Paris France, Europe, United Earth – 0730 local time

The morning rays filter through the window of Lt. Commander Thibodeau’s apartment in Paris. Geneviéve (Genny to most everyone who knew her) yawned and began to stretch. She was not ready for the day to begin, especially because she finally had a chance to sleep in. Suddenly, her home communication system began beeping, and Genny sighed in frustration. There went any chance she had of actually getting some more sleep. Sleepily, she sat up and grabbed the chiming PAAD. She had a message from one of her SJA’s – Lt. Rachel Wilcox, from Mars Colony. Slowly getting out of bed, she pressed open on the message to play it.

“Hey Genny, it’s Rachel from Qo’nos…I know you’re on vacation on Earth right now, but I have a message from a certain Commander Pearse; she says she wants to talk with you about a potential new assignment. She just left a message for you to contact her. Let me know if I should forward her details to you.”

Genny blinked. The name Pearse rang a distant bell; one that brought pleasant memories of 3 am cramming sessions and weekend parties during law school; but she shook her head. There was no way it was her law bestie. Still, her curiosity was peaked.

After doing for her morning routine, she once again put on the uniform and sat in front of the terminal on her dining room table. A screen popped up, with the new message from Lt. Wilcox, with more of the details. Tapping on the holographic keyboard, she opened comms with this Commander Pearse, secretly hoping it was Siobhan.

Starbase 86, Βeta Quadrant – 0825 Zulu (21:25 local time)

Siobhan stretched as she walked back to her quarters, having just finished a round of tennis. It had been an intense round, but despite the aches she was happy she had done it. As she walked into her quarters, she hopped into the sonic shower and put on her uniform. It had been a little over a week since she had been promoted to Commander and assigned as First Officer of the Melbourne, serving directly under Captain Oteng. He had placed her in charge of personnel decisions and recommendations, and so far, it was a slow process. For the Ops Chief, Captain Oteng wanted a JAG officer to replace Siobhan, and she already had the replacement in mind: Genny Thibodeau. Back in law school, both Siobhan and Genny had been really close, working together on all their classes and actually helping each other stay sane. After they both graduated, they had been assigned to different sectors and had gradually lost touch. It wasn’t until after Capt. Oteng had asked her to find another JAG officer that she remembered Gen. Looking her up on the terminal, she saw that Genny was working as Lead SJA at the Federation Embassy in Qo’nos and had left a message for her there.

The console at her desk had begun to chime, indicating she had a comms request. After fixing her collar, she tapped on the console, and nearly squealed with delight as she saw Genny for the first time since their graduation.
“LAW BESTIE!!!” Siobhan squealed as her smile broadened on excitement. “Gen, so good to see you after all these years. How are you doing? What’s up?”
Genny laughed, also squealing “LAW BESTIE” with delight.
The two spent the next hour catching up on cases and sharing details about what they all had done. Genny was jealous Siobhan had deployed on a starship and had been out in deep space; but at the same time she was happy for her friend.
“Okay, so what did you call Qo’noS for, Kenzie? It couldn’t have been to catch up…at least not from the tone Rachel used.”
“You’re right, it wasn’t just a catch up. Well, okay maybe it was…what do you know?” Siobhan retorted playfully, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
Genny just rolled her eyes, smiling. “Come on Kenz, what do you have? Enough with the hemming!”
“Okay, okay. How would you like to work on a starship with me?”
“Say what? What are you talking about?”
“So…the CO of the Melbourne is looking for a JAG officer with prosecution experience to fill the position of Chief of Operations…and I want to nominate you. You’d be working under me, and basically in charge of the ops of the starship.”
“Kenz, I’m a lawyer, not an operations gal. You know this.”
“I know…but the Melbourne’s mission isn’t normal. It’s centered around law and order. Most of the things you’ll be doing is overseeing the law side of things. Trust me, I did it for two years. It’s right up your alley.”
“I don’t know Kenz…it sounds like out of my comfort zone…”
“Come on Gen, we talked about this…dreamed every day to be working on a starship together being the kick-ass duo we were in law school.”
Genny smiled at Siobhan’s invocation of memory. Admittedly, it sounded like a lot of fun.
“Alright. I’ll accept if you’re offering the position.” Genny said with a nod and smile.
Siobhan squealed with delight. “Awesome! I’ll let Captain Oteng know. He’ll want to interview you himself, but I’ll highly recommend you.”
“Alright. By the way, you know I’m on vacation in Paris, right?”
“Paris…ah yes. The city of politicians and bureaucracy…what’s to love again?” Siobhan smiled, teasing her best friend.
“Shut up! Paris is amazing and practically perfect in any way.” Genny said with a sly smile, shaking her head at her bestie’s provocations.

The two spent a few more hours talking before closing the comms line, exchanging actual contact info directly so they didn’t lose touch again.

Two weeks later
Starbase 86 – 0845 Zulu (21:45 local time) 

Genny fiddled with her collar as she waited by the office for Captain Oteng; it was her final meeting with him where she would find out if she was actually going to be assigned to the position onboard the Melbourne. She had already gone through two rounds, the first with a panel that included Captain Oteng, Commander Pearse, and Lt. Commander Vaughn (collectively the leadership team of the USS Melbourne); then a second round with just Captain Oteng. That one had been a really grueling one, as Captain Oteng had grilled her harder than Professor Real in Civil Procedure. She had managed to actually impress him as she didn’t break under pressure, but there was a moment in the interview where she wanted to rush to the bathroom and cry.

The doors slid open, and Commander Pearse stepped out.
“Hey Gen, good to see you.” she said as she embraced Genny.
“Good to see you too, Kenzie. What’s the word?”
Siobhan gave her a sly smile. “Come on in and find out, Gen.”
She nodded and followed her into the room.

Captain Oteng stood as Genny walked in.
“Bonjour, Capitaine de corvette, c’est un plasir. Asseyez-vous, sil’vous plait. (Good day, Lieutenant Commander, it’s a pleasure. Please have a seat.).”
“C’est un plasir, Capitaine de vaisseau. Merci. (It’s a pleasure, Captain. Thank you.).”
“Let’s begin. Lieutenant Commander Thibodeau, your credentials impressed me; to recap: you started at the Academy at 17, and you are currently in charge of the JAG station at the Federation Embassy in Qo’noS. My leadership team was appropriately impressed, and of course, Commander Pearse has been singing your praises any chance she gets. You and I had a delightful conversation, both in English and French; though I know I was a bit…tough on you. I trust that there was no lasting emotional trauma?” Captain Oteng smiles kindly and mischievously as he finishes his sentence.
“No, sir. It was a good interview. I hadn’t been grilled that hard since CivPro…but I trust I did okay.”
“You did better than ok; you did fabulously!” Captain Oteng smiles brightly. “Lieutenant Commander, as CO of the USS Melbourne, I would like to officially extend the position to you of Chief of Operations. You would have leave for a week to get your affairs in order, then I would ask you to report back here at Starbase 86 for deployment.”
Genny sat in her chair, barely able to contain her excitement as Siobhan beamed at her. “Sir, I would be honored to join the Melbourne.”
“Excellent. I will run this by Command for final approval, expect your orders to come through in about 3 days. I look forward to seeing you onboard.” Captain Oteng stands and extends his hand towards her. Siobhan and Genny both stand, and after shaking his hand, Captain Oteng leaves the room and the two officers celebrate together.
“The dynamic-law duo back together again!” Genny squeals out as she hugs Siobhan. “Thank you Kenzie!! I’m so excited!!”
“Me too!! You’re going to love it. Anyways, I’ll see you in a week?!”
“Yes ma’am!!” 

The two left, and after one last hug, the two went their separate ways.

One week later
Starbase 86 – 0855 Zulu (21:55 local time)

Genny stood at the entrance of the spacebridge, waiting for her credentials to get verified and actually board the Melbourne. The Nebula-class ship filled the windows as she sat docked, like a grey beast waiting to escape its moorings. She was excited to board her first starship assignment, not having been in space since her first four years at the Academy.
“Next!” The security officer called as the line inched forward. Genny stepped in front of the officer.
“Name?”
“Lt. Commander Geneviève Annette Thibodeau. Chief of Operations.”
“Lt. Commander Thibodeau…Thibodeau…Thi…ah. There you are. Orders please?”
She silently handed him the PAAD that contained the official transfer orders, issued by Command.
“The orders have been authenticated. Place your hand here.” He indicates to the DNA scanner.
She does so, and the computer beeps twice.
“Excellent, Lt. Commander, welcome aboard the Melbourne. The officer inside will assign you your quarters. Next!”
“Thank you, Petty Officer.” Genny picks up her space bag and belongings, and walks through the glass spacebridge, taking a moment to admire the size of the Nebula-class starship as she walks through. On the other end, a crewman wearing the Special Services uniform stands with a PAAD.
“Name?” he asks as she comes in front of him.
“Lt. Commander Genny Thibodeau.”
“Ah yes. Your quarters are on Deck 3. Because you are a Lieutenant Commander, you will have your own quarters. Deck 3, Room 3-6221A.”
“Thank you Crewman.”
Genny walks to the nearest turbolift, and takes it up to the 3rd deck. After entering her quarters, Genny twirled, then laid on the bed, excited to finally be onboard.