Meeting the Tactical Chief

Posted on Tue Sep 13th, 2022 @ 5:06am by Lieutenant Etrara Khalten & Lieutenant JG Zac Smithson

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Tactical Chief's Office
Timeline: TBD
1235 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Zac stood nervously. he was bouncing from foot to foot as he prepared to meet the Tactical Chief Lieutenant Etrara Khalten. He clutched the PaDD in his hand tightly. It contained his order assigning him to the Elysium. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself and pushed the chime on her door, signaling his arrival.

“Come” a voice called from within the room.

Hearing a voice bid him entrance, Zac took a deep breath and entered . He marched up to the desk, extended his arm and hand with the PaDD holding his orders. "Lieutenant JG Zac Smithson, reporting to the USS Elysium." He paused as he looked at the figure across from him, seated behind the desk. "Ma'am." He added hurridly.

Etrara stood and smiled stretching out her hand in greeting. “Please, come in and sit down Lieutenant. No need to be formal and please call me Etrara.” On seeing the earnest Lieutenant she felt the need to put him at his ease. Most people when they met Klingons felt uneasy to say the least so she always tried to make herself friendly and welcoming. She prided herself on knowing what made people ‘tick’ within the first few minutes of meeting them but she had yet to get the measure of this one. Maybe it was the fact that she was only half Klingon. She sat back down. “Would you like something from the replicator?”

Zac continued to stand as Etrara spoke to him. When she had finished, he shook his head "What? Oh, no ma'am. er no sir!" He stammered. Nothing for me thank you." He extended the PaDD to her, "My orders." He said simply as he finally slid into the chair.

Etrara took the PaDD from him and read. After a few minutes she looked up. “That seems to be in order Lieutenant.” She sighed, “I have only been here a few months and the tactical department needs much upgrading. Currently the department is trying to integrate with others such as security and the Marines so you have joined us in exciting times.” She stopped. “Lieutenant why are you so nervous, have you met Klingons before?”

"Yes sir, thank you sir. Sounds like an exciting time. I am glad to be here. The Elysium is a plum assignment sir." He explained. He stopped as she asked if he had ever met a Klingon before. "He nodded his head rapidly up and down. "Oh, yes sir! Many times."

She put her hand up to stop him…”Lieutenant…Zac stop. Take a breath and stop calling me sir or I shall be annoyed. My colleagues call me Etrara in private. So take that breath, slow down and tell me a little bit about yourself?”

Zac nodded, took a breath, gave her a shaky smile. "Oh yes sir." His eyes widened in shock. "Oh! I mean Etrara, I'm sorry. I'm just excited about being here. What was the question?"

She laughed, “that’s better…I asked you to tell me a bit about yourself, where you’re from, what made you join Starfleet, family…that sort of thing?”

"Oh yeah." he grinned sheepishly. "I'm the oldest of three children, have a sister and brother, I was born in Altamonte Springs, Florida. I love exploring, seeing what's out there, around the corner, over the hill. I want to see it. My dad is a civil engineer and my mom a nurse."

Etrara was happy to see him relaxing a little. “Well we certainly go ‘around the corner and cover the hill’ so you came to the right place Zac, if you don’t mind me calling you that?”

"Not at all. It is my name and its better than hey you." Zac replied with a smile.

So, why tactical Zac?” Etrara walked over to the replicator and ordered herself a cold vanilla milkshake with a cherry on top. “Are you sure I cant get you anything? She asked.

"In addition to seeing what's out here, I like challenging problems. Tatical represents that. It is an important department on the ship and it allows me a chance to help the ship and crew by using my mind to overcome what may be challenging odds." He looked at the vanilla milkshake, it sure looked good. "Um, may I have one of those? It looks good."

She smiled as she stood and ordered another shake. “I have only just begun to enjoy these too. My deputy Lieutenant Commander Starr introduced me to the beverage but tells me it has to have a cherry on the top.” She handed him the drink with a straw. She sat down. “I prefer mine strawless.” She sat down glad to see him relaxing a bit.

“Don’t worry we won’t throw you out into the deep end for a while, you can either shadow myself or Commander Starr for your first few shifts.” She sipped her drink. “So, have you seen your quarters yet?”

Zac took the offered milkshake, and took a sip ...without the straw. "Ohhhh, so good!" He then returned to Etrara's questions. "No, not yet. I thought it best to report in first. Not like they are going to give my quarters to someone else right?"

“Exactly right so, I am moving people around so as to have all my tactical officers nearby. I have assigned you quarters near to mine and the Lieutenant Commanders so, that means although it is small you have a window!” Etrara looked pleased with herself then suddenly felt embarrassed in case he thought she found him attractive. A blush spread through her copper coloured skin to go with her milk moustache.

"Sounds good to me Etrara. Good thinking. Organized and logical. A window! That is great!" He said happily. "Thank you for that." He saw her blush. "Did I say something funny?" He wondered.

She looked over the PaDD he had presented her with until she could feel the flush dissipate. “How are you with weapons, any preferences, hand to hand combat?”

"I'm above average with the hand phaser, Scored sharpshooter with that. Phaser rifle, qualified marksman." He sighed, "My hand to hand combat skills are passable. They could use improvement." He admitted.

“Sounds good, how about I take a look at your hand to hand skills in the morning and we can go from there?”

"Absolutely! Sounds good to me Etrara. What time and where do you want to meet?" He asked.

She finished her shake and looked at him. He seemed a lot more settled. For a moment she wondered if he had any significant other and she suddenly felt alone. Shaking the feeling off she checked her PaDD. Shall we say 0.900 in the gym ?”

"Sounds like a plan to Etrara." Zac replied with a grin. "I am looking forward to you helping me improve my skills."

“Is there anything you want to ask me Zac, before we bring this to an end?”

"No Etrara, I don't believe so. Thank you for the milkshake and i will see you tomorrow morning for some hand to hand training." Zac replied earnestly.

Etrara nodded and stood. “I shall look forward to it lieutenant….and….bring some bruise cream!” She smiled and discovered she was indeed looking forward to their sparring.

"Certainly Etrara, I'm sure you'll need it." Zac jested.

“Hmm” she said.

Zac grinned and beat a hasty retreat out of her office.