“Ensign Alanna Barker reporting for duty, sir.”  The tall and gangly woman stood at attention as Captain Peter Crawford looked over the PADD she had handed him.

“I didn’t…oh, the hell is Fontana up to?”  He finished reading the PADD and tossed it back on his desk, “Are you familiar with Captain Geronimo ‘Maverick’ Fontana, Ensign Barker?”  Pete was annoyed.  He was on the borderline of seething and boiling.

The young ensign blinked a few times, unsure of what she had walked into with this assignment, “I…uh, he contacted me at the Academy before my early graduation.  He said he had need of an…’organizational guru’…those were his words.  I was under the impression that he had…”

“Your impression was wrong, Ensign.”  He tapped his badge, “Captain Dread to the ready room.”  Crawford shook his head in disbelief, “You’ve wandered into the middle of what is known as a ‘Captains Squabble’.  I’m sure there are more colloquial terms to describe it, but here we are.  Captain Fontana has made several notes regarding my reports, operational status updates, and our efficiency ratings across the board.”  He gestured at the PADD that he had lobbed onto the desk, “This, I believe, is his way to address what he surmises is the issue.”

Barker wasn’t sure if she should ask but plunged ahead anyway, “What does he…surmise is the issue, sir?”

Pete pointed at himself, “Me, Ensign Barker.  I’m the problem; it’s me.”  He glanced up as the door to his ready room flew open, “Helena.”  He picked up the PADD and tossed it over the Ensign’s head and into the Executive Officer’s open palms as she stalked to the couch under the gaping windows.  “They think I need a Yeoman.”

Dread sat roughly on the couch and read through the text, glancing up, “Well, you need a Yeoman, Pete.”  She shrugged at his stare of disbelief, “I’ve been telling you for a few weeks we need an additional layer of support between us.  You’re not great at paperwork, and I’m not enjoying making lists of things that need doing.”  She waved at Barker, who numbly waved back, confused as to how she had ended up standing between two Captains who sounded as if they were about to have a verbal fight in front of her.  “What did you think I meant by ‘additional layers of support’?  We only have so many officers we can retask around here.”

Crawford looked to Barker, “I don’t know what I thought you meant…but I don’t think I imagined a Yeoman Barker as the answer.  No offense, Ensign.  Your service jacket has you qualified for such a role beyond measure.”  She nodded silently, her mind spinning at what was next for her.  Were they going to send her back to Starbase 72?  Could they send her back?

Dread tossed the PADD back to Crawford, “Let’s interview her.  If we push back on Fontana, we’ll need evidence that’ll stick and put him back on his heels.”  She sized up Barker, “I get the first question.”  She sat forward on the couch, “The Olympic isn’t some piddling little ship.  It’s a ship with a dedicated science staff, a journal with a sterling reputation, and as perfect a medical team as you’ll find.  What makes you think you can master this ship?”

Alanna swallowed, taking a few breaths.  She needed to answer this well and in her own words.  She needed to be her and not someone else.  Her first year at the academy had been an exercise in futility in trying to put on a mask to hide herself from the world.  Removing her meticulously crafted facade had been full of heartache and regret.  She asserted, “I was awarded several awards for my work in my junior and senior year for assisting the Academy Operations office with planning, scheduling, and evaluating events within the building and outside.  Several events required coordination with several starship crews.  I have several letters of appreciation and recommendation from the captains of those ships.”

Crawford noted on his console, “You’re here to keep my reports straight, my schedule on time, and to improve the efficiency of this ship and crew.  What makes you think you stand up to me or Captain Dread?”

Barker narrowed her eyes as she replied, “Sir, you can ask anyone in my classes, from students to professors.  I don’t mess around.  When I’m on the job, I don’t let anything get in my way – officer, crewman, or whoever.  I know the responsibilities of a Yeoman.  When I’m on the job, I’m fully committed.  I don’t scare easily, Captains.  I’m an Odyssey class in a shuttle shop.  If you don’t want me, that’s fine.  Plenty of captains would fight to have me at their side, sir.”  She remained at attention and kept her eyes on Crawford.

Pete scoffed, “Well, damn.”  He glanced at Dread, who had a sly smile on her face.

“I like her, Pete.  She’s likely to piss you off and push you around, which I might enjoy a little too much.  God knows I’ve tried…but sickbay and my XO duties keep me busy.  We need her, Pete.”  She stood and stalked out of the Ready Room.

Alanna remained focused on Crawford, “When will you make you decision, sir?”

Pete chuckled and stood, “Ensign Barker, we’ll have to work on getting to know each other.  Don’t tell Captain Fontana this, but I think you’re just what we need onboard the Oly.  I promise I won’t try to scare you long as you don’t literally push me around.  You can do it metaphorically all day long.”  He extended his hand, “Welcome aboard the USS Olympic, Ensign Barker.”

A broad smile erupted across her lips but she quickly squashed it, returning to the thin line she’d practiced.  Barker grasped his hand firmly, “Thank you, Captain Crawford.  When do I start?”

He gestured to the piles of PADDs on his desk, “Right now, Ensign.  Let’s start with Security.”