The Little Rock Arrives
Posted on Sat Oct 4th, 2025 @ 2:32am by Captain Mikoto Misaka & Lieutenant Commander Lurath, Son of Grogori & Lieutenant JG Erskin Mon & Captain Violet Bluegarden
998 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
Preparations
Location: Starbase 375
The New Orleans class USS Little Rock dropped out of warp at Starbase 375. As the smaller ship entered the orbit of the small starbase, it was evident that the newer vessel was out of place among the older designs from the 23rd century. But even the Little Rock itself looked miniscule in comparison to the vessel it was to meet with and transfer supplies to: The USS Ermiana.
Though the overall shape of the Little Rock's primary and secondary hulls were identical to those of the Ermiana, the Little Rock was significantly smaller than the Galaxy class ship with which it was set to rendezvous.
[USS Little Rock]
The smallness of the Little Rock also translated to her interiors: While somehow, the bridge of the New Orleans class had managed to incorporate the swooping arch housing the tactical console from its Galaxy counterpart, the bridge's command pit only contained two chairs, both of which were currently filled:
Captain Violet Bluegarden had previously been communicating remotely with Admiral William Ross about the reason for the Little Rock's visit to Starbase 375 in her ready room. However, she had requested for her new first officer to alert her when they were about to arrive. An order which was carried out dutifully, and now Violet was back on the bridge.
"We have arrived at Starbase 375, Captain:" Commander Redcorn reported. "Ahead of schedule, if I might add."
Violet took a moment to stare at the ships on the viewscreen, scanning the vicinity for their target vessel: The other ships were mainly Excelsiors and Mirandas, which were the exact kinds of ships that she had previously served on. It had helped to shape her perspective and taught her not to take her current assignment for granted. Though, among these older spaceframes, the Galaxy class ship stuck out like a sore thumb.
"Better to be early than late:" Violet responded, rising from her chair. "Gribble, hail the Ermiana and inform them that we have arrived and are on station:"
From the Ops station to Violet's right, the officer seated at one of the few other fixed seats on the bridge swiped his console's smooth surface as he opened a hailing frequency.
"Ermiana has been informed." Gribble reported before looking back at his console. "Oop, looks like they wish to speak with us:"
"On screen:" Violet ordered.
The image of the large spacious bridge of the Galaxy Class appeared. The Ermiana also had the 'refit' type of bridge with additional consoles along the port and starboard walls and the raised command area.
"Welcome to Starbase 375. I'm Captain Misaka," Misaka said as she rose to ger feet and stepped forward. "Word is it you have a delivery for us?"
"Admiral Ross already told me all about it." Violet responded, also rising from her chair and stepping forward. "Frankly, I still don't understand the decision to place a vast majority of the weapons shipments onto one ship, and if you ask me, it's an open invitation for trouble."
Silently, as the COs spoke to one another, Lieutenant Erskin Mon prepared for the transfers from the Operations console, sharing much the same curiosity as Captain Bluegarden.
"You know as well as I do Captain that the Maquis are very active along the Cardassian Border." Misaka said. "Although they fly old ships armed with stolen technology, with their numbers they can easily commandeer a smaller ship or a transport freighter. Starfleet doesn't want these weapons to fall into their hands. They'd be foolish to try to take them from a ship like the Ermiana."
"Boy do I know, the list of ex-Little Rock personnel who joined the Maquis is long. Perhaps that's why Hill had a blood vendetta against them." Violet sighed. "But even still, the thought that the Maquis wouldn't dare attack a Galaxy class is... Dare I say outdated thinking? If anything, it might embolden the Maquis to assemble a larger attack force."
Misaka raised an eyebrow. She knew that the Maquis had been recruiting, but to have Starfleet Officers from one ship leave in such numbers was unusual. "Regardless Captain. Starfleets Orders are for us to take the cargo to Deep Space Nine. I'm not one to sit here and pick apart every order that they give us. No doubt they have considered other options as well."
"Currently my First Officer, Chief of Security and Chief of Operations are overseeing the transfer of the cargo into our cargo bays. You should have your people co-ordinate with them." Misaka added.
"Understood." Violet nodded. "I'll send over the manifest of cargo we're expecting to transfer, so y'all can verify everything is there once the process is complete."
Sitting at Ops, Erskin nodded, absently, knowing to look for the cargo manifest when it was sent over. He was more concerned about the Dominion than the Maquis though, especially with what had happened to the Odyssey during first contact.
"Understood. Ermiana out."
[USS Ermiana]
The viewscreen cut off. Misaka tapped her comm badge. "Misaka to Lurath. The Starship Little Rock has arrived and will be contacting you shortly regarding the security arrangements of the last cargo transfer."
"I have already begun to preparations. I will await their contact, Captain. Lurath Out."
Misaka nodded. "Lieutenant Mon. Go down to the Cargo Bays, let's get those weapons loaded quickly and safely."
The Trill pushed away the Operations console and turned his chair so he could successfully head to the Cargo Bay. "Aye, Captain," he acknowledged as he passed his relief officer on the way to the turbolift.
Misaka turned and walked slowly towards her ready room. She decided to go over their route one more time, just to be sure. The last thing she wanted was for the Cardassians or the Maquis to show up and ruin their day.
Posting by:
Captain Mikoto Misaka
Commanding Officer
Lieutenant Commander Lurath, Son of Grogori
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
Lieutenant JG Erskin Mon
Chief Operations Officer
Captain Violet Bluegarden
Commanding Officer - USS Little Rock
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