First Impressions

Posted on Wed Dec 9th, 2020 @ 3:34am by Commodore Tyler Malbrooke
Edited on on Wed Dec 9th, 2020 @ 3:36am

1,462 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 11 - Family Matters
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: MD002 0730 hrs

"The time is now 7 AM ship time. It is time to wake up."

Lunara groaned as her alarm clock went off, reminding her that she had a real job to do now. Yesterday had been a long day. Arrival, gear issuing, quarters assignment, a quick tour, introductions in After 11... The young Trill yawned as she sat up and took a look around her room.

"Computer! Turn off the alarm. And make me a tea while you're at it, something from Trill... something that will help wake me up. Oh, and Jibalian omelette, too" She looked around her quarters. There were several crates scattered about, as she hadn't had time to unpack the night before. "Books... mementos... clothes... Starfleet..." She grunted as she got out of bed, grabbing her folded uniform from the bedside stand. She quickly got into the pants and boots, throwing on the jacket on the way to the replicator. "Hope Starfleet replicators are better than I remember..." She sat down at the table and dug in. She didn't want to be late, first impressions and all. A few minutes later, she placed her dishes in the replicator, and took one last look in the mirror.

"Come on, girl. You've done this before. Nothing to worry about... right?" She straightened out her uniform and stood up straight. "Well... here I go."

A few minutes later and she was on the turbolift to the bridge, the tea finally kicking in. She stepped out, trying not to look too nervous for her first meeting with the Captain. Taking a deep breath, she stopped in front of the ready room door and pressed the chime.

Tyler sat behind his desk and organized the incoming reports from all departments. He did not want to leave the ship in disarray for Quinn, and the fact was Tyler Malbrooke was not sure if he was coming back. He pressed his thumb to a PADD which contained his last will and testament, as well as a few recordings for his wife and the crew. This messages would be transmitted on the event the computer recorded his death. Tyler heaved a heavy sigh as the chime to the Ready Room sounded. "Gorram it who the hell could that be." He called to the empty room.

Tyler's tone of voice changed and he addressed the door with a pleasant lilt in his voice. "Come one in." The doors opened and the young Trill woman walked in, all at once it flooded into the Captain's head. Kara was transferred last minute at the request of Admrial Lancaster. They wanted experienced Counselors aboard Empok Nor to deal with the aftermath of the battle. So yet another Counselor had been assigned to the Pioneer. The fact that all of this had ran through his head did not show on his face. All that was there was a smile toward the Trill woman.

Lunara took a few steps inside and fired off a snappy salute. "Lieutenant Junior Grade Hol reporting for duty, sir!" The captain didn’t seem to be an exceptionally strict sort- that was good. She didn't see any sort of amusement or doubt on his face, either. 'At least his smile seems genuine,' she thought to herself. Still, it didn’t hurt to show a bit of formality when she first met him.

"Yes Lieutenant welcome aboard. Have a seat. Can I get you anything?" Tyler ordered a sarsaparilla from the replicator and waited to see if the newcomer wanted anything. "I am not sure if you were informed but you have your work cut out for you here on the Pioneer."

"No thank you, sir. I just had breakfast." Lunara shook her head as she walked over to his desk. "I'm afraid Command was light on the details when they assigned me here, and mission logs only give you so much of the picture."

Tyler nodded in agreement as he sipped his drink and sat behind the desk. "Fair enough... This crew and ship have been through a lot in a short matter of time. Not the least of which was losing one of our own in the line of duty and then losing many more while trying to retake Empok Nor. Many members of the crew have not recovered fully from that and will need counseling. Not to mention that I have a tendency to lean on Counselor's as command advisors. So you think you up to the task?"

Lunara exhaled. "You're right, I do have my work cut out for me." She nodded as she too sat down. "I'd like to think so, sir. I specialized in trauma therapy on Betazed, and my first host dealt with plenty of similar situations. Not to mention, a couple of lifetimes affords you a bit of... perspective on things. I'll advise you as best I can. " She paused, smiling wryly. "Though I can't promise you'll always like what I have to say."

Tyler laughed. "Any true advisor has things to say that I will not mind. Behind closed doors feel free to always speak your mind. I can imagine that all the life experience from your symbiote would give you a unique perspective. This crew has bonded as a family. As such my suggestion to you would be to get to know them a bit before you dive into their emotions. They would respect you more for it."

Lunara nodded. "That's what I'm planning on. Some of the senior staff showed me around last night, and I'm hoping to meet with the other department heads later today. I don't expect it to be easy to get the crew to accept a new counselor right off the bat, but... I'll try."

"Truth is they have gotten used to having Counselors come and go around here. I hope that you plan on sticking around." Tyler said with a smirk. "Do you have any questions for me?"

"I don't plan on leaving anytime soon, sir," she chuckled. "There is... one thing, though. I hope you won't find it blunt of me to ask, but... is there anyone I should keep a closer eye on? Get to know them a little sooner than the others?"

"I would say get to know Jennifer Masters-Calhoun first. She just got married which is a very good thing. However, probably her closest friend here was killed in action. She seems to be the type of person that plays her cards close to the vest. Probably why she makes a great Chief Intelligence Officer." Tyler replied curtly. The question was blunt, but warranted and he knew it.

Lunara nodded. "Thank you, sir. I'll see what I can do for her." She hadn't made the best first impression on the woman, knocking over her PADDs and all, but things seemed to work out OK after that. "Anything else I should know about the crew before I dive in?"

"Just that we are as close as family, when one of us hurts we all hurt, when one succeeds we all succeed." Tyler could not emphasize the point of family enough. If this woman was to be the Pioneer's Counselor for any extended period of time she would have to understand this and understand it quick.

"Of course. I'd expect the same out of any ship's crew." The Legacy had been much the same way. Lunara stood up and smiled, extending a hand. "Thank you for taking the time to see me, Captain. I'm looking forward to serving with you."

"And I with you. Welcome aboard Lieutenant. And welcome to the family." Tyler smiled and watched as she left. Something within him told him that this one would be around for a little while. It would help that she has all those years of experience to draw from.

Lunara nodded her thanks and stepped out onto the bridge, walking towards the turbolift. She may have had all these experiences, but that didn't change the fact that a big part of her was still just a young girl - one who, up until a few months ago, had no plans to leave her home planet, let alone serve on a starship. Still, though, the captain put his faith in her, and she didn't intend to let him down. She exhaled as she entered the turbolift. Now was as good a time as any to get to know the others on the ship. Might as well start with the toughest people first. "Computer," she paused, "Marine barracks."

A Joint Post By

Captain Tyler Malbrooke
Commanding Officer, USS Pioneer

Lieutenant Junior Grade Lunara Hol
Chief Counselor, USS Pioneer

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