Captain’s Log, Stardate 87706.8
I have now been in command of the USS Pandora for more than 26 hours; one standard day on Enhasa. In that time, I find myself conflicted with regard to the crew. From what I have read and so far observed, they are incredibly capable and a credit to Starfleet. However, while the Pandora itself has recovered from the recent Borg incursion, her crew has not. I know many may find this a cold statement, but however tragic the recent history of this vessel, this crew has no choice but to rise above it or it will languish in mediocrity and self-pity. As their new captain, I am so far at a loss as to how to remedy the situation.
The doors to the Pandora’s conference room slid open as Redwing entered. Talona and War’en, who were seated at one side of the table, gave him smiles that betrayed their nervousness. Shrel looked up and made the smallest of acknowledging nods before returning to the data pad in front of him. Redwing took the seat next to Shrel and looked around, not really sure of what to do with himself.
“So… the new captain…â€
Talona and War’en exchanged glances. “He seems… quiet,†Talona finally said. War’en just nodded and looked up at the door of the briefing room.
“Yeah. Too quiet, if you ask me. I don’t think he said more than three words to anyone who delivered a report to him yesterday.â€
Shrel gave an annoyed grunt. “If only more of us would learn from his example.â€
Redwing glared at Shrel and was about to retort when the doors to the conference room slid open, announcing the entry of Commander Oren-De. All four officers immediately stood at attention. Oren-De motioned with his hands for them to sit as he walked to the head of the table.
“At ease. Please, have a seat.†The officers nodded and took their seats as Oren-De did the same. He quickly looked over the datapad he had carried in with him, then looked up at them. An awkward moment of silence passed as Oren-De considered his first words.
“Allow me to open this meeting with good news. Given your exceptional service to this crew, this ship, and to Starfleet... Mr. Chet Redwing, Mr. Anden Shrel, and Ms. Talona Roberts, I have decided to promote you to full Lieutenants. Likewise, Mr. Lok, I am promoting you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander.â€
The four officers looked at each other in stunned silence, then back at their new captain. Before they had a chance to respond, Oren-De continued, looking each of them in the eye as he spoke to them.
“Additionally, I am assigning each of you to the following positions, effective immediately. Lieutenant Commander Lok, I would like you serve as my first officer as well as formally take over as Chief of Engineering. Lieutenant Roberts, you've done a fine job as the interim bridge Operations officer, so I making that position permanent. Lieutenant Shrel, while you are a fine pilot, I believe your skills are better suited to Tactical. Finally, Lieutenant Redwing, despite your service as the interim Chief Science Officer, I believe your medical training would make you more useful as the ship's Chief Medical Officer."
Again, all four were in silence. Redwing was especially shocked, given that he had just been bumped up to, what he considered at least, a position of incredible responsibility given that he had only just been made a Lieutenant. He finally found his voice and somehow stumbled through his concerns.
"Captain Oren-De... I... thank you, but... are you sure? Wait, I mean... it's just that... uh... Chief Medical? Really!? You only just made me a Lieutenant. Um... sir..."
Oren-De looked studied Redwing closely for a moment before nodding and speaking to the group as a whole. "I realize that these changes seem significant and possibly... drastic. And yes, Lieutenant Redwing, had I been allowed my initial request from Starfleet, I would not be asking you serve as Chief Medical Officer. However, as I'm sure you're aware, the current conflict with the Klingon Empire, as well as Starfleet's other numerous concerns, has placed a strain on choice and availability of officer candidates. Therefore, I have had to make some difficult choices. However, I am making them after extensive reviews of your records and I have the utmost confidence that each of you will do well in these roles."
He looked around the table again. "Are there any other concerns?"
After another awkward silence, War'en finally shook his head and spoke. “Thank you, sir… for your confidence in us. We will not let you down.â€
The other three officers nodded in agreement. Oren-De looked back down at his padd.
“I am glad to hear it. Now, on a related note...â€
Oren-De tapped a command on the table display in front of him. The display on the opposite wall blinked to life, showing a slowly rotating M-class planet.
“As you know, we are currently en route to Kinet IV. It is the site of a Starfleet scientific outpost that deals primarily with studying the behavior of a nearby nebula that exhibits a variety of anomalous behaviors. There we will be picking up an addition to our crew, Lieutenant Margaret Matoya, who has been assigned to the Pandora as Chief Science Officer."
A woman's face appeared on the screen. She had a youthful and energetic expression on her face, framed by wavy black hair. A short bio of the woman appeared to the left of the name, but none of the officers read it, as they would be able to do so at their leisure when they weren't in a meeting.
"Following this brief stop, we will receive our standing orders from Starfleet. If there are no questions, you're dismissed."
The officers stood, nodded to Oren-De and filed out of the room to go to their posts. While Talona and Shrel proceeded toward their bridge consoles, War'en and Redwing made their way to the turbolift. Once inside and the doors shut, the two exchanged looks.
"I can't believe I'm Chief Medical Officer," Redwing said. "Our captain is an interesting guy."
War'en only nodded, not sure what to think of the situation. "Yeah. Real interesting..."
