Drills and Distress
Posted on Fri Jan 31st, 2025 @ 11:58am by Captain Ewan Darrow & Lieutenant Njalia Sayffier
Mission:
Take My Hand
Timeline: Before Launch
1104 words - 2.2 OF Standard Post Measure
Njalia tapped her combadge. "Captain Darrow, sir, Sayffier here. I am sending a set of proposals through from our new Boatswain CWO Srivas. It is an . . . aggressive plan for drills and shipwide readiness exercises, I have no worries about committing Operations to such a schedule, I did not feel it was in my authority to authorize it shipwide."
The slightly tinny voice of Ewan responded from the badge, "Ahh, why don't you come to the observation lounge and we can discuss them in person Njalia." Ewan said as he looked down at his freshly replicated lunch and tea. By order of Allison, Ewan had started taking the time to actually sit down and eat his lunch rather then trying to subsiste off of a liquid lunch of tea every day.
"On my way, sir," said Njalia gathering up the core datapads and snagging her tool satchel as she went by. "I will be out of contact unless it is an emergency, I will tag in when the meeting is over."
"Affirmative," said the Ensign, "we will keep things running smoothly."
Arriving as quickly as she could without running, Njalia stepped out into the observation lounge and just stopped, taking in the view for a moment. How easy it is to forget the beauty all around you, she thought. She then sighed and looked for the Captain and made her way over to his table.
"Lieutenant Sayffier reporting as ordered," she said.
Ewan had just popped a freshly salted fry into his mouth as the Lieutenant had entered into the lounge. Holding up a hand, Ewan chewed through the entire thing as he waved towards the seat across from him, "Sit please this isn't formal you just unfortunately called on me just as I sat down to eat." Ewan said as he took a sip of his tea, "You stated something about some new drills that the Boatswain wanted to introduce?"
Njalia took a seat. "Yes, sir," she replied, "our new Boatswain is very dedicated to his role in ensuring preparedness. He wants the crew of the Vesta to catch up on all of the Fleet-wide drills and recommended exercises that we missed due to such minor matters as rebuilding the ship."
"It is an aggressive schedule and I do not mind subjecting myself and my department to it, we have a fair number of new faces and this will give us a chance to work together," she continued. "But I did not feel comfortable signing off for the other departments though technically I could. I am seeking your advice on how best to move forward."
Ewan chuckled as he lifted the PaDD with the details with one hand and scooped some potato salad into his mouth with the other. It was indeed an aggressive schedule, working a fair few of the departments rather hard, as in the boatswain's own words, 'they needed some real discipline to work them into shape'. "I'm sure you've discussed with the Chief that regardless of his opinion, we are a ship of exploration in the end and not a warship?" He set the PaDD down and reached for his tea taking a sip, "Anyways, I believe we could probably spread this out over a few weeks rather then try and squeeze it all into one. It won't be as effective for learning purposes and we have some leeway on ensuring its finished. Command doesn't really care how fast its finished as long as its finished with due haste."
Ewan chewed through another fork full of potato salad as he thought it over, "Starting with Security would make the most sense, we should probably finish with Engineering. They have the most things to break in and fix since the refit and I'd rather give them some time to focus on that before they worry about any drills."
Njalia nods. "Thank you, sir, I hope it will be good for team building. May I ask that you send the directive for the department? I am still one of the more junior officers here and I think that would generate less . . . pushback. And I will let the Boatswain know to reschedule and stretch out the timing of the drills but otherwise go ahead with getting them ready to go." She seemed much more relaxed now that there was a plan in place.
Ewan arched an eyebrow at the Lieutenant, maybe it was time to give her a bit more confidence or let her try and build it. With a shake of his head, Ewan dug his fork into the pre-cut chicken, "Njalia, how long have you been in the Chief position now? A year, year and a half?"
"Just over a year, sir," she replied. And what a year it had been, Tholians, fracture realities, the Nelson, the First Federation, it seemed both much longer and much shorter.
"Then you've been in the role of Chief for long enough. Act like you've earned the crew's respect and you're a senior officer, which you have and you are." Ewan said as he lifted the chicken to his mouth and took a bit. He chewed it, seeing the Andorian was silent to his last comment, the captain swallowed before continuing, "You don't need to doubt yourself Njalia, you're a more than competent officer who has excelled in the position. You doubt yourself too much, I did too back then, it's not unique." Though his doubt hadn't lasted nearly as long, nothing lasted long during a war.
Njalia nodded. "I am trying, sir. Being assertive outside of my field does not come naturally to me but I am doing my best. I have taken steps to learn more about the Qoird and their technology and have talked to Intelligence and I am trying to arrange a meeting with our Diplomat in order to find out how I can best support them on this mission."
Ewan nodded, "All we can do is ask for the best from those under us and they'll either succeed or fail. What's important is stepping in and helping those that falter become that success. You've done nothing but succeed, now its time to take that extra step and keep going, Lieutenant."
Njalia smiled holding the datapad to her chest. "I will, sir. I will not let you or Starfleet down."
"Never had any doubt." Ewan said as he took another sip of his tea, "Was there anything else?"
"No, sir," she said adding a note on her datapad. "With your permission, I will go and get this all into motion."
"No need to wait for me," Ewan nodded, "Dismissed."
