All This and a Klingon Too!

Posted on Fri Mar 4th, 2022 @ 11:37am by Captain Gary Taylor & Lieutenant Etrara Khalten

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: XO's Ready Room
Timeline: MD 4
1396 words - 2.8 OF Standard Post Measure

Gary sat in his office. He was reviewing the information on the PaDD before him... again. The Elysium was receiving a new crew member, a chief tactical officer. That in itself wasn't unusual but this officer certainly was, the officer in question was a Human/Klingon hybrid. He idlily wondered if said officer would have the usual Klingon temperament. He leaned back in his chair and shook his head. One thing was for sure, the bridge would never be the same again.


Etrara stood outside her new XO’s ready room. Her uniform itched insanely and she knew she would have to replicate a new one at some time. As she had walked through the ship she thought it was beautiful full of graceful curves and lines but she knew it hid a heart of steel and she felt proud to be joining her crew. She pulled her uniform sleeves down and pressed the door chime.

Hearing his door chime, Gary sat up straighter in his chair, straightened his tunic, smoothing any wrinkles out of it. Once done he called out "Enter!" That done he waited to see who came through the doors. He looked at the PaDD once last time before setting it to one side.

The corridor slid open and she entered the room. She stood ramrod straight hands clasped behind her back. “Lieutenant Khalten reporting for duty Sir” she barked.

"Come in Lieutenant and have seat." Gary said pleasantly as he gestured to a chair in front of the desk, "Would you like anything from the replicator? Before we get started?"

She kept standing, “I am more comfortable standing when a senior officer addresses me Commander.” She said her eyes not quite meeting his. ‘Damn she was itchy’ she thought.


"As you wish Lieutenant." Gary replied easily. "Would you like something from the replicator or don't you drink standing up?" His eyes on hers if see was looking looking at him that is.

“No, thank you sir I am fine ”she said desperately wanting to scratch a new itch that had developed at the top of her left thigh.

Gary nodded, "As you wish." Then got down to business. "Let me welcome you to the Elysium. I hope you enjoy your time here. We are glad to have you here. I think and this is rather bias, but this is the best ship with the best crew in the fleet. Are you familiar with the history of the Elysium?"

“Indeed Commander I am, the first ship of its kind in the fleet, she is beautiful and ha so much to offer. It is nice to escape from the rare atmosphere of a ship with just one brief to this one which has so many. I am privileged to be here sir.” For a moment her eyes drifted to his face analysing him and his character. Over the years she had prided herself on knowing what sort of man or woman she was dealing with from the get go.

"That is correct Lieutenant. "Captain Lovejoy is the commanding officer now. He succeeded Captain Yasmine Carrington who was killed in the line of duty. Captain Carrington replaced Captain Phoenix Lalor who was arrested and spirited away." He paused for a moment looking in to Etrara's eyes. " You will find the crew holds Captain Lalor in high regard. This is by no means being disrespectful to Captain Lovejoy who is a fine captain in his own right But Phoenix was a special, rare breed."

Her eyes left his. “I would have liked to have met him Sir, but I believe that everyone has it inside him or her whether it is case of nature or nurture to be special.” For a moment there was a look of sadness in her eyes as she remembered Irania.

"Let me correct you Lieutenant. Captain Lalor is a woman and my good friend despite her arrest and hopefully one day you will." Gary answered crisply. He didn't care what the rumor mill was putting out about Phoenix.

She kept her embarrassment in check, to show one’s emotions was a dangerous thing. “I am sorry for my mistake Commander and, if Captain Lalor is indeed as you say I hope I will meet her some day.”

Gary nodded, "Nothing to be sorry for Lieutenant. I hope that one day you do get both the honor and pleasure of meeting her. It is a rare pleasure indeed."

She was intrigued and wondered what sort of woman Captain Lalor was to elicit such a response. “What happened to her Commander?” She asked hoping she had not overstepped her bounds.

"Captain Lalor was arrested by Federation security agents on charges of treason and is currently sitting in the New Zealand penal colony in maximum confinement. No one as seen her since her arrest."

Etrara was genuinely sorry to hear that. “I am sorry sir but I hope that she will be freed as soon as possible.”

"That is my hope as well Lieutenant." Gary replied. "But now on to more pleasant topics, have you any questions for me?"

Etrara felt the atmosphere lighten imperceptibly. If she had been a gossip she would have sought another member of the crew out to find out more, however she abhorred that sort of thing.

“If we could run through my duties sir?”

"Certainly Lieutenant. You already know your department is responsible for the calibration of and firing of a starship's weapons. In addition, your duties as chief tactical officer include. You are responsible for the tactical efficiency of weapons, shields and the Tactical Station aboard this ship. You should be aware of current phaser strength, shield strength and current torpedo complement. Also as a department head and a member of the senior staff, you are responsible for all the crew members in her/his department and duty rosters." Gary finished.

She nodded, “that is what I expected Sir, is there anything you would like to ask about me?”

"Anything that you feel comfortable in telling me that will help me know you better as a person and an officer." Gary replied.

She sighed and visibly relaxed. “I run a tight efficient department and I do not suffer fools gladly, it’s just…..sometimes I feel I am too hard, too driven and I can find it difficult to communicate, I am sure you have read my psychological reports, I have had problems with off duty communication with males and this is sometimes viewed as dislike or…” she swallowed. “There were some complaints of favouritism which were not substantiated and were not true.” Her hard stance seemed to crumble a little. All I ask is that those in my department give me 100 percent commitment whilst on duty as I ask that of myself. I am hoping that on the Elysium I can find a place where I fit in, a home if you would. It has been a long time since I had one of those.” She realised she had said more than she had on her exit counselling interview.

Gary nodded, "I have read it and I heard about the complaints. Know this, you start with a clean slate here. I have no qualms with you running a tight department, Lieutenant. Just make sure you apply the rules and what you expect fairly and equally."

She straightened a herself up again back to her hard self. “Yes Commander.” She said hoping for that the interview was nearly over.

"If there is nothing else Lieutenant, there is only one thing left to do." Gary stood and reached out with his right hand. "Welcome to the Elysium. We're glad you are here with us."

She took his proffered hand and shook it noting it was warm and firm. “Thank you Sir.” She said

"You are welcome, Lieutenant. My door is always open. So, if you have a problem or just want an ear to bend. Do not hesitate to come see me."

She nodded and left, the door slid closed behind her and she leaned back on it for a second or two. She had let go more about herself than she had wished too and it had left her feeling vulnerable a feeling she very much did not like. She left to finish her unpacking, six large boxes of cloth bound books would not put themselves away.