USS Alexia

Alexia Class Strike Carrier

NCC-61667

In Orbit

Earth

The shuttle wasn't in any particular rush. The pilot was experienced enough to know that the Cadets deserved a break, particularly the cadets who had just graduated ACCP and would be getting their first postings today.

Rei kept herself glued to the porthole as the shuttle gently curved around the edge of ESD.

The yards above Earth had never been so busy, even during the Dominion War. The new CNC, Fleet Admiral Scott Hathaway, had been on absolute tear the last six months. More new classes of starship had been designed and drafted than in the last ten years, put together.

The most obvious, and the one with the most fanfare, was the Odyssey class Star Cruisers, the final design of Thomas Quinn and the ships intended to replace the vaunted Sovereign as the face of Starfleet.

She was huge, easily matching a Vanguard in size at just over a kilometer long. But unlike the three battleships, still in service today, Odyssey was a much more beautiful design.

The arrowhead-like saucer section joined the star drive section with two seamless struts, just behind the main deflector. Not only were the struts pleasing to the eye, but it would make it easier for Odyssey to perform a saucer separation. At equal angles, the long warp nacelles gave her an almost race-like appearance, a ship that was fast, sleek, and powerful all the same.

She wasn't quite a warship, as Rei's trained eyes noted the not-too-conspicuous absence of Vanguard's main battery or any other of the multitude of armaments that the BB's carried, but she'd wager that Odyssey could handle herself in a fight, armed with the latest in phaser and torpedo technology, not to mention a hardened cargo-bay at the aft for a contingent of Sharks.

The pilot inverted the shuttle, and each cadet got a very nice look at the registry livery on the saucer.

NCC-1701-F
USS Enterprise

"What an absolute beauty that is. Way nicer looking than the Grey Ghost," Logan commented, almost in awe at the ship.

Rei smiled. "She's pretty. I'll say that much. Lucky Picard getting a third Enterprise to himself."

"You didn't hear?" Logan asked.

"Hear what?"

"Picard retired right after the grad ceremony. Said something like 'The next Enterprise should be a new ship, fit for a new Captain.' It was all over the QC."

"Must have missed that," Rei replied, remembering that after the ceremony, her "Uncle" had taken her shooting near Taber, Alberta.

"I wonder who's gonna get the big chair then? Me?"

Logan almost lost his seat laughing. "Dream on Rei, not as long as your mom is still in charge of TAC-Ops. Nope, there's only one man fit for the roll of Captain of the Enterprise."

"Don't tell me," Rei replied, rolling her eyes.

"Captain Logan McLeod, Starship Enterprise. Nice ring, eh?"

The cadets all had a nice laugh at the sheer ambition. Rei simply kept her eyes on space.

Above the new Enterprise floated what was perhaps her closest competitor, at least in terms of famous flagships.

Vanguard led her contingent of escorts above the yards, looking to make a pass towards New Lethbridge and Ginny's Iron Star.

In the decade since Major Ginny Tatum had dragged a second moon into Earth's orbit, Vanguard and her sisters had become legends in their own right. After the Battle of Vulcan, Warspite at last completed her Grand Tour of the Federation just a year ago, becoming the first starship since the days of Big Iron NX-01 to visit every core world in the same year.

Ark Royal had returned to her place above Bajor, although with the Dominion now a member of the Milky Way Alliance, her role was largely ceremonial, standing guard over the ruins of the Bajoran Wormhole.

And Vanguard, under the steady hand of Captain Jackie Fishier, had earned her blood over Titan, Vulcan, Golandan Core, and countless other places.

Rei still remembered all the debates in class. Half the cadets said the BBs should be scrapped. The other half asked why the Yard Dogs weren't pumping a new one out every six months. Rei wasn't sure which side she should take – Mom had been on Repulse, after all – but she still admired them.

"I think Captain Rachel Nechayev, USS Vanguard, works better," she said absently to Logan.

"I am not firing the guns of one those things, the sound still gives me nightmares."

"There's no sound in space, Logan."

"Tell that to the holo-instructors."

Rei looked on as the shuttle rolled back on course, and finally faced its destination.

Alexia was three hundred meters long, and ten decks thick, roughly the same dimensions as the old Avenger class battlecruisers.

But unlike the old, bulky, and hideously ugly BCs, Alexia was a work of art. The saucer, shaped almost like a shield, curved gently back between two struts, that broke off between port and starboard to hold the warp nacelles, facing fore and looking not unlike a fighter.

At the highest vertical point of the ship housed the torpedo pod, four forward facing conventional launchers, and two rotary launchers for the MK.5 Spatial Torpedo CIWS system – designed by the Marines – facing aft. Rounding out the weapons array were a pair of quad phaser cannons at the fore, lined by the new type XI phaser strips running back along the dorsal and ventral sections of the saucer.

"Now that," Rei said, pointing out the porthole, "That's pretty."

Logan smiled. "Ahh. Now I know why you didn't have a date for grad. Have a thing for the sleeker girls?"

"Only in your darkest nightmares, Logan."

Despite that, Rei had to admit that Alexia was almost stunningly gorgeous. ACCP meant – pending a disaster – that it would be her ship within five years, or even less if she pushed hard enough.

The shuttle flew around to the back and passed through the light forcefield until it came gently to a rest in shuttle bay two. Once the green tell-tale light snapped on, Rei and her fellow Cadets rose from their seats and lined up at the rear bay door.

The door opened, and Rei led her cadet troupe out to the bay, only to be stopped by something no one expected.

"Attention on deck!" a security officer shouted.

The current CO of Alexia, Shyvax of Vulcan, stepped forward from the corridor and nodded curtly. "You may stand at ease."

Shyvax looked like most Captains did, in Rei's opinion. His steely blue eyes were deep, experienced, and yet had a certain kindness to them. He held a touch of distinguished grey through his black hair and spoke with that soft confidence that most Vulcans held.

"Welcome aboard the Alexia. My name is Captain Shyvax. At the moment, I am the commanding officer of this vessel. However, given your status as Accelerated Command Course Program graduates, I do not think it is logical to conclude that I will hold that position for very long. Therefore, I will expect you to not only fulfill your duties, but to look for ways to improve and innovate our processes and techniques."

Shyvax walked up the line as he continued/ "Alexia is a term from the Earth language of Greek. It means, in common translation, 'defender of man.' Our mission will be to defend, support and protect Federation lives and interests in the so-called wild frontier of Federation Space."

"While our primary duty remains peaceful exploration and discovery, you should expect to take part in active combat operations. I will expect all of you to perform at your best."

The Vulcan Captain turned and looked directly at Rei. "Ms Nechayev, welcome. I am well acquainted with your mother. I served as her XO aboard the Essex after the previous officer retired. Is she in good health?"

"Thank you, Sir. She's doing well. Wishes she could still be in space as a Fleet commander, but TAC-OPS suits her, in my opinion," Rei replied.

"I believe that posting is most suited to her skills and experience. Please convey my greetings to her. Ms Nechayev, you have been appointed as First Midshipwoman of Alexia. In addition to your Cadet Duties, you will serve as my personal aide, attend any meetings of relevancy, and take command of the ship for our initial cruise. Do you have any questions?"

The assignment wasn't unexpected, given Rei's performance in the Academy, but the reality of being named First Middy hit a wave of excitement over Rei that she barely kept to herself. But she remembered one of Mom's lessons in her mind.

Don't lose your cool.

"No, Sir," Rei replied simply.

Shyvax nodded. "Very well. Please select an alternative officer if you should become incapable of performing your duties, Ms Nechayev."

Once again, the selection shouldn't have been a surprise to anyone. But Rei still had to take the effort to keep her excitement in check.

"Cadet McLeod, Sir. He was the second-best student behind me overall, and he's a better pilot than me."

"Very good. Mr. McLeod, please escort the remainder of your crew to their quarters on deck eight. Ms Nechayev, you will remain behind with me for a few moments. The Federation Marine contingent will be arriving in a few moments, and it would be wise to become acquainted with your opposite number in the FMC," said Shyvax as he motioned for Logan to lead the cadets out.

Rei turned to look out the shuttle bay doors when a tall Marine Major – wearing his TAV and holding one of the new XR-120 rifles – appeared suddenly in front of her and made her gasp slightly.

"Eyes up, Fishie. Never know who's around the corner," the Marine said in a soft, but intimidating voice.

Shyvax merely shook his head. "Ms Nechayev, Major Andrew Ingles, our OC-MCT. I must apologize, he has penchant for petty dramatics in an attempt to scare Starfleet Officers."

Major Ingles stared at Rei for a long, awkward moment, before he smiled and snapped off a sharp salute to her. "Pleasure to meet you, Ms Nechayev. Auntie Lynna is member of our Shark family, so we'll have your back, no matter what."

Rei returned the salute. Saluting Marines still wasn't a common practice in Starfleet, even a decade after the Marine Bill passed the council. But Mom – or Auntie Lynna, as they called her, had taught her the proper way to salute with Uncle Mark, so she became determined to carry on the practice through her whole career.

Just as Rei lowered her arm, the incoming shuttle klaxon blared through the shuttle bay, and Rei watched as one of the new Mk 2 Raptor class Tactical Shuttles found its place beside Rei's smaller Type 12 Shuttle.

The rear bay of the Raptor dropped down, and a company of fifty Marine recruits marched out in perfect order, lining up in front of the Raptor.

Major Ingles stepped forward and barked. "Marines! Stand to!"

Each one of the so-called "Baby Sharks" (a name given to the Marines at the Academy) stood to perfect attention in front of their Major.

Rei looked over the line. Most of the Baby Sharks were as young, if not younger, than she and Logan were. And true to the FMC's nature, the majority of them were Human, unlike the Starfleet troupe who came from fifteen different worlds.

But two of the Baby Sharks stood out immediately to her. A beautiful girl with red hair, and next to her, a Romulan with purple hair.

"Leftenants Kaimeao, step forward!" Ingles barked yet again.

Red Hair and the Romulan both stepped forward and replied back. "Reporting as ordered, Major Ingles, Sir!"

Rei was impressed. Both of them sounded and looked strong, and both of them responded with perfect unison.

Major Ingles pointed at Red Hair first. "Captain, Ms Nechayev, this is Leftenant Kayla Kaimeao. She'll be my second during this mission. Any concerns you might have with my Marines, you can bring to her attention."

Rei stepped forward. Kayla had the most gorgeous eyes of any person she'd ever met. And when she extended her hand, Kayla had a light grip that was somehow full of strength.

"Hi. I'm Rachel, but everyone that matters calls me Rei."

Kayla smiled back. "Nice to meet you, Rei. I think we share an adopted Uncle from Lethbridge?"

"You know Uncle Mark too? Small Galaxy."

"A little too small, sometimes."

Beside the two leaders, Rela gently cleared her throat, waiting for her introduction.

"Oh, sorry," Kayla apologized, not realizing how long she'd been holding Rei's hand for, "That's Rela. She's my Shooter and my little sister."

Rei extended her hand to Rela, who took it in a much firmer grip. "Jolan Tru, Daise'erein Kaimeao. Aefvadh taeth rrhiet."

Rela's eyes went wide. "Hwiiy dochai Rihanna?!"

"A little bit. Elective during my third year. I haven't had much of a chance to practice yet."

"Your accent isn't terrible, for a Hevam. You could use a little work on your grammar. I'll pass some books along to you if I get any free time."

"Khnai'ra, Rela," Rei replied with a gentle smile as she stood beside her Captain.

"Alright, enough loligaggin!" Major Ingles barked yet again, "Get yourselves squared away in Marine Country and report to the mess hall in ten minutes. Move out!"

"Sir, Yes Sir!" every Marine replied. Rei watched the group line up behind Kayla and all but march out of the shuttle bay.

But as they marched, Rei kept her eyes on the leader. Kayla was absolutely gorgeous.

─•~:~•─