XO on Board

Posted on Monday July 28, 2025 @ 4:42am by Captain Yoralig Gearev & Chief Warrant Officer 3 Makan & Lieutenant Commander Halli Bann Dr (PhD)

1,607 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 1: A New Frontier
Location: USS Vanguard
Timeline: 2424.06.16 1145 Hours

Behind the transporter pad, the Zaranite stood. He was assisting with the calibrating the transporter buffers. This one was testing with a .01 variance. It was within operating parameters for organic beings, but the engineering team at the shipyard wanted it fixed. Makan had been an expert at transporters a earlier in his career, so he took it on.

"Vanguard transporter room to shipyard. We are ready to attempt another test" Chief Warrant Officer Makan said as he closed the diagnostic holo-screen.

"Acknowledged Vanguard. Specimen ready to transport."

"Energizing." Makan said as he activated the transport. The blue beam and hum completed it's cycle in a few seconds. Pulling up the diagnostic, .00002 variance. He was going to call it good. "Shipyard, variance down to .00002. We are happy with this. Thank you for your help."

"No problem Vanguard. Shipyard out."

Makan was about to pass the controls to the enlisted woman who was stationed there for now when a transport request came through. "Vanguard to Starbase 21. We are ready to recieve." The officer's information came through the screen. It was for the ship's new XO. Lieutenant Commander Halli Bann. "Captain Gearev, this is Chief Warrant Officer Makan in transporter room 1. Lieutenant Commander Halli Bann is transporting aboard."

Over his combadge, the stoic voice of the Captain came through, "Thank you Commander. I am on my way."

"Energizing." Makan watched the transport sequence complete on the screen, which ended up with a woman in a command red tunic and black pants standing on the pad. "Commander, welcome aboard. The Captain is on his way to greet you. We were just notified of your arrival."

The pretty but older blonde Trill apparated to the transport room on a strange-to her, so far-Starship. She heard a voice, and nodded as she stepped forward. "Thank you," she said. "I appreciate it. I am Commander Halli Bann, your new XO," she said, extending a hand for his handshake. She looked around a moment. This ship was smaller than the last, and of course, smaller than the Outpost that she'd transferred from. Still. It would be fun, and a good chance for her to explore her life now, newly single and without a kid in tow-her son was at the Academy now, and Odom was off doing whatever it was he was doing-she didn't keep track. Not because she didn't care, but because she'd had other pressing matters.

"Chief Warrant Officer Makan, Boatswain." The Zaranite said with a nod. "We will be working together a bit, Commander." At that moment, the door swooshed open.

The Coridanite captain walked into the transporter room. His scaley face was stoic as he entered. "Commander." He said as he approached. "I am Captain Yoralig Gearev. Welcome aboard." The Captain stuck out his hand to shake the new XO's hand. He had her of her from her other postings, she was highly suggested from Starfleet Command as an XO. She was still a Lieutenant Commander, which was fine by him. She was still moldable to work the way that he saw his XO working with him.

Halli smiled warmly. "Pleased to meet you," she said, taking his hand and shaking it once, firmly but gently. Her father was a diplomat on Trill and had taught all of her siblings and herself how to present themselves well. A good handshake could close a deal better than anything in some cases. "I am Lt. Commander Halli Bann," she said, "But you already knew that. Ship seems empty; our shakedown tour?" She asked, before picking up the bag she'd decided to transport with. She'd had her other things sent and they'd be brought over later, separately. She didn't have much right now, anyway.

"Still waiting for transfer to come aboard. With a crew of almost 2,000 enlisted and officers, it takes time for logistics to come together." Yoralig turned and lead her out of the transporter room. "Starfleet sent us a Chief of Staff to assist with crew, rather than putting that all on you and I. That many crew is a lot to handle. I didn't ask for it, but they did it anyway." He said a matter of factly. "I am taking you straight to the bridge, you have an office there. Which should allow you to work and get any required paperwork done." The Coridanite said in his pragmatic tone.

Halli nodded. "Of course," she said. "And that IS nice," she said. "A Chief of Staff is always helpful. At the Starbase I transferred from, we had a quartermaster and it was very helpful," she noted.. "OH! Great," she said. "I expected to be put down by the Hangars, out of the way of everyone," she said, jokingly. "I look forward to starting." That was sincere. She was. "I was briefed vaguely on my trip out," she said. "But anything I should know right away?"

Raising an eyebrow at her, he said very pragmatically, "Why would we keep you so far from where you are needed?" The Coridanite understood that she was telling a joke, but he didn't let that lead on. The two stepped into the turbolift, "I have not been briefed fully on what our mission is. I know we are being sent out to keep an eye on the Tholians. With the cold war, Starfleet is worried. The Tholians can be unpredictable." he paused for a moment, "I have a private meeting with Vice Admiral Bolin tomorrow at 0800. After that we will be holding a staff briefing for those aboard."

Halli nodded. She forewent the explanation; some day, she'd teach him about jokes. Instead, she focused on work. "I see," she said. "The only thing I was told was that the Tholians were involved, and we were patrolling," she said. "And, yes, that seems the wisest course of action," she said.

"They are making strategic movements with their forces. Threats made to the Federation. So we need to be vigilant. We are going to be close to their space." Yoralig stated. He eyes locked with hers, his violet eyes reflecting the light. "We will be staying on combat readiness. I don't want any surprises from anyone." The Coridanite leaned back in his chair.

Halli sighed. "Yes," she said. "I have faced them as a threat before. We were able to negotiate peacefully, but it's always tenuous," she said. "When I was an Ensign," she explained. "We ran into them on a derelict ship we were towing; they'd taken it over as a strategic base. Weird. But yes...it was touch and go for a bit but as I said, they were able to be met with logic and peace. I am not sure that's an option anymore, with the Dominion and their factions," she said. So many new warlords were popping up. She preferred the good old days, when their biggest bad guys were the Gorn and sometimes the Kareema.

"I wouldn't count on them being logical or peaceful this time around." Captain Gearev said, "Last reports from Starfleet was they attacked 2 civilian transports and a Klingon cargo vessel. The Klingons reported their ship was destroyed, not surprising. The Klingons would try to fight their way out, but the civilian transports... they were released with just their cargo stollen. Starfleet security is still putting the cargo manifests together."

Halli sucked in a breath. That was more grim than she'd expected. "Right," she said. Of course. Nothing was ever easy, was it?! It wouldn't be the Starfleet way. "Well. All we can do is wait for that, I suppose," she said. "Tomorrow, I will review our manifest, and put together a list for a potential team to investigate further. Of course, that's away out yet, I understand, but I like to be prepared," she said.

Yoralig nodded, "We will see what Starfleet has in store for us." The turbolift doors opened to the bridge. This was busier than what it had been. Though the captain would rather it quiet, he wouldn't lie when it gave him a hint of joy that it was buzzing. Leading the XO to the middle of the bridge, "This is your chair." He pointed to the chair that would be to his right if he was sitting in his chair. Your office is through this door." He pointed to the right side of the bridge, opposite of his office. He led her to the doors and opened them for her, allowing her the opportunity to walk in first.

Halli nodded, and then sat in the chair. It was comfortable. It'd do. It was WEIRD being on the Bridge in this position...she was used to being at the Science console, doing her thing, but it was going to be great. She watched the action on the bridge- the "fix it" crew, prepping them to take over in a few days. She smiled. "Thank you," she said, standing up to follow him to her new office. She walked in, and looked around. It would do. Once she put her final touches on it, it would be fine.

"Thank you for the tour," she said. "Do you need me for anything else? If not, I'd like to go find my quarters and start getting settled. Perhaps a staff meeting when our Second Officer arrives?" She suggested.

Nodding, Yoralig moved towards the door, "That is a good plan Commander. Thank you. I will alert you tomorrow when I am back from my briefing with the Admiral."

She nodded. "That would be fine. Thank you again," she said. She stepped into her office fully. "Nice to meet you," she said, with a parting smile. This would be good!!

 

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