Meeting the XO

Posted on 01 Jun 2016 @ 3:45am by Commander Rhyan & Lieutenant Commander Magdalena "Maggie" Doyl

1,176 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Errand of Mercy
Location: USS Redemption, Science Officer's Office
Timeline: ED3 1000

ON

Maggie was still getting acclimatized to her new ship, which would take some time as many of the crew had worked together before the refit. She also needed to meet the XO and get a feel for the man who would be her immediate superior. She was a little unconventional and hoped that it wouldn't clash with the way the XO chose to deal with the department heads.

She found him in his office and rang the door chime.

Rhyan's ears pricked up as he heard the chime to his office activate. He hadn't been expecting any visitors, and therefore the desk in front of him was covered in padds containing every iota of data Starfleet had on the galaxy's known viruses. Glancing at the mess he gave a brief thought to tidying it away but instead set the thought aside and called for his guest to enter.

Maggie walked in and took a quick look around the room -- you could tell a lot about a person by his or her office -- and smiled when she saw his desk. It looked like he was busy doing something. "Hello," she said. "I'm Magdalena Doyl."

With a padd still in hand, Rhyan motioned to the empty chair on the other side of his desk. "Welcome on board Commander Doyl," he said, watching as his new colleague paced the short distance from the door to the desk. "What can I do for you today, Commander?"

"Right now, it's more what can I do for you," Maggie replied. "I'm trying to get a feel for my new assignment and there's a lot to learn."

Rhyan smirked; there was indeed a lot for the new crew to become familiar with. No ship in Starfleet had more experience dealing with the Ee and their devastating virus than the USS Redemption. The Vulcan suspected it could be overwhelming for anyone transferring on board to deal with the specific missions that Starfleet - and President Zal - recruited the Redemption crew for. But as Rhyan knew himself, breaking into the close-knit community on board the Redemption was as rewarding as it was initially daunting. He had no doubt that the new Chief of Security would fit in well, although her appointment was bitter-sweet as Rhyan remembered her predecessor's - Lieutenant David Malloch - untimely death over a year ago.

Setting the padd down, Rhyan felt the need to connect with the new security officer in a manner that would respect David's memory. He responded to the Lieutenant Commander, trying hard to keep the momentary lapse of emotion out of his voice, "For this mission you need to familiarise yourself with three key parameters: the Confederacy of the Underdark; the Ee Hybrid; and the Ee virus. Captain Ashcart should have, upon your transfer, increased your security clearance to allow you access to all of the classified information pertaining to these subjects. I do not doubt for one second that the timing and nature of this outbreak at Hadronus was designed to attract the attention of the Redemption and her crew."

Rhyan paused, taking a moment to reflect on how he would best describe the situation to Doyl. For her part, the Commander remained silent and fully engaged in what he had to say. Rhyan resumed, "Sarah Kaminski was a valued member of our crew - she was my assistant chief of science, and my partner. The Ee virus transformed her into something completely twisted and evil. For nearly two years we have tried to find and neutralise her, with little success. Her personal goals are simple: she wishes to return to her people, but requires the transwarp drive on board the Redemption to achieve that. I highly suspect that our mission to Hadronus is an elaborately planned trap, and so we need everyone on board - especially yourself - to be at heightened alert for any signs that this mission is more than it appears on the surface."

Maggie nodded slowly. She was sorry to hear about the XO's partner, but she also recognized the inherent danger in the situation. "I will do what I can. I can beef up security and monitoring, perhaps work with Intel to see if we can work together."

"I have yet to meet the new Intel officer," Rhyan commented, aware that he had not yet met with Lieutenant Commander Severide. "I do feel that she may be an asset during this mission and you should liaise with her where you can."

Maggie nodded. "I'll try." She leaned forward, watching the XO intently. "What does your gut tell you about this? Besides it being a trap?"

"It's telling me that we need to be careful when we reach Hadronus. On the surface our mission may seem like a pretty standard medical relief effort - but why send the largest, most prestigious ship in the fleet to help a bunch of doctors on a barely-heard-of planet?" Rhyan's eyes narrowed. "Something doesn't add up."

"No, it doesn't," she agreed. "I think we should make it look like we believe this to be a routine mission -- on the surface. I'll make sure security is on high alert and get Intel on board. Maybe, if we look like we don't suspect anything, we can get someone to tip their hand."

It was a sound plan, Rhyan couldn't fault that. But at the same time, he knew that Sarah knew this crew inside and out - she would be able to predict their every move with startling accuracy. A grin appeared on his face as a new idea came to him. "I think it is time that you start putting your own stamp on the Redemption. Update the ship's tactical manoeuvres. Rotate your department staff. Upgrade the tactical systems. Do anything you feel will bring an element of unpredictability to an enemy that already knows us intimately."

A slow grin spread across Maggie's face. "An excellent idea. I believe the heads of both Ops nad Intel are also new? Between the three of us, I think we could effect quite a few changes." She raised an eyebrow at the other officer. "With your permission, of course."

"Permission granted," replied the Vulcan, hopeful for the first time that the Redemption might be able to obtain the upper hand against the Ee Hybrid. Whether they would succeed, he didn't know. And encountering Sarah was still all hypothetical at this point - the virus could have been released from any number of other sources.

Maggie smiled again. "Thank you. Is there anything else you need from me?"

"Nothing more at this time, Commander. You have your orders," Rhyan commented, with nothing more to add to the conversation.

Maggie stood and inclined her head. In spite of the abrupt dismissal, she felt like she would enjoy working with the Commander. "Yes, sir," she said, turning to head back to her office and begin doing her research.

Commander Magdalene "Maggie" Doyl
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Redemption

& Commander Rhyan
Executive Officer / Chief Science Officer
USS Redemption

 

RSS Feed