The dawn of the next era...

Posted on Tue Sep 2nd, 2025 @ 12:11am by Rear Admiral Jarred Wallace & Captain Lukas Grant
Edited on on Sat Sep 6th, 2025 @ 9:15pm

1,121 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Mission 0: In the beginning....
Location: San Francisco, Starfleet HQ, Visiting senior officer quarters
Timeline: Day one - 1030hrs

==Captains Log, Stardate 78880.65==

USS Tecumseh has completed construction and out fitting on schedule, the shipyard engineers have assured me that her launch will be on schedule. The next task in hand is the officer candidates. I have several meetings today including a meeting with the enigmatic Rear Admiral Jarred Wallace from Starfleet intelligence. My last meeting with the Admiral was just after the Dominion war during another chapter in both of our lives, I haven't spoken with him in recent years, although we have crossed paths over the years we haven't spoken in private in some time, this should prove to be interesting.

==End Log==

Lukas adjusted his uniform for the last time as he got ready too leave, he'd been invited to an early lunch with the head of Starfleet intelligence operations, It was strange the series of events that lead too a massive change in Intelligence, but change had a way of happening. This change had become something of a jolt too all of Starfleet, it had been fueled by the events of a few weeks earlier again. As Lucas stopped at the elevator he looked around, the floor was oddly empty for this time of day. He paused as the doors slid open.

"Hey Lucas! how's earth life?" the voices asked.

The voice was of Lieutenant Commander John Volker, his one time tactical officer from his time aboard his last assignment. "Hey John, it's nice to be back for a few more days, How's Donna and the kids?" in an attempt at exchanging pleasantries.

"They're all good, it's kinda weird to not be shipping out these days, but it's nicer to be home more than once every four months." the other man said.

"I can imagine, so you're liking the time at Tactical?" Lucas asked.

"Yup, looks like it's going to be a long term thing too, I'd rather be flying a desk these days with the kids, speaking of which did you and Jess get things sorted out?"

"No,, but it might be for the better." Lukas said then added "We fought more in the last year than had any kind of a civil conversation, and after I got the center chair it caused a bigger rift, so the kids are going to stay with her near Calgary."

"Sorry too hear that."

"It's all good in truth, when I got command of the Tecumseh it meant a six month stint here at HQ plus numerous trips to the ship yards that would last for a few days at a time both of which she didn't like, so it started to become mutual, plus she's met someone and I think I'll step back and not contest the divorce when she files." Lucas said

"Damn!" was all John could say

"So why are you at the Bachelors quarters?" Lucas asked

"All nighter at the office, they keep a few of the units for us in the here for situations like this."

As the elevator slowed, "This is my stop." Lucas said "You heading for the tunnels?"

"Yeah, it's wy easier to get too the office from there." John said with a laugh "I'll see you around."

Lukas stepped out of the elevator and took a couple of steps where he met a rather anxious looking ensign was waiting, she walked forward "Captain, the Admiral is waiting for you in the private dining room, if you follow me please."

As Lukas walked the short distance he saw three men in suits and sunglasses keeping a close eye on him as they walked down the hall, as they approached Lukas saw the Admiral with a drink in hand as he walked in, "Lukas! welcome." The admiral said, the scars on his face and discolored eye made him stand out in a room,

"Admiral, good too see you again sir." Lukas said shaking hands.

"Thank you ensign, could we have the room for a few minutes before lunch." The Admiral said almost as a polite order. After the lower ranked individuals left "How goes the mission prep for Tecumseh?"

"We're a couple of days ahead of schedule, which helps with the filling of officer slots." Lukas said as he took a drink from the Admiral, "how goes the search to fill them?"

"The lists are fairly long so thinning out the final list is going slowly, I've narrowed down the chief engineer slot too three, most of the others are down too the top five except medical, all I've found is junior docs who don't have the experience I want let alone have the skill set for what's coming next."

"If you need some extra names I can shake the tree." the Admiral said.

"Thanks, but I think I'll stick too the normal means for now, Have you spoken too Dennis since the funeral?" Lukas asked,

"No, last time I saw him he was at the bottom of a bottle living outside of Vegas." The Admiral said, "I think he's living in a shack in the ruins of the old city truthfully."

"I haven't seen a few of the old gang since Ryan's funeral." Lukas said "Did you speak to his widow since?"

"I saw her about a month ago, She's doing fine." he said "The oldest kid wants to apply to Starfleet like his dad."

"So now that we're past the chit-chat, what's going on?" Lukas asked

"The Madison missed it's check in, when we dispatched the Yellowstone to follow up it was found destroyed an no clear indicators to why." The Admiral started "Her last location puts her near the rumored gateway." he paused taking a drink "Columbia found the other one they're initial report confirms that the ISC are all extinct."

"So where does this start for me?" Lukas asked "I assume there's a mission involved."

"Yes, Check in at starbase 53, take on remaining staff and depart for the gateway and head for the region of space they inhabited, the reserve crew can help with the trip there if push comes to shove." The Admiral said as they took their seats, "Columbia is due back in a few days I'll forward their reports."

"What should we expect?"

"That's the question I'd like answered." The admiral said as they accepted their meals "You're taking the lead on the next phase pf the investigation."

"It's hard to believe the Interstellar Concordium just got wiped out, was it the borg?"

"Not certain." he said as he dug into his meal.

"I'll make plans for a departure shortly, anyone who signs on will have to depart in forty eight hours." Lukas said.

"Sorry about the rush but if there's a new player on the table we need to know." The admiral said.

End

RSS Feed