Heather nearly dropped the PADD she was reading while sitting on the couch in her personal quarters aboard Starbase 86. She had just completed her shift and had gotten notification of an urgent message as she entered her quarters. She had done the overnight shift switching with another shift supervisor to assist them with a family commitment. Heather believed in helping out others as often as possible it was good as a team player but also when favors needed to be returned. When she opened up the PADD and her inbox and saw that they were personnel orders she was astonished.

“Report to the Task Force Executive Officer for assignment to command,” she read aloud. “Report to the TFXO for assignment to command,” she repeated, shortening the title to its abbreviation. “Command of what?” she wondered.  Heather stood from the couch and put the PADD down on the table and wished she’d be able to find out more but assumed that it was handled this way so that the surprise could be given in person and not through just some paper. But as of the moment she acknowledged the orders she would no longer be attached to Starbase 86 and she would need to begin the checkout procedure.

“Acknowledge the orders fool,” she chastised herself, as she picked the PADD back up and signed for their receipt. Heather was about to the PADD back down before she sent a quick message to her department head informing them of the orders she had and that she’d make contact with them as soon as she had time to begin checkout procedures. Then she looked around her room realizing that she would need to pack. Then she stopped herself and cleared her throat, her mind, and took a deep breath.

“You could have command of a group of runabouts or something silly, you’re getting ahead of yourself girl,” she told herself, out loud. After all there was nothing wrong with taking to yourself if you didn’t start answering… “Drink of water, fresh uniform, see the Task Force Executive Officer,” Heather said, giving herself instructions as she walked toward the replicator to get herself the water she’d made step one.

“For assignment to command,” she said to herself, as she replicated the water and took a drink.

Lieutenant Heather Kowal entered the office of the Task Force Executive Officer aboard Starbase 86. She had changed into her fresh uniform and enjoyed some caffeine on her way over. She carried a padd in her left hand and told the XO’s assistant that she was there to see her. She gave her name and stood against the bulkhead near some chairs that were a waiting room but she was feeling too anxious to sit. She looked at her watch stopping momentarily to take notice of the yellow uniform wondering if this would be the last day she wore that color.

Francesca had been swamped with her duties making sure that Mek was not overloaded with work. She took a sip of her coffee and looked at her agenda. She saw that she had the privilege of giving Lieutenant Kowal her personal command. She had approved the command after looking at the impressive service record that Kowal held. She got a notification that the Lieutenant was waiting after telling her assistant to send Kowal in, Francesca straightened her uniform and stood preparing for the new guest. 

The door slid open and Franceesca motioned Kowal into the office. “Welcome Lieutenant, please take a seat. Can I get you something to drink?.”

“No thank you ma’am,” Heather said, moving toward the offered seat. “I had taken a few minutes for some caffeine before I came. I just got off shift,” she explained. She doubted that the Task Force Executive Officer was familiar with the Starbase schedule or cared but she really had nothing else to talk about with the officer who was very senior to her. She took the offered seat and smiled at the woman.

The curt reply was not what Francesca was expecting nor as a task force officer was it what she wanted from her officers. She wished that they would be more open with the senior staff instead of being intimidated by them. Natalya smiled nodding to Heather.

“Ahh yes I wasn’t sure if you would come right after your shift or after getting some sleep. Anyway I think you are wondering why I called you here. You have been selected to take command of a Diligent class frigate the USS Serenity.”

Her original statement was going to be how she didn’t want to keep her waiting but then her face lit up at the second part of the TFXO’s statement, “a diligent?” Heather asked, excitedly. She had been hoping to get command of a small vessel like the Defiant she XOed but this was even larger than what she’d expected. A Wallace, an Aquarius, a Defiant… but a Diligent?

“I’m honored to be selected for this command, ma’am,” she said, she almost shook with excitement as she processed this announcement.

Francesca smiled “It is well deserved! We have planned a ceremony, but I figured you would want to see the ship before the official ceremony and announcement is given.”

“When would the ceremony be?” she asked, standing up, eager to see the ship.

”As soon as myself and the Task Force Commanding Officer have the time. Should be this week or next.” Francesca said with assurance.

”Shall we go and take a look?” She said as she got up from her desk.

“I would love that,” Heather said, taking a deep breath as she felt her heart rate raise.

Nether stars twinkled from the deep beyond. Light, emitted from them hundreds, thousands or even millions of years ago splashed against the spaceframe that now hung in a steady orbit around Starbase 86’s meridian. She was a fine ship, or so said those who’d served aboard her. Sleek, with a low profile, she crouched and prowled along her path.

“We’ve been waiting on the right person for a while, now.” Mek looked away from the viewport towards Shilo. The Task Force 86 Operations Centre bustled behind them as the two officers prepared to leave for the transporter room. “But Kowal… She does have a damned strong dossier. Any last-minute objections, Captain Shilo?” He grinned.

Francesca nodded “I agree I think that Kowal is a good fit for the command,” she stated as they began to walk out of the Operations Center.

***

Mek’s white dress uniform creased at the elbow as he held up the PADD. The senior staff and a good few other members of the USS Serenity‘s crew stood around them in a semicircle, a burble of chatter spreading through them. Mek, and Shilo alongside a podium that had been hastily erected in the ship’s mess hall. Another officer, a young woman with a tumble of golden hair that fell about her shoulders, stood in front of them. Ten years out of the Academy, Heather Kowal was the picture of authority. Her stoic expression betrayed no nerves as Mek prepared to grant her what so many others had sought and competed for over the course of their careers.

“Ready?” His wrinkled crow’s feet bunched at the corners of his eyes as he looked towards Kowal.

“Yes sir, I am,” she said, with a nod. She felt strange like an imposter in her own dress uniform and while no stranger to being a part of the command team it was different being place in command. She thought that she’d be good to go when this day presented itself but as she learned in the time since she’d been given command about a week ago now that she wildly underestimated what it would be like.

“The Senior Staff and I have been working hard to prepare for this moment,” Heather said proudly, she then looked among her senior staff. A lingering look at the ship’s Command Master Chief before she turned her attention back to her Task Force Commander.

Mek gave a quick nod to Francesca; the signal for her to bring the room to attention.

Francesca nodded and proceeded to the podium that was in front of her. It had been a while since she had donned the white dress outfit, but she was always excited when the chance arose. She had a somewhat serious look on her face as she began to speak “Everyone please come to attention!”

As she finished the whole room went to attention the thrum echoed as they all complied in unison. She continued “And now without further ado I would like to introduce Task Force 86’s commanding officer Captain Mek.”

Mek had moved to stand next to Kowal, and now he looked to her, “Commander Kowal, I’d like to thank you on behalf of myself and Captain Shilo for inviting us aboard this fine ship. Your crew have done a standout job preparing her to get underway. On behalf of Task Force and Fourth Fleet Command, I wish you all the best in your future journeys and endeavours. There’s not a doubt in my mind that you’ll go forth and represent the aspirations of the Federation in all that you do. It therefore gives me great satisfaction to officially declare the USS Serenity returned to active duty.” He paused, surveying the officers and crewmen in front of him who stood ready to embark on perhaps their greatest journeys; a snapshot in time. Mek stifled a pang of jealousy, “Now, I believe Captain Shilo would also like to say a few words.”

Heather stood her heart beat increasing as the statement from her Task Force Commander continued on. She was prouder than she had ever felt and wished that her best friend had been able to be present but knew she could send her a recording later. She intended fully on demanding to watch her see the video so she could see her tear up. Kowal was going to thank the Task Force CO for the kind words but then as he turned it over to Shilo she decided that she would wait until the end for both.

Francesca stood and looked back at Kowal “There is not much that can be said that hasn’t already been said, but I will say that you deserve this and have worked hard for this moment. Congratulations Captain Kowal on your new ship the USS Serenity.” She extended her hand to Kowal.

Mek extended a hand to the new commanding officer, “Congratulations, Captain Kowal,” he beamed as applause spread throughout the mess hall.

“Thank you,” Heather said, “I appreciate and will be sure to repay the confidence held in my abilities as Commanding Officer of the USS Serenity,” she began. “While I have cut the line in gaining experience to hold this position I promise that you will never wonder if I maybe reached this position too soon. The Serenity will be a command that shines in each mission, supports the crew, and enables everyone aboard to have the magnificent opportunities that I’ve had in my short time in Starfleet. Welcome home to my new crew, and I look forward to getting underway for our first time together.”