Attention on Deck

Posted on Mon Jun 2nd, 2025 @ 4:52pm by Captain Malcom Llwyedd & Commander Rhiana t'Aegis & Commander Elizabeth "Beth" Boyle

2,037 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Shore Leave 1
Location: USS Firebird, Deck 1, Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: 2 Days before Firebirds Reassigned

[ON]

Malcom couldn't stop himself from pacing. It had been a long time since he'd had a new XO and even longer since he'd had one that had been assigned instead of chosen. He glanced over at Rhiana. He'd fully intended to make her his XO, despite how much she would hate the administrative part of the job. But she'd be an excellent XO. Someone he could count on.

He sighed.

The choice had been taken out of his hands. He couldn't have refused Admiral Boyle.

"She should arrive in about an hour," Malcom said and slumped into a seat near Rhiana. "Give me your impressions of her from what you've gathered."

The second offer had silently and patiently watched the captain pace, and while she had not moved from her spot on the couch, she understood his restlessness.

"The official reports about her are positive. She has seen rapid progression through the ranks. On average, she has spent less than two years in each of her postings since her graduation from the Academy. She has served as executive officer on three different ships in the past 4 years," Rhiana enumerated facts that Malcom certainly already knew.

"If we were in the Empire," she continued, "I would suggest either that her performance is not as reported and she is merely being promoted and transferred since she belongs to a prominent Starfleet family instead of being released from active duty. Or that she is being promoted and transferred because of orders from her admiral father, who uses her to obtain information about the ships she is being assigned to."

Rhiana flashed a brief, humourless smile. "Or I could be entirely wrong. Nepotism does not necessarily mean that the person being favoured is incapable of performing their duties. Though I am certain that Admiral Boyle will use her as an informant."

Malcom took a moment to digest what Rhiana had said and came to the conclusion that her instincts were probably right.

"The mixture of her record, her connections, and her recent position at the academy gives me pause. I've never seen an XO change positions so much after becoming an XO. Either they get promoted, or they spend a lot of time on one ship and then get promoted to Captain. Her family influence could be to blame, but I am worried about what we are stepping into."

"As long as she gets promoted to command another ship and not this one..," Rhiana replied not quite but almost under her breath, only to then add in her normal tone, "The Firebird's crew is quite unique, sir. New crewmembers either learn to accept that and become one of us, or they leave. In either case, we have nothing to lose. I would, however, recommend adhering to protocol and following orders at least until we have gauged Commander Boyle's character."

"Agreed," Malcom said. Just then, Malcom's combadge chirped.

"Sir," Kipp said. "Commander Boyle is here."

"Send her in, Kipp," Malcom said and stood up.

The door slid open, revealing a small woman with blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She smiled and walked over to Malcom and came to attention.

"Commander Boyle, reporting, sir," she said.

"At ease, Commander Boyle," Malcom said, returning the smile. She looked even younger in person than she had in her personnel file. "Please allow me to introduce my Second Officer and Chief of Security and Tactical, Commander t'Aegis."

Rhiana had risen to her feet at the same time as Malcom and turned towards the door. While the new executive officer reported in, the Romulan looked her over discreetly. The uniform was spotless, and the hair was neatly tied up in a bun. Her walk and stance betrayed that she was physically fit. The smile was potentially genuine. Though none of it would tell the second officer whether Boyle would be a good addition to the crew.

When the captain introduced her, Rhiana came to attention. Unlike the commander, she did not smile, and her tone was her usual neutral. "Welcome aboard the Firebird, Commander Boyle."

Boyle nodded at the new officer. "Please, call me Beth," she said in what was certainly an English accent, and unleashed a broad smile. She turned back to Captain Llwyedd. "Captain, I am so happy to be here. I can't wait to get a look around this beautiful ship."

Malcom gestured for his new XO to have a seat near the couch. "I'll have Commander t'Aegis give you the tour. It won't be a normal experience because most of the crew is still on leave. Our assembly time is two days from now." Malcom sat on the couch, watching as the XO perched herself daintily on the chair opposite him, with Rhiana to his right.

"I'd love to spend some time with Commander t'Aegis! I have read your personnel file, Commander, and I must say, it is quite impressive. Who would have thought that a former Romulan Officer would now be an accomplished Starfleet Officer? You are a true marvel!"

It did not happen that often that Rhiana felt an immediate dislike towards someone. Of course, gaining her approval was never easy, but immediate dislike was rare. Now, however, was one of those times. Almost everything about the new executive officer annoyed Rhiana. Too much smiling. Too much gushing. This was not a casual get-together, after all.

"I am simply an officer doing my duty, Commander," Rhiana replied politely, ignoring the offer to use Boyle's first name, "As is the rest of the crew. As the Captain stated, most are still on leave, but you will be able to meet them all within the next few days. In the meantime, I am at your disposal for an extended tour of the ship."

"That's very kind of you, Commander," Beth said, still smiling. "I'm sure that we will become great friends. I get along with everyone, it's one of my gifts." The XO looked back at Captain Llwyedd. "Sir, I'm so excited to be here."

Malcom, wearing a less enthusiastic smile, nodded in response. "I'm looking forward to seeing how you handle a starship after serving at the academy for a while. I notice that you have served on a wide variety of ships."

"Oh, yes. I think this is my seventh different ship. I've been an XO on three, four with this posting. My previous commanding officers were so nice. They insisted that someone with my skills needed to serve on more ships, for the benefit of the fleet," Beth said.

That just confirmed what Rhiana and Malcom had feared. Even if "Beth" - merely thinking that name annoyed Rhiana - thought it happened for the benefit of the ships, this was clearly politically correct speak for "reassignment due to incompetency". How could someone be so obtuse as not to recognise that??

"If I may ask," Rhiana began, tone perfectly polite, because this was, after all, her superior officer, "What is the most difficult situation you have ever had to deal with on any of your previous assignments?"

Beth pursed her lips as she considered the question. "There have been a number of difficult situations," she said slowly. "But I think the worst was when I was the XO on the Athos, a lovely ship with a wonderful hydroponics bay. We were traveling near the edge of known space in the Beta Quadrant when we were suddenly attacked by two ships. The initial blast was a direct hit on the bridge. I was knocked out of my chair and hit my head on the flight controls." She reached up and touched a hand to her head.

"Captain T'fau was injured worse, and I had to take command. Thankfully, we were able to destroy them in short order. They just got lucky with those first shots."

Malcom raised an eyebrow. "You didn't attempt to communicate with them? Find another solution?"

Beth shook her head. Her eyes had gone cold. "No. My father always says to take no chances with the safety of the crew. I agree with that wholeheartedly."

That answered several questions Rhiana had had, and Boyle managed to both rise and sink in Rhiana's esteem, which was a rare feat. On the one hand, the chief of security was impressed. She would not have judged the new executive officer capable of commanding a vessel in a situation of distress, nor of ordering the death of who knows how many people.

"Did you ever learn why they attacked you?" Rhiana was careful to keep any judgment or sarcasm out of her tone. There was no need to make an enemy in the first five minutes of getting to know Boyle. "And who they were?"

Beth shrugged. "The after-action assessment was limited due to the loss of both crafts. We managed to determine that their point of origin was from deep space. Other than that, no idea. I think there were some plans to backtrack them, but I don't believe anything ever came of that."

"Sounds very... interesting," Malcom said diplomatically. He was getting a good picture of what this XO was going to bring to the table. "The Firebird is a much different type of ship than the others you have served on," he said, standing and moving to the replicator. "Our mission is to bring aid to those in the most precarious situations. We are a tight crew because there are few of us, and at any time, the lives of friends and colleagues could be in their hands."

Beth nodded. "I think that sounds perfect. I really will be interested to see how you two work with the crew. In the past, I've really worked with the officers. Enlisted personnel should be fun to get to know."

Rhiana did not shake her head in disbelief at the uninterested dismissal of an investigation that could have been crucial. It would be... interesting to work with their new executive officer during emergencies or any kind of situation that required following protocol. "Because of our size, our hierarchies are necessarily flat," she stated instead, to keep the conversation in the line the captain had chosen. "Working directly with enlisted personnel is commonplace, and we trust them with work that, on a much bigger ship, might be accomplished by an officer. Within reason, of course, but we have not been disappointed yet." She marked a short break before continuing with a question. "What do you value in a crew, Commander?"

Beth frowned. "I value a crew that knows their jobs and reacts to orders quickly and competently. I am sure that the Firebird's crew are outstanding. I've seen some of the reports from your time in the Gamma Quadrant. Some truly impressive achievements."

Malcom nodded. "It was a real team effort," he said, and then stood up. "Well, XO, we can continue this conversation over dinner tonight? I believe that Kipp is going to show you to your quarters and get you situated with all the in-processing tasks."

Beth stood when the Captain did. "Of course, sir. I would be glad to dine with you," she said. She glanced at Commander t'Aegis. "And we will certainly have to exchange more stories, Rhiana." She bowed her head slightly and then turned and walked toward the door. When it opened, it revealed Kipp waiting patiently with a PADD in his hands.

"Right this way, Commander," Kipp said. Beth followed, and just as the door closed, the two remaining officers heard her ask a question.

"Petty Officer Lak, how often does the ship dock at DS9 or Empok Nor?"

Malcom collapsed into his chair. He felt a headache forming behind his eyes. "This is going to be very difficult," he said.

[OFF]

Captain Malcom Llwyedd
Commanding Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298

Commander Elizabeth Boyle (NPC by Llywedd)
Second Officer / Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298

Commander Rhiana t'Aegis
Second Officer / Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298

 

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