Where The Stars Take Us

Posted on Fri May 30th, 2025 @ 3:39pm by Captain Malcom Llwyedd & Petty Officer 1st Class Kipp Lak & Master Chief Petty Officer Harris Zim

1,090 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Shore Leave 1
Location: Captain's Ready Room - Deck 1
Timeline: 2 Days before Shore Leave End

[ON]

Harris Zim had arrived from the USS Crane via shuttle just hours earlier. He had received his quarters assignment and had his belongings transferred. However, he had not seen the quarters themselves. Duty warranted that he inform the Captain that he had arrived and was ready, willing, and able to serve. So, with no delay, he made his way to the Ready Room and rang the door chime.

Malcom looked up at the door chime. He was reviewing the plans for the Firebird's time in spacedock and wanted to make sure he was familiar with the details. A lot of the crew was preparing to depart for a well deserved shore leave but hadn't been released yet.

"Come in," Malcom said.

Harris stepped into the Ready Room with the rigidity of a military man. He came to attention in front of the Captain's desk. "Master Chief Petty Officer Harris Zim reporting as ordered. Sir! I have been ordered to assume the role of your Chief of the Boat, sir." He placed a PADD containing his orders on the Captain's desk and returned to attention.

Malcom examined the Capellan before him. He had met a number of the species during his time in Starfleet and had, in fact, crossed paths with the one before him during the Dominion War.

"At ease, Chief, and please have a seat. I can't stand to look up at you too long or my head will fall off my neck," Malcom said with a smile. "I have to tell you, I'm very glad to see you. Our previous Chief of the Boat was a key member of my command staff and we worked well together to make sure the ship ran smoothly. How do you think you will fit in here?"

Zim nodded and sat. He took the seat more because Malcom had asked him to than because he needed to rest. "I am glad to be here. The storied history of this ship is no stranger to me. As to how I would fit in, I must confess that I am not sure. I know I will fit in and serve with distinction however, if your question is directed toward personal relationships, that is where I am not sure. I would have to meet more of the crew."

It was a guarded answer, the type Malcom would expect of someone reporting to a new Captain. "What I mean, Chief, is what kind of leadership will you provide? How do you bring out the best in our enlisted personnel? We have some outstanding people, but especially during our recent stay in the Gamma Quadrant, I have felt that they've been slightly neglected. I take responsibility for that, and I want to make sure that it doesn't continue."

Zim smiled to him it was the sign of a true leader that took interest in the well being of those under their command. "My apologies sir. I am the mouth for those that may not be able to speak. I will not pull my punches when informing you of what the enlisted on this ship need. But, I feel that is a two way street as well. So, anything that you need disseminated will get done. I tend to lead from the front and by example. So, anything that this crew will need, or any question that they would have I will be there."

Malcom nodded. He liked what he was hearing. "Your philosophy sounds perfect. And don't worry, I always keep my Chief of the Boat up to speed. I know the repercussions in not doing that," he said with a grin. "I am curious about your previous post though. Yeoman? Kind of a career change there, wasn't it?"

"Indeed. There was a time that I considered returning to Earth and the Academy and following the path to command. So, I thought becoming a Yeoman and experiencing that first hand would assist in that decision. It did indeed. With no disrespect intended to the Petty Officer here, I found that I was not cut out to being a Yeoman. So, I requested a transfer to get back out there in the trenches as it were." In truth the Capellan found being a Yeoman akin to being a secretary and that was not something he wanted to do.

"There's no doubt that being a Yeoman isn't for everyone and every Captain's Yeoman does different things. Kipp is my right hand and you will work with him quite a bit. He does a lot of work and wears a lot of hats," Malcom said. "I would like for you to start meeting everyone on the boat. No rush because of the shore leave. But once we are underway again, you and I will get together and see what we can do to make sure the enlisted are taken care of and know that we want them to excel just as much as the officers on board."

"Yes, once I meet everyone I will be able to come up with some ideas of my own that should assist with the way the ship is run." Harris had the idea to meet with some of the enlisted in each department before he met the officers in charge. This could give him an idea of what the heart of the ship truly felt about those in charge.

Kipp stuck his head in the room. "Sir, Admiral Boyle would like to speak with you."

Malcom nodded. "Thank you, Kipp," he said and stood. He extended his hand. "Sorry to cut this short. You and I will have regularly scheduled meetings, hopefully some over a drink or dinner, when we get underway. Until then, do Chief of the Boat things." Malcom said with a grin.

Harris stood with a smile. "You may regret that order sir. Chief of the Boat things often includes making a Captain's head hurt. But I will try not to make it hurt too hard. Sir." He came to attention and when ordered he turned to leave the Ready Room. The Capellan in Harris Zim wondered why the Captain made such an effort to befriend his crew. The Starfleet officer in him knew why and thanked the Captain for it.

[OFF]

Captain Malcom Llwyedd
Commanding Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298


Master Chief Petty Officer Harris Zim
Chief of the Boat
USS Firebird NCC - 88298

 

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