The turbolift doors had opened with a whish sound as Shirley and the bridge based Department Heads stepped onto the bridge. She had looked over her bridge crew for a moment before stating with firmness in her voice, “Everyone take your stations, we are about to undock.” She approached her chair and took a seat crossing her legs at her shins. Her eyes scanned the for the ship wide communications intercom switch. Shirley found and activated the button, “Attention Sentinel Crew, this is your Captain speaking. We are about to embark on our journey into the Abyss. The estimated time of arrival is one week. Work with your department heads as their is plenty of work to complete in the meantime in preparation for our exploratory mission as week seek out new life and supplies in this unknown region of space. Rogers Out.”

Shirley’s finger released from the switch as she looked in the direction of her helmsman, “Ensign Dagget, I want you to go ahead and undock the Sentinel. Keep her steady as she goes please.” Shirley turned her head slightly to look at E’usah the Sentinel’s navigator sitting in front of her, “Ensign E’usah, plot a course to the Abyss.”

• Captain Shirley Rogers, CO