Welcome Committee Part 2

Posted on 30 Aug 2018 @ 7:34pm by Commander Luke Wyatt & Lieutenant JG Sofie Ullswater
Edited on on 31 Aug 2018 @ 10:27am

3,065 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: Episode 15 - Emanation
Location: USS Galileo-A, Deck 2, Airlock
Timeline: MD 140 - 0900Hrs

[ON]

Last time on USS Galileo-A...

It would later be hard for Sofie to describe those first moment on the bridge with any degree of reality. It felt like a dream, in a few ways it was a dream. Perhaps a dream come true or perhaps a culmination of a half remembered dream from years ago - a space constructed by her mind that now found fruition in this hollow reality. She didn't really know what to think as she stepped out of the turbolift and set down her feet. The excitement was dying to be replaced by a mixture of melancholy and purpose - that powerful combination that overcomes one when in a moment they know they will look back on someday - that feeling that one day she would consider this a momentous event.

And now the conclussion...

The commander was chatting away with someone she didn't know so the ensign walked solemnly around the upper level. It felt sacred somehow, like a temple of order and exploration. Here the officer priesthood met and here the most holy of Starfleet's work was done. She came to Science III, someone was working on Science I but this secondary station lay dormant. She held the back of the chair in her hands. She could imagine that she might be sitting in this spot in just a few days.

She paused there - chair held close to her. She left herself bask in the emotion and the silence of her thoughts. A tear formed in the corner of her eye. It lingered on her cheek for a moment before she broke out of her reverie and brushed it off - unsure of why it had been there in the first place. She turned back towards the Security officers to see if Wyatt was showing any signs of wanting to move on.

Luke having caught up with Ensign Yamato he had returned his attention to Sofie, "Like what you see, pretty cool huh?" he asked her curiously before waving her over to the centre of the room. "Why don't you take a seat in the big chair, get a feel for how the top live. Something to aspire for Id think?"

Outwardly Sofie nodded but on the inside, she felt slightly wrong as she walked up to the captain's chair. A little voice in the back of her head was telling her she wasn't worthy. When she reached the chair she glanced up sheepishly to Wyatt but he seemed a cool and confident as ever so she tried to channel a bit of that and sat down.

The chair was big, and she was small and as she looked out across the bridge she imagined the awesome responsibilities the captain must have, her duty to her crew. Sofie wasn't sure that was something she wanted to aspire to she knew she probably should do. Starfleet is all about duty and responsibility right?

She stood up again suddenly, feeling that this wasn't quite a seat she had earned the right to sit in. She turned to the commander still standing there "It makes you think, sir," she commented, "There's a lot of responsibility on the captain's shoulders isn't there?"

“A hell of a lot,” he said his left-hand gliding across the room displaying the bridge like a new book collection “without the person sat on that chair all of this is just a process. For it all to mean something, for it to matter it goes to this chair and the person sitting in it and one-day ensign that might be you. Everything that happens in the next few years to you might overwhelm you but remember that one day you’ll be in a position that is responsible for An away team, a department or an entire starship, embrace these times, learn from your mistakes and don’t let anything get in your way. And when that moment comes that everything’s getting too much? Look to your left and to your right because this crew rely on one another as an engine relies on the gears inside it to move they will help you.”

Sofie nodded and smiled to herself. He would be right of course, he had been doing this for years and was speaking from experience. "I'm looking forward to being part of this crew." she surprised herself with how heartfelt the statement was. She felt slightly overwhelmed by the whole thing. A crewman who was working on the bridge systems coughed from behind her and she moved out of the way to let him reach a nearby panel. "Should we get out of there people's way?" She asked and glanced conspicuously in the direction of the turbolift doors

Luke nodded "Let's go visit the science labs where you'll spend easily most of your time, and then there are a few more stops before we finish with a complimentary drink at the Callisto bar." They made their way to the turbo lift, Luke letting Sofie in first before stepping and saying. "Deck 4, Geology lab" He said and the doors closed.

The thought of a complementary drink was enough to make Sofie grin, that would be something to look forward to. The bridge had been an unknown to her but labs were something that she knew quite well and she doubted there would be anything to surprise her there. As the turbolift stopped and Sofie followed the commander out of it she asked "Do you know the head of sciences sir?" She'd read the file of course but you never know what personal insight people might be able to offer.

“If I didn’t I think I’d have to be sacked as chief of security and dropped as a friend” he laughed the lab not to far from their position. “Lieutenant Sandoval served with my and many of the senior officers aboard the Galileo before its untimely distraction. Don’t let her being half Vulcan worry you, she’s more human in my eyes and she’s both friendly and cheerful and from what I’m told a great department head”

"Do you know how much of the crew is going to be from the old ship?" Sofie asked, she felt slight apprehension at the idea - would she really be able to fit in if all the lines were already drawn, all the cliques already formed and all the friendship groups firmly cemented.

Luke shrugged not completely sure “Perhap a quarter of the crew, mostly the senior officers, the captain and XO. Though Commander Blake was reassigned and has recently rejoined us” he stopped short of the lab “So here’s the geology lab. I saw in your academy report this was one of your topics? I can’t tel you exactly what is in here but I know it’s all top of the line”

Eagerly, Sofie opened the door and stepped in. In among all the excitement and new things this was stepping in a familiar world. The lab looked just as she had expected filled with equipment she recognised. There wasn't anyone else in there at the time so she called out to Wyatt "One second, I'd just like to check something." She sidled up to one of the regolith scanners and looked on the side to check its model number. Back on Earth she'd seen one of the new prototypes of this unit at Starfleet R&D. Disappointingly this one was only the latest standard model, but that made a lot of sense - the new model could perform incredibly accurate soil checks but it still had some kinks to be ironed out. In the hour she had spent looking at it two crewmen ended up being sent to the hospital.

She hopped out from behind it and nodded firmly at the commander "Feels just like home sir!" She was half disappointed that it wasn't too new or exciting but a large part of her was glad to know there would be something familiar in this new life.

"Good, I'm glad you like it! You even have a bigger workplace than I, just hope you don't end up there because it usually means you've done something wrong." He teased making his way to the door. "Shall we, or do you need more time to gape at all this stuff?"

"I've spend the last year gaping at this same stuff but in a different room!" she replied jokingly and followed him to the door "The real gaping will probably occur once we have samples to look at." As the door slid shut behind them she gestured forwards and asked "Where to next sir?"

“Let’s take a glance at main engineering next, the person in charge until we have a Chief of engineering is also new, shell probabaly be floating around; you two might get a long. You’re both about the same age, she’s a trill mind you.” Luke said walking out of the lab and making the way to engineering.

Sofie raised her eyebrows, sure she'd had a slow start at life but getting to be chief engineer in the time it had taken her to get through the Academy - this Trill was already impressing her. She replied in a facetious tone "The same age as me and in charge of our engines? I'm not sure if that makes me feel worried that we're about to explode or worried that I'm going to look like the stupid one."

"Well, maybe not quite the same age and I do believe she has worked on starships before attending the Academy. Don't worry you shouldn't be putting yourself up against people, your academy reports speaks for yourself so to keep doing what you're doing and you'll do just fine." Luke said assuringly as the neared Engineering.

The ensign blushed at the mention of her reports and decided that with a response like that it was unlikely he'd seen her performance in astrophysics exam. The memory of which sent a shudder down her spine. "Well, I look forward to meeting her!" Sofie replied cheerily as she followed him into Engineering.

Kala stood in the centre of the room staring at the powered down warp core, she itched for the day they got to turn it on and go to warp for the first time. She was yanked from her daydreaming when the double doors of engineering opened up presenting the chief of security and a science ensign. "Hi, how can I help you?" She asked curiously.

"Chief, Hi. Sorry to bother you, I'm showing the ensign here around the ship and figured the next best step would be engineering." Luke explained.

She grinned "Sure, I can't show you around myself but if you promise not to touch anything or break anything I don't see why you can't have a look around. It is nice to meet you Sir" She said putting her hand out to the other woman, "Names, Chief Petty Officer Kaala Gorvel if the commander here hasn't already told you"

Sofie took her hand and shook it firmly "Great to meet you, I'm Ensign Ullswater." She wasn't sure what level of formality was really appropriate in this situation so she put on her most warm and friendly voice "I hope we have a chance to see more of each other soon."

“I hope so too, feel free to pop down here anytime, catch me in the mess hall or the bar if that’s your kind of thing. It’s good to meet someone...” she said being cut short by some intermittent beeping from s console behind them. “I must dash! Remember not touchy no breaky!”

Luke chuckled as the chief jogged of to attend to her duty “I think the only thing to see here other than the chief would be the warp core” he explained stepping into the room and up to the barrier which surrounded their main power source. “Until we get underway however we won’t actually see it running.”

Sofie grimaced at the core in front of her - she'd always found engines a bit intimidating. Something behind that surface was going to generate enough power to thrust them not just through space but into warp speeds. Being so close to that sort of power always gave Sofie cause for pause. "Only a few days then, I imagine it'll be quite the moment."

“Oh yes, everyone will be watching this little old ship depart. It’s certainly going to be quiet the spectacle. I’ve heard there’s even going to be a party after in the Callisto bar which the entire crew less those one essential duties will be able to attend” Luke explained with his hands rested on the barrier as he looked up to the core. “It truly is a wonderful creation. It’s this device that started all of what we’ve achieved as starfleet” admiring tHe core for s minute more like turned to face the ensign.

“I would usually show people my office and the brig but I don’t feel like you’ll be visiting their anytime soon. Shall we say we cut this short and finish with that free drink? Unless ofcourse there’s anywhere else you’d like to specifically go?” Luke questioned.

Sofie pondered for a moment, but just a short one "There's nothing more exciting than a bar serving a free drink sir." She replied with a cheeky grin then added "I'm sure I can get a look at anything else I need to later."

“Well In that case let’s go!” Luke said smiling as they left the engineering room. “So what do you think of the Galileo so far ensign.” He paused and then added “how would you like for me to address you?” The continues to walk and talk as they neared the turbo lift.

"I... I'm not really sure what's..." She paused again, uncertain "appropriate, given the rank difference." She laughed nervously and tilted her head to the side "I've only been an Ensign for a couple of months now. Galileo seems pretty great though." She quickly added to answer his other question and then, rank still on her mind added "Sir."

He chuckled “Some Officers like being called sir or by their rank, I am not one of those ensign. I came from the ranks of a lowly Marine to be where I am today and one thing I learnt is that to truly be able to work well as a team. You as an officer must be comfortable with his or hers subordinates on and off duty, Chief or Wyatt are a good mix of both formal and informal if you’re feeling brave even Luke however when in the presence of other senior staff whilst on duty I’ll have to settle for sir or Commander.” Luke stepped into the turbo lift moving to one side to allow her space. “Feel like you can use the turbo lift now?”

Sofie rolled her eyes "I may be an Ensign, but I'm not a baby." She announced boldly to the computer her intended destination and the doors slid shut with a satisfying whoosh and the turbolift sprang into action. After a short moment the doors opened once again and with similar satisfaction Sofie stepped out "And as for what you'd like to call me, go with whatever makes you comfortable, I doubt I'm going to get offended." She did her very best not to add a sir on the end.

“I never meant to intend to call you baby Miss Ullswater, I figured you’d might take the pleasure in taking control.” The lift didn’t take long to get to the desired deck and the door opening. Luke waited to allow her exit before following behind her. “It’s a shame you weren’t around a few months ago, youd have been a great influence on my daughter”

Sofie raised her eyebrows "I'm sure the only reason you'd think I'd be a good influence is because you haven't got to know me well enough chief." She joked and stepped aside for him to lead the way to this much anticipated bar.

Luke took the lead chuckling once more “Well it’s a small ship and when we’re travelling there not a lot for me to do, maybe we’ll see more of each other around.” The walk was short and Luke stepped straight through the doors and into the bar. It wasn’t busy with just a few of the tanks occupied, he headed straight for the bar. “What will it be?” He asked turning to Sofie.

"What are you having?" she asked almost instinctively but then, upon noticing the distinctive shape of a tall twisted bottle on the drinks shelf her mind quickly changed "Actually, I'll have a glass of that Kanar please." Preempting the odd look she was expecting from Wyatt she explained "I picked up a taste for it when I lived in Cardassain space."

Luke pinched his face into a curious yet approving look, “I think we’ll make that two glasses. During the war the rules were a little vague, I have a few bottles in my personal effects from my time on cardassia so I can appreciate the taste.” Luke ordered two glasses; “Youll have to tell me about your time in cardassian space, that must be a story.”

"Its not an interesting story," that was a lie, nobody has boring stories when it comes to Cardassia "I was singing in an opera there."

The bartender returned with their drinks and placed them down in front of them on a napkin. Luke stared at his drink with a smile, an added bonus to meeting all the new crew was the free drink he received from the bar staff. Picking up his drink, “to the future.” He said

Picking up the glass of thick liquid Sofie felt a great deal of relief. Hopefully meeting all of the crew would be this easy. She raised her glass "The future!"

[OFF]

Lieutenant Commander Luke Wyatt
Chief off Security
USS Galileo-A

Ensign Sofie Ullswater
Science Officer
USS Galileo-A

Chief Petty Officer Kala Gorvel (PnPC Jake)
Engineering Oficer
USS Galileo-A

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