"Executive Thinking"
Previous Post: "A Changing Of The Guard"
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Stardate: 60323.1145
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Following a change of uniform and her visit to sickbay, the Romulan/Terran hybrid had made a quick tour of the ship, looking at the systems she had become acquainted with through a new set of eyes. As a Sec/Tac officer, Serenna had always looked at the corridors and sections onboard the ANUBIS in relation to their tactical advantages and disadvantages, often imagining what the best way would be to contain and neutralize any effort to gain control of the ship by a boarding party. Stopping the boarding party from first reaching the inside of the ANUBIS had of course been the Sec/Tac's primary duty in such a scenario, but being prepared for all eventualities was also something that the hybrid prided herself in.
After having accepted to take over the Ops position, the Romulan/Terran hybrid had learned to look at those same areas and systems of the ship in an entirely new way, seeing their resources and needs. It had taken a while for the COO to stop trying to tell the security teams what to do, but in time she had learned to do just that. Part of the problem had been that the ANUBIS had been without a full-time Sec/Tac officer, a situation that had made the transition that much more difficult for the Ops officer, but now that Ens. Doratheva had been assigned to the ANUBIS, this would no longer prove to be an issue.
Thinking about the completely different duties that an XO was expected to undertake, the Romulan/Terran hybrid had been relieved about the new Sec/Tac officer's presence onboard the ANUBIS. Although relatively inexperienced, being fresh out of the Academy, Ens. Doratheva would give the new XO a level of peace of mind that would have otherwise not existed. Tackling the personnel needs of the ship, the administrative duties and the stress of being the second in command would be more than enough for the former COO without her having to be concerned about the security and tactical aspects of the ship during their next mission.
Having returned to the bridge, the Romulan/Terran hybrid observed just how different the command deck appeared from her new station. Standing immediately behind the CO's seat, the XO had a clear view of the majority of the bridge with only two stations remaining out of sight behind her: the Engineering and Science stations.
Looking over her left shoulder, the XO saw Lt. Cmdr. Maya hard at work at her post, the Romulan/Terran hybrid only imagining what kind of research the Shillian had been involved with. Although possessing some annoying flaws in the field of her being overly enthusiastic when speaking, the CSciO had many endearing qualities, the most notable of which being her complete dedication to her work. Thinking back to her days as the Sec/Tac and COO, the hybrid had never considered that aspect of the woman, but as the new XO those qualities and flaws suddenly seemed important.
Turning her head to look over her right shoulder at the other station located behind her, the XO found the engineering station to be unmanned, an expected find but one that still held a certain amount of sorrow for the Romulan/Terran hybrid. After having spent so much time and gone through so many hardships with her fellow Academy classmate, Serenna had never expected David's career to end this way. Thinking back to as far back as she could, the XO could not recall ever having even imagined that David would be anything else but the talented engineer that he was.
Returning to her station and duties, the Romulan/Terran hybrid kept her emotions hidden from the others present on the bridge as she thought of just how apart their path had gone. He had decided to leave Starfleet to go on some fool's quest while she had ascended to the position of XO, leaving the former COO with many unanswered questions about what the future would hold for him, her and the crew of the ANUBIS.
Noticing the approaching ensign in charge of security, the Romulan/Terran hybrid dismissed her thoughts of the past and concerns for the future in favour of the present. "How are you liking the ANUBIS Ensign?"
Eva seemed surprised by the question, having observed the former COO has being a person with little interest in socializing, but then again that had been before her promotion to the position of XO. Standing at the station reserved for the First Officer and having traded her golden colored uniform for a crimson one had been only a few of the clues that pointed to this change of duties. Addressing the new Sec/Tac in an atypically friendly way had been the final clue Eva had needed to reach this conclusion and reply to the question as she would to the ship's XO. "Loving it ma'am. I will admit that it is taking me a little longer than expected to keep the six banks of Mark XIII phasers, the four banks of Pulse Cannon, the two forward and one aft Quantum / Triphasic torpedo launchers as well as the control for the Ablative Armor Generator straight, but I am confident that I will have everything well under my belt by the time we leave." Thinking as both the former Sec/Tac and COO, the Romulan/Terran hybrid had been ready to jump in with several tidbits about the specifics of the ANUBIS' weapons array and defensive systems, but as the ship's new XO and during the absence of their new CO, Serenna decided to allow the Ensign to explore those systems on her own with a little supervision from time to time.
Imagining the sort of challenges they would likely face during their rescue of the MERCURY's crew, the XO figured that it would be to everyone's advantage if their new Sec/Tac felt comfortable with her station, and not pressured into trying to have everything under her belt before their departure.
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Serena Switt {serena1141@yahoo.com.au}
Lieutenant Commander Serenna 2005 post #255
Executive Officer
USS ANUBIS
