Metzger came to the Academy with high hopes of becoming a starship commander, but soon discovered that one had little chance of achieving that goal without strong connections to the rich and powerful. Until 1532 PD, she held the rank of Lieutenant Commander and served as tactical officer of the battlecruiser HMS Vanguard, taking part in the rescue of the mining vessel Rafe's Scavenger. Soon after, she was promoted to Commander and assigned as Captain Eigen's new executive officer aboard the destroyer HMS Guardian.