The Final Chapter

[Cptn Ja'Lale 0]

"The Final Chapter”

 

Sol System – a few days after last game.  

 

It was a long, slow and uneventful ride home after their mission responding to the distress call from the starbase.  They’d taken quite a lot of damage in the attack and he was glad the Romulans came in when they did.  Their response of them being “rogue operatives” didn’t particularly surprise him; a standard Romulan response J’Lale thought to himself.  Though he still didn’t grasp how the operatives managed to overtake a whole shipyard and take six large warbirds and Birds of Prey like that.  Definitely a much larger inside job than they let on.  As the admiral mentioned though, it’s sometimes best not to ask questions.

 

“We’re arriving at the Sol System, and are on approach to Utopia Planetia” responded the young beta shift ensign at helm.  “Go ahead and dock us in” responded the Captain.  “Captain Wilkinson and Commander Hodges are ready to meet you sir” the communications officer said.  Ja’Lale sighed. “Well. Looks like that’s it then” He was still somewhat surprised his application to the Daystrom Institute was accepted.  It’s been so long since he submitted it, he’d forgotten all about it and assumed he didn't get the role. But, he has glad he did -- it felt like a logical next move to his career path to allow him to continue his passion for science, and astronomy.

 

Challenger had finally arrived at the shipyards at Utopia Planetia and was docked into its berth. Already, he could see a few workbees flying around the ship surveying the damage.  As he manoeuvred around a fallen bulkhead on the bridge, he could definitely tell that the Challenger was going to be docked here for a while. He was impressed how well the Challenger took being attacked by so many warbirds and large D-7 birds of prey.  But, he wouldn’t get the chance to oversee the repairs. It was now when it hit him that the fact that his command of the Challenger was now officially over.  

 

He bade a long farewell to the officers on the bridge and took the lift down to the airlock which connected the Challenger to the shipyard.  A short ride later, he was met at the airlock by a tall brown haired man, around 6'2" or 6'3" sporting a thin moustache and another man with black hair and a short, stocky build which Ja'Lale estimated to be around 5'6" or 7" but built like a tank.  “Ah, Captain it’s nice to meet you finally” responded the moustachioed man.  “Yes, to you as well” Ja’Lale smiled.  “Take good care of Challenger for me, will you?   She’s a good ship and with an even better crew.  I know it'll take a lot of work to get her back running into shape again, but I'm confident you're both up to the task” said Ja’Lale.  "I know you have a work ahead of you with these repairs, but I'm certain you're both up to the 

 

“Thanks Farouk. We look forward to continuing on with your successes.  And we also hope we have better luck in our encounters with the Rommies than you did” replied Captain David Wilkinson, the Challenger’s new Commanding officer -- the tall well-built man from Nebraska with the moustache.  The short and stocky built Commander Neil Hodges smiled. “Aye, you got that right!" he said, seconding Wilkinson's comment.  "It’ll be a good challenge, but we’re up for the task.  I'm sure of it.  We both look forward getting to know the ship and her crew” Hodges responded in his distinctive Yorkshire, England accent. “I certainly hope so.  I wish you both the best of luck and every success” Ja’Lale said.  

 

Ja'Lale pressed a button on a terminal wall. “Computer, transfer command of the USS Challenger to Captain David Wilkinson, and Executive Officer Commander Neil Hodges effective immediately.  Authorization code Ja’Lale Alpha-4-1-1-5-9er”. The computer beeped in response.  “Command transfer accepted.  Command of the USS Challenger has been transferred to Captain David Wilkinson and Commander Neil Hodges as of 2205 hours, star date 11810.26” replied the computer.  And with that, Captain Ja’Lale’s command of the Challenger and time with Starfleet had come to an end.

 

Ja'Lale pressed the button again, activating the ship wide comms so that every person on the Challenger could hear.  "Attention crew of the USS Challenger.  As many of you know, I am stepping down as the Commanding Officer of the Challenger to pursue a new opportunity outside of Starfleet.  I want to say, that it was my absolute honour and pleasure to be your captain over this many years.  We've been through so much together, but you acted in steadfast duty and loyalty to the ship and Starfleet with the utmost dedication to your posts.  I truly appreciate everything you have done to make Challenger the ship that it is and to upkeep our extremely positive reputation in Starfleet.  

"I will miss each and every one of you and I hope that wherever you go, and whatever you do it will be met with good fortune.  Your new Captain, Captain Wilkinson and your new XO, Commander Hodges I know are great men who share my values in fostering a deep positive working relations with you.  I'm certain you'll continue to grow in their command.  Fortune favours the bold.  Goodbye Challenger, and god speed.  May the winds forevermore always be at your backs.  This is Captain Ja'Lale one last time, over and out". He cut the comm and walked back to the airlock.  

Ja’Lale shook Wilkinson and Hodges' hands and gave them a final salute.  “She’s all yours now.  Again, good luck”. Wilkinson and Hodges nodded and returned his salute. "Thank you Captain, we won't let you down" replied Wilkinson.  "Best of luck at your new post at the Daystrom Institute".   Ja’Lale smiled a beaky grin at them both and turned into the shipyard’s departure area for his air tram ride to his new posting as Chair of Research of the Astro-Science & astrometrics departments at the prestigious Daystrom Institute, located on Mars' surface.

 

Daystrom Technological Institute, Mars – a few days later

 

It’s been a few days, and he was settling in nicely.  The Daystrom Institute was truly an impressive facility.  After finalizing his formal resignation from Starfleet at their Mars office, Ja'Lale spent the past few days touring the Institute’s expansive campus  and setting up and settling into his new large office complete with a big mahogany desk, fireplace and a large window overlooking Olympus Mons in the distance and a large well manicured garden in the heart of the campus.  Ja'Lale's office had an affluent 19^th century Victorian feel to it which suited him just fine, he always was a fan of this period in Earth's time.  

So far, he liked it here at the Institute.  He’s gotten along well with his colleagues and gets to continue working with his primary passion of astro-science, stellar cartography and astro-physics.  The technology is state-of-the-art and the research projects he oversees will undoubtedly have great benefits to the Federation and Starfleet.  It was going to be a pleasure and a thrill to be a part of it all.But a part of him will miss Starfleet and commanding the Challenger.  Even though he’s no longer commanding the Challenger, he still gets updates on Challenger’s repair progress from Captain Wilkinson at Ja'Lale's request -- sometimes it was very hard to let go of something you care so deeply about.  Ja'Lale was glad Wilkinson understood this and capitulated to his request to keep him in the loop.   

Repairs have been progressing along nicely according to him and the crew are currently on leave on Earth or other places having a well earned extended period of rest and relaxation. Ja'Lale had also learned that Challenger also will be receiving some new upgrades and refits to make it more able to deal with the new imminent threat coming from the Romulan side.  Though the operatives that attacked that colony and starbase were rogue operatives, it was no secret the Romulans, and for that matter, the Klingons were unhappy of Starfleet’s experiments with cloak technology and becoming increasingly vocal against their advances in this field. The grandfather clock in his office chimed nine times.

He checked his schedule at the terminal at his desk; 0900. It was almost time for his first meeting with his team to look at new advances and star charts his team were working on -- truly interesting stuff Ja'Lale thought to himself.  But as he got up from his desk, his thoughts returned to Romulan situation.  He did fear this would boil over and escalate into something worse.  It wasn’t something he wanted to think about, but it was something that filled his mind.  But, regardless of what happens Challenger will still be there to keep the peace.  Crew may come and go, but Challenger’s adventures are still far from over.  Life aboard will move on and many adventures still remain to be unwritten. He hoped the new CO and XO and its crew will experience much more as they continue to explore the great unknown.