Post 256: Forming a new Academy
Posted on Mon Apr 7th, 2025 @ 3:55pm by Rear Admiral Reginald Pembroke & First Star Admiral Dakota Olvera
1,601 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission: Secrets
Admiral Reginald Pembroke stepped out of the meeting room, straightening his uniform with a thoughtful hum. His conversation with Captain Marius Pontmercy had been enlightening—perhaps even a touch sobering. The Synthulan attacks had left their mark, and while Pembroke had always preferred to focus on the brighter side of things, even he couldn’t ignore the storm clouds still lingering over Starfleet.
Marius had suggested that he seek out Admiral Dakota Olvera. A meeting with the Fleet Admiral was hardly a casual affair, but Pembroke had learned long ago to trust the instincts of capable officers. If Pontmercy believed a conversation with Olvera was in order, then by Jove, that was exactly what he’d do.
With a cheerful nod to a passing ensign, he made his way through the corridors of Starbase Obsidian. The station, despite its usual hum of activity, felt heavier than he remembered. Officers moved with determination, but there was an edge to them—a weariness that spoke of battles fought and losses endured.
Still, Starfleet endured. That was the important thing.
At last, he reached the entrance to Admiral Olvera’s office. He pressed the chime, rocking back slightly on his heels as he waited.
“Admiral Pembroke to see Admiral Olvera,” he announced, his voice as light as ever.
The doors slid open, revealing the formidable figure of the First Admiral behind her desk. Pembroke stepped inside with his signature easy smile.
"Ah, Admiral Olvera! A pleasure, as always. Captain Pontmercy seems to think we ought to have a chat, and far be it from me to ignore the wisdom of a fine officer."
Dakota smiled at his upbeat attitude. “Please come in, Admiral Pembroke and have a seat.” She turned off the screen to her computer and then waited for him to sit. “Can I get out something to drink?”
Reggie strode in with an air of practiced ease, his eyes briefly flicking around the room as he settled into the offered chair. "Ah, most kind of you, Admiral! I do find that a good beverage helps facilitate conversation—lubricates the gears of diplomacy, as it were!"
He leaned back slightly, crossing one leg over the other, his fingers tapping idly against the armrest. "Now, if you've got a proper cup of Earl Grey, I certainly wouldn't say no. But I shan't be picky—whatever you recommend, I’ll trust your impeccable taste!"
His blue eyes twinkled with mischief, though there was an underlying sharpness beneath his jovial exterior. He might have been known for his absent-minded charm, but he was no fool. This meeting was important. Pontmercy had seen to that.
Dakota turned and got a cup of hot water and pushed it in front of him with a box full of tea bags, “Help yourself.” She said with a smile. “I’m afraid that is the best I can do at the moment.” She paused. “We are glad to have you here there is a lot of work ahead if us.”
Reggie chuckled as he reached for the box of tea, rifling through it with the careful consideration of a man selecting the finest vintage. “Ah, the great democratic approach to tea-making—truly, the hallmark of civilization,” he mused before plucking out an Earl Grey bag and dropping it into the steaming water.
He stirred it idly with a spoon, watching the leaves swirl as he responded. “Yes, work indeed. Never seems to run out, does it? A bit like eager cadets—just when you think you’ve taught them all there is to know, a fresh batch arrives, wide-eyed and ready to reinvent the wheel.” He smiled, but there was a knowing weight behind his words.
Lifting his cup, he took a small sip before setting it down with an approving nod. “Captain Pontmercy seemed to think my presence here might be of some use, and I’ve learned not to dismiss the instincts of a man with that much experience. So, Admiral, how can the humble steward of Starfleet’s future best serve the needs of its present?”
“Start setting up your academy.” Dakota replied directly. “We have no students at present but I expect that we will have many volunteers. Hit whatever sources you can find for teachers we are starting from scratch.”
For a moment, Reggie stared into his tea, watching the faint swirl of steam rise before he exhaled, straightening his shoulders. “We’re not just starting from scratch. We’re rebuilding the very foundation.” His gaze met Dakota’s, and though the twinkle in his eye remained, there was a hard resolve beneath it now.
“I’ll need every available resource—any officers with teaching experience, any technical manuals that survived, any training simulations we can salvage. I’ll also need to identify promising enlisted personnel—if we don’t have cadets, we may have to train fresh officers from the ranks.” His fingers drummed lightly against the table as he considered.
“The Academy on Earth took centuries to become what it was. We don’t have that luxury. But we do have the legacy of those who were lost.” He let out a slow breath, then flashed a small, determined smile. “And by Jove, I’ll see that legacy lives on.”
“There may be some survivors from the other academies.” Dakota said quietly. “We can only hope.”
Reggie nodded solemnly, his fingers tightening slightly around his teacup. “Hope, Admiral, is a powerful thing,” he said, his voice softer now but no less certain. “And if there are survivors—be they cadets, instructors, or anyone with the knowledge and spirit to teach—we will find them.”
His gaze flickered for a moment, lost in thought. “I’ll start reaching out immediately. Any records that survived, any ships that might have carried Academy personnel off-world before the attack—I’ll chase every lead. If even one instructor remains, they’ll be invaluable.”
He took another sip of tea, setting the cup down with a quiet clink. “This won’t just be rebuilding. It’ll be a resurrection.” His blue eyes met Dakota’s, filled with quiet determination. “And I will see it through.”
"That is good to know." Dakota nodded. "What can we do to help you with this?" She was relieved at his determination to see t things through.
Reggie leaned back slightly, exhaling as he considered her question. “First and foremost, I’ll need intelligence support—any sensor logs, distress calls, or communications that could point us toward survivors. If any ships escaped, we need to know where they went. If there were cadets or instructors posted at other stations, I need their names.”
He steepled his fingers, his expression momentarily pensive. “Second, I’ll need personnel. I can’t do this alone, and frankly, I’d rather not be hunting down instructors in the far reaches of space without a few capable officers at my side. Give me a small team—people who know how to find ghosts.” He quirked an eyebrow at that, a touch of dry humor slipping through.
“And finally,” he tapped his teacup lightly, “facilities. The Academy was more than just classrooms—it was holodecks, training grounds, simulators. I’ll need a place to start setting all of that up, even in its most basic form. Somewhere cadets—when we find them—can come and know they are Starfleet.”
His gaze locked onto hers, and though his usual warmth remained, there was a deep, unshakable resolve beneath it. “This isn’t just about filling uniforms, Admiral. It’s about giving them something to believe in again.”
"Lieutenant Commander McMahon is Chief Operations Officer on the base." Dakota replied. "He can coordinate with his command staff and assign you appropriate accomadations for the academy on the base. " Her eyes met his. "I will have Captain Pontmercy assign you some officers to assist you and ask the other admirals to keep you informed of any potential candidates they come across."
Reggie inclined his head, a flicker of approval in his eyes. “Excellent. Having McMahon and his staff on board will make this far easier. Logistics and infrastructure are the bones of any institution—can’t teach the next generation if there’s no roof over their heads, after all.”
He folded his hands together, nodding slightly. “And with Captain Pontmercy’s people helping in the search, we’ll start tracking down our ghosts. Every instructor, every cadet, every potential candidate matters. Even if they’ve gone to ground, we’ll find them.”
His expression softened just a fraction. “Thank you, Admiral. This isn’t just another assignment to me. It’s a promise.” He lifted his cup in a small salute before taking a sip. “Now then, let’s get to work, shall we?”
"Yes." Dakota nodded. "You are dismissed." She had so much to do, she was tired just thinking about it.
Reggie rose smoothly to his feet, cradling his teacup in one hand as he gave Dakota a crisp yet easygoing nod. “Admiral,” he said, his tone respectful but carrying the same unshakable confidence that had defined his career.
He lingered just a moment, studying her with a knowing look. “And do try to get some rest when you can. Even the finest admirals need to recharge their dilithium crystals now and then.” His lips quirked in a small, mischievous smile before he turned on his heel and strode toward the door, already running through the long list of tasks ahead.
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Rear Admiral Reggie Pembroke
Commadant of the Academy
First Star Admiral Dakota Olvera
Commander In Chief
Starbase Obsidian
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