New Faces, New Foundations
Posted on Mon Nov 3rd, 2025 @ 10:52pm by Captain Inara Valérian & Amelia Valke & Commander Isabella dei`Silvisi & Lieutenant Commander Shae Tyler & Lieutenant Larissa Baylor
1,499 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission: Ashes of Unity
The docking clamps released with a low mechanical rumble that reverberated through the decks of the USS Endeavour. Through the broad observation view port of the main airlock, the sleek hull of the USS San Carlos hung against the dark velvet of space, its registry lights glimmering like a constellation. The two star ships floated side by side, connected to each other by a docking corridor that connected the two ships. The method was usually traditionally reserved for emergency evacuation of a star ship, but due to the overwhelming number of transfers that the Endeavour faced, it had been deemed necessary to use the corridor.
Inara stood at the threshold of the docking corridor, her posture crisp and composed. Yet beneath the calm she felt the low thrum of anticipation. Crew transfers always carried a certain charge, the shifting of personalities, loyalties, and rhythms as well as a period of adjustment. Today marked the start of a new chapter for the Endeavour, and one that she hoped was for the best.
Isabella stood beside her commanding officer, her hands clasped behind her back and a PADD balanced neatly in one hand. She had a faintly skeptical look she often wore when logistics collided with chaos, or when the usual balance of duty and calm was interrupted. She wasn't sure why she was present, as she had already adjusted to her singular role as chief science officer. However, she had been asked to help oversee some of the transfers, so she had brushed up on the new arrivals as best she could. “There are three key transfers that are scheduled to board first,” Isabella murmured. “It made sense for them to all arrive together. They are the new department heads for Security and Tactical, Engineering, and Legal.”
Inara allowed herself a small smile. “Let’s hope they’re as efficient as the San Carlos’ transport schedule," she said as the airlock cycled with a hiss. The doors parted, and the first of the new officers stepped aboard.
Lieutenant Larissa Baylor carried herself with the discipline of a career officer as she crossed the airlock threshold first. Tall, poised, her dark hair pulled back into a precise braid. There was something unmistakably composed in her presence which included a Greek calm that did not hide the alertness in her eyes. She quickly spotted the captain and a commander wearing the teal of either science or medical, and braced to attention as soon as she was clear of the airlock. "Lieutenant Baylor, reporting for duty," she said, her crisp accent soft.
“Lieutenant Baylor,” Inara said warmly, extending her hand. “Welcome to the Endeavour. I trust your trip was uneventful?”
Larissa clasped the captain’s hand firmly. “Smooth, Captain, though I think my luggage took the scenic route through the transporter buffer.”
A flicker of humor softened Inara’s expression. “The first challenge of any new assignment is always reclaiming one’s personal effects from Starfleet logistics,” she said.
Behind Baylor came a tall man with tousled brown hair and the relaxed bearing of someone who’d spent too long near a warp core. Lieutenant Commander Shae Tyler offered a lopsided grin as he extended his hand. “Commander Tyler, reporting in from the San Carlos. I hear your girl here's a brand new ship of the advanced design. Can’t wait to meet her properly.”
Inara raised an eyebrow as she regarded the engineer. “You’ll find the Endeavour has a temperament of her own. Be gentle, she's still got that brand new ship smell and I'd like to try to avoid putting any scratches on her for a while.”
Shae chuckled. “Scratches give a ship character. Besides, I like a challenge.”
The final newcomer was less a stride than a measured entrance. Amelia Valke carried no uniform, only a dark civilian jacket that gave her the quiet authority of a woman who had once worn one. Her gaze moved with practiced calm and the kind of composure learned in courtrooms and crisis negotiations.
“Ms. Valke,” Inara greeted the civilian. “Welcome aboard. I appreciate you agreeing to this assignment on short notice.”
Amelia Valke inclined her head. “When the Federation Council asks for someone with a JAG background, it’s rarely for the easy assignments, Captain,” she said.
The civilian's words earned a subtle smile from Isabella, who had been quietly observing the exchanges. “You’ll find we specialize in difficult,” she said.
The group began moving together down the corridor, the steady hum of the Endeavour’s engines pulsing beneath their feet. The ship was alive again, with corridors full of movement, crew voices echoing through the decks as transfers and supply swaps continued between the two star ships. Inara quietly led the group through the worse of the chaos, and once they had turned down a quieter corridor did she speak again.
"Commander Tyler, I understand that you're familiar with the new systems on board the Endeavour," she said. "I'd like for you to oversee familiarization training with the engineering crew as quickly as possible. And, a full diagnostic of the ship board systems wouldn't hurt either."
"Of course, Captain," Shae said with a grin. "I actually helped design a few of the newer systems, so it shouldn't take long to see how she's running. If I recall right, she's only been out of spacedock for a little over a month, so that's long enough to see how everything's working. I'll get right on it," he finished before turning and heading off towards engineering.
Isabella raised her eyebrows at the engineer's obvious energy, but there was a hint of concern behind her expression as she watched the commander vanish down the corridor. Silently, she turned her attention back to the captain the the other new arrivals.
Inara caught the mixed expression from Silvisi but like the science officer she remained quiet. Instead, she turned her attention to the other new members of the crew. "Lieutenant, Miss Valke, our standing orders are to proceed to sector zero four seven zero and patrol along the Badlands. Starfleet is concerned about a new militant group that is apparently becoming more active throughout the region."
Amelia frowned briefly. "Captain, Starfleet, and the Federation in general for that matter, has no known interests in the region. Or at least, none that I'm aware of. Is there a reason other than rumors of terrorist activity that has Starfleet tasking it's newest deep space explorer to patrol this region?"
Inara inclined her head, mostly to assure the civilian of her sincerity. "None that I'm aware of," she replied. "I'm not that familiar with the area or the current political status of the region. I only know that Starfleet's orders indicate that there is a militant group that has become more active in the region. And while the Federation holds no interests in the region, a number of Federation and allied trade routes do cross through the area. I believe that this is mostly a show of force gesture more than anything serious."
Larissa tilted her head slightly to the side as she listened. "Going by the security reports I've read over the last few months, there have been a handful of freighters and a couple of transports that were attacked. But I don't think there was anything serious," she said.
"The Badlands has always been classified as a frontier region," Isabella added. "However, in addition to the trade routes, there is also the area's proximity to the Bajoran Sector."
Inara nodded and stopped before turning to face the other women. "That is a valid point," she said. "But we have our orders. Commander Silvisi, I want the most up to date maps the Federation Science Division has available on the Badlands. Lieutenant Baylor, I need the Endeavour's weapons and defensive systems checked and ready. I'd also check on the status of the security detachment. I'm hoping that we won't need them, but it never hurts to be ready."
Isabella gave the captain a still, slightly formal bow before she turned and headed to the nearest turbolift. She could check with the strategic operations center before she headed to astrophysics, and it always helped to be as thorough as possible.
Larissa nodded and braced to attention. "Yes, Ma'am," she said sharply before she turned and headed to find the security complex.
Inara turned to the civilian and offered a smile. "Miss Valke, I understand I can't technically issue you any orders at the moment, but I'd like to know if you can check through the diplomatic lines and see if there's anything you can find out for me," she said.
Amelia nodded. "I'll reach out to my contacts and see what I can find out," she said. "But it might take a bit longer to reach some of them. I don't use open communications for some of my sources."
Inara nodded and offered a knowing smile. "I understand," she said. "Thank you in advance, and welcome to the Endeavour."
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