The Need for Intelligence

Posted on 07 Mar 2012 @ 2:59pm by Lieutenant Commander Evelyn Coleman & Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm

1,334 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 00 - Pre-Deployment
Location: Starfleet HQ, Office
Timeline: MD 04 - 1045 hrs

[ON]

Lirha entered her office and plopped herself down into her large and comfortable chair. She ran a hand through her dark hair and looked around the room, taking in the sight of numerous PADDs littering her desk and chair. To say she was feeling overwhelmed by her administration duties was an understatement, but she had plans to try and recruit her XO to help out with some of the paperwork later that same day. Wasting no time, the Orion pulled a PADD from the top of a pile and began to look through it. She frowned as she browsed through the details of a Chief Intelligence Officer who had been assigned to her ship. Though Lirha herself had worked in Intelligence for several years, she found it strange that a survey vessel would have a member from that department serving aboard her new command.

It didn't take long for her to remember her mission, especially the classified and covert nature of it. Perhaps that had something to do with it, she thought, and she definitely wouldn't rule out the possibility that Admiral Kilby or Admiral Reshman had personally overseen the transfer. Whatever the reason, Lirha was anxious to find out. She brought her desk's computer console online and entered a message into the personnel communications system, requesting the officer to report to her office for an interview. After pushing the transmit button, she leaned back in her chair and began to look through the various inventory manifests while she waited for the crewman to arrive.

Evelyn was packing up her office, getting ready to transfer her belonging to the Galileo, when her console chimed with a message. She read it over and sighed. She walked around her desk and out of her office. She made her way down the hall and out of the building.

The walk accross the Green was pleasant, as things were reletively quiet at Starfleet HQ. Evelyn entered the main office building, and made it to her new CO's temporary office. She pressed the door chime and waited.

"Enter." the captain called out, and stood from her chair to greet whoever was outside. She hoped it was her new intelligence officer, but there was also a chance it might be someone from HQ, possibly one of her commanding officers.

Evelyn walked inside, and stopped in front of the desk. Arms behind her back, she greeted, "Lieutenant JG Evelyn Coleman your new Chief Intellgience Officer, reporting for duty."

Lirha looked up at the tall woman, taking note of her blond hair and crystal blue eyes. She gave her a smile and nodded politely. "At ease, Lieutenant," she replied, "I'm Commander Saalm. Please have a seat." she said, and motioned to an empty chair next to the desk. "I wasn't expecting a member of your department to be assigned to my crew. At least, not so quickly. Were you assigned this posting or did you request the transfer?" she asked, wondering about the reasons behind her assignment.

Evelyn thanked the Captain before taking the seat. "A little bit of both actually. I had expressed my desire to return to the field, to my superiors. They assigned me to the Galileo." She responded honestly, "I admit, I too questioned why a Nova-Class vessle would require an Intellgience department."

The Orion captain nodded as her own thoughts echoed the words of her intelligence chief. "Well, being a former intelligence officer myself, I'm glad to have you aboard. I think your expertise will come in handy on our upcoming deployment." she said, then sat back down in her seat with her hands folded together in her lap. "Will this be you first time aboard a Nova Class starship?" she asked.

"I have never served on one, but no, this won't be my first time aboard a Nova Class vessel." She answered honestly, leaning back in her chair. "Have you had a chance to meet any other member of your crew?" she asked.

"I've met quite a few of them so far, however there's a large portion of the crew who will be transferred aboard at our resupply stop, shortly after we depart Earth. I haven't personally met any of them yet." she answered simply, then picked up a PADD and read briefly through the intelligence woman's service record. "I see that you have quite a long history with Starfleet. How do you feel about having served in the fleet for so long?" she asked.

Evelyn would have chuckle after hearing the question, but kept her cool composure. "It gives me a purpose. And to be honest, keeps me occupied. I originally came to observe Humanity, school project if you will."

"That's quite a long school project." she casually remarked. "So what are your impressions?" she asked, curious as to what the woman thought about Earth and the Federation.

"I've been a part of Star Fleet since practically the birth of the Federation. I've seen Humanity accomplish grand things, and coming short is a few aspects. The Federation survived many trials and tribulations that quiet frankly surprises me." She looked at her Captain, "It is no longer a surprise to me why the United Federation of Planets caught the attention of the Q Continuum."

Lirha nodded, "Although some would say that is as much a curse as a blessing." she replied, in reference to the omnipotent beings which occasionally harassed Starfleet captains. "Do you plan on being aboard the Galileo for long?" the captain asked as she still tried to decipher the reason behind the woman's assignment.

"Perhaps. If I would have to guess, I maybe on the Galileo for a while." She answered sincerely.

"That's good to hear," she responded with a smile, "I can always find a use for experienced officers, and I find it better for morale when the crew stays together after deployments. I must warn you, though, you won't have much in the way of departmental support staff. I can assign you a bridge station and your own private office, but that's about the extent of my ship's capabilities." she said.

"I understand. As you know, I have a vast experience of various fields, so please don't feel limited in only assigning me Intelligence work to do. I'm more than happy to assist the other departments on this ship."

"Oh, I was counting on it." the captain replied with a friendly wink. "A small starship like the Galileo needs a flexible crew. And I'm sure you can help some of the junior officers and enlisted crew develop their skills." she added. "Do you have any questions for me, Lieutenant?" she asked, changing the subject. She wanted to give the El-Aurian an opportunity to voice any requests, comments or concerns.

Evelyn thought for a moment, "At what time will the Galileo be departing Earth?" she asked.

Lirha shook her head. "We are scheduled for a noon launch two days from now, but given the circumstances of our mission, we might be ordered to depart before then." she answered then shrugged, "That's the best I can tell you for now, but I'll be sure to keep the crew updated if our orders change."

"Understandable. Are there any questions you wish to ask me, Captain?"

"None at the moment." she answered as she played with her green fingers in her lap. "I look forward to having you aboard, Lieutenant. Surely you have a wealth of knowledge and experience that you can share with the crew, so I'm grateful to have you with us." she added. "I don't want to take up too much of your time, so you are dismissed if you have no further questions. We have a systems check and crew reception tomorrow, and I will be sending the details of both to your PADD."

Evelyn nodded, "Thank you, Captain, it was a pleasure meeting with you."

OFF:

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CMDR Lirha Saalm
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo

&

Lt. JG Evelyn Coleman
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo

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