First Command by J.S. Hawn

luggage in an automated cart following him, pushed off the dock and floated up the 90-foot length of the umbilical cord which connected the RSNS Titan to Macran Space Dock 3. Grabbing the handle at the other end, Jonathan swung into the main entryway landing as gracefully as a professional gymnast. A Bosun’s pipe played the traditional melody, as Jonathan turned to the assembled officers and men. The site startled him a bit. The shore party was arrayed in perfect parade formation. There was a line of about thirty Spacers on the left, and a small squad of Marines on the right with Officers lined up in front of the spacer, however instead of the undress uniform as they should be, the entire formation was in full dress uniform. Officers and spacers in white and gold with peaked caps for officers and berets for enlisted and NCOs. The Marines were in their black jackets and white trousers with white caps. Jonathan absorbed the situation for a moment, and walked directly to the tall copper-haired Commander. The personnel file Jonathan had reviewed on the lift up identified as William Trendale the ship’s senior officer and Jonathans new XO. Trendale seemed to have suddenly come down with a case of severe sweating, but was doing his best to keep his face impassive. Saluting, Jonathan spoke, “Permission to come aboard sir.”
    Returning the salute, Trendale stumbled on the reply, “Um huh permission granted sir.”
    “Thank you” Jonathan said giving no indication he noticed Trendale’s mistake.
    Breaking the ornate wax seal on the parchment he’d received in Admiral Key’s office, Jonathan addressed the assembled officers and men. “Attention now,”
    Jonathan read the parchment “I Lt. Captain Jonathan Pavel, do hereby take command of RSNS Titan effective immediately upon these orders being read. Signed High Admiral of the Fleet Marcus Ho, Cosigned Minister of Defense, Jian Orbuckle, and approved by Tomas Banjour Premier of the Solarian Republic by the will of the people and the consent of the Senate.”
    Turning to Trendale Jonathan saluted, “I relieve you sir.”
    “I stand relieved sir.” Trendale replied.
    Jonathan turned once more to look past the Marines and Spacers stating, “I’m now in command.”
    And with that in the same fashion that a Captain had taken command of every Solarian navy ship for the last three centuries, Jonathan Pavel was now officially master and commander of RSNS Titan.
    Turning back to his new first officer Jonathan grinned, “I must say Commander Trendale, I didn’t expect to be greeted in such fine fashion.”
    Trendale was very stiff, “Apologies sir. I misremembered the regulations regarding welcoming a new CO aboard, no excuse sir.”
    “None needed,” Jonathan replied. “I believe section five of the regulations regarding uniforms, and ceremony states that dress when welcoming a superior officer aboard is at the discretion of the current senior officer aboard ship, and as you were the senior officer aboard you were well within your rights to choose dress whites.”
    Trendale seemed to relax momentarily, then remembering his role as XO snapped to attention again, “Sir may I present your officers?”
    Jonathan nodded.
    Turning to his right, Trendale introduced the short broad shouldered man as Lt. Commander Nathan Gopal the ship’s Third Officer and Tactical Officer. If William Trendale was a poster boy for the Landed class, Nathan Gopal was one for the Steaders. Dark skinned, dark eyed with jet black hair and a strong grip he stood about three inches taller than Jonathan, though Jonathan had accepted long ago he’d spend his life looking up at people not down. Gopal’s handshake was strong and rough. Next to Gopal, was Lt. Sandra Chan, Assistant Tactical officer. Jonathan wasn’t surprised to have a female officer. In fact, he didn’t think much of it at all. Solaria had full, legal equality between the sexes going back to the first landing, however culturally