After the Talosian Keeper had revealed himself to Commodore Pike and disclosed that everything the Knight had gone through for the past month had merely been an illusion designed to test Humanity, Pike had sent a report to Starfleet Command trying to explain.
Their reaction was incredulous to say the least, but the data logs that Pike sent along with his report were undeniable. The Knight was ordered back to its base of operation, Deep Space Nine, for a complete debriefing of her crew and several assignment changes.
Pike sat in his command chair and watched quietly as the Knight pulled up alongside Upper Pylon 3. He was thinking about all the adventures he'd had in the short time he'd been in command of this ship. He was going to miss it and her valiant crew.
But Pike's new orders had come in. Starfleet Command had recognized the importance of the information supplied by the Talosians. They were working on a plan to open limited relations with Talos IV solely for the purpose of meeting the Kelvan Threat, and they wanted Pike to be their Ambassador.
Although Pike would miss the excitement of Starship assignment, he was looking forward with some measure of excitement to finally seeing the world where his father was born and where his grandfather had made the first and last official contact with the Talosian race. Besides, the Knight would be in good hands. Her new captain would be Captain Kenji Osagawa. Although Pike had never met Captain Osagawa in person, Osagawa's reputation was known to him. He had served with distinction aboard several famous vessels: the USS Stargazer, the Enterprise-D, the Damocles and the Leonov during the Dominion War. The Knight would carry on quite well without Pike.
The senior staff already knew that Pike was leaving. He had called a meeting yesterday in which he had announced his new assignment. Most had been shocked at the news and had expressed their sadness at his leaving. He had assured them that it was for the best of the Federation, and that he was proud to have served with them, even if it had only been for a short time.
Pike felt the soft thud as the Knight connected with Upper Pylon 3, and the blue docking lights came on around the bridge. He roused himself from his thoughts and stood up. "Well, looks like this is it," he said to no one in particular. He had already said all his good-byes, so all that was left to do was to actually leave.
"You have the bridge Captain," he said as he strode to the turbolift.
The doors to his cabin closed behind him, and Pike stood in his cabin looking about. It didn't feel like his any more since all his personal belongings had already been packed for transport. He walked over to his big easy chair, picked up the duffel bag that lay on it and slung the strap over his shoulder. Without looking back, he walked out the door again for the last time and headed for the docking port.
As he walked into the small foyer of the docking bay, Pike saw Lieutenant Carter waiting for him near the airlock. When she saw him she stood at attention.
Pike smiled and closed the distance between them. "At ease, Lieutenant. What are you doing here?"
Carter relaxed and said, "Well sir, it seemed appropriate. I was the one that ferried you over to the Knight when you first came aboard. It seemed only right that I should see you off."
"I see. Thank you Lee," said Pike, being uncustomarily informal. Then he noticed another look on Carter's face that had nothing to do with saying good-bye. He said, "Is there anything else, Lieutenant?"
"Um... Well... Yes sir, there's a little thing that I'd like to ask of you," said Carter hesitantly.
"What is it, Carter?"
"Well, you've already told me that Starfleet has approved the new Peregrine fighter ship that I designed. So what I was wondering... Could you... It'd be great if you could pull a few strings at HQ and have Banshee Squadron reactivated."
Pike smiled inwardly. He had guessed that that was what Carter was after. But Carter was still speaking. "After flying with them during the Talosians' illusion, I want us reunited in real life. We were a great team, and I think it would be in Starfleet's best interests to put us back together again. Sir."
"I'll see what I can do, Lieutenant," said Pike.
Carter smiled, she knew he meant it. "Thank you sir. Good luck with your new assignment." She pushed the cycle activation button beside the airlock doors for Pike.
"Thanks Carter," said Pike. He walked up to the large airlock doors and waited for the cycle to complete, then when the doors opened, he stepped through them and off the Knight. The doors closed behind him with a muffled thud.
Pike made his way quickly to Upper Pylon 3's lift that would take him to the command level of DS9. The lift car popped up into "Ops", the control room for the entire station, and Pike stepped off. This place was very different from a typical Starfleet installation, having been designed and built by the Cardassians.
He recognized the Bajoran Colonel Kira at her station at the same time as she took notice of him. "Commodore Pike," Kira called up to him. "We've received word of your new assignment. Congratulations."
"Thank you, Colonel," said Pike.
"Commodore Sisko is expecting you. He's in his office," Kira pointed. "Captain Osagawa is already with him."
Pike nodded his acknowledgment and started toward the big double doors that Kira had indicated. They slid open as he approached, and Pike stepped through into a small office suite. The lighting was subdued compared to the illumination out in Ops, there were models of ancient Starships on the shelves, and in the center of the room was a large desk.
Behind the desk was an imposing bald Black man, obviously Starfleet Commodore Benjamin Sisko, former Emissary of the Prophets to the Bajoran people. Sitting across from him was a shorter Oriental, presumably Captain Kenji Osagawa, about to take command of the USS Knight.
As Pike walked in, both officers stood. Commodore Sisko walked around his desk to Pike and offered his hand. Pike took it -- Sisko's grip was firm and confident.
"Welcome to Deep Space Nine, Commodore," said Sisko. "I'm sorry I wasn't here to greet you when you were here the last time before your mission began, but I'm glad to finally meet you."
"Likewise, Commodore," said Pike.
"Let me take your bag," said Sisko, referring to Pike's duffel, which was still slung over his shoulder. Pike slipped it off, and Sisko took it over to the couch and set it down there. He came back and said to Pike, "Commodore, allow me to introduce Captain Kenji Osagawa to you."
Pike turned toward the other man in the room. Sisko continued, "Kenji, this is Commodore Jeffrey Pike." Pike and Osagawa shook hands.
Pike knew that the moment was finally at hand. The Knight would pass from his hands into the care of another with his next few words.
He released Captain Osagawa's hand and said in an official voice, "Captain Osagawa. As of this stardate, 60918.47, I, Commodore Jeffrey H. Pike, do hereby relinquish command of the United Federation of Planets Starship USS Knight."
Captain Osagawa said in an equally officious tone of voice, "Captain Kenji Osagawa does hereby accept command of the Starship USS Knight." Osagawa did a small bow.
The two men shook hands again, and it was done -- Captain Osagawa was now the captain of the Knight.
Sisko had been standing in the background during the formalities, acting as official witness, but now he came forward again and clapped them both on the shoulder. "Well, now that that's over with gentlemen, I'd say this calls for a celebration. Let me invite the both of you to my cabin for dinner. I'm cooking," he finished with a smile.
Benjamin Sisko's culinary prowess was legendary in Starfleet, so both the old and the new captain of the Knight quickly agreed. "Great!" said Sisko, beaming. "Let me just call Jennifer and tell her we're coming." He walked over to his big desk and spoke to his comm screen for a few seconds. Then he came back around and directed Pike and Osagawa out the door.
They walked out into Ops and over to the lift car and stepped in. As the car sank into the floor on its journey to Sisko's cabin, Sisko could be heard saying, "You'll love it. It's a Cajun recipe my dad taught me...."