A New Gig

Posted on Wed Feb 1st, 2023 @ 4:14pm by Commander Amaya Lance & Lieutenant Sturgis O'Connell

Mission: Character Development
Location: USS Athena
Timeline: MD-05
695 words - 1.4 OF Standard Post Measure

Sturgis entered his newly assigned quarters and he expected it to feel empty. After all, it hadn’t been decorated and only had the bare basics of furniture since he hadn't yet unpacked his items. It wasn’t just a lack of things that filled the air with a sense of loneliness. There was no laughter or general giddiness. “Computer, play some light jazz,” he said. It wasn’t quite the same as hearing his kids play throughout the living space, but that was something he would just have to get used to.

The saxophone came out first and took its rightful place in the corner of his new bedroom. Along with it went a music stand and a collection of his favorite tunes to play when he felt the need to express what he felt in his soul. After that came the clothes and then finally the pictures. Almost all of his son and daughter, though he had saved a couple of spaces for Adrian. Maybe they weren’t together anymore, but that didn’t have to be permanent and either way, he still loved her. Perhaps absence would make the heart grow fonder, he thought as he placed her picture by the couch.

Once everything was unpacked, Sturgis surveyed the space. Better, he thought. It wasn’t as filled as it had been on the Yorktown when he was with his family, but he was grateful for the new start. More than that, he had to admit to being excited about the new position and the opportunity to lead his own engineering department. It had been a real honor when he received the letter of his acceptance as the new chief engineer on the USS Athena.

With an eagerness to jump right in, or perhaps distract himself from all of the changes, Sturgis donned his golden uniform and headed to the Commander's ready room. His walk was powerful, yet somehow reserved. It was the demeanor he unconsciously gave off in every situation. As he meandered through the corridors he made mental notes of everything, always calculating potential interactions with people and objects around him. He did the same as he entered the ready room, noting the Commander’s body language and articles that were placed around the room.

“Commander Lance,” Sturgis extended a hand to greet his new commanding officer. “Lieutenant Sturgis O’Connell. It’s an honor to be chosen to serve on the ship," specifically avoiding the term 'your ship' having read about the previous COs arrest and currently undetermined outcome. "I wanted to report in and see if there was anything in particular that I should know about the Athena or about taking over in engineering.”

Amaya tapped lightly against the side of the desk, habitually. With a light swallow, she offered the Lieutenant as much of a smile as she could manage.

"Lieutenant. Thank you for coming aboard so quickly; it's nice to have someone else on board that's also learning the ropes, as it were..." She was relieved, as much as anything, that this new engineer didn't come with any baggage. "I think the main thing is ensuring that things are running as they should. I believe we're to be underway imminently, so let's not have any mishaps once we leave, hmm?"

"Yes ma'am. We'll be sure to give you as smooth a ride as possible," he gave a one-sided smile and a quick nod. "I guess I'd better go make sure the wheels are greased for takeoff then. Thanks for the welcome, newcomer to newcomer. If you need anything, you'll know where to find me."

"T-thank you." There was a moment's hesitation in her voice that she couldn't escape. Nerves. Or pre-flight tension, which was normal, wasn't it? "I'm sure we're in good hands."

Sturgis understood the pause, he had to admit to being nervous too. He had read the reports of the previous CEO's clone setting sabotages and they thought the system was clean, but who really knew? All he could do was his best.

"I'm sure of the same," he nodded and exited the room with a sense of both excitement and trepidation.