Launching

Posted on 07 Oct 2025 @ 9:49pm by Captain Bane Plase
Edited on on 07 Oct 2025 @ 10:11pm

1,219 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Shakedown
Timeline: One Day After Hail to the Chief

ON
Starbase 375
One Day after Hail to the Chief


Bane waited for the Boatswain whistle to stop. As soon as it did, the whole crew of the U.S.S. Cygnus snapped to attention, save for Bane. He waited a heartbeat, then walked to the podium set up against the exterior bulkhead of the cavernous auxiliary crafts bay on Starbase 375. All of the crafts and accompanying equipment had been moved out to accommodate the more than 750 people that stood in the room now.

Above and behind Bane was a giant transparent aluminum window into the drydock of the starbase, where the U.S.S. Cygnus herself rested in the giant arms of the drydock. She was powered down still, but the new paint job had been applied (although looking closely enough, one could still see some scarring from the damage she had endured), along with the stylized lettering indicating her name and registry number, and all the markings of Starfleet, down to the red striping and Starfleet Delta at the end of it. It was fitting that she was here with the crew to witness this ceremony.

Bane cleared his throat, then began. “Today, we are going to recognize a few crewmember that are long overdue for recognition and reward.” Bane looked at the PaDD on the podium and called up the first name. “Dr. Raviran Winters.” Bane saw the half-Bajoran, half-Cardassian jump just a little, then corrected herself before smartly approaching the podium, turning to face the crew next to the Captain. “Dr. Raviran Winters, for your recruiting of Ensign Cajan Lagnas, I hereby bestow upon you the award of Recruiters Award. Thank you for helping to continue to make our ship a success.” He pinned the ribbon above her communicator. She smiled and started to shake the Captains hand. “Wait, I’m not done yet.” A ripple of laughter from the crew. Bane smiled at them then looked back to his Chief Medical Officer and personal physician. “I also hereby promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Dr. Winters,” he said, as he pinned the rank on her collar, “I am so proud of you, and proud to have you here. Congratulations.”

The crew clapped as she made her way back to the head of her department. Bane waited for the applause to subside before continuing. “Ensign Lagnas,” he said, looking for the young man. He found him only after he saw movement near the sciences. He waited until the young man made his way up and standing beside the Captain. “Ensign Lagnas, you are being awarded the Dramatis Personae Award for your efforts to work with all of the crew while we were on the planet, working hard to ensure everyone, everywhere, was able to assist and join in the efforts we all strive for at all times. Congratulations,” Bane said, pinning the ribbon above his communicator, the same way he did with Dr. Winters. “In addition, I am promoting you to the rank of Lieutenant, junior grade and elevating you to the position of Chief Science Officer. And may the gods have mercy on your soul,” Bane joked as he pinned the new rank on Lagnas’ collar. The crew laughed at the silly joke Bane said.

Plase waited for him to return to his spot, now at the head of the Science Division (thanks in large part to the Chief of the Boat showing him where to stand now), then continued. “Lieutenant Commander Temerant Bast, please come on up. Bane didn’t have to wait as long, since Bast was literally at the head of the whole crew. “Mr. Bast, you have been the glue that has been holding together this crew through thick and thin. This ship would be a shell of itself without your presence. I know for certain I speak for the whole crew when I say I am so glad you are here. For your efforts and your outstanding service, I am awarding you the Starfleet Star.” Bane placed the medal on Bast’s chest, opposite of the communicator. Bane shook his hand and told him congratulations again, this time in a very personal way, showing his admiration and respect. Bast then returned to his spot in front of the crew.

The Captain then looked at his crew and cleared his throat again. “Crew of the U.S.S. Cygnus, listen up. Today marks a new chapter, not just for this ship, but for every soul aboard her.” He looked around at the crew, his eyes passing over Lieutenant Commander Bast, standing at the head of the crew, over Lieutenant T’Lara in front of the Engineering division, Dr. Winters, standing at the head of the Medical Department, and Lieutenant Commander Stovek in front of the huge Operations Division.

“We stand before our vessel that has known hardships,” he continued, turning slightly and raising his arm and hand, pointing to the window, and to the ship beyond it. “Her hull bears the scars of battle and hardship. Her corridors echo with the memories of those that gave everything. We honor them – not with silence, but with action. With duty. With perseverance.” He paused and looked around again, seeing now-Lieutenant Lagnas beaming with pride.

He continued. “This ship was broken. We were broken. But we did not stay that way. Piece by piece, system by system, we rebuilt. And now, the Cygnus is whole again. Not just repaired, but reforged. Stronger. Smarter. Sharper.” The Captain caught the teeth of Lieutenant Seitha for the briefest of moments. A smile, maybe? If so, what a reward!

“You, the crew, are a part of that rebirth. Some of you are new to this ship,” he said, spying Senior Chief Petty Officer Harrison, whom he had met yesterday. “Others have continued on here with the weight of experience. All of you are here because you answered the call. Not for glory. Not for comfort. But for duty. For the mission to explore strange new worlds. For each other.” Bane saw that Counselor Morak and Dr. Khalest both nodding their heads.

“We are about to embark on a shakedown cruise. This cruise will be more than just a simple systems test. It is a test of our resolve, of our unity,” Bane said, emphasizing the last word. “Of our ability to rise from the ash and continue to push the boundaries of Federation, and our respective worlds, further than ever before. I ask you to remember the hardships. Embrace the sacrifice. Carry the weight of what came before. And let it drive you. Let it forge you. Let it make you unstoppable.”

Just as he uttered his last word, the lights on the Cygnus came alive. The dark blue lines down the edge of the warp nacelles came to life, turning it to a brilliant white-blue. The front edge of the nacelles, the ramscoop bussard collectors, went from a deep crimson to bright red. The white lights came on, highlight the name of the ship, U.S.S. Cygnus.

The crew clapped and whooped and cheered, seeing their ship back in operation. Bane could not have been more proud.

“Crew of the U.S.S. Cygnus, prepare to launch. Let’s show the stars what we’re made of.”





OFF



Bane Plase, Captain
USS Cygnus, Commanding

 

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