New Orders

Posted on Wed Apr 22nd, 2026 @ 4:09pm by Commander Colton Rogers & Commander Kara Sorenson

1,052 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Episode 1: Shadows of Diplomacy
Location: USS Scharnhorst, XO Quarters

Location: USS Scharnhorst, XO Quarters

"Looks like I will not be coming with you after all, Starfleet offered me XO of Starbase 870 I want to take it. The good news is that, its your base of operations." Kara said, as she pulled him close. At the end of the mission, she would be dropped off at the station. She waited for him to respond. How was he going to take the news?

Colton would be lying if he didn’t admit to himself that he was disappointed. And yet, he was proud of Kara and this was an opportunity she could not pass up. He smiled at her. “That is good news. You’ve worked hard and really deserve this.” It could have been worse she could have been sent across the universe.

"Colton don't give me that, you can say this sucks. Because it does. And you're also right it is an opportunity for me. The Scharnhorst doesn't have need for a fighter squadron. And my career starting to stagnate a little we both knew that. Yes it is an opportunity for me to become a first off service station. But I also know when I'm giving up, bad choice of words I'm not giving up on us. I just mean I know that it's going to be very difficult to maintain our relationship. But we both knew that seems we went into leadership that this would happen sooner or later." Kara point it out to him, hoping that he would actually open up and say how he is really feeling.

“It does suck.” Colton admitted. “I know that what we have between us is real and yet there is a part of me that is concerned. Being apart will be a great test for us.” He paused and then smiled at her, a genuine one. “I am happy for you I wasn’t just trying to make a brave face. I believe we will end up stronger after this because it will show how strong our love for one another is.”

"Yeah I'm surprised that Captain Kellen didn't choose me for his XO, I wonder who he's going to choose?" Kara said not realizing that Adrian was going to choose Colton. For the moment though Colton was the acting first officer, she kind of hope that he got it. He was definitely deserving right now Colton was the Second Officer so he was next in line.

“Maybe he knew you were being offered this position.” Colton pointed out. “He wouldn’t stand in anyone’s way for promotion.”

"Maybe, but aren't you also just in line for same promotion. Starfleet needs to recognize all you've done for the Federation and for Starfleet." Kara said slightly annoyed and also with love and care.

“I’m not holding my breath.” Colton replied. “I am really hoping to get first officer here. Captain Kellan would be an excellent mentor for me to one day have my own command.” He had the utmost respect for their commanding officer.

"What do you think, is holding you back from getting it?" Kara asked, she had no knowledge either way if he was going to get the role or not. But she was curious to see his insights.

“Honestly.” Colton replied after a moments thought. “Maybe I haven’t been as vocal about wanting it as I could be. I’m putting in the work and the captain has mentioned several times I’m going to make a great first officer for some Captain.”

"A good officer, should not have to be vocal. I don't think that's it. Maybe he just concerned with the safe return of his chief science officer and her daughter and pet dog." Kara simply said, trying to reassure him not to express his desire.

“You’re probably right.” Colton nodded. “The captain has a lot on his mind right now.”

"Have you met Lieutenant Mist before?" Kara asked, not sure if there paths have crossed. Kara had met her once in passing during a science seminar that was right next to her flight operations seminar that she attended on Earth.

“No.” Colton shook his head. His eyes met hers. “Have you?” It was the only reason he could think that she would ask him that.

"Just in passing, I heard she's very capable officer. I'm glad we're going to rescue her. I am kind of curious though probably knew she was in trouble?" Kara said not realizing that Starfleet intelligence notify them in that Starfleet intelligence operative was with Rayven as a spoke.

“It sounds like that is the case.” Colton agreed. “Who knew our first mission we would already be rescuing one of our own.”

"I'm grateful we are, because just 10 years ago depending on the situation where you might have let them rot out there. Hard to believe 10 years ago we cared more about keeping our core worlds happy than actually doing what was right. It was definitely a dark time in the batteries I'm glad that we've seen the light." Kara said feeling proud of the Federation and Starfleet, granted it took a disgraced Admiral to make them see that life but she was grateful for Admiral Picard.

"So am I." Colton nodded. "Things have definitely taken a turn for the better." He took a drink from his cup. "And I'm glad we are a part of it."

"I wish we had longer than just this mission, I am going to miss going on a way missions with you. But this is a good opportunity for both of us, potentially." Kara suggested to him.

"it is." Colton nodded. And it will be a test of our relationship, I have no doubt we will be fine, I know our feelings are strong for one another."

"I'm not looking forward to saying goodbye though so we better make sure we make the most of this time we have together." Kara suggested with a warm smile on her face.

"Definitely." Colton agreed with a smile of his own. "We need to make some memories to hold onto until we are together again."

"I'm not gone yet." Kara said, as she pulled him close. The scene fades away.

Colton held Kara close. He was going to make as many memories as he could.

 

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