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Randall Landers

December 2, 2295

To: Chekov, Pavel A., Captain, Commanding, U.S.S. Enterprise, NCC-1701-B
From: Davis, Lystra, Admiral, Commander-Starfleet
Stardate 9592.1

I. Effective immediately, Captain Chekov is hereby promoted to Fleet Captain, and given authority over the following vessels:

U.S.S. Enterprise, NCC-1701-B, heavy cruiser
Commander: Captain Pavel A. Chekov

U.S.S. Excelsior, NCC-2000, heavy cruiser
Commander: Captain Hikaru W. Sulu

U.S.S. Hyperion, NCC-10100, exploratory cruiser
Commander: To Be Determined

U.S.S. Chosin, NCC-2950, fast cruiser
Commander: Captain Shaun Kelsey

U.S.S. Hathaway, NCC-2593, fast cruiser
Commander: Captain Paul Freeman

U.S.S. Sargon, NCC-504, destroyer
Commander: Commander S’rall

U.S.S. Cooper, NCC-639, scout ship
Commander: Captain Xon

U.S.S. Al Rashid, NCC-3802, transport/tug
Commander: Captain Dawson Walking-Bear

II. Nature and duration of command:

Exploration of Beta Quadrant, broadening of Federation relations with non-aligned planet in same: 7 years

III. Your vessels will patrol the Beta Quadrant, beginning at Sector 30, and extending to the outer reaches of the galaxy.

IV. Your vessels will conduct this patrol to accomplish:

A. Federation Security, via exploration of intelligence and social systems of galactic threat, and

B. Scientific investigation to add to the Federation’s body of knowledge of lifeforms and social systems, and

C. Any required assistance to the Federation colonies in this quadrant, and the enforcement of appropriate statutes affecting Federation commerce vessels and traders as you might contact in the course of your mission.

V. Pursuant to our treaties with the Romulan Star Empire and the Sheliak Corporate, you will confine your vessels to class M worlds in non-aligned areas only.

Mobilization of your task group is expected to commence no later than Stardate 9605.7.

Good luck with your broadened command, Captain. I look forward to hearing from you within the next seventy-two hours.

Lystra Davis

Admiral, Commander–Starfleet

 

Chekov reread the orders he’d been given. "Bozhe moi," he said softly as he sat down at the table. The shit will hit the fan when Sulu reads his orders, he thought, chuckling inwardly. He took a bite of his celery stick and frowned. Apparently the rec deck manager had already received the diet card changes Doctor Chapel had promised.

"Good news, Captain. Hyperion’s on final approach to Sol. They should be arriving in orbit within half an hour," reported Lieutenant Kirk as he sat down at the table.

"That’s good news. Uhura maintained radio silence all the way back to Federation territory. When we got her call for an escort, we were already halfway to Earth. At least Captain Kelsey was in her vicinity to provide one."

"What’s going to happen with the Hyperion, sir?"

"She’ll be refitted and recommissioned. She was designed to be a state-of-the-art exploratory cruiser. She still will be."

"And next on our schedule?"

"Two things. We’ll be taking Doctor McCoy to Serenidad for a memorial service next week, and we’ll be swinging by Canopus for a limb-transplant for Mister Ch’terr. Then we’re to report back to Earth. I will have to assemble my fleet."

"Fleet, sir?"

Chekov passed him the orders.

"Sir! Congratulations, sir! Wow!"

Lieutenant Ch’terr hobbled over and joined them, a bowl in his talon. As he pulled up a perch, Chekov couldn’t help but smell the strong broth. Kirk was stunned to see the security chief slurping it at a good pace.

"So what’s next on our agenda, Fl-l-leet Captain Chekov?"

"Is there anything in Starfleet you don’t know about, Lieutenant Commander Ch’terr?"

The Skorr warbled in laughter. "Not much, Captain. I even heard about my promotion days ago. Thank you."

"Ch’terr?" asked Peter Kirk tentatively, pointing at the bowl. "Is that what I think it is?"

"What do you think it is?"

Peter Kirk shrugged. "Smells to me like...well, I mean no offense, but...it smells like chicken soup."

Chekov nodded. "And you have a noted...aversion to even being near those consuming avian life forms."

Ch’terr shrugged. "My mother always said two things about chicken soup. One, it’s good for you. Two, it’s probably not anyone we know."

As laughter rang out on the rec deck, Pavel Chekov’s eyes returned to his orders. 2296 looked to be an interesting year...


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