Chapter 22
In the middle of all the preparations for the UFP founding ceremony, Commodore North had summoned Thorpe to his office. Coordinating fleet movements in the sector, calibrating comm frequencies, and distributing uniforms would have to wait - the boss wanted to see him.
"With everything going on, I haven't had the chance to thank you for your efforts to re-secure the base, Thorpe," North said once the captain had seated himself across from the desk.
Thorpe waved his hand in modesty. "Oh, all in a day's work, sir."
North chuckled. "Quite. In recognition of those efforts, I might have a little reward for you."
Thorpe perked up. "Really?"
"Admiral Gardner called me a few days ago. Although we will be seeing a lot more traffic in the area now, he felt that it was best for us to have a starship permanently assigned to the base. Primarily for defence, but other purposes as needed."
Thorpe grinned ear to ear. "Our own ship?"
"That's right."
North turned his monitor so Thorpe could see it displayed an image of what looked like an NX-class starship at first, before they had been converted to Columbia-class. When Thorpe inspected it closer though, he saw it was a slightly different configuration. The saucer was more oval-shaped, with a triangular wedge cut out of the back. There was also no rear section, just two flat pylons trailing behind each side of the saucer, both connected to thick nacelles. He recognised it as one of the old Freedom-class ships, a precursor to the NX-class.
"Excalibur," North said. "Appropriate name for our little Camelot out here. She was originally commissioned in '47, but, like most of the Freedoms, was mothballed when the NX Project began. They were all brought out of retirement for the war. Excalibur lasted well for such a small ship, and was even here in the Berengarius system when the Romulans first struck. She had to undergo extensive repair and refit towards the end of the war though, and most of the crew were reassigned.
"But now she's back up and running, and on her way here from Earth. She just needs a captain."
Thorpe's eyes darted to North, who was grinning at him.
"Me, sir?"
North leaned back in his chair, interlocking his fingers. "This is what you've been waiting for, Thorpe. Your own command. It's been a bumpy road, certainly, but you've proven yourself capable this past year."
While North continued to sing his praises, Thorpe tuned out. This was what he had been working towards - proving himself ready for his own command. And he knew that this offer was due to his own merits, as North had proven before that he was not swayed by Thorpe's father's political influence. He had finally made it.
So why didn't it feel right?
He knew exactly why.
"I can't accept, sir," he said quietly.
This rocked North. "What?"
"Don't get me wrong, Commodore; I'm extremely flattered. I'm honoured that you think me ready... but I know I'm not."
"Thorpe, I know you've had some rough patches..."
"It's more than that, sir." He sighed. "Every mistake I made was because I was trying to put myself ahead of everyone else. Ahead of my crew. Make myself out to be a big, independent leader. Like this whole thing in Ops. I was ready to order the execution of those protestors because I fell for Skaal's lies. Colonel Kostopoulos kept a level head, even with the time pressure, and thought rationally. And, before Threv got us out of there, I was seriously considering releasing the lockout, because I couldn't stomach the alternative, even though I knew it would mean a lot worse. And I never considered escaping; I really thought I could fight my way out of it."
"No one would blame you for your compassion," North said. "For trying to act quickly or refusing to leave your fellow officers."
Thorpe shook his head. "Maybe not, but those are just the latest examples. And maybe all my other mistakes, and my... my treatment by the Taskians... has made me feel like I have something to prove. It's made me realise that I need to learn to trust my crew, to develop my instincts, and to stop trying to be a hero. Like Zefram Cochrane said, 'Don't try to be a great man, just be a man.'"
North leaned back in his chair, looking at Thorpe with a newfound respect. "You know, I was recently reminded of how long it took me to adapt to command. It takes a bold man to admit his faults, and a bolder one to work on them. You may not be ready for command yet, Thorpe, but you've made a great step towards it today."
"Thank you, sir. I'll be ready someday."
"Of that I have no doubt. For what it's worth, you don't need to prove anything to me." North smiled, then sighed. "I suppose I will just have to ask Starfleet Command to assign Excalibur another captain."
"Actually, sir, I might have a suggestion for you."
"You want me to command a starship?" said Ana Kostopoulos.
Commodore North has asked her to his office to present her with a most unusual offer. Although she had donned a Starfleet uniform, she did not feel like a starship captain, despite her new rank too.
"Why not?" said North, smiling warmly, which only unnerved her further. "You've proven yourself an excellent leader, and who better to defend this base? It's what you've been doing all along, after all."
Kostopoulos' eyes flicked around the room, as if expecting people to jump out and yell "April fools!" several months too late.
"But, sir, I don't know a single thing about starship command. Space combat, warp fields, first contact protocols..."
North leaned forward on his desk. "When Admiral Gardner offered me command of the Victory, I reminded him that I hadn't seen field duty in a decade. That I was rusty, behind the times, not used to modern systems. I'll tell you what he told me:
"'Trust your crew and they'll trust you.'"
Kostopoulos thought about it a moment. This would allow her to remain on the base, with her friends. To keep doing what she did best. She wouldn't be a soldier anymore, sure, but she'd be defending the peace that she had fought for. And she was good with people - like North said, she'd learn to work well with those under her command. Her new flock.
It was better than sitting in a classroom all day, anyway.
"What do you say, Ana?" North asked.
"Congratulations, Captain Kostopoulos."
Kostopoulos smiled as she stepped out of her office in the Barracks to see Kimura waiting for her, filling out his own Starfleet jumpsuit. She was on her way to farewell her troops one last time before some of them were reassigned and the Barracks were turned into an equipment shed.
"Thanks, Major," she said. "Sorry, Lieutenant Commander."
Kimura chuckled. "Did you ever think you'd be commanding a Starfleet vessel someday?"
"Theós, no. I'm the most surprised person about this whole thing."
"At least someone with proper experience will be protecting the starbase."
She grinned. "You know, I could use someone with similar experience at my side. I'll need a good first officer, Tak. Position's yours if you want it. It comes with a promotion."
Kimura winced. "I appreciate that, Col- Captain, I really do, but..."
Kostopoulos knew where this was going. "You're rejoining your old crew, aren't you?"
Kimura had been assigned to Enterprise and only accepted the posting to Starbase 1 following that legendary ship's retirement. He had constantly insisted that they would all be reunited eventually though.
"Admiral Archer's putting the band back together," he said. "On a new ship, Endeavour."
Kostopoulos patted his shoulder. "I understand. We're both staying with the people we care about."
He nodded. "Yes, sir. But I have to say... It's been an honour to serve with you."
She offered her hand and he shook it firmly. "Likewise." They started walking to the common room. "With seasoned veterans like us out there, I'd say the Federation's in safe hands."
He smirked. "It's gonna be a tough job."
"Tak, if it were easy, it wouldn't be worth doing."
