From Sun To Shining Sun (Part 3)

Posted on Fri Jan 3rd, 2025 @ 7:13pm by Captain Violet Bluegarden & Commander Celeste Tiae

1,246 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: 84 Years Young
Timeline: After 'From Sun To Shining Sun (Part 2)'

Previously, on Star Trek: The Sullivans

Celeste watched with delight as Eviar pressed his head into Violet’s prosthetic hand with a buzzing purr, “Aside from being a comfort to me by having around and meaning I’m not stressing out about my appearance? No.” Celeste said definitively, then gave a slight smile, “When I said he is my protector, I do mean it literally, otherwise…” The Aethiri shook her head, “My other secret, one that I hope will not lessen me in your eyes, ma’am.” She took a deep breathe and straightened her back even more, “I am also Celeste Annae Viol Fresce Mila Tiae, Crown Princess and heir to the throne of the Aethiri Republic. Duchess of the world of Mariapol and theoretically beloved of the people.” That last came with a shrug, “My father wanted me to take a detachment of the Royal Guard with me, but I convinced him it would only cause resentment and make me a target, plus Eviar is better than any Guardsman. I’m not here to be a Princess, I’m here to be an officer of Starfleet.”

And now, the continuation:

Well, that certainly makes things more interesting... Violet thought as she stroked Eviar.

"Commander, it don't matter who you are or where you come from in Starfleet:" She said. "If it did, I'd be subservient to you: I'm just some good ol' girl from Central Florida who'd probably still be goin' fast and turnin' left if I didn't lose my arms in a bad wreck. That can't at all compare to a... A crown princess in terms of importance. But fortunately, it's not like that: That good ol' girl from Central Florida who lost her arms in a bad wreck? She joined Starfleet while she was still figuring out how to use her robotic arms. Out of the Academy, she battled Cardassians for six years, and not only did she become a respected tactician, she also earned a badass nickname. She rose to become a respected Starfleet Captain because she was willing to put in the work to make it all happen."

Violet stopped petting Eviar for a second.

"That's what Starfleet is about:" Violet made her point. "It don't matter who we are: You could be the pampered son of some oil sheikh, or a backwater farm boy, as long as you're willing to put in the work for the betterment of Starfleet, we all will benefit at the end of the day.”

“Precisely, Captain.” Celeste agreed with her entirely, glad to have a CO that clearly wasn’t going to treat her like she was something special and keep her out of the line just because of an accident of birth. Hopefully. “I don’t see myself as any more important than the junior crewman assigned to scrubbing out the carbon scoring from the torpedo tubes. Well, maybe a bit more important given my position, but he and I are both cogs in the Fleet, each with our own areas of expertise, each giving our all for the cause. Sure, I’m a scientist, a pretty damned good one if I dare say so, and I may not be able to fight a ship as well as I ought to, but I can learn and my time on Harbinger taught me a few things, but an Excelsior isn’t going to face the enemy and go straight in with pulse phasers firing on rapid fire. But, ma’am, if I might ask: What IS that badass nickname?”

"Well, since you've asked;" Violet said, a smirk spreading on her face. "Way back on my first assignment, the USS Croaker, we were disabled and board by sp... Cardassians. My phaser jammed at some point during the battle, so I began taking the ones I could in melee combat. I didn't think I was hitting them that hard, but apparently, I rendered multiple Cardassians unconscious. Considering I also have the colors Violet and Blue in my name, my crewmates put one and two together and started calling me "The Big Bruise." I guess the name's stuck with me ever since..."

"Note to self, keep the Captain between myself and danger." Celeste gave a snicker as she said it, knowing she'd never do that, it just wasn't done, especially as the second in command, "I most definitely don't have any nicknames like that, not that anyone at Home would ever dare to give me one. But I suppose I have just one more question, ma'am: When are we going to be getting to the ship? I know I want to get started on getting her back into shape to the best of my abilities."

"I've been given one week to track down senior staff, ma'am." Violet explained. "If you happen to know of anybody who would be a good fit for a Chief's spot, do let me know. We need just about everyone except for Security. Commander el'Ataa reported in before you did, so we're covered there. What we need is Helm, Ops, Engineering, Medical, Science, now that you're coming on as First Officer. Once that one week period is up, we'll make our first trip out to the ship and start working through this list. It's 215 items long, and whatever departments we don't have filled at the end of this one week period is going to mean more work for us as the command staff."

"I can start putting feelers out to people I know." Celeste patted her leg twice, which caused the windfox to turn away from the Captain and return to the Aethiri's shoulder, wrapping himself across the back of her neck and shoulders again, "I can't make any promises, but I'll do what I can." She hesitated, then gave a sly smile, "Assuming that we're done here, unless you enjoy keeping hostages?"

"Oh, I suppose I do need to let you out of here." Violet said. "Computer, unseal office; authorization Bluegarden-six-three-alpha-seven."

The computer beeped in acknowledgement, and the doors clicked once again, indicating the lock had been released, with the blast shutters raising, providing a view to the stars once again.

"As soon as I get any replies, I'll get back to you on the candidates." Celeste said in an off-hand manner, "I do know a helmsman that's borderline psychotic in her flying, but I'd take her even if just to have her on staff to fly shuttles, but she's good with any sort of small craft up to and including a Defiant. She's also the only one, so far, who knows what my little sister called me as a kid and uses it on a constant basis."

"...So, you do have a badass nickname?" Violet teased. "Well, definitely keep me informed if you come across some candidates you feel we absolutely cannot live without."

"Nickname? Yes. Badass?" Celeste shook her head slowly, slight smile on her face, "I'll let you judge that the first time you meet her. I'll get started right away and see about getting my own office assigned as close to yours as possible. If you need anything, Captain, I'm always available."

Violet merely nodded. She hadn't been accounting to have an XO this early in the game, but it was sure to be a welcome addition.

"I'll be in touch:" She said. "Dismissed."

Posting by

Captain Violet Bluegarden
Commanding Officer

Commander Celeste Tiae
Executive Officer

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