Terra Incognita

Posted on Thu Apr 9th, 2020 @ 7:30pm by Lieutenant JG Miraj Derani & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: INTERMISSION: Rebuild, Reuse, Recycle
Location: Executive Officers office, Deck 18
Timeline: Just after 'Something in the Bilges'
1248 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

[ON]

After her initial meeting with the ship, it was time find the XO and report in to the people, She memorized the layout, but the Elysium was huge, the biggest Starfleet ship she'd ever set foot on. The bridge was deck 18, and the XOs office wasn't too far from it on the same deck. It didn't take long and she got there quickly, without error. Before she pressed the bell, she took a moment to tighten her pink bunches and smooth the wrinkles out.

Then she was ready. She was a proper grown up Starfleet officer now. She rang the bell.

Gary was seated behind his desk going over crew transfers as well as keeping up with repairs that were underway and others that would soon be underway when the chime on his door rang. "Enter." He said simply as he looked up to see just who would come through the doors all while pushing the stack of PaDDS to one side and attempting to make his desk look less cluttered.

She did as she was told and stepped into the Commander's office. It seemed cosy, with its boomerang shaped desk piled with work, and the comfy bank of sofas to side. She was momentarily distracted by the view through his window, at the other ships at anchor inside the huge space station, before she got her self under control. "Ensign Derani, sir. Reporting for Duty."

Gary stood as the officer entered. *Their getting younger all the time.* He thought as the Ensign reported and Ensign he noted with pink hair that was parted in bunches. " Commander Gary Taylor." He said by way of introduction then moved on. "Please Ensign have a seat, would you like anything from the replicator?"

She hesitated for a moment, not sure if it was polite to refuse or accept. "just some water, please, sir." She took one of the chairs in front of the desk and perched there a little nervously. "Thank you."

"Just water? You sure Ensign?" He could see her nervousness as she sat there. "Relax Ensign, this isn't a board of inquiry. Just a friendly chat. Now you sure you only want water?" He asked again as he walked to the replicator.

Well, maybe some grog would calm her nerves, but that wouldn't go down well either, not on duty. "Would chocolate milkshake be too much?"

"It would not." Gary answered with a smile, "One chocolate milkshake." He said to the replicator and an instant later he was handing her a chocolate milkshake. "Here you go Ensign, enjoy." He said as he slid behind his desk and sat down. "First, welcome to the Elysium. Best ship, best crew and best captain in the fleet. You should take pride that you are here." He gestured at a PaDD, quite an impressive record Ensign.. at least as far as your piloting and nav skills."

"Thank you, sir." Miraj sipped the milkshake, grateful he hadn't mentioned all the other stuff. "Its just something I've always enjoyed doing. Makes it easy."

"In fact." Gary continued, "I think we are very fortunate to have someone of your talent and I believe you will have ample opportunities to show your abilities off."

"I can't wait sir. Only a handful of people have got to fly slipsteam drives yet. They're supposed to be a totally different experience. I know its a retrofit and she probably can't get even to QSV2, but its really going where noones gone before. Well, no-one but four test pilots and the helmsmen of the other retrofits, so I'm going to be the maybe 7th or 8th person to do it. Depending on how long it takes us to get out of dry dock." She seemed to realise she was babbling. "I'm sorry, sir. I've been following Slipstream development since I was about ten. Its exciting."

Gary shook his head and smiled at her, "Don't apologize for something you love. Your right it is exciting and we're very fortunate to have you and your impressive piloting skills here on the Elysium. Being in the top ten of something has major as this is an accomplishment in itself. You are literally on the ground floor of this endeavor. You have every right to be proud ensign."

Miraj went a little pink around the edges. "Its not much to brag about sir. I've just been doing it since I've been able to sit at a conn. Anyone could do it if they spent as long with their bum in a seat as I have." She realised she'd just been a bit too frank, "er, sorry, sir."

Gary looked across the desk at Miraj, "I doubt very seriously anyone could do it ensign. If that was so,everyone would be doing it. There is nothing wrong in taking pride in your abilities and talents. There is something wrong when you become arrogant about them." He took a breath. "Also stop apologizing, I'll let you know when you need to do so."

"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir." She winced, realising what she'd done. "I'm just excited."

Gary resisted rolling his eyes at her fopar and instead nodded and smiled, "I can fully relate to that and you should be excited. This is the best time of your life. Make the most of. Enjoy every second of it. It only comes once."

"I will sir. Getting here is everything I could have hoped for. I won't waste it." And she had no intention of. She couldn't get out of spacedock fast enough. "Do you know if we've had departure orders yet, sir, where we'll be going first." Hopefully somewhere quite a long way so she try the slipsteam drive.

Gary nodded, "I know you won't. As for order none yet. I know your anxious to try the slipstream drive. Rest assured when the orders come down, you'll be among the first to know."

"Thank you sir." She hoped it wouldn't be too long. She was chomping at the bit to get into the pilot's seat. "Is there anything else I should know about the ships and the crew sir, before I get stuck in?"

Gary looked across his desk at Miraj, "This crew is a family. Trust in your crew mates and their ability to get the job done and they in turn will trust you. United we stand. However don't be afraid to ask for help. Know you are a cut above. You being assigned here proves that. My door is always open to you should you have either a question or a problem." He sat back, "Other than that enjoy yourself."

"Oh, I will definitely do that.," she couldn't help grinning. She was on a ship with Sliptstream. It was like all her birthdays come at once. "Thank you for the opportunity. I won't let you down."

"I know you won't. Now why don't you go and exam your station or just explore the ship. we're not going anywhere." He said with a smile.

"I will sir. Thank you sir." Miraj stood, still not quite able to get the excitement of her face and look like a proper, sober officer instead of the giddy child she felt like. She couldn't wait to get started

"Very good Ensign. I won't keep you any longer. You are dismissed and again welcome the the Elysium." Gary replied, standing as well.

[OFF]

Ensign Miraj Derani
Assistant Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Elysium

Commander Gary Taylor
Executive Officer
USS Elysium