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Captain's Quarters - Meeting the CO

Posted Aug. 14, 2022, 2:41 a.m. by Lieutenant Commander Stephen Stous (XO) (Gavin Burkhardt)

Posted by Captain Johann Dvorak (CO) in Captain’s Quarters - Meeting the CO

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Stephen Stous (XO) in Captain’s Quarters - Meeting the CO

Posted by Captain Johann Dvorak (CO) in Captain’s Quarters - Meeting the CO
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Stephen’s previous posting on the Venture had required an initial meeting with its CO, though that was mostly at her discretion; Stephen had always assumed she wanted to meet the man who would be handling much of her ship’s sensitive data. But that meeting had been brief, and, oh, six years ago? It felt like forever. But regardless of if that past experience was yesterday or last century, this one would be exponentially more important.

Stephen had read most of Johann’s file on the ride to the ship, and found it a touch intimidating. This was a man who had seen some things, and who had commanded the Europa since Stephen’s senior year in the Academy. He had no idea what to expect from the meeting, but given that they would be working closely together and Stephen would be directly carrying out Johann’s orders and wishes, this was an important first impression to make.

With a head full of a mixture of anxiety, excitement, and anticipation, then, Stephen Stous approached his new commander’s door and, with a nod at a passing Ensign, rang the bell.

~ Lt. Cmdr. Stous - XO

“Come in,” came a deep male voice through the door.

Stephen already knew the man behind the desk was Captain Dvorak, but if he somehow did not know that, it was plain to see from the four pips on the Captain’s red collar. It was made even more obvious by the fact that he was wearing the uniform vest that only Captain’s ever seemed to be able to replicate, instead of the standard duty uniform. It added to the air about him of someone who had seen things. He did not have eyes to see them with; they had been replaced with ocular implants. Said implants were clearly distinguishable from the eyes he had been born with by being very visibly mechanical as well as their unnatural movement between objects that they were focused on. They darted swiftly from the computer terminal on his desk, to Stephen.

Now I get to find out how to say it, Johann thought. The expression on his bearded face did not betray his curiosity on this topic. Indeed, he simply looked at the new arrival, expecting him to speak for their part of the I’m-reporting-for-duty dance.

– Johann Dvorak, CO

Stephen had, of course, not had the opportunity to explore Johann’s medical records, so while he was all-too-aware of who the Captain was, he could not help but allow his gaze to linger a moment too long on the man’s “eyes” as they darted around the room. He did not otherwise falter in his rehearsed entrance, and, stopping before Dvorak’s desk, he brought his heels together and said “Lieutenant Commander Stephen Stous reporting for duty, sir.” He pronounced it as if the “Stous” was part of the word “stout.”

~ Stephen Stous - XO

“Mr. Stousss,” the Captain said quietly, largely to verify that he could in fact get the pronunciation right. It was easier than he imagined. “I’m Captain Johann Dvorak,” this time he spoke at a normal volume. “Have a seat.” There were two chairs in front of the desk to choose from.

“Have a nice trip here?” he asked casually as he pressed a few buttons on his computer display. The implants moved seemingly instantly from Stephen’s face back to the monitor.

– Johann Dvorak, CO

“Thank you” Stephen replied, grabbing some seat. The more he attempted to maintain normal eye contact with Dvorak, the more unsettled he became by the implants’ seemingly instant movement. Here’s hoping they just need some getting used to.

“Yes, sir, it was an uneventful ride but not unpleasant.” He stopped himself there, wanting to continue, not wanting to be overbearing, and stuck in a static equilibrium between the two.

~ Stephen Stous - XO


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