The Bajoran and the Andorian

Posted on Sun Apr 5, 2020 @ 7:53am by Ensign Athyle sh'Paveress & Lieutenant Zekori Dosan

Mission: The Nanjing
Location: Deck 5, Chief Operation Officer's Office
Timeline: MD1 1230

Lieutenant Zekori Dosan concluded his meeting with the Transporter Room Chief. He came across another name: Ensign Athyle sh'Paveress. He tapped his commbadge, "Lieutenant Zekori to Ensign sh'Paveress."

Elsewhere, the Andorian shen tapped her badge. "This is sh'Paveress. Go ahead, Lieutenant."

"I would love for you to come by my office for a meet and greet. Anytime, Ensign."

The rather professional ensign was a bit taken aback by the Lieutenant's candor, as evidenced by the brief pause before her reply. He was, however, her superior. Athyle knew she could not ignore him forever, nor did she intend to. "I'll be there shortly, Lieutenant."

“See you in a few. Zekori out.” Zekori tapped his commbadge is to close the commlink.

A couple minutes later, Ensign sh'Paveress arrived to the Operations center, which seemed to be abuzz with plenty of life. Such sights were normal, and she paid them no mind. The Andorian made her way to the Lieutenant's door and pressed the chime.

"Enter," Zekori responded to the door chime. He rose to his feet and straightened his uniform as the door swooshed open.

The Andorian shen entered the office and immediately took note of the new human officer. He was standing, his uniform pristine. It was evident he was attempting to make a... what did the humans call it? A first impression? "You wished to see me, Lieutenant?"

"Welcome Ensign. Yes, I just wanting to become more acquainted with those under my supervision." The Bajoran Lieutenant smiled. "Please have a seat. Could I interest you in a beverage from the replicator?"

Ensign sh'Paveress sat on the proffered piece of furniture as she replied, "A herbal tea, if that is alright." She did not specify a flavor as she often yielded herself to the mercy of the replicator's randomization matrix.

"That I can do," the Bajoran gave the Andorian officer a smile. Before getting up from his desk and walked over to the replicator. He looked over his shoulder, "Hot or on ice?"

Athyle didn't hesitate with her response. "Hot." She'd been feeling the stress from the recent refits and the lack of shore leave.

"Herbal Tea, hot and a kava juice, on ice." The replicator materialized his order for both of them. He brought it over and set her drink in front of her. He set his down on the table before sitting down behind his desk, "How long have you been aboard the Triumphant now?"

"A little more than a year," the Ensign replied, picking up her tea. She brought it up to her face, allowing her nostrils to sample the aroma first. An array of peach, mango, and a third mystery scent wafted up her nose, causing the Andorian to declare it acceptable. She then sipped the tea, feeling the warm liquid activate her tastebuds. Yes, this tea would do nicely. "An interesting year, to say the least."

"If you had to choose one thing Ensign, what would be the most interesting of what you've experienced onboard the Triumphant and why?"

Her eyes widened at the question. While the Lieutenant was doing his best to familiarize himself with the ship, she couldn't help but think that he seemed slightly unprepared for the roller coaster that awaited him. "Well, there have been a myriad of adventures aboard this ship. I'd suppose one of our most interesting endeavors placed us in the path of an ethereal creature who took control of the ship and nearly killed all of us."

The Bajoran intwined his fingers together and set them on the desk. He was intrigued to hear more about this 'endeavour' that his subordinate mentioned, "An ethereal creature?"

Athyle sipped her tea before replying, "Ethereal may not be the correct term. We came across a damaged probe, brought it aboard, and then our ship's systems began to go haywire. It beamed the Executive Officer out into the vacuum, threatened to neuter one of our senior staff members, and came pretty close to killing half the crew before the Captain found a way to reason with it."

"Remarkable," the Lieutenant replied.

"It's easy to say that in hindsight," Athyle remarked. "But when you serve on a ship that'll be fighting the Orions in one mission, dealing with alien life in another, and then even a rogue Maquis cell in the badlands in another... life on this ship certainly is far from dull."

"What mission has tested you throughout while you've been aboard the Triumphant?"

Athyle sipped her tea and then lowered the mug to rest in her hands above her lap. "A few months ago, the Triumphant was assigned to a mission behind Romulan lines. That was a... unique challenge given the state of the Romulan people. We were challenged by several local mercenaries. I was aboard the Victorious at the time, running interference so that the Triumphant could complete its mission."

"You have had your share of a wide range of missions during your assignment onboard the Triumphant so far, Ensign." Zekori continued with his questions, "What are a few of your career aspirations?"

"Long term?" Athyle echoed. "I had considered a career as an attaché. Admirals and Diplomats expect their personnel to be knowledgable of the way things work, and to be able to handle sensitive matters. I figured the best way to do that was to learn as much as I could from the Logistics and Operations departments."

"Certainly that's a pretty interesting career path." Zekori inquired, "Why considered? Is this still a career path you wish to pursue?"

Athyle sipped her tea while she had a chance to. "Still considering, yes. But I'm not in much of a hurry to get there. There will always be Admirals and Diplomats and embassies and such. For now, I'm enjoying learning all I can on Triumphant."

"So just on hold for now," Zekori smiled. "Is there anything in my position where I could give you opportunities to improve your existing skillset and develop new ones that will benefit you in the future to gain a position as an attache?"

She thought about the question for a moment, trying to think of what she might need. "There's not anything I can immediately think of. But, I suppose if there is ever a visiting dignitary or someone of stature whom the Triumphant ferries, I would appreciate being assigned to their accommodations detail."

"Consider it done," Zekori jotted down a note in a PADD as a reminder to assign the Ensign to VIP detail. "If you do think of something, please let me know, Ensign. I'm always reachable."

"Of course, sir," Athyle said with a courteous nod, her antennae even bending in respect. "Is there anything else you expect from me in return? You are the new Chief Operations Officer after all. I knew Master Chief Barnes well when he was in the position, and I am aware managerial habits vary from person to person."

"I am very hands on with the professional and career development of those under my supervision and leadership. I find as chief operations officer, I find it essential if I expect the best of my personnel that they should expect the best from me."

"I can, as the humans say, get on board with that." Athyle took another sip of her tea, finding the glass nearly empty. "I find no pleasure in reporting to those who take a laissez faire approach to duty."

"I have had my share of supervisors that took that approach with the Resistance, the Militia and now Starfleet."

"There's one in every crew," Athyle confirmed. "I'm glad to hear that you are not one of them." She lifted her tea and took a generous drink, now that it had cooled enough to not burn her throat.

"Thank you. Do you have any questions for me, Ensign?"

She finished her tea and shook her head. "I'm afraid I can't think of anything else, Lieutenant."

"I believe that wraps up our meeting. Thank you for coming by Ensign sh'Paveress. Just a reminder that my door is always open and if I'm not hear just a commbadge click away."

With a nod, the Ensign rose from her chair. "My pleasure, Lieutenant. I'll certainly bear that in mind. Thank you for the tea." She placed the empty glass back into the replicator for recycling on her way out.

"You're more than welcome." The Lieutenant walked the Ensign out of his office and offered to shake her hand once more.

Athyle provided a courteous smile as she met the Chief at the door. She accepted his hand, gave it a firm shake, and then departed.