Posted by Lieutenant Tiastri Ezial (Chief Engineer) in Side Sim - Tiastri’s XO Check in

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Kord (XO) in Side Sim - Tiastri’s XO Check in

Posted by Lieutenant Tiastri Ezial (Chief Engineer) in Side Sim - Tiastri’s XO Check in
Posted by… suppressed (8) by the Post Ghost! 👻
It wasn’t her fault, really. She had been on the way to do ‘just this’ when building a bomb had caused her detour. That had landed her in an upside down cavern in a bug filled planet that blew up and… well, she was now standing outside the XO’s door and wondering if this seemed redundant. But something told her, regardless, it was necessary.

She raised a hand and tapped the chime. Her hands absently tugged at her tunic and a hand rose to brush a hair back behind her ear. The XO was someone she was wanting to see, but dreading at the same time. Something in her had clicked when he had been close to her in the hanger. She was surely imagining it, which is why she was gritting her teeth and sucked in a steadying breath. The dread came when she thought he would see her looking at him and think she was some pining child. That wasn’t it, not at all. Men weren’t something she had a good track record with. The more handsome, the more sadistic. That had been her upbringing. That had been the reason for joining the Fleet… escape. She would do what she could, to the best of her ability, and that was all. The fact the XO was handsome, made no move towards her, and probably was taken by someone ‘way’ above her paygrade… made no difference.

It was just a job.

She tugged the tunic once more and awaited entrance. The whole thought process had run thru her in a matter of seconds. Now her mind was on the interview and the hope that her lack of proactive activity in the stone cave wasn’t her undoing.

Tiastri Ezial
CE (field promo)

The door opened and Kord was getting up from a mat. The air was electric, literally, the charge tingling over her skin and making the fine hairs on her body stand.

“Please come in. Excuse this,” he said indicating the mat and his relaxed state of dress in a neutral gray t-shirt and stretch pants, “I was meditating. How may I be of assistance lieutenant?”

His crystal blue eyes seemed to look right through her as if his gaze were looking back in time at her life. The stark contrast of the his black left and white right body cutting a line perfectly down the center of his face and disappearing into the collar. The short blonde hair on top of his head was slightly ruffled.

• Kord, XO

She had expected many things… but this took her breath away. Literally. A small gasp of surprise whispered from her lips as the new comer stepped into the room and rubbed her arms absently. “Sir… Tiastri Ezial reporting in.” Suddenly she couldn’t help but smile. “Though I believe we’ve met already. So I am not sure why, really, I am here other than it seemed....” she tried to search for a word that didn’t come out like she was a stalker, “umm… official?” The word was wrong, but unfortunately, while his eyes bore thru her as if looking into her past, her eyes had trouble ‘not’ looking at him and thinking of the future.

She shook her head slightly and focused once more. “And please, I know I didn’t have an appointment. If I am intruding, I can come back.” She motioned to the clothes and the mat. Without thinking, she added. “Maybe I should start meditating. You seem much calmer than I seem to be after what we’ve been through.” She rolled her head as the electricity rolled over her and smiled once more. Surprisingly, it felt good. Albeit in an odd, unexpected way she would never had considered.

Lt Tia Ezial
CE (field promo)

The charge in the air was slowly fading.

“Don’t worry about it. I don’t require an appointment unless someone is expecting to see me in a uniform. Call this your courtesy check in with the XO. It’s not an uncommon custom. As for my calm, I’m over forty thousand Terran years old and most of that life was lived in a state of civil war that has practically brought my species to extinction. From that experience, there’s little to shock or dismay.”

• Kord

Tia couldn’t help but smile. “Well you look great, Sir. I wouldn’t have guessed you much over 250. Though I am sorry your species is dwindling. That shouldn’t ever happen to any sentient species.” She knew it wasn’t a widely accepted point of view, one she and her roommates had argued over at the Academy extensively. But it was still her view that any race to survive to sentience, should be allowed to flourish as long as they aren’t like the Borg and seek to annihilate everyone and everything. As for seeing you in uniform, it’s not necessary as far as I’m concerned.” She laughed, not realizing how that may have sounded to the man before her.

Tia

Kord nodded.

“Then sit if you like. Can I offer you something to drink?”

• Kord

“Water is fine, thank you, Sir,” she settled into one of the chairs.

“So are all new crewmen baptised by fire, Sir?” She half laughed trying to fill the moment of silence. “I knew I didn’t have any down time, but I have to admit I hadn’t expected to have a bomb in my hands the day I arrived.”

She watched him move about the room with effectiveness. She was still feeling of balance in her quarters and, watching him, looked forward to when she’d be settled in as well.

Tia
CE

“Well you did arrive at an interesting time.” Kord said as he retrieved the water for Tia.

The glass was cold as he handed it to her.

“Those bombs, and many other such devices, were my specialty during the Cheron wars. Simple, elegant, effective.”

• Kord, XO

“Thank you, Sir,” she took the water and had a sip. The coolness was refreshing enough that she wasn’t aware it was half gone before she came up for air. “Oh… forgive me.” She laughed slightly in embarrassment. “Well, I have to admit, they ‘were’ an elegant sight to behold.” She was watching him move about as a thought occurred to her. “Sir… you gave me a field promotion to Chief Engineer while we were under duress. I am guessing there is someone coming to actually ‘take’ that slot? Is there anything in particular you want me to do before they arrive?” She had just assumed that she had arrived before the new DH and was given the spot so there was ‘some kind’ of rank structure for the staff to follow in the heat of battle.

Tia
CE (field promo)

Kord looked thoughtful for a moment.

“Yes, there is something. How do you feel about making the position official? You’ve gotten to know your way around the ship and you have a repertoire with the engineering staff already. I see no reason to replace you if you’re willing to stay on in the position you currently occupy.”

• Kord, XO

The look on her face wasn’t controlled at all as she almost gaped her jaw. “You want me to be the Chief Engineer? I, ummm… Yes, Sir. I would like that. Thank you.” Realizing her stammering, she bit her lip a moment and composed herself. When she spoke again, the smile was still there but she was under control again. “Yes, Sir. I am willing. And thank you. I hadn’t expected that but I won’t let you down.” She shook her head slightly as the reality set in.

After taking a breath, she put herself back in order. “Is there anything in particular I need to know, Sir? About engineering, the ship’s particular quirks, the crew or anything else?” She was all business and wanted him to know that while blindsided by the offer, she was still capable.

Tia
CE (for real now)

Kord smiled, he didn’t often get to give pleasant news such as this.

“I’m sure there are things to discover, after all, a department head doesn’t necessarily report all the minor inconsistencies and inconveniences to the XO and CO, just things that are of critical importance to the operations and functions of the ship. I’ve received no reports recently that are indicative of issues with the ship or crew that should concern you. Now take another deep breath and relax.” he said.

Kord, XO