Posted Dec. 5, 2021, 1:17 p.m. by Ensign Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) (Jennifer Ward)
Posted by Ensign Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in Command Support
Posted by Ensign Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in Command Support
Posted by Captain Shirley Rogers (Commanding Officer) in Command Support
It was Cpt Rogers’ first official day of duty. Rand had slipped clean and pressed uniforms into her quarters the afternoon before. She had stocked the captain’s pantry in her quarters, and the one in her own quarters filled with Rogers favorite snacks, simple meals, and drinks. At 0800 Rand walked up to the the captain’s quarters, morning drink and reports in hand and rang the chime.
Yeoman Rand
Shirley could be seen sitting at the desk in her quarters reviewing a personnel file on her computer. Her dark brown hair was tied up in a bun to maintain a professional appearance when on duty. She enjoyed keeping her hair down, but kept her look clean when she was on Starfleet’s time. Shirley was reviewing Ensign Farquharson’s service record closely as she prefers to get to know all of her crew to an extent. In the past as an Executive Officer on board the USS Hiawatha, she made it a point to be involved with the crew to help ensure they are doing well personally and that they are developing in a productive manner as officers. Her reading was interrupted by the door chime, Shirley raised her head and shifted her emerald gaze towards the entry door, “Come in.”
When Rand entered, Shirley’s eyes widened for a moment which was accompanied by a slight smile that had spread across her lips, “Ah, Ensign Farquharson, I was just reviewing your personnel file.” She gestured openly with her hand in the direction of the guest seat at her desk, “Please have a seat. I would love to get to know you while we have breakfast together.”
- Captain Shirley Rogers, CO
Rand walked in, uniform impeccable, red hair in a neat bun, boots clicking crisply on the floor. “Good morning Cpt Rogers.” Rand made her way over to the desk with a tray.
Rand had done her homework and research as well. She set a plate of eggs over medium, bacon, and an English muffin with butter and a glass of orange juice in front of the captain. She took a seat, PaDD resting on her lap with all of the mornings reports. “Thank you Captain, but I ate before my shift started. I can adjust my schedule accordingly if that is what you prefer.” Some people preferred to work over a meal and didn’t like to be the only one eating. Rand didn’t mind either way.Yeoman Rand
Shirley looked over Rand as she scanned her Yeoman from head to toe. She looked quite professional and classy for a Starfleet officer. Being similar to Rand in that regard, Shirley definitely appreciated that. A person who took care of themselves was admirable and placed their dedication on full display. The breakfast looked absolutely delicious, she had always loved a nice English breakfast. However, she noticed a lack of silverware and stood up in response as she glanced down and made eye contact with Rand, “It looks delicious, but I need to get silverware. This is not the Stone Age you know.” Her tone indicated that she was only kidding as she pat Rand’s shoulder softly while on her way to her counter. She walked up and opened a drawer, picked up a fork and knife, and returned to her seat.
Rand was mortified that she hadn’t realized the cook forgot the silverware. She was aware the captain was kidding, her tone indicated it, but Rand didn’t know how exactly she was supposed to respond to that. She wasn’t usually so unobservant. Of course the cook was meticulous, had Rand grabbed the tray before it was ready? She knew she was nervous about this first official meeting with Cpt Rogers…she took a silent deep steadying breath while the captain’s back was turned and reminded herself to pay more attention to the details. That was her job. This would not have looked good if the captain was hosting a meal or instead it was an ambassador, admiral, or other dignitary.
Shirley smiled at Rand, “There we go, that completes the breakfast right there. Now, as far as eating breakfast with me in the mornings. I am open to it, but only if you feel comfortable with that. We are on a long journey and it is nice to have company considering we live literally right down the corridor, neighbor.” Shirley had just come up with a nickname for her Yeoman. ‘Neighbor’ she liked that for Rand. She cut up her egg and took a bite, “This is exceptional. Thank you for bringing me breakfast. Now, I will need you to set up appointments for me to meet with every Department Head and high potential Junior Officers along with Enlisted. I want to get to know the crew one on one. That will be wonderful for morale and I really do want to get to know the team. Can you get started on that today? Send out calendar invites, that would be great.” She then took a sip of her orange juice and the taste was sensational. Shirley was clearly ecstatic about her assignment and new role as a Commanding Officer, she had worked twice as hard as any man to get the position.
- Captain Shirley Rogers, CO
Rand would remember to ask the cook to add her breakfast to the morning tray then. She nodded, “I will convey your compliments to the cook. I can get those set up immediately. But if I may captain..” this was the hard part, but part of her job. Privately like this it was expected for Yeoman to ‘advise’ in a way. “I can look at personnel reports for the junior officer and enlisted, but it might be better to ask the department heads about who is high potential. Reports only tell so much, but I can look at their files to make a determination if you prefer.”
Shirley raised her hand in a gesture that indicated that Rand needed to slow down, “Easy there Ensign, you are not the Captain just yet. I have already created a list of the first batch of Junior Officers and Department Heads that I want you to be a good neighbor and set up meetings with them to help assist me.” Her eyes scanned her computer screen as she pulled up the right document containing her list of whom she wanted to meet with in the first batch. She shared the file with Rand as she sent it directly to the Yeoman’s PADD, “There we go, I sent you the information to review for later. I value you your opinion on matters, but I do not expect you to run the entire ship. I most definitely do not need a burned out Yeoman on my hands.” Shirley winked at Rand.
Rand’s face didn’t give a thing away, she continued to sit as if at attention, like she had since she’d been asked to sit. She would never assume she was the captain of a ship or anything else. Rand did NOT want to be in command. Command Support, that’s why she was yeoman she was good at that. Rogers had asked her to set up meetings, she hadn’t said she had a list, her words had clearly indicated that she wanted Rand to make that decision. But Rand wasn’t qualified to determine who was ‘high potential’ or not. If she had a list already, why didn’t she start with that. Oh GODS Rogers was one of those who didn’t know how to articulate what she meant or what she wanted. Rand’s life had just turned into a nightmare. She didn’t think she ran the whole ship, that was Rogers and Alden’s job, not hers. Hers was to make sure THEY could run the whole ship. Wonderful…so not only could Rogers not say what she meant she thought Rand had over stepped her place. This was the worst first meeting ever in Rand’s yeoman career. She nodded once, firmly, “Of course, Cpt. I’ll remember that.”
“The cook would like to know what fresh meals you prefer, so that he can make the appropriate requisition requests of the quarter master for our next supply shipment.”
Shirley simply nodded her head once, “Sure, I will get that list to you.”
Rand scrolled through the reports on her PaDD and clicked a couple of buttons. “This mornings’ department updates.” She set the PaDD to the side of the tray within easy reading distance but not in the way with the stylus right on top.
Yeoman Rand
Shirley absolutely loved her Yeoman’s efficiency in the role. She picked up the PADD and looked over the department reports for a moment. After careful review, she signed the required lines with her index finger and handed the PADD back over to Rand, “Everything appears to be in order today on the Sentinel. Now moving right along, tell me a little bit about your history Rand. In other words, introduce yourself, tell me about your interests, and why you decided to join Starfleet.” Shirley went back eating her breakfast while eagerly waiting to hear Rand’s response.
- Captain Shirley Rogers, CO
Rand took the PaDD, checked them quickly, slid the dismissed stylus back into the holder and saved the reports to her PaDD and glanced over the list that had been uploaded to the PaDD. Rand looked back at Rogers. It was always the same, captains always wanted to know about the yeoman. It was a polite question and the answers rarely listened to or if they were, remembered. It was part of the dance she supposed. Captains liked to think they actually knew their crews. “I’m highly efficient at protocol, regulation, and procedure. I have almost an eidetic memory so I don’t forget things, making me highly useful. I’m extremely skilled with computer usage, not programming or building. I’m fast, efficient, and concise. On my personal time I enjoy literature, running - cross country mostly, I exercise in the gym because I enjoy it and not because it is required. I’m a twin and enjoy spending time with my brother.”
Yeoman Rand
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