Posted by Lieutenant Commander Alex Cross (Chief Counselor) in 17/18 Forward – USS Ark Angel
Lieutenant Alex Cross stepped into 17/18 Forward a little earlier than most, taking a moment to admire the transformation that had taken place.

The officers’ lounge had been carefully prepared for a very special occasion. Starfleet banners and the Ark Angel’s insignia adorned the bulkheads, while holographic displays quietly cycled through photographs and memorable moments from the ship’s missions under Captain Alex Becket’s command. The normally subdued lighting had been softened, bathing the lounge in a warm, welcoming glow that replaced the familiar atmosphere of duty with one of celebration and reflection.

Along one side of the room, a long buffet table offered an assortment of refreshments from across the Federation, ensuring there was something to suit nearly every species aboard. Comfortable seating had been rearranged to encourage conversation, while an open space near the forward viewport provided room for the crew to gather together.

Positioned before the stars stood a simple podium, its placement overlooking the vast expanse beyond the ship—a fitting backdrop for an evening dedicated to honoring a captain whose career had been defined by exploration, leadership, and service.

Cross made one final circuit of the lounge, straightening a chair here, adjusting a display there, and checking that every detail was ready. Satisfied, he paused beside the refreshment table, taking in the room with a small smile.

He glanced toward the entrance, knowing Lieutenant Waryn had generously offered to help with the preparations. There were still a few finishing touches that could benefit from another set of hands—whether arranging refreshments, greeting arriving guests, or ensuring the holographic display continued cycling through the Captain’s years aboard the Ark Angel. Cross was more than happy to share the responsibility.

Captain Becket had guided the Ark Angel through triumphs and hardships alike, earning not only the respect of his officers but their genuine admiration. Tonight was not about rank or duty reports. It was about allowing the crew to thank the man who had led them and to celebrate the legacy he would leave behind as he departed for Starfleet Academy.

With everything ready, Cross clasped his hands behind his back near the entrance and waited patiently as the first members of the crew began to arrive, allowing the evening’s celebration—and whatever contributions his fellow officers wished to make—to unfold naturally.

Lieutenant Alex Cross
Chief Counselor
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Commander Dr. Charlotte Kelley arrived at 17/18 Forward shortly before the official start of the celebration, stepping out of the turbolift with the quiet confidence that had become familiar to those who served alongside her.

For a moment, she paused just beyond the entrance, allowing herself to take in the sight before her. The lounge had been transformed from a place of routine conversations and off-duty moments into something far more meaningful. The Ark Angel’s insignia and Starfleet banners stood proudly among the decorations, while the holographic displays captured years of memories—missions completed, challenges overcome, and moments that reflected Captain Becket’s time in command.

Her eyes moved across the room, taking in the carefully arranged seating, the refreshments prepared for the crew, and the view of the stars beyond the viewport. It was a fitting setting for a farewell—not one of sadness, but of appreciation for a career of service and leadership.

Charlotte allowed a small smile as she spotted Lieutenant Cross near the entrance, clearly having overseen the final preparations. She knew the effort that went into an event like this was about more than arranging a room or organizing a gathering. It was about creating a moment where a crew could come together and recognize the person who had guided them through countless hours among the stars.

Adjusting the front of her uniform, Charlotte stepped fully into the lounge, offering a respectful nod to those already present before making her way further inside.

Tonight was about Captain Becket.

Not the command chair. Not the rank. Not the reports or decisions that came with it.

Tonight was about the legacy of a Starfleet officer who had dedicated himself to the Ark Angel and the people who called her home.

Charlotte looked toward the podium overlooking the stars, already knowing that when the time came, she would have a few words of her own to share—words that came not just from the Executive Officer of the ship, but from someone who had had the privilege of serving beside him.

Commander Dr. Charlotte M. Kelley
XO USS ARK ANGEL