New Boss

Posted on Sun Mar 29th, 2026 @ 6:54pm by Chief Petty Officer Alexa Truman & Lieutenant JG T'Vei

1,123 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Echos on the Deck
Location: Armory Office
Timeline: 15 Hours Before Nausicaan's Arrival

Chief Petty Officer Alexa Truman found herself in the department head's office, cleaning out her stuff from the desk. For the past three weeks, she had been running things, and a few minutes ago, she was informed that a Sublieutenant from Vulcan was here to fill in temporarily. Being enlisted, she knew that running things permanently was likely impossible. Though in all honesty, she enjoyed helping the department get up and running. Back to just telling the enlisted personnel what to do.

The doors to the armory opened and in walked a pair of Vulcan officers, still in the middle of a discussion.

"--your resistance, at this point, could be indicative of stubbornness," the smaller of the two, a Vulcan male, stated acerbically.

"Think what you will, we have other matters to attend to for now," the taller Vulcan woman said. She stopped when she saw Truman. "Rik'koshvar, prepare for the briefing. I will join you shortly."

Her companion departed and she approached Truman. "You must be Chief Petty Officer Truman. I am Sublieutenant T'Vei." Clasping her hands behind her back she looked at the box of padds, equipment, and knickknacks on the desk. "Nausicaan ships are expected to arrive at the station in fourteen hours, thirty-nine minutes. The office is not the priority, Chief."

Alexa simply looked over the Sublieutenant. "I am well of that fact. Just clearing the place out for you. Also, the department has its orders on where they need to be."

"I would like to review those orders," T'Vei said coldly. "I need you to gather all members of the department, I will address the group together. We will be inspecting all tactical systems to verify efficiency prior to the Nausicaan's arrival."

"I can provide those orders," the Chief replied with a bit of annoyance in her voice. The Vulcans were a cold bunch which she found extremely annoying. "What time do you wish to meet with the Department?"

"Immediately," T'Vei said simply, then turned and walked out of the office.

Truman watched as her new boss simply walked out of the room. No further instructions at all. Getting on the comm, she instructed all available armory staff to report to the armory department immediately, minus those currently on duty with the exception of the supervisors. They could fill their people in on what was discussed. Afterwards she exited the office, making her way to T'Vei.

To make matters worse for Alexa, a second Vulcan was in the armory.

T'Vei had joined Rik'koshvar at the primary armory console and had brought up a schematic of a Federation phase cannon turret. T'Vei cut off his explanation of the heat sink design and turned back to Alexa.

"Chief Truman this is Sublieutenant Rik'koshvar. Chief, is your specialty small arms or ordinance?" she asked.

"Mostly small arms. But in the last year, I've studied up on ship ordinance." Noticing the phase cannon turret schematic pulled up. "I help finalize the current ordiance you two are viewing right now."

"Remarkable," Rik'koshvar said. "The principle is not dissimilar from Vulcan particle beam systems, although the targeting profile is different. Have these systems been tested outside of simulation?"

Alexa simply smiled. "Believe the idea was a combination of technology between Vulcan and Human systems. Outside of simulations, we never got the opportunity to test out the weapons. Are you considering testing them out?"

"No," T'Vei said.

"Yes," Rik'koshvar said at the same time.

The Vulcans regarded one another. Rik'koshvar inclined his head, yielding the floor.

"It would be more accurate to say, 'Not yet," T'Vei amended. "The systems will require testing. However, the Nausicaan delegation is within sensor range. A live-fire exercise could be perceived as a hostile display or interpreted as a sign of concern."

She clasped her hands behind her back. "We will instead conduct full inspections of all defensive systems aboard the station and the Frontier to ensure they will function under operational conditions."

T'Vei turned back to Alexa. "Chief, you will lead the team assigned to the dorsal turret. Rik'koshvar, you will oversee the ventral turret team. I will take a team to the Pylon A emplacement."

The armory doors opened behind Alexa and personnel began to file in. T'Vei's gaze shifted past her. "Chief, I require the department's two most skilled gunners' mates to lead the remaining teams."

"That would be Petty Officers Hernandez and Brown," Truman acknowledged.

T'Vei made note of those names and waited until the armory was filled with several dozen personnel before she began. "Greetings, I am Sublieutenant T'Vei. As of 1500 hours station time, I have assumed the duties of Chief Armory Officer. Several Nausicaan vessels are expected to arrive at 0700. Our objectives is to verify the stations' readiness should negotiations fail and the approaching ships prove hostile. To that end, we will conduct a full inspection of all defensive equipment on board. Team assignments are as follows--" she referred to the padd in hand repeatedly for the crewmens' names.

After outlining the details, she concluded. "All work must be completed by 2100 hours. Shift change will still take place at 2300. Personnel not on duty at that time are expected to rest. A final briefing will be held at 0500 prior to the Nausicaans' arrival. I will remain available should you require assistance with your assignments."

"Sublieutenant are we expecting to go to war with the Nausicaans?" a Petty Officer inquired. "That seems to be the rumor going around the station over the last few days."

Truman folded her arms. This honestly wasn't the time for such a question. Instead of admonishing the Petty Officer for his question, she simply stood back and waited for an answer. The rumors going around the station were spreading fast.

"The rumor?" T'Vei repeated. There was no direct Vulcan translation so it took time to recall the precise meaning of the word. "Rumors are not backed up by facts or evidence, so it is irrational to believe in them. What we can confirm are that Nausicaans are on their way here. We cannot predict their intent, therefore must be prepared for any outcome. We can also safely deduce that Captain Greene will do everything possible to avert unnecessary conflict. Does that sufficiently answer your question?"

"Yes, ma'am."

The crowd whispered among themselves. But the looks on their faces seemed to be calmer and more settled, than when they first reported in. Oddly enough the words from a Vulcan of all people brought peace. Though the words clearly came from a logical standpoint. Alexa was impressed and, at that moment, wondered if having T'Vei here wasn't going to be so bad after all.

=================
Sublieutenant T'Vei
Acting Chief Armory Officer
Sentinel Station

Chief Petty Officer Alexa Truman
Armory Officer
Sentinel Station

 

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