Meeting Ops
Posted on Mon Dec 23rd, 2024 @ 6:53am by Commander Marisa Sandoval & Lieutenant Junior Grade Wyatt Spencer
Edited on on Tue Dec 24th, 2024 @ 4:09am
1,720 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
Like Sands Through The Hourglass
Location: Tuscan Cafe - Promenade - Kok Station
Timeline: MD002 1100 hrs
Marisa went between the station and the ship on a daily basis. She wanted to become familiar with both as one would be their port of call and the other their home for the next few years. It also gave her more opportunities to have a first meeting with the onboarding officers in a casual setting. It was while she was doing a walkabout of the station that she noticed the new chief operations officer.
She immediately changed direction. "Hello."
Wyatt, like most Terran boys had pretended to be a spy. He thought it was just a game and would never happen in real life. But then, life had started to imitate art. He'd never become a spy, that would have been too dramatic, but he had found himself on the wrong side of the law. Not that he'd ever admit to that unless pressed.
Now, he found himself living out the fantasies of childhood. At least to some degree.
He'd just arrived, after a quick workout and shower to the small sidewalk cafe he'd been directed to.
Running a hand through his hair he replied, "Good afternoon Commander."
"Mind if I join you? I like meeting the people I'll be working with." She wasn't quite sure what to make of the new chief, but a conversation should go a long way toward remedying that.
"By all means," he said with a smile gesturing with his left hand for her to take the seat directly across from him. "They should be out in a minute to take our order if you want something."
"Thank you." Marisa took the seat opposite him. "While we wait, tell me something about yourself." All she knew was what was in his personnel file and it didn't say much about him as a person.
He paused a beat before answering. "Well Starfleet is probably not going to use me in any recruitment holovids. I didn't grow up wanting to join or be part of something bigger. And I still don't dream of being in the center seat and having my own command someday. That's just not me."
"That doesn't mean I'm not a good officer I am. And I like to think I'm a good person too. But that wasn't always the case. I was kind of headed in the wrong direction. Or, if I'm being honest was well down that road."
"But a Starfleet officer found something good in me. A potential and helped me see I could be better. That is why I joined"
"I know that's probably not your typical answer and it may not be what you were looking for, but I am very good at what I do and I am committed to doing the right thing now."
"I was not looking for anything in particular. However, I do appreciate the answer. Others clearly saw something in you or you would not be here." Marisa appreciated his bluntness. "I have no desire to command a ship, either. I accepted this role because it is a unique opportunity."
A waitress came to the table and handed them each a menu. "Can I get you drinks while you decide what you want?"
"I would like water with a slice of lemon." She wasn't particularly hungry, but she was interested in their dessert menu. Water would go bast with something sweet.
"Then we are here for much the same reason. I don't have a family, not one I'm close to anyway. And no partners either, though I do have an ex or two. But there isn't anyone in the picture now."
"There have been times where I wish I could go back and correct some of my mistakes. I've made more than my share. But I know that would be dangerous and my intentions are pure, mostly anyway."
"I can only imagine the damage that could be caused if someone was intentionally trying to fu... mess the timeline up. That's why it took very little to convince me."
Lowering his voice he continued, "Though I must admit, I first thought it was an entirely different kind of pick up attempt."
Marisa raised an eyebrow at that last comment. "That begs the question: how was it phrased?" She shook her head and smiled. "You do not need to answer that. I have a family, but I do not see them as often as I would like because of Starfleet. I visited them before I came here and told them I was going on a deep space exploration mission and would be out of touch for two to three years. What we are here for is important, and I appreciate this opportunity."
"It wasn't so much the words; they were innocent enough. It was perhaps my interpretation and the nature of the approach. He seemed to be having a conversation with the bartender who pointed me out."
"I too am looking forward to this mission and all we can accomplish."
"How do you see me fitting in?"
One side of Marisa's mouth quirked up humorously. "From what I have seen so far, everyone on the ship can be considered different in one way or another. We all have traits that make us a good fit. That definitely includes you."
He smiled at her response. "I am definitely a different kind of man. So, what makes you different, or stand out?"
"I am half Vulcan and half Human. I have learned to appreciate both logic and emotion. Many of my kind tend to embrace one or the other," she replied. "I find there can be a harmony in embracing the two divergent philosophies."
Wyatt cocked his head as she spoke and leaned toward her as she spoke, though he did not enter her personal space. "I can see the ears now. And, that does indeed make you unique. There still aren't a lot of bi-racial officers like yourself, and most of those, at least from my rather limited experience, do choose one or the other. How do you keep a balance like you do??"
"Logic." Marisa grinned. "I generally go with what fits the situation. In my career, I have been both a counselor and a scientist. Both deal with known methods and procedures and with gut instinct. I find that it can be logical to follow scientific methods and to follow your instincts when those are inadequate. I guess it boils down to being able to see both sides and making a logical decision as to which will be most effective. It also makes me too logical for some and too emotional for others, but it is who I am."
"I guess humans have it easier," Wyatt said, "we're supposed to be emotional. Logic, for the most part, or at least living by logic isn't our stronghold. I know it's not mine. I am not controlled by my emotions, though I am more intuitive than logical. But it works for me, just as what you do, how you live and react works for you."
"When were you a counselor and what made you change careers?"
"I did not actually change careers. I have two, and Starfleet has allowed me to be both a counselor and a scientist. Not at the same time, of course." She had to smile at this. "But I have gone back and forth, serving on one ship as a counselor and then another as a scientist. Recently I was first chief counselor and then chief science officer on the USS Galileo-A. I like to think that I serve where and how I am needed most." And now she had a new position on a new ship that would likely give her the opportunity to blend a little of both as executive officer.
"Do we have any idea what our first assignment is going to be?"
Marisa shook her head. "None at all. Right now, we are taking on crew and supplies. Beyond that, we will see." She shrugged. She wasn't even sure the captain knew what they would be doing first. "Does your department need any supplies while we're still at the station?" It was a part of her new responsibility to find out and pass on any requests she couldn't take care of herself.
"I was hoping you'd ask that," Wyatt responded. "I think we have an adequate supply of dilithium, but, I wouldn't say the same about deuterium. I think three quintals should be enough."
"Some additional replicator components are also needed. And we could never go wrong with some more structural materials."
"You might want to talk to our tactical officer regarding photon torpedo capacity."
"I will add deuterium to the list. For the replicator components and structural materials, I will need a list. Note any that cannot easily be replicated," she said, pulling out her PADD to make notes. "Once I have a list, I'll take it to the captain for final approval." She also made a note to talk to Hastios about torpedoes.
"I'll need to do a more thorough inventory, but I can just send it to your PADD. Will that work?"
"Is there anything else I can do to help?"
"That will work. Thank you. As to anything more, I do not know as yet." She still had people to talk to and departments to check, but she would have a good idea before they were ready to leave. "It was a pleasure meeting you, lieutenant."
"It was a pleasure meeting you ma'am. I look forward to working with you during our tenure together
“As do I.” She gave him a Vulcan bow. "Enjoy your time on the station.:
"It's my last fling before i leave everything I know behind. I intend to make the most of it."
She nodded her head in acknowledgement. She couldn't fault him for that. She, on the other hand, was going to spend her time familiarizing herself with the ship. And maybe reading a few books.
A Joint Post By
Commander Marisa Sandoval
Executive Officer
USS Herodotus DTI-30656
Lieutenant Junior Grade Wyatt Spencer
Chief Operations Officer
Communications Officer
USS Herodotus DTI-30656
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