On the USS Pioneer, Commander, soon to be Captain, Franklin Xavier is preparing for his impending promotion and transfer. He's finally getting his own command, which is all he ever wanted after being passed over to succeed his former commanding officer, Judith Engström three years earlier in 2367. However, it somehow doesn't hold quite the same appeal it did then. He's pleased of course—it's a wonderful opportunity and he knows he's earned it—but he's also reluctant to go. A discussion with Captain Tobias Quinton reassures him and, after a going away party and the official transfer of the first officer position to Adriana Watley, Xavier leaves for Earth.