Meeting the Captain

Posted on Thu Jun 10th, 2021 @ 2:09am by Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Lieutenant JG Avarak

Mission: Gamma Quadrant
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: Just before Launch

Captain Kaylen Rhenora sat in the Ready Room of the USS Sunfire, familiarising herself with this ship and the crw that staffed her. It was a mix of the old Liberty crew plus those that had chosen to remain on the Sunfire, plus the usual transfers and reassignments that took place whenever a ship came into port.

She rubbed the ridges on her nose, sighing as her brain struggled to deal with the influx of new information in such a short time frame. She looked up as the door chimed.

The door to the Captain's ready room hissed open and in walked the Sunfire's new science officer. He stood at attention, holding in his left hand the PADD which contained his orders and posting message. In the Academy, he had not performed up to the standard at which he normally held himself, so he was surprised that he was given as coveted a posting as the Sunfire.

"Captain." He said, simply. When not knowing the command style of a superior, Avarak found it best to err on the side of formality.

" Good Morning Lieutenant, how can I help you?" Rhenora asked as she glanced briefly at the new officers rank in order to best address him. She hadn't memorised the crew's profiles yet and was struggling to place his face.

“Good Morning, Captain. I am Lieutenant Junior Grade Avarak, your new science officer. Here are my orders.” He handed her his PADD.

"Thank you Lieutenant Avarak" Rhenora extended her hand and accepted the padd, thumbing through the contents to make sure everything was in order, which she knew it would be.

" Please, take a seat, welcome aboard the Sunfire, please, what brings you to this posting?" She began.

“Yes, ma’am. I am…” he paused to search for the correct verbiage. After his years at the Academy, he still hadn’t fully adjusted to the various social mores. “Eager to begin my career with such a coveted posting as the Sunfire.” That seemed like the logical response, however, upon reflection, Avarak sensed a tinge of obsequiousness in his words.

She reviewed his service record and areas of speciality, thankful to have someone of his skill set on board. " We could use someone of your skill heading up science, we've been a bit lacking in that department and it has been sorely missed." She started, sitting back against the chair behind the ready room desk. "So tell me a little about yourself"

Avarak’s was an algorithmic mind and he was not a fan of open-ended questions. “I completed my doctorate in Theoretical Physics at the University of Alpha Centauri before joining Starfleet. I am eager to use my knowledge and skill set aboard the Sunfire.” He wasn’t certain if this was the right time to ask but decided to go for it anyway.

I currently have some active research, Captain, and had hoped, with your permission, to continue it on board. It is primarily theoretical, however there might be room for experimentation in the future.”

Rhenora regarded the Vulcan before her curiously, trying to decide if she would agree to his research or not. "Theoretical Physics? Remind me never to get you into a debate on the subject" She smiled at her own joke before returning to the comment about research. " We do have some science labs, if your research doesn't compromise any of the current missions we will be undertaking I see no reason not to allow it"

He nodded his head in appreciation. “Thank you, Captain. The research would only be conducted in my off hours and any experiments that might affect ship’s function would not be conducted without your permission.”

He straightened back to attention. “If that will be all, Captain?”

" Of course Lieutenant, we are due to ship out shortly, stow your gear and report to the bridge, the rest will have to be a steep learning curve along with the rest of the crew." Rhenora rose from her chair and smiled at the new officer, extending her hand " Once again, welcome aboard"

Avarak looked at the Captain’s hand outstretched for a moment. He still hadn’t gotten used to the human custom of hand-shaking. It would seem that the Captain hadn’t realized how true her words about steep learning curves would be. With a quick “thank you, Captain,” he returned her handshake and exited her ready room to begin unpacking; the door hissing behind him.

Captain Kaylen sat back down as the doors closed again, reflecting on the new meeting with the new officer. He was as capable as any other academy graduate and as rigid as most Vulcans, but she was sure he would be a valuable asset to the Sunfire team.