So not only is this a slightly AU version of star trek online, but i actually have no idea where all this is going. i may pull some story from the game in, i may not. i will, however, be taking suggestions for themes and events to the chapters. this is nothing more than the prologue, but i hope it really piques your interest. so let me know if it does!
Captain Gregory Mitchell smiled as he made his way through the familiar halls of the star fleet academy. He sighed as he ran a hand through his balding grey hair, unable to stop the flood of memories every visit to the academy brought, from his instructors, to his friends, to the rules he had broken. Even memories of later in his career when he had encounter people he had been a cadet with. It sometimes overwhelmed him with how long it had been since then, and although he was only a captain, he was highly respected amongst Starfleet, being made the captain who took the top of the class from the academy out on their first missions several of those people had already become admirals, his near decade long 'retirement' from the life of a mainstream captain having it's own plethora of memories along with it. he eventually found the office he was looking for, down the hall he was currently in. a man had just left it, who wasn't wearing any kind of regulation uniform. instead, he was wearing a pair of cargo pants, a black t-shirt with some faded logo or another on it, and a soft mesh tactical belt, covered in pouches. Hanging off the belt, was a holster, holding a small phaser pistol, bigger and more weapon like than the issued phasers. He smirked, realizing who the man was, and that he was actually one of the students at the academy. And he was known for ignoring regulations that he deemed pointless. A couple of students seemed to have been waiting for him, walking away from the captain when he did so. The captain picked up his pace and stepped into the office the female feline like secretary waving cheerily at him as he stepped past, politely saying good morning to the woman before he stepped inside. The office was fairly large, with a single cluttered desk and several cabinets. It was also utilitarian to the extreme, every single object and sheet of paper in the office having a use and need to be there for the day to day running of the academy. Behind the desk, in his clearly less than comfortable arm chair, sat Admiral Kenneth Bates, a long time friend and partner in crime for the aging captain. His once dirty blonde hair had turned almost white, but at least he wasn't losing it like the captain's once brown. His deep blue eyes still had that hidden spark of warmth and craving for adventure in them, even after the near five decades since their academy days.
"Hey Greg. Ready for the latest greenies?" he smirked before lowering himself into one of the seats, his bones aching in protest.
"Not at all! Damned kids seem younger every year!" the admiral smirked, sliding some of his paperwork aside.
"No, you just get older every year. Seen the roster yet?" he nodded, having reviewed the roster several times already, combing over every cadet viable for the intense training he put his ship through. He even went as far as looking into files not submitted to him that would occasionally catch his eye.
"Of course. Seem as capable as every year." The roster consisted of nearly eighty cadets who would take positions on his ship, his small permanent crew simple watching them and coaching them when necessary on the day to day running of the ship, as well as overseeing how they act in the emergency drills they get put through. This was a sort of final test that only one in nearly twenty thousand Starfleet cadets would get the chance for. All of the other cadets from across federation space would be sent to actually starships at this stage in their training, interning on them for a couple more months before getting their final stationings.
"Any changes you want to make? And you never sent me the file on leader assignments." The captain smirked, pulling a data crystal out and setting it on the desk.
"You know I always bring that in person." The Admiral smirked, grabbing the crystal and looking it over, as if he was trying to read it with just his eyes.
"I can always hope to not see your crotchedy ass in here again. So, what lucky sucker is being made first officer?"
"Cadet Spencer Armstrong. He seems to fit my requirements." The admiral chuckled, rolling his eyes.
"Another joking rule breaker? God, I hope he doesn't captain a ship one day." The captain raised an eyebrow, smiling himself. "At least he has a saving grace. He spends a lot of free time helping other students. Runs a tutoring class over the weekends for anyone who wants it. when he's not planning his next prank."
"And my head security officer, Cadet Matthew Hawkins." The admiral froze at that, his eyes narrowing.
"Are you stupid? That kid is only still in this academy by the skin of his teeth. Do you know how many regulations he has broken since he got here?" the captain nodded, defiantly glaring at his friend.
"I am well aware. I also am aware of his….. special circumstances."
"The kid is failing, plain and simple. I've even forced him to take tutoring lessons with Cadet Armstrong. If my word was final, he would have been kicked out by now!" the captain smiled, again, fully aware of the kid's record.
"His scores in holodeck exercises are outstanding, especially in tactical scenarios, and he can make a shuttle craft or fighter dance. His efficiency and survival abilities are unrivaled."
"And his Phaser scores are mediocre at best!" the captain's glare softened as he smiled.
"That never stopped me from being good in a fire fight, now did it?" the admiral sighed and shrugged, his attitude shifting again.
"Yeah, you're right there. But, by regulation, the best I can let you do is make him a team leader for one of your security teams. No better." He nodded, accepting that. He already had a back up in mind anyway.
"Then I want Cadet Jenifer Kei. She's smart, resourceful, and seems to score well on her exercises, as well as her classwork. And her marksmanship is unparalleled." The admiral nodded enthusiastically.
"I was hoping you would put her in a high position. Unlike Armstrong, Cadet Kei cares about others and regulations Any others you want?"
"yeah, Cadet James Washington. I think you know." The captain smiled as the admiral instantly let his face fall into his hands, groaning.
"Don't tell me….. you want him flying?" he simply continued to grin at the admiral, eliciting another grown from the man. "Great. Don't blame me when he tears holes in the hull of the Gallant."
"One more that I specifically want. Cadet T'vrell. I hear her name has nearly become synonymous with communications and diplomacy?" the admiral's expression instantly changed into a grin.
"I never thought I would say this, but I like that Vulcan! granted, she's a quarter human, but where most Vulcans and their 'logic' is mind numbingly stale, she has a tongue as sharp as her looks. You'd never expect her to be as quick witted as she is, and I've gotten so used to expecting Vulcan's to never tell jokes and such, but she does. Just don't ask her why, she'll go so deep into psychology that your brain will break several times. She is insanely good at her job." Captain Mitchell just smiled and chuckled, having known how irritated the admiral had gotten with several different Vulcans over the years.
"Well, I guess I have myself a crew now, don't i?" the admiral smirked, plugging in the data crystal and making the necessary changes to the roster, changing the head security officer before filling all of the empty slots for positions. Once he was done, he put his credentials to the file and sent it up his own chain of command, making it the official roster for the training cruise.
"That you do. I'll send out the appropriate messages for you to meet up with all of your new heads and bridge crew, as usual." The captain stood, smiling as he started to move for the door.
"Well, see you around then Ken." The admiral waved to him as he left the room, already thinking of his small disused office.