Comms Reporting

Posted on Tue Feb 5th, 2019 @ 2:59am by Lieutenant Steffan Haas & Captain Cynthia Jackson

1,086 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Mission 0 - Christening of Legacy and Crew Arrival
Location: Captain’s Ready Room

The newly minted full Lieutenant Haas waited outside Captain Jackson’s office. After his recent chat with Admiral Wheeler he wasn’t sure what to expect. He was half expecting an evil bitch waiting for him behind the door but he didn’t want to judge a book by its cover.

Cindy called to the door "Come in!" happily when she heard the chime. The moment Steffan came into the room, she came around her desk and greeted Steffan with a smile. "So glad to finally meet you!" she bubbled. Her long platinum blonde hair cascaded behind her shoulders but a few strands hung over the front as if to say, "hello." Smiling more broadly, she stuck out her hand and said, "You must be Steffan, my new Chief Communications Officer! I'm Captain Cynthia Jackson, but I'd much rather that you call me Cindy."

’Ok, not an evil bitch, but over friendly. He thought to himself before smiling. “Lieutenant Haas reporting as ordered, Captain. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” He said offering his new Commanding officer a smile.

"And you, too. May I call you Steffan? You seem a bit uncomfortable with first names." She then said, "Feel free to take a seat." She sat on a couch in her office, leaving the couch next to her or the chairs across her desk available.

“I prefer a more professional way. It’s just want I’m used to.” Steffan said as he took a seat at her desk but turned it to face the Captain. “Steffan is fine, it is my given name after all, plus I’ve been called a lot worse in my time.”

Cindy laughed, throwing her head back in genuine amusement. Her hair fell back as she did but when she finished, her hair long platinum blonde hair stayed behind her shoulders. "Well, I doubt that I will ever have to call you anything worse. I view the command of a ship as a team effort. While rank may be important at times, I want to make sure that we're all on the same page and friends here. So, I just ask for first names be used but I will respect your wishes if you wish to have your formal title."

“You may call me by my name but I shall give you the respect your command demands, Captain. However, when on duty friendship should be left at door. We are here to do our assigned duties, not have tea and crumpets.” Haas replied, respectfully.

Cindy laughed at that. "I'm hardly a tea and crumpets woman, Steffan. Perhaps you would like to test that out on the racquetball court?" A twinkle came from her eyes which when Steffan initially entered the room were green but now seemed to have more of a blue color in them. "I know that my ways of doing things may seem different or uncomfortable to you but I believe that they are a positive change, just like the way we are changing from a military organization to one of exploration and diplomacy."

“I’ll pass on the racquetball but if there is a deck of cards I’ll gladly give you a lesson in poker, ma’am.” Haas said with a smirk. “The joys of the human condition, different ways of doing the same thing. I understand from Admiral Wheeler that you need the best Communications Officer Starfleet could offer, here I am, ma’am.” He said with a nod.

"I'm afraid that I'm not much of a poker player," Cindy told Haas with a laugh. "See my eyes? They'd telegraph my hand. Mood ring eyes. It can be a bit of an issue. Though, I was pretty good at strip poker in the day," she said laughing harder. "It is all a perspective on what you want to have happen." She laughed again, her eyes lightening.

"Well, I'm glad that Admiral Wheeler sent me the best Communications Officer! I would hope so, given that Legacy is going to be the first ship sent off in awhile and that this ship has so much special meaning for StarFleet. Is there anything that I could do for you to make your stay with us more comfortable?" She leaned forward slightly, eager to hear Haas' answer.

Steffan considered the Captain’s question for a moment. “I don’t believe so, ma’am. It’s an honour to be here and privilege to be asked to work aboard Legacy.” Haas instantly regretted saying he was asked to serve aboard Legacy. No doubt that would lead to more questions.

He's a tough nut. We're definitely going to have to find a way to loosen him up. "Good to hear!" Cindy replied enthusiastically. "Is there anything else that I should know, Steffan?"

’Oh god no. I’m awful at lying.’ Haas kept his cool and looked at the Captain. “I don’t believe so, ma’am. Is there anything you’d like to know about me?”

"Everything, of course!" Cindy answered enthusiastically. "But you seem to be a bit tense in this setting. Perhaps something more informal in the near future?"

“I’m fine, ma’am. Everything about me is my file.” He replied with a small shrug.

"Oh, come on, Steffan! You know better than that! All your file tells me is your history in StarFleet. It tells very little about you, who you are, and what you enjoy."

Steffan shrugged, “I’m Steffan, I’m 25. My father was killed when Vulcan was destroyed. I want to use my language skills to eventually move to the diplomacy branch, maybe become an ambassador. I like drinking whisky and playing poker.”

Cindy laughed again. "So formal. I could have just as easily got the same tone from asking your name, rank, and serial number." She rose up. "Perhaps I need to get you into the lounge for a drink one day, Steffan. Loosen you up a bit. In any case, welcome aboard." She stuck out her hand.

Haas couldn’t help but find this the most informal reporting he’d ever seen or heard of. Could Admiral Wheeler be right in doubting her competence? Only time would find out. Steffan also rose to his feet and give the Captain a broad smile as he took her hand and gave it a shake. “Thank you, Captain. It’s a pleasure to be here.”

"See you around soon, Steffan. Just make sure you're at the party."

RSS Feed