[Attention, all Starfleet personnel. We will be arriving at Serenity with the next 20 minutes. All civilians and Starfleet personnel in transit heading to the colony report to transporter room five in 15 minutes. Thank you.] The Sutherland's comm system spoke out loud to the entire ship.
Richard stood up from the bed he had used in the last week as his temporary quarters. He looked over on the dresser was a gold uniform undershirt alongside a gold, black and gray tunic. Well, say goodbye 'Admiral' Wallace, hello 'Commander', Richard said as he took the red and gold uniform jacket off followed by the red tunic.
Walking over to the dresser Richard first put the gold undershirt on and it fit a little snug. The outer tunic then fit rather tightly around the mid-section and was nearly impossible to zip up past his stomach. "Damn, been 3 years since I wore this. And a desk too long. I hope Commodore Hunter doesn't notice," Wallace said aloud looking in the mirror.
Feels good to back in the Gold, Wallace thought with a half-hearted smile. Turning to his left were three bags: a duffel bag almost full, a small carry-on bag, and what looked like a book bag. Wallace cleared his throat and left the room and headed down the hallway towards the transporter room.
On the bed back on the Sutherland's quarters which Wallace had just vacated was a neatly folded Rear Admiral's uniform and on top was a leather box which contained Wallace's second Captain Pike Medal. This would puzzle the crew of the Sutherland for weeks, as to why Richard Wallace would leave two such prized belongings.
Richard liked the way transporter beam felt as he was beamed down to the Starfleet section on Serenity Colony. Once he had materialized he looked around and saw the normal Starfleet transporter room.
A young blond Ensign wearing the Command uniform gave a friendly smile. "Welcome to Serenity. Commodore Hunter will see you now. If you'd let me take your bags I'll make sure they get beamed into your quarters."
"Thank you, Ensign. Oh, I also have a foot locker being beamed down..." Wallace didn't get to finish.
"Already taken care of sir. Hunter's office is three doors down the courtyard, sir."
Richard thought maybe he had made a mistake at this point. Admiral Ross offered Wallace a Captain slot on any ship he so desired to take. Though Richard remembered he stepped down from command believing he had done his duty and then some. This assignment is my last. He told himself all the way here.
[Enter,] Hunter's voice replied from the other side of the door. Taking a deep breath and sucking his gut in Wallace stepped in right before he pulled his PADD out of the cargo pockets on his pants.
"Sir, Commander Richard Wallace, reporting for duty sir."
Commodore Rick Hunter stood up from behind his desk and extended his right hand out. "At ease, Mister Wallace. Pleasure to meet you after all I've heard and the nicknames I heard about you at the Academy while we were there." This kind of struck Wallace by surprise. He knew of a Rick Hunter at Starfleet Academy but never ran into or met him.
"Really sir, what was that you heard about me back then? If I might ask," Wallace said taking a seat after Hunter motioned for him to take a seat. Upon sitting down Wallace's outer tunic cut into his waist and mid section bad. Wallace tried to hide the discomfort but couldn't.
"Yeah, sitting behind a desk will do that. Let me guess, last time you wore that was your first posting after being an Instructor?" Hunter said with a grin.
Richard was embarrassed but tried not show it. "Yes, sir."
"Well Commander, I suggest you replicate a few uniforms before reporting for job tomorrow."
"Yes, sir. Speaking of which, sir. I was wondering how big is my security detail?"
"Well, you have 10 officers and 50 security crewman, and one 3rd class cadet. The Marines will help out if need be. Meanwhile I suggest you settle in and have a look around town and get a new uniform before the zipper breaks."
Richard stood up and gave a smile. "Thank you, sir." He headed towards his quarters.
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