Welcoming The Newbies

Posted on Mon Dec 12th, 2022 @ 11:24am by Captain Patrick Dow & Lieutenant Commander Rann & Lieutenant Nick Archer & Lieutenant JG Harry Voight & Lieutenant JG Dayne Lux & Lieutenant JG Charlotte Dawes & Lieutenant JG Vashir & Lieutenant K’lar

1,816 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 113 - No One Left Behind
Location: Starbase 400, Ops
Timeline: MD3 - 0830hrs

ON:

Dow had arrived in Ops early...as the yawn he was letting out indicated. He glanced at a PADD he was holding that listed several new crew members that were due to arrive.

"Status?" Dow asked, concerned.

"The Pasadena is in parking orbit. Transport of supplies is complete and they're preparing to beam over crew replacements now." Archer reported from the Operations station. "They are easing closer, but still within path."

Dow watched the viewer as the California class ship hovered near Starbase 400.

"Transport complete, and they are breaking orbit." Archer said after a moment.

Dow let out a breath. "Commander Rann, have Voight, Vashir, Lux, K'lar and Dawes report to Ops."

The Bolian at the Intel position nodded has he sent the comm.

"They're clear of the inner marker and continuing to move off." Archer reported with a smile.

"At least this one didn't nudge the station." Rann replied.

Dow smirked. 'Those Cali class ships...' he thought as he shook his head.


Transporter Room

Nurse Charlotte Dawes materialized alongside the four other officers who were new to the station. She had heard the new operations officer mention that he was El-Aurian. Charlotte made a mental note to study El-Aurian physiology so she would have the background in case of a medical emergency. She never imagined to be serving alongside one - she had always been fascinated by the species' longevity.

Lt. Harry Voight stepped off the transporter pad on Starbase 400 along with the other crew replacements. He couldn’t help but think about his wife, Sarah, and daughters Mackenzie and McKayla. They had beamed over before him and he was a little anxious about how they would adjust to their new environment. Sarah was a great mom and his girls were also strong and smart. Kids are kids, he thought , and they would adapt quickly. There were plenty of civilians on the station and his family would make friends and connections soon enough.

Meanwhile, Voight started making conversation with 2 lieutenants, Head Nurse Charlotte Dawes and Science Officer Vashir. Vashir was one of the few Orions in Starfleet. A lanky klingon in a tight fitting science officer’s uniform followed close behind the group.

On the lift en route to Ops, Voight turned to his two new acquaintances, “I’ve served on a Starbase before, but nothing like this. It looks spectacular and state of the art. I’m looking forward to getting started. Where we’re you both posted previously?”

"The Nautilus," Charlotte responded casually, adjusting the small bag she carried over her shoulder. "What about everyone else?" she asked, looking back at Voight, but also at K'lar, Vashir and Lux. Dawes was intrigued by the Klingon science officer. 'I'm sure he has an interesting story,' she thought to herself.

"Merrimac," Vashir responded with a bright smile. She was feeling eager about meeting her new commanding officers, and her energy filled the turbolift as she shifted her weight around and smiled at her new colleagues. "I'm the new Assistant Chief Science Officer. This will be my first leadership role. I'm pretty excited." Vashir turned turned to Lux to wait for his response.

“And I will be at your disposal”, said the gruff-voiced Klingon to the Orion woman. K’lar stepped off his transporter pad alongside the others. He was relatively fair-skinned with goldfish-brown hair. K’lar was waiting to answer the previous question but had to address the assistant chief of the department. “My focus includes xenobiology, especially dealing with genetics.” The tall Klingon bowed his head to the group. “I hope to keep learning from science and medical staff alike.” His rough voice was heavy, yet clear as it audibly cut through the air.

K’lar had been refining his general research and analysis skills as a science officer in his years since transferring from the Klingon Defense Force. K’lar grew up studying alongside relatives who ran biological projects bordering on eugenics. He lived a ‘warrior first-scientist in shadows’ lifestyle until Starfleet presented a new opportunity. He’d felt anxious about this posting due to the sheer amount of prominent Klingons on this station. At times he felt self conscious about his uniform. There was already something comforting about this group however.

Nurse Dawes smiled at the Klingon. "I have some ongoing research you may be interested in. Come see me in a week or two, and I'll fill you in," Charlotte said. After a short, yet awkward pause she added, "If you like."

“Would not miss it”, replied the curious Klingon with a curt bow and smile.

“Does any of your research involve 10 yr old twin girls?,” joked Voight.
“This transfer was a little….trying for them. It’s nice knowing that I can be here for them, along with their mom.”

Lieutenant JG Dayne Lux walked behind his fellow officers. Like usual, he stayed at the back of the group and waited to be noticed. Despite his young physique, he tried not to show up anyone with his years of experience. Mostly, he just listened.

“USS Vancouver,” he said when asked where he had come from. “They needed an operations officer and I had gradu—“

Everyone stopped to look at him.

“I’m sorry. Did I interrupt someone?,” he asked, looking up from his PADD. He had arrived late aboard the Starbase. Between reading the orientation file and two cups of dark roast Rigelian coffee, he had been awake for almost forty-eight hours.

"Of course not, we were just listening to your response," Vashir said encouragingly. "Go on then... Were you going to tell us more about the Vancouver?"

Lux was saved from having to answer further, as the turbolift doors opened to reveal that the crew had arrived at Ops.

Vashir scanned the busy command center looking for Captain Dow, but she wasn't quite sure she remembered what he looked like.

K’lar looked around the large facility. There was still so much to see on board this station. There were so many people to meet and things to do.

Dow stepped forward as several new faces exited the turbolift. "Welcome aboard Starbase 400. I'm Captain Dow, Kaleb IV's Starfleet Liaison Officer and acting CO of the Station while Fleet Admiral Bremer, Admiral T'Lar, and the rest of the Senior Staff is away. Welcome aboard. Quarters have already been assigned to you all. Anyone have any questions?"

K’lar stepped forward. “Sir.. Er.. How does one make themselves available for extra details like away missions or security taskings here?” The Klingon science officer spoke in a scratchy voice. He seemed clearly desperate to try talking his way onto some kind of security watch team. K’lar hoped to at least get onto the away team rotation.

Dow smirked, he'd asked that same question once upon a time. "Don't worry Lieutenant, you'll be on plenty of away missions aboard Starbase 400. And sometimes, the fun even comes to us."

Vashir patiently waited for the Captain to answer her new colleague's questions. She was also eager to get to work, and was hoping the duty roster would have assigned to something straight away.

Dow took another look around at the new faces, "For now, take a look around Ops. You'll all get your turn working in here." Dow paused, then smile, "How familiar are you all with the Earth holiday of Christmas?"

K'lar was quick to respond in an inquisitive tone. "Is that the holiday with Krampus?" The earnestness in his query made it appear as if this was truly all the Klingon had remembered about the holiday.

Dow smirked, 'A Klingon would think of him first' he thought. "Yes, he's one of the 'people' associated with Christmas, but we're not planning to eat any unruly children or steal their toys. Anyone else?"

Vashir smiled, "My family loves Christmas. They do a lot of business around then." She noticed a few inquisitive looks. "They produce and sell a lot of wine and ale," she added with a shy smile and a tiny shrug.

Vashir looked at the Captain. "Do you know when I'll get to meet the Chief Science Officer? Not to be the overly nerdy one here, but I am pretty anxious to get to work," she asked enthusiastically.

"They should be back soon. Tomorrow hopefully. I'll let Commander Coleman know you want a meeting when he returns." Dow replied.

K'lar looked up nervously at first. He soon felt a sense of pride in his pursuits. "I too hope to see the labs", he admitted quietly while rubbing the back of his Klingon skull. The Klingon saw Lt. JG Vashir's dedication to her job at that moment as honorable. It motivated him to stay focused on his studies.

Dawes just smiled professionally and gave a curt nod to the Captain, indicating she didn't have any questions. She had done a cursory walk through after the captain had given them permission to look around. She'd been quietly taking in the layout of Ops. She had memorized the spec -- a good thing for a trauma nurse to do. If there were a medical emergency, she needed to know how to navigate the station and get to crucial places on the base. She was internalizing quick routes to reach a potentially injured patient, and taking note of how the current crew was positioned as they manned their stationed. She was ready for this.

"No sir, no questions," she responded.

Voight just stood there with his mouth open in awe of the entire Ops deck. Despite his years of Starfleet service, he was amazed at the technological advancement, especially in a station of this size. He was looking forward to getting to know his new colleagues and make some new friends.

“No questions, sir, just happy to be here and get started,” Voight said.

K'lar had been eyeing a button on a nearby panel marked 'Initiate Diagnostic'. He figured there would be no harm in seeing what that would do. His bronze Klingon finger sheepishly tapped the panel only to trigger awkwardly loud beeping. The panel flashed bright colors which illuminated off K'lar's shiny face. He subconsciously snapped his body to the position of attention and hoped nobody noticed.

"Alright, once you settle into your quarters feel free to take a tour of the Station, see your duty areas, then head down to the Promenade. It might look a little, different. We're a full go for the Holiday Season. So you might see holographic decorations and snow, music playing, actors dressed up as Santa Claus among others. The Churches and Synagogues will have displays. Many of the businesses will also have displays. And, I think a version of Krampus is roaming around the Klingon shops and restaurant too...he's kind of a cross between a Klingon and Krampus. So, in other words, enjoy yourselves." Dow said with a smile. "Dismissed."


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