Posted by Commander Shedda Mal’athar (Executive Officer) in The Advent of New Directives
Sitting in the center chair of the USS Dark Sea, Shedda looked at the readouts on the chair’s console. “Lt Cmdr Mal’athar, probe 1 has completed it’s orbital scan and is making its decent,” the older tactical officer, Morv, spoke up. Shedda nodded. She was excited for this mission. There had been indications of ruins from a now gone civilization on this planet. She couldn’t wait to get down there with her equipment and start digging. She turned to look at Morv who seemed to be smirking slightly. “Thank you, Mr Morv. Once the probe starts sending back data, let’s make sure all the correct departments get the information.” Morv chuckled, “You really love this stuff don’t you Mal’athar? Digging around for broken pottery? It can’t be that interesting.”

“Sure it can, the differences in cultures is fascinating. And all that broken pottery down there is going to tell me all about the people who used to live here. Aren’t you the least bit curious?” Morv shrugged, “Now if they have some kind tactical treatises that I’ve never heard of, then sure, but I just can’t get excited about a water jug with a hole in it.” There were good natured chuckles from the gamma shift bridge crew. The foreword turbolift doors swooshed open and Cpt Sh’elle, a tall, lithe female Catian stepped onto the bridge and gave a feral grin, “Is Lt Cmdr Mal’athar boring you all with tales of long lost civilizations again?”

Shedda stood from the center chair, standing to her full height, but still short compared to her captain. “Probe 1 has finished orbital scans and has started it’s descent for ground scans, Captain.” Sh’elle nodded, “Good, I’m sure the science departments are chomping at the bit for data.” She glanced down at the PaDD in her hand, and looked up, “But we have a problem Lt Cmdr Mal’athar. More specifically you have caused me a problem.” Shedda was understandibly confused, “Me, Cpt?”

The turbolift doors opened and the rest of the senior staff stepped onto the bridge. Shedda looked around, well whatever she did…was bad. The XO stepped next to the Cpt. “Mal’athar, I’m disappointed. I can not express how much. Come to Orders!” and the entire bridge activity ceased. Sh’elle took a bracing breath. “Computer begin offical recording and log to ship’s records and personnel file of Lt Cmdr Shedda Mal’athar.” There was a trilling beep. “Computer delete all command access codes to the USS Dark Sea for Lt Cmdr Mal’athar. She no longer has command access and is removed as second officer and chief science officer.” Shedda was speechless. In all the years she’d worked with Sh’elle she’d always addressed problems head on. Shedda was absolutely certain she hadn’t done anything to warrent such actions. She clasped her hands behind her back. She was a Star Fleet officer and she would comport herself as such.

Sh’elle shared a hidden grin with her XO. She reached up to Shedda’s collar, removing the black pip, and unnoticed placed a solid gold one in its place, “You don’t need this anymore.” And then she addressed the rest of the assembled senior and bridge staff. “For services rendered to Star Fleet and the Federation at large, for behavior exemplifying what an officer should always strive to be, and scientific contributions that make the Daystrom institute weep, it gives me great pleasure and pride to promote Shedda Mal’athar to the rank of full Commander. She’s leaving us. Along with her promotion in rank she is going to take the next step in her career as the executive officer of the USS Manhattan, stationed in the delta quadrant.”

A slow forming but bright smile spread across Shedda’s features before she swallowed it back. “She’s the top of the line science vessel in the fleet, Shedda. Just remember you aren’t the chief science officer anymore. Congratulations Cmdr.” The cheers were resounding. And then the rest was a whirlwind of hand shakes, pats on the back, and Sh’elle ushering her off the bridge because she left in 90 minutes.

That had been 6 weeks ago. Shedda had a short stop over on Event Horizon and then along with her trunks and some very precious cargo, Shedda was on her way to Manhattan’s latest position.

The pilot hit the comm, “Cmdr Mal’athar, we’re approaching the Manhattan if you’d like your first look at her.” Then he opened a com and hailed the Manhattan =/\=Runabout Ru to USS Manhattan. Requesting permission to dock. We have crew and cargo to deliver.=/\=

Cmdr Mal’athar, XO

On the bridge NLtCmdr Holyoke scanned the approved arrivals and departures and then hit the comm. =/\=Runabout Ru this is Manhattan. You are cleared to dock in shuttle bay 1. Drop your approach speed to 1/4 impulse and then cut engines at 2000 kilometers. You’ll be brought in by tractor beam.=/\=

Holyoke looked back at the notes attached to this arrival and tapped his combadge. =/\=Bridge to Cpt Cochrane. Per your request, Sir, I am notifying you of the arrival of Runabout Ru.=/\= Was Holyoke curious, of course, was it any of his business why the captain wanted to know about this particular arrival, nope.

On the runabout the pilot dropped his speed and maneuvered the small craft into position. =/\=Acknowledged Manhattan. Cutting engines…now.=/\= The tractor beam engaged and began to pull the runabout into the shuttle bay. Shedda appeared in the small main deck of the craft. The Manhattan was magnificent and, well it wasn’t her ship, it was Cpt Cochrane’s ship, but she was her XO. With a hiss and a soft thud the runabout landed. “Thank you Chief,” Shedda said as she headed towards the back hatch the cargo there. “No problem, Commander.” He would have liked to offer to help, but he had to get flying back.

Shedda hit the control panel and with a hiss of decompression the hatch lowered. She turned, lifted up one of the larger crates up onto her shoulder. And that was the very first look the crew of Manhattan got of their new XO. The short, raven haired, green skinned, XO, crisp black and red uniform, with a large cargo crate lifted to a shoulder, balanced with one hand, walking down the hatch plank. She set it down gently turned, went back inside and come back out with another and set it down. She looked around, “Where’s the crew chief?” NChief Prulor walked over, a stoutly built Tellarite, “I’m Cheif Prulor, Cmdr.”

Shedda nodded, “Cmdr Mal’athar,” and she shook the chief hand, once, firmly and then turned to the cargo. “These are from Event Horizon. Gifts and deliveries for the crew from their families. They were being held till Manhattan docked again. Station commander sent them along.” Shedda bent down and pressed a finger to the locking mechanism and opened both. “You’ll make sure they are delivered carefully.” It wasn’t a question. Prulor nodded. “Yes, Ma’am, I’ll see to it. Anything else need unloading?” Shedda glanced over her shoulder at the Runabout, “A couple of my personal crates. And I prefer, Sir or Cmdr. Not Ma’am.” Prulor grunted and waved two of the crew inside to get the rest. “I’ll get these sent up to your quarters, Cmdr.” Shedda gave him a nod and polite smile. “Thank you Chief.” Then she turned taking in the whole of the shuttle bay and the activity there, getting a feel for the rhythm of the crew assigned to the shuttle bay.

Cmdr Mal’athar, XO