Meeting the XO
Posted on Tue Jul 20th, 2010 @ 11:41pm by Lieutenant Commander Karma Sinclair & Chief Petty Officer Shalie Montgomery
842 words; about a 4 minute read
Mission:
Peace, or Something Like It
Location: Office of the Executive Officer
Timeline: Before "Satisfying Curiosity"
Well the meeting with the Chief of Engineering had been about what she had expected. The more time she spent on this ship the more she was sure she would like it. Her next and last step before settling into her new home was the meet with the Executive Officer. She had checked the computer to ensure the Commander's location. She soon found herself standing outside his office. She tapped the chime and awaited permission to enter.
"Enter," Karma said as he grabbed the coffee from the replicator and took a sip.
Shalie walked into the office as the doors parted, she set her duffel bag on the floor by the door as she made her way towards the desk. She extended her transfer orders towards the Executive Officer as she introduced herself. "Petty Officer Shalie Montgomery...I am one of the new Engineering Officers and I was told I needed to report to you to make my assignment official."
Karma looked at her and smiled. "Have a seat, Shalie," he said to her. "Would you like something to drink?"
"No thank you, Sir..." Shalie said easily as she took the offered seat.
Karma nodded and moved to sit in his chair. He paused to look through her orders then looked at her. "Why did you choose to switch from Operations to Engineering?"
"To be honest Sir..." Shalie started. "I like getting my hand dirty...Operations was too much paperwork for me."
"I know the feeling," Karma said with a chuckle. "So why transfer to the Calypso?"
"I have spent my entire career on one ship." Shalie stated honestly. "Unfortunately, the USS Marianne has been decommissioned. I was hoping for a position on the Calypso simply for the challenge the Galaxy class has to offer. It is an added bonus that although I am new to this ship, I am far from the only new crew member."
"Have you had a chance to meet your new Chief yet?" Karma asked as he continued to scan the file.
"Yes Sir, Engineering was my first stop." Shalie replied with a smile as she motioned over towards her belongings. "I thought I would get all my ducks in a row."
Karma looked at her bag and smiled. "Are you finding your way around the ship okay?"
"Uh no..." Shalie laughed. "But it will only take me about a day or two before I get my barrings. The Galaxy-class ships and the Miranda-Class are polar opposites of one another."
Karma chuckled and nodded. "I'm sure you'll do fine. So tell me, what do you hope to accomplish during your time on the Calypso?"
"I can't say I have any specific accomplishments in mind." Shalie started. "I just like doing my job...I know that isn't the most colorful response." She added with a smile.
"I prefer honesty over color," Karma said to her. "We'll be spending a lot of time away from civilization. If we can't be honest with each other then it will be a very long voyage."
"I agree Sir." Shalie stated simply. She was far from explaining her true motivation for being in Starfleet. It was true she loved her job, but it was far from the reason of why she did what she did.
"What are your plans for the future?" he asked her. "Are you satisfied being a junior engineer or would you like to move up someday?"
"I am happy not being in the main chain of command." She replied. "I applied for the Academy, but in the end decided to enlist....Don't get me wrong I don't mind responsibility, I simply think the politics should be kept to those who wish for advancement though it." She didn't hate officers nearly as much as that statement had made it seem.
Karma looked at her and nodded. "There are a number of people that feel the way you do and there's nothing wrong with that." He glanced at her orders again then set the PADD on the desk. "Is there anything you'd like to ask or discuss?"
"No Sir." Shalie responded. "I am pretty good at working things out....that is unless there is something a simple petty officer needs to know." She finished with a smile.
"Get settled in and take a little time to relax," Karma said to her. "We can talk more later."
"Thank you Sir." Shalie said as she moved to a standing position. "I look forward to serving with you."
Karma stood and extended his hand to her. "Welcome aboard. If you ever need anything my door is always open."
"Thank you again Sir." Shalie smiled returning the hand shake. "And I will be sure to keep that in mind." With that she turned and headed out the way she came. Making sure to retrieve her bag as she passed.
Karma watched her go then smiled as he walked back to his desk, looking for his coffee.
:OFF:
Lieutenant Commander Karma Sinclair
Executive Officer
USS Calypso
Petty Officer 2nd Class Shalie Montgomery
Engineering Officer
USS Calypso