Help from an Unexpected Source

Posted on 29 Jul 2026 @ 5:18pm by Lieutenant Ryan Collingway & Commander Suzanna Batenburg
Edited on on 29 Jul 2026 @ 8:39pm

828 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Time After Time

///CEO's Office////

Ryan frowned slightly as he looked over the list of senior officers. None of them seemed to be the right fit for him in a mentorship role for him. The Captain and Commander were obviously busy, and he didn't feel comfortable asking them to dedicate more time to him. Remington and Amberlyn were too close. Flammia? Ryan thought about it, then shook his head. He was going through enough with his new abilities. Plus Ignis didn't exactly scream 'discipline mentor' to him. McKinney, maybe? He did have a certain amount of fear and respect for him. Ryan thought about it, then sighed.

There was also the issue that none of them were engineers. And asking someone in Engineering could potentially create some awkwardness he would rather avoid. He knew that Emerson had advised him to make this unofficial, but he was stuck. It wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion.

///XO's office, five minutes later////

A few minutes later, Ryan was permitted entry into the XO's office. "Hello, Commander," he said. Speaking of awkwardness...."Um, sorry for calling you an alien earlier."
"Lieutenant," Suzanna said, inclining her head in greeting. She gestured towards one of the chairs opposite her desk. "Please, take a seat."

She waited until Collingway had settled before continuing. "I was not offended by your remark. From your perspective at that moment, it was a logical conclusion. I am, after all, an alien." The faintest hint of amusement touched her expression before it disappeared again.

Folding her hands on the desk, she regarded him steadily. "Now then, Lieutenant, how may I help you?" After a brief pause, she added, "I also hope you have suffered no lasting effects from your time within what Astor described as the 'holding frame.' While your medical scans appear normal, I would prefer not to rely solely on instrumentation."

"I feel like myself," Ryan said truthfully. "A few more 1984 memories than I had before. But most of it is just foggy. Like a dream I had. But otherwise fine."

He fidgeted a little. "The away mission did illuminate something for me. Whenever I had a previous CEO, there was at least talk of a training program for me to be an AEO. But something always happened to them before we could really start. And then I was given this role, after a pretty brutal attack in engineering. As a result I've been...reactive, impulsive, because I haven't really learned to do things any differently. That might have worked well in the past. It doesn't work as the head of a large department. The ship deserves better than that."

"I guess what I'm trying to say is that I am looking for more training to be a CEO, even if it's only a temporary position. I know mentorship programs exist, but no one here seems to be the right fit for that. I was wondering if you had any ideas," he said.
Suzanna allowed her expression to soften as she listened to Collingway. "Your assessment is perceptive, Lieutenant. Recognising where you need to develop is not a weakness; it is one of the qualities of a good officer. Many fail to identify their own limitations. Fewer still are willing to address them."

She leaned back in her chair, considering the available options. "Starfleet does have several formal mentorship programmes. They are most commonly intended for newly appointed Chief Engineers on smaller vessels, pairing them with experienced department heads from larger ships. Given your current assignment aboard a Sovereign-class vessel, that particular route is unlikely to be available."

She was silent for a moment before another possibility occurred to her. "I spoke with Admiral Blokpoel recently. She mentioned that her daughter has recovered from her injuries, although she has not yet returned to full duty." Suzanna folded her hands together.

"Lieutenant Commander Sandra Boren served as Chief Engineer aboard the Arawyn until only a few months ago. She knows this ship, its systems, and the demands of the position better than almost anyone. Although she is still recuperating, she may welcome the opportunity to mentor an officer preparing to assume the role permanently."

She regarded Collingway thoughtfully. "If she is willing, I believe the arrangement would benefit you both. You would gain the experience of an accomplished Chief Engineer, and it may provide her with a meaningful way to remain professionally engaged while she completes her recovery."

Ryan blinked in surprise. "I would like that if she is available. We worked well together when she was here."

"I will contact her and discuss the possibility with her," Suzanna replied. "If she is willing, I will ask her to get in touch with you directly. If not, I will find another suitable mentor. Either way, Lieutenant, I will ensure you receive the guidance you are looking for."


Acting Lieutenant Ryan Collingway
Acting Chief Engineering Officer
USS Arawyn

Cmdr Suzanna Batenburg
XO USS Arawyn
Everything fits, otherwise we'll make it fit.

 

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