Welcome to the Bridge

1 year had passed since the funeral.

Today was the day Captain Robert Steele would see his new ship and crew for the first time. He was nervous but exuberant at the same time.

Steele departed from Earth; his shuttle headed towards Starbase Sol—a massive fortress tasked with safeguarding the solar system and served as the headquarters for Blue Star.

As he approached the station, he was struck by the breathtaking sight of his new ship. The USS Serenity sat in the docking bay, its V-shaped hull gleaming faintly under the overhead lights. Engineers worked tirelessly around the ship, welding and adjusting systems, the occasional hiss of pneumatic drills cutting through the quiet. The ship was massive—the largest and most powerful ship in the entire fleet.

As the shuttle glided into the bay, rows of Blue Star officers stood at rigid attention, their uniforms pristine and their formation flawless. When the shuttle's landing struts touched down, Steele stepped out, his eyes sweeping over the assembled crew—his new crew. In perfect unison, they raised their hands in salute, the gesture resonating with a solemn respect and the unspoken weight of their shared expectations.

A young lieutenant approached Steele, saluting him.

“Good morning, sir! All 768 crew members are on deck and accounted for.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant.”

Steele saluted the lieutenant who then took his place in the formation. As the rest of the crew lowered their salutes, they eagerly awaited their captain's inaugural words. All eyes were on Steele, the first captain of the USS Serenity.

“Good morning, everyone. I am Captain Robert Steele. From this point forward, we will serve together as one big family. I want to thank you all for being here. I understand that it was highly competitive to be selected for the most ambitious project Blue Star has undertaken yet. You all know that our mission comes with risks and high expectations, especially as members of the USS Serenity, the flagship representing the entire Federation. I want you to know that I am proud to be your captain, and I hope we can work well together. Everyone except senior staff officers is dismissed.”

The crew of the USS Serenity were motivated and eager, clearly inspired by Steele's first impression. The air buzzed with excited chatter, which gradually faded as the room emptied. Seven officers remained in the shuttle bay, standing in formation, each eager to serve Steele. In a lighter tone, he addressed his senior officers.

“Why don’t we all introduce ourselves? Please share your name, rank, job, and one interesting fact about yourself.”

The officers exchanged puzzled glances, yet their motivation remained high.

“I’ll start off. As you already know, I’m Captain Robert Steele, the commanding officer of the USS Serenity. One interesting fact about me is that I love seafood, nothing beats a roasted teriyaki salmon with white rice and broccoli. If any of you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to visit me in my ready room when I’m available.”

One of the officers stepped forward.

She was a Lunari, a humanoid species known for their ghostly pale skin, striking crimson eyes, and short gray horns. Her long, silky white hair framed a face that carried a serious, unyielding expression—almost emotionless, yet distinctly intimidating. Humanity and the Lunari had shared a historically amicable relationship, born from a mutual passion for peace and exploration, and tempered by the fires of a war against a common enemy that solidified their unity.

“I am Commander Bei Qamiwat, your first officer, and I look forward to working with you, sir.”

Qamiwat wore a red jumpsuit that identified her as a member of the tactical staff. Aboard any starship, the tactical staff oversee security, manage weapon systems, communications, and handle all defensive operations, serving as the first line of defense in any crisis.

Her eyes wandered away from Steele, as if searching for a fact that wouldn’t be embarrassing.

"One thing about me is that I always like to be on time—I usually arrive an hour early."

"Impressive. I'm glad I won't have to worry about your punctuality. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise, sir."

She stepped back into formation, resuming parade rest. Another officer stepped forward, his appearance distinct with short, curly blue hair and dashing blue eyes, complemented by a neatly trimmed goatee. His yellow jumpsuit marked him as part of the engineering staff. The engineering staff were responsible for a starship's maintenance, navigation, engine management, and various other technical duties essential to its operation.

“I’m Lieutenant Commander Lucien Dubois; my job is the chief navigational officer and helmsman. One interesting thing about me is that girls cannot resist me.”

Steele's mood soured at Dubois's informal introduction, and the other officers shared his surprise, their expressions reflecting a mix of disbelief and concern.

“Lieutenant Commander, please understand that this is our first time meeting each other. First impressions are very important. Your comment is not only incredibly disrespectful, but it also tarnishes my perception of you as a Blue Star officer.”

Dubois bowed theatrically, as if he were concluding a performance on stage.

“My apologies, sir. I just wanted to break the tension between us.”

Steele sighed.

“Refrain from speaking so casually from now on.”

Dubois moonwalked back into formation.

A third officer stepped forward abruptly, nearly stumbling as she caught herself, surprising Steele with her sudden, unsteady movement. She was petite, with red hair pulled back in a ponytail, gentle green eyes, and round glasses that framed her face. She was trembling nervously. Her blue jumpsuit marked her as a member of the science staff. The science staff was the largest department in Blue Star, encompassing experts from every field of scientific study—biologists, archaeologists, and countless other disciplines. Among them, the most crucial role aboard any starship was that of the physician, the doctor responsible for the health and well-being of the crew.

“Good morning, sir! Commander Scarlet Weiss reporting for duty, sir! I am your chief medical officer, sir! I love researching medicine, sir! A fun fact about me is that I’m very outgoing and friendly, sir! Thank you, sir!”

Weiss skittishly introduced herself; her voice cracked, her tone too loud, as her eyes darted everywhere but at Steele. She seemed on the verge of fainting.

Steele, sensing her anxiety, took a step closer and gently placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“Please take a deep breath and relax, Commander Weiss.”

“I’m sorry, sir. It won’t happen again, sir.”

Weiss was still visibly shaking, though not as much as before.

She stepped back into formation.

The fourth officer stepped forward, towering over the others with his short purple crew cut and gleaming gold eyes. Despite his artificial nature, he exhibited distinctly human traits: breathing, warmth, and expressions of emotion. He was the only one wearing a purple jumpsuit, marking him as an artificial intelligence.

“Commander Deon, at your service, sir. I have been programmed to serve as your adjutant. I anticipate acquiring further data on organic lifeforms and its intricacies. One interesting fact about me is that I was created in a laboratory.”

“I’m pleased to have you onboard, Commander Deon. Androids like you are an invaluable asset to this crew, and I have no doubt you will serve us exceptionally well.”

Suddenly, Deon broke into a broad grin, inhaling deeply as if savoring the moment with palpable excitement.

“Likewise, sir. While my primary function is to serve as your adjutant, I am fully equipped to execute a variety of tasks, such as system diagnostics, thermal regulation, atmospheric pressure monitoring, comprehensive inventory audits, sequential corridor inspections, dust particle analysis, beverage temperature calibration, observation of minor maintenance routines, optical lens cleaning, corridor perimeter sweeps, energy consumption analysis, data encryption checks, alarm system tests, filter replacement assessments, intercom functionality verification, routine equipment status updates-“

Deon continued his list of mundane tasks for a full two minutes, detailing each with unbroken precision, until Steele, finally out of patience, cut him off.

“Thank you, Commander Deon. I’m glad to have you on board.”

Deon stepped back into formation.

Dubois yawned loudly and stretched his arms wide in a display of boredom.

“Sir, can I leave? I have a date with this cute girl in like 5 minutes from now.”

Steele’s expression hardened with anger, while the other officers stared at Dubois, perplexed at his unprofessionalism.

“Dubois, I'm curious why you think speaking to me so informally is acceptable. It makes me question how you secured a spot on this ship in the first place. Since you've chosen to be rude, I want you to get into a plank position for the remainder of this meeting. If you drop even once, you will sweep every deck of this ship clean until it’s spotless.”

Dubois managed a nervous smile and crossed his arms, attempting to appear unfazed.

“I didn’t mean any disrespect, sir. I was only expressing what I believe everyone else was thinking.”

Enraged and impatient with Dubois' rudeness, the first officer, Qamiwat stomped forward, her posture commanding and eyes narrowing into a fierce glare of disapproval.

“Lieutenant Commander Dubois, the Captain gave you an order and you will obey it!”

Her voice thundered through the room, each word resonating with authority. Dubois flinched, startled by the sudden force of Qamiwat’s voice. He squeaked in surprise, momentarily frozen in place. The officers felt the weight of her command, a reminder that the first officer was not to be taken lightly. Steele remained unfazed; his gaze locked onto Dubois.

Pressured by the situation he created; Dubois relented and assumed the plank position. He was already struggling, sweating and trembling like a leaf caught in a storm. Qamiwat’s eyes locked onto him as she stood firmly by Steele’s side, her presence an unshakable pillar of support.

The fifth officer finally stepped forward, she had straight brown hair, dark brown eyes, and her jumpsuit was blue.

“Good morning, sir. I am Lieutenant Commander Lydia Chen, your chief science officer. One fact about me is that I can solve any math problem without a calculator.”

Steele raised an eyebrow, a glint of curiosity in his eyes.

“What’s the square root of 7 * 7 * 6 * 6 * 5 * 5 * 4 * 4 / 100 + 3 - 98?”

Chen didn’t hesitate, her gaze focused and confident. She quickly rattled off the answer.

“83.53, sir.”

Steele smiled, impressed.

“Very impressive, Commander. I’m glad to have you on board.”

Chen gave a nod and stepped back into formation, her expression composed but with a hint of pride in her abilities.

Before the sixth officer could step forward, Dubois’s arms and legs betrayed him, and he crumpled to the floor, unable to hold the plank position any longer. His body trembled from the strain, sweat dripping down his face.

“Lieutenant Commander Dubois.”

Qamiwat began, her voice crisp and commanding,

“Your first order aboard this vessel is to clean every deck on every floor until they are spotless. If I find even a speck of dirt on a single deck, you’ll start all over again. No exceptions. Make sure the task is finished within 24 hours—by this exact time tomorrow!"

Despite the exhaustion weighing him down, Dubois struggled to his feet, forcing himself into a shaky but resolute stance.

“Aye, ma’am!”

Without another word, he bolted from the shuttle bay, his determination pushing him forward as he set to work.

Steele let out a sudden, hearty laugh, catching everyone off guard.

"Thank you, Commander Qamiwat."

His voice tinged with amusement. Qamiwat's cheeks flushed slightly at the compliment and his unexpected laugh.

"Of course, sir. It’s always a pleasure to serve."

She replied, her tone warm but professional.

The sixth officer stepped forward with confidence, standing tall with an athletic build that spoke of discipline and strength. His square glasses gave him an air of precision, and his short black hair was neatly trimmed, complementing his sharp features. His tan skin contrasted against the vibrant red jumpsuit. He held himself with authority, ready to make his introduction.

“Good morning, sir. I am Lieutenant Commander Somchai Noble, your chief tactical officer. My primary mission is ensuring the safety of the crew, and I look forward to seeing that through. One fun fact about me is that I used to compete in Muay Thai.”

“Great to have you, Lieutenant Commander Noble.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Noble stepped back into formation.

The seventh and final officer stepped forward, her short white hair, dashing purple eyes, and sturdy stance giving her a distinctive, no-nonsense aura. Her yellow jumpsuit marked her as part of the engineering staff, and her demeanor hinted at the confidence and grit she’d likely bring to the role.

“Greetings, sir. I’m Lieutenant Commander Joan Luceria, chief engineering officer. I’m looking forward to inspecting the new engine firsthand—working with cutting-edge tech like this is a rare privilege, and I’m excited to see what it can do. One fact about me is that I can bench 225 lbs.”

“That’s impressive, Lieutenant Commander. I agree that this technology will be very interesting for inspection. Nice to meet you.”

Luceria stepped back into formation.

At last, Steele’s senior staff officers had all introduced themselves and now stood at attention, awaiting his orders with a mix of anticipation and professionalism.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor to have you serving directly under my command. As your captain, I pride myself on being a diligent leader, and I adhere to a traditional work ethic. I expect all of you to remain punctual and maintain discipline at all times. While Dubois may have had a rough start with me, I want to be clear: If he does not fall in line, I will not hesitate to recommend a transfer. The same goes for any of you. Do not forget that we are responsible for the many lives aboard.”

The senior staff officers remained unfazed by Steele's warning. They were well aware of the expectations placed upon them as officers of the USS Serenity and were determined to uphold the integrity of their roles.

“Let’s head to the bridge.”

As the senior staff officers exited the shuttle bay, Steele followed suit and made his way to the bridge.

Stepping onto the bridge for the first time was awe-inspiring. The screen displayed a breathtaking view of the stars, while the tall captain’s chair in the center was flanked by two shorter chairs. At the front of the bridge stood two control panels, each focused on managing the ship's navigation, both panels were currently manned by ensigns. On the left side of the bridge was a tactical station, overseeing defense functions, and communications. To the right, the engineering panel which controlled the engine, thrusters, and all other technical operations critical to the ship's performance.

Steele settled into his seat on the bridge for the first time, a swell of pride and excitement coursing through him as he contemplated the adventures that awaited. He became lost in the view before him, the stars beyond shimmering like diamonds against the vastness of space. Qamiwat, his first officer, settled into the seat to his left, while Deon, his adjutant, took his place to the right. Noble assumed his position at the tactical station, while Luceria settled in at the engineering panel.

“Wow, I’m really impressed by the engine! I've never worked with one this detailed and powerful before!”

Luceria became completely absorbed as she examined the engine's schematics, her eyes traced every detail with intense focus.

Slowly, Weiss approached Steele, her steps hesitant. She nervously tugged at the edges of her uniform as her mind scrambled for the right words to bridge the silence between them. After a moment’s pause, she finally found her voice—louder than she intended.

“If you need me, I’ll be in Medbay, sir!”

She exclaimed, her words rushing out in a nervous tremor. The sudden outburst broke the spell of Steele's reverie. Startled, he turned to face her, momentarily pulled from his thoughts. His gaze softened, and he offered a calm response.

“Of course, Commander Weiss. You’re free to leave.”

He watched as she quickly made her way off the bridge, still visibly flustered.

“Permission to return to my lab, sir.”

Chen requested; her tone respectful.

“Permission granted.”

Steele replied with a warm smile, watching as she exited the bridge. As the door slid closed behind her, Deon turned toward Steele, his expression serious and earnest.

“Permission to speak freely, sir?”

Steele let out a quiet sigh, his gaze drifting momentarily before meeting Deon’s.

“Yes, Commander Deon?”

“While my designated role is that of your adjutant, I possess the capability to interface directly with the ship's systems. This allows me to provide you with immediate information upon request. For instance, if you require the current location of any crew member, simply ask, and I will retrieve that data for you. Additionally, should you wish to adjust the ambient lighting on the bridge, I can facilitate that as well. Furthermore, I can execute a range of operational commands, perform system diagnostics, and monitor environmental conditions—“

“Thank you, Deon. I have no objections to you connecting with the ship’s computer. Moving forward, please keep any information you share concise.”

“Aye, sir. It will take approximately 21 hours for me to establish a connection with the ship's systems. During this time, I will need to leave the bridge to access the main computer. Please note that I will be temporarily offline while my CPU synchronizes with the ship’s network.”

“Very well, I grant you leave for 21 hours.”

With that, Deon exited the bridge, leaving Steele’s right side vacant.

“Does anyone else need permission to leave the bridge?”

Steele asked, his voice steady but with a hint of amusement. No one responded, their faces etched with nervousness as they avoided making eye contact. Qamiwat, noticing the tension in the room, let out a quiet chuckle. She took in the nervous crew, her gaze softening slightly as she glanced at Steele.

“Well, it seems you've made quite an impression, sir.”

She said with a smirk, clearly entertained by the unease of the crew.

“It appears that I have.”

Steele replied with a small smile, his gaze drifting back to the stars. The vastness of space outside the main screen mirrored the quiet space within him, a momentary escape from the pressure of command.

Noble received a notification from the tactical panel.

“The engineers have completed all maintenance and repairs, sir. We’re cleared for departure.”

“Engage jump drive, Lieutenant Commander Luceria; let’s see what the USS Serenity is truly capable of.”

The crew on the bridge exchanged excited glances, a sense of anticipation filling the air.

“Gladly, sir.”

Luceria powered up the engines, and the vessel began its slow ascent. Then, with a sudden jolt, the jump drive surged to life, sending the ship hurtling forward. The adventure had officially begun.

*

On a desolate icy world under a sky faintly glowing with distant stars, a humanoid woman in a polished gray camouflage uniform knelt before an elderly man draped in a flowing, ornate cape. His crown, encrusted with intricate jewels, gleamed ominously in the dim light. He lowered his staff to her forehead, the cool metal brushing softly against her skin. With a slow, deliberate motion, he pressed it forward—a silent ritual that infused her with newfound power.

Rising, she stood firm and unyielding at the helm of her massive T-shaped warship, equipped with deadly armaments. With a single glance, she could see it was prepared to unleash devastation. Her voice echoed through the command bridge, cold and precise, as she rallied her crew.

“Finally, it is time. They will know the price of their actions. They will regret the day they crossed us.”

As her ship surged forward, the darkness of space stretched out like an open canvas, waiting to be painted with the ruin of their enemies...