I lounged in the center seat with my head propped up on one hand, watching the stars smear into long silver lines across the viewscreen as the USS Falcon cut across the Shackleton Expanse like a hot knife through butter. I didn’t need to come out here. I had more than enough competent officers who could’ve handled this run without me. But I wanted to take care of it myself.

Scott Bowman was a friend—or at least as close as two Starfleet captains ever get to being friends. When he heard about my promotion to Commander of Starbase 86, he’d sent a message, a congratulations, and a bottle of my favourite tequila. And when the Falcon finished her refit and upgrades, I made sure his request to take command landed directly on my desk… so I could personally approve it.

Dear Captain Thorne,

Congratulations again on your appointment. Did you get the bottle of Tapatio Blanco I sent? That stuff is getting harder to find every year.
I’m writing to you in a professional capacity today. The USS Leif Erikson is a sturdy ship, and we’ve had a good run together, but she is beginning to feel a little claustrophobic, if you understand my meaning. I hear the USS Falcon is up and running again. Any chance I could put my name on it?

Let me know,
Captain Scott Bowman
USS Leif Erikson

Lucky for him, Fourth Fleet Command let the Falcon stay with 86, and I couldn’t think of a captain more deserving of it. So I packed a stack of PADDS, set a course for the Shackleton Expanse, and decided to deliver his new ship personally. The complement of junior officers and staff would, of course, be staying with the Falcon, along with Bowman’s current senior staff, and I would be taking the Leif Erikson and her remaining staff to Starbase Bravo to hand them back over to Fourth Fleet for reassignment.

“Captain,” the helmsman said, looking at me over his shoulder, “We’re approaching the Palrilles System.”

“Understood, Ensign,” I said, straightening up in my seat. “Take us out of warp at the edge of the system and continue on full impulse power. Comms, please hail Captain Bowman and tell him we are arriving.”

“Yes, Captain,” the comms officer replied. She tapped a few buttons on her console, and I heard the familiar ping of a sent message. “Okay, I’ve got Captain Bowman.”

“On screen, Lieutenant,” I said, standing and straightening my uniform.

Within moments, Bowman’s face appeared magnified on the main viewscreen. “Hello, Captain,” he said, flashing his signature smile. “What brings you all the way out here?”

“You did, Captain,” I replied. “I have decided to deliver your new command to you.”

“They won’t miss you at the Starbase?”

“I think they’ll manage a few days without me.”

“Sounds good to me, Captain. Shall we begin transporting our staff and their belongings as soon as you arrive?” He asked.

“Yes, and meet me in your new ready room when you transport aboard,” I answered.

“Affirmative, Captain,” he replied. “Bowman out.”

The screen blinked out, switching instantly back to the velvety black of space, pinpricked with diamonds of starlight. I sighed and stood, pacing the area between the helm and the Captain’s chair a few times.

“Helm, I’ll be in my ready room,” I said finally. “Please inform me when we arrive at the Leif Erikson’s location.”

“Aye, Captain,” the helm officer replied.

I crossed the bridge to the ready room and let the door close behind me before I let out a long sigh and crossed the space to sit behind the desk. Not being aboard a station was nice for a change, but this was not a vacation, and the work did not stop because I was out of my office. The stack of PADDS on my desk sure reminded me of that. I busied myself until the call came in that we had arrived at the Erikson and the transport of the crew was underway.

Shortly after, there was a chime at the door, and Captain Bowman entered. He was as crisp and serious as I remembered him, though his face split into a grin when he saw me.

“Jaya,” he said, crossing the room to shake my hand. “You didn’t have to come all this way just for me.”

“No, but I’m happy for the change of scenery,” I replied, as I pulled an old wooden box from the place where I had hidden it. “Plus, I wanted to give you this…”

He took the box and slid open the lid, revealing the bottle of amber liquid within. “Is this… Blanton’s?”

I smiled. “Harder to find than Tapatio. I’d put money on it. I called in quite a few favours to get that bottle.”

He immediately uncorked it, savouring the aroma. “I’ll bet,” he answered. “Got any glasses up your sleeve?”

I slid two from behind my monitor, and he poured us each a modest amount.

“I haven’t had this since I finished the last of Grandad’s bottle after graduation,” he said softly, taking a slow sip. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” I took my own drink, doing my best not to make a face when the heat of the bourbon hit my throat like ignited plasma. I failed. He laughed, leaning back comfortably.

“Well,” I said, my voice still hoarse, “Here’s to your new command, Captain.”

“And to you, trekking all the way out here to deliver it,” He replied.

We finished our glasses while the crew and their belongings got transferred around, and before long, I was back in the captain’s chair, although it was a different chair on a different ship, headed for Starbase 86.

Godspeed, Captain, I thought to myself as the stars became smears of light again. May you treat each other well.