Meeting the Boss

Posted on Tue Jun 18th, 2024 @ 12:32pm by Lieutenant Commander Daniel Masters & Commander Scarlet Blake

1,336 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: To Boldly Go
Location: Mars Station - Blake's Temporary Quarters
Timeline: Day 1 - before the crew board the Fenrir

ON:

Blake glanced to the time from her place behind her desk. Well, her temporary desk at least. It was easier to use an office on the station until all crew were allowed on the Fenrir. She'd not spent long on Mars station before, but she was finding she liked the hustle and bustle of one of the prime Starfleet stations in the area. She sat back, closing down the file she was working on. Her new Chief of Security was due any minute and she needed the time to grab a coffee first. Literally *needed*.

With several ships under construction and several all but completed there were several crews all competing for offices for their senior officers and it had taken a little while to track down the office of the Captain of the USS Fenrir but now Lt Commander Daniel Masters stood outside the officer of his new Co. Tapping the chime he waited to be called in.

Blake glanced to the time again as the coffee appeared in the replicator. Perfect timing. "Come in," she called, catching a hold of the steaming cup and settling back at her desk.

Heading in Daniel stepped up to the desk where slender black haired woman sat. "Commander Blake, Lt Command Masters. Reporting for duty." He said as he came to a perfect attention.

Blake watched with approval for a moment. As an ex-marine, her own posture often defaulted to a similar rigid stance. "Come and take a seat, 'Commander," she motioned to the chair opposite her. "Where did you come from to get here?" she asked, wondering if he'd had an arduous journey to get back to Sol in time.

"I was lucky," Daniel stood easy and headed for the chair. "my last ship the Broadsword was passing quite close to earth on its way to Vulcan so Captain Riggs kicked me out in a shuttle less about half a a light year away, few days by myself in a shuttle was a nice break from hunting pirates and smugglers."

Blake gave a soft, barely perceptible chuckle at the picture he painted, shaking her head lightly. "Was that your most usual line of work on the Broadsword?"

"Yes, along with mostly border patrol assignments, Saber's may be small but they pack a great punch against anything your average pirate can get their hands on." Daniel replied. "Not a lot of fun for your science types but just fine for me."

Humour glinted in Scarlet's eyes at the words, imagining that he wasn't wrong on either claim in that statement. "The Fenrir is being sent out on a mission of exploration and diplomacy. How do you feel about that?"

"It will be a nice change of pace." Daniel replied. "A chance to catch up on my reading... and do a lot of crew training."

Blake watched him for just a moment before finally nodding. She had been concerned that he might find it hard to switch gears, but she believed him. "What kind of training did you have in mind?" she asked, her tone holding approval.

"The usual stuff. Physical training, weapons training, team building, some whole ship tactical drills if you'll permit that. The ship is new, the crew will be a mix of new and old. They'll all need putting through their paces." Daniel told her, he'd not yet thought up a regimen but he couldn't start anything without the boss' permission.

"Granted," Blake replied easily, with a firm nod for good measure. "I'd ask you to liaise with the First Officer, Commander Hanlon, on any shipwide drills, but I'd like you to make them happen sooner rather than later," she assured. For the ex-marine, regardless of whether this was a mission of peace, ship wide security drills were as essential as ship wide systems tests.

"Aye Sir, I haven't met the Commander yet but I'm sure I'll find the time." Daniel let out a small smile glad Scarlet had agreed with his idea's.

Blake nodded, watching him for a long moment as she decided if it was time to bring it up yet. "I...understand that you saw heavy combat during the war," she opened with a soft tone, letting him take it in whichever direction he wished from there.

"I certainly did, 2nd battle of betazed, space and ground combat at Chin'toka and the invasion of Cardassia." Daniel answered, his voice showed off his pride at having done it but it wasn't boastful. "Plenty of it, didn't come out of all of it on the winning side."

Blake nodded firmly at the list, appreciating the candour. Those were some tough battles he'd been caught up in. "We're lucky to have that experience aboard," she replied honestly. She was reassured though, at his being comfortable talking about it.

"I only got that early experience because several hundred cadets were graduated from the academy almost a whole year early, Starfleet was getting its arse handed to it and they needed more people. I'd have missed the war entirely if I'd stayed for my senior year." Daniel said, even now sixteen years later he was undecided if his early departure had been a blessing or a curse.

Scarlet watched him carefully, the ex-counsellor sensing the slight uncertainty in the way he spoke. "Clearly, they needed you," she replied honestly. "And you answered the call," and that meant a lot. On a personal level, having veterans around could make things uncomfortable, considering her upbringing in the Maquis. But she was glad to have this one onboard. He seemed...sturdy. Dependable.

"And was lucky enough to come out of it almost completely intact." Daniel said before quickly adding. "Nothing bad enough to affect my capabilities." Just in case she thought he was too injured to do his job.

She wasn't worried though, on the contrary, she was reassured by the open way he spoke about it. "Is there anything you'd like to ask me?"

"Do you know where our primary area of operations will be yet?" Daniel asked, always thinking of the potential dangers he wanted to contact fleet intel for the latest on whoever's space they'd be operating near.

Scarlet hated having to shake her head to such an obvious question, but she also wasn't one for bluster and half truths either. "I'm afraid not. Trust me, I'm as eager to know as you are. Right now, I don't know what waits for us beyond the Fleet Yards."

Daniel nodded in understanding. "And I assume as this meeting is taking place on the station the Fenrir isn't quite ready for us yet?"

Blake clicked her fingers lightly as she realised she'd neglected to spell out the timeline for him, sighing as she shook her head at herself. "You'd be right. They're currently finishing off some of the refit. We'll all be able to board in three days. We'll then have a week and a half to make sure she's space worthy before setting off."

"Plenty of time for the crew to get to know each other and the ship before we head out to parts unknown." Daniel remarked.

"And I have no doubt you will be helpful in putting both through their paces," Blake replied with a small but knowing smile. "If there's nothing else, you're free to go. Take the time to enjoy the station and Mars before we board, we don't know when our next chance for respite will be."

"I will try." Daniel said and stood up. "Has been a while since I have been here." He came to attention for a few moments before turning and heading out the door.

Blake watched the door close behind him with a sense of approval. She had no doubt his experience during the war was a double edged sword, but she had the feeling he was able to channel it to his needs. It would make him a most excellent asset.

OFF:

LTcmdr Daniel Masters
Chief sec/tac Officer

Commander Scarlet Blake
Commanding Officer

 

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