Captain’s Log, Stardate 79501.37, First entry of Captain Arcadia Davidson-Garnier. The Vallejo’s systems are being brought online after review and repair following a distinguished term of service under her former Captain. We have a recommissioning ceremony scheduled for tomorrow and I will be honored to take command of this ship formally.

Commander Harold Barnes poked his head around the doorway of Ari’s new, plush captain’s quarters as she signed off.

“I’m not intruding am I?”

Her face lit up. “Harry!”

She stood up from the corner sofa and stepped over to embrace her old friend. The meetings over the past ten years had been intermittent, brief, all too short. She beckoned him to take a seat alongside her.

Ari smiled warmly at the man who was now set to be the XO of her first command. “It’s so good to see you. As soon as I saw your name on the list, well, I couldn’t quite believe my luck. I would have thought you would have had your own command by now with your experience and skills.”

He scratched the back of his head, a nervous tick that she had figured out after a few years of serving with him on the U.S.S. Sussex. “Well, you know how it is with me, I don’t rub up too well against the senior command staff, too head strong, too prone to temper tantrums, agh…”

Despite the nearly decade long age gap between them, the two had become fast friends, along with her late husband, Alexander. Harry was looking for any excuse to change the topic, and then he saw the photo on the nearby coffee table of the three of them together on leave and the nerves dissipated somewhat.

“You were never too far away from my thoughts. You and Alex were a rock for me. How are the kids?”

Ari was busy preparing antique china cups for her standard choice of tea, the Anastasia blend, flavoured with notes of bergamot, lemon, and orange. Harry passed on the kind offer for water instead, he was jumpy as is.

“They’re good. Will is at the academy, just shipped off to Starbase Bravo, keeping the fourth in the family it seems. Tessa is off doing recitals across Europe, and Jared-.”

“I understand he didn’t take it well, boarding for college.”

She placed the cup on the table. No he didn’t. The extended argument between the two and various smashed pieces of furniture caused great strain amongst the family. It took a great deal of effort for Will to keep the two from killing each other.

Harry leant forward slightly alongside her. “Are you ready for this Ari? It’s been a long time, but I can still see that it troubles you. Whatever I can do, I will do it. That’s why I’m here, but I won’t hesitate to challenge you if I think that is what’s necessary for the crew of this ship.”

She didn’t choke up, so many tears had been already spilt over the years, but it was also so many years that she longed to be back exploring the great unknown. With the kids now grown, the time was right.

“I appreciate it Harry.” She gathered up the cup, looked up at him and smiled. “Really, I do. I expect your utmost as I know you will always give, you always have done, and I expect your honest and forthright opinion if you feel I’m letting anything cloud my judgement.”

He leant back. “Well, at least when it comes to anything not relating to military operations. What have they got you doing diplomacy for?”

She chuckled slightly. “I feel like I owe it to Alex somewhat. It was always his calling, ultimately.” She sipped the tea. “It’s why we went back to Earth, but I could never do it outside of Starfleet you know. It’s in my blood.”

“Besides, the Vallejo is a prime assignment amongst these old Cali classes. I had a brief catch up with the last commanding officer of this vessel. A fine woman.” She leant back. “Starfleet needs us now, some of these officers are just kids, they need experienced heads above them to guide the way. Starfleet Command leaped at the chance to get me onboard to give them a trusted mentor in the field. Let’s be that for them, and they can help guide the way for the generation after them once we’re gone.”

Harry nodded. Arcadia was a tough cookie alright, and as strong a leader as he’d known during his time in service. They’d be fine, he just knew it, and she needed him there just as much as he needed her.

“Speaking of which Harry, I suppose it’s time to get down to business.” She planted the empty cup on the table and picked up a PADD. “Let’s take a look at those crew reports, I hear the helmsman is a particularly gifted fellow…”