Changes are Quick Part #1

Posted on 13 Jul 2026 @ 4:27pm by Captain Alexandria Somers

1,388 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: General Sim Postings
Location: Earth/Various
Timeline: Current

[ON]

Alex was mingling with her class-mates, it had taken them sometime to get used to the fact that she had experience and that she was at the Academy to formilise her Command training, she had also gotten a reputation of helping out Cadets who were having trouble in the physical department, when they had found out her actual age, they were surprised.

As she was laughing at a joke one of her friends said an Instructor entered, he seemed a little more formal than he had ever been before.

"Lieutenant Colonel Somers, if you would kindly come with me ma'am, the Academy Commandant wishes to speak to you" he said, she stood in one smooth motion and looked at her comrades.

"Well, old iron boots is using my formal title showing deference and looks a little puzzled, either I am in trouble for something that I did not realise I have done, it is bad news or something that has come up" she said looking over at the Instructor who was usually an ass to the Cadets and her, she had made it clear to him that while she was at the Academy, she was to be treated as any other Cadet, that was the only time he acknowledged her as a Senior Officer. Now here he was showing deference, she was unsure one what the hell was happening.

"I will keep you appraised when I return guys" she said looking at the group with a smile and joined the instructor at the door "do you have any idea on what this is about Lieutenant?" She asked quietly.

He looked at her and shook his head "sorry Colonel I do not, all I know I was sent to collect you" he answered.

"How did the Commandant sound?" She asked trying to pry as much information out of him.

"His normal, bland tone the one that gave nothing away" the Instructor said.

"Well then it is either going to be an ass-chewing or someting unexpected!" She responded, the instructor shrugged as he led her to the Commandants Office.

- Commandants Office -

As they entered, Alex came to attention and saluted, the Commandant nodded in response and the Instructor left. "you wanted to see me Sir?" She asked lowering her arm at the Commandants motion.

"Yes, it seems things out on the frontier have advanced somewhat, the USS Tomcat is putting back to Starbase 51, Fleet Captain Somers is getting promoted to Commodore and being given Command of the Starbase, this means that you will be graduating before September!" He said.

"Is there a reason why it is happening this soon?" She asked.

"Hey I am just the Academy Commandant, word came in, I was tasked with notifying you and now it is done, you will have a few days to get your stuff ready, say your goodbyes to your family, then be on the next transport out to the Mira Sector" The Commandant said.

"Oh before I forget, you will need these" he said pulling out a box from his desk and handing it to her "Congratulations Captain Somers, remember to change your undershirt before you leave" he saidoffering his hand, she took it "thank you" she said taking the box and returning the handshake.

"This will be your last night at the Academy Captain, good luck to you out there" he added.

After all the business was done Alex left the Commandants Office and walked past her former Instructor "you look troubled Colonel" he commented.

"Captain now, and things are moving too fast, never have been one for such quick changes, I put that down to my combat experience" she responded as the pair walked back to her dorm.

- Cadets Dorm -

Outside the pair paused she turned to her instructor

"Thank you for all the lessons Lieutenant, I know it must have been strange having a serving senior officer as one of your pupils, knowing that I had a lot of command experience under my belt, but I had to go through all this just to make things official, I also know I made your life hell" she said with a smile.

"You are Welcome Captain, if I am honest you knew more than most instructors, but what I cannot understand is why you were pranking people?" He asked.

*Smiling* "I heard that Academy life was tedious and boring, well the tedious was correct, but boring it was not, besides you think I was unruly, you never knew me as an enlisted Marine back in the day" she answered.

"Huh!" he said "you were enlisted? How did you become an officer?" The Instructor responded.

"I was promoted in the field, a field commission of Second Lieutenant, strange as I was a Corporal before that, but I assume it was down to that Special Ops mission I was part off and the experience I gained increaeed the chance of such an elevation. First year on the Independence I thought I could be as good as a diplomat at my father, I was wrong and it almost killed me" she explained.

"Almost killed you, how?" the Lieutenant asked.

"We were boarded by an unknown alien and I tried to communicate as it was on the same deck as I was, I was not cleared for First Contact and I had no permission from my then CO and the end result was this scar and nearly losing my lif" she said indicating her scar.

"You do know you could have that removed" he said.

"Yes, but it is a reminder that rules exist for a reason, okay I have bent a few and stretched others, but when lives are in danger I follow the rules" she said the Lieutenant looked thoughtful.

They said their goodbyes and Alex entered the common room of the Cadet Section where she had a billet she walked over to her friends and sat down.

"Alex you look pale, did you get chewed out again for doing something you should not have?" one asked.

"Hey, that was one-time and no, I was given these and told that this was my last night at the Academy" she answered showing them the box and then opening it to show Captain's pips.

"I have to pack, then I have a few days off to say my goodbyes and then I ship out to the Mira Sector and get my first official full command, not a cover job, but an actual command" Alex said.

"Tomcat?" Another asked.

"Yes, the Tomcat" Alex responded.

After much congratulations and hugs and screeches Alex went over to her billett and packed her kit, leaving out only enough for freshening up the next day.

Next day...

It was 0600 and her bed was neatly made and before the insepction she said her goodbyes and departed the Academy, as she walked the corridors she passed the billet commander.

"Morning Lieutenant Commander" she said knowing that by now the officer would have been told of the change.

"Captain Somers, congratulations" she said smiling as they both paused in the hallway.

"The others are ready for you, some might have tear-streaked faces, but they are ready, I have also left you a parting gift" Alex said.

A weary Billet commander looked at Alex.

"It is not a practical joke, I promise" she said straight-faced.

With a final handshake both officers parted, one to the transporters, the other to billet inspection.

- Billet -

As the Lieutenant Commander entered the room came to attention, the Officer looked over to where Alex used to reside and saw an ultra perfect made bed, the Commander was shocked for the duration of her training Alex had never seemingly been able to do a perfect bed-pack, but now here was one the Commander walked over and picked up the note.

"I told you I would get the hang of it, thank you for the fun times Commander - Alex" the Lieutenant Commander read and felt her throat tighten.

"Things are going to be aq lot quieter now Commander, heh?" one of the Cadets asked.

Steeling herself before turning around "yes Cadet, it is" the Commander said and began thew inspection.

[OFF]

 

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