Dear Grandma,
What do you think? A real letter. Hand-written on paper and everything. Don't get too used to it, though. We're not going to be in orbit forever and physical mail packets aren't as high priority as they used to be, especially with the number of subspace buoys Starfleet maintains around the quadrant. They're there for good reason: so we can stay in touch when Remarkable pulls out of drydock and we're out on patrol doing whatever needs doing.
USS Remarkable is my new assignment, and with it comes a new position. I'll be Chief Tactical Officer, which Grandpa would have told you was an Armory Officer. It's a little more involved these days on ships the size of Remarkable, since I'm also responsible for shipboard security. That includes crew reports and evaluations - lucky me! You know how I love paperwork. The position does come with a new rank pin on my shoulder, but even as a full lieutenant I'm a long way off having a yeoman assigned to do any of that for me. It's not at all what I'd planned when I was a first year at Starfleet Academy; you remember how much I wanted to be a pilot. Starfleet has plenty of those, it turns out! But Captain Rivers from the Potemkin said I had a good eye and a steady attitude, and after following his advice and transferring to Operations division to become a security officer I have to admit I love the job.
You'd like Remarkable, I'm sure. It's an older spaceframe now, and the interior might be nicely described as 'stately.' It's not as garish as all those primary colors on an old Constitution-class, but it's got that same classic charm as some of the older buildings and facilities in the Academy - dated, but handsome. She's a Miranda-class - which I think were just entering service when Grandpa retired - but it's undergone so many refits and upgrades over its service life that you'd never know what parts were original any more. Everything has been brought up to modern standards from shields and propulsion to the computers, targeting systems and other defensive measures. There's nothing to be worried about, Grandma. Remarkable is a ship that'll be suited to just about anything the galaxy can put in front of her. If you'd like, I could even ask Captain Blake if it would be alright to show you around before we shake out the systems and break orbit. It's a short shuttle ride; instantaneous if you'd just give the transporters a chance.
Speaking of Captain Blake, I bumped into him without realizing while helping one of the damage control teams bring aboard raw materials we can't put through the transporter. He was in civilian clothing and was chatting with the shuttle pilot as it touched down and began unloading, and quick as you like he was hauling crates on to an anti-grav sled alongside the enlisted crew. I approached him to ask about his clearance to be on Remarkable and got the shock of my life when he turned around and we recognized each other. "Glad to know you, Mr. Kimball!" he said, and then got me to lift a few heavier supply crates with him. His service record is what you'd expect of any veteran Starfleet captain, and after spending some time informally with him as the rest of the crew begin coming aboard to double-check systems and begin preliminary power-up sequences, I think I'm going to like him just fine. Grandpa would surely have thought he was 'a character,' too. He's from Alice Springs, in Australia - that's right, where Starfleet cadets go and do our hazardous environment training. That used to be his back yard!
I also got to meet our Chief Medical Officer yesterday, a Dr. Solon from Vulcan. Now he's an interesting sort. I was reviewing with him what medical supplies and equipment were left to be added to the ship's inventories (our Chief of Operations isn't aboard yet, so guess who gets that job in the meantime) and as we were talking, I couldn't help but ask him what it was like to treat patients who expect a certain bedside manner from their doctors what with him serving on a Starfleet vessel with a predominantly human crew. He gave me that funny Vulcan look and said, "Lieutenant, it may comfort my patients to know that my bedside manner has little bearing on my capacity to treat them." The way he said it... my word. I'm still puzzling over whether or not he was telling a joke!
That's where I'll have to sign off for now, Grandma. Things to do, paperwork to stamp... The life of a Starfleet lieutenant is a never-ending parade of bureaucracy! Don't let them tell you it's all strange new worlds and new civilizations! That's next week once we ship out, with a bit of luck!
Be sure and let me know - via subspace, Grandma, please - if you do want to come up and tour Remarkable. Drydock in Earth orbit is as close to home as I've been in months, and it'd mean a lot if you were able to find a couple hours away from Portland and come see what I do.
All my love to you and Rascal - don't stuff that poor dog with any more treats than he can handle!
Your loving grandson,
Chuck
