Navigating Aboard

Posted on Mon Jan 8th, 2024 @ 11:39pm by Colonel Josiah McEntyre & Lieutenant Blake Weston

940 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: First Deployment
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: MD 0 - 1700 HRs

Settling in after a day full of meetings, Colonel Josiah McEntyre was ready to relax a bit. Putting his feet up onto a leather ottoman that sat in front of the leather armchair in his ready room, he lets himself sink into the chair, letting the low thrum of the warp core lull him into a sleep.

or it would have, had it not been for the most unfortunate chime of the door. Josiah bolts up, a little scared from the suddenness of the chime. He hadn't been expecting anyone at what should have been supper time in the mess hall.

He sits up and calls out,

"Enter"

The door to the small cabin opened to reveal a Starfleet officer in his mid-twenties. His command gold blue Starfleet uniform and lieutenant's insignia stood in stark contrast to the Colonel's camouflage fatigues. He looked down at the Colonel through his glasses and snapped to attention, "Lt. Blake Weston, Navigator, reporting aboard sir," he said in an even tone. He knew how to deal with MACOs all too well.

"Stand at Ease, Lieutenant."

Josiah shifted to get up to stand, offering a hand to the young Lieutenant in glasses.

"Forgive my asking, but are you Ed Weston's boy, out of Lunar One? "

Josiah asked the young man.

The young lieutenant shuddered slightly at the mention of his father's name but nodded, "Yes sir," he responded, waiting for the other shoe to drop. It was always the same, every MACO officer he met always had some fun anecdote about his Dad. Blake was always sit, smile and chuckle at the story.

"I hear you're a fine cartographer and navigator. I queried your last Captain, Dunsel. He was sad to lose ya...though most of what he had to say was useless in getting to know you. Please, sit, can I offer you a drink. I'd offer coffee but I'm sure none of us want to be wondering the corridors not able to sleep at 0200."

Josiah chuckled as he gestures to the free chair and sat back down in his big leather armchair.

"I admit when I looked over your record, I was intrigued by your short but interesting history. Exchanged with the Vulcans for a year. I bet you can do a thing or two with our navigational database."

Thr young man nodded, "It was quite the experience and I am grateful that Starfleet extended me the opportunity," Blake responded, "And a cup of coffee would be fine sir, it doesn't really affect me."

Josiah went over to the pot of coffee sitting in the warmer and pours them both a cup before walking back and handing the young man a cup and then sitting back down in his chair.

“I’m goin to be fairly blunt with you. We’re goin into a highly dangerous combat situation. I’m goin need the best and brightest and you seem to be it, and to cut to the quick of things, I sincerely hope you’re nothing like your father.”

Josiah took a sip of coffee.

“That being said, I know that you’ll understand when I say that we’ll be in the thick of it and I’ll need you on your A-Game. Our Helm Officer should be here in the next day and I’ll have a briefing with you both about my expectations.”

The young man nodded, "I understand sir," he said, "I am cold, calculating and meticulous sir." The way the Colonel mentioned his father made his ears stand straight up. Although he was nothing like his father, he wondered what was behind the insult. As much as he disagreed with the man, his Dad was a decorated sergeant. "May I ask what traits of my parentage you are hoping I avoid?" he asked.

“Your father and I did not see eye to eye on many things when I was Commanding Officer at the Lunar One Special Warfare Center. We served together from 48-51 and in that time, I found that he was too set in the old school ways, brutal in his approach to training Special Warfare Operators. That’s not goin to fly with this War. I need officers who’ll think outside the box, and give me fresh perspectives on situations.”

"Understood sir," Blake responded, "Come to think of it, maybe that is why you looked so familiar... I was still home at the colony from forty-eight to fifty. Not like I knew much about what was going on, at the time."

Josiah nods somberly as he sips his coffee.

"Still, I hope that you grow to become a valued member of this crew. I trust in what I hope is a natural give for navigation that your record alludes too."

The young man nodded, "Thank you sir, I will strive for that," he responded. Taking a sip from his cup as well to give the Colonel a chance to comment. He had a feeling he needed to finish this cup fairly quickly and return the Colonel to his thoughts.

"Excellent. Take the day to familiarize yourself with your new duty station and your new colleague, Lieutenant Himeji, she's our new Chief Helm Officer, and you both will be working closely with one another."

"Understood sir, I will," Lt. Weston responded before setting the empty cup down onto the table, "Thank you sir." He nodded before taking his cue to leave the mildly claustrophobic ready room.

"That'll be all LT, Thank you"

Josiah stood professionally, saluting the young man.

----

Colonel Josiah "Josh" McEntyre
Commanding Officer
Unicorn NX-151

and

Lieutenant Blake Weston
Chief Navigator
Unicorn NX-151

RSS Feed