Blame it all on her roots

Posted on Wed Jun 26th, 2019 @ 9:11pm by Lieutenant Alanah Matashi & Captain Abigail Laurens

Mission: Getting To Know You
Location: USS Astraea - Main Security Office

Abigail had been walking back from Engineering, she had intended to go back toward the bridge, but instead she found herself headed for Security instead. She wasn't even sure if the new Chief of Security had come aboard yet, but she wanted to go check out the security offices anyway.

With Security being where her own career in Starfleet had begun and her very first assignment being on an Akira class ship just like this one, there was a certain sense of nostalgia and whimsy as she walked into security and started walking aroud before opening up the first weapons locker she found, taking in the assortment of weapons in front of her.

Alanah came out of her office she had just boarded a couple hours prior and had been working on setting up the office. She had always been taught that an organized office was a big first step towards a successful assignment. As she emerged from her office she saw a red shirt poking around HER cabinets. "Excuse me! Can I help you?"

Picking up one of the older pulse rifles that remained stored in the weapons locker, Abigail held it up, running her hand lovingly along the side as she turned to face Alanah. "She's a thing of beauty isn't she?" Abigail said tenderly. "It's a shame they became outdated and ultimately replaced."

She cast a glance over the form of the security officer, taking note of the rank and the uniform. "I'm going to assume that you're Lieutenant Matashi?" she asked. There was no disrespect in her voice, it was just a simple statement. "I wasn't sure when you'd be arriving. i had a moment of nostalgia and decided to take a walk, sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. Commander Abigail Laurens," she said, holding her right hand out, the weapon deactivated and pointed downward.

"Nice to meet you, Maam." She said taking the offered hand. "As for that beauty you have there. It may have been officially replaced I like to keep a stash of vintage weapons around." She said as she pulled open another cabinet. "Just in case the new stuff wants to breakdown." She said with a grin.

"This was the first weapon I ever fired in a real life situation," Abigail said with a fond smile. "None of the newer weapons handle with the same smoothness and grace as these beauties. There's just no comparison." Turning the rifle in her hand, she offered it to Alanah, butt first. "It's nice to know someone else has an appreciation for these things as well."

"Well the new ones have their positive options, but they are very watered down and cookie cutter. I like how the last generation of weapons were more customizable." She said taking the rifle. "You really could make one like this your own." The grin grew larger as she thought of her personal rifle she had left on the Shepherd when she transferred.

Abigail laughed. "Those of us that ran tactical response and the heavy away teams all had our favourites, ones that we had tweaked to suit exactly what we wanted, and we'd all marked them accordingly, so even though we didn't actually own them as such, woe betide anyone who tried to take someone else's weapon without permission."

Alanah's eyes grew wide as she could recall exactly what the CO was talking about. "Finally a fellow warrior who knows my pain." She put the weapon back. "From what I see you have a gorgeous ship here."

"She's something else. Much like that rifle, not the newest in the fleet, but definitely the tin can I feel best about rocketing around the stars in," Abigail replied with a genuine smile. "Have you been aboard long? I'm still trying to get around and catch up with everyone individually."

"Just got in this morning threw my bags in my quarters and came down here. I was always told it is important to have your office in order to start any assignment off correctly." She said with a grin. "I really haven't seen much yet of the ship but what I saw before coming on was impressive."

"Wise words indeed," Abigail said as she leaned back against the bulkhead. "She's not big or fancy, but the Akira is really something else. I did my cadet cruise on an Akira class, and I was stationed on an Akira class when I made the decision to follow into command, so it felt right that the Star Maiden here is my first ship."

"It's my first go on one but I look forward to it. Alanah walked over and picked up a piece of wrapping that had fallen when someone put in some of the new armaments. "So any idea where we will be deployed?"

With a shake of her head, Abigail stepped aside, watching the attention to detail. A piece of wrapping was something that a lot of people would have simply overlooked, or left for someone else 'less important' to take care of, but clearly this particular Lieutenant held herself to a different standard, something that Abigail actually found pleasing. "At this point, no idea. We're expecting to be at Starbase for probably three or four more days at least, waiting for stragglers, unless something comes up between now and then. All we're really waiting on is orders to come through. You know what Starfleet is like. One minute you're looking forward to two weeks on base to relax and get a decent pedicure, and the next we're being reassigned to the neutral zone to prevent war," she finished with a smile.

"Mani and Pedis are already done for me. Gonna go see the doc here in a bit for my checkin physical and then get my staff up to par so if the later call comes in we are ready." Alanah said looking back at her boss.

Abigail laughed and nodded. "Well here's hoping every other department is as up to par as you are with yours," she said. "Though from what I've seen so far I don't think I have too much to worry about, everyone seems to be across their departments and well organised. It's reassuring to say the least."

"I am sure everyone wants to put the best foot forward with this new assignment." Alanah offered. "Is there anything you need from me ahead of launch, Ma'am?"

Pausing for a moment before shaking her head, Abigail smiled. "Just get yourself checked in with medical and make sure your medical is done. I'd like all the senior staff seen before we leave starbase. That's all I can think of, oh, and make sure all our weapons and ammunition are accounted for and we're fully stocked. I don't want to find ourselves in a firefight with no functioning weapons."

"Those where already priority one and one-A on my agenda. If anything else comes up don't hesitate to give me a buzz." Alanah said happy with the first impressions she was having with the new boss.

Abigail smiled, relieved that yet another of her senior staff seemed to be well on top of everything. "Excellent, keep me updated and let me know if you need anything before we leave. I'll be on the ship somewhere, I shouldn't be too hard to find." She nodded quickly and took a step away before pausing and looking back. "Oh, and it was nice to meet you Lieutenant," she said warmly. "Welcome aboard."

Alanah smiled as the CO left. She reflected for a second on what needed done next. He silence was broken by another crew member coming in to report.

=/\=

Commander Abigail Laurens
Commanding Officer
USS Astraea

&

Lieutenant Alanah Matashi
Chief Sec/Tact Officer
USS Astraea