Inside Command's Mind

Posted on 24 Nov 2017 @ 3:56am by Captain Akio Tachibana & Lieutenant Commander Darren Marian (Dec-Jan 2389 - WIA-TRNSFR to XFY Medical)

Mission: He ho'omaka hou 'ana - A New Beginning
Location: Observation Platform - Providence Fleet Yards
Timeline: After Commissioning Ceremony

ON:

As the ceremony ended, Akio was amazed at how quickly protocol had logistics personnel already breaking down the stage and chairs.

Akio looked towards his new XO and started to slowly walk towards him. He struck Akio as a fairly normal guy, albeit with better hair. Some would call it 'Admiralty hair' although Akio never bought into the whacko theories about promotions and politics. Unintentionally ironic since he had just been promoted yesterday.

Akio reached a hand out to Darren before his inner monologue started questioning if his casual observation was snide and if so, to whom.

"I figured we should finally meet considering we're supposed to be commanding this ship we just commissioned," Akio said lightly.

Darren felt invigorated after the commissioning ceremony. It was his first as a member of command, let alone XO, and although he'd been nervous, he felt he'd executed his duties acceptably at the very least.

He spotted Commander Tachibana coming over from a distance and prepared himself for the meeting he'd been rehearsing in his mind ever since he'd got word he'd be XO aboard the Hawaii. He took the Commander's proffered hand and shook it firmly.

"A pleasure to finally meet you, sir," he said, smiling. "Congratulations on the promotion, by the way."

"Likewise and thank you," Akio said, "Shall we catch one of the shuttles to our new home?"

Darren nodded and gestured toward the shuttle, following a half step behind the commander as they walked to the shuttle bays.

Shuttle En Route USS Hawaii

"So what led you to command?" Akio asked.

He had not had a chance to read Darren's file and felt he should get to know his new XO somewhat before they started their tour together.

"Well, to be honest, sir, I didn't apply for a transfer into command. I was reassigned at the behest of Starfleet with the recommendation of my previous CO." He paused, thinking of how to word his next few sentences. "My last assignment was the California. We were out in the Delta quadrant doing planetary surveys and mapping. To make a long story short, we accidentally came into contact with another spacefaring species. They were extremely hostile and attacked us immediately." He took another pause, repressing the panic that always rose in his chest when he relived that day. "We weren't prepared for a battle scenario, especially with an enemy that frankly outgunned us. The chain of command fell apart pretty quickly. Our XO was incapacitated, the CO was overwhelmed by all that way happening, so I just...sort of stepped in. I double majored at the Academy in both science and military strategy. I think that helped me find the opening that led us to escape."

Darren sat up a bit straighter. "As soon as we returned to the nearest space station our CO filed his report and I got word from Starfleet that I was being transferred. I guess they think I have some skills that might help us on this new mission. Or something. The plans of Admirals are a little above my paygrade." Darren smiled. "Anyway, that's my story, sir."

Akio was pretty impressed although in many situations like that, luck played a big role.

"They're still above mine as well. That makes two of us who didn't request command though. I have a feeling Starfleet likely chose us because we didn't want command, considering the leaks and all. I am not sure if you've heard of the Captains who are POWs by the rebel Klingons?"

Darren looked a bit taken aback. "I haven't heard about that, no sir. Rebels within the Alliance have taken starfleet Captains hostage? Are there any plans to retrieve them? I've heard all about the Gorn but I haven't heard about the Klingon side to this."

"I would hope so," Akio said as he passed a PADD to Darren. On the screen, was a video already loaded.

"That's not all. There are suspicions that Starfleet is leaking like a sieve. I hope your nerves are ready for more combat though. We're the first ship headed to the front since the Gorn attacks. I'm not sure what we're going to find."

Darren nodded. "You don't have to worry about me sir. Combat is an ugly, ugly thing. But I'm ready for it if it comes." He grimaced as he looked over the video interview the Commander had given him. "Damn," he said under his breath, shaking his head.

"I am not sure if you've seen the crew manifest. Some departments are pretty thin and we have a pretty green crew," Akio continued.

"I guess it's not surprising considering how quickly the ship was 'thrown together' per say."

"On the other hand, we do have some veteran Lieutenants also, yet a few of our officers have classified backgrounds which I am unsure about," Akio expressed.

"Classified backgrounds?" Darren blinked. He wasn't sure how he felt being on a ship with people he didn't know, or commanding people who he didn't have the full story on. "Well, I guess Starfleet would have a good reason for holding that information close to the chest. But it's a bit unorthodox."

He laughed. "I guess everything about this ship is a bit unorthodox though."

"That is turning into the truest statement of the century," Akio smirked.

As much as Akio was suspicious that something was going on with the Hawaii, he knew the XO was genuine, or a master in tradecraft.

"As soon as we are aboard, my plan is to announce departure in 4 hours and we will have a senior staff briefing at the top of the hour. If Starfleet has not given us orders yet, I'm going to make a call to Vice Admiral Anin directly," Akio explained.

Darren nodded. "That sounds like a good plan, sir. Is there anything I should prepare for the meeting? Do I need to make an inspirational speech at some point?" He smirked slightly to show he was mostly joking.

Akio chuckled, "No preparation needed. I think we've met our quota for inspirational speeches today."

OFF:

Akio Tachibana, CDR, SF
Commanding Officer, USS Hawaii

Darren Marian, LT, SF
Executive Officer, USS Hawaii