New Executive Officer

Posted on 20 Jan 2024 @ 6:52pm by Captain Bane Plase & Captain Erik Larsen & Lieutenant Commander Temerant Bast

977 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Shoreleave

ON

Bane watched as the crew started chatting and talking to one another, congratulating people who had received promotions and awards. He took his turn to do the same and turned to Lieutenant Commander Bast. "Congratulations, Commander Bast, and welcome to command."

“The Captain is a fine mentor,” said Erik as he took a small sip from his glass of Andorian Ale. “You will learn much, and quickly. And I hear that your replacement coming into Ops is a Vulcan.”

"Thank you," said Bast, stretching his neck. Oddly enough, even though the third pip weighed practically nothing, he felt like a ton had just been added to his shoulders. He gave Captain Bane a short bow. "I couldn't ask for a better mentor," he said, before turning to Larsen. "I hadn't heard that, actually. I knew someone had been picked, but I didn't have all the details."

Bane also had turned to Larsen. "Same. You'll have to tell us all you know about him. Looks like while I am training my new First Officer, my new First Officer will be training the new Chief Operations Officer. Should be fun watching things roll down hill," he said, clearly in jest.

"Indeed it will," said Bast. "Wilem, my previous Host, was an Associate Professor at Mak'ala University on Trill. I've done my share of teaching, I should be fine. Excuse me, Ensign, would you mind if I borrow your PaDD?" he said, intercepting a passing yeoman. "What's his name again?" he asked, keying in his access codes to enter the personnel database.

Plase watched the interaction between the two Commanders with interest. He was rather enjoying the fluid exchange of information between the two, and was especially enjoying that Bast was already working in his new position. Bane presumed it was because of his experience in Operations or possibly due to the experience one of Bast's previous hosts had.

"Stovek," muttered Bast, as he remembered the name of the officer who was coming aboard to take over his previous position. "Interesting service record. And... Hmm," he interrupted himself, as the new officer's profile picture came up on the screen. "A hot blonde, blue-eyed Vulcan, now that's unusual. He's just the type that would have made Lamorra a bit weak in the knees," he said absentmindedly. He suddenly looked up at the Captain and Larsen, and remembered himself, blushing. "Sorry."

Plase couldn't help himself but laugh, even throwing his head back when doing so. He slapped the brand new Lieutenant Commander on the shoulder. "Forgot yourself for a moment, did you? Ha!" he said, and laughed more. "Imagine if you had said that in front of him. I think maybe you would have had that Vulcan blushing, too!"

"He's not the only one that would blush," interjected Larsen. "Gods, I haven't..." He stopped mid-sentence. As much as he respected these two, there were some things that were just better kept to oneself. "Let's just say, its been a while and leave it at that."

"I agree, it's been a very long mission," said Bast, putting away the PaDD. "The Antiocians... Well, let's just say the geometry would have made it an awkward fit."

Plase was enjoying the banter greatly. "Not just the geometry. Did you see how strong they were compared to most other species? I saw the Tashi lift a chair that I could barely scooch across the room, and I am no weakling. Nah, I think they would have seriously injured any of our people if, well, during intimacy." Bane then changed the subject. "What do you think your first action as a command-level officer will be, Commander," he asked Bast, referring to his new rank, abbreviated.

"We do have quite a few new Department Heads," said Bast. "I think one of the priorities should be to meet with them individually, make sure they understand their role and have the transition under control."

It was a good plan, and the Captain said so. He turned to his former First Officer, Lieutenant Commander Larsen. "Do you have any words of wisdom or advice for our new First Officer, Commander?"

Erik paused for a brief moment to take a drink of his Ale. It wasn't like he was a wise old sage...he only had a handful of missions under his belt as Executive Officer. "The best advice I can give," he began, "is to trust that your crew know what they are doing. They are in their positions for a reason; have faith in the selection process and it will serve you well."

Bane nodded once and smiled, looking over to Lieutenant Commander Bast. "Good advice!" He looked around the room, noticing that it had started to thin out a little, but the vast majority of the people were there, most paired off or standing in a circle chatting away. "I need to slip out, take care of some paperwork, and get all of these promotions and positional changes updated for Starfleet. Erik, it has been a sincere pleasure. You will do well. Mr. Bast, I have high expectations and high hopes for you, and know you will do excellent in your new role. Gentlemen, please excuse me," he said, and slipped away.

"Yes, Sir," said Bast to the Captain's retreating back. He turned to Larsen. "I should get started on planning those meetings. Good luck out there," he wished, extending a hand. "It's been an honor serving with you."

“Likewise, Commander,” said Larsen as he shook the Trill’s hand. The gathering seemed to be losing steam, which was offering Erik an opportunity to slip out discreetly. He did not relish attention, so he was glad that the focus was not on him.



A Changing of the Guards post by:

Lieutenant Commander Erik Larsen
Former Executive Officer

&

Lieutenant Commander Temerant Bast
Executive Officer

&

Captain Bane Plase
Commanding Officer

 

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