George woke up in his personal quarters. It was his first morning waking up in his command. He was the new captain of the <i>USS Oroville</i>, his first role in leadership. He’d only been on board for about four hours; that was all the sleep he was going to be able to get today. “Honestly, not too bad for the first day. Just happy to get more than 2,” he thought to himself.

He knew today would be solely dedicated to learning the names of everyone on his ship and becoming initially acquainted with all of the facilities, but today he decided to start with a stop to engineering. The <i>Oroville</i> had 3 science officers, generally with only one on shift at a time. But he had looked at the crew schedule hours before coming on board and knew his only familiar face would be on duty at the moment.

The captain walked briskly to the research quarters, where Ensign Gonzalez was sitting at her station, covering a communications shift while another officer was on shore leave. There wasn’t much science to do at the moment, being docked at the starbase.

The Ensign’s eyes went wide. “George! Err, sorry. Captain!” She wanted to give him a hug but, not wanting to make the same mistake twice in a row, she immediately stood and gave salute. “It’s so good to see you!”

George laughed, unbothered by the break in protocol. Especially as he hadn’t seen Elena in person in over a decade. “Ensign, I am so glad things worked out that you were able to join my crew fresh out of the academy. It’s so exciting to have you here, starting your career, at the exact same time I’m beginning a huge new era in mine.” He smiled. “I know you’ll be exceptional in helping discover and surmount the many threats this region of space has to offer.” He knew he sounded a bit stuffy, but it wasn’t an act. He had felt much more gentlemanly and fuller of verve since accepting his new charge. He was no longer going to tone himself down to protect himself and his career like he had to do under his last captain.

Elena didn’t care. She was just happy to be here. “Thank you so much for saying so, Captain! I was so worried they were going to keep me back in Sol. They’re always trying to keep the new science grads at desks studying theory. That was never going to be me. You practically saved me.”

George laughed. His new command may be far on the other side of the quadrant, outside of Federation space, but it still wasn’t bomb and ballast. It wasn’t going to be constant excitement. In a <i>California</i>-class, you looked for what fun you could make, in between transporting another Fifth Minister of blah blah blah from blah blah blah to some other place. You know how it goes.

“I know just how you feel. And I’m the same way. Though I may have chosen the more appropriate route,” he said, lifting the shoulders of his red uniform as if he were repping his jersey. “This is the color you get to wear as you shuttle anonymous Vulcan diplomats from one rock to another.”

“Some would say they’re the most important ones.” A tall, lanky, aged blue-shirted Vulcan walked into the room. “It’s hard to imagine any peace in this galaxy at all without those anonymous Vulcan diplomats.”

“Ah, Mr. S’kon. It’s good to meet you in person, Lieutenant.” The captain ignored the lack of salute, offering his hand for a shake, which the Vulcan ignored, staring at the hand as if he didn’t know what to do with it. The captain lowered his hand awkwardly. “You’re taller than I expected.”

“And you’re shorter.” S’kon almost seemed to have a bit of a smile. George thought to himself that he must’ve imagined that.

Just as the captain was going to try and figure out how to socially navigate that awkward situation, a soft red light blinked across the entire room, and everywhere else on the ship. New orders had just been received. Just as he went to reach for his communicator it beeped and started talking to him instead.

“New orders, captain! We’re to leave immediately for Port Eltan to help escort an aid convoy.” George would have to learn the name of the bridge officer speaking to him later.

“Thank you. I’ll be there immediately.” George looked to Elena, who seemed to be hiding a grimace behind her polite smile, clearly not enthused with her new Vulcan boss. “I’ll see both of you soon.” He smiled, beginning to angle himself out the door.

“Captain,” they both said in unison. George walked to the turbolift, excited to begin his new life as a captain.