Posted by Lieutenant Commander T’Aria (XO / Navigation Officer) in SideSIM: Manoeuvre First, Talk Later (Attn. Lovejoy, Gruver)

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Sara Lovejoy (Comms Officer/Helmswomen) in SideSIM: Manoeuvre First, Talk Later (Attn. Lovejoy, Gruver)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander T’Aria (XO / Navigation Officer) in SideSIM: Manoeuvre First, Talk Later (Attn. Lovejoy, Gruver)
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻
<snip>

Her eyes were still a bit heavy since she was awoken during the middle of the night to be ridiculed by the executive officer and was called in on her day off for reasons unknown. She would definitely take a coffee or two, she could use some good java to draw up energy to get through the morning, “Of course sir. I will have a coffee with hazelnut flavoring. It will help mask my sleep deprivation from last night.” Evelyn grinned at T’Aria and updated her PADD while waiting for the Queen of the Chernov to return. She extended her hand accepting the coffee from T’Aria, “Thank you sir.” and held the mug to her soft lips and took a sip. “Mmm, I love hazelnut. Have you ever tried it? If not, I definitely would recommend it.”

T’Aria blinked, parting her lips to contend with some admonishing quip, but she refrained. She simply nodded. Regally. “I’ll bear your suggestion in mind,” she hummed. Evelyn’s filbert-infused coffee produced a ligneous aroma that reminded T’Aria of Earth’s forests. It was bitter but not so strong as to make her regret a lower dose of nasal numbing. Strangely, she liked it.

Evelyn set the mug down on the table and thought about how she would answer T’Aria’s question about her ambitions. She then made direct eye-contact with the Vulcan across the table answering her confidently, “My ambition is to have your job in five years and Captain Taggart’s in eight. I plan to grow, adapt, develop, and evolve throughout my career in Starfleet. I have laid the ground work at the Academy and in command school already. Now I will just execute the plan and accomplish each goal over the course of time. All that I can do is my very best in pursuit of these goals and godspeed from there.” Evelyn winked at T’Aria. She then turned the question back on T’Aria, “What are your ambitions Commander?”

Unwavering in her gaze, T’Aria tended her head slightly to the left as she considered Evelyn’s response. It was almost logical. She respected the woman’s aspirations. Vulcan philosophy made no enemy in ambition. But she was concerned that Evelyn was overlooking the nuances of her career. “You will have no shortage of opportunity in Starfleet,” she assured. “Tell me a little bit more about your plans. Why are you driven to pursue a career in command?”

T’Aria mulled over her question. Ambitions were not lost on her, but they weren’t among her defining traits. Often, she was driven by restlessness and curiosity in equal measure. Intentions, life plans, aspirations.. they were concepts most Vulcans had planned to the T. But T’Aria found herself in pursuit of a goal she couldn’t quite name.

Without a hint of hesitation, T’Aria rose a seemingly aloof brow and nodded. “Vulcan philosophy demands a degree of discipline, devotion and scepticism.” She explained, deliberately omitting stoicism from its tenets. “But I do not view it so plainly.” She thought for a second, choosing to approach her ambitions with a concept rather than a precise phrase. “There is an axiom of our philosophy deemed Nome. To reduce to its most basic form, Nome is the unification of every element that make our lives… fulfilling.” Her gaze reflected a glint of introspection. “Humans might even consider it beautiful.”

The Vulcan fell silent to allow Evelyn the time to digest her words, before continuing a few moments later. “I have no desire to limit myself with concrete plans and constructs,” T’Aria would not reduce herself to human concepts of ambition or drive. “I have temporary pursuits, but my fundamental ambition is to achieve Nome. A worthwhile existence.” She wore the faintest inkling of a smile, but it disappeared behind her mug.

Evelyn took a second sip of her coffee enjoying the hazelnut flavor on her taste buds. She glanced up at the tall form of Lieutenant Lovejoy as she arrived at the table and provided her with a casual wave of her hand, “Good morning Lieutenant. I’m Evelyn, It is pleasure to meet you sir.”

• Ensign Evelyn Gruver, Security and Helmsman

– T’Aria, XO

OOC: Sorry.

IC: As the Lt. came in she then looked and said “I am confused why am I here?” She looked really confused by the whole thing until someone explains it. “Also I apologize for being late the way I did.”

Lt. Lovejoy

“At ease,” T’Aria indicated an empty chair. “You’re not here for punishment, Lieutenant, so make yourself comfortable.”

“Thank you both for joining me this morning,” she lowered her head in a quiet nod, “I apologise if it’s earlier than you’re accustomed to, but I found it was time we properly aquainted one another.”

“I understand you are both helmswomen,” T’Aria pointedly observed, “how do you feel about your shuttlepiloting skills?”

— T’Aria, an XO with a plan

“Shuttlepiloting skills Cmdr? What do you mean. I’m lost. I mean I understand that myself and Gruver are helms women. But as a Lt., I want to know why there are two of us for the helm. I am not saying that I disagree with it. It’s just odd. And besides. I’ve never flown a shuttle craft ever.” She then mentioned to the Cmdr.

Lt. Lovejoy

T’Aria took in a soft breath, absorbing Lovejoy’s confusion in silence. “We cannot feasibly expect one helmsperson to endure the brunt of piloting,” she calmly answered. “Therefore, we have two for trauma, incapacitation, or other unforeseen circumstances that may remove one of you from duty. It is… an insurance policy, if you would.”

“Then I suppose the question is not whether you know, Lieutenant,” she quirked a brow, “but whether you’re willing to learn.”

— T’Aria, XO

“Well commander. I am willing to learn if it is needed. Honestly, as Lt. I think that it’s best if I did learn. But if it with the commanders opinion on it.” She said to the commander and looks a little confused. “Also, if I may ask about other unforeseen circumstances that may remove one of us from duty?” She asked.

Lt. Lovejoy