An Inauspicious Start

Posted on Wed Mar 1st, 2023 @ 3:40am by Lieutenant Commander Athon Scordato & Captain Etan Kaz

Mission: 02-The Line Widens
Location: Promenade, Station K-17

If Scordato had believed his experience in the transporter room an isolated incident, such thoughts were immediately banished from his mind as he ventured out into the rest of the station. Everything from the looks he was getting to the snippets he overheard to the state of the physical structure itself all seemed to indicate this was not Starfleet in its prime. It even took him six tries just to get the station’s computer to tell him which deck the captain was on, though it remained mum as to the section or room.

So, after navigating his way around various open panels, debris and equipment on the floor, and work teams in varying states of completion, and after having backtracked and rerouted four times around sections that had been sealed off, Scordato finally made it to the right deck. Based on what he could see of his surroundings, it appeared to be part of the old promenade. Shuttered booths and partitioned units lined the open space to either side.

He came across a half-functioning directory display and paused to look it over. Of what information was visible, most appeared to be outdated. Scordato ran his finger along the surface and found it pockmarked with age (a stark contrast to the smooth panels of the Oberon).

“Computer,” he said, deciding to give the system another try, “Locate Captain Etan Kaz.”

“Working…,” the computer replied as it began processing the request, “Captain Etan is…BZZZZZT…on deck sixteen…BRRRRRT…Error. Could not complete request.”

Scordato let out a sigh. Turning away from the directory, he looked around for any sign of someone who might be able to help him. And that’s when he caught sight of a man in command red coming out of one of the vacant compartments.

The Trill Captain walked onto the promenade with a Bolian woman in an engineering jumpsuit. He had a two foot PADD tucked under his arm. He looked either irritated or stressed, but perhaps a mix of both. "No, we can't do any in depth renovations on the retail units until we have merchants in place. Stick to structural work only in those sections. This main area though," He indicated the open area ,that was once a green park, that the promenade shops surrounded. "This can be done completely, as soon as the structure and power systems are up to code." he took the very large PADD from under his arm and handed it to his companion.

"Aye sir." The blue woman said with a curt nod.

Etan shook his head and then resumed his path. He took a quick moment to take in the work being done in the area as he walked. Quickly he spotted someone who looked rather out of place. New issue uniform, rucksack, and a PADD in hand. "You look a little lost Commander." Kaz called out, having diverted towards where Scordato was standing.

"Captain," the younger man said, standing up a little straighter as Kaz approached him, "I was...looking for you, actually. Lieutenant Commander Scordato, reporting in."

Etan reached out to shake the man's hand. In truth he hadn't had a second to really go over the incoming personnel files. "How was the journey here?"

Relaxing slightly, Scordato quickly adjusted the strap of his travel bag to keep it from slipping, then took the man's hand and returned the shake. "Long, sir," he admitted as, "about six weeks. But I suppose it could have been worse."

Kaz had a firm grip on the commander's hand. "Count yourself lucky you weren't here facing down an armada of Tzenkethi ships, with no shields to protect you." He laughed uncomfortably. "Anyways you're here now, and we're luckier for it."

“Thank you, captain,” Scordato said, taking his hand back. Part of him wanted to believe the captain had genuinely been waiting for him, specifically. But given what the station’s commander had revealed about their encounter with the Tzenkethi, it was just as possible they were relieved to see anyone with a pulse.

“If I may, captain,” Scordato continued, “I was wondering if we could talk about my accommodations…”

"What about them?" Kaz shook his head fervently."All the officer's cabins are exactly the same and there's really no way around that." This was the same conversation he always had when new officers came aboard. they thought since the station wasn't fully staffed their may be a command suite or civilian apartment they could nab.

“Oh…no, I didn’t mean…” Scordato said, realizing perhaps he had miscommunicated, “That is to say…I assumed when you picked me for this assignment, sir, you read my profile…”

"Picked you?" Etan said, holding back a slight laugh. "You were chosen by Starfleet Command, not me."

“Oh…”

Scordato should have known better than to assume, especially when dealing with something so…unusual. And yet, part of him had hoped that perhaps the captain would’ve been able to shed some light on what had happened (and why). That part of him had been wrong.

"Sorry about it." Kaz's mouth pulled to the side. "I'm sure you were expecting something more prestigious. unfortunately that isn't us." He moved slightly closer to Athon. "But I will say this, we not be the most well thought of post in the fleet but I do insist upon correct uniform. As of now, you are not in uniform Commander."

At first, the younger man thought the captain might have been pulling his leg, trying to lighten the mood. But when the man’s face did not change, Scordato realized he was being serious. He glanced down at his own uniform, then at the jumpsuit-style the captain was wearing, and it clicked. “Sorry, sir,” he said, “It won’t happen again.”

"I should hope not." Kaz said, trying his best to sound authoritative. "I trust you can find your way from here." Etan looked towards the lift. "I need to find the Chief Engineer."

“Yes, sir,” Scordato replied. He watched as the captain set off in search of…whatever it was he said he was looking for. Then, he turned in the opposite direction and began his own search for the next stop on his check-in tour.