New Perch

Posted on 22 Jul 2014 @ 4:21pm by Commander Scarlet Blake

1,059 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Episode 06 - Legend of Souls
Location: USS Galileo: Deck 2 - First Officer's Office
Timeline: MD 06 - 15:00 hrs

ON:

The shuttle dropped her off online minutes ago and now T'Vanna just stood there in an empty bay, her few precious belongings packed away in a crate or two, a small duffle slung across her shoulders. Most of her posessions were just what her family had given her, and a few things she had accumulated for her coming baby.

Heavily pregnant, dressed in the maternity variant of Starfleet's Intel greys, the half Vulcan, half Human woman stood there, looking just a little lost. She smiled as a crewman courteously walked up, not quite looking at her. "Shall I have your gear transferred to your quarters ma'am?" he asked politely.

"No, I have no assignment yet but I'll let you know once I do," she answered, "you can however, direct me to your XO's office or let her know that I'm on my way. I don't walk so fast anymore these days."

"Of course ma'am," the youth replied, scurrying off. It left T'Vanna to leave the bay with just her duffle as there was no way she was leaving it unattended.

Minutes later, and only slightly out of breath, she pressed the chime to the XO's office.

"Come in!" Scarlet called out, taking a quick mouthful of coffee while she still could. She slid one PADD over another...it didn't do much for helping the organisation though. The surface of the desk was fast becoming covered in a quilt of PADDs.

T'Vanna took one look at the desk and shook her head as the door slid shut behind her. Surely...there was more efficiency to be had than this? "Ensign T'Vanna Murray, reporting for duty uhm...ma'am? Sir?" She didn't know which honorific the woman preferred, hence she ended her statement in a query.

"Commander will do," Scarlet assured with a half smile. She motioned to the seat before taking her own at the desk. "It's Ensign Murray, yes?"

"Yes ma'am, but T'Vanna will do too. Not everyone is used to a Vulcan with a last name." She smiled brightly, showing perfect white teeth, her blue eyes sparkling with mirth. "I'm eager to get started even though I realise very much that I still got a lot to learn." Her hands crossed over her swollen belly. "And with a baby on the way, I also acknowledge it may take a little more time too. "

Scarlet leant back in her chair, nodding in agreement. She remembered too well. "Yes, the arrival of a baby and trying to both work and care for your child can turn the world upside down a good deal. Have you given thought as to how you will balance a new child with work?"

"Not yet, but I'm sure I'll manage. I've managed without much help thus far, to be honest." She shrugged, almost indifferently. "I'm positive this ship has a sort of daycare center otherwise I can program a holonanny to take care of him or her when I'm at work. And if I have a roommate somehow, then I have no doubt I can work something out. I'll see, when the need arises ma'am."

"I understand the need to cross bridges as you reach them, but I would advise you give it some thought now, before the baby comes and you're trying to look after a baby as well as make arrangements," Scarlet suggested quietly, shaking her head. "It's up to you, of course, but it will only be more difficult to leave it to the last minute. There's no daycare here, we're too small a ship. My suggestion would be to establish a good network of friends and support here, who can help when needed."

"I'll start to work on that," T'Vanna promised, "it's not long now...anywhen between now and about a month I think. And I'll have a chat with my department head as soon as I report in to him, or her." She smiled ever so slightly. "I was able to read up on some things regarding the Galileo, but not everything, obviously. My transfer here was very sudden."

"Don't worry, it always takes a while to get your head around a new ship," Scarlet chuckled, shaking her head. "Tell me about your expertise at work."

"I did a few field trainings, mostly posing as a diplomatic aide,
observing participants and pass on information. I've only been out of
the academy for a month."

Scarlet nodded with understanding, giving her a small smile. "Is there anything you feel you do particularly well?"

"I swim well, and I'm very good at keeping flowers and plants alive. Also...if I can say so..I'm excellent at velocity."

"Perhaps you'd like helping out in the arboretum," Scarlet chuckled softly at the words, nodding as she let out a soft breath. "Right, we don't have a full Intelligence department here. Instead, the Chief of Intelligence runs the 'Support Department' which also includes diplomats and the chaplain. So technically, you're also Assistant Chief to the Support Department as a whole too. Not that it usually becomes difficult...the diplomats and chaplain are used to working rather independently."

"I have no experience with chaplains to be honest," T'Vanna confessed, "I don't uphold any kind of religion but in the interest of working together I could seek him out." She smiled happily. "Arboretum? Ooooooh..if ever you lost track of me then that's where I'll be. I love getting my hands dirty."

"It sounded like it might be your thing," Scarlet nodded with a chuckle. She was used to seeing many different things, so it wasn't exactly a surprise seeing someone with such a Vulcan look smiling and excited, but it was certainly unexpected and, admittedly, refreshing. "You will need to visit Sickbay for a medical check-up and a counsellor for a psych check up to be cleared for duty. After that, you will be free to get to work."

"I'll do that as soon as possible," the young woman promised. "Permission to go and get settled?"

"Of course," Scarlet nodded, having going over all the immediate information she needed. "Unless you have any questions?"

"no ma'am, all's clear for now," T'Vanna replied, "and if something comes up I'll be sure to page you."

OFF:




Ensign T'Vanna Murray
Asst. Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo

CMDR Scarlet Blake
First Officer
USS Galileo

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