“You are relieved, Captain Engstrom.”
“I stand relieved, Lieutenant Commander Frisco.” He stood at attention briefly before he handed her a PADD. “My request for my retirement to be reinstated.” His face remained featureless as he stood, quietly watching her every move. She felt the judgement as he stared at her.
Sienna accepted the PADD, pursing her lips as she read what was only a formality at this point. There was an additional layer to this version of the draft. A detail that gave her cause to glance back at her yeoman, Ensign Natalie Harris. Natalie replied with a slight frown, and Sienna turned back to face Captain Tobias Engstrom. “Congratulations on the position with Harris Transport, sir. Their operations on Earth will be all the better for having you.” Her fingers stabbed at the PADD, sending the retirement request up the turbolift to Captain Pantuso. “I wish you safe travels, sir.”
Engstrom’s lips curled into a thin smile, eyes sparking. “A good day to you, Lieutenant Commander Frisco.” He spun on his heels and walked out of the Colonial Operations offices and faded into the crowd.
Natalie was at her side. “He got a job with Harris Transport? What the hell?” Her feelings about Tobias and her mother’s relationship were complicated. Ten days had passed since she’d learned of their burgeoning romance. An annoyed shiver rattled down her back.
Frisco took a long pause before she replied in a flat voice. “He’s off the station, Ensign Harris. Take the win.”
The yeoman fought the urge to fold her arms over her chest and lock them tightly. That wouldn’t be the professional answer, she knew. It would be seen by those in the office and interpreted. Ten days on the job was not the time to return to her teenage pouty years. And yet, it would feel so good. “Is that your professional advice, ma’am?” Natalie winced as soon as the words were out of her mouth. Sienna’s back stiffened as she turned on her yeoman, her stare creating a warp core breach in the space between them. Harris gulped. “I…apologize, ma’am. That was unacceptable.”
Sienna narrowed her eyes, slicing away at Natalie’s pride. “On every level, Ensign Harris. You’re in the deep end of the holodeck pool, and we don’t have the safety protocols active. Leave the drama at the door.” Harris felt her ears glow red at the rebuke as the tight tone wrapped around her.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Frisco held the gaze with Harris a moment longer before handing over the yeoman’s assigned PADD. “We’ve got a busy day ahead of us. Walk me through the schedule.”
“We’ve completed the reviews of all administrative officers, yeomen, and assistants across the station. Everyone’s signed off on the new process and organization.” The ensign handed a PADD across the desk of Lieutenant Deborah Porter, his hands shaking.
He was holding his breath, Porter realized. She let out a long sigh. “There’s a ‘but’ coming in a moment, isn’t there?”
“Yes, Lieutenant. The administrative assistant who reports to the hospitality department refused to sign off on the new alignment and shoved the PADD off her desk. My partner has good reflexes, and she caught it.” He shared a smile with the young woman next to him.
Porter offered a bemused smile. “It’s a good thing these things are nearly indestructible then, ensigns.” She scrolled through the dossier. “She’s been here since the start of the station.” The two ensigns shared a knowing look. “Tell me, please,” she looked at both of them expectantly.
He went first. “Lieutenant Porter, we’re all thrilled to be working for you and with you. We’ve always felt that Montana Station could use some structure. You’re making that happen.”
Porter could feel her teeth clenching, and she knew her face was probably telling the story of her feelings. She was going to need to get better at this. The next time wouldn’t be as friendly as the two loyal ensigns standing before her. “Get to the point, please.”
It was the young woman’s turn. “We think she’s upset that she didn’t get a position in the department. When we told her where we were from, her eyes could have shot quantum torpedoes at us.”
He piped up, “She’s been making some unhappy noises to the others.” He pulled at his collar, glancing at his partner for help. She stared straight ahead, unwilling to save him.
Porter shook her head and tossed the PADD down on her desk. “Your report is noted, ensigns. Please do not speak of this to the others in happy or unhappy noises. I’d rather not have to investigate any kind of sound about what happens in my office.” They both nodded enthusiastically, and she dismissed them.
She stared at the dossier on the PADD.
What to do?
