(PC) == Post-Conduct Unbecoming)
For those of you who enjoyed Leo's first appearance in "Conduct Unbecoming," and are avidly reading Leo's earlier adventures, "Trial of Transfer," "Borderline Justice," and "At Her Majesty's Discretion" in WIP format here on TBBS, I offer this follow-up story to the unanswered question leftover in "Conduct" as to Leo's career choice. This, along with (so far) four other stories, cover the months after Leo's decision. Feedback and suggestions are welcome as this is a learning opportunity to improve my writing.
NOTE: In accordance with TBBS policy, I've had to censor language in dialogue. If you'd prefer to read the uncensored version, I encourage you to click here, which will take you to Ad Astra.
Other PC Stories:
- PC #1: Reserved for Those Willing
- PC #2: Your Service Honors Us
- PC #3: The Razor's Edge
- PC #4: Strength from the Shadows
- PC #5: A Work in Progress
Story Summary: Stardate 3900: Recently promoted Captain Leo Verde assumes command of Musashi, a state-of-the-art starship in its final stages of construction at Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards. While awaiting its completion, Leo navigates the challenges of leading a pre-commissioning crew while building trust with officers, some carrying the weight of complicated pasts. Each day tests his ability to balance the demands of Starfleet and family politics, crew dynamics, and the looming responsibility of bringing Musashi into active service. As the pressure mounts, Leo must prove he’s capable of steering his new command through both the unfinished ship and the ghosts of his own past.
Star Trek: First Duty - "Reserved for Those Willing"
by Lord McCovey Cove
NCC-3347/05 (Shuttle Sassen)
Approaching Utopia Planitia Construction Yard Eleven, full impulse power.
October 3, 2322 (Stardate 3900)
Cockpit
As Lieutenant (jg) Kimberly Timm skillfully guided the shuttle from Utopia Planitia’s main facility, Captain Leo Verde cast a sidelong glance at her, knowing she would safely take him to his new command, the starship Musashi. When he arrived at the station, he sought out a shuttle heading in the same direction and encountered Timm, who was in the process of loading equipment and parts for the construction teams working on the final weeks before the project’s completion.
Upon seeing him, she greeted him with a wide smile and addressed him as “Captain.” He wore his typical traveling outfit of a brown civilian jacket, a blue undershirt, and black slacks. The man’s smile as it peeked out from behind a full beard, she recalled vividly from their time on Repulse.
Leo moved across the landing bay’s deck; careful to navigate around the marked sections designated for craft landing. The facility’s busy nature demanded caution and alertness. “Lieutenant Timm. Congratulations on your promotion.”
Timm accepted Leo’s offered hand and shook it. “Thank you, sir. Congratulations to you, too. On the new ship.”
“Well, they were foolish enough to offer…” Leo replied, a mild blush forming upon his cheeks.
She dismissed his modesty with a wave of her hand. “[censored]. You’re the right person for the job.”
Taken aback by her brash remark, Leo could not help but chuckle. “We’ll find out.”
With a chuck of her thumb, she asked, “Need a lift?”
Once confirmed, a quick liftoff and a full impulse launch from the station’s outer marker pushed Leo into the back of his seat as the gravity systems lagged in response to Timm’s expert maneuvering. As they approached the yard, he could make out the shape of the ship within, with its catamaran-style hull design.
“Yard One-One Control to craft at vector Sierra-Echo-One-Niner,” called a toneless masculine tenor voice from the cockpit speakers. “Your trajectory shows you will enter our outer marker. Confirm identify as Three-three-four-seven-stroke-zero-five. Confirm your identity.”
Timm replied in the expected pattern, “One-One Control, Three-three-four-seven-stroke-zero-five is confirmed. We will enter vector Sierra-Echo-One-Niner in sixty seconds. Our flight plan is filed for direct approach and landing is on file.”
“Thank you, Sassen. Need your clearance code.”
She tapped in the requested code and transmitted on the channel. “Fulfilling supplement order Mike-one-three-seven. Oh, and am carrying Musashi-One.”
A pregnant pause punctuated Control’s response. “Sorry, Sassen. Say your last again?”
Timm repeated her words about the order fulfillment, then took a beat before adding, “And I’m carrying Musashi-One. Code Six.”
The flat tone replied, this time with more formality. “Uh, Code Six, confirmed. Welcome to Yard One-One, Captain Verde.”
Leo smiled. He leaned forward out of habit before speaking. “Verde, here. Thank you for the warm welcome, Control.”
“Sassen, you are now in the pattern. Upon leaving adjust heading for DAL vector Sierra-Echo-Zero-Four. Approach is hands-on, repeat, hands-on.”
She confirmed the Direct Approach and Landing vector by repeating the information back to Control, as every word spoken ended up in the record. Then, she finished with, “Hands-on approach acknowledged, Control. Thank you. Sassen, out.”
“‘Hands-on?’” Leo asked. “I guess the automatics are off?”
“Main bay. Tractor beam is down. System failure,” Timm explained in her typical telegraph style of speaking. She gestured to their cargo in the compartment aft. “Replacement parts are back there.”
“I see,” he said as he glanced back for a moment. “Well, there’s plenty of time before we launch. Do you know who from the PCU has arrived?”
She nodded once. With her right hand, she adjusted the heading for the direct approach vector. “ChEng,” she said, counting off with her fingers. “MARDET CO. Lots of NCOs. Lots of crew. Everyone’s eager.”
Leo considered that information. With the arrival of the new chief engineer and marine detachment commander, things would be looking up for him. As they closed in along Musashi‘s saucer, he asked Timm, “Would it be possible to do a quick orbit so I can get a closer look at my ship?”
With a smirk, Timm said. “You’re the boss.” She keyed open the comms and called, “One-One Control, Sassen. Requesting deviation from approach for inspection pass on Musashi-One’s request.”
A voice different from before replied; full of humor. “Sassen, Control. Deviation approved for inspection pass. Whatever the Captain wants.”
Leo and Timm shared a laugh over comms before she replied. “Control, Sassen. Adjusting for deviated course. Captain sends his respects.”
Control signed off the channel with a simple, “Enjoy the view, Captain. She’s a real beauty. Control, out.”
Sassen settled gracefully onto Musashi‘s primary flight deck; its landing gear engaging with a gentle thud as it transferred its full weight to the ship’s deck plates. The almost-imperceptible sound of the touchdown could be heard by those standing nearby, a subtle reminder of the shuttle’s impressive mass and the skill required to maneuver it.
Lieutenant Guilla Vazen stepped within view of Sassen‘s nose, with folded arms. She shook her head as she made eye contact with Timm through the tinted transparent aluminum. “You [censored],” she mouthed with a playful smirk.
With widened eyes, Timm tilted her head toward her passenger, as though to warn her fellow pilot.
Vazen glanced to the cockpit’s right side and caught Leo Verde’s amused expression.
“Oh, [censored],” she spat, breaking off contact to admire the deck.
“Good to see Vazen made it,” Leo said as she watched her sound the alarm. “Anyone else from Repulse?”
Timm locked down the shuttle after completing her post-landing checklist. “Oh, sure.” Without waiting for another word, she left him in the cockpit once she lowered the large aft egress door. As soon as the edge touched the deck, a flurry of personnel boarded to begin off-loading the much-needed gear.
He grabbed his duffel bag and slung it over his left shoulder.
To avoid impeding the bustling work crews, Leo used the starboard hatch of the shuttle. Carefully stepping down from the shuttle, he looked around, expecting an officer to greet him, but found none. Vazen apparently found other duties to perform. The absence didn’t faze him; it was typical of the organized chaos that characterized a starship under construction. He shrugged it off and made his way into the corridor.
“Okay, this is… deck nine,” Leo murmured, reading the nearest junction marking. He nodded to himself, orienting quickly. “The lift should be down that way.” With the assured stride of someone accustomed to starship layouts, he navigated the corridor towards the port side, spotting the lift doors ahead. He waited for the next car, and when the doors parted to reveal an empty interior, he stepped inside, feeling a fleeting sense of solitude amidst the construction noise.
“Captain’s quarters,” he commanded, his voice echoing in the confined space as the bare bulkheads did nothing for sound mitigation. The lift moved seamlessly into motion, ascending to accommodate his request. In moments, the doors opened onto the aft section of deck two, where the captain’s quarters awaited him just a short walk down the corridor. As he approached compartment 4A08, nestled beneath the main bridge, he felt a familiar twinge of anticipation mixed with the weight of responsibility that came with this new command.
Leo tapped the access panel beside the hatch, and the door slid open with a soft hiss. Stepping inside, he took in the stateroom’s unique layout, shaped by the slanted overhead that mirrored the underside of the bridge deck above. Protective coverings draped over the installed furniture, hinting at the room’s potential beneath the layers of plastic. Despite the coverings, he could already perceive the spaciousness of the Matsumoto-class ship, similar in size to an Excelsior.
“This is bigger than my quarters on the Crazy Eight,” he remarked, the words hanging in the air as he pivoted in place, taking in the full three-hundred and sixty degrees of his assigned living space. The stateroom had a subtle grandeur, still raw and unfinished, yet already felt like his own. He appreciated the thoughtfulness in the design, from the broad viewports to the well-planned layout that offered both comfort and functionality—a quiet promise of the life that awaited him as the ship’s captain.
The slanted overhead featured three expansive viewports, which overlooked a spacious central sub-compartment and offered a stunning panorama of the aft quarter; including the auxiliary craft landing path to the main doors of the flight deck seven decks below. The room had a wide desk, a high-backed chair, ample seating, and suitable tables for hosting small gatherings or receptions. Leo moved through the quarters, orienting himself and seeking the essentials. He discovered the bunk area, dominated by a queen-sized bed that promised a touch of comfort amidst the starship’s ongoing construction. Next to it, a private head offered a rare sense of solitude. On the opposite side, he noted access to a compact dining room, positioned to take advantage of one of the angled viewports, creating a cozy yet commanding space for meals with a view.
Leo set his duffel atop the bed, hearing the protective covering move underneath its weight. Opening it, he removed his uniforms and hung them in the provided wardrobe. The maroon jacket carried upon it the various accouterments earned through his years of service. On the shoulder sat the rank insignia of a captain; the device gifted to him by the crew of Repulse earlier that year.
After a brief consideration of walking the decks in civilian attire, Leo quickly dismissed the idea. He didn’t want to draw unnecessary attention from the security teams or distract the engineers already focused on their work. Instead, he stripped off his jacket, shirt, and slacks, replacing them with the standard departmental white turtleneck, the bomber jacket, and uniform trousers.
Now in attire that showed his authorization, he departed the stateroom for the corridor in order to start his self-guided tour with the bridge.
For those of you who enjoyed Leo's first appearance in "Conduct Unbecoming," and are avidly reading Leo's earlier adventures, "Trial of Transfer," "Borderline Justice," and "At Her Majesty's Discretion" in WIP format here on TBBS, I offer this follow-up story to the unanswered question leftover in "Conduct" as to Leo's career choice. This, along with (so far) four other stories, cover the months after Leo's decision. Feedback and suggestions are welcome as this is a learning opportunity to improve my writing.
NOTE: In accordance with TBBS policy, I've had to censor language in dialogue. If you'd prefer to read the uncensored version, I encourage you to click here, which will take you to Ad Astra.
Other PC Stories:
- PC #1: Reserved for Those Willing
- PC #2: Your Service Honors Us
- PC #3: The Razor's Edge
- PC #4: Strength from the Shadows
- PC #5: A Work in Progress
Story Summary: Stardate 3900: Recently promoted Captain Leo Verde assumes command of Musashi, a state-of-the-art starship in its final stages of construction at Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards. While awaiting its completion, Leo navigates the challenges of leading a pre-commissioning crew while building trust with officers, some carrying the weight of complicated pasts. Each day tests his ability to balance the demands of Starfleet and family politics, crew dynamics, and the looming responsibility of bringing Musashi into active service. As the pressure mounts, Leo must prove he’s capable of steering his new command through both the unfinished ship and the ghosts of his own past.
Star Trek: First Duty - "Reserved for Those Willing"
by Lord McCovey Cove
NCC-3347/05 (Shuttle Sassen)
Approaching Utopia Planitia Construction Yard Eleven, full impulse power.
October 3, 2322 (Stardate 3900)
Cockpit
As Lieutenant (jg) Kimberly Timm skillfully guided the shuttle from Utopia Planitia’s main facility, Captain Leo Verde cast a sidelong glance at her, knowing she would safely take him to his new command, the starship Musashi. When he arrived at the station, he sought out a shuttle heading in the same direction and encountered Timm, who was in the process of loading equipment and parts for the construction teams working on the final weeks before the project’s completion.
Upon seeing him, she greeted him with a wide smile and addressed him as “Captain.” He wore his typical traveling outfit of a brown civilian jacket, a blue undershirt, and black slacks. The man’s smile as it peeked out from behind a full beard, she recalled vividly from their time on Repulse.
Leo moved across the landing bay’s deck; careful to navigate around the marked sections designated for craft landing. The facility’s busy nature demanded caution and alertness. “Lieutenant Timm. Congratulations on your promotion.”
Timm accepted Leo’s offered hand and shook it. “Thank you, sir. Congratulations to you, too. On the new ship.”
“Well, they were foolish enough to offer…” Leo replied, a mild blush forming upon his cheeks.
She dismissed his modesty with a wave of her hand. “[censored]. You’re the right person for the job.”
Taken aback by her brash remark, Leo could not help but chuckle. “We’ll find out.”
With a chuck of her thumb, she asked, “Need a lift?”
Once confirmed, a quick liftoff and a full impulse launch from the station’s outer marker pushed Leo into the back of his seat as the gravity systems lagged in response to Timm’s expert maneuvering. As they approached the yard, he could make out the shape of the ship within, with its catamaran-style hull design.
“Yard One-One Control to craft at vector Sierra-Echo-One-Niner,” called a toneless masculine tenor voice from the cockpit speakers. “Your trajectory shows you will enter our outer marker. Confirm identify as Three-three-four-seven-stroke-zero-five. Confirm your identity.”
Timm replied in the expected pattern, “One-One Control, Three-three-four-seven-stroke-zero-five is confirmed. We will enter vector Sierra-Echo-One-Niner in sixty seconds. Our flight plan is filed for direct approach and landing is on file.”
“Thank you, Sassen. Need your clearance code.”
She tapped in the requested code and transmitted on the channel. “Fulfilling supplement order Mike-one-three-seven. Oh, and am carrying Musashi-One.”
A pregnant pause punctuated Control’s response. “Sorry, Sassen. Say your last again?”
Timm repeated her words about the order fulfillment, then took a beat before adding, “And I’m carrying Musashi-One. Code Six.”
The flat tone replied, this time with more formality. “Uh, Code Six, confirmed. Welcome to Yard One-One, Captain Verde.”
Leo smiled. He leaned forward out of habit before speaking. “Verde, here. Thank you for the warm welcome, Control.”
“Sassen, you are now in the pattern. Upon leaving adjust heading for DAL vector Sierra-Echo-Zero-Four. Approach is hands-on, repeat, hands-on.”
She confirmed the Direct Approach and Landing vector by repeating the information back to Control, as every word spoken ended up in the record. Then, she finished with, “Hands-on approach acknowledged, Control. Thank you. Sassen, out.”
“‘Hands-on?’” Leo asked. “I guess the automatics are off?”
“Main bay. Tractor beam is down. System failure,” Timm explained in her typical telegraph style of speaking. She gestured to their cargo in the compartment aft. “Replacement parts are back there.”
“I see,” he said as he glanced back for a moment. “Well, there’s plenty of time before we launch. Do you know who from the PCU has arrived?”
She nodded once. With her right hand, she adjusted the heading for the direct approach vector. “ChEng,” she said, counting off with her fingers. “MARDET CO. Lots of NCOs. Lots of crew. Everyone’s eager.”
Leo considered that information. With the arrival of the new chief engineer and marine detachment commander, things would be looking up for him. As they closed in along Musashi‘s saucer, he asked Timm, “Would it be possible to do a quick orbit so I can get a closer look at my ship?”
With a smirk, Timm said. “You’re the boss.” She keyed open the comms and called, “One-One Control, Sassen. Requesting deviation from approach for inspection pass on Musashi-One’s request.”
A voice different from before replied; full of humor. “Sassen, Control. Deviation approved for inspection pass. Whatever the Captain wants.”
Leo and Timm shared a laugh over comms before she replied. “Control, Sassen. Adjusting for deviated course. Captain sends his respects.”
Control signed off the channel with a simple, “Enjoy the view, Captain. She’s a real beauty. Control, out.”
Sassen settled gracefully onto Musashi‘s primary flight deck; its landing gear engaging with a gentle thud as it transferred its full weight to the ship’s deck plates. The almost-imperceptible sound of the touchdown could be heard by those standing nearby, a subtle reminder of the shuttle’s impressive mass and the skill required to maneuver it.
Lieutenant Guilla Vazen stepped within view of Sassen‘s nose, with folded arms. She shook her head as she made eye contact with Timm through the tinted transparent aluminum. “You [censored],” she mouthed with a playful smirk.
With widened eyes, Timm tilted her head toward her passenger, as though to warn her fellow pilot.
Vazen glanced to the cockpit’s right side and caught Leo Verde’s amused expression.
“Oh, [censored],” she spat, breaking off contact to admire the deck.
“Good to see Vazen made it,” Leo said as she watched her sound the alarm. “Anyone else from Repulse?”
Timm locked down the shuttle after completing her post-landing checklist. “Oh, sure.” Without waiting for another word, she left him in the cockpit once she lowered the large aft egress door. As soon as the edge touched the deck, a flurry of personnel boarded to begin off-loading the much-needed gear.
He grabbed his duffel bag and slung it over his left shoulder.
To avoid impeding the bustling work crews, Leo used the starboard hatch of the shuttle. Carefully stepping down from the shuttle, he looked around, expecting an officer to greet him, but found none. Vazen apparently found other duties to perform. The absence didn’t faze him; it was typical of the organized chaos that characterized a starship under construction. He shrugged it off and made his way into the corridor.
“Okay, this is… deck nine,” Leo murmured, reading the nearest junction marking. He nodded to himself, orienting quickly. “The lift should be down that way.” With the assured stride of someone accustomed to starship layouts, he navigated the corridor towards the port side, spotting the lift doors ahead. He waited for the next car, and when the doors parted to reveal an empty interior, he stepped inside, feeling a fleeting sense of solitude amidst the construction noise.
“Captain’s quarters,” he commanded, his voice echoing in the confined space as the bare bulkheads did nothing for sound mitigation. The lift moved seamlessly into motion, ascending to accommodate his request. In moments, the doors opened onto the aft section of deck two, where the captain’s quarters awaited him just a short walk down the corridor. As he approached compartment 4A08, nestled beneath the main bridge, he felt a familiar twinge of anticipation mixed with the weight of responsibility that came with this new command.
Leo tapped the access panel beside the hatch, and the door slid open with a soft hiss. Stepping inside, he took in the stateroom’s unique layout, shaped by the slanted overhead that mirrored the underside of the bridge deck above. Protective coverings draped over the installed furniture, hinting at the room’s potential beneath the layers of plastic. Despite the coverings, he could already perceive the spaciousness of the Matsumoto-class ship, similar in size to an Excelsior.
“This is bigger than my quarters on the Crazy Eight,” he remarked, the words hanging in the air as he pivoted in place, taking in the full three-hundred and sixty degrees of his assigned living space. The stateroom had a subtle grandeur, still raw and unfinished, yet already felt like his own. He appreciated the thoughtfulness in the design, from the broad viewports to the well-planned layout that offered both comfort and functionality—a quiet promise of the life that awaited him as the ship’s captain.
The slanted overhead featured three expansive viewports, which overlooked a spacious central sub-compartment and offered a stunning panorama of the aft quarter; including the auxiliary craft landing path to the main doors of the flight deck seven decks below. The room had a wide desk, a high-backed chair, ample seating, and suitable tables for hosting small gatherings or receptions. Leo moved through the quarters, orienting himself and seeking the essentials. He discovered the bunk area, dominated by a queen-sized bed that promised a touch of comfort amidst the starship’s ongoing construction. Next to it, a private head offered a rare sense of solitude. On the opposite side, he noted access to a compact dining room, positioned to take advantage of one of the angled viewports, creating a cozy yet commanding space for meals with a view.
Leo set his duffel atop the bed, hearing the protective covering move underneath its weight. Opening it, he removed his uniforms and hung them in the provided wardrobe. The maroon jacket carried upon it the various accouterments earned through his years of service. On the shoulder sat the rank insignia of a captain; the device gifted to him by the crew of Repulse earlier that year.
After a brief consideration of walking the decks in civilian attire, Leo quickly dismissed the idea. He didn’t want to draw unnecessary attention from the security teams or distract the engineers already focused on their work. Instead, he stripped off his jacket, shirt, and slacks, replacing them with the standard departmental white turtleneck, the bomber jacket, and uniform trousers.
Now in attire that showed his authorization, he departed the stateroom for the corridor in order to start his self-guided tour with the bridge.
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