Posted by Lieutenant Mykl Najjar (Chief Medical Officer) in Change of Command – Bridge

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Sovan (Medical Officer) in Change of Command – Bridge

Posted by Captain Thaddus Charles Francis O’Neil (Commanding Officer) in Change of Command – Bridge
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻
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.

Doctors Najjar and Sovan slipped onto the bridge and remained standing just left of the turbolift at the back to watch the Change of Command without detracting attention from the scene down below.

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.

Sovan straightened. He hadn’t had a chance to meet Kastarak and had really seen the Captain except in passing in the corridors or when he came into Sickbay as he had earlier to say goodbye to Pawl but he still felt respect for the man. He had been a good CO, the Captain had kept an orderly ship which Sovan found that he appreciated. He looked curiously at their new CO as he watched the ceremony.

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

Sovan’s posture did not change as Kastarak made his way past himself and the CMO, entered the turbolift and left. Sovan managed to get a nod of respect in to the Captain before the turbolift doors closed.

O’Neil held up the Vulcan hand gesture toward the departing captain.

“Live long and prosper, Kastarak.”

For a moment, he remained standing as the turbolift doors closed behind the former commanding officer.

The bridge was quiet.

The ceremony was complete. The transfer was official. The USS Chernov now answered to a new captain.

O’Neil turned toward the center seat.

A position held by generations of Starfleet officers. A seat that carried not only authority, but responsibility.

He stepped forward and took the captain’s chair for the first time.

For several moments, Captain Thaddus Charles Francis O’Neil remained silent, allowing himself to take in the bridge around him. The officers at their stations. The steady hum of the ship. The endless stars beyond the viewscreen.

The Chernov was no longer a ship he was reporting to.

It was his ship to command.

He activated the ship-wide communication channel.

“Attention, all hands. This is Captain Thaddus Charles Francis O’Neil.”

His voice carried throughout the USS Chernov.

“I know many of you have just witnessed a significant moment in this ship’s history. A change of command is never simply the transfer of a uthority from one officer to another. It is a continuation of a legacy built by those who served before us.”

He paused briefly.

“Captain Kastarak leaves behind a proud record of service aboard this vessel. His dedication to this crew, his commitment to Starfleet’s mission, and his leadership of the Chernov are recognized and respected. I do not intend to replace what he built.”

“My responsibility is to continue it.”

O’Neil looked toward the main viewscreen.

“The USS Chernov carries with her a distinguished history. Throughout her service, this ship has explored the unknown, answered the call of duty, and represented the ideals that define Starfleet.”

“That tradition does not belong to one captain. It belongs to all of us.”

A brief silence followed.

“Every officer. Every enlisted crew member. Every person who reports to their station and gives their best when this ship needs them.”

“The strength of the Chernov has never come from the person sitting in this chair.”

“It comes from the people standing behind it.”

O’Neil glanced across the bridge.

“My command philosophy is simple. I expect professionalism. I expect dedication. I expect each of you to uphold the responsibilities entrusted to you.”

“But I also want you to know that you will have my support.”

“The challenges ahead will test us. Exploration has never been without risk. There will be moments where we encounter the unknown, where difficult decisions must be made, and where the path forward is unclear.”

“We will meet those challenges together.”

His expression remained calm and resolute.

“The purpose of Starfleet has always been greater than exploration alone. We seek knowledge because understanding is the foundation of peace. We make contact because every civilization has something to tea,ch us. We ,serve because there are lives that depend on us.”

“That mission continues.”

O’Neil allowed a final moment of silence before continuing.

“To the officers and crew of the USS Chernov: I am honored to serve alongside you. I accept this command with humility, and I will do everything in my power to uphold the trust placed in me by Starfleet and by this crew.”

“Continue to do what you have always done. Stand by one another. Maintain the standards that have defined this ship. And remember that whatever waits beyond our hull, we face it together.”

He looked toward the stars ahead.

“The next chapter of the USS Chernov begins now.”

O’Neil closed the channel.

“Captain O’Neil out.”

The bridge returned to its familiar rhythm.

The stars continued moving beyond the viewscreen.

But the USS Chernov had a new commanding officer.

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

Sovan glanced to the CMO, unsure if there was a protocol to their leaving the bridge now. Did they request permission to leave?

Doctor Sovan

Mykl waited until the doors closed behind Kastarak. “Give it a minute. I’m not sure our new CO is done talking.” Once she was sure, Najjarr headed for the door that would allow them off the bridge, Sovan walking beside her. “I know that to us the ceremony was a formality, but to Kastarak, it is the end of leading a crew through space. I don’t know if he’ll be able to claim the number one spot on a ship again—it will depend on his health.” She’d said enough for now. It wouldn’t take long for the ‘grape vine’ to announce exactly why Kastarak had been relieved, but she had taken an oath to keep every officer’s health issues private.

Lieutenant Mykl Najjar
Chief Medical Officer USS Chernov

” Something to Add Lieutenant or Doctor return to medical and thank you for coming with your support both of you.”

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