Arriving at Vega Epsilon

Posted on 14 Dec 2025 @ 11:10pm by Captain Bane Plase

766 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Shakedown
Location: Vega Epsilon

ON:

Captain Bane paced the length of his ready room, padd in hand, dictating updates into the ship’s computer. The report to Starfleet Command was meant to be thorough, a careful catalog of every gremlin the freshly refit Cygnus had exhibited. Systems had settled into their routines for the most part, but there were still quirks to note. Sensor arrays displayed slight inconsistencies, EPS fluctuations appeared in unexpected ways, and the faint, almost imperceptible hum of the newly aligned warp nacelles persisted. As he moved between the viewport and his desk, he spoke his thoughts aloud, both for the computer to record and to test the logic in his own mind. Even now, he found himself reflecting on the decisions the crew and the Starfleet Corps of Engineers at Starbase 375 had made to ensure the refit succeeded, aware that even a well-prepared ship could remind its captain that perfection was always a work in progress.

The vibrations through the deck, a faint but persistent reminder of the warp nacelle calibrations, had begun to fade as the engineering teams completed their adjustments. Bane felt the change in the ship’s tone as he paced, a subtle relief beneath his awareness of the countless systems still demanding observation. He allowed himself a brief, inward acknowledgment of the crew’s diligence, knowing they were quietly working in shifts across the ship to iron out every issue, from the main deflector to the waste reclamation units, while he focused on recording the ship’s performance and anomalies. For a moment, the ready room felt almost still, the ship settling around him, a fragile quiet before the next stage of the journey.

Bane’s awareness of the passage of time was gradual, almost imperceptible at first, until he became conscious of how close they were to their destination. He had been tracking the approach in his mind, cross-referencing course data and system checks, but it was Lieutenant T’Varik’s voice over the communicator that sharpened the realization. “Captain, five minutes to arrival in the Vega Epsilon Sector,” the Vulcan officer reported, calm and precise. Bane paused mid-step, acknowledging the alert with a brief nod even though T’Varik could not see it, and allowed himself a quiet moment to prepare. The observatory awaiting them loomed in his thoughts, not just as a mission objective, but as a measure of how well the ship and crew could perform after the extensive refit.

Bane set the padd down and straightened his posture, letting the full awareness of their impending arrival settle over him. The gradual build of readiness within him shifted into decisive action. He moved from his ready room, stepping out onto the bridge with measured purpose, the corridors of the ship already humming with the quiet efficiency of a crew anticipating the next maneuver. Around him, the faint echoes of stabilized systems reminded him that while the ship was far from perfect, it was functional, responsive, and ready for his command. The small vibrations of the warp field had finally faded, leaving only the steady rhythm of the engines beneath the deck, a heartbeat he now matched as he took his place among the crew.

The bridge crew was alert, their eyes on displays and readouts, each officer prepared for the transition. Bane moved to his chair, taking a moment to survey the scene, noting Lieutenant T’Varik’s calm posture at operations and the subtle readiness in the helm and navigation stations. He raised his voice, firm but measured, “Helm, disengage warp. Bring us out of warp at impulse speed.” The transition was sudden, and the ship’s momentum shifted sharply. Anyone standing, including Bane, stumbled slightly, regaining balance against the subtle surge, while those already seated were pushed forward as the Inertial Dampening Field adjusted to the change.

“By the stars!” a junior ensign exclaimed, eyes wide as the bridge settled into the new speed.

Bane looked back to the Ensign. "As you were, Ensign," he ordered, wanting to keep order and discipline on the Bridge, especially since not all of the systems were functioning yet at peak efficiency.

Stars stretched and smeared into elongated streaks before snapping into focus, and the Vega Epsilon Sector unfolded around them. Below, the deep-space observatory came into view, its structure a lattice of observation platforms and sensor arrays, awaiting the Cygnus’ arrival. The bridge officers adjusted quickly, confirming system statuses, while Bane sank into his chair, eyes sweeping the sector, taking in the sight of the mission before them.



OFF

Bane Plase, Captain
USS Cygnus, Commanding

 

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