Captain Nassar had just about finished reading the latest report on the last mission they had completed, and she was satisfied with her crew’s performance. Considering the fact that they had first faced hallucinations and then a crime lord of questionable alignment, most of them were doing fine, albeit with support from their counsellors. In a few days, she would make time to celebrate people’s achievements.
Saffiya smiled as she reached for her cup of coffee, and reclined in her chair, savouring the moment of peace and quiet, as if knowing it wouldn’t last.
A moment later, the doorbell chimed, marking the arrival of her next appointment.

“Come in.”, she said, sat down her coffee, and turned her attention to the door.

Flint felt the door breeze against his face when it opened and was greeted with the calming scent of an office. He popped his head inside to greet his new captain, hoping he would make a good first impression this time around.

His previous post didn’t start too well, nervous behaviour and tension kicked in for his first few weeks on the USS Callisto, the team over there was on point and where he was fresh out of the academy it threw him a little bit, too the near decision of him possibly walking away from his choices early doors.

“Captain Nassar, Flint Locke reporting for duty” he said with a smile, adjusting his uniform straight.

“Welcome to the Valkyrie.”, Saffiya nodded. “I hope your journey here wasn’t unpleasant? I’v been informed there was an ion storm that had several shuttles delayed.”

She gestured for Flint to sit, and extended her had to retrieve the PADD he was carrying. She glanced over the transfer orders, and nodded to herself.

Flint stepped in and made way for the chair presented to him, he had noticed how the room was spotlessly clean and everything seemed to have a certain symmetry to every item placement.

Sitting himself down, he was unsure how to make eye contact with his new captain. These sorts of situations always took him time to adjust to, and his way of reading body language also took some time to kick in.

Flint was eager to get going here, the past few years had been a struggle with everything that had gone on in his life, he was used to structuring his behaviour, sure, but his goal in his pursuit of a fresh career path had taken a tumble with the recent news of his parents.

Finally trying not to leave a gap between the vocals he broke too long…

“Thank you for allowing me to join your crew” he said with intrigue in his tone.

The Captain offered a reassuring smile. “We are lucky to have you. Our Chief Engineer was recently transferred to another vessel, and it is a great opportunity to witness such a department being rebuilt after a change of leadership.”

Flint was happy to be entering a time with a reset, he usually ends up somewhere where it’s in full flow and usually ends up getting lost within the crowd, and dismissed.

“Since we are currently on shore leave, I don’t expect you to jump into action right away. It’s important to me that you familiarise yourself with your department, and the ship as a whole.”, she paused, considering. “Your first stop would be a room assignment with Commander Frisco, our First Officer. After that, I suppose a medical check-in is prudent, and then meeting your department head – which, as I mentioned, has recently transferred. You will be working with Lieutenant Morishita.”

Flint shifted in his seat with a nervous bite in his move, he had heard of the Lieutenant in his previous posting, he was also aware that she served on the USS Kongo, somehow managing to keep a ship that was falling on its knees, running.

”Thank you captain, I’m looking forward to meeting everyone…” he said

“Was there anything on the horizon for our next missing that we know of?”

He always liked to be ahead of the game when it came to his next step, keeping his feet pointing in the right direction was something he was accustomed to.

“We actually haven’t received orders yet.”, Nassar explained. “And my hope is that we will have some much-needed time for reviewing security protocols and pending updates. But you know how it is – we could be on our way again tomorrow.”

Flint was accustomed to the fleet life, he always knew that every moment he could be thrown into any situation that needed his skillset.

He nodded with a smile towards the Captain.

“I guess we’ll have to see.”, Nassar laughed. “Ensign, it was good meeting you. I’m looking forward to working together.”

Flint adjusted his outfit and stood up, taking one last look around the Captains office he prepared himself to leave her company.

“Thank-you Captain, it’s a pleasure to be here” he said

Turning around he headed for the door, he could already see she was head back in reports.

Approaching the door, it hissed and opened, Flint made his exit onwards to his entry check-ins.