Posted by Commander Vivian Skogheim (XO) in Arrival of the captain. CIC, Deck 23

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Adam Magnusson (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Arrival of the captain. CIC, Deck 23

Posted by Captain Shock (CO) in Arrival of the captain. CIC, Deck 23
Posted by… suppressed (9) by the Post Ghost! 👻
The shuttle from the USS Ayarim had been given clearance to land on the Leviathan ‘s flight deck on deck 13.

From his viewport on the shuttle, the ship looked larger than Shock had expected. He had studied the schematics in detail while in transit. Yet, he was unprepared for the sheer size of it. Perhaps it was because of the optical illusion due no atmosphere in space, or perhaps, his mind could not yet unconsciously comprehend it. In any case, the view quickly disappeared, as the shuttle landed on deck.

After the shuttle engine hummed down, Shock stepped out, wearing his crisp new uniform with the captain’s pips adorning his collar.

Captain Shock
Commanding Officer

Commander Skogheim was there to greet him in the shuttle bay. She too had glanced over his file. It painted a picture of a very sentimental personality (relatively speaking, considering he was full Vulcan). Much like her mother in a way, which is why she ended up choosing a human companion. Skogheim’s rank and security clearance offered her only limited access to his full career history, but she was aware of his contributions to counter intelligence efforts in the Federation.

There was a rivalry that existed between those focused on internal intelligence protocols and field operatives, but she did not buy into it personally. She was only aware that sometimes, she found herself in conflict with users of the phrase, “experience overrides protocol.” Hopefully, this would not be an issue.

Still, him starting off with promoting her, before they had even officially met, might have been some sort of attempt at acknowledgement. Which was an interesting choice.

Commander Skogheim stood up straight, arms behind her back as he stepped off the shuttle.

“Captain,” she greeted, in such a matter-of-fact type way one could believe it had always been his rank,

“I am Commander Skogheim. Welcome aboard the U.S.S. Leviathan.”

|Cmdr. Skogheim, XO|

Shock stopped in his tracks, about a metre from right in front of his XO. He immediately recognized her from the file. In real life, she looked and behaved more Vulcan than he had imagined. He decided he needed meditate on why he had stereotyped her more human in his inner mind. That was not a conducive way to begin.

He lifted his right to make the V-shaped Vulcan salute.

“Peace and long life, commander Vivian Skogheim,” he said with a slight ceremonial depth in his voice, before lowering the hand. “It is agreeable to meet you. We have much to discuss.”

He began a stroll toward the turbolifts. He glanced at her collar. “I see that my promotion of you has been communicated clearly to you, even when I had not the chance to contact you before.”

Shock, Captain
Commanding Officer

Commander Skogheim obviously did not expect the greeting, but out of politeness returned the greeting and the salute before the two proceeded.

She kept even step with her new commanding officer,

“It was most unexpected. This was supposedly going to be only a temporary arrangement. A performance review of the ship, considering it’s recent history, Star Fleet wanted an explanation for… Pardon me, Captain, perhaps it is best to discuss that matter more privately.”

Though she herself was emotionally unaffected, it was unprofessional to discuss a crews shortcomings, potential or factual, in such an open setting. Therefore she shifted the topic back to herself.

“I have yet to serve longer than six months on an active Starship since transferring to intelligence work 23 years ago. Promotions do not come often for those in my position.”

|Cmdr. Skogheim, XO|

Skogheim’s actions were prudent. Shock did not know what Skogheim was referring to in exact terms, but her hesitation to speak about them where they were, and her wish to discuss them privately, led him to believe it was something sensitive – perhaps related to the many commanding officers the ship had had in the past year. Perhaps it was something more serious still. Among the myriad of reports he had been given access in the past twenty or so hours, he had still not been able to catch up on even a small percentage of them all.

“I see. Let’s continue our discussions in my ready room.” Realizing that his mental map of the ship was a bit rusty, and desiring at the same time not to get lost the first thing he did, he continued. “Please lead the way.”

“As for your promotion, it has been cleared with Fleet Command, which agreed with my assessment that it was overdue given your service record.”

He walked a few more steps, before stopping. “Permit me to express my wish that you will stay longer than six months in total on the Leviathan.”

Shock, Captain
Commanding Officer

“I may consider it,” she acknowledged with a nod. Captain Shock was already a refreshing change, offering a palpable sense of stability by his presence. No doubt the effects of this would transfer throughout the ship and her crew. It was something they all desperately needed. Something they had been denied for a good while. Perhaps her staying could contribute to that stability. At the same time, she knew the situation.

“However, Captain, the previous Executive Officer is still entitled to the position when he returns from extended leave.”

She took a small lead while navigating to the turbolift , and allowed the Captain to enter first,

“Deck 23,” she called out, waiting for the doors to close.

“The former Executive Officer was only recently called back to Earth on official Star Fleet business. The exact matter was classified. However, he had been serving in some capacity on the Leviathan for almost five years. Perhaps you could benefit from his experience. Either way, Captain, I am certain of your ability to command no matter who might be serving along side you.”

|Cmdr. Skogheim, XO|

“I both note and appreciate the confidence you place in me,” Shock said, while the turbo lift was going up. “I note also that you are correct regarding the leave of Commander Nyman. That is, however, dependent on, one, how long his leave is, and, two, whether he chooses to return to this ship upon the conclusion of his leave.” The pronunciation of Nyman was in the Swedish way, with rounded lips and a long front vowel in the first syllable. Shock didn’t know what the pronunciation in Todd’s case was, but settled on statistical probability based on what he knew of Earth names and pronunciations.

“It is agreeable to me, and to you, too, I hope, that you are considering it.”

The doors opened up to Deck 23.

“I trust my ready room should be nearby?” he said with a rising voice.

Shock, Captain
Commanding Officer

“Your ready room is connected directly to the Combat Information Center,” Skogheim explained, “Mjolnir-class vessels do not have a traditional bridge. Command decisions are made and given from the C.I.C. I believe the decision was inspired by old Earth submarines.”

The turbolift doors had opened directly to the C.I.C. (OOC: Image). It was undoubtedly the proverbial brains of the ship. More spacious, more alive with movement, than a traditional bridge. Officers sat at their stations, or moving between them. Groups were congratulating at tables discussing the latest missions, briefing and debriefing. Screens around the room displayed scrolling text or animated data readings.

“Captain on deck,” Skogheim announced, finally stepping out of the turbolift.

Everyone froze, looked up from their stations. toward Shock and Skogheim. The younger, fresher officers stood at full attention, while a fewer number of the Lieutenants did the same. Others just stood up where they were and acknowledged the Captain’s presence with a nod.

A huff escaped under Skogheim’s breath. Seemingly her first purely emotional response to something since introducing herself. But she too, like everyone else in the room, was waiting on the Captain’s response.

|Cmdr. Skogheim, XO|

Adam had been manning the Conn during the Captain’s arrival. When the Captain and first officer entered the CIC the Intelligence officer slowly turned around, clasped his hands behind his back and stood at attention. His movements were slow but confident. He was stood by the central situation table. For a moment, he was struck with the same amusement he’d felt when first hearing who would be coming in as Captain. The three highest-ranking officers on the ship all had an Intelligence background, infact so did the head of the RTF. It seemed that the ARU was once again heading in a different direction. His expression of course did not change one bit.

CIO

The silence lingered two seconds longer than necessary. Just long enough to register. Shock stepped forward into the combat information centre. His posture was upright, his gaze was calm but attentive.

He had never served on a Mjolnir-class vessel before, but the architecture of the CIC held a kind of logic he could appreciate. Everything visible, but nothing exposed. Conversations were visible in gesture but not overheard.

He took it all in with stillness. There was no rush.

Unlike the bridge of a Mythology-class ship (like the Athena, the largest ship he had previously served on), the CIC was less performative. To Shock, it was less about presence and more about purpose. The sweeping arch of a viewscreen was not there, nor the captain’s chair in the centre of the theatre. Here, authority did not emanate from elevation but from cohesion. That made sense. The Leviathan was not built for ceremony. It was built for complexity, for its unique and highly anomalous missions.

Shock looked at the officers. Some younger than he had expected. They were alert, slightly tense, but not brittle. They had held the line. Now, they were recalibrating and, likely, assessing him.

“I am Captain Shock,” he said, his voice neither raised nor softened. “By order of Starfleet Command, I hereby assume command of the Leviathan. Note the stardate and time in the ship’s log.”

Around the room, movement stilled. One officer shifted weight; another lowered their hands to their sides. Nothing dramatic. But there was attention. That, he noted.

“I was born in K’taal, an inland rural town, about 220 kilometres from the Voroth Sea. I completed my academic training in Earth studies, focusing on historical diplomacy and the ethics of conflict. I was stationed with the Vulcan delegation to the Federation Council in Paris, Earth, before entering Starfleet Academy.”

A pause. No elaboration. Just enough.

“My early Starfleet career was shaped by the USS Raal. I served under Captain Trenn on the Endeavour, under Captain Orvos Legen on the Athena, and most recently aboard the Ayarim under Captain Malwax. I have held positions in tactical, security, intelligence, and command. I have made decisions that saved lives. I have made decisions that did not.”

His voice remained level.

“The crew of this ship does not know me. I do not yet know you. I do not claim your confidence by virtue of rank. But I intend to earn it through action and not through assumption. I believe that trust must be mutual, deliberate, and adaptable.”

There was a brief stillness across the room — a signal, in its own way.

“I will speak with each of you in due course. If you carry concerns, speak them. If you hold expertise, use it. If you require support, make your requirement known.”

He let his gaze sweep gently across the CIC, scanning the reactions from its occupants.

Then, with a slight shift in weight, he turned toward the situation table and the man standing beside it.

“Commander Adam Magnússon, I presume?”

Adam inclined his head in response. It was an interesting introduction, especially for a Vulcan, they rarely deemed it neccecary to give background but he supposed it was a good call, especially when being brought in to run the ARU’s lead ship from outside.

Shock met his gaze with the measured respect he reserved for those whose roles required both discretion and interpretation. He did not smile, but there was an openness in the angle of his stance. An invitation, not a challenge. From what Shock could remember in the file, Adam Magnússon had seen more war than Shock likely ever would. The experience would be valuable to Shock. At the same time, Shock wondered what would be needed to lead such a man, and to be respected by him.

“You have the conn,” Shock said simply to Adam. “I shall be back shortly. I look forward will speak more then.”

“Aye, Captain” Adam answered in the most formal of ways with another slight nod of his head.

Then, to Skogheim, he inclined his head and raised his eyebrows, “Let’s continue our conversation in private.”

He moved toward the side corridor, trusting that she would follow.

Shock, Captain
Commanding Officer

As the new first officer and newer Captain left the CIC Adam looked around “Back to it” He said simply in a firm tone which resumed the hustle and bustle of the command centre.

CIO

The Commander now followed Captain Shock at his side.

“I understand the purpose behind your introduction. Very well spoken,” she commented. Perhaps it was a commendation.

On some level she did want to encourage the new Captain. If only because it would increase effectiveness of his command.

|Cmdr. Skogheim, XO|

“I appreciate the feedback,” Shock said. He meant it. This was unfamiliar territory, and Skogheim had become a necessary anchor. She understood the crew. She held their confidence and their trust. He relied on that.

They walked until they reached the ready room. Once inside, he turned to her.

“In the shuttle bay, you began speaking about the crew and their experience. I would like you to continue. I would also like you to add your analysis of their needs and anything else I should be aware of.”

Shock, Captain
Commanding Officer