Posted by Lieutenant Hegush Falz (Chief Operations Officer) in Mess Hall

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Dr. Charlotte Mackenzie Kelley (Executive Officer/Number One) in Mess Hall
Lieutenant Commander Dr. Charlotte Kelley preferred the crew lounge early in the morning. At this hour, the conversations were muted, the replicators weren’t overwhelmed, and the ship seemed to settle into the steady rhythm of another day underway.

With a practiced motion she approached the replicator.

“Computer. Scrambled eggs, turkey sausage, whole wheat toast, fresh fruit, and black coffee.”

The meal shimmered into existence. Balancing the tray with one hand and her PADD in the other, Kelley selected a table near the panoramic viewport. Beyond the transparent aluminum, the stars stretched into brilliant lines as the USS ArkAngel maintained warp.

She set the tray down, took a sip of the hot coffee, and activated her PADD.

The first report detailed the previous duty shift. Engineering had completed calibration on the warp field geometry ahead of schedule. Tactical reported no security incidents beyond a pair of junior enlisted settling a disagreement over holodeck reservations. Kelley allowed herself the faintest smile before approving the report with a thumbprint.

The next file was a personnel update.

Several department heads had submitted recommendations for cross-training junior officers. As both Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer, Kelley appreciated initiative. A starship functioned best when its officers understood more than just their own specialties.

She flagged the proposals for discussion during the next senior staff briefing.

Another bite of eggs.

Another sip of coffee.

A message from Captain Becket appeared near the top of the queue—a reminder to finalize the upcoming duty roster and prepare for the afternoon command staff meeting.

“Understood,” she murmured to herself.

With efficient precision, Kelley rearranged assignments, ensuring department coverage remained balanced while giving several exhausted crew members overdue shore leave rotations at the next available opportunity.

Satisfied, she digitally signed the roster.

The final report concerned sickbay.

Minor injuries. Routine physicals. No contagious illnesses. The medical department was operating well within expected parameters.

She leaned back in her chair for a moment, taking in the quiet atmosphere around her. Crew members came and went, exchanging greetings before starting their shifts. It was a comforting sight—a crew that trusted one another and a ship running smoothly.

Kelley closed the last report, finished her coffee, and gathered her tray.

There would always be another report waiting.

But for one brief morning, aboard the ArkAngel, everything was exactly as it should be.

Lt. Commander Dr. Charlotte M. Kelley
XO USS ARK ANGEL

“Working at breakfast time, scandalous,” a voice spoke off to her side, a trace of humour in it “You need more than just a coffee for that Lieutenant Commander,” If she were to turn around, she’d see Hegush seated at a table by himself with a flask in front of him and an amused grin on his face.

Lt. Hegush, COO

Charlotte paused just long enough to recognize the voice before turning her head toward the source.

A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

“I assure you, Commander, this is breakfast,” she replied dryly, lifting the mug slightly. “The coffee simply happens to be pulling double duty.”

Her eyes drifted to the flask sitting on Hegush’s table before returning to meet his amused expression.

“Though I suspect your definition of an acceptable breakfast beverage differs somewhat from Starfleet Medical’s.”

She gathered her PADD and, after only a moment’s consideration, crossed the room to his table.

“Mind if I join you?”

Without waiting for much more than an acknowledging gesture, she took the empty chair opposite him and set the PADD beside her tray.

“The reports never stop coming. If I don’t get ahead of them now, they’ll still be waiting after the senior staff meeting.”

She took another measured sip of coffee before adding with a hint of self-awareness,

“Besides, the Executive Officer is expected to set an example.”

A beat passed as she glanced once more at the flask.

“I’m not entirely convinced you’re helping me do that.”

Commander Dr. Charlotte M. Kelley
XO USS ARK ANGEL