[USS Charon, Starboard Airlock]
<snip>
She stepped through the lock and emerged on the other side, in Charon's part of the joined airlocks. "Lieutenant Natasha Segurev. Permission to come aboard." Only to find herself facing another Vulcan. Sort-of.
<end snip>
Illogical or not, one of the more practical aspects of being second officer was that Sakarra had been able to delegate the welcoming of the Vulcan delegation to a flustered Ensign who had nearly fallen over himself after learning he was going to look after their illustrious guests. What she had been unable and unwilling to delegate was to personally see about the new crew coming aboard. Thus far, nothing out of the ordinary had occurred save for the fact one officer seemed a tad … late.
Although she had memorized the manifest as well as the files of every new arrival well in advance, the young Vulcan double-checked her PADD only to find her sensitive ears picked up footsteps in the airlock. Ah, well.
Looking up, she quirked a mildly puzzled brow at the frown on the blue-skinned woman's face and gave a polite tip of the head.
"Permission granted. Dobriy dyen, Natasha Segurev."
"Spasibo," Natasha said, giving a quick glance around the surrounding area. Her frown smoothed out as she noted the Vulcans had all disappeared. She returned her gaze to the young woman before her. Who was this? A fast rank check pegged her at Lieutenant Commander. She was taller than Natasha by less than half a foot, and she /wasn't/ staring with avid interest at the place where Natasha's antennae should be. One point in her favor.
Natasha shifted her duffel to the other shoulder. "Lt Segurev reporting for duty, Commander," she added, actually rather pleased to be speaking her father's tongue again. It'd been a while. She added belatedly, "communications."
Sakarra nodded, silently appreciating the slightly different melody of the Lieutenant's Russian from the one she was used to hearing when Nikolai patiently tried to teach her his native language. Quite fascinating.
Another quick glance at her PADD confirmed the paperwork was in order and the young Vulcan tilted her head to the side, making a small inviting gesture "Your quarters are located on deck four, Lieutenant. Your first full duty shift is not until thirty-four point seven hours from now, however if you wish to familiarize yourself with your station I will tell the bridge crew to expect you."
That left only one small matter …
"This is your first posting on a Luna-class, yes?"
"Da. It has been a while since my last posting, nearly 7 years ago, and that was on a Sovereign-class vessel. The Warrior. Perhaps you know of it." It had taken her only a short while to get re-acclimated to Star Fleet's COMMs systems. A lot had changed, but even more had /not/ changed. A quick refresher course through the Academy and she was good to go. Natasha, although she had formerly been assigned to Helm and fighter pilot duty, had always been sharp with COMMs. Somehow, it was as though she could /see/ the system, branching out in all its intricacies. It was fascinating work. The only thing she'd really had to /work/ on? -- attitude. Sometimes, it was difficult to keep the professional tone. But she managed. Mostly.
"Indeed I do." the raven haired Vulcan replied evenly, motioning for the other woman to follow. The Warrior. Of course it was in the Lieutenant's file, but even so it was difficult to be in Starfleet and not have heard about that ship one way or another.
A gigantic boulder rumbled past, giving a cheerful greeting to what she called the 'new stick' and the 'pointy eared stick' and disappeared around a corner after having been greeted in an outright friendly way by the Vulcan. Sakarra's sharp eyes had picked up what looked suspiciously like a fresh batch of isolinear chips in one of the Horta's mechanical hands but decided to not inquire about the origin of the Lieutenant's snack.
Natasha started at the advance of the Horta, her hand jerked down for a non-existent disruptor at her side, and just barely managed to keep herself from jumping to the side and flattening herself against the bulkhead. Instead she froze and watched it as it passed, hearing herself called a "new stick". After it had gone, she resettled her duffel on her shoulder and let out her breath. At least it hadn't called her a "blue stick".
"I am aware you have been assigned an assistant position, however the position of Chief of Communications has recently opened."
Under circumstances that only people who had not spent a fair amount of time on this rather unique ship would find extraordinary. Silently the young Vulcan wondered how this new arrival would take to the crew and decided if anyone would not be bothered by the Captain's sometimes harsh attitude … well, mostly harsh but at least in the Vulcan's eyes never outright rude … then it would be this half Andorian.
Another corridor took them to the 2nd XO's office and Sakarra politely motioned the Lieutenant inside. "In accordance with the Captain's wishes I have screened potential candidates for the post and found you to be not only qualified but in fact the logical choice." Picking a PADD from her otherwise pristine desk, the dark haired Vulcan calmly studied the other woman's face. "As you have just arrived I do not require an immediate answer. However, I ask that you consider the proposal."
Slowly, she held out the PADD detailing the communications staff and equipment, including any recent upgrades implemented and planned by the Chief Engineer.
Natasha, entering the office cautiously but somehow haughtily at the same time, gave a quick visual scan around her to make sure there were no surprises in store for her here. Seeing nothing, she looked at the PADD the other woman was offering her, then slowly took it, looking up at Sakarra as she did so. "My immediate response is to say 'yes'," she said, and added, "but someone told me once to 'look before I leap' ... so I will think it over, Commander." Her father had been chock full of little nonsensical sayings like that, and only sometimes they made sense. Every once in a while one of them would pop into her head, like, 'a penny saved is a penny earned'. She had had no idea what he was talking about. What was a penny, anyway? Then she looked it up and discovered it was an old form of currency, although of very little value. She was still unsure what it meant. He could no longer explain, of course. Natasha looked down at the PADD but did not key it on. Instead she continued looking at Sakarra as she said, "what happened to the old Chief of Communications?"
Ah, well. The question was hardly unexpected. But where to begin?
"I shall borrow a human phrase by saying it is a rather lengthy story, Lieutenant. Suffice it to say that EnArrain t`Khellian has asked for and was granted an extended leave to deal with … personal matters."
Though that was merely the tip of the proverbial iceberg, the young Vulcan was uncertain how to relay the true scope of … issues … with a few sentences. Starting with Rhiana t`Khellian's injuries during their first mission and her unlikely friendship with the departed Chief of Operations (who had made a name for himself not only because of an uncanny ability to improvise and run a highly efficient department but his assassination attempt on Shiarrael t`Rehu) as well as the recently discovered … irregularities in the communications department.
Only one of the many reasons why the Captain was not at all opposed to Sakarra's suggestion of assigning an 'outsider' as it were to the vacant post.
Personal matters, eh? Sounded a bit dodgy but Natasha could scarcely care less about some quitter's motives. At least it wasn't like the Klingons, where assassination was the key to advancement. "How many people are in the COMMs section at this time?"
"You will find the department slightly understaffed at this juncture." The young Vulcan's voice was as stoic as it was melodious and there was no hesitation in her elegant stride when she made for the replicator and ordered a glass of spice tea. "Three junior officers and six enlisted personnel, two of whom have already been reassigned from Operations to replace injured crewmen. Of course you would be free to request additional personnel if you deem it necessary and crew files will be made available. Might I offer you a beverage, Lieutenant?"
It was one of the social niceties Sakarra had learned was common among non-Vulcans and she had taken to practice it whenever possible.
<snip>
She stepped through the lock and emerged on the other side, in Charon's part of the joined airlocks. "Lieutenant Natasha Segurev. Permission to come aboard." Only to find herself facing another Vulcan. Sort-of.
<end snip>
Illogical or not, one of the more practical aspects of being second officer was that Sakarra had been able to delegate the welcoming of the Vulcan delegation to a flustered Ensign who had nearly fallen over himself after learning he was going to look after their illustrious guests. What she had been unable and unwilling to delegate was to personally see about the new crew coming aboard. Thus far, nothing out of the ordinary had occurred save for the fact one officer seemed a tad … late.
Although she had memorized the manifest as well as the files of every new arrival well in advance, the young Vulcan double-checked her PADD only to find her sensitive ears picked up footsteps in the airlock. Ah, well.
Looking up, she quirked a mildly puzzled brow at the frown on the blue-skinned woman's face and gave a polite tip of the head.
"Permission granted. Dobriy dyen, Natasha Segurev."
"Spasibo," Natasha said, giving a quick glance around the surrounding area. Her frown smoothed out as she noted the Vulcans had all disappeared. She returned her gaze to the young woman before her. Who was this? A fast rank check pegged her at Lieutenant Commander. She was taller than Natasha by less than half a foot, and she /wasn't/ staring with avid interest at the place where Natasha's antennae should be. One point in her favor.
Natasha shifted her duffel to the other shoulder. "Lt Segurev reporting for duty, Commander," she added, actually rather pleased to be speaking her father's tongue again. It'd been a while. She added belatedly, "communications."
Sakarra nodded, silently appreciating the slightly different melody of the Lieutenant's Russian from the one she was used to hearing when Nikolai patiently tried to teach her his native language. Quite fascinating.
Another quick glance at her PADD confirmed the paperwork was in order and the young Vulcan tilted her head to the side, making a small inviting gesture "Your quarters are located on deck four, Lieutenant. Your first full duty shift is not until thirty-four point seven hours from now, however if you wish to familiarize yourself with your station I will tell the bridge crew to expect you."
That left only one small matter …
"This is your first posting on a Luna-class, yes?"
"Da. It has been a while since my last posting, nearly 7 years ago, and that was on a Sovereign-class vessel. The Warrior. Perhaps you know of it." It had taken her only a short while to get re-acclimated to Star Fleet's COMMs systems. A lot had changed, but even more had /not/ changed. A quick refresher course through the Academy and she was good to go. Natasha, although she had formerly been assigned to Helm and fighter pilot duty, had always been sharp with COMMs. Somehow, it was as though she could /see/ the system, branching out in all its intricacies. It was fascinating work. The only thing she'd really had to /work/ on? -- attitude. Sometimes, it was difficult to keep the professional tone. But she managed. Mostly.
"Indeed I do." the raven haired Vulcan replied evenly, motioning for the other woman to follow. The Warrior. Of course it was in the Lieutenant's file, but even so it was difficult to be in Starfleet and not have heard about that ship one way or another.
A gigantic boulder rumbled past, giving a cheerful greeting to what she called the 'new stick' and the 'pointy eared stick' and disappeared around a corner after having been greeted in an outright friendly way by the Vulcan. Sakarra's sharp eyes had picked up what looked suspiciously like a fresh batch of isolinear chips in one of the Horta's mechanical hands but decided to not inquire about the origin of the Lieutenant's snack.
Natasha started at the advance of the Horta, her hand jerked down for a non-existent disruptor at her side, and just barely managed to keep herself from jumping to the side and flattening herself against the bulkhead. Instead she froze and watched it as it passed, hearing herself called a "new stick". After it had gone, she resettled her duffel on her shoulder and let out her breath. At least it hadn't called her a "blue stick".
"I am aware you have been assigned an assistant position, however the position of Chief of Communications has recently opened."
Under circumstances that only people who had not spent a fair amount of time on this rather unique ship would find extraordinary. Silently the young Vulcan wondered how this new arrival would take to the crew and decided if anyone would not be bothered by the Captain's sometimes harsh attitude … well, mostly harsh but at least in the Vulcan's eyes never outright rude … then it would be this half Andorian.
Another corridor took them to the 2nd XO's office and Sakarra politely motioned the Lieutenant inside. "In accordance with the Captain's wishes I have screened potential candidates for the post and found you to be not only qualified but in fact the logical choice." Picking a PADD from her otherwise pristine desk, the dark haired Vulcan calmly studied the other woman's face. "As you have just arrived I do not require an immediate answer. However, I ask that you consider the proposal."
Slowly, she held out the PADD detailing the communications staff and equipment, including any recent upgrades implemented and planned by the Chief Engineer.
Natasha, entering the office cautiously but somehow haughtily at the same time, gave a quick visual scan around her to make sure there were no surprises in store for her here. Seeing nothing, she looked at the PADD the other woman was offering her, then slowly took it, looking up at Sakarra as she did so. "My immediate response is to say 'yes'," she said, and added, "but someone told me once to 'look before I leap' ... so I will think it over, Commander." Her father had been chock full of little nonsensical sayings like that, and only sometimes they made sense. Every once in a while one of them would pop into her head, like, 'a penny saved is a penny earned'. She had had no idea what he was talking about. What was a penny, anyway? Then she looked it up and discovered it was an old form of currency, although of very little value. She was still unsure what it meant. He could no longer explain, of course. Natasha looked down at the PADD but did not key it on. Instead she continued looking at Sakarra as she said, "what happened to the old Chief of Communications?"
Ah, well. The question was hardly unexpected. But where to begin?
"I shall borrow a human phrase by saying it is a rather lengthy story, Lieutenant. Suffice it to say that EnArrain t`Khellian has asked for and was granted an extended leave to deal with … personal matters."
Though that was merely the tip of the proverbial iceberg, the young Vulcan was uncertain how to relay the true scope of … issues … with a few sentences. Starting with Rhiana t`Khellian's injuries during their first mission and her unlikely friendship with the departed Chief of Operations (who had made a name for himself not only because of an uncanny ability to improvise and run a highly efficient department but his assassination attempt on Shiarrael t`Rehu) as well as the recently discovered … irregularities in the communications department.
Only one of the many reasons why the Captain was not at all opposed to Sakarra's suggestion of assigning an 'outsider' as it were to the vacant post.
Personal matters, eh? Sounded a bit dodgy but Natasha could scarcely care less about some quitter's motives. At least it wasn't like the Klingons, where assassination was the key to advancement. "How many people are in the COMMs section at this time?"
"You will find the department slightly understaffed at this juncture." The young Vulcan's voice was as stoic as it was melodious and there was no hesitation in her elegant stride when she made for the replicator and ordered a glass of spice tea. "Three junior officers and six enlisted personnel, two of whom have already been reassigned from Operations to replace injured crewmen. Of course you would be free to request additional personnel if you deem it necessary and crew files will be made available. Might I offer you a beverage, Lieutenant?"
It was one of the social niceties Sakarra had learned was common among non-Vulcans and she had taken to practice it whenever possible.
"Hot spiced tea would be good. Please." She remembered to add some semblance of manners at the last moment. When the drink was placed in her hand, Natasha took a sip and then set it down. She turned the PADD over and over in her hands, slowly. She thought about someone within the section getting supremely ticked off about an outsider taking over COMMs instead of someone being internally promoted. If she took this she'd have to watch her back, at least for a while. (Like she ever /didn't/ watch her back.) Most people understood that it went that way in the service sometimes. But some didn't. Those were the ones you had to keep an eye on. She looked at Sakarra out of the corners of her eyes as she said, "any problems within the section I should know about, that's not part of this official briefing?" She held up the PADD.
"I should think that depends on one's point of view, Lieutenant Segurev."
Were she any other species, Sakarra might have sighed. As it was, her near imperceptibly raised brow conveyed a state of mild exasperation. She settled in her chair with fluid grace and steepled her fingers under her chin, night black eyes settling squarely on the other woman's face. Neither the undercurrent of tension nor the caution radiating off the half Andorian were lost on her sharp senses, but it would have been rude in the extreme to give any indication of it.
Natasha's chin went up. She knew as well as anyone else that the /real/ dirt rarely made it into the official records. "I only have my point of view, Commander -- that of someone new walking into what could be a touchy situation. Just want to make sure I have enough information to ... be effective." She smiled without humor, her teeth startlingly white against her dark blue lips.
"As you know, Charon is unique in that her crew consist of both Starfleet and Galae personnel. This has led to some … complications in the past, although some might say the problems were of a much smaller scope than one might have expected. However, the Operations Department and subsequently Communications have been the exception in this case."
The eternal conundrum of Vulcan honesty versus the sensibilities of other species. 'Softening the blow' or being blunt without unduly upsetting people was a skill Sakarra had yet to master though one could certainly not ascribe that to a lack of effort.
"You would inherit a section highly unsettled by the fact that two department heads departed in short order, one after a rather turbulent altercation with the Captain and the other … suspected of having ulterior motives to serve on this ship. While Mr Dicari has been an exceptional Chief of Operation he has also been caught in some rather distasteful events which led him to request a new assignment. As for the EnArrain…"
One did not accuse without proof, most certainly not when the charge was espionage. But it would be equally wrong to omit important information if the Lieutenant was to be able to do her job.
"… certain events suggest her loyalties might not entirely have been to this ship. I must stress however that any evidence is circumstantial and Rhiana t`Khellian was well respected among the staff."
"I should think that depends on one's point of view, Lieutenant Segurev."
Were she any other species, Sakarra might have sighed. As it was, her near imperceptibly raised brow conveyed a state of mild exasperation. She settled in her chair with fluid grace and steepled her fingers under her chin, night black eyes settling squarely on the other woman's face. Neither the undercurrent of tension nor the caution radiating off the half Andorian were lost on her sharp senses, but it would have been rude in the extreme to give any indication of it.
Natasha's chin went up. She knew as well as anyone else that the /real/ dirt rarely made it into the official records. "I only have my point of view, Commander -- that of someone new walking into what could be a touchy situation. Just want to make sure I have enough information to ... be effective." She smiled without humor, her teeth startlingly white against her dark blue lips.
"As you know, Charon is unique in that her crew consist of both Starfleet and Galae personnel. This has led to some … complications in the past, although some might say the problems were of a much smaller scope than one might have expected. However, the Operations Department and subsequently Communications have been the exception in this case."
The eternal conundrum of Vulcan honesty versus the sensibilities of other species. 'Softening the blow' or being blunt without unduly upsetting people was a skill Sakarra had yet to master though one could certainly not ascribe that to a lack of effort.
"You would inherit a section highly unsettled by the fact that two department heads departed in short order, one after a rather turbulent altercation with the Captain and the other … suspected of having ulterior motives to serve on this ship. While Mr Dicari has been an exceptional Chief of Operation he has also been caught in some rather distasteful events which led him to request a new assignment. As for the EnArrain…"
One did not accuse without proof, most certainly not when the charge was espionage. But it would be equally wrong to omit important information if the Lieutenant was to be able to do her job.
"… certain events suggest her loyalties might not entirely have been to this ship. I must stress however that any evidence is circumstantial and Rhiana t`Khellian was well respected among the staff."
Natasha raised an eyebrow of her own at the way the Commander was tip-toeing around the issue. But that was okay. In fact, the story was actually making Natasha feel a little bit better! Like her father had always said, 'better the devil you know than the devil you don't'. If she'd been told that there were no problems, that the section was a rose garden of delight and that everyone would absolutely /love/ having her there -- Natasha would have come on shift every day, armed! But this -- this was more like it. "I've just decided, Commander. I'll take the post." Natasha drained the drink, the spicy-hot contents burning her throat in a pleasant way, and set the cup back down. She smiled, feeling (and probably looking) calmer than she had all day. "I'll go drop off my things and then go check out the bridge, if you don't mind, Commander. Unless ... you have some questions for me?"
Fascinating.
"None at the moment."
A light touch to the desk made a screen rise slowly and deep red letters resembling musical notes spun gently over a dark surface. "I only request that you provide a status report and a list of personnel you require once you have familiarized yourself with your department."
With the matter settled so swiftly – certainly a most favorable aspect of the new Chief of Communications that the woman could decide upon prudent action so shortly after assessing a situation – Sakarra could focus on the many other things clamoring for attention.
"Dismissed, Lieutenant. And welcome on board."
"None at the moment."
A light touch to the desk made a screen rise slowly and deep red letters resembling musical notes spun gently over a dark surface. "I only request that you provide a status report and a list of personnel you require once you have familiarized yourself with your department."
With the matter settled so swiftly – certainly a most favorable aspect of the new Chief of Communications that the woman could decide upon prudent action so shortly after assessing a situation – Sakarra could focus on the many other things clamoring for attention.
"Dismissed, Lieutenant. And welcome on board."
"Yes, Commander. I'll get that report to you as soon as possible. Thanks for the briefing!" Another flash of white teeth, a quickly sketched salute, and she was gone.
LtCommander Sakarra Tyrax
Chief Helm
&
Lt Natasha Segurev
Chief Comms
=====================
USS Charon
