Change of Station

Posted on Fri Apr 25th, 2025 @ 5:39pm by Captain Malcom Llwyedd & Captain Cynfor Rees

1,459 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Mission 1: A Long Hard Road Ahead
Location: USS Firebird, Deck 1, Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: 09 October, 2396- 1100 Hours

[ON]

Malcom winced as he sat down. The shoulder he'd damaged during the Jem'hadar battle wasn't healed, and he refused to sit in sickbay while he had important things to do. He activated his console, and within a minute, he had an incoming transmission.

The familiar image of Admiral Jenkins, one of the admirals who had helped put the Firebird on resupply duty and had actively pushed for his dismissal from Stafleet, appeared.

"Good morning, Admiral," Malcom said in a neutral voice.

Jenkins was a wiry, bald man with a long nose and close-set eyes. "Good morning to you, Captail Llwyedd," the admiral said. "Can you please give me a status report on the Firebird?"

Malcom was shocked at the civility he was being shown. The last time the two had spoken, Admiral Jenkins had assured him that his career was over.

He nodded. "Of course, sir. The ship has extensive damage on all decks. Our warp drive is misaligned and while we can make warp speed, we can't get anything over warp four. I've got emergency forcefields in place at six locations and our sickbay has seven critical cases and many more walking wounded. I've already begun transferring some of the more complicated cases to DS18," Malcom said and paused for a moment before continuing. "The Firebird is not fit for duty, sir. It will be some time and I think we will need a period of time in a space dock."

Admiral Jenkins nodded. "Captain... I have to tell you that when the wormhole opened and the Consitution led the charge, I was expecting to find the station destroyed and you along with it. My orders were to find out what went wrong and start rescue operations. I've had some time to read your reports from the past six weeks and your descriptions of the battle and attacks on DS18. Frankly, what you accomplished without any help and minimal crew, is astounding."

Malcom took a deep breath. "Thank you, sir. My crew deserves all of the credit. They worked tirelessly and never complained, never stopped. I will be forwarding you a list of commendations that I am recommending to recognize their sacrifices and struggles," he said.

Admiral Jenkins nodded. "I will approve whatever you send, Captain. Nobody could argue that your crew has performed at the highest levels while enduring the hardest conditions and not knowing if they would ever be relieved," Jenkins said. "In light of your assessment, I have new orders for the Firebird."

Malcom sighed. It looked like they would be heading back to cargo run duty sooner than he expected.

"You are ordered to Earth where your ship will be put directly into a refit at the San Francisco Navy Yard. I am ordering a shore leave of four weeks for you and all of your crew. I'd say you've earned it," Jenkins said with a smile.

Malcom nodded. "More than earned it, sir," he said in a soft voice. "And after the refit we will go back to our previous duty?"

Jenkins sighed and sat back in his seat. He shook his head. "No, I don't think that is appropriate and neither does Starfleet Command. After consideration, it has been decided that a duty more in line with your command's capabilities is in the best interest of Starfleet. I'll get you the details as soon as I have them."

Malcom couldn't speak. After the Romulan fiasco, he'd come to accept the fact that his career was effectively over. Now the possibility of real service again overwhelmed him.

He finally managed to speak. "Thank you, sir."

"Don't thank me just yet. I do have some bad news for you. We need someone to take charge of DS18 and after reviewing the personnel available, and recognizing that we need someone who has been here, Starfleet is tasking Commander Rees with the job. I know he's been a good XO to you but we will find another person to fill his spot."

"I see," Malcom said. "I'm sure Commander Rees will be delighted."

Admiral Jenkins grinned. "I doubt that. But he will like the promotion that comes along with it. Why don't you let him know."

"Yes, sir," Malcom said.

---

Malcom took an hour to digest the information, refusing all calls and telling Kipp not to disturb him. Eventually, he contacted Cyfor and asked him to come to his Ready Room.

Rees had been keeping eyes on Starbase 18 and the repairs that were still needed. The call from the Captain came as a surprise. It shouldn't have, Cyn should have expected it. As he came to the Ready Room, Rees found himself a tad nervous as he rang the chime. When permission to enter was given he walked in with a smile. "Captain you sent for me?"

Malcom smiled and stood up from his desk. "Good to see you Cynfor," Malcom said. He gestured to the sitting area near the windows. "Have a seat. While his XO sat down he stepped to the replicator.

"Two glasses of whiskey, Oban, 2055," Malcom said. He picked up the heavy glasses and took a seat himself, handing Cynfor a glass.

"Commander, it has been too long since I've raised a glass with a fellow Welshman. To those we've lost," Malcom said and raised his glass.

"Iechyd da" (To good health in Welsh) Rees tapped his glass to the Captain's and savored the sip. "This is the good stuff. So either I've done some good or you have a mission for me. Either way I'm not complaining for sharing a drink with a friend."

Malcom took a drink and let the warmth fill his throat and stomach. He nodded. "You've done outstanding work, Cynfor. Nobody else had the right mixture of experience to take on the day to day operations of DS18 and accomplish so much. But," he said and grinned. "I just finished speaking with Admiral Jenkins. Yes, that Admiral Jenkins. He said so many nice things about us that I seriously considered having him tested to see if he was a changeling. Bottom line, he's appointing you as the new permanent commander of DS18."

Rees had brought his glass to his lips for a second sip as Malcom spoke. However, the news prevented him from actually taking a sip. He sat there with the glass on his lips frozen for a moment. "That is quite an honor sir, but surely someone with more command experience such as yourself would be a better fit. Someone, who does not have a, shall we say past such as mine. Perhaps having the Admiral tested is not such a bad idea." Fact was after the incident years ago with the Maquis Cyn thought he would never have a command of his own.

"I thought you might say something like that. But, as hard as it might be to believe, I think this is Starfleet's way of admitting they were wrong about us after our Romulan adventure. And there's one more thing," Malcom said and slid a small box across the table. "The Admiral wanted me to give these to you as well."

Cyn took the box and opened it. He nearly cried when he saw the pip nestled in the velvet in the box. The rank of Captain was something he had resigned himself to never obtaining, and yet here he was. "Captain, I do not know what to say. Aside from thank you. I know that I would not have received this if it were not for you."

"We all achieve greatness because of those who serve with us. None of us can do it alone. You've earned everything and I know that you will do a hell of a job as Captain of DS18," he said and raised his glass. "And don't you worry, the Firebird will be visiting often. A second home."

Cynfor raised his glass. "I will make sure to keep a docking port open for you." He sipped the drink and then smiled. "When your new XO comes aboard I will have to teach them the ins and outs of the Captain."

Malcom laughed. "Just don't give away all my secrets," he said. "Do you remember when..."

The conversation flowed, along with the drinks, and the two Captains passed the evening, reminiscing and laughing, simply enjoying the comradery that came with spending time with someone who had been an important part of their lives.

[OFF]

Captain Cynfor Rees
Commanding Officer
Deep Space 18


Captain Malcom Llwyedd
Commanding Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298

 

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