A request

Posted on Monday, 27 July 2020 - 4:53pm by Petty Officer 1st Class Siana Ilian & Captain Barret Stillwater

Mission: Operation: Jabberwocky
Location: Starbase 118
Timeline: MD3

The USS Standing Bear. Refitted Merlin class, nine decks… While walking, Petty Officer Deeson continued to study the technical specifications even though she had all but memorised during the long journey to the starbase. Deck layouts, system specifications and the corresponding technical manuals had become her life since news of her transfer first filtered through the grapevine.

When you were an engineer at heart it was easy to lose yourself in the technical details, to become distracted by them. Yet she was not on the crew to be an engineer - even if she was more than capable. She was assigned here to work in Operations, a department run by a Lieutenant Raith Kalani.

The fact he was younger than she was did not trouble her and the fact he was a department head spoke volumes. Clearly he would not be a senior officer if he wasn’t at least capable.

A computer inquiry had informed her that the ship’s Executive Officer was on shore leave. That introduction would have to wait. Which left Commander Stillwater. Glancing up from the PaDD she paused to get her bearings. As expected, the computer had given her very precise directions and soon she had been back aboard Starbase 118 and trying to pick out the commander from the picture on his personnel file.

“Commander Stillwater?” she asked as she neared the table, sounding slightly uncertain. Wouldn’t that be awkward if it wasn’t actually him... Oh please let it me him...

The man had been strolling around the station unaccompanied before he had taken a seat. He heard his name being called. One of my crew? he wondered as he turned his head. A woman had approached. "Something that I can do for you?" he asked. He did not recognize the woman, but his starship had despite its rather small size and low crew compliment, received its fair share of personnel changes and assignments.

"Sorry to disturb you while you are off duty, Commander," the Trill apologised. "I'm Petty Officer Siana Deeson, I've been assigned to your Operations department... or rather, I will be in exactly two days. I was hoping you would perhaps authorise me to come aboard now? Since I'm here and the ship is right there..."

"An early starter," he replied with a nod. "There's a skeletal work crew currently aboard. My Chief Operations Officer...it's a long story. The condensed version is my Chief Operations Officer is no longer assigned to me. Lieutenant Kolani will be your Department Head; however, he's due to depart soon with me on a little adventure. I'll sign off your early arrival, Petty Officer. You'll find Lieutenant Surev, Chief Engineer still aboard. He's officer on watch while we're at port."

“I’ll be sure to check in with the Lieutenant,” Siana nodded with a delighted smile. “Thank you, Sir! And sorry again for disturbing you.”

Stillwater made a dismissive hand gesture. "Normally, I would have said report to the First Officer, but he's on shore leave getting married or something of that nature. It was no bother nor disturbance, Petty Officer. If you have any questions when you are aboard, please feel free to ask Lieutenant Surev, but forewarning, he is a Vulcan. He's a bit dry."

“My favourite kind of Vulcan,” she enthused. “I’m a computer specialist at heart, so perhaps I appreciate the logical straight shooting approach more than most. Well, I well let you get back to your visit. If you haven’t been yet, there is a great gift shop just around the corner.”

Stillwater nodded. "Classic Vulcan," he replied "I tend to get along well with them myself. The First Officer; However, he will take some getting used to. I have not checked out that shop yet, but I am looking for a gift for my husband. Perhaps, I will find something there."

“Good luck,” Siana offered with a nod, “and thank you for the advice.”

"Of course," replied Stillwater. "I am available to my crew when needed, and you are now part of the crew. So, welcome to the USS Standing Bear. Lieutenant Surev should be able to find you suitable quarters if they have not already been assigned to you. Additionally, most of the medical staff is not there. We have only recently acquired a second physician. The Emergency Medical Hologram; however, may be activated if you need them to perform any medical duties. Please see to it that they receive your most recent medical records."

"I will," she vowed with a nod, making a note in the PaDD she carried. Organisation was important and she had no wish to overlook some detail or other - especially when the commander had been so accommodating. She had copies of her orders and her medical file with her, of course. Such things were universal and she had left Earth as prepared as she could possibly be. "Have a good day sir and good luck on your mission."

Making her leave, Siana released a sigh of relief as soon as her back was turned. She had met the CO and had approval to join the crew early... definitely a good start. Right?

 

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