Learning tricks

Posted on 09 Jan 2021 @ 3:09pm by Commander Indi Hawk & Commander Kristiana Petrova

1,261 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Ab Intra
Location: Petrova's office

Before settling in on Deck two and six, like ordered--or was it requested?--Indi figured she would complete her mandatory tour of check-ins. She wanted to get it over and done with. Eventually, she'd have to meet her department, but first she had to get the higher-ups out of the way. Only one more of those to go, so she found herself outside the XO's office as she once again rang the chime.

"Enter!" came the reply with a hint of a Russian accent. The office was fairly standard, with minimal decoration outside of the Starfleet norm. Kristiana was sitting at her desk, working, but not on a PADD or a terminal. Instead, there was an antique, bolt action rifle on her desk, disassembled in parts. The stock, the breech, the bolt, a spring or two, a firing pin - even the trigger group had been disassembled and she was working on cleaning and oiling the parts, methodically and thoroughly. "Commander. Come in, have a seat. Can I get you something to drink?"

Indi couldn't help arching a brow, the gesture reminding her painfully of the absence of her wife. She excelled at this gesture. It was her trademark and Indi had taken to using it over the years. "I'm fine, thanks," she replied as she sat down. The next standard meeting. The next time being assessed like a piece of meat. Oh well, it'd be over soon enough.

"Right," Kris mused, resuming her work. Brake cleaner applied to remove the old oil residue, wiped off with a microfiber cloth, then new gun oil applied and part carefully placed aside. "So what can I do for you, commander?"

"I figured I'd check in. You know. Let you know I'm aboard. Let you know your Officer of the Watch didn't lie when they put in their report that the new Chief of Security has entered the ship. There's not much else you can do for me but acknowledge that, I guess," Indi shrugged.

"Got your transfer papers on you?" Kris asked, glancing up from her work.

Indi's both brows shot up this time. "Transfer papers on me?" she repeated, caught off guard by a question for the first time since she came aboard. "Why on the stars would I have transfer papers on me? They're your paper mess to deal with, not mine."

"Would've make things easier on me," Kris sighed. She put down her rifle's sear and the cloth she'd been using before reaching to her terminal. "Hm. New chief security - ah, Commander Hawk? Indi Hawk. You know, it's also customary to introduce oneself when first meeting a ranking officer," she mused, though she didn't seem annoyed. "Alright, clearances seem in order. Computer access, authorizations - all good to go."

It didn't take Indi long to decide she didn't like this woman, contrary to the CO about whom she had reserved judgment. She wasn't there to make the XO's job easier. She'd been one herself. She'd even been a CO herself. She knew about department heads making her life miserable, and she intended to do just that. As for meeting a ranking officer, if this woman had really just accessed her file, she knew she was by no way a ranking officer and was only saying that to achieve dominance. A tactic that rarely set well with Indi. "You're too kind," she grunted in reply.

Kris eyed the other woman, folding her arms over each other and leaning back in her chair. "Is there a problem, Commander? You come in here, barely say a word, don't even introduce yourself and act like you want me to do everything for you. I don't appreciate sarcasm, either. If we're going to work together I would at least expect you to behave somewhat like an officer," instead of a spoiled child, she didn't add out loud.

Grudgingly, Indi had to admit the woman had a point. A small one. She'd been so baffled by seeing the ancient weapon that she'd forgotten to introduce herself. That would've been a small, but respectful gesture she would've insisted on in her days. "There's no problem," she spoke, carefully looking across the desk while deciding how to continue. It could shift the balance between them and they'd hardly met. "I apologize for not introducing myself, I found myself surprised to find such a weapon on the XO's desk in the middle of the day and so my mind skipped a few steps."

Kris relaxed outwardly and gave a nod. "That's fair enough, I suppose. I have a very small collection of historical weapons, all functional, though not all originals. This is a replica, for example, but a few centuries old in its own right," she traced a hand over the rifle's wooden stock. "I practice with them, it gives me peace. They're all logged in the ship's database and cleared by the previous c-sec, though I can understand if you'll want me to run them by you as well, when you're settled in."

Indi tried very hard not to blink. It wasn't something she did a lot with her eye implants anyway, but now she had to consciously 'just sit there'. Why would she be worried about dark age weapons? Then again, as Chief of Security, she had to keep the ship, y'know, secure and all. Whatever. She had better things to do. But she'd heard the XO hand over authority over these matters to her, which had registered more than anything. "I'm sure you're fine, Commander," she replied with a small smile. "I'm interested to see your collection at some point, but merely out of personal curiosity."

A nod. "Sounds good. Now, to business. I'd like a full inventory of small arms and body armor, a full duty roster and shift schedule for your department as well as an outline on what plans and ideas you have regarding training schedules and programs. I know this is a lot to ask and you haven't even properly settled in yet, so I'll give you a few days. If you have any problems or questions feel free to drop them on my desk, that's what I'm here for," Kris added.

And authority shifted yet again. It amused Indi. Inwardly, she couldn't keep from smiling. Outwardly, she merely nodded. "I'll have that to you by the end of the day," she spoke. She'd prepared most of that on her way to the Odin already, as you could hardly expect to run a department without all those schedules, outlines and ideas in place. The only thing she had left to do, was put actual names to the schedules because she first wanted to meet her people before she did that.

Kris' eyebrows raised everso slightly. "That'd be great," she gave a nod. "That's all I have. Do you have any questions?"

Indi thought briefly. She had her quarters and office location, she got her access codes transferred to her, she got her first orders. That sounded about right. But then again, it was usually well received by the XO to ask at least one intelligent question. "What's your policy on department head briefings and one on one's?"

"I rarely if ever call briefings, that's more the captain's thing. If you have something for me, come find me. Likewise if I have something for you I'll come find you," Kris explained, voice calm.

"Sounds good," Indi agreed with a nod. "I don't have any other questions right now."

"None from me either. Welcome aboard, Commander," Kris spoke, matter of factly.

 

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