Deja Vu Gianna

Posted on Thu Mar 9th, 2023 @ 8:14am by Captain Malcom Llwyedd & Ensign Gianna Djokovic & Ensign Gazo Daw
Edited on on Thu Mar 9th, 2023 @ 4:28pm

3,291 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Prelude to Rebirth
Location: USS Firebird/ DS9
Timeline: 27 January 2396

[ON]

Malcom had thought about how to handle his upcoming meeting a lot. He'd been tempted to meet them at the docking bay and refuse their orders. Technically he could do that. Any Captain could refuse cadets if they chose. Usually it was because the ship was going into harm's way but the closest the Firebird was going to get to danger was when they tested out the new warp core on their upcoming shakedown cruise. And even the cruise had been scripted by Starfleet Command, with some pointed instructions about not going of course.

He'd had a heated discussion with Jenna when he found out she'd been unable to convince the cadets from requesting the Firebird. Malcom knew that her heart hadn't been in the effort, despite her promise to him. But that had been months ago and he'd had time to let the emotions fade, leaving him with one truth. He was the captain and it was his job to prepare cadets for the rest of their careers. It had been one of the best jobs he'd had, during his time at the academy and he liked to think he'd carried that philosophy over when he'd become a Captain of his own ship.

In the end, he decided just to treat them like every other cadet. No better and no worse. Malcom tapped his combadge.

"Kipp, please send the cadets in when they arrive," he said.

"Yes, captain. I am expecting them shortly," Kipp said.

Malcom tapped his badge again, closing the connection and then he let out a long sigh and rested his head on his chair, leaning backward. Trials and tribulations he thought.

[Docking Bay 1 DS9]

Kipp waited for the connection to end and frowned. He knew the captain better than anyone, except perhaps his wife, and these new cadets were not part of the program. His frown faded and Kipp chuckled to himself. But Gia was coming back, and at least he was happy about that. He waited for the two cadets to arrive, looking out on the bay from the ship's portal. He knew two other ships, both civilian, were docked at the same access port and there were a number of people exiting and entering those ships.

Gia remembered Deep Space 9 as a busy port, but the number of civilians they passed on their way to Docking Bay 1 still surprised her. She and Daw strode side-by-side and generally people did move aside or part to give them room. She chalked it up to the uniform, but it could have been an overall air of confidence or the excited nervousness on her features.

"Oh, there's Kipp," she almost squealed delightedly and nudged her fellow cadet with her elbow as she spotted the familiar face at last.

"Kipp," Daw said with a questioning tone. "Is that the grumpy engineer? Or the security officer who's a little crazy? Or maybe the pilot who is a spy?" His question went unanswered as the reached the boarding portal to the Firebird.

"Gia!" Kipp shouted. He moved forward and swept her into a fierce hug. "It is so glad to see you again, my friend. Or should I call you sir now?" the Yeoman said and then waved a hand. "Right now I am pleased to have you coming back aboard. How was your trip from the Academy." He paused and then noticed the other cadet.

"And you must be cadet Garzo Daw. I am Petty Officer 1st Class Kipp Lak, Yeoman to Captain Llwyedd."

Daw just nodded and smiled. Ok so none of those. Its the sword-wielding Yeoman. Great. he thought.

"Long and uneventful," Gia answered the question and cast a fleeting side glance toward Daw, "But never boring." She paused a heartbeat and her eyes flitted back over to the Yeoman. "How are you, Kip?" she asked with a genuine tone of sincerity, "And how is he?" There'd been a weight in the bottom of her stomach as she couldn't imagine how Malcom was going to receive them.

Kipp couldn't stop smiling. "I am well, Gia-san. I haven't said anything to the Captain yet but I will be taking some leave to get married at last. It is all arranged. As for him," Kipp said, lowering his voice. "He is grumpier than usual and blames himself for those we lost while rescuing Xavi. But being on the ship is better for him than being on Earth and bothering his wife. The work will help him become who he used to be. But what you really are asking is how does he feel about you I think. He is so proud of you. All of his crew, past or present, are part of his family. But he worries about your career."

"Oh, I'm so happy for you," Gia beamed at Kipp's wedding update. They had spoken a few times about the wedding in the past. "You and Marilyn deserve to be happy together."

"And of course he blames himself," she frowned at realization of how much pressure must be weighing on him, it was a large burden for any person to bear. "But my career is mine to worry about," she declared carefully, as though the line were well-rehearsed. "When does he want to see us?"

Kipp rolled his eyes. "He wanted to see you about five minutes ago until I reminded him that you weren't arriving until now. Still it would be best not to keep him waiting. You go ahead and I'll make sure that both of your luggage is taken to your quarters. In case you weren't aware, you'll be sharing one of the double quarters on deck six," Kipp said. "Bunk beds for cadets I guess."

Though she'd certainly been used to sharing quarters, at basic training, on her previous stint on Firebird, and then again at the Academy, she'd never shared quarters long-term with Daw before. "It's nothing we're not already used to," Gia chirped up as she gave Daw a nudge with her elbow. "We should not keep the captain waiting."

"Off you go then, Cadets," Kipp said and watched them hustle onto the ship. He turned back, taking in the bustle of the station and feeling thankful that, for the first time in a long time, things were starting to feel normal again.

[Bridge]

The turbolift doors opened, spilling the two cadets onto the Firebird's small bridge. Or at least it felt small to Daw. He glanced over at Gia, but his friend had a very determined look on her face and he decided against saying anything to her. He'd seen that look on her face many times at the academy and it was generally best to stay out of her way until her mood lifted. They stopped and Daw took the liberty of tapping the door chime. From inside a voice called out.

"Come in!"

Gia took a deep breath and stepped into the ready room when the door slid aside. Her eyes soaked in the familiar but refurbished office before settling nervously on the Commander. She thought he looked older, perhaps, than she'd last remembered him. "Sir," she started as she stepped aside to allow Daw room beside her. "Reporting for duty."

Malcom stood up from his desk, still holding the PADD he'd been working on. He let his eyes wander over the new arrivals. Daw was standing at attention so strictly he looked like a bow drawn taut. He glanced at Gia. He could see that the academy had given her a keener edge. She was physically in prime condition. He could remember all of the morning runs, obstacle courses, and the field exercises. It had been a good but hard time in his life. He thought about how she'd done enlisted training and now officer candidate training.

"Cadet Djokovic," Welcome back to the Firebird. I wonder if your experiences at Starfleet Academy were superior to those you had at Camp Beauregard?" He motioned for the two cadets to sit in the chairs facing his desk.

Daw had no idea what Camp Beauregard was but didn't ask. He was content to fly under the sensors as long as possible. His eyes roved around the room, taking in the collection of items. He saw a silver model of an Akira Class ship that was beautiful.

She blinked at the question. She'd thought passingly about her time at enlisted basic training many times over the years, but comparing it to Starfleet Academy was like comparing apples and jumja fruit. "The Academy was much superior," she summed up with an accompanying nod in agreement. "Though I suppose if I were to go back to Beauregard now, maybe it wouldn't seem so... hellish. I owe a lot to my first assignment here for helping me find myself."

Malcom's eyes never left Gianna's face as she spoke. He found himself looking for something, anything, that would let him know if she'd changed from the person he knew. But then he considered his own time at the Academy and how it had changed him. His eyes slid over to the other cadet. He was quite small compared to the other Bajorans that Malcom knew, hardly taller than Gia.

"And how was your experience at the Academy, Cadet Gazo?"

Daw had half expected the question. "It was good," he said shyly. The Captain didn't say anything and Daw realized that he needed to expand on the comment for his new Captain. "I've always wanted to work on starships, sir. My parents would rather that I stayed on Bajor and became a Vedek but I've loved tinkering on things, engines especially, since I was a young boy. I used to take things apart, like our replicator, and that didn't go over well." He realized he was rambling a little. "Anyways, Starfleet has the best ships with the most interesting problems and I want to help solve them. Sir."

Malcom smiled at the earnest response. "Well let's see how you feel after you work with Chief Harlan for a while," he said. He looked back at Gia. "What about you? What department should I put you in?"

Gia took a deep breath and began, her voice steady but her heart beat so strongly she could feel it in her throat. "I would be honored to serve in any department on this ship. However, if I may, I would like to request a position in the Command division. As you know, I enlisted as a security officer, and through my first two assignments under your command, I have gained immeasurable real world experience. After being injured in the line of duty -- and certainly at your encouragement -- I realized that I wanted to take my career to the next level and become an officer. Since then, I have excelled at the Academy, with a focus on leadership and decision-making. My ultimate goal is to become a commanding officer of my own starship one day, and I believe that the Command division is where I can best hone my skills and achieve that goal."

Malcom nodded. "Cadet Garzo, please report to engineering and speak with Mr. Harlan. He will get you set up and on the right track. Just remember, his bite is worse than his bark," Malcom said.

Dawn nodded, came to attention and exited. Bite is worse than his bark? he thought.

Malcom waited for the door to close and then stood up. "Come on over and have a seat, Gia," he said. He stopped by the replicator. "What can I get you to drink?"

Gia had watched Daw exit the room through a sideglance and her focus remained on the door for a lingering second after it closed, before being brought back to the moment by the arrival of Malcom's words in her direction. She nodded at the request and stepped over toward his desk, pausing with her hand resting on the seat back that she stood beside. It seemed proper that she wait to take the seat until the commander did as well. "Uh... Pyrellian ginger tea?"

The replicator whirred twice. Once was for a greenish-red that Malcom assumed was Purellian ginger tea and the other was a mango juice for himself. He set Gia's glass on the desk and sat down. He took a sip of the cool liquid, enjoying the sweet flavor, and then held the glass while he spoke.

"Gia, I've watched your progress at the Academy closely. I even spoke with a few of your instructors from time to time. Not because I thought you were doing poorly but because I felt you needed to be pushed more than other cadets. I know you struggled with the transition, most people do. But changing from enlisted to officer track can be especially hard and even isolating. I'm glad you and Cadet Gazo are friends. That makes everything better," Malcom said and then set the glass down and leaned forward. "Which is why I can't understand why you disregarded me and decided to come back here. Starfleet careers are made, not given. Your cadet cruise sets you up for where you'll go after you graduate! It isn't fair but being here will involve you in the ugly politics that hide behind the Starfleet logo. And right now it won't work in your favor. Or Mr. Gazo's."

She found it hard to look directly at him when he was so intently focused on her, but she tried to -- or at least seemed to split her attention between his face and the steam that wafted up from the untouched cup of tea that sat before her. She had prepared a full response for this of course, but most of those carefully crafted words did not come to her when she needed them most.

"Commander..." she began, not knowing exactly where she was going to go next, but trusting something coherent would eventually come out. First of all, you didn't directly tell me not to come here. You left that to your wife. Her forehead wrinkled. Scratch that thought. It wouldn't land right.

"You just said, 'Starfleet careers are made, not given,' and that's my point in this request," Gia was now looking at him directly and leaning slightly in. "You're also right that I could have gone to the USS Picasso, been one of five or seven or ten other command-track cadets, gone through all the motions there, and slid through with a choice of assignments after... But it's not what I want. I want to be challenged, pushed. I want to dig in and fight for people worth fighting for. I want to make my own path, not follow someone else, and I want to learn from the best starship commander in the fleet."

He leaned back in his chair. Why does it feel like Jenna is talking to me?. "That best commander just got demoted, in case you weren't paying attention." He sighed and rubbed his face with his free hand. "Did I ever tell you that I did my cadet cruise on the Kyiv? I thought I was going to be a pilot for my entire career. Captain Hayes was near retirement age. He'd been there and done all of that and I think I amused him more than anything. I know for a fact that he didn't approve of my style of flying. Miranda class ships are not made to do some of the things I put that old bird through. But I was right, most of the time," He said and then trailed off. The freighter's docking lines were attached and the station's mooring clamps had settled onto the starship's frame, holding it securely. He looked back at Gia, remembering that, despite what they had been through together, and her traumatic injury, she was still young.

"Alright, Cadet. Let's see what you can do. You work as hard as you can and I'll try to get us out of the hole we're in with Starfleet Command. But we both know that not only can I not show you any favoritism, but I also will be harder on you than on Cadet Gazo. Do you know why?"

"I'd like to believe it's because you think I can handle it but, honestly, I don't know why," Gia answered before finally reaching out to take the cooling cup of tea into her palm. She almost got the edge of the cup to her lips, but paused, "And you are right when you said earlier that Cadet Gazo and I are friends. We've been through a lot together and we know how each other thinks and responds, but don't underestimate him or think that either of us needs the other one to get through this. He's more than capable."

"I'm sure he is. His scores are not much lower than yours. I think he's going to be a great addition to engineering if Harlan and Gantt can keep him on the right track," Malcom said with a grin. "But I have to be harder on you because you're part of my family. You're already a Firebird and more than anyone, I know the kind of strength you have. If I don't push you right up to those limits, you'll never reach your potential. And I do think you have potential, Gia. I might not always like the way you fly but I have no doubt that one day you will be sitting in a chair like mine, counseling cadets and wondering how you got so old."

"Eww, getting old," Gia scowled playfully before finally taking a sip of the zingy Bajoran tea. "Mhm," she swallowed and leveled a curious glance toward her commanding officer. "I'm not sure if I should ask you what I've done before that you hadn't approved of -- I can probably guess a few things, I suppose--" One corner of her lips turned upward into a smirk, "Or if I should instead ask about your plans to raise the Firebird back up to its former glory. Are you plotting?"

Malcom laughed. "Here's your first lesson in command. Don't ever admit to plotting anything. It just gives them a chance to stop you," Malcom said. He raised his glass and took another drink. "You're assigned to gamma watch. Make sure nobody crashes my ship while I'm sleeping." He waved a hand at her. "Now get a move on. I think the EMH wants to talk to you about your latest physical. We'll have dinner tomorrow and gossip about my previous colleagues at the academy."

She chuckled at his 'lesson' -- surely more valuable than some of the trivia taught at the academy -- and took a drink of her tea when he raised his glass.

"Gamma watch? Fantastic, thank you," Gia expressed as she rose to her feet. She was feeling pretty good about how everything had panned out. "Dinner tomorrow, then. Thank you, sir," she expressed with a nod before turning and heading toward the door and disappearing out onto the bridge.

Malcom watched her go, still smiling. A thought crept into his head. He tapped his combadge. "Kipp, can you please get Emily Mox to come to my office? I've got some good news to give her."

[OFF]

Commander Malcom Llwyedd
Commanding Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298

Cadet Giana Djokovic
Cadet Junior Grade
USS Firebird NCC-88298

 

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