No Turning Back

Posted on Wed May 20th, 2026 @ 12:19am by Admiral Elias McEntyre & Captain Rylen Lyo

1,189 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Welcome To Your Life
Location: DS 12, Admiral’s Office
Timeline: Current

TO: LYO, RYLEN CMDR.
FROM: COSTRATCOM, DS12-BA'KU SECTOR COMMAND.
RE: RETASKING - USS INTREPID

Intrepid ordered to return to port, Station Deep Space 12, Ba'ku.

You are granted field command of United Starship Intrepid pending further orders.

Report to Commander, Strategic Command upon arrival.

Signed
Elias McEntyre
Admiral
Starfleet Strategic Command
Commanding.

-----

The words of the Admiral’s message had hung like a spectre over Rylen Lyo during the six day journey. As quickly as she had appeared, Captain Emma Ambrose had been reassigned and the Intrepid’s mission had been cancelled. The ship was recalled to DS 12, Starfleet’s sole outpost in the Ba’ku sector. Starfleet was usually not fickle about personnel assignments; Lyo did not have a sense of entitlement to a Command of his own, but he believed he was the natural choice to succeed Captain Lorut on a full-time basis. And although Lyo has known the lauded Caitian Admiral McEntyre for years (having actually briefly served as then Commodore McEntyre’s XO years ago), Lyo has still been surprised to receive the summons.

The Intrepid arrived at the outpost without incident, and as soon as it had been feasible Lyo had beamed to the transporter pad in the administrative complex. The Admiral’s Administrative Assistant, a Bolian Junior Lieutenant with screamingly blue skin, has informed the Admiral of Lyo’s arrival a few minutes before.

“Commander?” said the Bolian. “The Admiral is ready to see you. Please enter.”

Lyo acknowledged the Lieutenant with a crisp nod and approached the dull metallic doors. They parted with a loud pneumatic hiss and the Kriosian entered.

The rather large Caitian Admiral stood facing a large window as he was discussing his agenda with a much shorter woman standing with the aid of a cane.

"Move that to next week," Elias spoke as he pointed to things on the PADD he was being shown. "That needs to go away..." He stopped when he heard footsteps behind him approaching his desk.

“Admiral,” he began, stiffening to attention. “Commander Rylen Lyo, reporting as ordered.”

Elias turns around, looking at Lyo from the side. "Rylen, you're early." He greets the man before he turned back to the woman.

"We can continue this later, thank you, Vesper"

Vesper Wells had been the Admiral's yeoman for almost 16 years. She had been reliable, a constant in his life keeping him organized. She nodded to Elias as she left his office. The Caitian came around the desk.

"Stand at ease, it's good to see you again, old friend" Elias greeted him warmly, offering his hand.

Lyo took the furry hand and shook it vigorously, knowing that the Admiral would appreciate a strong grip. “And you as well, Sir,” responded the Kriosian. Although the two had not crossed paths directly for a number of years, they had remained in contact and had followed each other’s paths with interest. “How is Gil? Irritatingly blunt as usual, I assume.”

Elias gave the Kriosian a glare. Elias had been dealing with the two’s rivalry for decades. “He’s good as always, leading a science expedition to one of the old Grey tetrahedrons that still litter the Patch.”

Elias gestures to a chair in front of his desk as he moves to sit behind his desk.

“I’m sorry to say this isn’t a social call. Starfleet has new orders for you and Intrepid.”

“Of course,” said Lyo as nonchalantly as he could muster. “May I ask who my new Captain will be?”

Elias smirked just a bit before he pushed a PADD across the desk to Lyo.

"You, Mr. Lyo. As of this stardate you are requested and required to take command of United Starship Intrepid Number 90272. Furthermore, you are hereby granted the Rank of Captain with all rights, privileges and responsibilities sewn thereinto."

Lyo simply nodded in acknowledgement. He wanted this, absolutely; but, he had not expected it so soon. He expected that he would get another few years under his belt as Executive Officer, then he would be placed in the queue for promotion. There was only one explanation for this: a positive recommendation from Lorut Vila or Max Culver (or both). Regardless, he was ready for the task.

"Of course, Sir," responded Lyo. "And our mission?"

"Exploration of a distant part of Sector 441. A seven star cluster of systems that has been unexplored for the most part. An Iliad probe survey some years back charted several M class planets."

Lyo nodded again, a bit more relaxed this time. “A seven star cluster. That’s quite uncommon. I’m sure Lieutenant S’Tera and the sciences division will stay well-occupied this entire mission.” Rylen paused, balling his right hand into a fist and tapping it lightly on his knee a few times. “Since Max disappeared, moving forward has been…challenging. Captain Lorut, in all her gruffness and bluster, was extraordinary helpful to me. She helped me focus on duty and the tasks at hand.” He exhaled through his nostrils. “I am privileged to have served under her. Under both of them.”

Elias nods, listening. Though his own opinions of the two officers were rather low, he did respect the opinion of Rylen.

"I am glad to hear that, Captain. You'll set out after a refit period and crew rotation. This expedition should take you no more than 3 or 4 months at the most. Intrepid will be in the hands of the Yard Dogs for a couple weeks so you'll have time for some well deserved R&R." Elias beamed, as he slid over another PADD.

"I have a roster of the crew rotations and I have managed to find you a new Medical Officer as well. I understand it from the ship's log that your CMO transferred to the Pathfinder?"

“Yessir,” responded Lyo, his voice relaxing and returning slightly toward the South African lilt of his home planet. “Doctor Greene left with Captain Lorut. Doctor Barakat has been filling in temporarily.” Lyo paused, taking a moment to look at the contents of the PADD. “Emery…?” Obviously he was not the adorable, curious little boy that Lyo remembered from sixteen years ago. Not any more.

“I was just as surprised as you are. The Academy Computer does first posts by random assignments and we got incredibly lucky. He graduated 2nd in his class which I was extremely proud of.” Elias beamed like a proud parent.

“As well you should be. That is an impressive achievement. I’m sure he will be a fine addition to the Intrepid crew.”

“I’ll have him report to you directly. Beyond that, shore leave is approved for your crew. I’m sure you’ll find everything you need. Ba’ku is beautiful this time of year.”

"With a little luck...and a competent Chief Engineer to oversee these updates...we will be out there exploring in nothing flat"

"That's in the work, for now, Thank you Captain" Elias said, as he stood to dismiss the officer.

__________

Admiral Elias McEntyre
Commanding Officer
Starfleet Strategic Command
Station Commanding Officer
Starbase Deep Space 12
Ba'ku Sector

Captain Rylen Lyo
Commanding Officer
USS Interpid

 

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