"Captain's Log, Stardate 2387.08.15
Some say that a name can determine one's fate. And I wonder sometimes if my parents intention with calling me Valentina was for me to be spacefaring. I hope I can do them, and the legend I was named for, proud.
I may not be the first Earth woman in space, or even the first female captain, but this mission is promised to be full of firsts for myself, my crew, and Starfleet. A collaborative effort between different forces within the Federation and its allies to seek out new cultures and new worlds, to bring them the best of the Federation, and I'm at the helm of it all.
But is it really a diplomatic mission? Or is it possibly a last ditch effort to keep the Federation together? Tensions have been high for a while, to the point where I cannot even recall a time when the social and political climate of our galaxy has been calm. It is difficult to tell what the future holds for us.
I have my crew though, and I'd like to think I handpicked the best ones for this mission. Starfleet officers mostly, and civilians with great expertise as well. Some members of the Bajoran Militia are lending their support, and even a few willing Klingons. It will be interesting to see how we all get on on this ship with one another, and with those outside. A challenge. But one we're all willing to accept.
The challenge starts now, and I'm ready. I was born ready. I am Valentina."
Captain Valentina Bell would have liked to end that log on a different note, but she wasn't the best writer, and the comm link in her guest quarters was chiming. She wanted good captain's logs for such an historic mission, but those would have to wait.
"Engineering to Captain Bell."
"Yes?"
The person at the other end of the line was trying hard not to sound too excited to speak to her captain for the first time, but it was obvious in her voice.
"The USS Ederie is ready for you, Captain!"
"Fantastic."
Captain Bell couldn't wait to get off this planet. Earth was nice, yes, for a visit, but the captain had always been a woman of space, of the skies, of that wonderful place called "away".
"So... how would you like to come up to the yard and see your new ship?"
"I'll get the next transport out! Thank you!"
"Alright then. Engineering out!"
Valentina quickly got dressed, tied her hair up, and looked up the times for the next transit to Middle of Nowhere, USA. That wasn't what the place was called, but it may as well have been. In the centre of the country, and producing nothing but corn, cattle, and starships. She would have to leave soon to be on the next shuttlebus, but wanted one last look in the mirror before going. She was tall, lean, graceful, and nearing 40 years old, with olive skin and green eyes, and a mess of curly brown hair on her head that could never be tamed. She had a very mixed heritage, and when asked her nationality, would just say "from Earth." She could have been a model when she was younger, or maybe even still, but was happy with the path she had chosen. That new fourth pip on her collar, what it represented and how she was going to use it, made all her hard work worth it.
Captain Valentina Bell was born ready.