From: "Amy Gross" 
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 1997 03:55:29 +0000
Subject: USS CHESAPEAKE: Arrivals

SD: 90225.0945
Scene: SB DELTA, Outside Jokinen's Office
     Newly-minted Commander D. J. Brennan stole a sidewise glance
at his new Commanding Officer.  Perhaps the first thing that
struck him was how small she was; he judged her to be at least
half a foot shorter than he himself.  The second thing he noticed
was that, despite this fact of nature, she seemed to be staring
down at him.
     "I look forward to serving with you, Commander," she said,
gazing coolly at him.
     "And I you, Captain," he replied.
     From where she stood, Bell wondered whether Brennan's
expression was polite, surprised, or both.  Not that it mattered.
"Very good," she said briskly, moving past him.  "I'll see you on
the ship, then.  We'll need to talk," she threw over her
shoulder, quickly retreating down the corridor.
     Brennan stared after her for a moment, before shrugging and
moving on.  So that was the CO.

*******************************
Scene: USS CHESAPEAKE, CO's Quarters
     Amanda Bell had to hand it to the staff on DELTA.  Her new
home was now filled with packed-up boxes and packages.  They
certainly worked quickly, she reflected, opening one carton
gingerly and peering into it.  Personal effects.  She frowned and
looked into another and finding several sets of pajamas.  The
third try was apparently the charm:  she smiled, removing a small
packet of dehydrated brine shrimp from a box filled with aquarium
gear.  She hoped that the staff had been as quick to fill her
ready room.
     Bell exited the chaos that passed for her quarters, striding
into the hallway.  Several crew members, none of whom she could
name on sight, milled about.  They all seemed to know her,
though, and several mumbled polite greetings as she appeared. 
She put on what she hoped was a benevolent smile, heading for the
turbolift.

*******************************
Scene: USS CHESAPEAKE, Ready Room
     Two tiny, spiked creatures floated gracefully in the water,
bubbles wiggling gently past them.  The light from the lid of the
aquarium touched their habitat with shades of gold, lending a
sense of magic to the rather prosaic, plain dwarf seahorses. 
Amanda Bell smiled.  They were right where she wanted
them--beside her desk.  She picked up a primitive turkey baster,
dipped it into a beaker filled with water and bits of brine
shrimp, and squeezed the plunger.  The tube filled rapidly, and
Bell moved it quickly over to the tank, trying not to drip too
much on her new desk.
     The tip of the baster hovered momentarily over the opened
panel at the top of the lid where the water was accessible.  The
CHESAPEAKE's CO squeezed the top of the apparatus again, and bits
of shrimp whirled about in the water.  The two inhabitants, one
yellow and one black, darted as quickly as they could (which was,
admittedly, not very fast at all) to feast upon what they saw as
a living meal.  Bell watched them eat for a few seconds, then
turned to the serious-looking young woman standing before her.
<>
     "Murray, Anne Sanders, Lieutenant, reporting for duty, Sir!"
she said, her severe visage looking more Vulcan than ever.
<>
     Bell looked at the young woman curiously.  The ears weren't
pointed, but still...  "At ease," she said, watching as Sanders
relaxed slightly.  "Welcome to the CHESAPEAKE, Lieutenant."  She
gave a quick but genuine smile.
     "Thank you, sir," Sanders replied, sensing her cue.  "I'm
happy to be here."
     "And we're happy to have you," Bell agreed.  "I started out
in the sciences myself, you know."  In all honesty, Bell doubted
somewhat whether she really did know, though that hardly
mattered.  "I've looked through your record.  Most impressive,"
she commented.
     Lt. Sanders nodded slightly.  "Thank you, sir."  Her
expression remained carefully neutral.
     Bell smiled again, this time more easily.  She couldn't help
it--she was so very tempted to begin speaking to her new CSciO in
Vulcan.  Somehow, she managed to restrain herself.  After a few
long seconds, towards the end of which Bell detected a note of
confusion in Sanders' stare, the CO shook her head and laughed.
     "Sir?"  Murray looked at her quizzically.
     "Nothing," Bell said quickly.  "Just thinking.  Most of your
department is already onboard.  I imagine you would like to
familiarize yourself with them."  She paused, nodding.  "Good to
have you here, Lieutenant.  Now get to it.  Dismissed."
     Sanders offered a final, barely perceptible nod, took one
last glance at the seahorses, spun on her heel, and left.

NRPG
All:  Lame, lame, lame.  If you're reading this, I can't believe
it limped its way into your maioboxes.  Blame midterms and a
flood of ALBies.  If that fails, blame me. ;)
Masako:  Welcome!  I'm sorry not to do more with the reporting in
at this point, put I wanted to get *something* down.  As CSciO,
you head up the department Bell would most likely nose around in
and bother if she gets antsy, anyway. 
Takako:  Same apologies for such a brief scene with Brennan. 
Feel free to add reactions, etc.  I imagine he'll be wandering
the ship by now as well.
Melvin: Hi, and good to have you on your way as well.

Respectfully submitted,
Capt. Amanda Bell, CO, USS CHESAPEAKE
Amy Gross, ag8836a@american.edu

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