First Steps

Posted on Fri Oct 1st, 2021 @ 6:51am by Lieutenant Kathleen O'Shea & Captain Garrett Lovejoy [ Taylor]

Mission: Season 5: Episode 2: Operation Save Humanity
Location: USS Elysium
Timeline: MD 9
1429 words - 2.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Kathleen checked herself in the mirror for what seemed like the hundredth time, having changed uniforms yet again. It wasn't an issue of fit. They all were perfect in that regard. It was just that they felt...wrong. It had been a long time since she had worn any uniform. On Ba'Ku it was casual Friday every day of the week. She had tried both standard uniform and the one-piece dresses that she normally had worn when she was on Starbase 80, but as they both were out of the norm for her, it made it hard to come to a decision of any finality, so consequently she kept changing back and forth.

'This is ridiculous. Just wear one of the damned things and get moving." Kathleen thought as she started to undo the zipper on the back of the dress, then stayed herself. Another change wasn't going to correct the issue. Only time would do accomplish that miracle. She quickly pulled on a pair of boots to keep herself from changing her mind yet again, made a cursory check of her hair, and exited the room before she could talk herself out of it.

Kathleen easily navigated the ships cooridors and lifts, having already committed the ships schematics to memory during her transit. She quickly arrived at her destination, and actually managed to be there two minutes early. Deciding that it was acceptable, she smoothed down her dress one last time and rang the chime on the office door.

Garrett was in his office going over the latest crew transfers. The Elysium was the pride of the fleet and they were bombarded with requests for transfers to the ship. But lately they had a rash of transfers off the ship and this disturbed him. The Elysium had the latest in upgrades to it's science labs along with having Slipstream Drive. She was the envy of many. He was roused from his musings by the sound of his chime sounding. Sitting straighter in his chair, he called out "Enter!" and now waited to see who walked through the doors.

'No turning back now' Kathleen though as she stepped through the now open door. The air had chilled just a touch, but probably not noticeable she decided and left it alone. She had become much more adept at self control during her time with the Ba'Ku. The lessons were paying huge dividends now. Her eyes still held a crystalline sheen of ice blue though...one physical sign of nervousness that she had yet to conquer. Kathleen moved to the desk where the sole occupant of the room resided, her dress which had been flowing behind her like water upon a beach now pooling around her as she stopped and assumed a formal stance.

"Lieutenant Kathleen O'Shea reporting, sir." She spoke with a slight Irish accent. Her voice was soft but held a hint of hidden power, as did her gaze. It was almost...haunting.

Garrett looked at the new officer standing in front of him. She looked competent. "Please Lieutenant have a seat, would you like anything from the replicator?"

Kathleen sat in the offered chair. "No thank you." She replied, thinking that the offer was more a formality than anything. She sat with her legs crossed, fidgeting a bit with her hands. Kathleen couldn't comprehend why she felt so out of place. Like an imposter assuming a roll to conceal her true identity. but...there was definitely no turning back now. So.........

"As you wish Lieutenant." Garrett replied. "First let me welcome you to the Elysium. We like to think we're the finest ship and crew in the fleet. If that is a conceit, it's a healthy one and having you join as Strategic Ops Officer just enhances our reputation."

A small smile crept across Kathleen's face, and her features softened a bit. I do appreciate your vote of confidence. But please remember...it has been a while since I have been in uniform. I honestly was not expecting my first assignment to be on such a major vessel. I'm a bit...well, concerned that I might be a bit out of my league here." While it was true that Kathleen had been the commanding officer of both a major starbase and a couple of capital ships, that had been over a decade ago.

Garrett gave what he hoped was a friendly smile. "Nonsense, I think you are being too hard on yourself. I have every confidence in you. Your reputation precedes you Lieutenant. I know what you have accomplished and I know what you can do. You will fit right in." Garrett assured her.

Kathleen was silent for a long moment. "Thank you, sir. I will fulfill my duties to the best of my abilities. What is our current status, sir?

"Our current situation is the ship is being repaired and we're licking our wounds and mourning our dead." Garrett answered somberly.

The air chilled just a hair as Kathleen took in the information. It was a reminder of what she had left behind...the stark reality of the violence inherent to most species she had come in contact with. While on Ba'Ku Kathleen had been able to forget about the violence that seemed to touch a large part of the universe. Even there in the Briarpatch it had made it's presence known, occurring as it often does when one has something that another values enough to attempt to forcibly acquire it. Violence was one of the constants in the universe. And now she found herself not only right back in the middle of it, but acting as one of it's flag bearers.

"I've been there sir. I get it. But it's important to remember that what we are moving towards holds more importance that where we have been. Honor those that have been lost, but do not allow their memory to cause you stay in that moment. It nullifies their sacrifices."

Garrett was silent for a few seconds before he replied to Kathleen's words. "Very true Lieutenant. So often we tend to lose ourselves in the mystic of the idea of serving in Starfleet. All we see is blue skies and sunny days. Not realizing it is also ugly and harsh and deadly. An incident drives that lesson home all too well. However we must hold on to our ideals and our causes. It is what defines us as a race. To keep going, to get up even when we've been battered and bloodied. To do anything else minimizes and cheapens the sacrifice of not only our recent dead but all of the others who have made the supreme sacrifice."

A slight smile crept across Kathleen's face. "Conflict is inevitable. It is the nature of existence. But..." She paused for a brief moment. "That is why you have me. My experience and knowledge hopefully will help to minimize those losses. When I commanded Frontier Station, my Combat Ops chief quite literally wrote the book on the department. Now, I have the opportunity to bring that experience to this ship."

"Conflict may be indeed inevitable Lieutenant but how we prepare and face it is not. It is why you are here. Your experience will prove invaluable to this ship, crew and me when the next conflict takes place. Whether it be in two days, two weeks or two years."

"I have some ideas that I would like to float by you." Kathleen replied. "Not at this moment...I'll prepare a full write-up and present it to you at a later time. For now, I would like to get settled in and ground myself a bit. Kathleen had not had a chance to see any part of the ship besides her quarters and the CO's office. She figured that she should orient herself a bit.

"Of course Lieutenant, that will be fine. I look forward to reading what you have in mind. I am sure that with your knowledge that whatever your ideas are, they will help this ship and the crew." Garrett replied. "For now, go, get settled in and as you said get yourself ground. Once again welcome to the Elysium." Garrett finished.

"Thank you, sir." Kathleen replied as she stood and turned for the door. Once in the corridor again, she breathed a sigh of relief. She was once again anonymous...at least for the moment. Soon she would need another level of protection for when she truly wished for privacy. But that was easy enough to achieve. She had plenty of practice.