Captain Harold Vaughn, who was currently en route to Starbase 72, took up his new role as the commanding officer of the newly commissioned Prometheus-class starship, the USS Athena. He was currently still questioning why he was transferred to Task Force 72 out of all places. Having been a tactical and operational chief for several starships until he was granted the commission of a starship, his history in tactical and operational operations would have made him more likely to be on the frontlines, but apparently not.

”The diplomatic task force... Huh, that’s currently going to be interesting if I do say so myself,” Vaughn muttered to himself while sitting inside a runabout.

“Firstly, why a Prometheus-class starship? I’ve currently heard all about those types of ships. Experimental bed for new technologies. A starship that could be split into three separate parts. Might I even dare say, one of the most powerful and capable tactical ships there are currently in service?" said Vaughn, who was now scrolling through his PADD about the information on his new starship. Well, he knew about it already, but reviewing it wouldn’t hurt now, would it?

“Prometheus-class starships are one of the most advanced and tactically advanced ships currently in service with Starfleet. Not to mention its speed! Warp 9.9 is certainly impressive. Impressive in the sense that it can keep its warp speed at warp 9.9 for a long amount of time. It can also exceed warp 9.9, they say. Now on to the next most interesting thing about this type of ship. Multi-vector assault mode... AND ALL THREE SECTIONS ARE WARP CAPABLE?! “Being a tactical officer in the past, Vaughn really knew his history and facts about starships. This is like the first time he ever heard of three sections of a ship being all warp-capable. 

“I mean, even when you have a starship such as a galaxy-class with its saucer separation feature, the saucer would be left with no warp drive and well-limited weaponry, which is of course unlike the prometheus, apparently. Warp is capable and tactically powerful. Great combo, if I do say so myself.“

”Ok, next questionable thing... I’m going to be a diplomat now? I mean, Task Force 72, right? I’ve been reassigned there. My diplomatic skills need some refreshening and need to be worked on ASAP.”

Vaughn, being a tactical and operations chief, dealt with more intricate problems inside the ship than outside. He is certainly no diplomat, but he is most willing to learn the intricate art of diplomacy. Or at least sharpen it once again. 

On the other side of the world, specifically on the bridge of the USS Athena, a lot of things were happening while waiting for the captain to arrive. Natalie Kurtz is the standing executive officer and the most senior officer on deck, and she now has the responsibility of making sure everything is up to standard before the captain ever stands a foot on the ship.

Walking into the main bridge, Natalie could see everyone—officers and enlisted personnel—working diligently on their stations and tasks. ”This is certainly a new environment; you’d expect that you'd be giving out orders on what to do to ensigns or lieutenants, but no. On a Prometheus-class starship, everyone knows what they’re doing. I am seeing senior officers and master chief petty officers who have, respectively, years of service at Starfleet doing the work a crewman would normally do. I haven’t even seen a single junior-ranked officer aboard the Athena yet, so I’m guessing that this is a prestigious assignment. I am well lucky,“ said Natalie inside her own mind. 

”Sitrep, I want reports on every department on this ship. Every knot and bolt that is in this ship, and I want it to be up to standard before the captain comes. Do I have an affirmative from you all?“ Asked Natalie to all the personnel on the bridge. 

”Yes, Sir!” was the collective answer of the crew that was certainly standing on the bridge. 

“How are we doing with engineering, and where is my chief engineering officer? ” asked Natalie.

”They are running a bit late with some problems that arose on their current posting on a starbase. The team down in the engineering room is working double to check systems.“

Walking towards the Chief of Operations, she asked, “I’m hoping that everything is going well on your end, commander? “

”Indeed, I just need a few adjustments and system diagnostics, and we’ll be good to go.” 

Nodding her head in understanding, Natalie went over to the consoles, where normally the chief of security and tactical would be. “I’m assuming the Chief hasn’t arrived yet, too. “

”Most officers have been transferred from starbases; it could take them at least a few more hours to get here, sir. Not to worry, all inventory and systems have been cleared and checked for any issues or bugs that might arise,“ said the unknown Lieutenant Commander that was currently under the consoles fixing up some things.

”I do hope they get here before the captain does, but great work. Thank you, Commander,“ replied Natalie. 

Looking around, Natalie could see that most systems and stations were already operating and working at standard levels. She couldn't be happier that everything was running smoothly at the start of the week. She only had two more departments to check on: science and medical. “I’ll probably just go down to their labs and check in on them,” muttered Natalie as she stepped off the bridge and into the turbolift.