A Fond Farewell

[Cptn_Giovanni 0]

"A Fond Farewell"

Log entry 33: 30 May 2157

 

So.. this was it, Sergio mused to himself as the Challenger dropped out of warp just ahead of McKinely Station, orbitting Earth. Ordering the helmsman to dock with the big station, he turned his attentions to Lt. T'Parek who just announced that they were being hailed. "On screen" he said, as the image of a middle aged woman appeared on the screen. "Captain" she said rather straight forwardly. "I'm Admiral Turner, we're ready to take delivery of Captain Neptune's stasis pod"

 

Sergio looked forward and nodded his compliance. "Right. You'll have him as soon as possible" Almost immediately afterwards, Sergio made his way down to the sickbay and to the cryogenic stasis chamber that housed the Captain's pod. Two of the doctors prepared the pod for transport, and seconds later, both Sergio and the pod were transported down to Starfleet Medical in San Francisco and watched on as a team of medical technicians came and carted the pod away.

 

He stared on at the dissapearing pod and bade a mental farewell to his former Captain, and crew mate, pretty much since the Challenger's launch almost three years ago. "Goodbye Nep, and good luck" he said quietly as his pod dissapeared through a set of doors. Sergio was about to turn to leave when he was approached by Admiral Turner and a few other members of Starfleet Command who led him to an office on the 20th floor.

 

"May I be the first to wish to congratulate you on your promotion and command" said Admiral Fraiser, a tall and chunky man who never seemed to be seen without smoking one of his expensive Cuban cigars. "I only wish the circumstances were different" a clichéd statement, but it worked in a pinch. The Admirals looked over the young Captain, which somewhat made Sergio feel a little uncomfortable. "I must admit" Fraiser went on "giving command of a starship, especially an NX Class to someone so young is quite unorthodox.

 

"But, what with our situation with the Romulans, finding good Captains with alot of experience is getting hard to find. I'll be straight forward. We're not exactly winning the war right now, and the need for individuals like you, who know their ship and crew inside out are a pretty rare commodity. So, as of today, we are granting you full command of the Challenger and its crew" Sergio smiled as the Admiral placed the Captain's pip on his shoulder.

 

Indeed, just pushing thirty Sergio was one of the youngest Captains in the Fleet, it was probably about ten or so years earlier than he even expected of reaching the Captain rank. "But what will happen to Captain Rex?" Sergio asked quite naturally. "He will be transferred to our facility in Brussels. His condition is quite severe and I image that will take at least a few months for him to recover -- if he actually does recover that is" said Turner, who actually turned out to be one of the heads at Starfleet Medical.

 

"But we also expect a report on what happened to him" she added. Sergio nodded his response. With all things, life moved on. And the Admirals began to discuss the details of the Challenger's next assignment. As they spoke, most of the crew is probably right now, disembarking from the ship, ready to enjoy a bit of off time on Earth or what-not as the ship itself undergoes repairs and minor refits. Fondly reminiscing those days when he didn't have to worry about missions, or the lives of the crewmembers and the ship.