Your mission, should you choose to accept it...

Posted on Thu May 14th, 2026 @ 11:44pm by Commander Scarlet Blake & Vice Admiral Hiroshi Takahaya

1,080 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Mission 1: Behind the Curtain
Location: USS Fenrir - Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: En Route

ON:

It was amazing how the hum of an engine could make a place seem more like home.

More real.

Blake glanced around her Ready Room, now a lot more personalised than when she'd received it.

A real oil painting of the Fenrir, flying through the vibrant swirls of a nebula, was hung on the wall behind her desk.

A model of the ship was encased on a small pedestal in the corner, with a matching case for the model of a traditional Viking ship.

Shelves held keepsakes that Scarlet had collected during her career, including rocks, fossils, gifts, even a ceremonial knife.

A bowl of colourful succulents and crystals had been set in the middle of the coffee table by the sofa.

And her desk held a framed picture of her daughter along with a drawing she'd made especially for the prized position.

But for all of that, it had only truly felt 'right' once the ship was underway and she could feel the hum of the engine under her feet.

Taking a seat at her desk, Blake tapped the control to open the communication channel with Admiral Hiroshi Takahaya. "Sir."

"Captain Blake," Takahaya gave her a small nod as he watched her. His dark hair was tied back and his eyes were calm, a small smile curling his lips that softened his features. "I hope that all is well on the Fenrir?"

"Perfectly," Blake assured, a hint of amusement pulling at her lips. She should hope so, considering how little time the ship had been in her hands. "We are en route to the heading you gave us..." she left the comment open ended, clearly expecting him to fill in the rest now that they were underway.

"Yes," Takahaya said, letting it hang in the air for a moment. "I am sending over a file for you. It covers the USS Brahma's first contact with the planet Apsloe. It's a warp-capable planet...however, despite the fact that there has been a First Contact, we do not have much on them. They were described as...interesting, engaging...and suspected to have longer lives than most humanoids. However...that has not been verified. Your mission is to go as Second Contact. Learn about them. See if they are interested in opening up trade with the Federation. Possibly more in the future."

Blake nodded slowly as she took the words in, glancing to her screen as it beeped with the arrival of the files. "Why is the First Contact report so limited?" she asked lightly. She was careful not to let her tone sound critical of another crew...but it was unusual to return from a First Contact with so little to go on.

"That is what Starfleet HQ asked Captain Seran...who admitted that he did not know," Takahaya said as he watched her on the screen. "He surmised that the away team might have gotten distracted by the beauty of the planet. I know the Captain, he has a good head on his shoulders."

Blake slowly leant back in her seat as she watched him with a glint of calculation in her eyes. She decided that she believed him. He wasn't the kind of officer that played games. But while she was sure that Takahaya trusted this Captain Seran...she had no idea who he was so would take that suggestion with a pinch of salt. Distracted by the beauty? She wouldn't even accept that from a cadet, let alone a captain. "They must have been desperate for shoreleave..." she finally replied dryly.

"Yes," he gave a small nod, watching her for a long moment. "I am hoping that your crew will give us some more information on the inhabitants of Apsloe. Their technology, their culture...to find out if we are going to be a future ally, potentially seeing if they would be interested in joining the Federation."

Scarlet nodded with understanding. That was usually the aim of all contacts, one way or another. It was why Captain's Seran's sparse report was so unusual. From what she had skimmed over so far, his report offered nothing of use in assessing future relationships with the people of Apsloe. "You'll have your answers, Admiral," she assured.

"Good," he said with a small nod, watching her closely. "Send all data you gather to me. I'll be your liaison with Starfleet HQ for your first mission...call it part of the service," a smile came to him, a playful glint in his eyes. Truth was, he had requested it. He always did, when he paired a new ship with a new Captain.

Blake's eyes shone with recognition that shifted to sharp humour. She arched an eyebrow, tapping a finger patiently against the arm of her chair. "Are you...evaluating me, Admiral?" she asked, her voice surprisingly soft despite the boldness of her words.

"No," he said openly before he shook his head. "But part of what I like to do is to be there for a Captain's first...mission. Even if it is on the other side of a subspace message. Someone you can talk to if you need to, without the red tape."

Now *that* Blake wasn't quite so sure she believed. But either way, she could hardly blame him. She'd likely do the same if she was in his position. "I will let you know as soon as we have anything to report."

"Good," Takahaya gave her a firm nod before he took a deeper breath. "I wish you the best success for your mission. Captain Blake."

"Appreciated. Blake out," she leant forward to tap the comm closed, pausing in a moment of silence to consider what he had said.

What could make a Captain leave a First Contact with only a few lines and a couple of pictures to show for it? And without so much as a decent excuse.

Blake sighed, shaking her head as she focussed on the files he had sent over. The little there was of them, at any rate. The more she read, the more she realised that this so called Second Contact would be virtually starting from scratch. Still, she would make sure to familiarise herself with the few details they had.

And hopefully, they wouldn't have to rely on those best wishes of Takahaya.

OFF:


Vice-Admiral Hiroshi Takahaya
Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards
(PNPC Hanlon)

Commander Scarlet Blake
Commanding Officer
USS Fenrir
(PNPC Blake)

 

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