Well, Look What the Cat Dragged In

Posted on Thu Jan 27th, 2011 @ 11:11am by Lieutenant JG Richard Lay & Captain Elsie Halliwell

606 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Triad
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: Current

ON:

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Antos Verdek strolled down the corridors at break-neck pace. The other officers gave the new lieutenant strange looks as he zoomed past him. Antos could care less about how the nurses and engineers felt, he was out to impress the big man on board, the captain.

He hadn't gotten a wink of sleep last night which was apparent by the rings under his eyes. He had done his best to look presentable but decided that adrenaline alone would have to carry him through this meeting. He ran a hand through his perfectly combed hair, took a look at his perfectly shined shoes, re-straightened his already straight Starfleet pin, and felt the little rectangular pin that occupied the space next to the commbadge for good luck. Then he took a deep breath and buzzed on the captain's door for entry.

“Come in,†Elsie called out from behind her desk. With the slow movement through the nebula occupying everyone’s mind, Halliwell took what distraction she could. As the door slid open to reveal Assistant Chief Security and Tactical Officer, Antos Verdek, she flashed him a brief smile, darkened the screen of the console she was working on and then fully looked up to regard him. “Ah, Lieutenant… come in.â€

"Thank you", was all the nervous Bajoran could mutter while he was sitting down.

She looked to him, softened a little and then offered him the chair. "There's really no need to be so nervous, Lieutenant," she said after a pause, offering him coffee to relax. "I just wanted a Tactical report from you concerning the sensor sweep of the nebula."

"Of course Captain", Antos handed her a very detailed report. He had been working on the tactical PaDD all night in an effort to impress the captain. "Nothing appears out of the ordinary."

“Not yet,†she added quickly, looking up from the text as it trilled down the PaDD. “Scan reports are all well and good, Lieutenant,†she added, now waving the metallic square between them both, “but we are out here looking for something and sooner or later, ‘out of the ordinary’ will be the last thing we find.†She exhaled slowly, obviously somewhat riled by the situation. Holding her hand up in an apologetic manner, she softened further. “I apologise, Lieutenant. This is good work. We’re all… a little tense at the moment.â€

Changing tact, she placed down the PaDD flatly on the desk, poured out another cup of coffee and smiled. “So, Lieutenant Antos. How are you finding your assignment here with us on the Ranger? Is Lieutenant Shepherd treating you well?†She chuckled informally at her harmless insinuation and then fell silent, looking toward the Bajoran.

"I plan on meeting with him right after this, but I have heard quite a few things about him!" Antos assured the captain.

“Good,†Halliwell replied, nodding her head in a dismissive manner. “Perhaps that would be prudent considering our current situation.â€

"Aye" the young Bajoran agreed, "If that'll be all ma'am I really should get to my meeting. I hear Mr. Shepard isn't the type to keep waiting"

"He most certainly isn't,†Halliwell added with a wistful flourish of her eyebrows. “Dismissed, Lieutenant… and welcome to the fold. I apologise that I haven't gotten around to the formal introduction before.â€

OFF:

Captain Elsie Halliwell
Commanding Officer
USS Ranger


AND

Junior Grade Lieutenant Antos Verdeck
Assistant Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Ranger

 

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