The Final Voyage of the Cavalier? (Part I)

Posted on Thu Mar 16th, 2023 @ 9:17am by Commodore Peter Murphy & Cadet Senior Grade Daniel Weaver & Cadet Senior Grade Meghan Stefani & Cadet Junior Grade Saskia de Jager & Cadet Junior Grade Shafin Todenhöfer & Commander Hotaru Nakagawa & Lieutenant Commander Vladimir Borovich
Edited on on Thu Mar 16th, 2023 @ 9:25am

1,124 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: The Cadet Cruise
Location: Cavalier Bridge/Captain's Ready Room

ON

It was time for the Cavalier to head out on its final cruise. Feelings were mixed as the senior officers and the cadets checked their stations for departure.

Lieutenant Commander Vladimir Borovich had chosen Meaghan to be on the bridge with him. She was nervous and excited at the same time. But she was confident in her ability to man the science station for this first part of their journey. At least she wouldn't have to do anything she hadn't learned in class. At least, she wouldn't, as long as it was routine.

Cadet Junior Grade de Jager let out a breath as she looked around. Being on the bridge was a big deal, and she went through all the checks in her mind, whispering quietly under her breath each step taking by the Flight Control Officer. It wasn't just letting the computer go to the coordinates, because a computer would want to go from A to B fastest. And unless there was a planet in the way, or a larger object, someone had to be there to make sure nothing came in the way. Or, if something came in the way, you had to change course to avoid it. She was pretty confident a computer could handle it, but you still had actual people doing it because could take a lot into account that a computer couldn't.

Meghan looked around at the other cadets on the bridge, grateful she wasn't the only one who seemed to be going over launch protocols.

"Are you ready?" Commander Borovich asked, his normally dour expression softening at the cadet’s concentration.

"Yes, sir," Meghan said after looking over the controls again.

"Good. Now, prepare the station for launch."

Science didn't need to do much, fortunately. It only took Meghan a minute to ensure that everything was ready. She looked up at the commander, who nodded his approval.

"Cadet de Jager," Commander Nakagawa said from the Helm, closing his eyes with annoyance. "If you're going to say all the steps, you may as well do it." He stood, meeting her eyes for a long moment. "Sit. Show me what you've learned. Do the flight checks."

"Sir..." Saskia swallowed, before a look of determination came to her. She sat down, her hands touching the console for a moment, almost in a prayer. Please be gentle, she thought, before she started the pre-flight checks from the beginning, acutely aware he was watching over her shoulder.

Shafin tried his best to just stay out of the way. In training to potentially become a Ship's Counselor at some point, field observations were a necessary requirement for his academic plan. This included watching the crew, especially his fellow cadets as they manned stations or learned.

[Captain's Ready Room]

Commander Murphy stood behind his desk, arms behind his back, looking toward the Cadet in front of him. "Cadet, this is the beginning of a long road for you. As Captain of this ship, it is your duty, to remain steadfast. Your mission is to accomplish whatever task is in front of you by using the crew, the team, that is around you. Your fellow officers are there to take your orders and help you to complete those tasks. You must be prepared to give those orders and stand by them. Understood, Cadet?"

Cadet Weaver, Daniel, stood at attention. His hands behind his back and eyes locked forward. He heard what his Commanding Officer, his father, was saying and he understood. However, it was hard to not hear just another speech. He just nodded his head in agreement and remained quiet. Daniel just wanted to go through the sendoff and join up with Meghan later.

Commander Murphy looked at him intently before walking around his desk. "Cadet... Daniel... I know you didn't ask to be here, but this will help your career in Starfleet. Your mother, and I, only want to see you succeed. We know you can handle this, that its within your capability. You have the skills and knowledge to be a great leader, you just need a good push sometimes."

"Permission to speak freely, Sir?" Daniel replied, his eyes focused on the wall ahead of him.

"Granted." Murphy nodded his head, letting out a bit of a sigh.

Daniel let out a breath and finally focused on the Commander. "It didn't feel like a push, Sir. It was more of a shove. I understand that you want me to be some great Captain, but I was completely fine getting there at my own speed. And Mom..." He scoffed slightly, shaking his head a bit. "Mom would be fine with me moving at my own speed. She wouldn't make that decision for me without asking me if it was okay."

"Your mother would have left it to the Profits."

"No, Dad. Not to the Profits. To me. She would have left it to me." Daniel counted firmly. Stopping for a moment to take a deep breath. "There is a reason I joined the Academy with her last name and not yours. Because, I know, your name would have opened doors I didn't want opened. I wanted to make it on my own two feet."

Commander Murphy nodded his head, as a heavy sigh escaped him, before clearing his throat. "I understand, Daniel. Really I do and... I'm proud of you for doing that. I mean that." He took a step toward him and slowly placed on hand on his shoulder. "A part of me wanted you here because I wanted to spend some time with you."

Daniel looked at him, the expression on his face still, before replying softly. "After all this time, Dad, why does it take a Cadet Tour for you to want to spend some time with me?"

Commander Murphy looked into his eyes and slowly eased his hand off. He didn't reply, because he felt no matter what he said, there was no good respond to his question. He just took a step back and nodded, remaining silent.

After a few seconds, Daniel focused back on the wall, before straightening up again. "Will that be all, Sir?"

"Yes Cadet." The Commander replied, clearing his throat. "We have a cruise to begin. I'll meet you on the bridge. "Dismissed."

"Yes Sir." Daniel replied as he turned around and headed toward the door leading to the bridge.

(To be continued...)

Cadet Senior Grade Meghan Stefani
Science

Cadet Junior Grade Saskia de Jager
Flight Control

Commander Nakagawa
Chief Flight Control

Lieutenant Commander Vladimir Borovich
Chief Science Officer

Cadet Junior Grade Shafin Todenhöfer
Counselor

Commodore Peter Murphy
Commanding Officer

Cadet Senior Grade Daniel Weaver
Command

 

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