More new Officers

Posted on 21 Feb 2024 @ 3:51pm by Lieutenant Commander Samantha Smithson SB51 & Lieutenant Karyn Somers & 2nd Lieutenant Sabrina 'Bri' Velazquez

1,885 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Orientation Posts
Location: Security Chiefs office SB51
Timeline: Current

[ON]

Today was the first day Karyn Somers was to do an Orientation briefing since she moved from Marines to Fleet, now a Full Lieutenant she sat at the security chief's desk with Commander Smithson sitting off to the side observing. While she waited she prepared everything for the new arrival, she looked at the service file.

"Wow a Second Lieutenant, not had one of those in an age, and she was born on Mars okay" Karyn said and heard a noise outside and looked up to see a Marine Officer enter and get directed to the office, the officer knocked the door "ENTER" Karyn said and in walked the new Officer.

Making her way inside, Sabrina's keen eye took in the occupants of the office, pleased inside that she had done some research. Across at the desk, she knew that Lieutenant Somers had been promoted to Security but had been a Marine earlier and that although Commander Smithson had not served in the Marines, the Commander had been through Starfleet Bomb Disposal training, which was quite impressive.

Stopping at a respectful distance, Sabrina snapped to attention, "Lieutenant, Commander, 2nd Lieutenant Sabrina Velazquez, reporting as a transfer to the USS Tomcat."

"At ease Lieutenant," Smithson said "I am Lieutenant Commander Samantha Smithson I run SB51 Alpha Shift and for this Orientation briefing Lieutenant Karyn Somers will be doing it, she has not long recently transferred from the Rifles herself, I am but an observer here," Smithson said and sat down.

Holding her hand out she invited the Rifle Officer to sit, while this was going on she too sat and pulled up other data as she composed herself "You have that lost look about you, but you will lose it in short order" Karyn said with a smile.

Sabrina shifted her pose as the other two women introduced and explained about the briefing, and walked over to the chair, slipping down into it. Grinning, she added, her hands shifting to her lap but not staying there as she continued, "I was a little unsure originally about what to expect here. So I thought it was best to be more formal first - a suggestion from one of my gunnies. This is my first duty station, but I've seen a lot in my life growing up in Mexico and on Mars. And I tend to be a bit exuberant."

Smithson remained silent but simply nodded.

"Interesting" Karyn said and leaned over and picked up a Crossbelt like the one she wore, "You will see some crew with these white bands around their shoulders" she said pointing to the white stripe she wore. "This signifies a Chosen Man, those few who have them have earned them, to my knowledge there are three fleet officers, the ship's Captain, First Officer and the former first Officer who now commands her ship in another Fleet. There are a few in the Rifle Ranks with them also, and you will need to wear this unless you end up working some shifts in engineering" Karyn said handing her the rifle Regiment Crossbelt "This is part of our uniform as Officers, any questions so far?" she added.

Nodding, Brina smiled, "Okay. I have heard of a few traditions like that. I don't have any questions, Lieutenant. From the info packet I was given, I saw that the Tomcat is going to be going into refit and will be temporarily seconded with some of the other crew."

*Nods* "Okay, I see from your service jacket that you have engineering training and are quite proficient in it, okay after we finish here you are to seek out Lieutenant Leland Hawksley the Tomcat's Chief Engineer, as you are a Rifle Officer, you will have to report to Rifle Captain Mazal Falk, your main Section is the Rifles, but considering how little they are used, it is good you can help in Engineering" Karyn Pauses as she pulls up another page.

"Okay, just updating your file and logging you into the Sector systems," she said as a Data Crystal popped out of the wall to her right making her jump "dammit, every damn time!" she exclaimed.

Smithson had to hide and stifle a laugh at the reaction.

Karyn picked up the Crystal and held it out to the Officer "This data Crystal holds your Tomcat Clearances on keep it safe, each crewmember gets one as the ship operates out on the fringes of Federation space" she said "Also, when I say keep it safe I do so because the Tomcat is currently undergoing a retrofit and slight redesign and the like but when the next mission starts you will be required to attend the mission briefing" Karyn said waiting for the Lieutenant to take the item she was holding out.

Smiling, the brunette reached out to take the crystal, rolling it in her hand without realizing that she did it, "Thank you. I will go talk to both of them. It's a neat idea about the crystals, and I can see that it would work. Are there any extra protocols that I need to know if there is a boarding incident and intruders get their hands on them?"

She then added, "Yep, I know about the redesign specs and such. My mother, Joselyn Velazquez, works at Utopia Planitia as a starship designer, and mentioned that she has been working on it."

"Yes, I hear some of the hull shape designs came from there and the updated key systems, but if I know Commander Sharpe and I do, then those functions will be enhanced and the ship Chief Engineer will enhance other areas of the new systems," Karyn said and cleared her throat as the next item was ready, she picked it up and held it out.

"This is your Tomcat ID Card when not in engineering or Physical Training with the Rifles it is to be worn outside on your uniform when in engineering you can put it in an inside pocket, but it must be kept on your person even if you go out around the Starbase or the ship, the only times you leave it in a secure place is Rifle Physical training and when on an Away Missions, lets just say they are unique in more ways than one thinks," Somers said holding the card out.

Sabrina nodded, took the card, and attached it to her uniform, "Okay and understood. Yeah, that would be a good idea about an inside pocket. Sometimes, we need to shimmy through some rather tight spaces. Yoga is a good hobby for engineers. I excelled in my special operations training and came up with some awe-inspiring ways to conceal items, according to my Gunny."

*gives a strange look* "Okay now to the final things before you will be required to ask questions" Karyn said "After finishing here you will report to Rifle Captain Mazal Falk the ship MCO and then to Lieutenant Hawksley, does not matter who first as long as you report into the both of them, now for the final item" she added as the wall to her right dispensed a Red strip of paper with black writing on, Karyn removed it and held it out to the Lieutenant.

"This Lieutenant is a one-use code, all new members are issued with one, what it does is lock out any hostile visitors that manage to board the ship. Should all other Senior Officers and junior officers be incapacitated? In short, it will lock the computer down and set the ship on automatic pilot to this Starbase and should the enemies break into the system the code will also wipe the ship database, as to why the ship operates in a hot zone and the ship carries secured information on ship deployment places out in the sticks" she paused.

"Read and memorize the code then destroy the piece of paper, hopefully, you will not need it, any questions ask now while you can, about the ship or the temporary one the next mission will be used for," Karyn said.

Sabrina listened to the idea behind the codes and could understand the seriousness of the reasons behind it. Taking the piece of paper, she read through it and realized that it could fit into a musical scale. She had always found that was an excellent memorization technique.

After a few moments, she nodded, "Okay. I don't have any questions, Lieutenant."

As she spoke, she thought about what she could do to destroy it. It seemed like it was made of normal cellulose, so, shrugging, Sabrina popped it into her mouth and began chewing.

Karyn looked at the woman with a blank face and raised an eyebrow, she heard Sam in the back trying not to laugh, she looked back and gave the Commander the Somers look and SMmithson sobered and controlled herself. Karyn turned back to the officer "I hope you memorized that before you ate it as there is not another copy?" She asked.

Sabrina nodded, "Yes, I have. I noticed that it had a melodic pattern, and turned it into a bit of a tune in my head. I've always found that I have a very good talent for that and do regularly singing performances."

"Indeed," Karyn said "Okay, after you leave here go secure yourself a Starbase-side quarter as you will not be able to take much onto the ship, then report to Rifle Captain Mazal Falk and Lieutenant Leland Hawksley, does not matter which order, it must be done, also that cross belt I gave you it should be on before you leave this office. Now I strongly suggest if you have any questions you ask them now" Somers said.

Brina grinned, "My wife, Matilda Stone, is staying at the Starbase until we get back and will be looking after my puppy & stuff. After that, she will be taking over as a civilian lounge manager on the Tomcat."

*Karyn raised an eyebrow as she checked the woman's file* "Okay that appointment you will need to speak to Fleet Captain Somers, currently though the Tomcat is in the upgrade so for the next mission you will be on a Sovereign Class, but as you do not have any questions for me it seems you are dismissed, remember to seek out your Department Heads and listen out for the recall to duty, if there is nothing further you are dismissed" Karyn said as she stood and held out her hand "welcome to the Mira Sector" she said with a smile.

Sabrina nodded, standing and shaking Karyn's hand, "Thank you, Lieutenant, Commander." Turning, Sabrina left the office and headed off to book appointments with the next two staff she had to see.

With that Karyn watched the Lieutenant leave the room when she was in the outer office "You know Sam if she were not married I would make a play for her" she said and Smithson simply smiled.

[OFF]

 

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