STARDATE 77184.19

Captain Jaimie Lee Kirk sat on the bridge in her command chair aboard the USS ENTERPRISE for the last time. Leaning forward a bit, she looked around at the fresh faces that sat amongst her crew. So many of those she'd served with in the beginning had moved on, leaving just five or six of her old crew remaining aboard by the time the Enterprise was decommissioned. Captain Trayr Serys had remained a loyal friend and crewmate through the last 10 years of service aboard ship, but now would finally have a chance to settle down on her homeworld of Bajor. Commander John Lockhart had been a loyal friend and crewmate as well, having devoted the last 8 years in the engineering decks of the ship. On more than one occassion he had saved her life. This of course, led to thoughts of John's brother David, a man whom loved her but could never reveal his true feelings because she was taken in marriage to another man. David had saved her life on countless occassions, and Jaimie realized with sadness that after this day she would rarely, if ever, see him again. Jaimie sighed now as she sat in her chair, smiling somewhat sadly as she recalled the years of service aboard this fine vessel. Zeyan had recieved a promotion just a year ago and had recieved his own command, the USS INTREPID and of course his wife had become the ships counselor of that command. Xon, whom despite his hateful arrogance had served faithfully aboard the Enterprise once he'd discovered it wasn't such a bad place, had been killed in a battle by the Thrull in late 2398. Commander Harmon Rabb would be going back into the JAG Corp once the Enterprise docked, and Tanis Larnet would retire that year.
As the Enterprise glided slowly towards space dock, Commander Harmon Rabb turned towards his Captain, a somewhat pensive look on his handsome face.

"We are approaching space dock Captain, reducing speed to 1/4 impulse." he said softly. Captain Jaimie Kirk nodded her head slightly, smiling a bit.

"Take us in Commander, and be gentle." she said, her voice unusually soft. Her Executive Officer turned to look at her with a raised brow but said nothing, Commander T'Shara had come back to the Fleet when she'd been approached about resuming her position aboard ship. Captain Trayr Serys stood to her Captain's left, as Commander T'Shara stood to her right. Down at the engineering and Security/Tactical stations Commander John Lockhart and Lieutenant Commander David Lockhart sat at ther stations, their countenances somber and quiet. The EMH had been taken offline already, all that was left was to dock and power down. Trayr Serys stared at th e screen as space dock came closer, shaking her head as she realized that this era had finally come to an end, and something new was beginning.

"Another Enterprise, decommissioned." she murmured quietly, looking down at the woman who sat so quietly in the center seat. T'Shara looked up with a raised brow,

"There will be another Enterprise Doctor." she murmured certianly.

Serys sighed and looked back up, "But none like this one, she was special." she murmured.

Behind her John snickered. "Sounds like someone has a thing for the ship." he remarked, grinning slightly. On the other side of the bridge, David glanced up towards the center seat with a wishful look.

"And some of us have a thing for the ships Captain." he returned softly. Jaimie looked up towards David, her green eyes appreciative of his comment, even though on the bridge she could not acknowledge it.

"We have cleared space dock doors Captain." Commander Harmon Rabb announced, "We are coming to a full stop." It was at this moment that the enormity of the situation hit everyone on the bridge, and it became deathly silent before the final order was delivered. Just as she was about to give the order, Jaimie tapped the intraship com on her chair instead, and began to speak.

=/\=Attention all hands, this is the Captain speaking. We have reached space dock and are now preparing to power down for the last time, but first let me take this moment to express my gratitude towards all who have served aboard this vessel, alive and long since passed. I will never forget my time with you all, or the sacrifices that have been made by this ships crew. I thank you now, for all you devoted work and patience as we sailed through easy and most difficult missions. All ERA'S reach an end, and it would seem, that ours has finally come to pass. God Bless each and everyone of you, and may your lifes journey's take you where you wish to go. God Speed. Captain Jaimie Lee Kirk out.=/\=

As the comms closed on her speach, Jaimie closed her eyes a moment before speaking, "Clamp all moorings Harm, power down the engines." she said, and then got to her feet.

"Aye Captain." came softly from Harm as he followed her final order, and as everyone got to their feet, she turned towards them all.

"It's been wonderful serving with you, safe journey to you all." she murmured quietly, before uttering her final words over the comms,

=/\=All hands, complete your duties and then go to find your destiny, your new duties await you.=/\=

And with that, she took one last look around at her bridge and headed to her quarters to finish up with the last of her duties.

==STARFLEET COMMAND, SEVERAL HOURS LATER==

In her new office, newly promoted Rear Admiral Jaimie Kirk sighed as she sat behind her new desk, wondering why in hell she'd accepted the damned promotion. Leaning back in her chair, she pressed the heels of her palms to her eyes, not really sure what to do at the moment. Fleet Admiral Hondo had assured her it would be alright to take the rest of the day off and report in tomorrow, and she was seriously considering it. She was just about to close up for the day when Admiral Moran Intaro stormed into her office and set some very disturbing Intelligence reports on her desk "

Admiral, the Dominion are on the move... they are preparing another offensive against the Federation." he said firmly. Jaimie looked up with her brows raised.

"You're positive about this Admiral Intaro?" she asked quietly.

Moran nodded, pushing the file closer to her. "I'm positive Admiral." he said, and watched the play of emotions across the other woman's face.

Tapping her combadge, she called Captain Zeyan Craz into her office. He arrived shortly after, somewhat leary of the fact that she was now an Admiral. His ship was in space dock now undergoing minor repairs after a skirmish with an unknown enemy and he arrived quickly.

"You wanted to see me Admiral?" he asked as he stepped into her office. He had known Jaimie for a good many years, and he did not feel the need for proper protocol.

Jaimie looked up. "I did Captain," she says, nodding to her seat. "It seems the Dominion is planning yet another offensive. I want you to begin launch preparations to go out to the dominion borders and investigate this and prepare to stop them. Use any force necessary. Take Admiral Intaro with you." she says quietly.


Zeyan's brows rose, but he said nothing in return. "Aye Admiral," he began, and then decided on a question. "Do we know how many to look for?" he asked.

Jaimie shook her head. "Unfortunately no, which is why I'll be sending the
USS CHAMBERLAIN with you. You and your ship will have command of the mission, good luck Captain. If I find out more, I'll be in touch."

Zeyan recoginzed one of Jaimie's patented dismissals when he heard one, and he shook his head. "Aye Admiral, we'll be ready for departure in one hour." he responded.

Jaimie nodded. "Excellent, dimissed." she remarked, and then as Zeyan left the room with Admiral Intaro, she sat back to look at the latinum pressed model of the Enterprise H that was on her wall. "To Boldly go..." she murmured, and with a heavy sigh got up to go speak with Fleet Admiral Amy Hondo.


TO BE CONTINUED.......