>> Bridge >>
The relative quiet of the ready room was a stark contrast to the focused bustle of the bridge. Here, the immense power of the Zephyr at Warp Nine resonated – less a distinct sound to the casual ear, and more a deep, sub-sonic thrum that vibrated faintly through the deck plating. Yet, to the trained senses of an engineer like Ameen, and undoubtedly to Commander Keir, that thrum was a complex language: the steady rhythm of the warp coils, the subtle stresses on an older spaceframe at high velocity, a living pulse beneath the quiet. It was, for both, a constant reminder of their urgent journey.
Ameen gestured for Keir to take a seat as the door slid shut behind them. Instead of taking a seat himself immediately, Ameen moved towards the viewport, his hands clasped behind his back. He gazed out at the mesmerizing streaks of warp travel for a silent moment, his reflection a faint overlay on the rushing stars.
"Commander Keir," Ameen began, his voice a low counterpoint to the near silence of the room, his gaze still on the star-streaked viewport for another moment before he turned to meet hir directly. "Thank you for joining me. There are several pressing matters concerning this ship, the crew, and our assignment that I wanted to discuss with you more candidly."
First, the operational realities...
"Your initial report from Engineering indicated readiness for mission start, but pushing an older vessel like the Zephyr with an entirely new crew to Warp Nine for forty hours straight warrants continuous close attention. What are your immediate concerns or any performance quirks you anticipate from the engine room now that we're truly underway?"
He paused, letting that sink in before broadening the scope.
"Beyond the engineering specifics, there's the overall operational picture. This crew is a patchwork, pulled from various postings. As my acting First Officer, your insights on their integration, morale, and any initial departmental challenges will be crucial. We need them to become a cohesive unit, and quickly."
Ameen then shifted his weight slightly, his expression becoming a fraction more guarded.
Alright, Morad. Best to address this directly...
He paused, and for a brief moment, ran his fingers rather sheepishly through his hair before meeting Keir's gaze again – a familiar habit when broaching something uncomfortable.
"There is also that other delicate matter, Commander," he began, his voice perhaps a touch more hesitant than before, "that I need to discuss with you as my First Officer." He took a steadying breath.
"It concerns Lieutenant Amila Ra'an, our new Chief Science Officer. Prior to this unexpected assignment, and before I was placed in command of the Zephyr with Ra'an subsequently serving under me, Amila and I... had one personal social engagement. A single date." He stated it factually, without embellishment. "Given our new command structure, Starfleet regulations are quite clear on the necessity of disclosing such prior personal connections to the First Officer. While the relationship, such as it was, predates this command hierarchy and thus falls within accepted parameters, full transparency with you is required. I trust you understand my intention is to maintain the highest degree of professionalism on the bridge and throughout the ship, and I expect the same from all officers involved."
Ameen paused, allowing the Lieutenant Commander a moment to process the official disclosure. He then continued, his tone becoming a shade more personal, though still measured, choosing his words with care.
"To be entirely candid, Keir," he added, perhaps looking for a sign of understanding from hir, "that one engagement... it was recent, and it is my personal hope to explore whether that connection with Amila might develop further. Naturally, this would be under appropriate off-duty circumstances and with the utmost discretion, adhering to all regulations regarding professional conduct, especially given our current command structure. I felt it was important for you, as my First Officer, to be aware of this personal dimension as well as the procedural one."
There. It's all laid out now. The professional necessity, the personal hope, and the inherent complications...
He waited for hir reaction, ready to discuss it further or move on to other pressing ship business. The silence of the ready room, save for that barely perceptible thrum of the warp engines, seemed to amplify the unspoken dynamics.
== Tag K. ==
The relative quiet of the ready room was a stark contrast to the focused bustle of the bridge. Here, the immense power of the Zephyr at Warp Nine resonated – less a distinct sound to the casual ear, and more a deep, sub-sonic thrum that vibrated faintly through the deck plating. Yet, to the trained senses of an engineer like Ameen, and undoubtedly to Commander Keir, that thrum was a complex language: the steady rhythm of the warp coils, the subtle stresses on an older spaceframe at high velocity, a living pulse beneath the quiet. It was, for both, a constant reminder of their urgent journey.
Ameen gestured for Keir to take a seat as the door slid shut behind them. Instead of taking a seat himself immediately, Ameen moved towards the viewport, his hands clasped behind his back. He gazed out at the mesmerizing streaks of warp travel for a silent moment, his reflection a faint overlay on the rushing stars.
"Commander Keir," Ameen began, his voice a low counterpoint to the near silence of the room, his gaze still on the star-streaked viewport for another moment before he turned to meet hir directly. "Thank you for joining me. There are several pressing matters concerning this ship, the crew, and our assignment that I wanted to discuss with you more candidly."
First, the operational realities...
"Your initial report from Engineering indicated readiness for mission start, but pushing an older vessel like the Zephyr with an entirely new crew to Warp Nine for forty hours straight warrants continuous close attention. What are your immediate concerns or any performance quirks you anticipate from the engine room now that we're truly underway?"
He paused, letting that sink in before broadening the scope.
"Beyond the engineering specifics, there's the overall operational picture. This crew is a patchwork, pulled from various postings. As my acting First Officer, your insights on their integration, morale, and any initial departmental challenges will be crucial. We need them to become a cohesive unit, and quickly."
Ameen then shifted his weight slightly, his expression becoming a fraction more guarded.
Alright, Morad. Best to address this directly...
He paused, and for a brief moment, ran his fingers rather sheepishly through his hair before meeting Keir's gaze again – a familiar habit when broaching something uncomfortable.
"There is also that other delicate matter, Commander," he began, his voice perhaps a touch more hesitant than before, "that I need to discuss with you as my First Officer." He took a steadying breath.
"It concerns Lieutenant Amila Ra'an, our new Chief Science Officer. Prior to this unexpected assignment, and before I was placed in command of the Zephyr with Ra'an subsequently serving under me, Amila and I... had one personal social engagement. A single date." He stated it factually, without embellishment. "Given our new command structure, Starfleet regulations are quite clear on the necessity of disclosing such prior personal connections to the First Officer. While the relationship, such as it was, predates this command hierarchy and thus falls within accepted parameters, full transparency with you is required. I trust you understand my intention is to maintain the highest degree of professionalism on the bridge and throughout the ship, and I expect the same from all officers involved."
Ameen paused, allowing the Lieutenant Commander a moment to process the official disclosure. He then continued, his tone becoming a shade more personal, though still measured, choosing his words with care.
"To be entirely candid, Keir," he added, perhaps looking for a sign of understanding from hir, "that one engagement... it was recent, and it is my personal hope to explore whether that connection with Amila might develop further. Naturally, this would be under appropriate off-duty circumstances and with the utmost discretion, adhering to all regulations regarding professional conduct, especially given our current command structure. I felt it was important for you, as my First Officer, to be aware of this personal dimension as well as the procedural one."
There. It's all laid out now. The professional necessity, the personal hope, and the inherent complications...
He waited for hir reaction, ready to discuss it further or move on to other pressing ship business. The silence of the ready room, save for that barely perceptible thrum of the warp engines, seemed to amplify the unspoken dynamics.
== Tag K. ==