Posted by Captain John Tiberius Glen (Captain) in Side Sim- Bridge- Coming Aboard Check in
[snip]

A Vulcan male steps off of a shuttlepod into the shuttlebay. He looks around for a few moments before he let out his breath slowly and controlled. When he inhaled there was a slight twinge in his face but he only looked around for a moment more before walking to one of the officers on the deck. He told the officer that he would need guidance to the bridge. Once the officer set off out of the shuttlebay, the Vulcan followed. He followed the officer through the corridor to the turbolift. The officer gestured to the turbolift, and told the Vulcan that the bridge was on deck one.

Saelk nodded and stepped onto the turbolift before he turned to face the door and pressed the button to head up to Deck 1. He soon stepped off of the Turbolift and headded onto the bridge. Stepping inside, he came a few feet into the room and then a few feet to one side to leave access to the door. The man was dressed in attire that was more traditionally Vulcan, though he did have a federation pin attached to the robe he wore. He looked at everyone on the bridge, face ever passive. He after several minutes went up to the Captain’s chair. “I am looking for Captain John Glen.”

“The Captain is in his Ready Room, looking at the new orders from the Admiral while we are in this standard orbit,” Kahuna told Saelk. “I’m Lt. Hercules Kahuna, Weapons Officer. I’ve just passed my Bridge officer exam, and trying to build up my Bridge hours for further Command exams. You must be the new CSO?”

Saelk looked around the room and noted the door that lead to the Captains Ready room. He then turned his eyes back to Lt. Pokorski. He listened and then gave a small nod at the question. “Yes. I was assigned to this ship by the High Council.” He explained.

Kahuna introduced the other Bridge officers to Saelk, “That’s Lt. Dariusz Pokorski at Navigation, NE officer at Helm, and NE officer at Communications. Over at Science there is the Ship’s Xenoanthropologist and Sociologist, Cara Meow. Saelk would see a Catian female looking down the Scope at the planet below. Each of the officers acknowledged Saelk in turn as their names were mentioned.

As each person is pointed out, his eyes followed around the room. He gave small nods to each person in acknowledgement. “Well I have never met a Catian.. This will be interesting at the least.” He said after all of the introductions were made. “I am coming aboard as a Lieutenant And indeed the Chief Science Officer. I will do my best for Captain and Crew.” He said as monotonous as a Vulcan ever was. Though he meant it, every word.

Cara heard what Saelk said and replied, “Good Evening, Sir! Contrary, I am very familiar with Vulcans. Before I decided to join Starfleet, I studied at the Vulcan Institute of Science. No reflection on the teaching given there, but I got bored with the mixture of office work and lectures; merely cataloguing other Federation races, or creating computer-assisted translation tools. However, I did always enjoy the paper shredding. I decided that the best place to observe other cultures and races was aboard a Federation starship.”

Saelk nodded. “The institute has a prestigious history, and rigorous application processes. They take the best of the best… it is a place that I was not qualified for apparently.” He said it as if it didn’t bother him. “Well, I look forward to being able to work together. Your knowledge and expertise will surely be of great use.” He said and gave a nod. “There is much we have to discover in the vast of the unknown and uncharted regions of space.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, Sir!” Cara replied. “This is my first posting to a mixed race crewed ship. I’m finding that interesting, as well as the fact the Merrimack is sent to places that no one has ever visited before. I’m happy that I’m realising my passion to discover new cultures and new civilisations.”

Saelk raised his hand, it was open and flat. He held it up for a moment before he lowered it back to his side. “It is alright. I have made my peace with it. That was some time ago. I do not blame you. Discovery is exciting. We would all do well to find something new for the Federation. If we are able to bring more people to the fold… then we may have a wealth of knowledge that we never thought possible before.”

At this point, the NE Communications Officer spoke up, “The Captain has finished his call with the Admiral now, if you would like to join him in the Chartroom?” She indicated a door to one side of the Bridge.

Saelk turned to the Comms officer. “Thank you.” He said and gave a nod to the others around. “If you will excuse me.” He said before moving to the indicated door. He walked to the door waited for it to open, he seemed to expect that he was expected.

Captain Glen had just ended a communications call and viewscreens still displayed star maps and a document written in Klingon. He seemed to been deep in thought, but smiled and stood up when Saelk entered. “Ah! Lieutenant Saelk!” Glen said. “I’ve had Vulcan officers aboard the Merrimack before, but none that were recommended by the Vulcan High Command!”

Saelk stepped into the room and gave a nod to the Captain. “Hello Captain. I was supprised as well. But my father would not send me out like this unless it was important I imagine. I hope to do well and offer great aid and assistance on this ship.” He said his face ever stoic. “I have been conversing with some of the other officers while waiting. It seems that you have a good team here Captain.”

“I think so,” Glen said, “I’m glad that you think so too… How can I help you? Are you settling in okay?”

“There is nothing I require Captain. I am here to check in with you, recieve orders and the like. I am doing rather well thank you. Is something troubling you Captain? You looked troubled when I came in.” Saelk said as he moved closer toward the Captain.

“No, No… it’s only that our next mission involves Klingons. I’ve never got on well with Klingons. That, and there is a primitive world, contaminated by Klingon contact, and we have to try to pick up the pieces. On the bright side, we will be exploring a region that no Starfleet or Vulcan ship has visited before!” Glen replied.

• Glen, CO

Salek’s face breaks from the unreadable mask just a little some concern showed on his face. “Yes… our peace with them is fairly recent… I can only imagine that there are many on both sides on both the Federation and Klingon that still find that the war being over is distasteful… I for one am glad that we did not war into Klingon Genocide. They may be a people of fighting, violence, and war… Vulcan nearly did the same… before Surak… Vulcan nearly destroyed herself… it is a past that we are most regretful of, but we have gotten past that. Maybe one day who knows mayhap we could even see them in the Federation.” He said seriously. “I may be too hopeful.”
Lt. Saelk, CSO