Be Prepared For Anything

Posted on Mon Sep 6th, 2021 @ 3:49am by Commander Ichika Misono & Lieutenant Satt

1,808 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Handling the Fallout
Location: USS Myogi (NCC-65918), Forward Lounge "Five Forward", Deck 7
Timeline: After "A Hand Extended Is A Favor Returned"

The Bolian had met his new Commanding Officer some time ago, and was on the prowl to find the ship's third officer to get better acquainted with them. Satt had little desire to mix with the crew. After the damaging allegations against Myiahara and their resolution, Satt saw his role as restoring the reputation of hte Myogi, and keeping an eye on any of those crew that remained who had been under Myiahara's command. A captain had a great influence on their crew. He hoped Takahashi would be a better one.

Hitting his commbadge, Satt tersely instructed the Main Computer to locate Misono. As the hour was quite late, the Main Computer indicated she was in the main lounge, Five Forward. Satt thought for a moment, then decided that now was as good a time as any. Unsure of the Executive Officer's precise function aboard the ship, he decided a social introduction would be best.

As he made his way in to Five Forward, he could see clusters of crew scattered about. Some, probably the new transfers seemed to be having a blast, and getting to know one another loudly and enthusiastically. He noticed some gold uniforms in amongst them, thankfully. Other clusters seemed subdued, pensive. Presumably the crew that had remained aboard. None of them seemed to be rebellious or angry, though, he noted carefully. Just disappointed. Having read her file enough to familiarise himself with her appearance, Satt spotted Misono and approached her.

'Commander Misono,' he rasped as he pulled up next to her, 'Lieutenant Satt,' he executed a traditional Bolian greeting, his preferred method when meeting non-humans, 'the new Chief of Security and Tactical.'

"A pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant," Commander Misono replied, awkwardly mimicking the gesture. "Why don't you have a seat if you're not busy? I'm not doing anything important at the moment, so now might be a good time to get ourselves acquainted."

Satt looked around Five Forward, then returned a steady gaze to the Executive Officer, then a glance at the empty seat. He sat stiffly, and ordered a synthehol beer. 'I hear you're on the Command Internship.'

"Indeed," Ichika replied as she drew up a seat of her own. "Captain Felnoir was actually the one who referred me to the internship; he suggested some in-field command experience would help in preparing me for future opportunities. As for yourself...?"

'I put in a transfer six months ago. My sabbatical at the Academy ... it wasn't working out,' he said flatly, observing the Inuto with his brown eyes. 'I'm not familiar with Captain Felnoir. Is he a good Commanding Officer?'

"Hmm... Not too sure about that one," Ichika admitted as she unclipped her PaDD and pulled up Satt's file. "I took a gander at his personnel files, and it seems to me that one's impression of him largely boils down to who you ask; I've heard some reports saying that he's a brutal disciplinarian, while I've heard others praise him for his efficiency."

Quirking an eyebrow, Satt cocked a half smile as he regarded the Executive Officer. 'If this were an investigation,' his voice grated, 'I would be tempted to say you'd avoided answering the question. He did refer you to the internship. From that I suppose you may have had quite a close relationship relative to the rest of the crew. And you accepted the internship which also suggests that you respect him, and his methods.'

"Hmm... Well, if we're talking about me personally... I'd say he wasn't all that bad when I spoke with him," Ichika reflected, lightly scratching at her cheek. "A little stuffy and formal? Perhaps, but I'd say that's to be expected of a commanding officer who takes his position seriously. Beyond that, I'd say he was polite and easy to get along with."

Reflecting on the comments, Satt finally asked. 'But surely there's a reason why he sponsored you? You're not a random connection?'

Ichika blinked. "Sponsorship? Oh, I wouldn't quite put it in those words, per se; it's more like he approached me at the after party for my promotion and offered me the position."

Satt pulled a face, then nodded. 'I see. He must have seen something in you.' He tucked away the information for future reference, ever the policeman. 'And how have you enjoyed the internship so far?'

"I'd say it's been pleasantly enlightening," Ichika smiled. "Granted, most of my assignments today composed of handing out duty rosters, but it's already given me some insight into the intricacies of running a ship."

She paused briefly, as if something had just crossed her mind.

"But I suppose while we're on the subject," she remarked, "Have the accommodations that we've provided you with so far been satisfactory?"

'My accommodations?' Satt looked perplexed at the question as he took a swig of his drink. 'My quarters have the standard furnishings and equipment that Starfleet provides. Neither more nor less.' He shrugged and carried on in his voice like grinding stones, 'they are ... fine? I have no complaints.'

"Just figured I'd ask," Ichika winked. "As a member of the Command Staff, it's my responsibility to ensure that our crew is provided for."

'Of course,' replied Satt, then fell quiet for a long moment. He searched for something else to say now they had strayed off work. 'You seem to be a natural at the organisational side of things. I've not had as smooth a transfer and arrival as I've had to the Myogi, not even at the Acadmy. Did you do a tour in Ops?'

"As a matter of fact, I did tour in Ops while I was serving aboard the Excursion," Ichika admitted. "they were actually considering promoting me to department head before Felnoir offered me this position. I take it by your question that you have some Ops experience yourself?"

The Bolian shook his head, 'no,' he said in his thick, gravelly voice. 'My entire career has been spent either in the Marines or in Starfleet Security. I've enjoyed my work so far - coming back to active duty after a stint lecturing at the Academy was a no brainer.' He carried on with a matter of fact tone, 'I'm good at my work, and methodical. Uncovered and taken apart my fair share of smuggling groups.' Satt shrugged, 'I suppose that's why they approved my transfer in the end. There aren't many coincidences in life.'

"Then it sounds to me like we'll be in good hands," Ichika smiled. "Not to flatter you or anything, but I tend to find that Academy instructors are typically the best at what they do."

'I think it mostly comes with the mileage,' Satt shrugged the complement off reflexively. 'There's a reason most of our Academy instructors were older officers - they'd been around the block a few times, as some humans would say it.' He shook his head. 'Not that I'd put myself in the same league. I have a particular set of skills and knowledge base.'

"But they clearly see something in you," Ichika pointed out. "Anyways; I take it that you and your department are up-to-date on our mission assignment?"

'Not quite, Commander,' Satt said evenly. 'I am, however, eager to get ahead of the curve and find out just what the Myogi is going to do to redeem its name. If you could enlighten me, I would be appreciative.'

"Well, to keep you and your department up-to-speed on the situation," Ichika explained, her posture stiffening as she went from polite and friendly to seasoned officer at the drop of a hat, "Starfleet has tasked us with responding to a diplomatic incident that's arisen near the fringes of the Klingon Neutral Zone; mission details are currently being kept under wraps, but we expect to be up-to-speed on the nature of our assignment by tomorrow morning. We've scheduled a debriefing for our senior staff members that we currently anticipate will be held at 1300 hours, once more information becomes available to us; as it stands, have your department report in to the main conference room at the appointed time, and above all; be prepared for anything."

'Klingons,' grunted Satt. 'Well, that's unexpected,' he admitted. 'I thought that with the present troubles along the Tzenkethi border we would be assigned there.' He fell siltent for a moment, before inquiring in his strangled gravel voice, 'do we know what the incident is? Does it involve hostages?'

"We're a little strapped for details at the moment," Ichika replied, "But Starfleet Admiralty informs us that it's a matter of critical importance. So until we receive further information, expect the worst and have your department prepared in the likelihood that there are hostages."

'Hostages?' Satt inquired vaguely, recalling his own time in a prison. 'That's grim. Romulans don't treat their prisoners especially well. I'll instruct my department to ready for it. I hope my Assistant Chief is as good as the recommendation from the Captain.'

"Not to disappoint you or anything," Ichika chuckled, switching back to her usual friendly self as if she hadn't just had a serious debriefing with him, "But I happened to come across the Assistant Chief in the hallways, and I'm under the impression that she's in need of some... discipline, to put things lightly."

'Discipline?' asked Satt, intrigued with the notion, 'she's the Assistant Chief, I assume she wasn't put there entirely by chance.'

"I've caught her flirting with some of the male staff members when she was supposed to be doing her job," Ichika explained. "I've already let her off with a warning, but I don't trust that she won't do it again when no body's looking. I trust that you'll see to correcting her behavior?"

He paused a moment, and considered her words carefully. 'Starfleet codes don't forbid forming intimate relationships amongst crewmembers,' he reminded as gently as possible with a voice of gravel, 'and hasn't for almost a century at this point. But I'll be sure to remind her that romantic entanglements are secondary to her duties, of course.'

Ichika nodded. "Well, I think that just about covers all our bases," She smiled, offering Satt her outstretched hand. "Welcome to the team, Lieutenant; I think you'll be a welcome addition to our crew."

Taking the hand firmly, Satt gave it a shake. 'I look forward to serving with you. I'm sure it will be interesting.'
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Posting by

Lieutenant Satt
Chief of Security

Commander Ichika Misono
Executive Officer

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