In 1920 PD, FitzGerald held the rank of Commander and served as Captain Aivars Terekhov's executive officer aboard the heavy cruiser HMS Hexapuma. Terekhov was assigned to Hexapuma at the last minute, and Fitzgerald was at first concerned about his fitness for command after his traumatic experiences at the Battle of Hyacinth. Fitzgerald found he need not be concerned shortly after arrival in the Talbott Cluster and her first assigned tour through the Cluster.