Stay On Target
Posted on Mon Sep 23rd, 2024 @ 8:47pm by Captain Malcom Llwyedd & Lieutenant Henry Hamilthon Sky
1,169 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Interlude 1 Gamma Quadrant
Location: USS Firebird, Deck 1, Captain's Ready Room
[ON]
Malcom read the sentence and then read it again. He sighed, leaned back in his chair, and considered throwing all of the PADDS on his desk into the recycling bin.
"Kipp!" Malcom yelled. A moment later, the door opened, and Kipp strode in. As always, his yeoman looked calm, composed, and annoyingly rested. Malcom scowled.
"Could you please ask Nurse Mox to come up and bring a hypospray with her? I've got a horrible headache from reading all of these PADDS.
Kipp nodded. "Of course, Captain. And if it makes a difference, that PADD," he said and pointed to the one on the Captain's desk. "Is the last one in your backlog. You are officially caught up."
Malcom almost fell out of his chair. "You mean I will have some actual free time?" He said, a smiling forming.
Kipp shook his head. "Of course not. You've still got personnel issues to deal with. Because you sent Lieutenant Tor off on the exploration mission, we are in need of a new Chief Flight Control Officer. I have three candidates like you've asked," Kipp said and set a new PADD on the Captain's desk.
Malcom noted some tension in Kipp's bearing. "But you're giving me the personnel folder on the candidate that you think is best," Malcom said and glanced down at the PADD. He saw that the officer, Lieutenant Sky, had served on a wide range of ships, piloting everything from a small science vessel up to the USS Valor which was an impressive Sovereign class ship.
"Thirty-eight years old and has been a Lieutenant for a while," Malcom said to himself. He nodded. "Alright. Let's have a chat with Lieutenant Sky."
"I will arrange it, sir," Kipp said with a smile and then left.
Kipp stood at the docking port, waiting for Lieutenant Sky to arrive. He liked to meet new arrivals when he could.
As the shuttle docked at the docking port, Henry flexed his shoulder muscles. It had been a long journey since his last assignment and the detour via Starbase 32 due to engine failure had worn him out quite a bit.
Henry had never served on board a Diligent Class starship, he had taken advantage of the trip to learn the technical part, the rest would be done on the ground.
"Don't learn, practice", his teacher liked to say at the academy. Fortunately Henry believed that action and reflection were not mutually exclusive.
Getting off the shuttle, Henry found himself in front of a Petty Officer who seemed to be waiting for him. He stood.
"Lieutenant Henry Hamilthon, report to duty, permission to come on board?"
Kipp gave a half bow at the waist. "Permission granted, sir," Kipp said and then motioned for the newly arrived officer to follow him. "Welcome to the Firebird, Lieutenant Hamilthon, My name is Yeoman Kipp Lak. I am Captain Llwyedd's personal Yeoman, which means I do a lot of different things for him. He has asked to meet you so I'll be taking you directly to him. How was your trip?" Kipp asked as they approached the turbolift."
"Long and painful, we had a technical problem which led to a detour, but here I am." replied Henry, entering the turbolift as well.
Henry looking at Kipp: "How is the old man here? Any tips for the first interview?"
"Deck one," Kipp said and the turbolift whirred into action. "He looked at Lieutenant Sky. "The Captain is a great leader. He cares about his people. We've got a very small crew on the ship and he gets to know each of them personally. He has and always will, put the safety and well being of the crew above his own," Kipp said and paused for a second. "He expects his crew to do their duty and ask for help when needed. Frankly, he's the finest officer I've ever served with. Having said that, he is also cranky and eats poorly. As far as tips, just be yourself and be honest."
Henry nodded “That’s well noted.” As the Turbolift arrived at its destination, Henry let Kipp exit first and then followed him.
"Sir, Lieutenant Sky, as requested," Kipp said and gracefully slipped out of the room.
Malcom smiled at the newcomer and motioned for him to move closer. "Please, Lieutenant, have a seat," Malcom said and waited until the newcomer had been seated. "Welcome to the Firebird. I'm sure you weren't expecting to be summoned to my office so quickly and I am sorry about that but I have need of your skills. Can you refresh my memory and tell me a little about your experience?"
"Captain, thank you for kind words and your welcome, I am happy to have the chance to join your crew.
I have had varied experiences, rather relaxed in the scientific ship, more delicate in exploration during crossings of asteroid fields, and as you can imagine, more difficult in a tactical ship during encounters with pirates." Henry moved his hands quickly to illustrate the different maneuvers he had had the opportunity to do.
"Yes, I can understand the differences. I myself was a flight control officer in my younger years. I've piloted those same types of ships on more than one occasion," he said with a smile. "Unfortunately, it isn't allowed for the Captain to take over his own ship. But I do still get out in the Runabout from time to time. The reason I am having you transferred here is that, with the closure of the wormhole, my own Chief Flight Control officer is off on a mission and I need someone to take his place. Your record is outstanding and your experience with different ships makes you the best candidate. This is a bit unusual but the situation itself is unusual. What do you think?"
Henry smiled at the captain's remark. "Joining Starfleet is the very definition of unusual Captain. It's the day we do something normal that we have to worry. What is the rest of the procedure now? Should I do a check-up at the sickbay or can I go to my quarters?"
"I think it would be good to get settled into your quarters first and then go ahead and get the physical completed with our Chief Medical Officer, Commander Kataxes. As much as I dislike physicals, Starfleet likes those who pilot their ships to be in top condition. I suppose that's a minor inconvenience for the privilege," Malcom said and stood up. He extended his hand. "Welcome to the Firebird, Lieutenant."
Henry shook his hand firmly. “Thank you Captain, I can’t wait to get started.”
Then standing up, he turned around and left the Captain's office.
[OFF]
Captain Malcom Llwyedd
Commanding Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298
Lieutenant Henry Hamilthon Sky
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298
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