Now Departing Earth

Posted on Tue Apr 1st, 2025 @ 4:04pm by Lieutenant Fox Mendelssohn & Ensign George Willoughby & Ensign Sally Moffat

2,965 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: Prologue
Location: Earth Spacedock - Shuttle Bay 14
Timeline: September 2401

The departure from Earth felt different than George Willoughby had expected. He’d imagined excitement, maybe even a little nervous energy, but instead, there was a strange sort of weight to it. The shuttle bay bustled with activity — pilots calling out orders, tech crews weaving between vessels, the steady whir of docking clamps disengaging — but it all felt oddly distant as he stood near the viewport, gazing down at the planet below.

Frontier Day was four months past, but its shadow still lingered. The skies above Earth had been chaos that day — ships turning on each other, mentors and friends lost in an instant, all under the grip of the Borg. George had been safe aboard the USS Serendipity, limping back from Betazed at a frustrating warp one, far from the carnage. Even so, the weight of what had happened stuck with him, lingering at the edges of his thoughts, mixing uneasily with the thrill of his first real assignment.

Shaking the thought away, he adjusted the strap of his duffel and turned his attention to the crowded shuttle bay. Officers of all ranks moved past him, most too experienced to pay much attention to a fresh-faced ensign. That was fine. George squared his shoulders, straightened his uniform, and took a steady breath. The Academy was behind him. He was Starfleet now.

"George?...I mean Ensign Willoughby?" The voice held a happy tone as it's owner approached, using the new rank of which she knew they were both proud.

George turned at the familiar voice and offered a pleasant smile. "Miss Moffat," he said with calm cheer, the formal-sounding address of title and surname having becoming an endearing nickname for her that had formed during their time on the Serendipity together. "Fancy meeting you here. Did you get your reassignment orders?"

Sally gave a beaming smile in responce to the question as she looked up at the far taller figure in front of her.
Her pleased and eager face was framed by a mass of blonde curls each one threatening to break free from the thin clasps that held them in place.

"I'm going to a place called The Azure Nebula which I've never heard of but doesnt that sound amazing imagine what it must look like surrounded by an azure hue or it might be a cloud I suppose although it would have to be a very large one." A tuneful laugh followed this unbroken flood of words.

"The Azure Nebula? That's the same as mine," George said, quite surprised, and produced his padd to show her his reassignment orders — just to be sure she didn't think he was having her on. "No idea to where or what either. Just a travel plan and a destination." He perked up slightly as he realised they would be travelling together. "I couldn't be more please; you make an excellent travel companion. If it weren't for you I would've been bored to tears on the Serendipity. Limping home at warp one from Betazed... that's not my idea of fun."

Sally's eyes widened at his news. "Yes it was a bit slow" she agreed " but you realize something when you just said that {Sally} I thought to myself {Sally} I thought {This is Fate} no other word for it it's Fate that we are going to be on the same ship again well not the 'same' ship of course poor old Serendipity is out of action for a while as she well deserves to be but the same ship then just like old times."
Another beaming smile glowed up to him as she moved from foot to foot on the spot as though keen to get started on their journey.

George chuckled slightly at her energy and he was once again briefly reminded of the exciteable golden poodle that had been a constant companion to him as a child. "Fate, eh? Well, I'll admit, it's not a bad deal to have someone around who can match my enthusiasm. And look at you in full regalia." He nodded at her uniform with a smile. "The uniform looks sharp, and that pip... well, you've earned it. I'll have to start calling you Ensign Moffat now."

A blush touched Sally's cheeks as she looked down at her uniform and brushed away an imaginery speck or two before she looked back at him. "Look at you too." she replied, "you put the Captain to shame."

He coyly acknowledge her compliment with a nod of his head, then shifted his duffel bag and glanced toward the sleek transport nearby. "Speaking of upgrades, our transport this time is a big step up from the Serendipity. Did you see the specs? Aquarius-class. State-of-the-art navigation systems, reinforced hull plating, and," he paused for emphasis, "actual climate controls that don't freeze you one day and roast you the next. No more limping along at warp one while praying the replicators don't break down." He tugged at the hem of his uniform jacket to straighten it. "Feels like we're finally in Starfleet now, doesn't it?"

Sally's nod of agreement caused the blonde curls to bounce enthusiastically as she too looked towards the shuttle. "Only what we deserve 'Ensign'," she replied grinning happily and stressing his rank.

George smirked as they walked toward the sleek vessel. "Agreed, fellow Ensign. I know the Serendipity had her charm, but Starfleet's definition of 'serviceable' really tested my patience. I read somewhere that her warp core design dates back to the mid 23rd century. Can you imagine? Half her systems were basically antiques patched together with spit and hope."

The boarding ramp hummed quietly as it extended, and George motioned for Sally to step on first. "After you, Ensign," he said with an exaggerated flourish.

Inside, the transport was a stark contrast to the worn, utilitarian corridors of the Serendipity that had been their first proper experience of a Starfleet ship. A main passageway stretched out before them like the aisle of a sleek, futuristic train, lined with compartments on either side. Each compartment featured sliding glass doors that frosted over for privacy at the touch of a button. George peeked into one as they passed, noting the thoughtful design. The compartments were compact but well-equipped, containing two neatly arranged bunks, a small workstation with a fold-out terminal, and a stowage area for personal belongings. A replicator was discreetly tucked into one corner, allowing for quick meals or beverages without the need to leave the room.

Sally wheedled her head past George's shoulder to see inside too. "Now 'this' is more like it." was her opinion happily given. They set off again.

Further down the passageway was a communal area, complete with tables and padded benches for dining or casual conversation. A holo-display dominated one wall, currently showing a rotating selection of star charts and entertainment options. Adjacent to it, a small kitchenette offered additional facilities for those who preferred something more hands-on than the replicator's usual fare.

"Now this is impressive," George remarked as he set his duffel bag down near their assigned compartment. "Almost feels more like a captain's yacht than a transport. Look at this - bunks, workstations, even a place to grab a bite. It's like Starfleet actually thought about making us comfortable for once."

"And somewhere to actually cook too and you know what Im going to ask you dont you Ensign Willoughby when are we to sample your lemon ricotta pancakes you 'have' to make it soon and just think if this is the standard of a transport shuttle then what will our destination be like? Oh George its so exciting isnt it I thought to myself {Sally} I thought {Sally if it} whats that?" she ended without explaining what she had thought.

Her attention was on a man sitting comfortably on a nearby bench holding what appeared to be an old fashioned book. He took no notice of anyone else so engrossed with reading.

Sally smiled as he turned a page much as one might look at a tiny kitten with a silent miaow.
"Did you see that?" she asked her companion without looking at him. "That man there turned a page a real one and he didnt tear it either oh look there he goes again."

"Hmmm?" George had been lost in thought, having lost the conversation the moment Sally mentioned 'lemon ricotta pancakes' and potential new recipes it conjured in his mind. He didn't even notice she hadn't finished her thought. George followed her eyes towards the man, who looked to be a lieutenant in science uniform, turn another page of the book. Books were not unheard of, but the sound the page made when he turned it, the colour of it. It almost seemed... old.

"Could it be a real book?" George queried his friend in a low voice, his eyes still focused on the lieutenant.

Sally turned her head a little, observing the Lieutenant sideways on the better to consider him and his book.
"it does look as though it might disintegrate at any moment but why would he want to read it why would he want to read it anywhere come to that I mean only professors and suchlike people actually manhandle books dont they?"
Her focus remained centred on the strange man for a few moments longer before she looked back and up at her companion who always seemed to know the reasoning behind most situations.
Another rustle of a page recaptured her attention.

George exchanged a look with Sally, his curiosity piqued as well. It wasn't every day you saw someone reading an actual, physical book... especially one that looked as delicate as the one in the lieutenant’s hands.

“Should we ask him about it?” George murmured, shifting his duffel on his shoulder.

Before Sally could answer, the man in question glanced up, as if sensing their attention. He had dark brown eyes that flicked between them with mild amusement before closing the book carefully, resting a finger between the pages to hold his place.

“You can just ask, you know,” he said, his voice quiet but warm. “I don’t bite.”

"We dont think youd bite." she said smiling widely as she crossed the short distance between them coming to stand but inches away. " but you must admit its not everyday you find someone reading a book is it although in your case you obviously do so you wouldnt be surprised as we are I havent ever read a book with pages and things but isnt it...slow?"
She eyed the book as she spoke then tilted her head a little as she asked her question.

The lieutenant chuckled. “It’s a habit I picked up from my parents. Feels more real than a PADD sometimes.” He held the book up slightly, revealing the worn lettering on its spine. The Cosmic Ecology of Pre-Warp Civilizations. “Not exactly light reading, but then again, neither is space travel.”

This time Sallys expresion showed a slight wariness as she met his eye as in her minds eye she saw him as a child with his siblings and a set of parents all rustling pages of their books as they sat reading in a group.
"Goodness" came the unusual monsyllabic reply and she looked back at George as though wondering what they had unleashed.

George recognized the name on the book’s cover from his photographic memory, having seen it on a list of texts recommended for advanced reading for xenoanthropology. He glanced at the lieutenant’s uniform, noting the blue division colours. “You’re a science officer?” George added a "...sir?" almost as an afterthought when he realised perhaps they were being a little too informal with an officer two ranks above their station.

"Indeed I am. Astrobiologist... with a strong affinity for all things anthropological and archaeological. This," he said, gesturing with the book, "is a special edition that was printed in the 22nd century. Was one of my textbooks at the Academy. Where are my manners," he interrupted himself, tucking the book under his arm before offering a hand. "Lieutenant Fox Mendelssohn, pleasure to meet you."

“Ensign George Willoughby, computer systems engineer,” George introduced himself, shaking Fox’s hand.

"Ensign Sally Moffat pleasure to meet you too" she replied grasping his offered hand in a surprisingly firm grip. "I'm in Communications." she added, her tone implying that that was THE place to be and now that she was there nothing would ever be miscommunicated again.
"So your book is both informative and sentimental then" she said giving it a small nod."Isnt that lovely that you can be so fond of something that you want it even when your Academy days are long gone I think it says alot about a man who is sentimental and isnt embarrassed to own up to it because most wouldnt give their old text books a thought.....Lieutenant." she added looking at him in a new light.

"Please, I'm off duty. Feel free to call me Fox," he smiled warmly. His gaze lingered on them for a moment, taking in the crispness of their uniforms, the way they carried themselves — shoulders squared but not yet settled into the effortless confidence of experience. The way their eyes flickered with excitement, curiosity, and just a hint of nervous energy. He chuckled knowingly. "You both have the unmistakable look of freshly minted ensigns about you. Am I right?" The sight brought back memories of his own first assignment — the eager anticipation, the restless keenness for a career of adventure that came with stepping into your own as a graduated Starfleet officer.

"Spot on!" Sally declared before George had chance to form a reply. "What a lovely name Fox and unusual I like Foxes not that I've ever actually met one apart from you ofcourse but they have a bad reputation in childrens bedtime stories as you might remember dressing up as someones Granny and pretending to be nice when really they are planning to eat you and trying to eat little pigs as well 'though not at the same time ofcourse different story and different Fox always the villain but." she paused, her blonde curls stopped bouncing and a small frown creased between her bright blue eyes for a second or so " it could have been a Wolf actually ."

George cleared his throat gently, offering Fox an apologetic smile as he attempted to steer the conversation back on course.

“I think what Sally means,” he said diplomatically, “is that your name is unique, and it’s refreshing to meet someone who holds onto something meaningful from their Academy days.” He shot Sally a look that was both fond and pleading, and somewhat of a silent request to rein in the fairy tale analysis before they started debating the moral complexity of fabled predators.

Fox, to his credit, seemed more amused than anything, his dark eyes glinting with quiet patience. “That’s quite the analysis, Sally,” he said, tapping the cover of his book. “Though, I can assure you, I have no plans to dress up as anyone’s grandmother.”

George chuckled, grateful for the lifeline. “Good to know, sir... er, Fox,” he corrected quickly, still adjusting to the informality. “But you're right, we are fresh out of the Academy. Just got our first assignments, actually.”

“Where are they sending you?” Fox asked, interest piqued.

George opened his mouth, only to realize that beyond their travel instructions, he hadn’t actually checked the finer details of their final destination. He hesitated, glancing at Sally, who seemed equally caught off guard.

“Uh... somewhere near the Azure Nebula,” he admitted. “Not much info beyond that.”

Fox arched a brow, a knowing smile playing at his lips. “Interesting,” he mused. “Looks like we might have more in common than just an appreciation for old books. That's where I'm headed as well, via Starbase 417,” he clarified, adding in the destination of their transport.

Sally couldnt hide her pleasure at this news. It was, she said, simply meant to be and although people pooh poohed the idea, it was proven to be true with instances such as this.Three people with interests in common all heading to the same place at the same time.

She appeared inordinately pleased despite overlooking the fact that other passengers as yet unmet were heading there too.

George let out a short laugh, shaking his head in amusement. “Well, that’s a coincidence if I’ve ever heard one. Or, if you ask Sally, fate.” He cast a sidelong glance at his companion, half-expecting another enthusiastic declaration on the matter.

Fox smiled and tucked his book under his arm. “Fate or not, it’s a small galaxy sometimes.” He gave them both a thoughtful look. “If we’re all heading the same way, I take it you’re not just passing through? You must have an assignment waiting for you out there.”

George nodded, shifting his duffel on his shoulder. “Looks that way. Though, between you and me, I don’t know much more than the travel itinerary. No mission briefings, no details— just a destination and a departure time.”

Fox hummed in understanding. “Sounds familiar. Starfleet does love its surprises.” He gestured towards the seating area. “Well, since we’re shipmates now, care to join me? I’d love to hear more about the next generation of Starfleet officers while we wait for departure.”

George glanced at Sally, who beamed at the invitation. “I think we’d like that,” he said, following Fox toward the seating area. “And who knows, maybe by the time we reach our destination, we’ll have figured out why Starfleet is keeping us all in suspense.”

Fox smirked, settling into his seat. “Now that would be a first.”

 

RSS Feed