while, and dress in his monkey suit. With any luck, his day wouldn’t be interrupted again, until it was time for the party.