Getting Acquainted

Posted on 19 Aug 2025 @ 11:28pm by Lieutenant M'Leyna

1,040 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Fractured Accord
Location: Deck 1- Observation Lounge

M'leyna had called a meeting with the crew of her new department. Shed read their files thoroughly several times but meeting face-to-face was very important. As she stepped into the Observation Lounge just off the bridge, she saw they'd already gathered there on time, however it was obvious to her that theyd been talking amongst themselvesbefore the lounge doors opened- then again, she expected no less. Standing inside beside the viewport of the room that gave a stunning view of the station, stood three officers- a Human female, a junior Lieutenant by the name of Sandra Blake stood beside an Orion woman who M'leyna knew to be Thalia Dedriya. Beside Dedriya was a tall, slender human male, Ensign Bednarz, from what M'leyna understood, he'd just recently changed tracts from engineering to Helm.

"Please- sit," M'leyna said eith a smile. The three officers dutifully sat down, "As you already know, I am Lieutenant M'leyna, your new Cheif Helm Officer." She said by way of introducing herself, "A little about me- well, uhm... as you can see, I am a Meruian, my species is fairly new to the Federation, and im the only one of my species in Starfleet." She continued, "i recently transferred over from the USS Hyperion where i served as Chief Helm Officer for the last two years, and as Assistant Chief for two years before that."

M'leyna took a moment before looking down at her PADD to read the list of some bullet points she wanted to go over with her crew, "I noticed in your recent Helm logs that you all are well established in the current duty rotations, so unless any of you have any objections, I'd like to keep your schedules as-is" again, she took a moment to let anyone speak up if needed, but was met with all three of her department crew nodding their heads. Satisfied, she went onto the next order of business, "Now, I'm not here to do a complete overhaul or takeover of how you three are used to doing things, however I do expect a certain level of commitment and efficiency to my crew. I expect you all to arrive at your post no less than ten minutes before your shift to discuss anything the officer your relieving has taken note of, and to review the log of the previous shift. Is that understood?"
She paused for a few seconds and looked to the three of them and saw them nodding in agreement once more.

"I promise you, im not a hard-case." She went on, "my door is open to any of you for any reason should you need. I may be your chief, but I want you to know we're in this together. We are a single unit, efficient, skilled, and I will strive for this team to be the pride in the fleet. That said- as you all undoubtedly read in my file- I am not just a helm officer, but I am also Fighter certified, " she noticed the knowing looks they gave one another, it wasn't common for a helm officer to be certified in Fighter piloting, but on the Hyperion, during the war, shed doubled as a Fighter pilot in a Valkerie Class Fighter, "I want you three to be Fighter pilot certified as well. I expect you all to test-out within the next ninety days, that should be plenty of time for simulation and class training."

"Ma'am?" Lieutenant Dedriya spoke up, brushing a lock of stark black hair behind one of her her green ears.
"Yes, Dedriya?" M'leyna nodded to the Orion woman, "Go ahead."
Thalia Dedriya seemed to almost hesitate a moment but M'leyna knew she was going to ask what they'd all wondered, "why would we need to be Fighter Pilot certified? We're just helm officers?"
The Meruian smiled softly and spoke, "You are also shuttle pilots for away teams, yes?" She asked, but continued, "just like at helm, in the shuttles, there's a risk of flying into hot zones, or hostile areas of all kinds. I want us prepared for the worst." She explained, "Efficiency-" she repeated her word from earlier, "That is what is going to set us apart from other helm crews. We may bot have any fighters on board, but should the need arise, you'll be capable of handling a shuttlecraft like one."
M'leyna paused a moment and took a sip of water, "Does abyone else have any questions?"
At that, Lieutenant Sandra Blake spoke up, "Ma'am, if i may- what about the position of assistant Chief?"
Setting her glass of water down, M'leyna nodded to her, giving her a reassuring smile, "That job is still yours Loeutenant Blake, I've read the reports on your file, your last Chief Helmsman thought highly of you and learned to rely on you, I'd like to do the same, if you have no objection."
Sandra simply smiled, nodding her head in response, "Yes ma'am, you can count on me."
"I thank you, Blake. It's not my wish to come in here and stir the pot. But I'm sure we can raise the bar some all around."

Then it was Ensign Bednarz' turn to speak up, the tall, skinny human hesitantly raised his hand, "Lieutenant? When do we begin this Fighter Training courses?"
"I expect you all to log at least three hours a day in the holodecks, work together, work with me, let me know if you need aby help. Each week, we'll run some drills together so I can see where youre at. Use Holodeck Program M'layna 3-Beta, and I'll ne sent a report of your progress."
She then took a moment to let it sink in, she then gave a smile and stood, "If theres nothing else, youre all dismissed. I look forward to working with you all." She said kindly

"Thank you, ma'am," Blake said as she and the others stood, "and also- Welcome aboard the Arawyn, ma'am"
The Meruian woman smiled warmly at the comment and nodded "Thank you Blake, im glad to be here."
At that, the three officers exited the observation lounge as M'leyna stayed behind to tap on her PADD, putting in some notes anx a report. When finished, M'leyna herself exited the lounge.

 

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