We Left Deep Space Nine – And There Was No Turning Back – Star Trek Fanfiction (Red Directive #04)
The subtle transition from the station’s environmental systems to those of the ship was something every officer noticed eventually.
I had never stepped aboard the Cairo before, but every starship carried the same familiar feeling. It made me wonder if the crew of the USS Enterprise NX-01 felt it too when humanity first stepped out to explore the galaxy.
The first explorers of the Federation must have felt something similar.
I stepped into the Cairo’s airlock alongside a few lower-deck crew members finishing the final cargo transfers.
Whispers drifted through the chamber as we waited for the pressure cycle to complete. I couldn’t quite make out what they were saying, but I had a feeling I knew.
Word travels fast in Starfleet.
No doubt it had something to do with Captain Jellico’s reassignment to the Cardassian frontier… and my new command of his ship.
The airlock doors slid open.
The low hum of the ship’s warp systems resonated through the bulkheads like a steady heartbeat.
For a moment, I heard nothing else.
The primary corridor on Deck Five was alive with activity as I made my way toward the mid-ship turbolift.
Large yellow engineering carts lined the corridor, forcing crew to weave around them while transporting equipment and diagnostic gear. Some officers snapped to attention as I passed. Others continued their work while whispering quietly among themselves.
Even though I knew the whispers were about me, I found myself more interested in learning the ship’s layout.
As I passed the security office, I saw Kurn—our tactical officer—running final system checks. That meant Constable Odo was likely already on the bridge waiting for me.
Can’t wait.
Further down the corridor I passed the transporter room, where Lieutenant Drim—our operations officer—was performing a transporter scrub.
Smart.
Someone needed to verify the pattern buffer logs before departure. The last thing any captain wanted was an unauthorized transport slipping aboard at the final moment.
Until we designated a dedicated transporter chief, someone had to monitor it.
Cargo Control was the next large compartment along the corridor. The room was full of lower-deck crew finishing their final loading procedures.
I paused briefly at the doorway.
It was always impressive seeing how many people it took to prepare a starship for launch.
An Excelsior-class vessel was far larger than the Nebula-class ships I was used to serving on. Nearly seven hundred officers and crew now called the Cairo home.
Including me.
That was a lot of responsibility.
Still… I was fairly certain I could outdo Jellico.
I smirked at the thought as I reached the turbolift and tapped the door panel.
The doors slid open.
I stepped inside and took a slow breath.
“Bridge.”
The turbolift hummed as it carried me toward Deck One.
The vibration of the ship’s systems resonated through the lift car—steady and reassuring.
I focused on my breathing, letting the hum of the ship settle the last of my nerves. A captain never showed uncertainty before launch.
Confidence set the tone for the entire crew.
The lift slowed.
The doors hissed open.
The bridge antechamber was quiet as I stepped out.
Security officers immediately straightened and saluted.
I returned a small nod before continuing down the short corridor toward the bridge doors.
A status display panel on the wall confirmed what I already suspected.
All systems ready.
Final launch procedures underway.
Perfect.
The bridge doors slid open the moment I arrived.
The boatswain’s whistle sounded.
“Captain on the bridge.”
Why thank you, Number One.
The bridge crew rose as I stepped onto the command deck.
Everyone smiled as I entered.
Everyone except Constable Odo and Commander Sisko.
Apparently to them, arriving exactly on time meant arriving late.
The faint scent of newly installed systems still lingered in the air from the recent refit.
It brought back memories of other launches… other ships.
But today was different.
Today this ship was mine.
Chief O’Brien was the first to greet me.
“I may still be figuring out half those Cardassian circuits on Deep Space Nine,” he said with a grin, “but starships… well, let’s just say you’re about to fly away with some of my best work.”
“I see.”
“Oh yes,” he continued. “Minor refit, but we made some worthwhile adjustments. Shield harmonics recalibrated, additional scientific instrumentation packages installed, and we upgraded the sensor arrays for Gamma Quadrant operations.”
Interesting.
How anyone could predict Gamma Quadrant conditions in unexplored space was beyond me.
For a brief moment, a quiet thought crossed my mind.
Section 31.
I quickly dismissed it. The last thing I needed before a launch was chasing rumors.
The Chief continued.
“Warp efficiency improved by 3.2 percent. Several EPS junctions replaced. Mission configuration was completed ahead of schedule.”
He smiled with quiet pride.
“Mission configuration was completed ahead of schedule,” the Chief said with obvious pride.“Engineering has been ready for departure for some time now, Captain. We were just waiting on final clearance.”
I gave a small nod.
“Good to know the ship is eager.”
O’Brien grinned.
“That she is.”
“Thank you, Chief.”
“You’re welcome, Captain.”
He shook my hand before giving Commander Sisko and Constable Odo a quick wink.
Then he turned and made his way toward the bridge doors, heading for the turbolift in the antechamber outside.
I had barely taken two steps before Odo appeared in front of me.
“Captain, security verification is complete,” he said flatly. “Encrypted Starfleet communications have been confirmed, internal security protocols activated, and command authorization codes remain secure.”
Before I could respond, the Constable was already leaving the bridge.
He would not be missed.
Commander Sisko stepped forward and handed me a padd.
“By authority of Starfleet Command,” he said calmly, “command authorization codes for the Federation starship USS Cairo are hereby transferred to Captain A. Kelly.”
The computer responded immediately.
“Command authorization accepted. Captain A. Kelly recognized.”
Sisko gave a small nod and patted my shoulder like an old friend.
“Congratulations, Captain. She’s all yours.”
He offered a quick salute before heading for the bridge doors.
Apparently the Deep Space Nine command staff preferred efficiency over ceremony.
As the doors closed behind him, an unexpected thought crossed my mind.
I never properly said goodbye to Jadzia.
Something about that felt unfinished.
The computer chimed.
“Minor systems refit completed. All primary functions operating within tolerance.”
Around the bridge, the crew resumed their stations.
Ensign Jaxa turned slightly from the helm.
“Helm diagnostics complete, Captain. Thrusters and maneuvering jets reading nominal. She’ll fly.”
Commander T’Varen stood beside the captain’s chair.
“All departments reporting operational readiness within acceptable thresholds.”
She gestured toward the chair.
I sat down slowly.
The captain’s chair of the USS Rutledge never felt like this.
But the bridge crew seemed not to notice my moment of hesitation.
Good.
Lieutenant Darak spoke from the science console.
“Station control confirms release of docking clamps.”
A deep mechanical thrum echoed through the hull as the docking clamps released from the station’s pylons.
The comm panel chirped.
“Cairo bridge, this is Major Kira Nerys on Deep Space Nine. Station traffic control has cleared departure.”
No viewscreen message this time.
No last-minute goodbyes.
“Acknowledged, Major.”
“Thrusters ready,” Jaxa reported.
“Proceed with departure maneuver.”
The Cairo began to drift slowly away from Deep Space Nine’s upper pylons.
Clearing the station perimeter always felt much longer than it actually was.
I watched the main viewscreen as we departed the station. The massive arms of Deep Space Nine slowly fell away behind us.
The docking ring glowed against the black of space.
This was it.
My ship.
My crew.
And a mission classified enough that most of Starfleet would never even know it existed.
The comm system chirped again.
“Engineering to Science,” Pelia’s voice announced.
“Commander Darak, if you're quite finished recalibrating every sensor on the ship for the tenth time, I’d appreciate confirmation the long-range arrays won’t interfere with my warp field geometry.”
Darak barely looked up.
“All systems properly aligned, Commander.”
I watched the exchange for a moment before activating the shipwide channel.
“All hands, this is the captain. Prepare for departure.”
Deep Space Nine rotated slowly beneath us as the station faded into the distance.
Stars filled the viewscreen.
I glanced toward my first officer.
Commander T’Varen studied the navigation display for a moment before giving a small nod.
“Course plotted, Captain. Heading mark 174 for the Bajoran wormhole. Warp clearance confirmed.”
I turned slightly toward the helm.
“Helm, engage impulse engines.”
The Cairo responded immediately. A low vibration spread through the deck plating as the impulse drive came online.
On the viewscreen, the last lights of Deep Space 9 drifted farther into the distance.
Stars slowly filled the screen.
My first officer glanced toward me, waiting for the final order.
I leaned forward slightly in the captain’s chair.
“Take us out.”
Ensign Jaxa’s hands moved across the helm controls.
The stars stretched into streaks of light as the USS Cairo leapt to warp.
Red Directive had begun.
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