Meeting the New XO

Posted on Wed Nov 20th, 2024 @ 12:59am by Captain Alexander Johnson & Commander Onofron Zuir

2,168 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: New Crew, New Mission
Location: Starbase 43
Timeline: Current

Alexander was going through pads on his desk, they were stacked high, all about the crew being assigned to the ship, the new slipstream drive that had been installed onto the Iroquois, needless to say it made warp drive seem like a snails pace. However, the duration, still needed to be improved.

Standing up, he walked over to the replicator, adjusted himself, and went through the menu. Upon his decision, he grabbed the food from the dispenser, and walked back over to the desk.

"Captain, you asked to know when Commander Onofron Zuir arrived to the station." Came over his combadge.

Pausing a moment, he took a bite, and a drink of his cola. "Send him to the office Lt."

"Aye sir." the Lt's response came.

Once the channel closed, he searched the pads and found the Commander's service records again.

---

The shuttle from the USS Carpathia touched down in the bustling hangar of Starbase 43 with a slight shudder, the faint hum of the docking sequence humming through the floor. Commander Onofron Zuir disembarked with the controlled precision of a seasoned officer, adjusting his uniform collar while casting a measured gaze around the busy deck.

The open bay was alive with activity: engineers double-checking the station’s systems, crews running final checks on docking equipment, and ensigns rushing to deliver status updates on the ships and personnel coming through. Zuir’s eyes narrowed at the sight of a young officer who, by his estimate, was allowing at least a two-degree slouch. If there was one thing Zuir despised more than incompetence, it was complacency.

He made his way through the corridor leading to the main docking ring, where the USS Iroquois was berthed. The sleek Exaclibur-class starship gleamed under the starbase's lights, her hull showing signs of recent upgrades, including the newly installed slipstream drive he had read about in the transfer orders.

A junior officer from the starbase’s operations staff approached, breaking his stride with a hesitant salute. "Commander Zuir, welcome to Starbase 43. Captain Johnson has asked that I escort you to the Iroquois."

"Efficient," Zuir replied with a curt nod, falling into step beside the young man. "Do not make me walk ahead of you, Ensign."

As they traversed the gangway, Zuir observed every detail: the minor scuff marks on the walkway, the slight flicker in one of the station’s bulkhead lights, the faint sound of an improperly greased hydraulic lift nearby. As they approached the Iroquois, he straightened, tightening his stance even further, ready to step aboard his latest command assignment.

Crossing the threshold onto the Iroquois, Zuir’s expression settled into one of grim determination. This ship would either meet his standards or he would break his back ensuring it did. A chirp from his combadge interrupted his thoughts.

"Commander Zuir, Captain Johnson is awaiting you in his office," came a voice.

"Understood. Proceeding now." He glanced briefly at the young officer. "Return to your duties."

The junior officer all but scurried away as Zuir took one last look down the corridor and made his way to the captain’s office.

Upon reaching Captain Johnson’s door, he paused, tugged his uniform tunic into flawless alignment, and then chimed for entry. When the door slid open, he stepped in and stood at full attention, his gaze landing on the captain, who was seated behind a desk stacked high with PADDs and records.

"Commander Onofron Zuir reporting as ordered, sir," he said, his voice firm and deliberate.

Glancing up from the pads, taking one of the final bites of his meal. Pausing a moment, before speaking, "Welcome aboard Commander, how was your trip to starbase 43." He replied as he walked over to the replicator dispenser, before recycling the plate, utensils, and cup. Walking over to the sink, washing his hands. Finally with his hands washed, and dried, he walked over to the officer, and offered his hand.

Zuir clasped the captain’s hand firmly, his grip as solid as his expression. "The trip was uneventful, Captain," he replied, his tone crisp, almost clipped. "Nothing of note, save for the usual observation that many Starfleet junior officers could benefit from greater adherence to protocol.” He released Johnson's hand and folded both of his behind his back. "How was your... afternoon meal?" The question was innocent enough, but there was perhaps a slight judgmental overtone that wasn't entirely clear.

"Being given this posting, and the expectation, is no small task... Commander... the read up, ive been at it for weeks, and still haven't made a dent in the piles. So I take opportunities whenever I can." He replied as he gestured to the empty seat in front of the desk. He looked at the stacks, moving several to a table nearby, before taking his seat once again. If I can warn you ahead of time... I may not be the most... by the protocol following Commanding Officer you will meet. Hell, one of my senior officers, is my wife and expecting our first child. But shes also one hell of a Counsellor, that will do this ship proud, whether I was or not her husband."

Zuir’s brow twitched ever so slightly at the revelation, but his expression remained impeccably composed. He leaned back slightly, folding his hands neatly in his lap, and allowed a moment of silence to stretch just long enough to be noticeable.

"Quite the... progressive arrangement, Captain," he said with a faint, dry smile that didn’t quite reach his midnight-blue eyes. "It must be a delicate balance to navigate both marital harmony and the chain of command. I trust your counselor-wife ensures those boundaries remain... clear." The subtle emphasis on the last word was delivered with just enough weight to hint at his personal reservations without crossing the line into outright criticism.

Straightening in his chair, Zuir shifted the subject with precision, his tone turning firm and self-assured. "In any case, Captain, my record speaks for itself. I am no stranger to stepping into situations where discipline and focus have lapsed, often to a significant degree. I should assure you, Captain, that I have made my career on rectifying situations where... laxity had taken hold among senior and junior officers alike. I take pride in ensuring standards are met with no compromise and no exception. I imagine," he said, his voice dropping as if to a shared confidence, "that you would expect no less from your new first officer. The Iroquois will be in nothing short of pristine form, I assure you."

"I am not saying it doesn't have its uses." Alexander replied sitting up straight, "with my seventeen years experience of commanding a starship, one can definately get complacent, relaxed in their style, and overall procedures. With us going into the unknown, god knows where... I am sure we will be needing that more now, than we needed it before. But I do... request... a little understanding when the time permits it. I was a procedure by the book first officer, not the most hard core, but I find sometimes, a little slack given here and there, can... help an officer relax, and do the job, they are required to do more efficiently. When it becomes an issue is too much slack, and nothing done about it. its more of finding the correct balance. kind of like walking a dog. How much leash to give the dog, and at what time." He looked back over to the officer after trailing off. However, it will be good to have someone make the officers fall in line. Not many of those left."

Ono looked at Alexander askance. "A dog, sir?" It was an unfamiliar term to him. "Begging your pardon, but is that a domesticated animal best known for licking its privates in full view of women and children? I am certain the captain misspoke when likening members of his crew to such an inferior lifeform in his recommendation that they be coddled as such."

"Not the best analogy..." Alexander replied, "My wife has told me to stop with using analogies because I tend to make it worst. I guess she's right."

"And does she tell you which course to lay in on the bridge as well?" Ono asked, his tone becoming more pointed by the second. Just what kind of ship was he running here... "Just so I understand the chain of command around here."

"She knows her place Commander," Alexander replied noticing the tone changing over the entire conversation. "Shes an officer first and foremost. When it comes to personal life, and off duty issues... well thats for us to decide." He shifted in his seat slightly. "I also want to place all reviews, of her as an officer over to you. I know its usually the Captains job to review their senior officers, however in this instance when it comes to the Lt. Its best I have someone not bias. Based on our short conversation, I am sure, you will offer fair unbiased reviews."

"I typically place a review for each member of senior staff in my log," Ono replied with approval of the arrangement, "so when the time comes, I will just use that." The possible implication that Alexander himself may receive an informal review as well was left unsaid, but the nature of Ono's sidelong judgmental stare all but promised one. "In fact, it may behoove ship and crew if I were to assume the review process in its entirety."

"Very well," Alexander replied, "At the moment, I will reserve the right of the reviews except for that of the chief counsellor." He made some notes in a padd. "Any requests you have or questions before we wrap up."

Ono nodded. "Yes, in fact I have taken the liberty of preparing a list of pre-pre-launch requirements." He didn't bother accessing a PADD because he had already committed them to memory. "Random quarters inspections at every shift change, mandatory tests for illicit substance consumption for those whose quarters fail to pass inspection, and a fresh Security background check for all personnel, including the Chief of Security, a ship-wide contraband inspection including the Jeffries tubes, and additional surveillance added to the First Officer's quarters." He cleared his throat. "I have found it... necessary... on previous posts."

Taking notes of the commanders 'requirements' he turned to the officer, "I will think about those... suggestions. It would be hard to enforce, without ample reason. Fresh security background check, is something I do personally, being from the security background myself."

"With all due respect, sir, you are the captain," Ono said. "You need no further reason than that." His eyes darted back to the replicator where Alexander had disposed of his little snack and then wondered if his position as captain might be the true obstacle in and of itself. "Ship discipline being what it is, perhaps a graduated transition away from mediocrity into excellence might be prudent."

"I do agree, that it has probably gotten lax when it comes to discipline, but I do not run a ship with chains and whips, with my officers fearing punishment." Alexander replied as he stood straight in his chair. "We will discuss any punishment should the necessity arise. You can run security checks on all officers you deem necessary." He paused as he watched the commander. "Don't get me wrong, punishments will be given when is needed. Protocol can sometimes need to be addressed." He handed over a pad to the Commander. "Your first order of business Commander, you have an appointment with Lt Johnson, for a psyche evaluation that I require all my senior staff to complete. As do I, I have my own evaluation on the starbase first thing in the morning, I will be sure to send you a copy, should you want to read it."

Ono nodded dutifully. "After this conversation, I most certainly do. If would pardon my candor, Captain, then I would suggest a certain caution in how such evaluations are disseminated. In my experience, casual familiarity among the crew—and between the senior staff—has a way of eroding the very foundation of discipline we both seek to maintain. A captain's psyche should remain an enigma, if not an ideal. Mystery, after all, begets respect."

"Very well, you shall have it at the earliest I can receive it." He replied as he looked to the pads. "If you will excuse me Commander, I have work thats got to be completed."

"I have very little doubt that you do," Ono agreed with a rueful smirk. "A veritable mountain of it, to be sure." He pursed his mouth as he stared at Alexander with questioning eyes. "Let me know if I may be of any further assistance."

"Dismissed Commander." Alexander replied as he looked back down to the padd he had been working on before the Commander had arrived.

"Yes, sir." Ono turned around and left with another word. So that's how it was going to be.

 

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