Back in the Crosshairs

Posted on 25 Sep 2024 @ 6:56am by Petty Officer 3rd Class Isla Sheridan & Ensign S'Ers-a M'Lyr'Zor

2,095 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Episode 20 - Reconstruction
Location: USS Galileo-A, Deck 7, Chief Engineers Office
Timeline: MD02, 2000 hrs

[ON]

Never had a longer six months passed in all of eternity - Isla was certain of that. Not since her initial weeks in Starfleet had she felt so utterly trapped in one place. The Yuron, ironically, had been delivering her to a destination she very much wished to arrive at but by the echos of time immemorial had it been dull.

As a transfer she had not been allowed to fiddle around with the vast ships computer systems, and her fellow crewmen and the officers had not had much interest in doing anything particularly... interesting. Excitement for them was the unknown, the discoveries, the adventure into the deepest of space.

For her it was just getting away. She longed for the chase, the cat and mouse games, the thrill of eluding the mark. Admiral Elbrun had put an end to all of that. For now. The best she could hope for was that the Galileo provided some challenge that was actually stimulating, or a better opportunity that she could spin to her advantage.

Maybe there was a nice planet out there that was ready to pay the big bucks for a fast track Federation membership? Oh one could dream.

For now, having dumped her stuff in her shared quarters, Isla wandered down to the bosses office in order to check in.

It didn't take long to find the place. The Galileo was a little squirt compared to the Archer. She took a deep breath and etched on her most pleasant smile then tapped the chime.

Sera's head whipped up from the pile of padds sitting on her 'new' desk to the doorway. It was the first visitor to her office. That hadn't taken very long, now had it?

"Enter." She called out in almost a distracted tone as she gazed out over the space that was in no way organized in the manner that was appropriate to her standards.

Isla walked inside, smiling a very disarming smile which immediately hit the brick wall of the Vulcan sitting in front of her.

Vulcans... ugh. They were never game for anything. None she had ever met had any sense of what Isla called 'the rush'. That excited panic that let you really get things done when the odds were stacked against you. They planned stuff out way too much.

They didn't often have a sense of humour either. Logic was apparently rarely fun.

"Officer Sheridan," she said in her more Starfleetiest voice as she approached the desk. "Reporting for duty, sir."

Sera did not look up from her work until a strange female's voice announced themselves. She was still going through the backlog of datapadds and had not found one that discussed transfer of personnel. Looking up, the new chief saw a new gold-collared female standing at the foot of the desk. A small inhale identified the female as human, and with quite unusual burnished colored hair. They really did come in all shapes and sizes. Such genetic variability...

Reaching out her arm, Sera took the offered padd, careful to not accidentally come into contact with Sheridan's fingers. Once it was firmly in her grip she brought it closer so she could begin inspecting the contents.

Of course this led to a what could be a rather uncomfortable silence.

"Everything appears to be in order." Sera said after completing reading the woman's orders. "Your arrival comes at, one might say, a most fortuitous time. You will replace a recently opened vacancy. That will certainly be well received by the rest of the NCOs.

Isla smirked inwardly at the mention of 'fortuitous timing.' If only the CEO knew just how much Isla appreciated any hint of serendipity - given her past, it wasn't something she took for granted.

"Glad to hear it, sir," Isla replied, keeping her tone even and respectful. She knew better than to let any hint of her true feelings slip through - especially around a Vulcan. The CEO's thorough inspection of the PADD had given Isla enough time to size up her new superior. Stoic, precise, and - unsurprisingly - detached. The typical Vulcan traits, ones she’d encountered before, though never enjoyed.

Still, Isla was adept at playing roles, and in this setting, she’d play the eager-to-please Starfleet officer. At least until something more interesting came along.

"If there’s anything specific you need me to handle right away, I’m ready to get started," Isla offered. Her words were sincere enough to pass, though she secretly hoped for an assignment that would allow for a modicum of excitement after the long months of travel from the Federation's core.

"Unnecessary. Please sit, Officer Sheridan." Sera stood, ever a conscientious host. "Would you care for a beverage? I have some questions for you."

Isla bobbed her head with the sort of eagerness she knew officers appreciated and took a seat.

"A beverage? Yes please," she said with an appreciative lilt, "Tea would be nice, if it is convenient."

Asking a Vulcan if tea was convenient? Was this new petty officer engaging in an attempt at 'humor?' Sera raised a brow in consideration as she walked over to the small replicator and requested two teas, green. Although not a Vulcan variety - it was palatable enough. Sera took both of the teas and walked back over to the desk where Sheridan was sitting and placed the white china cup in front of the new engineering crewman.

Sera took a seat and pulled on her jacket unconsciously to smooth out the material before speaking to Sheridan. "Please provide a brief overview of your engineering experience."

Isla briefly gave the cup a curious look. She had expected that strange Vulcan tea that the chief of the boat aboard the Archer had always been swigging. This was... considerate of her palate.

She picked up the cup and sipped it as she considered an answer.

"This and that," she began, "Since joining Starfleet they've made sure I'm familiar with all of the standard systems and procedures." Familiar with how dull they were.

"My real area is Computer systems. My civvy life was all about them and I had wanted to join the academy to specialise but... circumstances didn't allow for that." She smiled at the Vulcan. "I doubt you have anyone aboard who knows them as well as me even still."

"Elaborate." Sera responded as she took a small sip of the green tea and studied the officer with a calculating mien. She quickly realized however, that such a command would be accurately interpreted by another Vulcan...an off-worlder however? It would be efficient to elaborate herself...

"Why have you focused on computer systems; for what purpose did you immerse yourself in such a specialization, and why were you unable to realize your personal desire to specialize?"

"Fun," Isla said with a noncommittal shrug, "They're easy."

She took another sip of tea. The second question was more complicated.

"Enlisting was the most pragmatic decision at the time." She gave the Vulcan a pointless smile. "I just had to get stuck right into things - couldn't wait for a couple of years of academy training." She knew it all anyway after all.

Well...that was a rather interesting non-answer, if Sera had ever heard one. It did give some insight into the mind of the officer sitting in front of her however. Describing things as Fun. Easy. Overt demonstration of impatience. Not ideal traits in an engineer.

"Unfortunate. I have no need for an impatient computer specialist who does not see the need for additional training."

The woman's mentality reminded her of Viruk in some ways. He too had been impatient, wanting things to be easy or interesting, wanting a measure of prestige or accolades in the doing of something. This ship...her department...had no need for such a person.

"We do not have the luxury of outside support this far from the core. It is required that we are able to trust and rely upon one another. That cannot happen if one is focused only on themselves." Sera lifted the cup of tea to her lips and considered the next steps. She needed another set of eyes to evaluate this new acquisition...perhaps Chief Naime? Or would someone closer in rank allow for a more comfortable level of affinity? Further consideration was required.

Isla gave another shrug. Vulcans were annoying, you couldn't charm them or make them laugh. You just had to sort of... suffer them. It was difficult to guess what they wanted to hear...

"Well this is where they sent me, sir. I am a quick study and I'm sure I'll get on with the team like a house of fire." Another smile. "I try to... seize every opportunity that comes my way. It has its advantages even if it is sometimes more speed less haste."

Sera did not understand half of what her new crewman just said, however in this instance she wasn't about to ask the woman the elaborate. There was just something that felt...off about her. Although Vulcans did not understand human intuition, it did not mean they held no value in considering instinctual responses for there was an evolutionary basis in them to maximize survival. Sera's instincts told her Isla Sheridan was not what she appeared to be. More research would therefore be required.

"I see..." It was a most un-Vulcan-like response on Sera's part. "Why exactly did you join Starfleet?"

"I'd say it was something of a... compulsion." Her mouth twisted into a grin at that - technically true.

"It was suggested to me that my talents may be useful in the fleet and, well," her eyes sparkled a little, "It was an offer I could not turn down."

"An offer?" Sera raised a brow. What, by Surak, was she talking about? Why did human language have to be so...obscure in meaning? "Most atypical."

"I will be candid with you, Officer Sheridan. I postulate that you will find this to be a less than ideal posting. There will be very little 'downtime,' on this duty station. Captain Tarin is committed to...austerity. PT is required; you will be contacted by Chief Toren regarding the details. This is the frontier and if you are not committed to your duty and to the mission of our ship and it's captain you will not do well here."

"I am used to intensity, sir." Isla nodded, lacing her tone in affable eagerness. "I enjoy challenges. I am sure the Captain will have no need to look my way."

"That remains to be seen." Sera replied, knowing it sounded somewhat cryptic and deciding that the ambiguity was...agreeable given the circumstance. "However, hearing that you 'enjoy' challenges...the veracity of that particular statement will no doubt be put to the test within time."

Sera lifted up the tea cup and drained what was left of the drink in one pull and delicately placed the teacup back on its saucer with a delicate 'tink.'

"You are not required to report for duty today - no doubt there are potentially a number of required steps that need to be completed since you have just come aboard. However, if you so feel inclined for a...tour, of sorts, I am willing to assist."

Isla immediately nodded eagerly. It was a rule of hers to always accept what was offered freely - you never knew what you might learn or the impression you might be able to form.

"Yes, sir, I would very much appreciate a tour." Her voice was perfectly enthusiastic despite knowing that most of engineering would be the same as any other such place. There were always quirks though and she needed to know of every quirk.

"Very well." Sera pushed away from her chair and stood in a fluidly graceful manner. "You have been assigned to Duty Team 2 - that will place you with Chief Afthinam Naime. An ideal pairing. Chief Naime has a plethora of knowledge and experience and will be your point of contact." She also will watch you... Sera added silently to herself.

"It will be a pleasure to meet them, sir." Isla bobbed and gave the Vulcan another smile as she energetically stood up. "I look forward to seeing what this little ship has to offer."

[OFF]

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Ensign S'Ers-a M'Lyr'Zor
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Galileo-A

&

PO3 Isla Sheridan
Engineering Officer
USS Galileo-A

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