Reporting In

Posted on Mon Dec 23rd, 2019 @ 5:11pm by Commodore Jacob Kane

Mission: Shakedown
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: MD-04
1289 words - 2.6 OF Standard Post Measure

Four children in various ages, a wife and a large hybrid dog. Peter looked at his family, a touch of pride in his eyes. They were everything to him, and yet they all dropped it all when he heard of his new assignment. New friends to be made, a new home to settle into... it wasn't easy on them, he knew. He leaned forward to kiss Haley. "Why do you not go see if sickbay has any assignments for you," he suggested, while looking on to his children next. "And you lot, go explore the ship, but stay out of trouble."

Haley smirked at him. "And you my dear, you go see the captain. I'm sure he doesn't like to be kept waiting..."

"Right..." Peter smirked back at her, a private smirk as he quickly pulled his features back into a neutral expression. It wasn't easy on him....his mixed blood forever at war with each other. Emotional Romulan, Emotional Human, versus stoic Vulcan.

"Shoo!" Haley said, physically pushing him off.

"Alright alright!" Peter laughed as he stepped back into the turbolift. "Bridge..." It didn't take long before the car deposited him onto the bridge. "Prometheus class," he breathed to himself as he marveled at the layout. "Excuse me, I am looking for Commander Kane?"

The duty conn officer - a young Ensign - motioned to the ready room door that had just opened. Kane emerged onto the bridge with his head in a PADD. About to physically bump into the new arrival, Kane murmured an apology, then looked up and made eye contact.

"Lieutenant Commander...Horn," Kane noted, matching the face to the name. "You're finally here. I was starting to wonder."

The Vulcanoid officer arched a single eyebrow in initial response. "Finally?" he queried curiously, "I was not aware I was late in any form or fashion?"

"Starfleet has been a little slow in providing me with transfers," Kane explained. "With the Athena undergoing a significant overhaul, many of her previous crew were abruptly reassigned. Which is why I'm pleased we were able to obtain your services."

"Ah...that still does not explain your use of finally sir, however I am here now." He did not offer his hand in greeting but did produce the smallest if not minutest of smiles. "Lieutenant Commander Peter Horn reporting sir," he added, well aware that his Human name rather contradicted with his Vulcan appearance.

Kane offered him a hand. "Welcome aboard. I must admit I've never been fortunate enough to work with a Strategic Operations officer. I welcome the expertise you'll be bringing to the team."

Peter made a point of linking his hands behind his back, to indicate he wasn't going to take the offered hand. "I am looking forward to the new adventure sir," he answered politely, then tilted his head a fraction as he reasoned the man might feel insulted. "Sir, you are aware of the Vulcan no-touch protocol, are you not?"

Kane's jaw tightened momentarily. He'd met Vulcans, of course. None of them like this one; on the one hand happy and smiling, the other apparently a little aloof. "I am aware," he noted, restraining himself from reacting further.

To that, Peter gave a curt nod, assuming it was settled then. "I have sent my wife and children off to explore the ship." He paused. "I hope you are not opposed to having pets on board?"

"Assuming they do not interrupt the smooth running of an active service vessel, then no, I do not." Kane inclined his head, almost mirroring the man in front of him. "That applies to both pets and family, of course."

"She should not. Aside from family pet, she is well trained sir... and my wife is a nurse, I am certain Doctor Reed will have a job for her."

"That's good to hear. In the meantime, we're scheduled to be running a border patrol through systems formerly occupied by the Cardassians and Breen during the war. When you have settled, I'd like you to plot out any locations of note, any potential key risks, that sort of thing. Is that something you can provide?"

"I can certainly try," Peter answered carefully, "this is my first assignment as strategic operations officer. My background is in security, but I am certain I can use my existing network to make discoveries as needed." He relaxed a smidgeon, not quite sure why they had remained talking on the bridge now, in plain sight of everyone else. "Permission to gather my family and see to our quarters arrangements?" he paused. "I do need sizeable quarters sir, I have four children."

Kane nodded slightly. Inwardly the thought of having to look after four children was about the worst thing in the world. "Of course. See the quartermaster if they are not suitable."

Nodding, Peter seemed to consider something. "Sir... I am aware strategic operations is not a regular position aboard starships. Where should I... make my office? I will need room to multitask and assign staff to run simulations and calculations."

Kane paused. "We've been reassessing Deck 12 since the overhaul. Athena isn't carrying a marine contingent at the moment, so there should be space down there if you want to claim it."

"I think I should," the Vulcan answered without pause, "and I think I can probably do most of the overhauling myself." He smirked mischievously, "give my mother something to be proud of... she was fairly disappointed when I switched from engineering to security."

Horn's multiple talents were half the reason Kane had wanted him on his staff. He liked to know his team had a variety of skills and experiences to draw on. "Very good, Mr Horn. Perhaps focus on making this crew proud as well as your mother."

"Oh that is where my duties come in sir, I was referring to doing the overhaul myself that would make mother proud." His grey eyes sparkled with amusement. "My father would tell me to delegate the task."

"A good leader would utilise both options equally," Kane noted. "I prefer to play to the strengths of my officers, where possible."

"And your own strengths?" Peter prompted.

"That would be spoiling the surprise now, woudn't it?" Kane remarked with a sly grin. "I have to maintain an air of mystery. Otherwise the crew might not fear me quite so much."

"Oh?" The Vulcan arched an eyebrow at him in mock surprise. "You are the kind of commanding officer that desires to be feared?"

"That was a joke, Mr Horn." It was hard for Kane to tell whether the man had a sense of humour or not; probably the Vulcan influence. "A healthy level of respect is good in any hierarchy."

"Oh I know..." Peter grinned openly. "I learned that rather the hard way sir. Very much so."

"I look forward to hearing about it sometime," Kane nodded. "As soon as we're fully underway I'm sure we'll have time to explore it in more detail."

"It should be in my file, possibly eyes only as I was very much a minor at the time."

Kane nodded slowly. He hadn't read the file in its full depth, but now he would. That Horn would comment on it was revealing in itself; perhaps he wanted his new commanding officer to know. In any case, knowing his people and their history was important.

"Thank you for your report, Lieutenant Commander. I'll let you get back to moving your family in."

"Thank you." Peter let his eyes glance across the bridge a final time, before making his way back to the turbolift.



Commander Jacob Kane
Commanding Officer
USS Athena


Lieutenant Commander Peter Horn
Chief StratOps