Reporting for duty, once more
Posted on Sat Oct 28th, 2023 @ 9:36am by Commodore Jacob Kane & Lieutenant JG Astrja Kyan
Mission:
Character Development
Location: Captain's Mess - USS Athena
919 words - 1.8 OF Standard Post Measure
Astrja had dropped her bags in her new room, which looked surprisingly like the quarters she had just left on the Gwydion, a little fancier, but the same basic layout and 0.83 square meters more floor space. She had checked. A quick shower and a change of uniform and she felt ready. Luckily she had caught some sleep on the shuttle, she was not going to make that mistake twice.
She tapped her combadge. "Computer, message to the Captain: This is Lieutenant Kyan reporting for duty and ready to meet as you have time." She waited for the reply.
Astrja was a little surprised but then remembered reading in a report that the ready room had suffered damage, she made a mental note to look that up. She quickly made her way to the turbolift, a carry bag over one shoulder, her tool satchel over the other.
Making good time, she tapped on the door chime.
Kane glanced up as the door to his personal dining area opened. The Andorian in gold uniform was shorter than he expected, though he figured the antennae made up for that.
"Lieutenant Kyan?" He motioned to the replicator. "Just in time for grandma's beef stew. I'm not sure how you feel about an old-fashioned meal. Lieutenant Commander Shan always appreciated it, but I wouldn't want to paint all Andorians with the same brush."
Astrja paused, "I . . . am not sure if I have had beef stew, Captain. But I will happily try some, food is one of the more enjoyable ways to learn of other cultures." She paused. "Should we go through the formalities now or later, sir,? I am a bit uncertain of protocol here."
He smirked faintly. The younger officers were always like this; keen to rigidly stick to protocol. A year or two ago, he might have been the same. But recent events had lightened that side of him. "If it's a burning issue for you to formally announce yourself, Lieutenant. But I can see you standing in front of me, and this stew is piping hot."
"Then please serve some, Captain," says Astrja. "It is best piping hot, yes?" She did what she could to help serve the stew, that was straightforward at least. "And if the brush has blue paint on it, it will probably serve for most Andorians."
Kane ladled a small bowl each and flipped a spoon in his hand. "Thy'lissa used to say something similar," he remarked off-handedly. "So, Lieutenant. Your posting to the Gwydion didn't work out, it seems. I hope you have better luck here. Lieutenant Leiko is a fine officer, I'm sure you'll be in good hands with him."
"Well, good luck has to be balanced with bad," Astrja said looking at the stew. "Beef is from cows, yes?" She took a bite after blowing on it to cool it. "Nice."
"Once upon a time. This is replicated, so not exactly the same," he corrected.
"Meeting with Lieutenant Leiko is next on my schedule," said the Andorian. "I hope to meet most of the department over the next few days."
"Good. So, what line of Operations is it you hope to specialise in?" he asked, allowing the stew to cool.
"Fixing things, communications. and quartermastering," replied Astrja. "Though I am competent in programming and sensor operations too, they are not as interesting, even though they are part of the job."
"I'm sure you'll compliment Mr Leiko's skills sufficiently," Kane nodded. "And outside of your role?" he inquired. Not a normal question he would have posed, but his brick wall of empathy to those under his leadership wasn't quite as sturdy as on previous occasions.
"I just like meeting people and visiting new places," replied Astrja. "Which seemed to align with Starfleet's purpose nicely. At least, if you get assigned to a ship. I did not much care for my base posting."
"An explorer at heart, then. Traditional, for a Starfleet Officer; most join up with the 'seek out new worlds' mantra already burned into their souls," Kane remarked knowingly, with a hint of amusement. "I can't promise Athena is the most exploratory of vessels, but we certainly encounter some unusual things. Can't say my memoirs won't be interesting to say the least. So long as you're happy serving on a ship that is more suited for tactical assignments than scientific ones?"
"I minored in tactics at the Academy," replied Astrja finishing the stew. "I almost went into that field . . . but Operations is where Andorians belong. And I like the problem-solving."
Kane nodded, poking the stew thoughtfully. "Then you're in the right place after all. I look forward to seeing what you bring to the role."
Astrja smiled. "German chocolate cake!" She reached down and set a silver stasis box on the table. "It was for a banquet on Esquimalt that never happened. Made on Terra of non-replicated ingredients and shipped, the Esquimalt Quartermaster gave it to me as the stasis power is winding down." She flipped the switch and the stasis field faded revealing a perfect German chocolate cake. "I had planned to use it for my one-month anniversary on the Gwen but . . ."
Kane's eyes locked onto the dessert for a few seconds longer.
"If you're looking to make a good first impression, Lieutenant..." he said, motioning to the chocolate cake, "You're doing a damn fine job."
