This Thing Called Command

Posted on Tue Jun 18th, 2024 @ 2:35pm by Captain Erik Larsen
Edited on on Tue Jun 18th, 2024 @ 3:37pm

950 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Episode 0: The Fire & The Song
Location: Starfleet Command, San Francisco, Earth
Timeline: MD 1, 0917

Erik Larsen was, understandably, a little nervous. He had been on his way to a promising position as Executive Officer and Chief Science Officer of the outpost on Zeta Omega IX, one of the most remote and isolated scientific installations in the entire UFP. He had departed the Cygnus, boarding a civilian transport at DS9 and getting on his way. The journey had expected to last several months at high warp. But that had never come to be.

On the third leg of his journey…the leg that brought him closest to Earth…Erik had been a passenger on the USS Billings, a Galaxy class vessel. Eight days into that journey, the ship has been attacked by a Breen dreadnought. The Captain, First Officer, and Second Officer of the Billings were killed, leaving Lieutenant Commander Larsen as the senior officer on board. Despite being officially on leave, Starfleet Command had ordered Erik to assume command of the Billings, with the objective of returning her to the Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards for repairs. That journey took nearly a month; when it was over, Erik Larsen was called to Starfleet Command. He was told that he would no longer be headed to Zeta Omega IX. Apparently, Admiral Grau had different plans for Erik.

“The Admiral will see you now, Commander,” said the young Junior Grade Lieutenant at the desk in the reception area. Without another word, she returned to whatever was occupying her time on her computer view screen.

“Thank you Lieutenant,” said Larsen. He stood, smoothed out the front of his uniform, and stepped toward the office door. It opened loudly with a pneumatic hiss and closed behind him a few seconds later. He stiffened as he approached the desk. “Erik Larsen reporting as ordered, Admiral.”

“Ja, Lieutenant Commander,” said Admiral Grau in a moderate German accent. “Please, have a seat. Would you like something to drink?”

“An espresso please. Double.”

“Mein Gott. So much caffeine. I would not sleep for days.”

“I guess I’m just used to it, Sir.”

“Indeed.” The Admiral drummed his fingers on the polished obsidian surface of his desk. “I suppose you are wondering why Command asked you here today.”

“I know that my orders to report to Zeta Omega IX were rescinded. So yes, I would prefer to know why. Respectfully, Sir.”

“Those of us here at Command were…and continue to be…highly impressed with how you conducted yourself during the crisis on the Billings, Mister Larsen. Your leadership not only crippled one of the most powerful warships in the Breen fleet but saved 950 lives in the process.”

“I was ordered by Starfleet to take Comnand, Sir. So I did.”

Admiral Grau waggled his index finger back and forth in mock admonition. “You were ordered to get them back to Utopia Planitia. And you did not just get them there, you actively led them. You became the Captain they needed in a time of crisis, and you are to be commended.”

Erik nodded once. “Thank you. But Sir…what does this have to do with my reassignment from Zeta Omega? Am I being reassigned to the Billings?”

“You are being reassigned. But not to the Billings.” Admiral Grau paused for a long second. “What do you know about the Reliant class, Commander?”

“Comparatively small. Designed to replace the multi-role Miranda class. Also used as a test bed for emerging technologies such as slipstream burst drive and diburnium hull armor. Why do you ask?”

“Several of these little wonders are in final launch preparations at the Copernicus Fleet Yards. We want one of them to launch with you in the center seat.”

“But…I’ve barely been an XO. Respectfully, Sir.”

“Captain Bane believed in you enough to put a recommendation in your file. And your performance on the Billings certainly reinforced that.”

“Do I have a choice in this matter?”

“Of course. You always have a choice. But I don’t think you will get an opportunity like this again, Mister Larsen.”

“Meaning what…?”

“If you take command of the Goddard, you will be advanced to Captain.”

Erik paused, searching for something to say. He was, to say the least, stunned. All he could manage was “Say What?”

“You heard correctly. You will advance two grades to Captain. That has only happened a handful of times in Starfleet history.” The Admiral gave Erik a mock-stern look. "I'm going out on a limb for you here, Larsen. Keeping this position is of course contingent upon your successful completion of your first several missions. If you do not complete them to the satisfaction of Starfleet Command, then you will be reduced back to full Commander and reassigned."

"Um," said Erik, searching for the correct words. "I don't know what to say, Admiral."

"I believe the correct response in this situation would be 'I accept, Admiral'."

"You are correct, Sir. This is a unique opportunity. I gratefully accept."

"Excellent," said Grau, standing up and stretching his hand across the desk. "Congratulations, Captain Larsen."

Larsen took the offered hand and shook it vigorously, pumping it up and down several times. "I won't let you down, Admiral."

"Good, because I just forwarded a schedule to your inbox. A schedule that is already behind. The Goddard needs to be ready to launch in four weeks. I suggest you get to work, Larsen. Dismissed."

Erik Larsen turned on his heel and wordlessly left the Admiral's office...still stunned about what had just occurred, but anxious to begin this new journey.

 

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