Second Chances

Posted on Sat Jan 30th, 2021 @ 4:48pm by Captain Abigail Laurens & Linza (Lin) Esni

Looking over top of the stack of PaDDs on her desk as the brunette entered the Ready Room Abigail smiled. "Nice to see you made it aboard without incident Ms Esni," she said warmly. "Take a seat, can I get you a drink?"

"Thank you, Captain. And, coffee with vanilla creamer and sugar please?" Linza took a seat, still unable to believe in the back of her head that she was really doing all this.

Replicating the coffee as requested and a chai latte for herself, Abigail returned to the desk, handing the coffee across to Linza. "I spent some time going over your previous Starfleet records, and I want to go through your assignment here with you before you get started, if that's okay?"

Taking a sip of the coffee, then setting it back on the desk to cool, Lin nodded. "I think I can handle that. My record can't look all that glamourous honestly."

Abigail offered a reassuring smile. "If I was concerned about how pretty your file was, I wouldn't have offered you this position," she reassured. "I'm not at all concerned about how pretty your past is. Most of your firearms accreditations are out of date, so I'm going to have Lieutenant Alom schedule some range time for you, and to arrange for your accreditations to be brought back up to standard. I suspect that will take several weeks at least. I'll have Commander Gunnison establish security access for you. Because you're essentially a civilian unfortunately your access levels won't be incredibly high and I suspect that at times that may impede your ability to do your job. If it becomes too much of an issue, please let Commander Gail or myself know and we can look at what we can do."

Linza smiled softly. "I know this, it was odd getting back into a uniform, even without a rank on it. Not that it changed my siblings' opinion of me at all. I don't think they believed me when I said I was actually doing things right." She sat back a little. "I figured I wouldn't get any access level beyond what I need. The accreditations I didn't think were out of date but...If they are I don't mind re-doing them."

"I don't foresee any issues with redoing your accreditations, and it will bring you up to speed with current standards and weaponry. I'd also get someone to work with you and familiarize you with tactical systems." Abigail thumbed into a PaDD and pulled up Linza's former Starfleet record. "Other than that, I don't see any other impediments to your taking duty shifts as soon as you're accredited and you've familiarized yourself with the ship. How does that sound to you?"

"Honestly, wherever you want me, I'll take it. I never thought I'd be happy to be on a Starfleet ship again. I won't step on any toes unless necessary, but even then..." Lin gave a small smirk. "I won't do that. But, I do wonder if some of the crew will still wonder why you took me on instead of handing me over."

"And if they do, then they can address their concerns to me," Abigail iterated firmly. "But perhaps they will simply see the situation for what it is, a person being given a second chance. Everyone makes mistakes at some point in their lives, it shouldn't define you." Her voice softened as she spoke. "I'll notify Security that you're on board. I suggest you report in as soon as possible so you can get set up. You should have your quarters already assigned, if you don't or if you need anything else, ask Commander Gunnison on Commander Gail. I've had Commander Gunnison assign your quarters in the crew section, same general vicinity as some of the other security staff, so at least you will have some friendly neighbours."

Lin smiled, "I'll take friendly neighbors, haven't had that in quite some time. Once I make sure where my quarters are I'll check in, don't worry. And thank you again, Captain, truly."

"You don't need to thank me," Abigail offered another reassuring smile. "Just do right by yourself this time and I have no doubt you'll be fine." She paused for a moment before offering a slight nod. "But I suspect you'll be just fine. Good luck Ms Esni."