Making the Rounds (part 1)

Posted on Tue Oct 17th, 2017 @ 3:35pm by Alika Mahone

Mission: Mission 4 - Combustion
Location: SS Mary Rose, Executive Officer's Office
Timeline: MD 04 / 0900 hours
1232 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Now that he was the ship's new Security Chief, Micheal felt that he should make the rounds, introducing himself to the various department heads on the Mary Rose. He decided that, as Reuben already knew about him, he would start his rounds with the ship's executive officer. After learning from the computer interface in his new quarters that the XO was in her office, that was where he went.

Standing outside the closed door of the Mary Rose's executive offocer's office, Micheal reached up and pressed the door chime. He then waited to be allowed entrance.

Alika had no idea what this room was for. No one told her she'd get an 'office.' Okay, maybe Rueben did at some point, but that was a minor point and there was so little paperwork for her to do. So why would she need an office, that was her reasoning. She found herself in the middle of it currently because the hydroponics operator mentioned something about a 'present' in the room, which Alika had easily found sitting upon the desk, the only decoration upon it at the current.

She gave a start when she heard the chime, glancing behind her at the door. After gathering herself and making to sit at what she assumed was going to be her chair, she cleared her throat. "Come in."

Upon hearing her permission to enter, the computer opened the door, allowing Micheal to step inside. "Mornin', Ma'am," he began as he stepped closer. He noticed the sparten nature of the office and beagan wondering just how different things ran on a civilian vessel, as opposed to a Starfleet one. "Just wanted to stop by and official begin my job as Security Chief for the Rose."

"Ma'am's my Grandma." Alika gestured to the seat across from her, as she had seen many an authority type do prior, before frowning at him. "... Aren't you the guy we ran into from that ship? What was it called again... Alexander the Great or somethin'..."

Micheal watched Alika as she sat. He then lowered himself into the offered chair. "Yes, my shuttle, Alexandria." He chuckled as he continued. "Of course, you should be careful. My shuttle's A.I. might start to get full of herself if you call her great." He chuckled warmly again, then asked, "Well, if not Ma'am, how should I address you? You are the X.O., afterall."

"The what?" Alika frowned. Everyone around here seemed intent on utilizing designations that she had been staunchly opposed to since she boarded the ship. Hierarchy and order were important; Starfleet names were not. "Alika. I just shuffle more paperwork around, I'm not anythin' special."

Michral grinned slightly. "Sorry. Clearly the years of service in Starfleet have left their mark on my mind." He chuckled softly before continuing. "Okay, just Alika then. Got it."

This didn't seem to enthuse the young woman, who tilted her head to one side. "You're not the first, just gotta see if I can get the 'Starfleet' outta ya. Cap's the worst, pretty sure." She crossed her arms across her chest. "Security Chief, huh? S'about time we got someone who was more consistent, and less likely to disappear on us... You don't have a disappearing act up your sleeve, do you?"

Micheal smiled again. It was a warm, good-humored, lop-sided grin. "Well, ya know what they say. You can take the Senior Chief outta the fleet, but, you'll never take the Fleet outta the Senior Chief. However," he tilted and nodded his head slightly. "I will do my best to remember that this is a civilian ship. My earlier display of weapons fire in the crew mess won't happen again, unless the situation calls for it."

At this, Alika couldn't help herself but grin. "Don't sweat it. Not with me. New ship, new people to get used to, sometimes tensions run high. No one died or caused more than a lil' ruckus, so I don't see it as something to get all cross about." She slung a leg across the arm of her chair. " 'Sides, I think I trust you more than I trust most of the others."

Micheal chuckled a humorless laugh as he replied. "Well, at least someone on the ship doesn't seem to hate me for that action. That Science Chief would disagree with you." He shook his head, thinking about the animosity that poured out of that man. A smile then crept across his face as he responded to the next thing Alika had said. "Thank you for the vote of confidence. I'll do my best not to abuse it."

"Must be a Science thing," Alika gave a wave of her hand. "Most of the Science types I know either seem to be allergic to guns or are just leery of security. Nah nah, the way I see it, I've gotta be able to trust ya 'cause you're the one who's gonna be at the computers and taking care of the most important stuff. So I appreciate that, for certain."

Micheal nodded as he replied. "Thank you." He paused briefly, then continued. "Is there anything that you want to know about me?"

Alika mulled the statement in her head. This had become her first 'formal' meeting with any of the crew, and she already felt inorganic. But she did tell Rueben she would give it an attempt. "... Just one, actually. What made you leave the 'glorious' world of Starfleet and eventually join our merry band of misfits?"

Micheal's features darkened slightly. "The Admiralty and I had a difference of opinion." He paused briefly before continuing. "As for joining this crew... guess it started with the explosion y'all just had. Then, after the incident in the galley, Reuben first talked to me, then hired me."

"Huh." She noticed the other's slight turn in body language, but there were more important things to concern herself with. If she and Rueben were worried about the details of everyone's pasts, then they simply would not have a crew. "Sounds like Boss. Probably thought you weren't gonna whip out another gun on people unless there was a good reason for it."

Micheal's features brightened to a soft grin. "Oh, I'd never shoot anyone without good reason." He chuckled a bit at that statement. "Seriously though. I'll stay here as long as Rueben says so. Guess I'll just have stay on his good side."

"That's not that difficult," Alika mentioned dismissively. "All you've gotta do is the job and not be too huffy about it. You do that, I don't see you gettin' kicked off the ship any time soon."

Micheal nodded as he listened. If there was a mood that had never been used to describe him, it was huffy. If that was truely the only thing to be careful about, then he'd do just fine here. "Sounds good. Do you have anything else I should know about the ship or crew?"

"Not at all. Y'tend to find all that out as ya go." Truthfully, Alika had no idea who tended to be hanging around the security department. They did their jobs, and she did her's. But Micheal didn't need to know that. "I think you're all set otherwise, Chief."

TAG to end

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Alika Mahone
Second Officer
SS Mary Rose

Micheal Robertson
Security Chief / Bounty Hunter
SS Mary Rose / Shuttle Alexandria