Njessa settled in the Captain’s chair, it was time.   It felt so good to be back here in command, where she was meant to be.  When she first joined Starfleet, command seemed so distant, just doing her job in Operations was enough.  But A’rea had nurtured her potential, showed her that she had what was needed for command.  After far too long, here she was ready for another journey, another opportunity to help the Federation.  It was a good feeling.  Surrounded by a new ship and a new crew, so much potential, they would do great things together.

“Shipwide broadcast,” she said.  “Crew of the Tanjura, this is Captain Ajzure, we are about to embark on our shakedown cruise.  A chance to get to know the ship and each other and then we will begin the next stage of our mission, exploration.  Starfleet and I ask that you do your best and rest assured, I will do my best for you.  Captain out.”

She looked around at her bridge crew and command staff.

Kyle stood near the side of the Bridge, a small smile unable to leave his face, with his hands clasped behind his back, to stop his excited fidgeting. So many firsts after so many years on Earth, he’d forgotten how awe-inspiring it was to see others in their element. As fellow crew members got the ship ready for takeoff, at their stations full of multi-colored screens and buttons as he felt the ship start to rumble with the feeling of life; of travel and exploration laid ahead before them.

He noticed Captain Ajzure looking around, “Looks like it’s finally go time, hope nobody forgot something at home.” He said in a light joking tone.

Jason stood with his hands moving across the console doing his last minute checks for shakedown.  Although he had trained for hours at the Academy, nothing truly could prepare you for the moment you embarked on your first official mission, even though this was a routine running of the ship.  Reviewing the tactical systems beneath his fingers, quickly adjusting a few of the buttons to accommodate the way he wanted the station to be laid out.  The security and tactical crews had been running various drills in order to be prepared for their shakedown.  Although most of them were learning the ship, it had been a positive experience.  Looking over at the Captain Jason nodded slightly, in acknowledgement of the Captain’s ship wide message.

Tomaasz’ tail swept serenely back and forth as he made minute adjustments to the engineering console. The last of the petty technical glitches had been tracked down mere hours ago, but he had faith in his team. In the short time he had known them, he had taken their measure. They were solid, if inexperienced. Whatever came their way, they would handle it. And anything they could not, he would. This new beginning, this last chance, it would work. He would not let it fail.

Shaking off his heavy thoughts, he took in the mild tension on the bridge. Normal pre-op jitters, mostly eager anticipation. Kyle had the right idea, throwing in a bit of levity. The Caitian essayed a small joke of his own. “Didn’t leave the replicator running, did you, Counselor?”

“Depends on if I have to go and catch it.” Giving the Caitain a wink, he was certain he could feel Ensign Irkthel rolling their four eyes next to him.

Resuming his serious demeanor, he turned to the Captain. “All systems nominal. This tough little lady is ready to show us what she can do.”

—-

En’ves caught the Captain’s announcement on the way to the shuttlebay, having felt the need for a final check on the Kamryl. He almost sighed at the optimistic words that came over the commlink. It was the same outlook he’d once had. It reminded him of why he fell in love with xenoarchaeology in the first place. That raw passion for the unknown, the thrill of discovery. But he wasn’t here for thrills this time.

Entering the bay, he caught the gaze of a young crewman, who quickly looked away when their eyes met. Whispers about him had spread through the ship, his reputation, his groundbreaking ‘discoveries.’ The familiar pang of guilt gnawed at him, but for the first time in years, it was overshadowed by a budding optimism. The mission was finally moving forward, and so was he. From now on, it was do or die.

As he keyed open the shuttle’s airlock, he focused his mind on one simple, overpowering thought: I will set this right. No matter the cost.

—-

Roj cycled through the checks.  “We have permission from Esquimalt Station to depart.  We are to avoid the areas seven by nine by nine due to an ongoing science experiment.”

“Yes, something to help with transport of supplies,” said Njessa.  “But you can maneuver around it, yes?”

“Of course, Captain,” Roj said with a smile.  “With your permission?”

“Impulse until we are clear of the station then take us to warp.  Let us take flight, Lieutenant,” said Njessa.

“On it.” said Roj, the engines thrummed as the Tanjura pulled away from the station.

Swiping his fingers over the console, adjusting the sensors to scan in alignment with their current course.  Jason scanned through all teams reporting and checking in throughout the ship at their stations.  Redirecting a few teams to cover additional areas, he stood looking forward, as the ship began the voyage.

“All impulse systems working,” said Roj, “bringing her up to full impulse.”

Njessa reviewed the systems from her central position.  “S I G,” she said quietly.

“Message from Equismalt Station, Ma’am,” said Ensign Irij Savoi, the Andorian acting as communications officer.

“Relay it, Ensign,” said Njessa.

“The message is: Safe journeys,” said Irij.

Njessa laughed.  “Hopefully the universe is listening.”

“Ready to go to warp, Captain,” said Roj.

“Fly!” said Njessa.

The acceleration was smooth as the warp field enveloped the Tanjura.  Njessa leaned back in her chair as the ship sliced through the shallows, the brilliant white lines of starlight giving way to the deep azure of subspace, then to an open, smoothly rushing sky.

Unexpectedly, Lieutenant V’Rea spoke up from her station at the ops console. “Captain, I’m detecting anomalous readings. There’s an unexpected disturbance in local subspace.”

“Details?” asked Njessa.

V’Rea’s face was a mask of Vulcan calm, even as she sought an explanation for the warning indicators flashing across her console. “Uncertain at this moment, but it appear to be a rapid destabilization.”

Tomaasz’s ears flattened back at the readings on his console. “Warp coils show an increasing cyclic fluctuation. Pattern is entering synchronization with the disturbance.” His hands worked feverishly at the controls, claws partially extending. “Unable to compensate for the fluctuations.”

Slapping his combadge, he exclaimed “Verrez! Full shutdown on the warp engines! Now, before–”

The acceleration increased, suddenly, it was a physical pressure across everyone.  “On it!” shouted Roj, his hands flying over the controls.  “We are hitting slipstream levels of acceleration, trying to . . .”

His next words were inaudible as a second, more powerful wave struck the Tanjura. The entire ship shuddered and a bank of controls went up as the main inertial dampers went offline, throwing the crew against emergency restraints.