Posted by Lieutenant Kate Trent (Strategic Operations Officer) in CO’s Office

Posted by Captain Benjamin Gillespie (Incoming Commanding Officer) in CO’s Office

Posted by Lieutenant Kate Trent (Strategic Operations Officer) in CO’s Office
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻
One whirlwind trip later and Lieutenant Kate Trent found herself standing outside the door to a Captain Gillespie’s office. Her tour as the chief of security on the USS Endeavour had come to an abrupt halt when she was suddenly transferred to the Magellan. Partially relieved to have avoided more in depth interaction with the next lot of Starfleet’s finest, she was bemused that her “vacation” on an Academy ship had been cut short so quickly after being thrust on her so involuntarily. She pressed the door chime and shifted her weight back and forth between her slightly spread legs, a familiar and comforting movement from her time spent training in hand-to-hand combat and the only indication of a slight twinge of nervousness at this new posting.

Lt Trent, SOO

Ben looked up from his desk and beckoned through the clear door for Trent to enter. As she did so he rose with a casual smile on his face.

“Lieutenant Trent,” he said, extending a hand, “I am pleased to see you. Welcome.”

-Ben

The slender, athletic officer strode briskly into the office and clasped his hand in hers, giving it a surprisingly firm shake.

“Captain Gillespie,” she greeted him, her voice extraordinarily even. “I’m reporting in as your new Strategic Operations Officer,” she continued, although he clearly already knew that since he knew who she was.

Lt Trent, SOO

“Your reputation preceeds you. You know Rixan put up quite a fight to keep you, as will I if your record and reputation are accurate,” Ben said, “Please have a seat.”

“So often, these meetings are so formal and uncomfortable, but I like to get to know my staff. Tell me a bit about yourself and what you hope to achieve here,” he invited warmly.

-Ben

Kate couldn’t keep a twitch of amusement off her face as Gillespie commented on her previous posting. Serving as a department head for cadets had not been where she thought her career had been headed and it was with relief that she had received the sudden orders to transfer to the Magellan. While it wasn’t back in Starfleet Intelligence, it was certainly much more up her alley. She took the indicated seat, sitting toward the front of the chair, keeping her posture erect, but not overly stiff.

“I’ve spent much of my career in Starfleet Intelligence,” she began, then moved on quickly as she knew that getting into the details at precisely what she had accomplished was not appropriate. “As you mentioned, I most recently served as Chief of Security on the USS Endeavour, but Starfleet believed this posting would be a better fit for my skillset. I’m inclined to agree.” She added a small smile at the end of her statement. “As for what I would like to accomplish here, my goal is to ensure that you have the strategic, tactical, and intelligence information necessary to make informed decisions to keep both this crew and this sector safe.” Her tone was business-like but not unfriendly and she exuded a quiet air of confidence in both her abilities and in Starfleet.

Lt Trent, SOO

“So you want to give me what I need,” Ben said, “Which is fantastic. Perhaps I didn’t word the question very well. What is it that I can do for you to help you achieve your wider career goals? Aside from getting you in a post that is definately more suited to your skills than teaching.”

-Ben

Kate looked momentarily befuddled by the question before a practiced look of confidence slid back over her face. “I… don’t have anything in mind,” she answered, stammering sightly. She didn’t feel that she was necessarily on a command track and she wasn’t sure she wanted command of a starship or starbase eventually anyway. Right now, intelligence was her life and that made her plenty happy. She looked slightly uncomfortable again as she studied her new CO for a reaction.

Lt Trent, SOO

“That is not a bad thing,” Ben said with an encouraging smile, “But be sure to let me know if anything occurs to you. In the meantime, I am having a few drinks with the Romulan ambassador this evening before he continues his homeward journey. I have no doubt that the Zdonek’s CIO will be present. Would you care to join us? Perhaps get a friendly contact or two?”

-Ben