T minus 48 hours and counting

Posted on Fri Jul 5th, 2019 @ 4:35pm by Lieutenant Commander William Rogers

Mission: Getting To Know You
Location: Starbase 357 / USS Astraea

Bill stood at the view port next to the docking tether which linked the Astraea to the starbase and looked out at the ship. His air force duffel sat at his feet. He'd lost track of the amount of time he'd been stood there, watching the choreography of the stardock and marvelling at the sheer scope of progress which amazed him even to this day, but it had clearly been enough to raise the suspicion of the nearby security.

"Something the matter, sir?"

The question carried with an undercurrent of warning that compliance was expected.

"Just enjoying the view." Bill replied as he turned and handed the guard the PaDD containing his transfer orders.

The guard, an ensign from the look of the pips on his collar, perused the orders before handing it back. "Quite something, isn't she?" The tone was far more comradely this time.

Bill chuckled. "I was thinking she looks a bit like a flying saucer." Certainly more like what he pictured spaceships looking like when he was a kid that the other starships he'd served on.

"I'm not sure I follow, sir."

Bill shook his head. oO Perhaps no-one calls them that anymore? Oo

"Is it true the class is named after the japanimation?"

Again he received a blank look from the ensign.

"Akira? The move? C'mon, you know..." Bill spread his arms and shouted "Kaneda!"

The ensign looked around sheepishly. Fortunately for them the few other people making their way through this part of the starbase either hadn't heard, or were studiously pretending that they hadn't.

"No?" A short resigned laugh escaped Bill's mouth. "Must have been before your time."


Speaking of time, it dawned on Bill that he'd put off reporting for duty long enough. There was just time to drop off his bag before starting the round of reporting in that Starfleet had mandated he do on each posting as part of the terms of his admission to the academy. He bent down and hefted the duffel with one hand. "Time to clock in."