Interview for the next CEO

Posted on 03 Nov 2025 @ 10:27pm by Lieutenant Lelina Evans & Captain Sabrina Corbin

1,257 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: After Tarvik
Location: Captain's office

///USS Arawyn////
///CO's Office///

Lelina made sure her engineering uniform was professionally cleaned of any dirt or grease stains before she set foot upon her potential new ship. From what she had heard, they had recently lost their CEO due to a medical emergency and everyone else was too new to fill those shoes. Fortunately she had been looking for a transfer off her own ship, as that CEO seemed cushioned in his role, which meant any advancement seemed unlikely.

But with the change, came the same old tired rituals she had to do. Starting with the fact that her iris was distinctly black (which was a dead giveaway) and she had to reassure everyone that no, she wasn't going to read their innermost thoughts. She pressed the chime, and waited.

The chime sounded.

Sabrina looked up from her desk, stylus still in hand. Right on time, though she wasn’t entirely sure which of the candidates this would be. Engineering had produced a half dozen strong contenders in a matter of hours, each more eager than the last to serve aboard a Sovereign-class ship, but she had narrowed it to three possible interviews.
This was likely the first.

She straightened slightly, setting the stylus down beside the padd and glancing toward the door. The Arawyn was still moored at berth, her decks quieter than usual, the air faintly tinged with the metallic scent of station atmosphere. It was an odd calm, one she was eager to trade back for the rhythm of a ship underway. But not until she had the right officers in place.

“Come,” she called.

The doors parted with their soft hydraulic hiss, admitting the figure of a woman in gold.

"Captain Corbin," Lelina said warmly, offering her hand. "I'm Lieutenant Avens. Thank you for this opportunity." There was no sign of nervousness in her voice. Years of experience had done away with that. She had made it this far because she was qualified to be here, and if it didn't happen, then Starfleet would find her another posting. But she hoped it would be here above any others.

Sabrina rose to meet her, returning the handshake with a firm, even grasp. “Lieutenant Avens,” she acknowledged, taking in the woman before her with a practiced, assessing calm. “Welcome aboard the Arawyn.”

She gestured toward the seat across from her desk. “Please, have a seat.”

As Lelina settled, Sabrina resumed her own chair, fingers brushing across the padd to bring up the officer’s record. “Your CO has sent a note of recommendation. I’m glad you’re interested in joining the Arawyn”

Her tone was neutral, measured, but there was a trace of curiosity beneath it.

“Tell me about yourself, outside of your official file.” Sabrina prompted.

"Well, I like to get the most obvious thing out of the way, Captain," Lelina said easily. "I'm what is known as a 'Gammazoid'. Even though I am from Betazoid, my telepathic ability is measured in the 'slim to zero' range. Betazoids, unfortunately, consider this as a significant disability on our home planet. But I don't consider it that way. Most Betazoids tend to avoid joining spaceships due to the overwhelming telepathic noise. Their loss is my gain, so to speak, as I have found being in Starfleet a unique opportunity."

Sabrina regarded her for a moment, one brow lifting slightly, not in surprise, but acknowledgment. “That explains the note in your medical file,” she said, the corner of her mouth softening into something close to approval. “I appreciate the candor, Lieutenant. You’re not the first Betazoid I’ve served with, but you are the first to introduce herself that way before I could ask.”

She leaned back slightly in her chair. “For what it’s worth, ability isn’t the only measure that matters aboard this ship. What I need in a Chief Engineer is composure under pressure, sound judgment, and a certain respect for how the ship breathes. From what I’ve read, you’ve got that.”

Her gaze held steady across the desk. “You’ve seen your share of systems work, and more than a few emergency repairs. How do you see yourself leading a team that’s still finding its rhythm?”

Lelina kept her gaze, but her own was also thoughtful. "Yes, change can be difficult," she admitted. "I expect more than likely the engineering team did have some sort of rhythm already, one that is feeling uncertainty and threatened by a new arrival. My first move would be to confer with the more senior engineers and see what worked and didn't work with my predecessor, and see if it agrees with my own style."

"Senior officers are more adaptable to change. I often find it's the junior officers who will find change the most disruptive, and of course will need the most mentoring," she added.

Sabrina listened, the faintest glint of approval showing in her eyes as Lelina spoke. There was confidence in her tone, but not arrogance, measured, deliberate, the kind that came from experience rather than self-assurance alone.

“Sound approach,” she said at last. “It’s easy to walk in and start making adjustments for the sake of leaving a mark. Harder to observe first and lead by understanding.”

She paused, studying the lieutenant for a beat longer before adding, “The team’s been steady, given the circumstances. Ensign Collingway has kept the department running since Commander Boren’s medical leave, but he’s been running on grit and determination. They’ll respond well to structure, and to someone who knows how to bring calm back into the mix.”

A brief silence lingered, then, softer, “If you’re offered this post, you’d be taking responsibility for a department that’s still healing from its share of strain. I don’t expect perfection, Lieutenant. I expect steadiness.”

Her gaze lifted just slightly toward the viewport, the faint outline of Starbase 369 gleaming beyond. “We’ll be heading out soon enough, and I want this ship ready to meet whatever comes next.”

She returned her attention to Lelina. “Does that sound like a challenge you’re interested in taking on?”

"Yes, Captain. Definitely," Lelina said. "Whatever comes next, engineering will be ready under my leadership." With her confidence came a promise.

Sabrina regarded her for a moment after the words settled, the quiet confidence, the promise behind them. It struck a chord. She remembered being in that chair once, years ago, a lieutenant with more hours in the field than stripes on her collar, walking into interviews where the only thing she had to offer was conviction. It had been enough then. It might be enough now.

She liked her. Liked the steadiness beneath the energy, the way she spoke without posturing. Arawyn needed that, someone who could lead without turning it into theater.

“Good,” she said finally, rising from her chair. “That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.”

She moved around the desk, offering her hand once more. “I’ll have Operations finalize your transfer before the day’s out. Take the afternoon to get familiar with the ship, and have Ensign Collingway walk you through the current system's status. He’s been holding things together admirably.”

There was a flicker of something warmer in her tone as she added, “Welcome aboard, Lieutenant. I think you’ll find she grows on you.”

"Thank you, Captain. I'm glad to be here," Lelina said.

Captain Sabrina Corbin
Commanding Officer
USS Arawyn

Lieutenant Lelina Avens (NPC)
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Arawyn

 

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