Posted by Captain Thaddus Charles Francis O’Neil (Incoming Commanding Officer) in Change of Command – Bridge

Posted by Captain Kastarak (Outgoing Commanding Officer) in Change of Command – Bridge
Kastarak stepped from the turbolift with Captain Thaddus Charles Francis O’Neil at his side.

“Captain on the bridge,” Kastarak heard a voice, followed by a whistle blowing. It would be the last time that Kastarak would hear this call for attention in his honour. For a minute or so more, he would remain the commanding officer. Then he wouldn’t.

The bridge crew rose. He looked around them one final time, each of them in the eye. There was little to say. But he wanted to regard them all, each and everyone for this final time.

Kastarak moved to the centre of the bridge and turned to face the assembled officers.

“Attention to orders!” It was his last order to his crew.

The activity on the Bridge came to a halt. Kastarak activated the padd he had been carrying since leaving the shuttlebay with O’Neil.

He read out loud: “To Captain Kastarak, Commanding Officer, USS Chernov.” He paused, looking up once again. The crew still stood at attention, quiet, waiting. They knew what was coming. Rumours spread fast. “By order of Starfleet Command, you are hereby directed to relinquish command of USS Chernov to Captain Thaddus Charles Francis O’Neil, effective immediately. Signed, Fleet Admiral Krystelle Knight, Starfleet.”

The words had been written by another. He had never met this Fleet Admiral Krystelle Knight, but he knew of her. Yet, she had made the order, after he applied to her to do so. He wondered, would his path ever cross Knight’s?

He lowered the padd.

“Computer. Transfer all command authorizations to Captain Thaddus Charles Francis O’Neil. Voice authorization: Kastarak Gamma Four Seven Nine Nine Theta.”

There was a brief pause.

“Voice authorization confirmed.”

Another pause.

“Transfer complete. USS Chernov now under the command of Captain Thaddus Charles Francis O’Neil.”

Again, Kastarak looked around. The bridge had not changed. Everything was still the same. Except, the computer now recognized the man Kastarak met only minutes ago as the captain of this ship.

He waited for his formal relieving of command by the new commanding officer.

Then, finally, he might experience relief.

Kastarak, Cpt
Commanding Officer

“I relieve you, sir.” O’Neil replied

THADDUS CHARLES FRANCIS O’NEIL
Captain, Starfleet
Commanding Officer, USS Chernov NCC-1790

“I stand relieved,” Kastarak said.

For a second he remained where he was, standing by the centre seat. He looked back towards the centre seat, the captain’s chair. He had occupied it for almost a year, a seat for many years held by his mentor Captain Christopher Taggart. He could still, in his hallucinatory imagination, see Taggart’s coffee cup on the arm rest. Now the seat would be held by Captain O’Neil, the sixteenth commanding officer of Chernov.

In 2259, the Chernov was commissioned and command was given to Captain James Cromwell. A year later, command transferred to Captain Gren Aullar, who held it until Captain Thomas Hunter took command for two months in early 2261. He was followed by Captain Charlize Jordana Kolen and Captain Chris Shandy, both taking command in that same year 2261. Shandy held the captain’s seat for two years until Captain Edward Pellew took command, in 2263. In 2265, Captain Emily England was given command, holding it until Captain Drake Evans was given it later the same year. The year 2266 saw Captains Ryan Philip, William Weaver and Kayla Jackson take command, only for Captain Stovik – the first Vulcan commanding officer – was given command over the Chernov. Stovik held command until early 2268, when he was demoted (Kastarak never understood why). But this was when Christopher Taggart became captain of the Chernov.

Taggart had held command for four years until Kastarak, freshly graduated from the Academy, was posted to the Chernov. Taggart had guided Kastarak, helped by his first officer T’Aria, and helped him navigate the difficult waters of a young and traumatized Vulcan ensign, homeless in the vastness of space. While Kastarak had come aboard the Chernov homeless, Taggart made it a home for him. In 2273, two years ago, Taggart made Kastarak his first officer – in a surprise to Kastarak – while they were working out in the gym one night. Shirtless, Kastarak had stood when promoted.

In 2274, Taggart was for reasons Kastarak would likely never understand removed from command. He had departed the ship before Kastarak even could say goodbye, and Kastarak saw Captain Rafe Maddox enter command. He was the captain for mere few hours before he was taken ill. Kastarak became acting commanding officer, only to later receiving a field promotion to captain and commanding officer.

Now, less than a year later, his work was done.

Kastarak stopped his reminiscing.

He looked at the new commanding officer, and his loyal bridge crew. He held his hand up in a Vulcan salute, looked each one of them in the eye once more.

“Live long and prosper!”

He then exited the Bridge, before O’Neil took the captain’s seat, and hurried to his quarters to pack up his last things.

Kastarak, Cpt
Commanding Officer