Finding The Colour Tan

Posted on Tuesday 11 October 2016 @ 20:50 by Lieutenant JG Martin Landau & Lieutenant Commander David Tan

Mission: Old, New Ship
Location: Operations Office
Timeline: MD8 - Late Afternoon
2031 words - 4.1 OF Standard Post Measure

ON :

Martin left the flight deck and decided to follow captains orders and find the last officer who had been running the department temporarily and get up to speed on the going on and such. Landau stepped off the turbolift a short while later and moved across the deck following the many curves of the ever winding corridors to come to a complete halt outside the Operations offices.

Martin pressed the panel on the side and waited to be called in trying to smarten himself up to look presentable in front of another senior officer.

... David had gone back to his office to hand over to his Deputy prior to going off duty. He had accumulated an impressive pile of PADD's all awaiting his or Lysia's attention. Operations had run well while he and Lysia had been seconded to the Tactical Information Center and he was suitably impressed with his small Staff, but some things required their personal attention, and he was discussing this with Lysia when the door chime sounded. Lysia leaned over the desk and activated the door. He was a little taken aback by the person stood waiting outside, the man must have been over seven feet tall, built like a proverbial tank. Lysia waved him in and stood:

"I'll get these reports done." she said, taking the pile of PADD's before David could object, "Oh, and don't forget you are meeting Lana, so no staying late ... Lieutenant." she said to the newcomer and left with a grin at Tan.

"Lieutenant, I don't believe we've met." David said, rising but still dwarfed by the Centaurian, "Take a erm, seat." he said, wondering vaguely about the structural integrity of the flimsy-looking chair ...

"Why thank you Lieutenant I was told by Barstow to come and see you since you ran the TIC in the absence of a senior officer" Martin explained as he sat down.

... "I did yes." David replied, sitting behind his desk, "It was an interesting experience, I've Ran the Information Center on my previous assignment, but only as part of a team under the Strat' Ops Officer. First time in the big chair though, so to speak, and I have to admit, our 'TIC' is much more advanced. I like the idea that Strat' Ops is laid out in a circular configuration, you have all round vision rather than having the monitors along one bulkhead, it allows you to display much more information simultaneously. Lysia, my Deputy, who was leaving as you came in, and I, did reconfigure the priority of how information was fed to the main viewscreen, the one directly ahead when your seat is facing Aft. Now the most relevant data comes up comes up on the main screen with peripheral information being fed to the surrounding four screens. There's a default, just in case you are not happy I just preferred it that way." David said, taking an isolinear chip from his desk and handing it to the Lieutenant, "You can use that, enter default code setting ... 'Strat-Reconfig-Prev-Zero-One' ... You'll have the original configuration back."

He got up and moved to the replicator, requesting a coffee then asked Lieutenant Landau if he wanted anything:

"Im fine" Landau replied to the officer " It seems like a tough job for someone new to the concept of the TIC but I guess I will get used to it eventually" Martin explained

Returning to his desk he asked how the newly appointed Strategic Operations Officer was settling in, genuinely interested in how a Centaurian was taking to life aboard a Star Ship ...

"Pritty well most of who I have met sofar seem nice" Martin explained pondering the next answer "The height of our people limits what postions we can hold aboard a starship so I chose this as a career. It can be hard being the tallest person in the crew but it helps. Of all the postings I would have to say being under the command o a family member on a one gender ship is quite embarissing with all the hatred you get from other officers and people but you get to live with it I suppose" Landau remarked looking at the officers expressions "its going to be hard to get to grips being a Lieutenant JG when you have risen to Lieutenant Commander before joining the crew but thats the price to pay to get a permainent position" Martin spoke

Martin sat there loooking at the officer trying to see what impressions he made of the senior officer looking and watching the officer with interest. Landau thought he might be able to get along with the officer quite well and the fact he seemed quite a well ventured person for the various posting on the Merlin

... It actually surprised David for some unknown reason, that Landau had risen to the rank of Lieutenant Commander within his own race's fleet, but having no knowledge of how the Centaurian Fleet rank system worked he couldn't comment. He had the distinct feeling that the Junior Lieutenant would have no trouble attaining a promotion in due course.

"You obviously knew that joining Star Fleet would require effectively starting a Junior Grade Officer following graduation, and are obviously alright with it. Basically, you're the Head of a Department, regardless of rank." David said, returning his cup to the replicator and requesting a refill before sitting once again, he decided to tell the, he was almost about to say 'young man' when he realised he had no idea of the age of the man opposite, given asking was out of the question he let it pass, he gave Martin a quick rundown, "I'd actually decided to leave Star Fleet when the opening on the Merlin came up, though I was actually the Security and Tactical chief when I came aboard, deciding to change to Operations was a big step, and truth be told I wasn't a hundred percent sure I actually 'wanted' the switch, but here I am, like it or not I suppose."

Lysia came in unannounced and dropped several PADD's on his desk, saying they were signed off if he wanted to review anything. David said no, he didn't need to be second-guessing her decisions, she was his Deputy Department Head and was more than capable. He took the PADD's and put them on top of a cabinet, asking Lysia to have someone store them at some point. (He didn't like clutter of any kind). He could see the Strat' Officer looking at him as if appraising a possible friend, or foe, David wasn't too sure at this point, but as they seemed to be getting on pretty well he was airing toward the former:

"Has Commander Barstow or the Exec' given you your first Duty Shift yet ?" he asked.

"Was called in yesterday to do training with the CAG so was on duty then but not officially yet" Landau explained shifting in the seat

"Ahh right." David said after Landau replied, "I have to admit, the Tactical information Center is one hell of a room, very impressive." he smiled, almost feeling a minute tinge of envy for the man to have such a place at his disposal. It would all come down to how he settled in and performed, though that was true of everyone he knew, from the Commander and down through the ranks. Everyone had their role, and each and everyone of those serving within Star Fleet did their jobs to the best of their abilities.

"Was there anything specific you needed to know, or was this just a 'get to know you' visit ?" David asked, deciding he liked the Centaurian ...

"Nah the CO just said i had to go a meet you before taking over officially" Martin replied looking at the watch to check the time because he wanted to

... "That's fair enough, never hurts to get a little extra information, and sometimes knowing something 'outside' the manuals can make all the difference. When I walked in there after Commander Barstow assigned me during our issues with the crashed vessel, it was somewhat overwhelming. not the position, but the layout and the improvements made since the first ships to have a TIC. Hell the simulators I trained on are almost obsolete compared to your ultra-modern room. I imagine some Strat' Officers would give their left arm, metaphorically speaking of course, to get into that seat of yours. As I said earlier, I'd made a couple of modifications, but you have the code if you want to set the room up to your preferences."

He got up and asked the replicator for another coffee. given Landau had refused a beverage earlier he didn't ask if he wanted one now, besides, the man had legs, he could get up and request something at anytime he decided. Lana had told him 'numerous' times not to overdo it regarding his favourite non-alcoholic beverage, but he figured, what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her, or rather, him as it crossed his mind that she might somehow be monitoring his consumption, he laughed inwardly, realising how idiotic his thought was as he returned to his desk:

"So is the Merlin a long-term assignment, or are you looking to move on to bigger and better things ?" David asked with a wry grin, knowing no-one simply settled for what they had, it was a given that people always strive to better themselves, "Maybe a Command role within Star Fleet at some point ?" he finished, sipping on the hot liquid and waiting ...

"Well" Martin pondered "Well iv never had any time off or shore leave when iv been on a ship. Uusally im left alone on the ship by myself to rome toe corridors empty and devoid of life doing my job. XO is the closest I have been to command of a ship but I dont thinkit would suit a guy like me with my career path at all i guess" Martin explained looking around the tidy and clean office usually remembering how messy an ambassadors office would get with all the padds and things spread out all on the go and all active things for an aide to keep track of and monitor. He brushed some hair off the jacket and spoke "if you want a challenge theres always that gift the natives on a diplomatic mission gave me we could retrieve into the shuttlebay to examine and repair of Romulan design or theres gifts I don't really want back at my flat on earth in many boxes piled high and around the flat iv been meaning to either sell, put on display or give a way as gifts.Every dipomatic mission ended with us getting some kind of gift from the inhabitants but I dont think im that keen on command concidering my experiences" Landau contunued to explain wondering what the officer had next to say.

... "You certainly seem to have led a varied career ...." David said, seeing Lysia through the plexi-glass window separating his office from the Operations Center. She was pointing at the chronometer with a grin, knowing he had made arrangements to make a surprise visit to the holodeck with Lana, if he could get someone to watch the children that is, "I hadn't realised you had served as a Diplomat, I have to admit, that's something I seriously doubt I could do well, if at all. I'm sorry Lieutenant, but I have an appointment I can't really get out of. I'm sure we'll have many more conversations, and please, while we're in here call me David, much preferable to 'Sir' in my opinion. OK, thank you for dropping by, and feel free to do so anytime. Now we're acquainted we should remain so." he said, standing and moving around the desk offering his hand, wondering suddenly if the Centaurian even knew of the concept of the 'handshake' ...

"If there nothing further to discuss I wont keep you any longer. It was nice meeting you and look forward to further encounters" Martin replied shaking the man's hand

OFF :

Lieutenant David Tan
Chief Operations Officer
USS Merlin

Lieutenant JG Martin Landau
Chief Strategic Operations Officer
USS Merlin