First Impressions

Posted on 21 Jun 2016 @ 2:10am by Lieutenant Commander Ryan Alexander & Senior Chief Petty Officer Keval zh'Erinov
Edited on on 11 Jul 2016 @ 6:29pm

1,318 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 11 - Divinum Mundi
Location: USS Galileo - Operations Officer
Timeline: MD-11 1250

[ON]

Keval awoke early, without the benefit or need of an alarm clock. There was nothing unusual about that, it's what he did every day. What was somewhat unusual was that he was feeling optimistic about both his career and his personal life. He'd decided he was going to talk with the Captain about becoming an officer. He knew he had the qualifications to do so, he'd helped run a major corporation. There was little doubt in his mind that he could do it. As far as his personal life went the was feeling good about that too. His date the previous night with Randy had gone well. It was of course just a first date and he wasn't ready to call a wedding planner, but a second date was definitely in the cards.

He rolled out of bed, took a quick sonic shower and got ready for his day, then grabbed an egg sandwich, brushed his teeth and made it to the office just two minutes before his shift was supposed to start.

Ryan stood outside the office of Operations. He had finished his meeting with the CO, and wanted to make sure that he checked in with his department. He also wondered when he was going to be issued his quarters.

He sighed inwardly as he strained his uniform. Ryan hoped that he would be meeting with his department head, though chances were equally as likely for either the adjunct or the Senior Chief. From his time in the Corps he knew who really ran the ship, Senior Chiefs, and he was supposed to be meeting with one of those individuals right now; it would be important for Ryan to make a good first impression.

He set down his duffle bag, just realizing that he didn’t even know where his quarters were. With a chuckle, he gave himself a quick once over, just to make sure he looked presentable, before pressing the call button on the Operations Office door.

Keval looked up from the PAaD he'd been looking at, a set of diagnostic schematics for a new security system, when the chime sounded. He could have just called out for whoever was on the other side to enter, but he didn't like to do that. He thought it was rude. So, instead, he crossed the distance and opened the door himself.

As it wooshed open, he saw it was an officer, and one he'd never met before. He could only assume it was the new guy, an Ensign Alexander. He saluted smartly and said, "Good morning sir, how are you?"

Ryan hadn't expected someone to be standing in the door way, he was a little taken a back, but quickly recovered. "Good Morning," He glanced at the collar, "Senior Chief. I am doing well, thank you. Seeing as you aren't Human, you must be Senior Chief Keval zh'Erinov?" Ryan asked, knowing that must of butchered the last name. Andorian names had always been especially difficult for him.

Keval tried, rather unsuccessfully to hide the grin on his face. "Close enough," he offered, his antennae curling forward as he spoke. "Glad to have you aboard Ensign Alexander. You can call me Keval, it's easier."

Ryan nodded. "Sorry about messing up your name, I never could could quite get Andorian. Its good to be aboard." Ryan said as he set down his duffle. "And it is good to meet you. I was hoping to meet the Department head or the adjunct, but they must be busy." he said with a shrug. "Mind if I sit for a minute? I feel like it has been none stop for awhile now, and could use a minute."

"Sure, make yourself at home," the Andorian responded, "there's a little Turkish Delight left over from last night on the table there. Help yourself. And I could get you something to drink too if you want."

Ryan smiled. "I am quite alright Senior Chief, but thank you for the offer. Though I think I will have a little bit of the Turkish Delight." Ryan said reach for the pastry. Ryan bit into the pastry, and considering that he hadn't ate anything for hours it was amazing.
"Senior Chief, can I ask you a question? What can you tell me about the Operations staff? Not talking personal lives, just personalities, and how well everyone meshes. I know that I am the new person here, I just want to make a good impression, this is actually my first assignment as an officer." Ryan asked, not wanting to be intrusive. He knew as the Senior Chief he had his fingers on the pulses of everyone, and knew just about everything about everyone.

"We all get along pretty well here. Min, Lieutenant Nicholas is a great department head. She knows what she is doing, and gives the right balance of direction and freedom. Noah and Jericho are recent additions to the staff as well. They do their jobs well and are more than efficient. I'd say that Jericho is a little more outgoing and personable, but that may just be a personal bias on my part. Crispin and Ari have been around for awhile, but neither of them really stands out. Ellsworth... Ellsworth is a good officer, but I wouldn't spend a lot of time with him if I were you."

Ryan leaned back in the chair, digesting the Senior Chiefs words for a moment, before nodding, and sitting back upright. "I appreciate your candor Senior Chief. Thank you, I think I am going to like working here." He said with a smile.

"I hope so sir," Keval said, "and the rest of the crew is pretty easy to get along with too. Anything else I can help you with?"

Ryan shook his head. "I think that about covers everything." Ryan said. "Unless you happen to know where our Department Head is, the only contact I have had with her happened to be a quick com message to assist down with Medical." Ryan said with a shrug.

"I'd try her cabin if I were you. If she's not there you can ask her husband. Or, better yet, you could just ask the computer to locate her."

Ryan laughed. "I would, however, I am merely trying to conduct a meet and greet. I am still just trying to figure out expectations, on going projects, etcetera, etcetera. Last thing I want to do is seek the department head out in their quarters. Granted, most of the time I meet with the CO or 1st Sergeant after a new posting, and that was it. I met my section and learned as I went. Though now we have a little more protocol to follow." Ryan said with a shrug. "Oh well, I am sure I will meet with her soon. Say can you tell me where the duty schedule is posted?" Ryan asked.

"Sure,"Keval said, after the Ensign had finished. He led him to a consoled and began typing. "Here you go," he said as he pointed a blue finger.

Ryan nodded, as he looked at the screen. " Looks like alpha shift. " Ryan said with a smile. "Thanks, Senior Chief. I really appreciate the help and conversation." Ryan got up and stretched. "If you see our department head, let her know I stopped by." Ryan said with a yawn. "I think I am going to try find my quarters. Unless you have any thing else?." Ryan said as he picked up his duffel.

Keval thought, briefly about trying to flirt with the other man, just to be a smart ass, but decided against it. "No, I have nothing else," he said.

Ryan nodded. "Very well. Have a great day." Ryan said with a smile and a little wave, before departing out the hatch.

End

CPO Keval zh'Erinov
Operations
USS Galileo

Ens. Ryan Alexander
Operations
USS Galileo

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