Reporting for Duty

Posted on Tue Sep 13th, 2011 @ 8:34am by Lieutenant Desiana "Dezzy" Torel & Colonel Damon Raine

922 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Shades of Gray
Location: Office of the Executive Officer
Timeline: Current

ON

Desiana had barely left the transporter pad when she made the decision to locate her new Executive Officer. She wanted to report in and get to work. She was excited for her new position.It didn't take long for the computer to notify Dezzy of Commander Raine's position. Within a few minutes she was standing outside the door to the XO's office. She rang the chime and waited for permission to enter.

"Enter." Damon stated simply; he didn't even look up from the mission notes he was looking through.

With bag in hand Dezzy entered the office. She knew she should have waited until she was in uniform, but she didn't have quarters yet. "Lieutenant Torel, reporting for duty sir."

Damon waited a few seconds, finishing the report before looking up at the officer standing in front of his desk. He noted she was out of uniform, though he was grateful for it, anything but marine fatigues would have made him feel uncomfortable...still.

"Just get in?" He asked with a sideways smile.

Desiana easily matched his smile. "What gave me away sir? The fact that I am without a uniform or the duffle bag?" With each option she motioned to the various item. " But yes Sir. I just arrived on the USS Tarim."

"Welcome to the Calypso." He motioned for her to take a seat. "Forgive me, but what department are you reporting for?" He asked. With everything happening, both on and off the ship, he was well behind on keeping up to date. He had heard rumblings about command staff coming and going though.

Dezzy smiled as she took the offered seat. Once seated she dropped her bag next to the chair. "I am the new Chief Science Officer. I will also be heading up the linguistics lab." She wasn't suprised that he didn't know who she was. Most Executive Officers were aware someone was coming but much more information just clogged their memory.

Damon nodded. "You excited about this assignment?" He put the PADD he was holding off to the side and gave her his full attention.

"Yes sir." Dezzy nodded. "I wanted a position with more responsibility and more potential. Not to mention the attraction of the science departments computer system." She smiled.

"Well, I can understand your desire to spread your career wings...Not so much about the computers." He almost grimaced. He was never one to get along with technology.

"So tell me why you think you can run this department effectively?" He asked as he leaned heavily into his chair. He carefully regarded her, interested to see how she would react to the question.

"To be honest I have no idea." Dezzy stated bluntly. "I have had every type of department head but I can't tell you how I would be...yet." She had thought about answering the question like you would for an exam or a job interview, but she didn't know what to say. "Ask me again in a few days and I should have a better answer for you." She couldn't help but let a flirty smile come to her lips, it was just in her nature.

Damon seemed to look through her, ignoring the smile. After a moment he spoke again. "Thank you for your honesty, it wasn't an easy question to answer but I believe a necessary one. I will say, however, you can use that answer with the Captain or I but certainly no one else, least of all your department. These people look to you to have all of the answers, even if you don't at the time. As the command staff we all need to portray complete confidence in our own abilities and sometimes that means we fake it 'till we make it." He smirked a little.

"Understood." Dezzy should have known that would have been his response. No one in the command chain ever had a sense of humor. "I look forward to learning Sir. I can assure you I will do my best to keep the confidence of my team."

"I know you will." Damon said assuredly. He let a few momesnt pass to let the point sink in before speaking again. "So do you have any questions about the Calypso?"

"Not at this moment sir." Desiana replied easily. "I have only arrived and haven't even had the time to get my quarter in order."

"Well, don't let me keep you from settling in. If you have plans on touring the ship I suggest you explore your way right into the Caly's lounge at some point. Most of the command staff spend their off hours there. I've always found it nice to get to know the officers I will be working with out of uniform first, you might also."

"Thank you for the suggestion." Desiana started as she scooted to the front of her seat. "My first order of business is to get setting into my department. Then I will check out the offerings of the Calypso." Grabbing her bag she stood up. "If there is nothing else sir, may I be dismissed?"

Damon nodded. "Go make yourself at home."

Desiana simply nodded as she turned to leave the office. She was looking forward to getting settled in. Maybe she would even look up Delon Tovan later. He had seemed interesting on the trip here. Dezzy always found new postings exciting. So many things and people to explore.

OFF

Commander Damon Raine
Executive Officer
USS Calypso

Lieutenant Desiana Torel
Chief Science Officer
USS Calypso

 

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