Security meet XO

Posted on Mon Jun 12th, 2023 @ 7:01pm by Commander Jade Troconis & Lieutenant Commander Tanaka Miyahara

1,102 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Raising the Mast
Location: Mess Hall

After wandering about the ship, exploring the various areas, Jade was getting hungry. She decided to go to the messhall for a bite to eat. She wasn't in uniform as she didn't feel like it as of yet. They weren't on official businees, currently. Much like Ans, Jade liked to see things from a different perception without the stiffening of someone coming across a higher ranking officer.

Jade got herself some food, and sat at a table to where she could eat and do people watching. She noted that there were curious gazes from those who came in and passed by her table. She'd lift up her glass of juice in a salutation to those who passed by, giving out a greeting.

The doors to the mess hall swooshed open and a bespectacled young man dressed in a gold Starfleet uniform stepped through. Two and a half pips gleamed on his spotless uniform, and he carried with him a presence that could be felt. The young man made his way over to the replicator and ordered himself some Japanese food before he made his way over to Jade's table, as it was one of the few tables with only one person seated at them.

"Is this seat taken?" He asked as he approached.

Jade hadn't missed the entrance into the messhall, by the man who stood in front of her table. She had watched him as he went to get his food, subtley watched as he looked around for a table. There he was in front of her table, of which she found interesting.

"Be my guest." Jade gesturing towards the empty chair. She spooned up a mouthful of stew, chewing it whilst she took the man's measure.

Nodding in thanks, the man sat down and began eating his food before it dawned on him that he was being sized up. Finishing his mouthful, he spoke up.

"You want some?" He asked. "Onigiri is very popular where I come from. There was this one really old show that infamously referred to them as 'jelly donuts.'"

"Onigiri you say? I wouldn't call them Jelly donuts. I have only referred them as Riceballs. I'll accept one if you are willing." Jade giving a small smile, and placing her spoon down in her bowl, and holding out a hand with a napkin covering it, those things can be slightly sticky.

Miyahara handed over the onigiri and went back to the one he had been eating. He was sure he had seen this woman's face in the personnel roster when he had come aboard...

"Commander Traconis, is it?" Miyahara suddenly asked.

Her eyes crinkled up with a smile, as Jade took a bite of the onigiri. She held up a finger to give herself a moment then she answered once her mouth was empty. "Ah... you have a good memory, and yes I am Commander Troconis, I see you have checked the manifest, and the manifest is now working." taking another bite of the onigiri. Jade was definitely amused that she had been found out.

"I always read up on personnel manifests for my assignments whenever I can. It helps me know if I'll be a good fit." Miyahara explained. "Plus, it means I can more easily put names to faces. I mean, if I hadn't done some prior reading, I might have assumed you were a civilian assigned to the ship, given how you were out of uniform and all."

"Yes, indeed I am out of uniform as we've not officially gotten underway for our first mission. I do not want to constantly stay in my uniform when not on duty. I feel it is beneficial to balance things out, as in, not always being on duty perse, even though the mind still has that section of keeping track of a ship's condition both crew and otherwise." Jade calmly answered, but also having a bit of a smile.

"Hmm... Perhaps that's where your ideology and mine differ." Miyahara said. "I'm of the mindset that a Starfleet officer should keep the civilian clothes with them to a minimum, reserve them for a special occasion, such as shore leave. I usually don't keep any more than two or three changes of civilian clothes in my quarters. Sure, it makes my wardrobe look bare, but a potential benefit to keeping my changes of civilian clothes down is less lost property in the event of having to abandon ship."

"Efficient, by the book, a minimalist. Possibly pragmatic." Jade mused aloud. "Not unapproachable. Looks like there won't be too many slackers under your watch." Jade added. "How will you approach a possible problematic person, would you find out what makes them tick or will you just go by the book without any allowances?" this wasn't a flippant question from Jade.

"Now, that is an interesting question, Commander." Miyahara said. "And the answer is more complicated than you think: It ultimately depends on the kind of problem: If it's a minor offense, the latter is a perfectly adequate solution. However, if it's a much more elaborate plot against the ship and her crew, then it helps to get inside the other person's head, because in order to truly defeat an enemy, you must understand them. Am I making sense?"

"Actually, yes it does. And I like that answer. " Jade responded, "You are proving to me that you will be seeing to the safety of the ship and yet will be dealing with things on individual basis instead of being lazy and just do things on a whole without getting facts or evidence."

"I've seen laziness my whole life, ma'am." Miyahara said. "And I've made it my lifelong goal to rise above it."

An affirmative at his answer, Jade went back to eating her food, after a few bites, the XO looked at Miyahara. "Most definitely the ship will be in good hands then." giving a smile. "Do you have any questions you would like to ask?"

"Ma'am, I have only recently come aboard." Miyahara responded. "Though, I'm sure if and when I have questions, I will forward them to your attention."

Jade gave a nod and a smile. "Okay that works for me." she looked down at her food, deciding she didn't want to eat anymore. "I think I am done with my meal, and I will leave you to eat yours." rising up from her seat. "I have just realized I've forgotten to do something."

Miyahara nodded in understanding.

"Have a good day, Commander." He said.

"You too as well." she uttered before leaving.

END

 

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