Changing Hands

Posted on 23 Aug 2026 @ 4:13am by Captain Sabrina Corbin

1,120 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: The Doldrums
Location: Bridge, USS Arawyn
Timeline: Shortly After 'The Gas Giant Puzzle'

The gas giant had become considerably more interesting.

Captain Sabrina Corbin stood beside the Science station, one hand resting lightly against the edge of the console while Lieutenant Commander Remington's report occupied the display.

Four orbital bodies rather than the two they had initially identified. A magnetosphere extending millions of kilometers into space. Charged particles moving between planet and moons along magnetic field lines, producing auroral activity well outside the expected polar regions.

And then there was the eleven seconds.

For eleven seconds, according to Science's observations, the oscillations throughout the system synchronized. Radio emissions increased by nearly six hundred percent, then the entire pattern collapsed and began building toward another resonance.

Nothing they had observed required an artificial explanation.

That, Sabrina thought, somehow made it more interesting.

"Two hours, seventeen minutes?" she confirmed.

The current model sat prominently on the display. Assuming the stellar wind remained within its present parameters, Science expected the next convergence in approximately two hours and seventeen minutes. If conditions changed, the window could slip considerably.

Remington had recommended holding their probes until they had observed an entire cycle without disturbing the environment.

Sabrina agreed.

"Very well. We'll maintain our present observational distance. No probes until Science has recorded the next event from beginning to end."

She looked toward Operations where Lt Jung sat.

"Update our survey schedule and transmit the revised rendezvous coordinates to the resupply transport. There's no sense making them wait at the original waypoint while we stare at magnetic fields."

"Aye, Captain."

Sabrina returned toward the command platform, glancing once more at the immense planet filling the main viewscreen.
Bands of pale blue, silver, and violet moved slowly across its atmosphere. Near one edge, the faint glow of an auroral structure curled far closer to the equator than any sensible aurora had business appearing.

Two hours ago, she had thought the system pretty.

Now it was a puzzle.

Much better.

"Captain," Oliver Jung reported a short time later, "the transport has acknowledged the revised coordinates. They'll reach us in twelve minutes."

"Good. Have the department heads finalize anything they want transferred while we're alongside. If Engineering remembers something after the cargo holds close, they can wait until the next resupply."

A pause.

"Perhaps don't phrase it exactly like that."

A quiet chuckle came from somewhere behind her.

Sabrina settled into the center chair while the planet continued its slow rotation ahead of them.

The rendezvous itself should have been pleasantly dull.

Consumables. Medical stores. Replacement assemblies. Mail. A small number of personnel transfers. The practical business that allowed a starship to wander through uncharted systems without eventually discovering that exploration had been brought to a halt by a missing plasma regulator or insufficient tea.

Operations began feeding the incoming manifest to her chair display as the transport dropped from warp.

"Transport on approach vector," came the report. "They're twenty-six seconds early."

Sabrina glanced toward the station.

"Show-offs."

A few smiles appeared around the bridge.

The transport settled several thousand kilometers away, maintaining enough distance not to interfere with the magnetospheric observations underway around the gas giant. Cargo coordination began immediately.

Sabrina skimmed the manifest.

Replacement parts.

Medical supplies.

Several crates Science had apparently requested before discovering enough work to occupy themselves for several weeks.
One incoming senior officer.

One departing civilian transfer.

Her eyes paused briefly on Alura Ryn's name. Risa. That departure had been expected, at least, and Sabrina made a mental note to ensure her belongings had made the transport before it departed.

Then her attention moved to the next entry.

Lieutenant Commander Varis Elia.

Chief Operations Officer.

Sabrina had already reviewed the transfer file. She would return to it before meeting the commander properly.

Another notification appeared above the manifest.

Priority communication.

The source made the small crease between Sabrina's brows deepen.

STARFLEET JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL.

She opened it.

The bridge continued around her while she read.

Then she read it again.

The order was specific.

Lieutenant Ryan Collingway was required to report as a material witness in an active inquiry concerning events connected to a previous assignment. His presence was required in person. Transportation had already been arranged aboard the very vessel now hovering off Arawyn's bow.

Sabrina's lips pressed into a thin line.

Apparently someone had been remarkably efficient in coordinating the logistics.

Less remarkably efficient in informing his commanding officer.

"Chief Merrick."

Elias looked up.

"Captain?"

"Please find Lieutenant Collingway and ask him to report to my ready room."

There was enough in her tone that he simply nodded.

"Aye, Captain."

Sabrina closed the message but left the personnel manifest open beneath it.

One senior officer arriving.

One engineer unexpectedly leaving.

Engineering had already experienced enough changes in leadership and personnel since Arawyn launched that Sabrina had begun to regard any new staffing notification involving the department with immediate suspicion.

She glanced toward the viewscreen.

The gas giant continued turning serenely beneath them, unconcerned with Starfleet personnel assignments, subpoenas, resupply schedules, or the fact that in approximately two hours its moons might briefly make the entire magnetic system sing in unison.

Sabrina stood.

"Commander, you have the bridge. Let me know immediately if Science's prediction changes."

She headed for the ready room.

One problem at a time.

// Ready Room //

Lieutenant Collingway arrived only a few minutes after Merrick had gone to find him.

"Sit, please."

Sabrina turned the display slightly toward him.

"I received this from the Judge Advocate General's office. You've been subpoenaed as a material witness in an inquiry connected to a previous assignment."

She gave him a moment to absorb that before continuing.

"You are not the subject of the investigation. They require your presence in person, and the transport currently alongside us has been directed to take you back to Federation space."

Ryan nodded slowly. "Understood."

"I've confirmed the order. It is legitimate, and unfortunately, not optional."

Her lips pressed together briefly.

"I would have preferred more warning before Starfleet removed another officer from Engineering. That department has had quite enough turnover already."

Sabrina stood.

"Commander Boren will handle your active work. Merrick can help with anything administrative. Pack what you need and be ready before the transport departs."

Ryan rose as well.

"Lieutenant, you've done good work here, particularly when Engineering needed someone to step forward."

"Thank you, Captain."

She offered her hand.

"Answer what JAG asks, stick to what you actually know, and don't make their investigation your responsibility."

Ryan took her hand. "Aye, Captain."

"Good luck."

After he left, Sabrina remained still for a moment before looking back at the transport manifest.

Alura Ryn, outbound for Risa.

Ryan Collingway, outbound under JAG orders.

Lieutenant Commander Varis Elia, incoming.

Sabrina exhaled softly.

Changing hands, indeed.

 

RSS Feed