Freezing Fire

Posted on 21 Feb 2025 @ 12:59am by Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Lieutenant JG Bellona Juventus
Edited on on 21 Feb 2025 @ 1:22am

1,189 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 21 - Helix
Location: USS Galileo-A - Deck 2, Executive Officer's Office
Timeline: MD 01, 0940 hrs

[ON]

Bellona strode down the hall in quick, professional strides, drawing the attention of a group of maintenance crew as she passed them in silence. Rightfully so; she wasn't familiar to them, nor would she have been until two hours ago. Her transfer orders had directed her to present herself to the First Officer at her earliest convenience; she'd decided to waste as little time as possible between her arrival and said reporting by consuming a light meal in her quarters (because, somehow, shuttles don't always come with replicators) and a glass of water before doing so. She hadn't eaten before the long shuttle ride here, and it'd do her no good to collapse in front of the XO like a ragdoll.

Eventually, though, she reached the correct room, marked by the number on the door, and pressed the doorbell before proceeding to wait patiently outside.

"Please enter," Allyndra looked up from the desk which she still wasn't used to. She missed the cozy little one in the sickbay. "All things change she muttered to herself."

The door swept open and revealed the security person. "Ah Lieutenant Juventus, please come in." Allyndra stood. She didn't like to meet people without being on equal terms.

Bellona straightened up immediately and strode into the office to stand before the first officer sharply at attention, soldierlike and almost painfully clean in bearing. Again, first impressions were of paramount importance always.

"Lieutenant junior grade Bellona Aurelia Juventus reporting as directed, ma'am." She stated, plainly, holding out her PADD with her transfer orders and notice of appointment as assistant head of department on screen.

Allyndra stood herself. She reached for the PaDD but tossed it on the desk. "Please, at ease, and take a seat. Oh there is a replicator if you would like something." Allyndra waved a hand at the machine in the corner. "I have decided on the same policy I had when I was the chief medical officer. I want to get to know the people I am going to serve with. I am Allyndra illm Warraquim. I am Akkadian. There aren't many of us in the service, probably a handful. Probably the biggest question that most people have when they see these." She spread the long thing, gossamer dragonfly-like wings. "Are they functional? Yes, they are. One of my favourite hobbies is what we call on my planet water dancing. We use our wings to hover just above the ocean and dance with our feet just touching the water." Allyndra folded the wings and took her seat. "And now you."

Sit Bellona did, albeit stiffly, and straight-backed against the chair like she were attending an interview for a very prestigious job elsewhere, hands folded neatly on her lap. She observed in silence, attentive and unblinking, as the first officer unfurled her wings, iridescent and soft as silk. Of the many, many, many species Bellona had encountered in her service thus far the Akkadian was not one of them - a humbling lesson that as much as she thought she knew about the universe she lived in, there was far more to it (especially in her domain of expertise) than she could possibly ever learn in her lifetime.

Now, though, the ball was in her court. "I am Bellona Aurelia Juventus. I hail from the world of Magna Roma, otherwise known as 892-IV. We evolved parallel to the ancient Roman humans of Earth; the Gods of Olympus make up a great deal of our beliefs even today." Bellona decided not to mention that she had been named after one - a goddess of war, fierce and decisive in battle. Bellona had never thought too hard about her own name and the implications that followed, but she could only hope that she had proven herself worthy to carry Her name, if not throughout her life, then through her career in Starfleet.

"I was a gladiator by profession before leaving in search of a more just, more meaningful life, which Starfleet has thus far given me. I believe that is it a blessing of our Gods that I was given the opportunity to serve the Federation in all the ways that I have thus far, and will till I am no longer able. For that I have pledged to give all my heart, soul and person to my service; for a Gods given opportunity to reinvent oneself there can be no equivalent price in any currency."

This was a conversation, however, not merely a question-and-answer, and so Bellona continued, "I am eager to put what I have learned and experienced to use in leading my department henceforth. I'd like to begin as soon as possible." That was Bellona. She'd never been very good at the get-to-know-yous; she'd more or less always been all work and a barely existent smidgeon of play (and even then, one could scarcely call what she did in her off-duty time play) - it wasn't surprising that she wanted to put herself to work straightaway, perhaps.

"I am sure you will." Allyndra could see the slight tension and the way Bellona sat stiffly. She knew she was uncomfortable. So she switched tacks. "Is there anything that you need to know from me, or about the ship? We are different in that primarily we are a science vessel not a patrol ship, though we have been in battles."

Bellona was hardly uncomfortable; far from it in fact. It was merely a her thing to be serious and at the ready at all times - occasionally to her own detriment. Nonetheless, she wasn't here to guess about things like that.

"I would like to know how ready the crew is when it comes to their exigency protocols." Bellona stated plainly. "As you have mentioned, the Galileo is a science vessel. Ergo, it will be more vulnerable to attack, boarding worse still. I would like to begin drills as soon as possible; immediately after this meeting would be best."

"Draw up a plan and present it to me, and we can go from there. We're due to a new science assignment shortly and personnel will have to be doing their jobs." Allyndra nodded. "If there is nothing else, then welcome to the Galileo, lieutenant."

"Thank you, Commander. I will not let you or anyone else in this crew down. This I swear; may the Gods bear witness." Bellona rose to her feet and waited to be dismissed, the picture of military discipline. That would probably have been haughty to hear from anyone else, and possibly quite concerning, too; but Bellona knew very well that she was capable of performing to standards she believed the Olympians would see as worthy.

Allyndra managed only a small smile. She knew the new security person was trying, but it was almost over the top. It wouldn't do well to discourage that - yet. "Very good. Dismissed."

Bellona nodded stiffly and departed the office in silence.

[OFF]

--

Lieutenant JG Bellona Juventus
Deputy Security Officer
USS Galileo-A

Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim
Executive Officer
USS Galileo-A

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