Posted by Lieutenant Relavvik (Chief of Security) in Arrival
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Relavvik chuckled lightly as he sat down. “That sounds like a phrase from a past life.” He leaned back slightly and looked at her… Something about the voice seemed familiar but, he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. His grey eye matched her gaze for a moment. “I am looking forward to serving here. This is a very different post than I’m used to.”

Interesting. Either he was lying, or he hadn’t used his access to look her and the others up. It was possible, but did she think it was likely? She wasn’t sure yet. Certainly she could imagine given the transition he’d made that perhaps he wanted to step into a new role without all the standard ‘due dilligence’ their sort were accustomed to. Shara had to admit to herself, that if that was the case, she was rather envious. It was still not something she could do herself. “You’re not the first to find that, nor will you be the last,” she said.

He stood up and walked toward the replicator. “Do you want anything?”

Relavvik - CoS

“Coffee, black. Thanks. I swear at this point I should just take a caffeine supplement every day, but what fun would that be?” The words bought her time, and Shara needed that time more than she realized. Did she say something? There was that tiny flicker of possible association towards her, but there was a time and place for those moments and she didn’t want to intrude where it might cause harm.

~Shara Calloway, XO

“I understand about the caffeine, I find that the tasting and drinking adds something to the experience.” He turned toward the replicator and Shara could see the scar on his neck following his spine. “One black coffee and one aesollh.” The two glasses materialized and he carefully picked them up. Setting the coffee down in from of the Commander and sitting back in his chair as he took a cautious sip.

Shara pulled the mug to her and wrapped both her hands around it for a moment before she lifted it by the handle to her lips. She took a moment to enjoy the warmth that flooded her body. Some days there was no better feeling.

“How did you find adjusting from intelligence to the regular fleet?” It was his first time addressing both his time and hers in intelligence, showing that he did do what research he could before coming to the Asimov.

Relavvik - CoS

She snorted. “Well, given the first mission I took part in here became a deep cover mission for the entire crew, I’d say it was pretty messy. I’m still not fully adjusted, but I dare say I have a better chance making a proper transition now that I am in a command role, rather than having the word Intelligence in my title.” Shara shrugged with one shoulder. “We shall see.”

“What about you? Anticipating any issues?”

~Shara Calloway, XO

“Issues with my new role? There will be adjustments.” Relavvik paused to take a sip of his tea. His eye studied the Commander for a moment as he sipped. “I’m more anxious about returning to open space again, my last…” he paused for a moment to find the right thoughts. “Trip gave me all of this.”

“It’s definitely a change,” Shara agreed. “Just be glad our missions will generally be on the shorter side going forward.”

He leaned back and looked up at a piece of art on the wall that was left over from the last CoS. “Always a time of adjustment, but Starfleet security has taken my training and been able to adapt it. I’m looking forward to putting it in practice.”

Relavvik - CoS

She nodded slowly, studying him. “A variety of training is most definitely useful here. As is working as a team.” Shara watched his reactions, looking for even the more subtle ones people like them learned to mostly hide but sometimes leaked through anyway. She had particular questions in her mind she wanted answered before she left this office.

~Shara Calloway, XO

Relavvik tensed slightly, his shoulders locked but, his face didn’t change. “That’s the been the hardest part.” he spoke under his breath almost in a whisper. His posture instantly loosened and he smiled as his gaze returned to the First Officer. “Training and teamwork is very important. I’ll also be leaning on my team here as they have been around much longer than I have.”

“Always a good stance to take when you first join a new team,” Shara said.

He took another sip of his tea, setting it down he lightly rubbed where his patch was over his skin. “Shorter missions are defiantly a help.” His eyes narrowed slightly in a curious look. “You can just ask.” He had picked up on the subtle tells when someone wanted to ask something but, was unsure how.

Relavvik - CoS

Calloway sipped her coffee, letting herself momentarily sink into the sensation of warmth before lowering the mug and gazing at him. “You know what is the other really important variable on a ship like this? Trust. It’s hard won and easy to lose when the stakes are often so high. What we do is different than on other vessel. What they ask of us is more complicated than scientific studies and border patrols. Those things can and do go awry. But here? We put ourselves in the unenviable position of digging where we’re not wanted, of following leads that might quite literally blow up in our faces. On a different Starfleet vessel, Intelligence is often mistrusted and seen as the enemy within. Here? No such problem. And if someone does have a problem with our work, they are one, not assigned here in the first place, and two, reassigned if they prove to be problematic. Captain Kiernan and I have to trust each and every person on this ship. And one thing we cannot abide is a double agent. So, the way I see it, we have ourselves a little problem of Schrödinger cat. I want to trust you, and believe that you’re here to be a part of our team, but if I ask you, I have no good reason to think you’d tell me the truth. When our work so often involves ambiguity, it’s imperative there is none around the people we work with. Do you see my dilemma?”

~Shara Calloway, XO