The Lyrics of Leadership

Posted on 29 Oct 2023 @ 10:54pm by Master Chief Petty Officer Toren Vral & Commander Scarlet Blake & Commander Morgan Tarin & Petty Officer 3rd Class Jeysa Zeror

3,772 words; about a 19 minute read

Mission: Episode 18 - Cold Station 31
Location: USS Galileo-A - Deck 1, Conference Room
Timeline: MD 19, 0926 hrs

[ON]

Toren Vral's journey to the edges of the Pleiades Cluster could easily fill a volume of tales on its own. His departure from the USS Celestial's bustling lower decks was nothing short of legendary, as tales of heroism, hilarity, and a pinch of scandal (all within Starfleet regulations, of course) danced through the air. A pitstop on Earth had him sneaking up on his eldest at the Academy, dispensing fatherly advice interspersed with all too many anecdotes. Andoria's familiar embrace allowed for intimate evenings filled with whispered stories and laughter with his wife. The subsequent six-month stint on a supply ship felt like an extended yarn, one that Toren was more than eager to conclude.

Regula I, with its common deep space research station features – minimal defenses and a bustling hub of civilian scientists – was familiar territory. Toren had encountered, even liberated, stations like this before during the Dominion War.

Quickly settling his trusty kit bag in his temporary quarters, Toren took a moment to freshen up. As he adjusted his uniform, each crease and mark reminded him of adventures gone by. He had a good lay of the land, courtesy of his detailed briefing pack and some well-placed, discreet inquiries. As always, politics danced in the shadows, but Toren had danced this dance many a time. The true pulse of a ship? That was in its crew, and he was ready to lead the rhythm.

Reaching the conference room, his entrance was unmistakable. Toren paused, soaking in the ambiance, and slowly swept his gaze around, first landing on Tarin, then shifting to Blake. He stepped forward, standing to attention.

"Sir." He nodded to Tarin. "Sir." He nodded to Blake, then finally addressed Jeysa with a final nod. "Officer." He took a deep breath and announced in a crisp tone, "Master Chief Vral, at your service."

USS Galileo conference room on deck 1 was not a large and expansive room such as those found aboard the larger ships of the line. Nonetheless, it was a cozy and appropriately-sized administrative chamber larger than a personal office and capable of accommodating the entirety of the ship's officer corps when needed. A large wall-mounted LCARS screen adorned the interior-facing bulkhead while two windows on the opposite side presented a spatial view of the nearby stellar nursery and its colorful nebula. The large elongated briefing table possessed chairs for ten occupants but only a couple were currently occupied. A small trio of red-collared women were gathered around the far end discussing operational details. When the door hissed open and a blue-skinned Andorian entered, they ceased their private chatter.

The tall brown-haired commander with light freckles on her face lowered the PADD in her hand then gestured for the new arrival to join them. "You must be our new COB. I've been expecting your arrival, master chief," she greeted before turning to introduce her colleagues. "I'm Commander Tarin and this is Commander Blake and Petty Officer Zeror."

Blake sat back in her chair, looking him over and giving a nod as she was introduced by the Captain. It was good to finally be getting some more crew members to fill the gaps on the ship...however, it was starting to feel a little like a revolving door had been installed.

Jeysa quietly collected up the scattered Padds they had all been looking through as the older Andorian came towards the table. He bore the look of a well experienced time served man.

"Commander Tarin, Commander Blake, Petty Officer Zeror," Toren acknowledged each in turn, his voice steady and carrying the cool assurance of experience. "It's an honor to be here on the USS Galileo. I've heard commendable things about this crew."

He pulled out a chair and took a seat, placing his trusty ditty bag beside him. The bag, much like Toren himself, bore the marks of time - it had been a long suffering companion to his years of service. He unzipped it to retrieve a PADD containing his own notes and observations garnered thus far from the manifest, reports and logs he'd had access to during the long journey. His fingers danced over the screen, bringing up the ship's roster and recent entries.

His gaze then briefly flicked across the stars displayed through the windows before he spoke again. "The stars... they've got a way of reminding you of the bigger picture, eh?" he mused, more to himself than to others.

But then he quickly pivoted back to the matter at hand. "I poured over the reports on my way here. Each log entry seems to have its own tale of mettle and resolve. Quite the testament to the command and the spirit aboard the Galileo. I can tell there's a sturdy grit to this crew." He fixed his gaze on Tarin. "I'm here to offer my experience and to work alongside you as we navigate through whatever the stars have in store for us. The essence of a ship, after all, lies in the unity and resilience of its crew."

"I couldn't agree more." Tarin's thoughts drifted to the first sessions of morning PT she'd conducted with the ship's officer corps and the disdain some of them seemed to have for exercise and a regimented routine. Resilience, she nodded to herself. "There's still work to do on that front but," she glanced over to Blake with a slight raise of her eyebrows, "I believe we're making progress."

"This crew has always had strength in unity," Blake said softly to Toren, nodding at his sentiment. "We've had a number of crew changes recently though, it always takes a little while for the ship to settle again."

"Indeed. But right now, we don't have time to 'settle'," added the captain in her distinctive dry vocal tonality, briefly glancing back to her first officer before returning her attention to the COB. "We have a systems test in less than three hours and a large compliment of NCOs and junior enlisted who need professional guidance and oversight. Our department heads are busy enough with their own duties and they're not trained for non-com management like you are."

Acknowledging Commander Tarin's remarks with a knowing nod, Toren couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. "Ah, the age-old gap between the commissioned and the non-coms, like stars and void between them," he mused, his gaze carrying a glint of seasoned understanding.

He leaned forward, his arms resting on the table. "Commander, fret not. Bridging that gap is where I come to play. Before the systems test, I’ll get stuck in amongst the NCOs and the enlisted, getting a gauge of the field, so to speak. I'll ensure they're sharp as a Vulcan's ears, ready to show what the backbone of the Galileo is made of."

His fingers drummed a brief tune on the table. “Post-test, a thorough debrief will help me sort the wheat from the chaff. I'll identify where we shine and where we need a bit more elbow grease. Continuous improvement is the name of the game, and I plan to play it well.”

He sat back, steepling his fingers, a thoughtful expression drawing over his features. "Regular briefings with the department heads will keep the channels open, but it's down amongst the crew where the heart of the Galileo surely beats. A hands-on approach, that's my ticket. I'll ensure the camaraderie between the officers and the enlisted isn’t just a passing nod in the corridor, but a bond forged in the heart of duty."

Tarin raised her eyebrows slightly then briefly nodded to herself. "A 'hands-on' approach. Sounds ambitious. Your former captain on Celestial spoke very highly of you in your personnel file records. So...what's the secret? Daily PT to reinforce team-building?" She was only half-joking. Actually, not at all.

Toren leaned back with a little seasoned chuckle. "Daily PT? It's a good start, gets the heart racing and might earn you a shared groan or two," he mused, a slight rasp to his voice. "But if that's your sole strategy for team-building, you're only scratching the surface."

Thumping the table lightly for emphasis, a glint of mischief danced in his eyes. "Whether they've got their chest full of shiny medals or they're still finding their feet, everyone aboard this vessel has a part to play. It's about truly hearing them out – knowing when they shine and when they might falter, then steadying the course together."

With a conspiratorial tilt of his head, he added, "And a pinch of competition during exercises? Nothing like a bit of friendly rivalry to cement those bonds."

Drawing a deep breath, he focused intently on Tarin. "Above all, Commander, for me leadership isn't just about simply being at the front of the charge, or the top of the bill. It's about getting down in the trenches, understanding every soul under my watch. You've got to chat with 'em, pat 'em on the back when they do good, and give 'em a firm nudge when they're slacking. When they squint up at you and see not just a brass-collar bossing 'em about, but someone who'd stand shoulder to shoulder with 'em in the thick of it... that's when you've got yourself more than a gaggle of subordinates. You've got a real crew."

The senior commander listened to the proposition while absorbing the man's philosophy of leadership which was much different than her own. Tarin was an efficient administrator and a hard-nosed delegator - she held those beneath her in the chain of command accountable for their departments and subordinates, and usually didn't directly involve herself in their affairs unless a problem arose. In the few times that had been necessary, it usually entailed a heavy dose of verbal admonishment and corrective discipline to ensure such an issue didn't present itself again. Yet, she could see the merit in the COB's approach, and looked over to Blake with inquiring eyes. "What do you think, Number One?"

Blake looked at her for a moment...because Tarin was already aware of her thoughts on ship morale and discipline. And it didn't include hours of PT for people who should be concentrating their energy on their specialisms. She looked back to Toren, sitting back in her chair to rest her elbow against the top of it. "One of the upsides of having a smaller ship and crew is that people naturally become closer, regardless of rank. While efforts to strengthen that are important, I think it may not be as difficult a task here as it is on some other ships. One of the problems with a smaller crew is the pressure created by the workload being spread across fewer people. That's one of my big concerns for our crew."

Toren adjusted himself in the chair, the hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Commander Blake," he began with a hearty tone, "Smaller crew? More workload? Reminds me of those times when we had to make do with what we had, with just our wits and sheer grit."

He leaned forward, locking his eyes with Blake's. "Now, I've been on those floating cities they call starships with crews larger than some settlements. And you know what? Bigger isn’t always better. Just means more chances for misunderstandings, more room for things to fall between the cracks."

Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, he mused, "But this? This smaller crew? It's like a finely tuned instrument. And while it's easy to think that there's a bigger strain on each member, it also means that each note—each crew member—plays a more critical part in our symphony."

A glint of mischief appeared in his eyes. "So here's my thinking, Commander. We shouldn’t be doing any clichéd bonding exercises, but we shouldn't just be working our stations in isolation either. Cross-training, for instance? It's not just about skills but about understanding your mates and the roles they play. Imagine an engineer appreciating the delicate dance of astrometrics? Builds respect, that does. Helpful in a pinch too."

He chuckled lightly, "And as for sharing concerns, there's nothing quite like an open ear over a round of... approved beverages." Toren had heard about the Galileo's dry state already - not his favourite policy. "I've found a well-timed conversation during those moments to be just as revealing without the need for any... external influences."

Pausing for emphasis, he said, "At the end of the day, Commander, we're all here, flying through space in this small, yet grand ship. My aim? To ensure we're not just colleagues but comrades, each ready to have the other's back. Whether that involves a guiding word, a nudge in the right direction, or, when the time calls for it, a bit of bravado."

Blake watched him from where she leant back against her chair, rubbing the edge of her finger against her jaw, thoughtful even as a small smile of amusement teased at her lips. She wondered if that meant he was assuming that comradery didn't already exist on the ship. "My focus is on making sure that the workload is dealt with by maximising efficiency. Not by crew members suffering hardship for hardship's sake. I would like to think that we've moved past having to 'make do with what we have'. I want people to work smarter, not harder."

Toren gently rubbed his temples, absorbing Blake's words with a sage nod. "Ah, Commander, your words echo the ethos of Starfleet itself," he began, voice seasoned yet light, "Maximize efficiency and work smarter, not harder. It's the cornerstone upon which we've explored the stars, isn’t it? " Toren paused, his eyes drifting momentarily as if visualizing the vastness of space and the intricate dance of crew members aboard the ship. "In a crew this tight-knit, the harmonious interplay between roles is paramount. The difference between smooth sailing and chaos often hangs on such details. A misstep on one deck could easily spiral into a catastrophe in another."

His eyes flicked towards Commander Tarin momentarily, then back to Blake, his tone carrying an essence of strategic contemplation. "I envision a system where understanding and efficiency run hand in hand, where each crew member isn’t just proficient in their role but also comprehends the importance of their peers'. It's not about everyone doing everything but about everyone appreciating everything. A bit of cross-pollination between departments – ensuring the navigator knows a bit about the challenges of the engineering deck, or the science officer comprehends the subtleties of tactical – that could forge a deeper connection, don’t you think?"

"And may even broaden the horizons of crew members' individual ambitions," Blake smiled gently, nodding as she motioned to him with a nimble hand. "It's good to have a champion of morale and camaraderie aboard," she assured softly.

Toren gave a gracious nod of his head towards Blake, his antennae lightly bobbing. He was curious what the captain would make of it.

The taller red-collared commander cleared her throat after the sentimentality subsided. Her hazel eyes subtly narrowed ever-so-perceptibly at the first officer before focusing back to the COB. "Yes, well, I won't stand in your way if you want to pursue social and psychological improvements. After our last mission, the crew certainly needs it. But let me be crystal clear, master chief: the Pleiades Cluster isn't a place where we can afford to make mistakes through trial and error. There's no help out here for us if we fail to become self-sufficient. It would take the nearest starbase weeks to respond to a distress call. We're on our own until Command finishes deploying the rest of 1st Fleet to our operational area, which will take years at the current pace."

Tarin exhaled through her nose then glanced at the conference room's windows to the bright stellar nurseries beyond. "This is my first starship command but it isn't my first parisses match. I intend to run a tight ship and turn this crew into a formidable scientific force. I'll demand the best from everyone, at all times. That means each of us maintaining a healthy mind and a healthy body. Camaraderie and morale are important, but not more important than the jobs we do every minute of every hour." She open her palm to him, "Working smart and hard is essential; the two aren't mutually exclusive."

Scarlet sat back and crossed her legs, looking to her nails calmly, managing to somehow stop herself from rolling her eyes. She contented herself with pursing her lips just a touch. It kept her face straight.

Toren leaned back, a wry smile curling the corner of his lip, eyes flashing with something that could be mistaken for mischief. "Commander Tarin, you shoot straighter than a vintage bottle of Andorian Ale, and let me tell you, that's saying something," he began, the gleam in his eyes more pronounced than ever. "Now, I've tangoed with the cosmos more times than I care to admit, and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that space ain't a place for campfire songs and marshmallows. When I talk about camaraderie, I'm talking about a crew sharper than a Klingon's Bat'leth, meshing seamlessly like the cogs in a grand machine."

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a gritty, conspiratorial tone. "You want a tight ship, Commander? With all due respect, you're looking at a Master Chief who's tightened a few bolts in his time. We're on the same page: we'll work smart, we'll work damn hard, and we'll do it with a confidence that even Kirk might've envied."

Toren raised an eyebrow, finally reaching the end of his point. "Now, Commander, remember this: every parisses match has its champion, but it's the raucous chorus of the team that wins the day. My aim is to make sure Command is raising a toast to us, not shedding tears in their sythehol."

"You speak with conviction. I like that," the captain complimented to the Andorian. "It's good to know we share the same dedication to our duties. But," she looked over to the Trill yeoman in the room who'd remained silent throughout the conversation thus far, "I'm wondering what some of the other NCOs might think about this. Petty Officer Zeror? How will you feel operating under the master chief's guidance and new system?"

Jeysa looked up only slightly surprised she had been asked a question though she had paid attention to the entire conversation. "It will be good to have someone older and more experienced onboard, the majority of the crew are relatively young."

Toren chuckled softly, leaning back with a casual ease. "Age has its perks, but it's not the years, it's the mileage," his eyes twinkled a little as he spoke. "I've seen young crewmen make decisions that'd put seasoned officers to shame, and vice versa. What matters is the spirit, the drive. If Petty Officer Zeror believes my experience will benefit the crew, then it's my duty to ensure it does just that."

He gave a respectful nod in Jeysa's direction. "It's a team effort, and everyone brings something to the table. Whether it's youthful vigour or old-timer wisdom, the key is harnessing it all for the betterment of the ship and crew."

"Well the systems test we have scheduled for this afternoon would be an opportune moment to see the crew in action," Blake motioned to him before folding her arms to settle them on the edge of the desk. "To see how they work with each other."

Toren's antennae twitched with interest. "Ah, the dance of lights and consoles, the hum of the warp core, the waltz of a systems test. Nothing quite like it, is there? A symphony of technology and teamwork," he mused, leaning forward. "Commander, there's no better theatre for observation than when the ship's systems are pushed to their limits, and the crew is in full swing. It's in those moments you see the mettle of both ship and crew."

He tapped the table a few times then gave his uniform a quick adjustment. "If you don't mind, I might just swing by the bridge for that. It'll give me a first-hand look at how this great symphony performs."

Lightly shrugging at the suggestion, Tarin couldn't think of any initial objections to the new chief-of-the-boat's presence within the primary command center for the duration of the upcoming evolutions. "Fine by me. But you'd better stow your belongings first," she gestured to his small bag of belongings, "then take care of your medical in sickbay before the doctor gets too busy. I assume you have your transfer orders on your PADD?"

Toren's eyes followed Tarin's gesture to his bag, a wry smile forming on his lips. "Always prepared, Commander," he said, patting the PADD securely tucked into a pocket. Retrieving it with a flourish, he held it out towards Tarin. "Transfer orders, as requested." He grinned, "I'll ensure my belongings find their proper place and pay a visit to the good doctor. Before I set off, anything else you'd like me to know or handle?"

The captain accepted the slim silver device from the senior NCO then quickly scrolled through the entirety of the administrative document. Nothing appeared out of order, and so with a simple press of her thumb into the small signature section, she signed off on the transfer request. The PADD chirped with confirmation after which she handed it back to the Andorian. "Welcome aboard Galileo, master chief. That's all from me." For now. "Number One?"

Blake lifted a hand in a dismissive way, shaking her head lightly before looking back to Toren. All that was left was to put his methods to the test. "Nothing more from me."

Tarin glanced over to the blond Trill-spotted yeoman. "Petty officer? Any questions for your new supervisor?"

"I have nothing to add Captain." Jeysa said shaking her head slightly. "I can show the chief to his quarters if you wish?"

She nodded to her assistant then relaxed her hands at her waist. "See to it. Dismissed."

Toren gave a nod of gratitude to both the captain and the first officer. "Thank you for the warm welcome, Commander, Captain." He then turned to Jeysa, offering a faint smile. "Lead the way, Petty Officer."

[OFF]

--

CAPT Morgan Tarin
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo-A

PO3 Jeysa Zeror
Yeoman
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Mimi]

MCPO Toren Vral
Chief of the Boat
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Vala]

CMDR Scarlet Blake
First Officer
USS Galileo-A

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