Meeting the Captain

Posted on Fri Feb 4th, 2011 @ 3:14pm by Lieutenant JG Talri & Commodore Samantha York

741 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: The Forests of Mythraeli
Location: CO's office
Timeline: Current

Talri, having been aboard the USS Calypso for a few hours, decided it was time to go and make the acquaintance of its captain. Samantha York would not be the first Starfleet captain Talri had met. She would, however, be the first human captain, and Talri found herself unsure of what to expect.

She touched the IDIC pendant that hung around her neck, remembering the words of the temple priestess who had given it to her. You will need this reminder, Talri-child, where you are headed. She had not known whether to take it as warning or encouragement. It seemed she was soon to find out.

Standing outside the door, Talri, composed as ever, rang the chime.

"Come in," Sam said. She'd been searching the database to see what needed to happen for her to make Damon her XO, just in case he decided to take her up on the offer. She saved the information and looked up to see who wished to speak with her.

Talri stepped inside the office and approached Sam. 'I have arrived,' she said, 'to work in your stellar cartography department. My name is Talri. I was told that it was customary to greet one's captain before beginning work. That is correct?' There was only the faintest rising intonation in her words.

Sam stood and bowed to the Lieutenant. "That is correct. Welcome to the Calypso. Sit down and tell me about your experience in stellar cartography."

Satisfied that some courtesies, at least, were the same, Talri bowed in return before seating herself opposite Sam. 'Thank you,' she said slowly. 'Stellar cartography is one of the great intellectual pursuits of my life thus far. I hold an advanced degree in the subject, and I spent nine years working at the Shi'Kahr Institute of Astrometrics, one of the most renowned on my homeworld. Have you heard of it?' she asked politely.

"Yes, I have, although I haven't visited it yet," Sam said. "I'm an archaeologist, so I understand being passionate about a subject. What made you decide to join Starfleet?"

'It seemed logical,' she said simply. 'I had achieved all that I could at the Institute. To progress, it was necessary to take a more practical approach, to go out and travel the stars myself. Starfleet seemed the appropriate way to go about this, do you not agree?'

"Absolutely. I have advance degrees in archaeology and history from Earth. I did a lot of field work and some teaching, but in the end wanted to explore other planets and other cultures. I could only do that in Starfleet," Sam said. "So, in my own way I did the same thing."

Talri nodded. 'We are here, then, for similar reasons,' she surmised. 'If you do not mind the question, how did you find the transition? Starfleet is quite different from any planetary institution.'

"Being in science helps. I find something to explore on most missions." She had to grin at that. "I tend to find myself in a lot of caves. It keeps my feet on solid ground -- in a manner of speaking. And I have someone to share things with. That also helps a great deal."

Talri considered this for a moment. Essentially what she was speaking of was remaining connected, and Talri could see the benefit in that. 'Indeed,' she said slowly. 'Tell me, are there many other Vulcans aboard this ship?'

"Not many," Sam admitted. "Ensign Stron is Vulcan. He's in security. Right now he's with the away team."

'Perhaps I shall make his acquaintance,' said Talri, and then she asked: 'Captain, will there be further away teams to the planet? I would like to accompany one, if I may.'

"Yes. I plan on sending more teams down after this team returns. I'll be happy to send you down with one of them," Sam said. "Is there anything else you need from me?"

Talri shook her head. 'Nothing at present, Captain,' she said. 'If there is nothing further you wished to discuss, I intend to begin work immediately.'

"I have nothing at the moment, Lieutenant," Sam said. "Get settled in and have a look around stellar cartography. And welcome aboard."

'Thank you,' said Talri simply. 'It is good to be here.'

OFF

Captain Samantha York
Commanding Officer
USS Calypso

Lieutenant JG Talri
Stellar Cartographer
USS Calypso

 

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