Posted by Ensign Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in Command Support

Posted by Captain Shirley Rogers (Commanding Officer) in Command Support

Posted by Ensign Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in Command Support
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
Rand scrolled through the reports on her PaDD and clicked a couple of buttons. “This mornings’ department updates.” She set the PaDD to the side of the tray within easy reading distance but not in the way with the stylus right on top.

Yeoman Rand

Shirley absolutely loved her Yeoman’s efficiency in the role. She picked up the PADD and looked over the department reports for a moment. After careful review, she signed the required lines with her index finger and handed the PADD back over to Rand, “Everything appears to be in order today on the Sentinel. Now moving right along, tell me a little bit about your history Rand. In other words, introduce yourself, tell me about your interests, and why you decided to join Starfleet.” Shirley went back eating her breakfast while eagerly waiting to hear Rand’s response.

• Captain Shirley Rogers, CO

Rand took the PaDD, checked them quickly, slid the dismissed stylus back into the holder and saved the reports to her PaDD and glanced over the list that had been uploaded to the PaDD. Rand looked back at Rogers. It was always the same, captains always wanted to know about the yeoman. It was a polite question and the answers rarely listened to or if they were, remembered. It was part of the dance she supposed. Captains liked to think they actually knew their crews. “I’m highly efficient at protocol, regulation, and procedure. I have almost an eidetic memory so I don’t forget things, making me highly useful. I’m extremely skilled with computer usage, not programming or building. I’m fast, efficient, and concise. On my personal time I enjoy literature, running - cross country mostly, I exercise in the gym because I enjoy it and not because it is required. I’m a twin and enjoy spending time with my brother.”

Yeoman Rand

Shirley raised her glass and took a sip of her orange juice as she listened to her young Yeoman describe herself along with her interests. The orange juice was quite good for being aboard a Starfleet vessel as she fancied it more than what she was used to drinking in the past. She found it difficult to believe that Rand could remember everything, however, she would take Rand at her word until she proved otherwise. The woman clearly took care of herself physically and her dedication to the role was definitely admiral because there was an immense will to be successful that accompanied her strong work ethic. Shirley was similar coming up in the ranks and appreciated Rand’s drive to be successful in her career field.

After Rand completed her statement, Shirley set her glass down making eye contact with the Ensign, “Ah, you like literature, that is wonderful. What are some of your favorite pieces? Any particular authors that you enjoy?” Shirley looked at her plate and continued eating her breakfast while remaining engaged in the conversation killing two birds with one stone.

• Captain Shirley Rogers

“I prefer what is now called contemporary historical fiction. Meaning when it was written it was considered contemporary fiction but it’s so old it now falls into the realm of history. The stories are entertaining but also give insight into the ideas and society of the times.” Rand wasn’t sure why they were having this conversation, but if Rogers wanted to talk, then they would talk. As long as she was careful and didn’t talk about the other thing it would be fine.

Yeoman Rand

Shirley finished up her meal while listening to Rand’s response to her question. Her emerald green eyes then met Rand’s gaze, “That is quite interesting Ensign. Thank you for sharing a little bit about you. I feel it is crucial to get to know my crew over the course of time and this was a nice first step. Did you happen to have any questions for me?”

Shirley assumed that her yeoman did not have any inquiries, but asked out of respect anyways. Rand appeared to be quite serious about her job and a true workaholic. She respected that about her yeoman, as she had been told that Rand was one of Starfleet’s best and brightest in her role. However, Shirley would definitely keep tabs on her to see for herself. However, so far so good performance wise for this Ensign.

• Captain Shirley Rogers

If the captain was expecting her yeoman to simply shake her head and say, ‘no ma’am,’ well Rogers didn’t know Rand all that well. The list began. Not in a rapid fire manner, but with pauses after each to allow Rogers plenty of time to answer.

“What is your biggest personal and professional pet peeve, Cpt?”

Shirley was surprised, Rand was one of the few officers that actually asked her questions about herself. She pondered Rand’s question for a moment, “Personally, I would say that it is interacting with those who are pessimistic in nature. I am the ‘glass is half full’ kind of person who seeks out the positive options in even the most adverse circumstances. Having a negative outlook on everything can be like drowning. Professionally, I can not stand it when members of my crew are late for their duty shifts and will not hesitate to hold them accountable for their actions if it becomes a recurring issue. I am the first one to understand that unavoidable circumstances occur and that I will accept. However, if the tardiness becomes a habit, then it is a sign of disrespect for all of the affected crew in the given situation. What else?”

“The crew will find out your birthday, it’s in your public file, do you prefer for a big deal to be made or celebrate privately?”

Shirley lifted her glass and took a sip of her coffee and answered after she set her glass down, “My birthday is definitely not a big deal by any means. However, having a lovely party with those who truly want to be there with me to celebrate with me always provides me with the wonderful feeling of love, support, and being in community with others. What else?”

“Do you have any religious preferences that I should schedule out time for you to not be disturbed?”

Shirley shook her head no in response to Rand’s question, “I am agnostic, so there is no need for a do not disturb in those regards. Any other questions?”

“Previously Cpt Carmichael allowed beverages on the bridge, and had me deliver them regularly. Do you prefer to continue that or nix it?”

Shirley had a look of slight disgust come across her face at the thought of drinks on the bridge, “Please nix drinks and food on the bridge. I want all work spaces clean on the Sentinel. There is a time and place for drinks. That would be in our quarters and the galley primarily. What else do you have for me?”

“Why tactical and security, rather than Diplomacy? It seems your background would have been good foundations for either.”

“Shirley particularly liked this question, but kept her response to the point. While both fields are critical, I chose Security because it required me to keep in great shape, be mostly ready for the unexpected, it increased my level of awareness, it helped me develop the ability to maintain observations of the entire crew, it improved my people skills in result, added plenty of life experience during an unexpected crisis, and helping others feel safe and secure is quite rewarding in itself. Any further questions?”

“What time do you prefer to take your meals? Where would you like them served?”

Shirley thought through her daily work schedule for a moment so that she got the times correct for herself, “The Alpha Shift primarily runs from 06:00 - 16:00. I prefer breakfast in my quarters at 05:00, lunch in the galley at 12:00, and dinner in my quarters at 18:30 when on duty. Next question?”

“Do you have specific drinks or snacks you would like me to keep stocked in the yeoman’s pantry?”

Shirley took another sip of her coffee prior to responding. She loved her hazelnut flavored coffee, “Coffee with hazelnut and vanilla flavor enhancement options. I will think about potential snack options and will let you know. Keep those questions coming Ensign.”

“Do you have dietary or medical needs I should be aware of?”

Shirley responded instantly with the dietary needs question since it was basically a ritual for her, “For dietary needs, I prefer to have a high level of carbohydrates for breakfast, then minimal carbohydrates for lunch and dinner four straight days a week. Then for the other three consecutive days, high carbohydrates for breakfast and lunch, and then minimal carbohydrates for dinner. I will throw in an occasional key lime pie on cheat days. I have no medical specific needs just yet. Did you have anything else for me?”

“Do you have a specific exercise routine that I need to make sure to schedule meetings and calls around?”

Shirley nodded and replied firmly, “Please do not schedule calls between 16:00 and 18:00. Next question.”

“What do you like to do in your leisure time, Captain?”

Shirley smiled in reflection, “I enjoy exercising, traveling, hiking, mountain climbing, reading, listening to music, watching performances, playing sports, and spending time with friends to name a few. Next?”

“What are your personal professional goals?”

Shirley thought through the question and answered with a positive tone of voice, ““My professional goal is to continue to advance my career in Starfleet. There is no bar, only significant challenges and obstacles that I will need to overcome in order to progress forward in Starfleet. My plan is to master my current role of Captain in different ways. One way is when I seek out advice from past officers who held my position and proved to be successful overall. I network with my peers in which we provide and receive feedback from one another on a weekly basis. I plan to grow and develop the officers here on the Sentinel in their careers as well. It is one thing to be a leader, but having the ability to develop other leaders puts you on another level entirely. It is incredibly fulfilling for me to see members of my crew aspire for and achieve their own career goals. My personal goal is to maintain a consistent work and life balance. I would like to settle down, perhaps get married, and have a family of my own one day, but the clock is ticking. My first love though is to continue to travel the stars, gain life experiences that others may only dream of, and to make the most of the opportunities that pop up throughout my lifetime. Did you have anything else for me?”

“What are your goals, plans, improvements for Sentinel?”

Shirley answered with confidence, ““The goal for the Sentinel is to ultimately be a prosperous ship. The plan is to be successful in meeting new civilizations, learning about various cultures that differ from our own, charting unexplored areas like the Abyss, uncovering natural resources that can benefit Starfleet or assist those in need, improving diplomatic relations with other worlds while maintaining full security, and being one of the pioneer ships that helps set the standards for those who follow in our footsteps in the upcoming centuries. Improvements for the Sentinel will come with crew development. I have a young crew for the most part and all of you have an abundance of potential as officers here. The leadership team and myself want to develop everyone and stimulate career growth for those who want to progress in the future. It all starts with training and development which in turn provides officers with the understanding of operations and how to properly run the ship efficiently by avoiding disconnects. As I increase my tenure here, I will seek to improve anything that keeps the ship from operating at peak efficiency. With that, I better get ready to hit the bridge Ensign.”

Yeoman Rand

Shirley tilted her head slightly and provided Rand with a friendly smile, “Thank you for the talk and breakfast Ensign. What is for lunch later? And we have a new Federation exchange officer joining the Sentinel. He will serve as our Chief Engineer. I need you to have him meet with me when my schedule is clear this week. Riss is his first name, I can not pronounce his last name just yet. Anyways, send him to me this week.”

• Captain Shirley Rogers