The security guard’s day had been going normal as usual until the running lights on the Challenger came to life. Immediately, he notified the appropriate desk jockey in the Communications department.  Once contact with the Challenger had been made, Captain Benton explained that they were just taking it for a little spin, not to be worried, and that they’d be back shortly.  After that, he cut communications. Back on the bridge, Lieutenant Commander Johnson had informed the Captain that the sublight engines were waiting on standby.  “Lieutenant Lewis,” Captain Benton started, “please tell me that you are familiar with this ship’s systems.”  “I have all the basic stuff down,” the Navigations officer replied truthfully, but it’ll take me a few days to get some of the more complicated stuff down.” “That’s good enough,” said Benton, now standing behind his chair.  “Just enough to take us around Pluto and back.” “Will I have to adjust for the asteroid belt, sir?” Lewis asked.  Benton shook his head.  “No.  The ship has something called a deflector dish.  It assures us that we won’t run into asteroids floating about. “Ok then,” said Lewis with a little uncertainty, “I think I’m ready.” Captain Benton came from behind his chair and gently eased into it, smiling as it sank down to accommodate him.  “Well then,” he said.  “Steady as she goes.” For the first time, the Constitution class ship slipped off its restraints and slowly guided for space.  Once well into space, Captain Benton called Lieutenant Commander Johnson and ordered her to engage the sublight engines.  Promptly, the engines came on and the Challenger struck out for Pluto. “How’d she fly?” Admiral Mitchell, the UNSF’s Commander-in-Chief asked Captain Benton later on that day.  Once again, Benton was back in the room he didn’t yet know he’d become so familiar with. The new starship captain stopped and thought for a second.  “She flies smooth, sir,” he said at length.  “For it to be a brand new starship we haven’t found any bugs... yet.” “I expect you’ll find some when you go on your shakedown,” Mitchell replied from behind his desk.  “How does your crew work together?” “They seemed to be a little tense, sir,” Benton admitted, shifting in his seat somewhat.  “It might be because it’s their first time working together, but I definitely noticed some tension present.” “It should will most likely disappear after the first few weeks,” Mitchell commented, leaning forward in his chair.  “If it doesn’t though, you have to find a way to make them work together.” “Aye, sir.” USS Challenger, two weeks later 10:01 SET 2164 It was time for the shakedown cruise, and the crew was once again back on the bridge of the Challenger.  This time, though, the whole Challenger compliment, all five hundred forty-nine of them, were on board, all taking part in the historic shakedown run of the first UNSF ship. “We ready?” Benton asked, everyone as he sat down in his command chair. “Almost, sir,” replied Lieutenant Jun Mao-Tojo, the Chinese Communications officer.  “We’re still waiting on reports from Engineering and Sickbay.” “Acknowledged.  Tell them they have ten minutes.” “Ten minutes, aye.”  After eight minutes had passed by, both Lieutenant Commander Johnson from Engineering and Doctor Vincent Cirelli from Sickbay both reported ready status. “Are we cleared for launch?” Captain Benton asked Lieutenant Tojo, who, as Communication officer, was in direct contact with UNSF Headquarters.  The Lieutenant responded in the affirmative. “Alright then, Lieutenant Lewis, are you now familiar with the ship’s systems yet?” A confident Don Lewis nodded and turned away from the Captain to face his own console.  “I’m ready to launch when you give the order, sir.” “The order, Lieutenant, has been given.” “Aye.”  With that, the Challenger slid out of its basic dock and glided past the stars.  Lewis gunned the sublight engines and the ship took off on its shakedown cruise.