An encounter with the Grey Wolf

Posted on Sun May 17th, 2020 @ 12:03am by Ensign River Lokaa & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: Season 3: Episode 4: Cause and Effect
Location: Executive Officer Office, Deck 1
1732 words - 3.5 OF Standard Post Measure

{ON}

After her not so brilliantly executed meet and greet with her department head River had decided to take the time before her next shift to acquaint herself with the ship she would be serving on. She had already done most of the Civilian promenade, Security dedicated decks and even the medical decks before finding herself on the bridge.

The bridge like the rest of the ship was enormous and much larger than she had ever imagined, it even sported its own transporter platform at the rear. In the middle on a raised platform was the Captain and her command staff cohorts chair and opposite them at the front of the bridge the all famous view screen. At the flanks of the bridge was the various Science, Tactical and Operations consoles.

Having received her fill of the bridge she had turned to walk the halls of deck one, she had quickly opted to call them halls because corridors was an understatement she was very lucky to have been given the Elysium as her first ship. She was just walking past an open doorway when a voice called out too her, unfamiliar in sound.

Gary had just entered his Ready room when he turned and saw a face he didn't know and he was curious to know why they were on the bridge. "Ensign", he called out not unpleasantly. "Step into my office."

Looking towards the voice which came from the open doorway to her right she was met face to face with the ship's Executive Officer, Commander Gary Talor. From having read most of the crews manifest River knew him to be a well experienced Human Male who had served on two ships and a starbase before where he was now and another portion of his career which she didn't have access too, perhaps he was Starfleet intelligence she had thought to herself at the time.

"Yes Sir" Was her quick and surprised filled response. Doing as he asked River now dressed in her security uniform, family heirloom headband sat upon her long french braid and puzzled expression stood inside the threshold of his office.

Like the bridge, it too was big, bigger than her own quarters. It was formal but had the informalities any personal office had and of course a masculine touch. "Have I done something wrong sir?" She asked curiously, jumping at the conversation.

Gary didn't answer right away. He stood behind his desk and gestured to her to take a seat in one of the chairs in front of the desk. When she had, only then did he sit. "Not at all Ensign." He said with a shake of his head. "However, yours was a face I didn't recognize and I wanted to find out who you were and why you were on the bridge. By the way, I'm Commander Taylor."

Lowing herself down into the seat the Commander gestured to she smiled politely, it wasn't exactly forced she did feel comfortable in his presence which was a stark contrast to how her meeting with the ship's chief of security had gone. "I know," She said before quickly catching herself in her abruptness. "I mean I know from the ships manifest sir." River added quickly before going onto saying. "I'm Ensign River Lokaa, Security Officer."

"Points to you Ensign Lokaa on your desire to familiarize yourself with the ship's manifest. Impressive." Gary remarked. "Oh, if you'd like anything from the replicator, please help yourself."

River looked over to the replicator, she was thirsty and decided that he wouldn't have offered her such if he didn't mean it, unlike her department head she didn't sense any ulterior motive to interrogate or trip her up. So standing up and walking over to the device, "Thank you sir" She quickly asked the computer for a glass of spring water over ice. "Anything for yourself sir?" It seemed odd to be asking a superior officer if he would like anything from his own replicator.

"No, thank you Ensign." Gary answered pleasantly as he waited for River to get her drink and return to her seat. "How long have you been aboard the Elysium Ensign and have you checked in with Commander Holmes?"

Walking back across the room River took a small sip of the refreshing spring water before sitting back down. "I haven't been onboard very long at all, in fact i only checked in with Commander Holmes earlier today. Which is probably why you haven't seen me before sir." Taking another sip River studied the man in front of her. He was taller than her even from their seated positions it was obvious to see. He had black hair like hers though his eyes lacked colour and were simply grey. This, however, didn't make his face boring to look at as it was filled with different lines and curves that River would enjoy painting. "I don't think it went very well." She added after another sip of her drink.

Like the Ensign seated before him, Gary was studying her. She had long black hair and jade green eyes. She was tall and her frame was athletic and lean. On her head she wore a headband of two crossed thorns twinned with metal and single crystal teardrop. When she commented on her meeting with Commander Holmes, he didn't reply right way. Only after a few seconds he asked, "Really Why?"

River decided she had to tread carefully, she didn't want to come across as a moaner but she didn't want to lie either. "I had the feeling she didn't like me very much, nor trust me." She said simply in response to his question both statements where true of course. "I can understand the first part I'm actually used to it but I don't understand why you wouldn't trust someone wearing the same uniform as you and then interrogate their reason for being there."

Gary listened patiently as River told him of Lia's reaction to her, when she had finished he spoke. "I see." He answered simply before adding to his comment. "I know Commander Holmes, she is as good as there is in the security field. I can assure you that your feelings that she doesn't like you is wrong. As is your feeling she doesn't trust you. If that was indeed the case, you wouldn't be here talking to me. I think what you may interpret as mistrust is actually Commander Holmes, feeling you out. Seeing where you stand both personally and professionally."

His words were but only small plaster over a much bigger wound however they were good to hear none the less and did settle her nerves. "Thankyou sir, I do hope so. I find it difficult as it is to get along with people." River wasn't sure what about the Commander that made her express her feelings and she certainly wasn't sure if she liked talking about them.

Gary nodded. "Why do you think that is Ensign? Your intelligent, you know how to handle people." He gestured at a PaDD on his desk. "I've read your file. a chieftain's daughter. a warrior. Even the most skilled warrior knows there are times that it makes more sense to talk rather than fight. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Of course" She answered quickly before elaborating, "Its how I talk, it's my greatest weakness and something I've had to deal with ever since joining the Academy. If you ever get the chance to go to Elas you'd understand. I've been called Rude, arrogant and even vicious and my people as a whole 'barbaric'." Though River hadn't been bullied at the academy she also wasn't one to shy away from people who wanted to tell her just how they felt about her, which included some instructors.

"Perhaps it is not what you say but how you say it." Gary suggested. "I would like to see your world, it's people and it's customs and culture Ensign. To learn about them on all levels." He leaned back in his chair. As for the people who have insulted you especially without taking the opportunity to meet and learn about and from you, I would say they are very narrow minded and single vision and are not worth you worrying about them or their opinion. I'm not saying to be rude as we have a chain of command and we all have orders to follow. However I am saying, be true to yourself, keep your morals and opinions. Your personal code if you will."

River didn't have a response, the Commander's life experience showing, and maybe one day the commander and even the crew would get to see her world. River, at that moment, was flooded with a sense of homesickness. "Thankyou again sir." She seemed to be saying that word a lot lately, Starfleet really was rubbing off on her. "I'll take what you've told me on board and hope it helps me in the future." By the point, she had finished her drink and was holding it in her lap.

"Your smart Ensign, find what works for you and use it. Do that and there's no limit to what you can achieve. I'm sure of that." Gary told her. He noticed she had finished her drink and was holding it in her lap. "If there's nothing else Ensign, your dismissed. Know my door is always open should
you have a problem or a question."

River nodded appreciatively, "I'll try my best sir. I'll be sure to poke my head in some time and maybe tell you about Elas." The offer was genuine, River was used to dealing with people and she felt that Commander Taylor was someone, who like her wore his heart on his sleeve. Standing up she wiped the glass carefully before placing it on the replicator, River gathered he wouldn't mind her cleaning up after herself. "Thankyou again Commander" She added with a polite smile before bowing her head and leaving, a gesture she was used to when on Elas. A show of respect.

Gary stood up behind his desk, I'd like that very much." He admitted. "Your welcome Ensign, I know you'll do fine and remember you've already made one friend aboard the Elysium." He smiled and then repeated her gesture by bowing his head to her.

Ensign River Lokaa
Security Officer
USS Elysium

Commander Gary Taylor
Executive Officer
USS Elysium