A New Assignment and A New Home

Posted on Tue Jan 31st, 2023 @ 10:34am by Captain Malcom Llwyedd & Lieutenant Tor Ezzo
Edited on on Sat Mar 4th, 2023 @ 4:17pm

2,069 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Prelude to Rebirth
Location: USS Firebird, Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: 24 January 2396

[ON]

Lieutenant Tor Ezzo had just arrived to the USS Firebird and was walking the corridors with his bag on his shoulder. He had packed light and had already received a notification that his belongings had been delivered to his quarters. Ask he approached the turbolift he fought against everything to head straight to his quarters and start going through the boxes he had carefully packed to ensure he could easily unpack. Ezzo felt his spine tense up as the thought of his stuff becoming unorganized started a mini panic attack, moving was hard on him. As he stepped into the turbolift he barely got out "Deck one," before the sudden motion snapped him out of it.

Meeting a new captain was nerve-wracking to most, especially one with such recent infamy. What he had heard about his new commanding officer had not been good as rumors of the newly demoted captain of the Firebird had been traveling around the fleet. Ezzo however wasn't worried, as long as he focused on his job and followed orders he would continue to progress in his career. Nothing would break his focus. As the lift doors opened the bridge was empty, Ezzo found it odd seeing a room that was always so full of action dead silent, it was rare to be on the bridge of any starship in the fleet with no one around. Making his way to the captain's ready room door he pressed the door chime to announce his presence.

Malcom picked up a small model of the USS Monterey a gift to him from the rescued crew and turned it over in his hand. There was an inscription on the bottom, 'To the crew of the USS Firebird, the crew of the USS Monterey sends our sincere thanks for all that you did to rescue us and return us to our families. We can never repay you for your hardship and sacrifice as you worked to bring us home. We give you this gift, to remember that wherever you are, we are with you in spirit. May the Firebird never forget how important their work is to those in need.'

He'd read the inscription more than a few times since it had arrived but now, as he was putting his office back together, he
felt like the words had new meaning. He knew he was incredibly lucky to have his ship back. The demotion had been rough but getting through the remedial command course had almost broken him. He'd left the graduation ceremony, spent a month at home with Jenna, and then come straight to the refit yard. He'd found that besides Chief Harlan and the EMH, the ship was mostly deserted. He was more than surprised when the chime on his door sounded. He turned and said, "Come in." Expecting to see Kipp walk in the door.

Entering the room Ezzo didn't know what to expect regarding his new captain. He half expected him to be wearing an eye patch with a long beard, instead sitting behind his desk was Commander Malcom Llwyedd a very typical Starfleet officer. Stepping forward and placing his orders on the commander's desk, Ezzo snapped to attention.

"Lieutenant Tor Ezzo, reporting for new posting as Chief Flight Control officer aboard the USS Firebird, Sir!" Ezzo stood patiently staring off over the commander's head.

"Whoah," Malcom said, holding up his hands and leaning back in his chair. "At ease, lieutenant. I haven't seen an officer report with so much enthusiasm in quite some time." He gestured to the open chair across from his desk and waited until the Bajoran sat down.

"Lieutenant Tor, yes I did examine your file, briefly. I used to have another Bajoran officer who listed to some excellent music, and so your name struck a nerve. Good officer, good music. But I also happen to know Captain Kim so I had a brief chat with him about you as well," Malcom said and let the words sink into his new arrival. "I always have to know what kind of officer is joining my crew. So, lieutenant, what kind of officer are you?"

Ezzo thought about the question a second before giving an answer. He was always good at responding to these type of questions.

"Well sir, I'm driven and motivated, There really is nothing like the feel of being at the CONN. Feeling all that tonnage slipping through space at your finger tips there really isn't a feeling like it." He watched the commander and felt he wanted something more personal so he added. "I'm fair to those under me and respectful to those above me." Ezzo sat there a second watching the commander who still seemed like he wanted more. "Look sir, I'm a good officer and I'm good at my job. I know that may not come off the page in a report, but you won't find a more focused pilot of that I can assure you."

Ezzo sat waiting while the commander seemed to take in his response.

"I respect your answer, Lieutenant. And I think it is true. But... it feels like something you've said before. Tell me what your friends would say about them if I asked them what kind of person you are," Malcom said. There was something about this new officer that made him feel like he needed to probe further than he usually did. Or perhaps he was just trying to put off unpacking anything more.

Ezzo felt fire burning behind his eyes, why his superiors were always so worried about the personal lives of their crews always surprised him, but he knew what the commander was doing.

"Well sir, my crew mates have always said I'm reliable and focused, Ezzo sighed. "I tend to keep to myself mostly, but I'm always there in a pinch so I've always earned trust and respect in that way."

"Fair enough," Malcom said. "Let me tell you about my previous Chiefs of Flight control. The last one died in our most recent adventure, which I am sure you have heard a lot about, most of it probably wrong. The one before him is now my Chief of Intelligence on this ship. Both of them were outstanding pilots and excellent officers. I expect the same level of professionalism from you. But this is also a small ship and sometimes we have to pitch in wherever we are needed. Except for sick bay. The EMH is a real hard ass."

"You'll get no complaints from me, sir," Ezzo smiled. "Things need to get done and I'm used to being on a small ship. Any word on when the rest of the crew is going to come on board? It seems like a ghost town out there. Kinda spooky."

"It really is," Malcom said in a musing tone. "The only time I can remember the ship being this quiet was... huh. Never, actually. All the orders should be going out today and tomorrow. Many of the crew were on leave or on temporary assignments and it might take them a while to get here. Some of them we will pick up when we head back to Empok Nor. Have you been there?" Malcom stood up and made his way to the replicator. "Drink?"

"Some ice water with lemon if you don't mind sir," Ezzo. "Empok Nor? I spent sometime on the Fearless under Captain Vela when I was a cadet in Blue Squadron. We spent a lot of time on the station. It was another lifetime ago sir." Ezzo seemed lost in thought for a second before snapping out of it. "Is Zulg's still open I was a favorite hang out for the crew of the Fearless? Proph..." Ezzo stopped himself. "It seems like so long ago."

"Ice water with lemon, one. Mango juice, one," Malcom said and the replicator hummed and deposited a glass of ice water with a bright yellow piece of lemon and a shorter, heavier glass filled with orangeish colored fruit juice. Malcom picked them up and handed one to Lieutenant Tor, taking the other one with him and easing into his seat. "Oh yes, Zulg's, if anything, is bigger than ever. Ask Jackson about Zulg. He has all the stories. We've been stationed out of Empok Nor since I took command when the ship was commissioned. We have a very good relationship with the Cardassian contingent that helps maintain the station in very much the same way the Bajorans do on DS9." Malcom took a sip of his juice, enjoying the mango flavor and watching to see what young Ezzo would say to that.

Ezzo squeezed the lemon into the water and dropped it in the glass while he listened to the Captain. When he was last on Empok Nor the Cardassians were there helping the Federation, but he never really trusted them.

"Well sir, DS9 is controlled by Bajorans it was my understanding Empok Nor is officially a Federation station with help from the Cardassians." Ezzo took a sip of water. "But, I guess it is important to have a good working relationship with all potential allies to Starfleet. I decided a long time ago no one should be judged on the past history of their species. The Klingons weren't always allies."

"A student of history! Always welcome," Did you know..," Malcom began to say when there was a loud crashing sound outside his door, followed by a thump and then his door swished open, revealing a muscular-looking man of Asiatic descent, holding a katana. He wore civilian clothes and his hair was jet black and not cut to fleet standards.

"Sir!?" the man yelled.

"Kipp? What are you doing?" Malcom asked.

Kipp's eyes darted around the office and then narrowed. "Sir, I can't believe that you started unpacking your things without waiting for me to arrive. We both know that you're prone to breaking things."

"I am not!" Malcom said as a smile crept over his face. He turned to Lieutenant Tor. "Lieutenant, may I present my yeaoman, Petty Officer First Class Kipp Lak. And Kipp, this is Lieutenant Tor, our new flight control chief."

Kipp turned and nodded his head. "A pleasure, sir. I am at your disposal if you need anything."

"Nice to meet you Petty Officer Lak," Ezzo took another sip of water. At all this talk of unpacking Ezzo could only think of how many of his things might have shifted or been damaged in the move and his anxiety started to rise. This was always the case for Ezzo. Situations that make the average person nervous did nothing, but order in his own space with his own stuff created so much tension and anxiety that he would lose sleep until everything was in it's place.

Kipp stepped further into the room and looked over at the boxes and bins with all of the Captain's belongings. Apparently, he'd even sent his personal gear to his ready room. I don't know how he survives without me Kipp thought.

Malcom could sense what Kipp was thinking. "Alright, Lieutenant, why don't you go get yourself settled in and we can eat dinner together later. I've got to get this stuff put away properly or someone is going to have an aneurysm."

If the commander only knew Ezzo thought to himself. "I'll be doing the same sir, I'll be around if you need anything. Don't be afraid to call." Ezzo took one more sip from his water and stood to make for the door. Turning back as he arrived at the door. "Oh and sir, I don't think any of rumors I've heard are true. I look forward to working with you and perhaps you'll tell me more about what happened over dinner."

Ezzo made his way through the empty bridge and headed towards the turbolift dreading what he'd find in his quarters, but excited to take on the task at the same time. This was the logical next step for the young lieutenant and for the first time in a while it felt right.

[OFF]

Commander Malcom Llwyedd
Commanding Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298

Lieutenant Tor Ezzo
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298

 

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