Location: USS Oakland, Bridge

Isabel walked on to the bridge of the USS Oakland, a California class starship. She was officially classified as a utility light Cruiser. She is a stable workhorse of the fleet. In a strong Irish accent, Isabel said. “You sure are a beaut.” And she took a look around the bridge, and then over at her chair. The first officer’s chair. There was a three chair configuration for the bridge of the ship. It seems like the newer starships were going back to the three bridge design even though the ship was from the 80s, he was one of the few ships that supported a chair bridge design for a ship its size.

Isabel walked over to the first officer’s chair, she put her hand over the backside of it. She could tell that the Corps of Engineers have been up on the bridge, because she could smell the cleaning solution products that they applied towards the vessel. Her previous career had just disembarked, and she was now sitting in Starbase Bravo getting ready to be re-crewed.

Byron felt a surge of …not pride…he wasn’t exactly certain what word would adequately convey how he was feeling at having command of the USS Oakland. Perhaps it was a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of elation that command had given him this command.

He walked to the turbolift and walked on, waiting a bit impatiently, while it reached the bridge. As he walked off, he saw a woman, whom he recognized as his executive officer, standing by the first officer’s chair. He headed towards her. “Lieutenant Commander Robinson.” He said in a commanding voice.

“Hello Captain.” Isabel said, as she turned around to face Byron. She could tell from his file that he was the commanding officer of the USS Oakland and her new commanding officer. She came to the position of attention, to show her proper respect for him.

“At ease.” Byron replied. How long have you been here?” He asked out of curiosity. A part of him was irritated that she was here before him.

“I just arrived a few minutes ago, Captain.” Isabel said, with a warm smile on her face. He seemed a little on edge. He reminded her of one of her brothers. He reminded her of her twin brother Joseph Robinson. She always referred to him as Joey. He was so rigid, and serious looking. And he had a commanding voice as well.

“I see.” Byron nodded slightly. “You must have come straight here the second you got your transfer papers”

“I try to be punctual sir.” Isabel said, with a big smirk on her face. In her eyes that was a good thing. She hoped he felt the same way as well.

“I believe the same.” Bryon nodded in return. “I haven’t even had time to settle in but let’s meet in my office.”

“Okay sir!” Isabel simply said in a strong Irish accent. She followed Byron into his ready room.

Byron felt it might be more comfortable to sit in his office than to stand out there. He wanted to get to know his first officer better. “Let’s sit in the comfortable chairs.” He said with a smile. “What can I get you to drink?”

Isabel wasn’t sure what to make with this approach. The ship was even leaving space dock they weren’t even fully crew yet, so why were they sitting down? She assumed this must have been some kind of write a passage ritual that he must have been used to, probably from his previous command.

Isabel took a seat, and then she said it was a smile on her face. “Coffee with three Irish creamers. Yes sir I do have a bit of a sweet tooth.” Isabel said, feeling that she needed to justify that.

“We all have our weaknesses.” Byron said with a grin. “I like the occasional Bismarck donut.” He got them each a cup of coffee, jets as she directed. “Tell me about yourself, Commander.” He said as he sat down.

“Note to self if I’m ever in trouble get a Bismarck donut.” Isabel said with a big teasing grin on her face.

“It is a good tactic.” Byron nodded with a grin of his own. “Though for the most part I am a pretty calm person.” He paused for a moment. “As long as I feel respected.”

Isabel had a big grin on her face. She then went on to say. “My brothers would love to meet you. I believe my hole family would love to meet you.” Isabel said, hoping he would say yes.

“I would like that.” Byron nodded. “I believe a captain is only as good as the crew he has gotten to know as a captain and off the clock.”

“I appreciate that sir, my family could be a little eccentric, shall we say. Just fair warning sir.” Isabel simply explain to him, knowing that she was definitely understating just how eccentric they were.

Byron smiled. “So you’re saying your family has flavor, personality if you will.” He took a drink. “I like people with character, especially if they are honest and tell me how they feel even if I don’t want to hear it.”

“I don’t know what stereotype you might have heard about Irish people, when it comes to my family I can definitely assure you that they are a stereotypical Irish family.” Isabel said in her keep strong accent.

Byron grinned after a moment. “Oh boy, it sounds like we may be in for a run for our money when they come to visit.”

“To be honest, yeah.” Isabel said as the two of them continued to talk. From her first impressions of Bryon, she felt like he would be a good Commanding Officer for the Oakland. The scene fades away.