Captain Kirok Skyrunner and his wife, First Officer Captain Sophia Rodriguez arrived at the Bridge on the USS Carlsbad, for their second official mission from Starfleet Command. The turbolift doors opened to a busy bridge crew making last minute adjustments before departure. Lieutenant Commander Tom Bradley spotted the Captain’s and announced.

“Captain’s on the Bridge.”

The Bridge crew stopped what they were doing and stood at attention, giving respect to the heroes of the ship and among the Federation. Captain Skyrunner stepped out of the turbolift and headed for his command chair.

“As you were. Departure stations,” Kirok ordered, as he sat down and tapped on the arm side console for a ship status report.

The senior officers took their stations and did a systems check.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Lisa Nguyen, seated at the helm, reported.

“Helm and navigation are fully operational, Captain.”

Lieutenant Commander Tom Bradley reported next from the Tactical station.

“Weapons and shields are fully operational, with a full complement of photon torpedoes. Security teams are standing by.”

Assistant Chief Engineer, Lieutenant Commander Flummex Vael, turned in his chair at the Engineering station.

“Warp and impulse engines are fully operational. Auxiliary and emergency power on stand by. All primary systems look good. Secondary and emergency systems standing by.”

Lieutenant Commander Soraya Amara, Chief Science Officer, reported from her Sciences station.

“All ships’ sensors and scanners are ready sir. Science teams are eager to explore…as am I, Captain.”

Captain Skyrunner smiled at that last part.

“So am I, Lieutenant Commander. So am I.”

Ensign Wayne Bradley, filling in for Commander Aramis Lionel, at Operations, reported.

“Ship operations fully functional, sir.”

Ship’s Counselor, Lieutenant Junior Grade Elara Vonn, who was sitting on the Captain’s left, reported.

“The crew appears to be eager and ready to start this mission, sir.”

First Officer Sophia Rodriguez, after circling the bridge and giving her report, sat on Kirok’s right and looked at him with a smile.

“The ship is ready to start her new mission, Captain.”

Kirok smiled back at her, then glanced at Tom.

“Hail Starbase 72 Spacedock control and request permission to depart.”

Lieutenant Commander Bradley nodded and tapped commands into his console. He waited a few seconds, then his console started beeping.

“Captain, Starbase spacedock control has granted our request. Thirty seconds for space doors to open.”

“Thank you Tom. Helm, thrusters ahead. Port and starboard at station keeping.”

The USS Carlsbad, a massive starship, slowly emerged from its dormant state, its massive engines rumbling to life as it began to move forward. The huge space doors, which had been sealed for what felt like an eternity, slowly opened, revealing the vast expanse of space beyond.

Captain Skyrunner, a slightly seasoned young starship commander, sat in his command chair, his eyes fixed intently on the view screen. His face was a mask of determination, his jaw clenched in resolve. This was the moment they had been training for, the moment they had been preparing for, the moment they hoped for.

The ship’s slow movement belied the tension building inside. The crew was on edge, every sense heightened as they waited for the ship to clear the safety of the hangar. The sound of the engines grew louder, a low rumble that vibrated through the ship’s hull.

As the USS Carlsbad cleared the doors, the stars ahead seemed to stretch out like a canvas of diamonds, the blackness of space unfolding like an endless sea. Captain Skyrunner’s gaze never wavered, his eyes locked on the target ahead.

“Captain, we’re clear,” Lisa announced from the navigation console.

Captain Skyrunner’s grip on the armrests tightened.

“Alright, let’s do this,” he said, his voice low and steady. “Helm, set course for the last known reported location of Commander Lionel and Chief Catersha’s runabout. Warp 5. Engage.”

Lisa tapped in the commands into her helm control and the ship responded. Its engines surged to life as it accelerated forward, hurtling into the unknown. The stars ahead began to blur, the ship’s speed increasing exponentially as it set a course for its destination.