A surprise jump

Posted on 30 Sep 2022 @ 2:38pm by Captain Erik Larsen & Lieutenant JG Christina Hartley

1,029 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Outbreak
Location: Deck 1 XO's Office

Having ensured her supplies were sent to her new quarters, with the stasis units secure in a Cargo Bay, marked as hers. She had one stop to go to first, before getting to surprise her wife.

She asked the computer where Kin'Fuji was, before heading to Deck 1, avoiding Kin, because she wanted to make sure the surprise was perfect. Unfortunately, it did mean keeping hold of K'tress, although the girl was being very well behaved, even though she was excited.

As she reached the First Officer's office, and as she did, she took a breath, and rang the chime, waiting for entry. Finally, this was it, where she was going to be. She knew it was a step down, of course, from running her team, but she didn't care. It meant she would be with Kin, and her family reunited, and to be with them, she would happily be an Ensign forever.

Erik Larsen sat his espresso cup down on its saucer with an audible clank. The sound of the door chime has almost made him drop the coffee, but the Executive Officer had maintained his iron self-control and remained his unflappable self. Given that a shuttle had arrived very recently, the chime at his door was not entirely unexpected.

“Come in,” said Larsen in a cheerful tone.

Christina walked into the office, holding K'tress's hand. "Commander Larsen, I'm Ensign Christina Hartley, reporting for duty," Christina said, handing a PaDD to the man. "My orders, assigning me to this vessel, sir," she added.

“Thank you,” said Larsen, accepting the PaDD and reviewing the conte ta briefly. Everything seemed to be in order with the transfer. “Welcome to the Cygnus, Ensign Hartley. Please, take a seat if you are comfortable with that.” Erik gestures toward the empty chairs in front of his desk. “Well, hello there,” he said, looking directly at K’tress.

K'tress didn't reply, but looked at Christina.

"It's okay baby, remember, he isn't a stranger, he's the first officer of the ship," Christina said. K'tress smiled and nodded, holding out her hand as Christina sat down.

"Hi," K'tress said happily, her tails wagging.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” said Erik as he shook the young felinoid’s offered hand. “Both of you. Has the Captain discussed with you what position you will be taking, Ms. Hartley?”

"No sir, just as a part of the Engineering team," Christina replied. "To be honest sir, I'd happily work in the lower decks, because my wife is already aboard, and both K'tress and I have missed her," Christina replied.

“I see,” said Larsen neutrally. This was probably why the Captain had asked Erik to handle her coming aboard, so the relatively new Executive Officer could gain some more experience in personnel management. “First off, let me say that you come very highly recommended from your previous CO. They said your Engineering skills are top notch. They, as well as Captain Bane and I, agree that you are ready for more responsibility and a leadership role.”

"A leadership role, sir?" Christina asked, a little confused. "I did what needed to be done at Utopia Planetia, sir, and I didn't think Admiral Jameson would ever give me a good review, not when he was overruled in my transfer here being approved."

Erik folded his hands together in front of him on the desk. “Don’t sell yourself short, Ms. Hartley. That next generation impulse drive system is nothing short of groundbreaking. And just because Admiral Jameson tried to keep you doesn’t mean that he wants you to not succeed.” Larsen paused, as if for dramatic effect. “How do you feel about being Chief Engineer?”

Christina blinked several times at what the Commander had just told her. She wasn't sure what to say at that point; was this actually happening? "I'm... I'm sorry... Chief Engineer?" she asked. "I... I'm just an Ensign..." she stammered. "I mean, I can... I just..." she was, for one of the few times in her life, speechless.

“We know that you can, Ms. Hartley. And as for the ‘just an Ensign’ part, I’m certain that this will solve that particular issue.” Larsen reached into one of his desk drawers and pulled out a small ebony box. He placed it on the desk and slid it toward Hartley. “Go ahead, open it.”

Christina looked at the box, feeling herself even more shocked at what had happened. "Wait... what?" she asked, before K'tress took the box and held it to Christina.

"Momma, open it, it's a present!" K'tress said, grinning. Christina accepted the box, finding the half rank pip, which would make her a Junior Grade Lieutenant. First, a transfer, then a promotion in position, and now a promotion in rank. Christina let out a soft laugh. "I'm sorry sir, my father always said that... good things come in threes," Christina said.

Larsen smiled broadly. “Mormor - my maternal Grandmother - said something very similar. Congratulations and welcome to the Senior Staff, Lieutenant Hartley.”

"Thank you, Commander," Christina said, taking a breath and gaining her strength. "I won't let you down," she promised.

"Momma, are you in charge now?" K'tress asked. Christina giggled.

"Just in Engineering sweetie," Christina said. "Now we need to surprise mommy," she added. She looked at Larsen. "My wife doesn't know I'm here yet, so I'm planning on surprising her, if that's okay?"

“Of course, Lieutenant. I’m certain she will be pleasantly surprised. First order of business…we will need a full systems update on the Captain’s desk by 1100 tomorrow.”

"I'll make sure the Captain has it by then, sir," Christina said, with a small smile. "Anything else needed, sir?" Christina asked.

“I don’t think so. You are dismissed. Go work some miracles, Chief.”

"Yes sir," Christina replied. She loved the sound of the word 'Chief' since it was her job now. She was the Chief. She smiled once more, then left the room with K'tress, headed to the turbolift, ready to surprise Kin.

OFF

A JP by

Lt. JG Christina Hartley
Chief Engineer
USS Cygnus

&

Lieutenant Commander Erik Larsen
Executive Officer
USS Cygnus

 

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