Fontana continued on his mission to meet each department head as quickly as he could before they reached the system. He was making progress, but it wasn’t the way he wanted.  He’d have preferred a lazy day in the docks working with each of them in groups.  There was a chance for the team to grow together a little more.  They had to do everything quickly with little care for the details.  It was the best they could do.  He rounded a corner and nearly collided with someone.  “Sorry…”  he recognized her face from his files.  “Lieutenant Kazansky, I was just coming to see you.”

Lieutenant Taylor Kazansky was still settling into her new role as Chief Security and Tactical Officer aboard the USS Valkyrie. It was a step up in her career, particularly running her own department and serving aboard a Sovereign-class starship. These were the kinds of ships that were sent to take care of things when Starfleet’s backs were up against the wall, and the other ships didn’t know where to turn. As such, she knew that things were going to be moving fast and that there might not be the time to adapt that she was used to on more sedate postings. 

Colliding with Geronimo Fontana, who was even newer to the ship than she was, was a bit mortifying. One did not want to start off with a new commanding officer by basically body-checking them like they were your opponent in an old Earth ice hockey match. 

“Well, it’s ah… good you ran into me,” Kazansky said, doing her best not to be too cute with the wordplay.

Geronimo picked up his PADD and chuckled, “I see what you did there, Lieutenant Kazansky; I like it.”  He glanced around the corridor, “There’s a conference room just there – let’s step into an office at least.”

Kazansky fell in line, following the CO into the conference room.

He slipped into the center chair and offered the chair on the corner of the long table, “I’m sure it’s been a warp speed whirlwind getting onboard and getting your hands around your new department.”  He slid over the PADD, “I feel you’re going to be busy the moment we arrive.  The two planets are being held under the treaty by a thin paper that they would both happily light on fire.”  He added as she read, “We’ve got a small Federation station in the area to help us, but there’s going to be a lot of moving parts.  That’s where you and your team come in,”

“I understand, sir,” she said, nodding, then clearing her throat. Kazansky pointed out, “As you likely know, I’ve just joined the ship. I’m not familiar with my whole team yet. I assure you we’ll do our part. I just wanted to let you know that I don’t yet know all their competencies. Is there anything else you’d be needing from security on this?”

Fontana shrugged with concern, “We know that things are tense, and plenty of things are being said and muttered about…but details are light.  You’re going to be busy making sure our teams are safe, but you’re also going to have to make sure your officers are aware of how much we have to keep away from showing deference to either side of this conflict.  They might get to thinking having a Sovereign-class starship would be a good ally in this thing.  We’re going to be feeling and listening our way through this thing.  Not my preference…but we’re in it.”  He turned the question back, “What can I do for you?”

Kazansky nodded, not quite sure how to respond to having the question turned back on her. She was used to a more formal type of command structure the ‘do as I say and ask how high when I tell you to jump’ sort.  She wanted to have something intelligent to say but couldn’t think of anything, “I don’t believe there’s anything at this time. Obviously as the situation evolves I’ll may have more needs… requirements I mean.”

She nodded, hoping that sounded like she was on the ball.

Fontana understood.  They were all getting thrown into the mix without much time to grasp anything.  He tapped at his PADD, “I have to ask – before you followed down the security path, you were a pilot – what changed your mind?  I’ve known my share of pilots and flight control officers…it’s hard to shake that urge to get behind the console.”  He said it with a smile, hoping she felt he was being less interrogational and more interested in her as a part of his senior staff.

Kazansky shrugged, “Most of my career has been in security. Everyone wants to fly and to be the next Tom Paris or Neil Armstrong. Security offered more career growth. I passed my flight courses but I haven’t flown in a long time sir. I wouldn’t throw it to me unless there was no other option.”

She assumed he had pilots out of the wazoo.

He stood, “I’ll keep that in mind, Lieutenant.  I’ll leave you to it.”  He headed out the door, a small smile on his face.  Once a pilot, always a pilot.