Onboarding

Posted on Sunday July 27, 2025 @ 10:00pm by Lieutenant Commander Freya Score & Captain Yoralig Gearev

820 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Episode 1: A New Frontier
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: TBD

Freya had just completed a tour of the expansive halls of her new assignment, taking in her surroundings with a mix of excitement and anticipation. As a former Marine turned fighter pilot, she had faced numerous challenges in her career, but this opportunity felt different—more significant. The sleek, high-tech environment of the spaceship buzzed with the energy of her new life, and she was eager to prove herself.

What could possibly go wrong? Steeling herself, she exited the lift that carried her to the bridge and stepped into the vast room filled with blinking consoles and busy crew members, all focused on their tasks. Freya walked with purpose toward the ready room, her heart racing in sync with the hum of the ship's engines. As she reached the door, she pressed the signal button.

Captain Gearev looked up from the mission report on his console as the chime rang through the ready room. He took a breath, fingers still resting on the edge of the data rod Vice Admiral Bolin had given him earlier. The ship was still finding its rhythm—new systems syncing, departments settling, crew members adjusting. But this particular signal, he had anticipated. Rising from his seat, he smoothed the front of his uniform jacket and called out, “Enter,” his voice composed, even—yet edged with the weight of the responsibility that loomed ahead.

As the doors parted and Lieutenant Commander Freya stepped inside, Gearev studied her for a quiet moment. The confidence in her gait was unmistakable—ex-Marines never quite lost their bearing—but so was the barely hidden anticipation in her eyes. “Lieutenant Commander,” he greeted her evenly, gesturing toward the chair across from his desk. “Welcome aboard the Vanguard. I trust the ship made a strong first impression.”

Freya turned her gaze to the Captain, her eyes briefly scanning the bustling room around them before locking back onto him with a determined expression. "Splendid," she said, her tone laced with sarcasm. "You know, first impressions are vastly overrated. They give an unrealistic portrayal of what Starfleet believes their missions should look like. In reality, those missions are often filled with chaos and mayhem. Picture this: panels exploding all around you, the med bay overflowing with injured crew members, and people rushing about in a state of panic, completely caught off guard. Meanwhile, your department chief is shouting orders as if the very fate of the mission depended on it—because it does. And let's not forget the chief engineer, who is usually beside themselves, frantically trying to salvage their beloved ship while watching it crumble around them. That’s the reality we face, not the polished image Starfleet prefers to present."

Captain Gearev listened, his expression unreadable save for the faint narrowing of his eyes—less disapproval, more focus. When she finished, he let a brief silence settle between them, not uncomfortable, but measured. Then he folded his hands behind his back and stepped closer to the viewport, letting the stars outside the ship’s frame speak before he did.

“You’re not wrong, Lieutenant,” he said at last, his voice low and steady. “Starfleet paints with optimism, but we live in the brushstrokes between disaster and discipline. These things will happen. There is no avoiding it. But that chaos—if you let it—will reveal who you are. Not to Starfleet. To yourself.” He turned, meeting her gaze directly now. “The Vanguard will not be defined by disaster. It will be defined by how we endure it. I expect you to remember that.”

"I understand sir," Freya replied.

"Good." The Captain said breaking his gaze. He grabbed a PADD and handed it to her. "Here is a list of your current pilots. As well as fighter and ordinance inventory."

Freya picked up the document and examined it closely. As she skimmed through the text, she paused occasionally to read specific sections more carefully, ensuring she understood the important details.

"What are your plans for your department?" Yoralig was always curious what ideas of plans new department heads had for their departments. Everyone was different, and he would rather know now what the plan was before it was implemented.

"I haven't made a decision yet, Captain," Freya said thoughtfully. "I need to conduct a thorough inspection of the equipment and perform the necessary flight tests to ensure everything is working properly. Once I complete these assessments, I will provide you with my recommendations."

The Coridanite nodded at the CAG. "Very well. If you require anything more, please let me know." Yoralig said. He hated these reporting in meetings, but they were generally frowned upon if they were skipped. So he did them, keeping them professional as possible.

"Understood, do you have questions for me sir?" Freya asked.

Shaking his head, "No more. Do you have any for me?"

"No Sir" Freya replied.

"Then you are dismissed Commander." The Captain said with all professionalism.

 

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