The USS Enterprise-D has entered the fleet. We are now an active Starfleet ship.
As of right now, we have a full crew, although we are still waiting on our Chief Medical Officer. Commander Beverly Crusher is scheduled to transfer to the Enterprise, however, she is currently aboard the USS Prometheus (Nebula-class) on deep space assignment, and won’t be available until early April. Our new medical staff will cover the position until she arrives.
We are also waiting for our newly promoted first officer, Commander William Riker. He will transfer aboard, from the USS Hood, in the coming weeks.
Now that we are active in the fleet, and the day’s events are behind us, we can sit back and unwind a bit. I did write, and release, a full recap of the day’s events, I just won’t post it here due to the length. You can, however, find it contained within the Enterprise public events packet that I sent out to the media a few hours ago.
In summary, it was a good commissioning ceremony. Nearly 1,200 civilians, media and dignitaries showed up, as well as a surprise contingent of Vulcan officials from the Vulcan Embassy in Paris (on Earth). Admiral Edward Janeway was the presiding flag officer who opened the ceremony, and issued our orders. The Starfleet Command chaplain gave an invocation, the Federation Anthem was played, flags were hoisted in the commissioning hall, and Captain Jean-Luc Picard accepted command.
Our ship’s sponsor, the sister of Captain Rachel Garrett (the captain of the USS Enterprise-C, killed at Narendra III, 19 years ago), also shared some remarks, as the first crew shift took their stations on the bridge, and then she issued the traditional order, “Man our ship and bring her to life.” The honor guard fired a rifle salute, Admiral Janeway delivered an inspirational address, a brief video tour of the Enterprise was shown on the hall screen, gifts were presented to Captain Picard by the ship sponsor, builder, and USS Enterprise Society, and the ceremony came to a close.
An hour later, the Enterprise slipped out of her moorings at McKinley Station, and we are now, currently, in orbit of Earth, as we wait for the rest of our mission supplies to be delivered.
The Enterprise-D is a ship of the fleet now. We’re ready – and eager -- to go boldly.
-Lieutenant Sam Archer
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March 10, 2363 – (Legacy Trek Timeline)