Dos Voyages: Erika Hernandez
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Title: Dos Voyages: Erika Hernandez
Author: Stephen
Series: ENT, These Are the Voyages #05
Codes:
Rating: G
Summary: Captain Hernandez gets her second command.
...
Admiral Jonathan Archer put down his coffee. He'd been drinking a lot of it lately as he decided who got what command in the new Coalition of Planets Star Fleet. If it had been good coffee like what Chef had stocked, it wouldn't have been so bad. Unfortunately, since T'Pol had snared Chef for the Glenn, it just wasn't as good.
So far his assignments had pulled from ships that hadn't left openings in other commands. Shran had been retired when he'd given him the Neil Armstrong. T'Pol's last post as his first officer on the moth-balled NX-01 had left her free as well. Now, however, he wasn't going to be able to continue that.
His next Captain he'd chosen had an active command.
...
Application for Captain
Name: Captain Erika Hernandez
Post: Commanding Officer, Columbia NX-02
Honors: Medal of Honor
Why I should be Captain:
For the last seven years I have commanded the Columbia. As her commander I have overseen five First Contact encounters, a record only surpassed by one other captain. For the last two years I have commanded both an Andorian and a Vulcan. Given the integrated nature of the Armstrong class, I believe that is important.
Recommendations:
Captain Jennings (retired)
Captain Hernandez has shown good sense from the moment she was promoted off my ship. She followed in the tradition of her predecessor, taking yet another chef from my ship. Since then I have watched her labor in the shadow of Captain Archer's accomplishments. She may have not been the first Commander of an NX class starship, but she is in my opinion, the best.
Captain T'Pol, cmdr CSS John Glenn NCC-73
Captain Hernandez has shown that she has the imperturbable nature combined with the tempestuous curiosity for which all those captains in charge of exploratory missions should strive for. As a proven quality, I would be appreciative of her presence among those in command of Ships of the Line.
...
Admiral Archer smiled at the last recommendation. He'd often complained about the lackluster recommendations which T'Pol had placed on his desk. For T'Pol this one was glowing, and he was sure, for once, those who didn't know her would agree.
As for Captain Jennings ... Archer would have to look the man up. Not for his recommendation, though. Apparently the man had some sort of talent in picking cooks, and Archer needed one, especially since Hoshi had left with T'Pol on the Glenn. Namiko had complained about last night's dinner.
He made a quick notation on the file, and began looking at the list of those he'd rejected from the Ships of the Line. Someone was going to have to fill Erika's shoes on the Columbia.
...
Captain Erika Hernandez stepped out on to the Bridge, unfolding a crisp piece of parchment. She still had the one she'd received from taking command of the Columbia, which this one would join in careful preservation. She came to a stop, her free hand resting on the back of the Captain's chair. With a nod to her Communications Officer, the attention all hands tones rang through out the ship.
"To Captain Erika Hernandez, commander SS Columbia NX-02 from Rear Admiral Jonathan Archer, Star Fleet Exploration. You are hereby directed and required to proceed to the Coalition Star Ship Yuri Gagarin, NCC-72, and take command of her as her Captain within two standard days of the receipt of this message. May the wind always be at your back, Captain."
"Mister Xanado, I assume command."
"You have command, Captain."
"Then let us begin our voyages."