Deep Space Dreams

Posted on Sun Feb 23rd, 2025 @ 12:11am by Captain James Phoenix & Commander Ashlynn Regan
Edited on on Tue Feb 25th, 2025 @ 4:07am

1,080 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Frozen Acquisition
Location: USS Horizon, DS9
Timeline: Current

OFF:

First post of the reboot! Hope y'all are ready for a fresh start!

ON:

[Captain's Quarter's]

James Phoenix stood in his dimly lit quarters enjoying a small drink. He sat on his bed watching the stars streak by. He had been commanding the Horizon for a year and a half now and he still felt like he was new to the job. Obviously he wasn't, given his two year stint as the Horizon's first officer, and before that as Second Officer and Chief of Security. Not to mention the fact that Admiral Dalton wouldn't have recommended him to succeed her as Captain, if she didn't think he was cut out for it.

As for the Horizon, she was due for a well required re-supply. Most of his crew had been re-assigned to other posts, most of them being promotions. He was proud of those officers, and they would be greatly missed. However the Horizon was lacking crew. As it stood, Phoenix was almost completely out a senior staff, except for a select few officers, and there wasn't much word on replacements, including the officers he sent formal requests to.

More importantly he needed a number one. He had been through two in the last year and a half. The first had been recalled to Starfleet Intelligence and the other he recommended for promotion. There wasn't anything wrong with either officer, but he needed someone he could rely on that wouldn't be sacrificing their position on the Horizon already. He needed everyone where they were at right now, until he got more crew.

He took the final sip of his drink and set down the glass, which rattled as a result from the ice. He resettled his gaze on the stars, only to be interrupted by a notification on his personal PADD. It read: call Ash.

He cursed under his breath. He had nearly forgotten. Thank Sarek he had that reminder set.

He slid off of the bed and replicated a coffee, before moving to his desk. He set down the warm beverage and begun inputted the correct codes to contact Ash. He waited for a few moments before a redhead wearing a science blue uniform appeared on screen.

"Hey you" he smiled.

"Hey" Ash returned the look.

James noted that she was till in uniform "Still at work?"

"Yeah. Busy day today. We had some heavy projects just reaching R and D and as the acting director, well, you can sort of guess" she chuckled.

"I don't doubt it" Phoenix returned.

"How are things there?" She asked.

"Not bad, not amazing. We're on our way to DS9 for a resupply and hopefully I'll get a senior staff" he laughed.

Ash's smile faded slightly. "You could always request me" she said half serious, half joking.

"Heh. Not that I don't think you're a damn fine scientist and command level officer, because you are one, but I'd feel like I'd be holding you back. Especially since a little birdy told me you're being vetted."

Ash laughed. "You got wind of that? I thought it was just rumors. Command hasn't really told me anything about any offers or anything."

"I heard from Admiral Janeway actually, so I don't think she'd be one to spread rumors unless their serious" he quipped.

"You're not wrong" she returned. "I don't know if I'd make a good Captain."

James raised an eyebrow. "Ash, as much as I love you, don't sell yourself short. I seem to remember a time when you took command of this very ship when both Captain Dalton and I were incapacitated. Heard from the reports you held off three rogue Klingon warships."

"Right, the Skirmish of S'klar. Think we made it out with only a few cuts and bruises."

"Damn right" Phoenix smiled. "Besides the Captain and I" he chuckled.

"But that was two and a half years ago. I haven't even officially held a ship command, let alone as an XO" she protested.

"Even so Ash, you're up to the task. Starfleet wouldn't have made you a Commander if you weren't ready for it."

She sighed. "You're not wrong."

Before he could say another word, his communicator chirped.

=/\=Bridge to Captain Phoenix.=/\=

=/\=Go ahead.=/\=

=/\=We're approaching Deep Space Nine sir.=/\=

=/\=Acknowledged. I'm on my way. Phoenix out.=/\=

He tapped his badge to close the channel before looking at the screen. "I'm sorry, I've-"

Ash interjected and smiled. "It's okay. We can talk about this later."

James returned the smile. "Thanks. Love you."

"Love you too, James" she said before closing the channel. She wasn't upset. She knew that these moments would happen and she cherished the time she did get with him.

James sighed before getting up. He hated doing that to her, but this one of those times where duty calls unexpectedly, and he needed to be on the bridge. He sighed again before putting on his uniform quickly.

---

[Bridge]

James stepped onto the bridge before making a beeline to the center of the bridge. "Status?"

The Bolian at ops spoke. "We're clear to drop out of warp sir."

He nodded before turning to the helmsman. "Lieutenant, drop us to impulse."

The Horizon dropped out of warp in a beautiful flash and moved slowly towards the station at impulse power. The space around the station was busy. Starships coming and Starships going. Shuttles going to and from Bajor and beyond. It was always a surreal sight.

James turned back to the ops officer. "Ensign open a channel with station operations."

"Aye sir" he tapped a few buttons. "Channel open Captain."

"Horizon to ops, we request clearance to approach and dock."

"Permission granted Horizon for Upper Pylon Alpha, welcome back" the voice on the other end replied before closing the channel.

After that, the Horizon began docking procedures slowly as required by Starfleet regulation. It was a slow, but beautiful process. After a few minutes, the Horizon linked up with the airlock.

The Ops officer spoke up. "We're docked sir."

Phoenix smiled. "Good work folks, please proceed with shore leave duty rosters and procedures" he nodded.

The Horizon was now safely parked in the upper section of the Cardassian-built station. They wouldn't be there for long. No more than a few weeks. Just enough time to get resupplied, and to receive new crew-members.

 

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