The Cairo’s New Crew Assembles

I slowly lifted one eye as I heard the soft two-tone chime echo through the darkness of my quarters.

Then the computer spoke.

“Zero seven hundred hours. Commander Sisko has requested your presence in Ops at zero nine hundred hours.”

“Computer, confirmed,” I said in a raspy voice while groaning as I started to wake up in my quarters aboard Deep Space Nine.

The bed wasn’t necessarily that comfortable. The station’s Cardassian architecture gave the room an unfamiliar feeling—arched bulkheads and angled wall panels softened by warm amber lighting. Not the typical Starfleet quarters I was used to.

I may have been in a standard Starfleet-issued bed, but the dark metallic tones, arched doorways, and faint scent of station metal weren’t nearly as welcoming this morning as they had seemed last night.

I sat up and stretched.

“Computer, lights one hundred percent.”

And now I was awake.

Anyone who knows this strange morning habit of mine thinks I’m crazy, but it’s the easiest way to make sure I actually get out of bed on time.

I turned toward the large curved viewport in my quarters. Beyond the window, Bajor hung like a blue-green jewel against the black.

I admired the view for a moment before deciding it was time to get the day started.

“Computer… tea. Blueberry. Hot.”

Another reason I asked the computer to bring the lights up to one hundred percent when I woke up. The closer I got to forty, the more my stomach refused to tolerate coffee. And apparently this year was that year.

I got out of bed and walked over to the replicator alcove. The soft hum as it generated my tea was oddly comforting.

I picked up the cup and blew across the surface, trying to cool it slightly while glancing at the environmental panel glowing faintly beside the doorway.

I naturally ran hot, so I adjusted the temperature down a little. No reason to feel miserable after the sonic shower I planned to take shortly.

The curved viewport dominated the main living space, offering a beautiful view of Bajor that helped offset the dull Cardassian architecture. I admired the view again before walking back toward the small living area and sitting on the couch beside a low table where I could set my tea.

A large viewscreen hung on the wall, which irrationally made me feel like Commander Sisko might appear on it at any moment with bad news.

Red Directive mission jitters, I guessed.

I scanned the rest of my quarters while sipping my tea. There was a workstation available if my stay lasted longer than expected. The shelves were empty of personal décor for the same reason.

It made me miss my quarters on the Rutledge.

Although I had to admit, I was a little excited to see what my quarters would be like aboard the Cairo.

I spent a few more moments daydreaming before standing and heading back through the bedroom toward the rear of the quarters where the sonic shower was located.

Sonic showers never seemed like they should be refreshing, but somehow they were.

The hard part was styling my hair afterward.

One of the many reasons I woke up extra early before the oh nine hundred briefing.

When I finally finished getting ready for the mission briefing, I decided to head out a little early. It seemed like a good way to make a solid first impression on Commander Sisko.

Not that I needed one, or they wouldn’t have asked me to captain this mission.

Still, it was my style.

It also felt like a good opportunity to make a good impression on the wayward bridge crew I was about to officially meet.

I walked to the door and tapped the panel.

The doors slid open into the softly lit curved corridor of the Habitat Ring, and I stepped out as the door slid closed behind me.

I walked at a relaxed pace, taking in my surroundings. The tall arched doorways and Cardassian structural lines made the station feel less welcoming the longer I looked at them.

Eventually I reached the nearest turbolift.

The curved doors opened—and before I could step inside, a Ferengi I hadn’t met yet stumbled out carrying a tray loaded with food and a drink, nearly colliding with me.

He caught his balance at the last second, saving us both from disaster.

The turbolift doors slid closed behind him as he struggled to rearrange everything on the tray while muttering about lazy Starfleet officers.

I instinctively reached over to help steady the tray.

He looked up—and immediately became flustered.

“I’m so sorry, Captain. I hope I didn’t get anything on—on you. I mean—sorry! No need to help me, I’ll take care of it. My brother Quark started selling private breakfast deliveries to Starfleet officers who didn’t want to go down to the Promenade.”

I chuckled.

“No harm done. Quark’s brother and employee? That sounds like a dangerous position to hold. You’ve got your work cut out for you, Mister…?”

“Rom, Captain. Just Rom.”

Another awkward smile appeared as he glanced nervously down the corridor.

“Sorry, uh… I should hurry before my brother starts deducting my pay.”

“Carry on.”

Rom hurried down the corridor balancing the tray, muttering something about spilled jumja tea.

I laughed quietly before stepping into the turbolift.

“Ops.”

The lift hummed as it carried me upward through the station toward the command level.

The ride was short.

When the doors opened, I stepped out onto the upper level of Ops.

I hadn’t only come early to make a good impression.

I had enjoyed my night with Jadzia and hoped she might be around again later after the briefing.

It was my last night on the station, after all.

I scanned the command pit below.

Sure enough, Jadzia stood at the science console.

Other officers moved between stations as the room hummed with its usual quiet urgency.

“Captain A. Kelly has arrived,” the computer announced.

Every Starfleet officer in Ops briefly looked up.

Jadzia waved before immediately returning to her work.

I spotted Chief O’Brien moving between consoles, likely adjusting something in the station’s systems.

Major Kira stood near the large dark viewscreen, sounding like she was arguing with someone again.

I noticed Commander Sisko approaching me.

I clasped my hands behind my back.

“Good morning, Commander.”

“Bright and early, I see, Captain,” he replied. “If you’d like to head into the conference room to your left, a few of your bridge officers have already arrived. One of whom I hear you’ve already met.”

Apparently word traveled quickly aboard this station.

“I’ll see you at oh nine hundred hours, Commander.”

We exchanged a nod.

He returned to speak with Major Kira while I turned left along the upper walkway.

The doors to the conference room parted with a soft hiss.

The room was built into the wall of the upper ring, completely enclosed and invisible from most angles in Ops.

Inside, I immediately recognized the EMH I had met the day before for my medical clearance. He was speaking with a perfectly composed woman whose golden eyes immediately revealed what she was.

Aura.

Our Adaptive Utility Recreational Android.

A synthetic.

I had been intrigued when I saw the assignment listing.

Even if she was only assigned to the mess hall aboard the Cairo.

I stepped toward them.

“Good morning. I’m Captain Kelly. I look forward to serving with all of you.”

The EMH looked mildly annoyed.

“Yes, Captain. We know. Who else would you be?”

Aura studied me carefully.

“You’re not another Data, are you?” I asked.

She tilted her head slightly.

“Negative. Lieutenant Commander Data is considerably more advanced.”

That made sense.

Still, the ruling on Data’s sentience had changed Starfleet forever.

I wondered whether Aura possessed that same level of awareness.

Before I could ask, she spoke again.

“Captain, according to my scans, your nutritional intake requires adjustment. I can design a plan to optimize your performance aboard the USS Cairo.”

My eyes widened slightly.

“No Aura, that won’t be necessary. If I need a nutritional plan, I promise I’ll ask.”

She tilted her head again, clearly processing that answer.

I turned—and found a tall Vulcan standing directly behind me.

Hands clasped behind her back.

Expression neutral.

“Captain Kelly,” she said in a calm monotone. “I am Commander T’Varen of the House of Surak. Cousin to Ambassador Spock through the Sarek lineage. I will be your first officer aboard the USS Cairo.”

I returned a slight bow.

“Looking forward to working with you, Commander. Your record is exemplary.”

“Indeed, Captain. That is why I am here.”

Vulcans certainly didn’t waste words.

The doors hissed open again.

A young Bajoran woman stepped inside.

Ensign Sito Jaxa.

My helmsman.

A controversial choice considering her Academy history with Nova Squadron and the Kolvoord Starburst incident—but anyone who survived that level of scrutiny and still graduated with honors had clearly earned their place.

Before she could speak, the doors opened again.

Lieutenant Commander Darak entered.

My science officer.

The same Cardassian I had met the night before in Garak’s shop.

“Good to see you again, Captain,” Darak said with a nod.

Ensign Jaxa jumped slightly when she noticed the Cardassian standing beside her.

“Again?” she asked, surprised, glancing quickly between the two of us. “I knew I should have gone down to the Promenade last night. Oh—sorry, Captain. I’m Ensign Sito Jaxa. Before everyone else gets here, I just wanted to say—”

She hesitated, clearly trying to find the right words.

I raised a hand gently to stop her.

“There’s no need to explain anything about your past, Ensign.”

She looked relieved, though still slightly uncertain.

“The only thing that matters here,” I continued, “is that we work together and complete this mission safely—with every one of us coming home.”

She forced a small smile and moved to sit at the conference table.

Commander T’Varen spoke quietly beside me.

“The assignment of our helmsman is… curious.”

“Agreed,” I replied. “But sometimes one mistake is enough to make someone the best version of themselves.”

She simply replied:

“Hm.”

The doors opened again.

Drim entered—followed by a Klingon officer who refused to break eye contact with him.

Neither seemed willing to blink.

They sat at the conference table and continued their silent standoff.

Soon the rest of the bridge crew gathered.

Only one officer remained missing.

And Commander Sisko.

Just as the clock approached oh nine hundred, the doors opened.

Commander Sisko entered.

He glanced around the room.

“Where is Commander Pelia?”

I tapped my combadge.

“Computer, locate Commander Pelia.”

“Commander Pelia is in transit to Ops.”

Sisko gestured toward an open chair.

I sat beside Commander T’Varen.

Moments later the doors opened once more.

Commander Pelia entered.

Sisko greeted her loudly.

“Commander. How nice of you to join us.”

She sat calmly.

“When you’ve lived as long as I have, Commander, one learns not to rush.”

Sisko smiled slightly.

“Now that the senior staff of the USS Cairo is assembled…”

He stepped toward the large star map displayed behind him.

“Let’s begin.”

Even though I already knew the general nature of the mission…

My heart still sank.