Endeavor Ready Room
Kirk gazed thoughtfully out the window. After the destruction of the Saratoga and the return of her crew to earth,
all of them had been granted extended leave while they awaited reassignment.
He however, in typical Kirk fashion, had quickly gotten busy again. Visiting former crewmembers, endless meetings
with Starfleet and- ever since the reception where he had been officially appointed Captain of the soon to be launched
Endeavor- observations of the final stages of construction and preparation of his new ship. Not to mention preparations
for her upcoming Five Year mission.
It had only been a few days since he had set eyes on his new ship in person for the first time. And it was his ship,
even though she wasn't scheduled to launch for over two months. Only a week after his return, Starfleet Command
had hosted a huge gala where Admiral Jones had proclaimed him the new Captain of the Federation's newest and
grandest ship, the USS Endeavor.
*Flashback*
6/20/2265
Starfleet Headquarters
Reception Hall
Admiral Jones was in rare form. "Ladies and Gentlemen, when the Constitution class was first designed Starfleet
intended it to be the crowing achievement of Starfleet design that would carry the Fleet into the future. The dozen that
have been built so far from the USS Constitution to the USS Excel have done just that. Even now more Constitution
ships are being designed and we anticipate that every single member of their class will continue to serve as the staples
of Starfleet and the backbone of defense, diplomacy and exploration.
"However an organization can have more than one staple. And we have developed a new class that will compliment
and many believe will surpass the Constitution class. It is the prototype of this class that I wish to present to you now."
Jones lifted his arm and pointed toward the middle of the room. A few seconds later, a hologram activated and revealed
the image of a vast silver ship.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the USS Endeavor, the first of her class."
As the room filled with applause at the sight of the vast impressive looking ship, Jones walked continued.
"However, a ship is only as good as its Captain and it can't be great without a great Captain to command it."
He smiled. "I am pleased to announce that we have found such a Captain. A man who had proven himself time
and again, beginning with Nero. Ladies and Gentlemen I give you James Tiberius Kirk, former Captain of the
USS Enterprise, former Captain of the USS Saratoga and now Captain of the USS Endeavor."
End Flashback*
Ready Room
Kirk recalled how during the announcement he hadn't been able to help feeling a little bitter toward the Admiral.
You wanted my off the Saratoga for years. Hell, you never wanted me to be on her in the first place.
Guess you finally got what you wanted.
But he had forced the feelings down and forced himself to focus. Forced himself to recall conversations with
Jones and Pike.
"Kirk, the Saratoga is almost twenty-five years old. Starfleet feels that her day is over and that your talents
are best served elsewhere."
"She's getting old, Jim. She was getting old when she was hit with Quantum Filaments two years ago.
Yes, she recovered, but it took a heavy toll on her. I've spoken to Commander Filars and even she admits
that every year since the accident the Saratoga has needed more and more work to stay in good condition.
"But putting the condition of the Saratoga aside for the moment, the simple fact is that she's a science vessel,
not an explorer. I know that you've been keeping close tabs on the Five Year Program and you and I both know
that you want to be out there too. You won't be able to do that with the Saratoga, but you can with the Endeavor."
He gave a deep sigh. Both Jones and Pike were right. He did belong in deep space. Deep down he had always
known. And he had longed to go on a Five Year Mission. Not of the edges of the Federation territory, but deep
into the furthest reaches of unknown space. And as much as he'd loved the heroic Saratoga, she wouldn't
have been able to take him there.
And the fact that the Endeavor was a magnificent ship that had captured his notice from the moment Pike had
first shown him a hologram of her, hadn't hurt at all.
Over the years he'd become adept at detecting the personalities of ships. The Enterprise had been filled
with power and confidence, not to mention a lot of flash and ostentation. Look at me! she had silently shouted.
Ain't I great!?
The Saratoga had been tiny but had exuded confidence and feistiness. I may be small, she had calmly proclaimed,
but I know my worth and I can hold my own.
And the Endeavor. The Endeavor bespoke power and confidence too, as well as hope and determination.
I am the Endeavor, she seemed to say. And I shall always do my best. And although she hadn't even launched
yet Kirk had sensed a …maturity about her.
She's a good ship, he had known right away. And I like her.
He glanced back at the desk and ruefully noted the many PADDS. During the five years that he had been
out in deep space with the Saratoga he had forgotten about Starfleet's love of paperwork and red tape.
And one of the things he knew he would be doing until launch was reading and signing countless official papers.
Another task he would be undertaking was the selection of new officers and crewmen. Nearly sixty of his former
crew were transferring to the Endeavor and he was grateful for every single one. But at the time of her destruction
the Saratoga had had only had a hundred and five crewmembers. The Endeavor would have 1400.
That meant a LOT of new personnel to select.
The crew of the Enterprise had already been selected before he became Captain. All of them handpicked by Pike
and/or Spock. And when he had assumed command of the Saratoga most of her crew had been serving with her
before he ever joined Starfleet.
In the six years he had commanded the Saratoga he had regularly selected new crewmembers every year,
but never more than a dozen or so.
Now he had to figure out how to select over a thousand new personnel.
He sighed. Personnel was something that had been a lot on his mind. Not just new ones but old ones. Old ones
that wouldn't be coming with him. It wasn't just his old ship that he missed.
Eleven couples and families were leaving. Twenty three crewmembers all together; twenty eight if one included
their children. The twelve civilian personnel who had been on the Saratoga were all leaving, along with their
families. So altogether over forty people were leaving
Most would be going to stations or outposts. Not surprising- except for transports and freighters, Delphis class ships
were among the few family ships in Starfleet. Maybe that would change someday but for now…
Lieutenant Commanders Michael and Selene Freeman were transferring to Starbase 12. Its Commander, Admiral
Justine Ripley had long had her eye on Michael for his skill at forensics and over the years had frequently teased
Kirk about how she sooner or later she would 'swipe' one of his best Security officers from him.
I guess she did in the end. But Mike and Selene are planning to start a family and a Five Year Mission is no place for that.
Lieutenant Commander Hophea Patariki; Filars' long time friend and right hand was transferring to the recently
launched USS Orion as Chief Engineer.
He's more than earned it. Joyce is going to miss him though. We all will. It won't be the same without
his booming voice.
L'Naym's good friend, Lieutenant Commander Sarah Richards would be heading to Larisel.
He smiled as he thought of Larisel, the planet that the Saratoga discovered. Richards had fallen in love with
the planet the moment she had first set foot on it. In the months since its discovery other survey teams had
examined it and concluded that the world was a gold mine in both resources and knowledge. A long term research
team was being put together that would be stationed on the planet for three years and Richards had been
asked to head it.
It will be a great assignment. And I have a feeling that Paul Ruthers will be requesting to join the team.
The civilian naturalist had signed on to the Saratoga two years previously and he and Richards had been dating
for several months.
Lieutenant Commander Chen Li, former Head of Exobiology, had served on the Saratoga for three years at the time
of the attack. He was passionate about his field but rather retiring in personality and had been more than happy
to let the more outgoing Lieutenant Commander Gloria Michaels, the Saratoga's Head Zoologist, have the spotlight.
He was transferring to the USS Galileo, which had been launched last year.
He'll be missed, but he's not really interested in going on a Five Year mission. Plus the Galileo needs a new
Chief Science Officer. It will be a good placement.
Lieutenant Commander Monica Deerhorn was going to Starbase 11.
That's one of the key administrative areas in the Beta Quadrant. They'll certainly put a fine Security officer
like her to good use there. And Trisha will see a lot of important people growing up. Hope they're ready for her!
Ensign Bazi was going to Starbase Serenity to become a Pediatrics Nurse.
She really found her niche.
Chief Petty Offer Laurence Tolliver, his former Chief Operations Manager, was going to Earth Spacedock.
He would have been great on the Endeavor; he's one of the best Operations Managers in the Fleet. But he's
thinking about retiring in another couple years. And it will be good for Kevin to spend a couple of years on Earth
during his teenage years.
But I'm going to miss him like crazy.
Over the years Tolliver had become a close confident and father-like figure to him.
Chief Petty Officer Ts'Uk was returning to his homeworld of Forca III.
He's brilliant in physics, radio-chemistry and exobiology. But he's been planning to retire for some time.
Now he's going back home to take up two of his greatest loves: scholarship and teaching.
Chief Petty Officer Korme Ser'la, his former Head of Planetary Science, was transferring to the newly
launched USS Numidia.
She's one of the best in the fields of geology and archeology. Plus she can calm a Tellerite with her
calm, peaceful nature.
Petty Officer Ferien was a skilled pilot and also good at repairing shuttles. The elderly Morskin was somewhat
grumpy, but had a good heart and was very fond of children. He was transferring to the USS Kumari, a member
of the Delphis Pod.
Us Delphis Pod members need to stick together.
The Mayberry's were going to Starbase 9 and the McDowells to Starbase Alpha.
They both orbit M class planets. Good places to raise kids. Plus there'll be plenty of new animals for Connor
to see. And Anna will get plenty of ideas for new inventions at a Starbase.
Crewmen Dalin and Monica O'Gill were going to Starbase 4. Kirk smiled again. That station was located near four
important systems and there was heavy space traffic.
Plenty of work for two engineers.
Crewmen Raju Alluri and Carmen Bautista would be going to the Huen IV Terminal. The Huen System was one
of the busiest areas in the Vraxel Sector. It served as both a Federation outpost, a trading port and a refuel
and repair terminal. Dozens of ships went there everyday. Meaning plenty of work for the Shuttlebay Duo.
Not to mention the fact that a Starbase is a safer place for little Juanita to be born.
Crewmen Violet Bailey was returning to Earth for civilian duty and rejoining the staff of the Sato Linguistics Institute.
She'll be getting that house she promised Robert they'd move into. I know that she's going to miss Bones though.
Crewmen John Nordstrom and Ingrid Thorson were transferring to the Vanel Geological Institute.
The Institute is planetary based but they send their teams all over known space. Thorson will have plenty
of cliffs and mountains to climb. And it'll probably do her good to be away from space duty for awhile.
The attack really shook up both her and her husband. All they want now is to be somewhere where they can
raise their new son in peace.
Former Cadet, now Ensign T'Pree, would be on another Delphis Pod member, the USS Andaman.
Ren and I will have something new to joke about. He came to my aid after the Saratoga was destroyed and in
return he gets one of my crew.
And then of course there were his Soul Siblings, who even now where on their way to their homeworld of Nlia,
where they would spend their leave.
Kirk's eyes misted. In the seven years he had served as Captain he had signed off on several transfers.
Each time he had felt sadness as his hand, holding the stylus, signed away a crewmate.
It was nothing to what he had felt a few days ago as his stylus had signed away twenty two crewmembers.
But that had paled to the sorrow he felt as he once again picked up the stylus and signed away his Soul Siblings.