Meeting the CSO

Posted on Sunday August 18th, 2019 @ 8:21pm by Lieutenant Commander Canaan Serine & Captain Franklin Johnson
Edited on on Sunday August 18th, 2019 @ 8:30pm

2,363 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Departure and Trial Run
Location: USS Poseidon; Captain's Ready Room, Deck 1, Bridge
Timeline: Pre-Poseidon Launch; Pre-Departure; Pre-Officer's Meeting

[ON]

Commander Franklin Johnson sat behind his ready room desk and continued to scan through the ships logs. The majority of the active department heads had already filed some report or another and he was finding it an easy time to review their reports. This would make the later Officer's Meeting relatively simple by comparison. Briefly he took his coffee mug to his lips, sipping the Colombian mix. A soft, satisfied sigh escape him before the door to his ready room chimed for entrance.

"Come in!" He said, permitting entry.

Canaan adjusted the bottom hem of his uniform jacket, pulling at the wrinkles as he stepped into Commander Johnson's private office. Although the hour was late, the commanding officer remained steadfast in their duties, an admirable quality the young science officer respected in a leader. The office itself was minimal in its decor, with hints of personalization here and there, specific to Johnson's interests or previous missions. There was little time for Canaan to take note of the few personal possessions on display, as he soon stood in front of a desk.

"Commander Johnson," He said with a measured nod of the head, "I'm Lieutenant Canaan Serine, reporting as your new science officer, sir." He extended a hand, knowing the gesture broke decorum, yet deciding against the formality of rigid posture and a salute at this late hour.

The decision was appropriate, as the Lieutenant would find seeing the Commander rise and take the offered hand. A firm shake later, he gestured towards the chair, the Commander sitting back down. Franklin adjusted his outfit, giving a strained sigh of semi-relaxation, then smiled as he clasped his hands together on his lap and leaned back in his Captain's Ready Chair.

"Thanks for coming in this late in the evening, Lieutenant," Franklin said with a smile. "The foyer has a replicator if you want to fetch a coffee or anything, but if not we can keep this brief. I just wanted to meet you personally, get an impression of who my new CSO is."

Leaning forward, the Commander rested his hands on the table, still clasped. He kept a friendly posture, though direct.

"So let's start with, why the Poseidon?"

Canaan settled into the chair, assuming a comfortable position that included crossing one leg over the other. He declined the offer of a beverage with a wave of a hand, considering the Commander's question seriously for a moment. "Honestly, sir, the Poseidon wasn't my original destination. Your staffing needs, however, demanded an abrupt change and, after a discussion with the Department of Personnel Management, they reassigned me to you rather than the Melbourne, sir." He answered honestly, yet without any hint of reservation or judgment.

Franklin nodded, satisfied with the answer. He sat back again in his chair, swiveling the chair to the left and right modestly before sitting firm. His hands clapsed on his chest as he leaned back, an informal posture if there ever was one in official meetings. His eyes studied the Lieutenant, taking the man in as Franklin also pondered other matters. The silence continued, the Commanders eyes drifting towards the private view screen.

The scene had changed since earlier. It was a view of the Tennessee from outside, her movement that of a graceful ship through the expanse of the sea that was deep space. It reminded him of good times, not particularly better but most assuredly not worse. His eyes flicked back to Canaan.

"I like you," he remarked simply. "Honest, straightforward, to the point. Welcome aboard. So, what are your hobbies?"

In a peculiar exchange, Canaan's gaze studied the Commander with similar scrutiny. Expression passive, the white-haired Lieutenant's eyes took note of the soft creases lining the man's forehead, and the narrow etchings spreading from the outside corner of either eye. They were indicative of the burden of command when thoughtful decision making gave way to immediate action. Johnson's five-o'clock shadow was an attractive quality for a moment of his age, complimenting the warm smile that drew up either corner his thin lips.

Canaan dipped his head with gratitude as he returned the man's smile, an eyebrow raised in response to the compliment. "Thank you, sir." He leaned against the arm of the chair, a subtle bounce at the new where his legs crossed as he considered the number of interests that comprised his list of hobbies. "I've quite a few, honestly. I enjoy the outdoors, greatly. Hiking and camping, backpacking, fly-fishing, canoeing, and kayaking, to name a few. I recently started rock climbing, and although a bit clumsy, I'm enjoying the challenge. Umm..." Canaan continued to consider the list, "The arts and music. Do you play an instrument, sir?" He wondered.

"I used to," Franklin said, thinking back. "Played guitar for a bit, old country music. Liked the swing of it. Artists like Johnny Cash and the like from the real old world. What about you?"

Canaan shook his head, "I'm afraid I never fully took to an instrument, not for lack of trying, mind you." He mused, "You should revisit the guitar, sir, it'd be a shame to waste such talent." The white-haired Lieutenant noted. "I suppose the burden of command doesn't leave a lot of room for hobbies?"

"I only know that the burdon of Second in command doesn't allow luxuries, but I am supposed to think that being Captain does," he laughed. "I think I'll try to be honest, maybe get one replicated and see how it acts, or try holodeck time. The Poseidon is one of the last Miranda's with an actual, live Arboretum. Living plant-life and some fauna, tended to by the ship's gardeners or supposed to be. I think you'd enjoy it too with your hobbies, but we do have new holodecks installed."

"I'm looking forward to visiting the arboretum," Canaan remarked excitedly. "I have a love for botanical gardens." The Lieutenant made a mental note to look in storage for the Taylor 314 acoustic guitar that used to belong to his father. He could loan it to the Commander until he was ready for his own. "Do you garden? Well, I suppose I should ask if you have a home back on Earth?"

"Yes, actually," Franklin chuckled, "I used to help my parents farm in Georgia, an old territory where the old United States is on Earth. Peaches and Peanuts, but it was short-lived for me. When I grew older I was starstruck, got into freighter crewing in space."

"You did?" There was a hint of disbelief in the soft tone of his voice. "So you were a freighter jocky before earning the uniform?" He gestured with a pointed finger to the Commander's immaculate uniform, looking at the perfectly aligned three solid pips. "My parents were very adamant that such a life, although imperative for some, was one that I'd never lead."

He laughed, jovially, at this revelation. Franklin almost slapped his knee. "My parents too!" he said mid-laugh, "I can't believe that! Did you ever prove them wrong, though? What did you ever end up doing?"

Canaan mirrored the Commander's laugh, his cheeks deepening in color. "Oh, I always knew Starfleet was my destiny, sir." He replied, somewhat reflectively. "I prepared for admission since before graduating from secondary school, attending the preparatory academy in France. No, this was the path I was meant to follow." He paused, grinning when adding, "But it's nice to think of the 'what if's' and 'could've been's.' How did your parents take the news when they found out?!"

Franklin nodded through the explanation, smiling with his CSO. He spoke with a grin, "They nearly had a heart attack," he replied as he tried to hold back another laugh.

"I really was supposed to help them on the farm, but in the end I was always stuck looking at the sky. Pap came to me one day and told me about Starfleet, it stuck, but he said I'd have to earn it. I thought he meant work so, when I turned 16, I joined the Federation Logistics Corps. Got an assignment on a freighter, I think the name of it was the Universe Quests or Shipman's Quest - it was a long time ago."

He sighed, eyes drifting up as he thought back. "Honestly it wasn't that bad, lot's of fun. Met my first Gorn there too! Fancy female, very attractive if I dare say so, never saw her again though. No, honestly if it hadn't of been for that ship, I'd of never met my destiny in Starfleet!" He gazed down, looking back at Canaan, continuing. "They messed up the logs on the vessel, probably a prank gone wrong by one of the crew, and I was abandoned for little under a year at Alpha Centauri. By the time I reached the Captain it was too late and any thought of a shuttle trip back left a sour taste in my mouth, so I accepted their offer of reprisal payment and simply settled in. Met a man named Gregory Paladin there."

Again, his eyes grew distant. "Commodore Gregory Paladin, little older than me, but he turned out to be a lifesaver. He was and still is a Starfleet Academy instructor, helped me, tutored me, gave me the inspiration to reach for this ship in particular. By the end of my accidental layover there, I joined Starfleet after taking a ride back to Earth on that freighter. Got on to the U.S.S. Tennessee, then got promoted here."

He blinked, realizing then he had gone on a tangent. He blushed slightly, "My apologies, when I get on a memory I like to spill it out."

"You do so with an eloquent passion, sir," Canaan remarked freely. "It sounds like quite an introduction to life beyond utopia. And here you are now, in a place I wonder if you always saw yourself being?"

"No," Franklin admitted. "I was first officer on the Tennessee-" he started as his head motioned towards the holographic display case of the Norway-class ship "-and she was a training ship as well, I planned on staying there honestly. You?"

Canaan stood to approach the display, leaning forward for a better look at the hologram. "I needed a change, that's for sure. Truthfully, I don't know where my destiny lies. As a scientist, I'm more engrossed in the research rather than career development." He chuckled. "She's a beautiful ship, sir." His aquamarine-colored eyes flickered from the Tennessee to the other personal effects on display.

There were a few; an old badge, a picture of said Gorn from before, but in small frame; beautiful reptilian expression, reptile eyes, scales clean and dark green. Beside that a single piece of cloth, cut perfectly, holding the pips of a Lieutenant Commander. Memories, all of them.

At his compliment, Franklin stood and walked over. He eyed the holographic display case, then the personal view screen which was on the wall beside it. It displayed the ship more vividly. He stood, arms crossed, eyeing it.

"I sometimes miss her," he admitted. "Wasn't a bad ship, I was slated for next in command but I didn't want to pass up this chance with the Poseidon. I owed Gregory too much. This is my repayment, and honestly it's a bit more exciting here, I think."

"I've not felt that way about a duty assignment before, but I suppose how you feel about the Tennessee is how I feel about my work." Canaan wondered if he'd feel about the Poseidon as Johnson did about his previous assignment. He thought it far-fetched yet wasn't opposed to the idea, either.

"Is that so?" Franklin said, looking at him. "What would your plan to be for a group of cadets, then?"

Canaan shrugged, "Why would the duty-station matter? It's the work, after all, that the cadet has a desire to fulfill." In some respects, the fair-skinned Lieutenant was joking. He was intimately familiar with how the environment played a critical role in employee productivity, efficiency, professional development, and job satisfaction. The setting, of course, was one of a few reasons he'd elected to leave Arach-VI. "I want the experience to be fulfilling for any cadet or trainee, especially if it were their first cruise. The Miranda-class is prestigious, albeit old; it's to be respected and admired. Truthfully, I was surprised to know there was still one in operation. You can almost feel its past."

Franklin nodded, gazing around the interior. It had been swept and cleaned professionally, carpets updated, interior wonderfully preserved. He was falling in love with this ship, slowly; nostalgia was a wonderful thing. A slight exhale of breath, a sigh of appreciation as he took in the Lieutenants words. "I couldn't agree more," he replied softly, then, as he looked at Canaan, added, "there are however over one-hundred and twenty of these left.

A moment's pause as he drank his coffee before he continued. "They're diminishing of course, but the Miranda's have proven themselves to be a far reaching versatile ship. I don't expect they'll be so easily scrapped, especially considering the new trial role the Poseidon is testing out. I think if it pans out she'll be on course for a permanent academy berth."

He rose his coffee mug then, extending it to the Lieutenant - hoping they understood. "A toast then, in thanks for your courage to venture here, and an appreciation of what your wisdom and experience have to offer, Lieutenant. May we both add to these ancient halls that which others have sacrificed to preserve."

"Here-here!" Canaan added with as much gusto as the Commander, "To what lies ahead!" Although he didn't have a beverage in which to toast, that did little to diminish the sentiment.

To a new home, and new beginnings. Canaan reminded himself.

[OFF]

"To gain wisdom is in part to build upon the foundation of others who established the path to that wisdom."

RSS Feed