Lt Alex Storm - The Salmon That Got Away
Karen Morris
((Elysium, deck 6, USS Artemis-A))
The toe of Alex’s uniform boot tapped lightly on the floor of the Elysium in time to the tune that was running through her head. Grabbing lunch as late as she was, she hadn’t anticipated waiting...and waiting...and waiting in line. Had the person in front of her changed their order three times or four?
His tray materialized, and Alex's toe inched forward until she heard him place another order. Inwardly, she groaned, and her stomach growled in agreement.
Once the Petty Officer had received all of his food, he hurried off. After taking forever to order, now, he acted as if he were late for a very important date.
Stepping up to the replicator, Alex ordered…
Storm: One, three ounce salmon fillet, broccoli - steamed, side salad with Italian dressing, and an Uttaberry tea.
Her order materialized on a tray. The replicator’s slight whirring sound was drowned out by the various conversations while many of the crew enjoyed each other’s company.
Taking her tray and turning to see if she could spot someone she knew, her eyes swept across the seats. Lt Trina Juarez, someone Alex had worked with a couple of times, looked up at the same time Alex glanced in her direction. Juarez waved the Betazoid over, and Alex was about halfway there when her combadge chirped at her.
Silveira: =/\= Silveira to Lieutenant Storm =/\=
Alex stopped between two tables and balanced her tray over one arm and tapped her combadge with the other hand.
Storm: =/\= Storm here. =/\=
Silveira: =/\= Lieutenant, can you join me in my office? I want to discuss something. =/\=
Alex looked at Juarez, who had raised an eyebrow at her. Pointing to her combadge and then to the exit, Alex mouthed the word, ‘Sorry.’
Storm: =/\= Yes, Sir. I’ll be there shortly. =/\=
Her stomach chose that inopportune moment to voice its objections to more work instead of lunch.
Silveira: =/\= Roger, Sil out. =/\=
It wasn’t a long walk back to the replicator, but Alex managed to get two bites of salmon and broccoli shoved into her mouth, chewed, and swallowed before she deposited the tray back into the receptacle.
Minutes later, Alex’s boots stopped just shy of the CTO’s office. The door opened for her, and she stepped in. Walking over toward the desk, she placed her palms on the back of a chair. She opened her mouth to speak, Sil beat her to the punch.
Silveira: Good to see you, please take a seat. I have also called on Lieutenant Cole to join us.
Walking around the chair and taking a seat, Alex crossed her legs, and her right foot bobbed up and down.
Storm: So whatcha need, Sil? And how’re you doing - really?
Vitor winked at her and leaned his chair back.
Silveira: Nothing much, some things that are the side effects of the mission, and a final surprise.
Alex felt Cole approach the door before she heard a courteous whoosh behind her. She craned her head around.
Storm: Hey, Nat! It’s good to see you all cleaned up.
Cole: Reporting as requested.
Vitor offered Cole the other seat.
Silveira: Sorry to call you during shore leave, but I thought the three of us should have a sort of meeting. I want to run down a plan, and I thank you both for volunteering to help. Also, there were some things during the last mission I would like to discuss as well.
One side of Alex’s mouth quirked into a half grin.
Storm: Oh, so we’ve been volunteered to help with a plan, huh?
Cole: Response
Silveira: Let me start by saying that both of you did very well on this mission. We faced terrible challenges, but with hard work we managed to get back. ::He smiled at Alex and Cole before leaning back in his chair:: I have to say that I don’t like concealed weapons, and I prefer that we lose that habit, unless superiorly cleared by a senior officer. ::Vitor raised his hand:: I know they were helpful, I know that could make a difference. But from experience I know it can become a problem and it can end up, not only increasing the risk of injuries, doing more harm than help.
Alex’s arms crossed to match her legs. Her jaw shifted slightly as she studied Sil across the desk. Her head tilted to the side, and her eyes scrutinized her boss. This didn’t feel like the Sil she knew. She studied his face. His eyes were tighter. His jaw hung differently. Even his grin...did it tilt differently than usual?
Refusing to answer, she chose to comment instead.
Storm: That’s … an interesting take on things, especially for a Tactical Officer.
Cole: Response
Silveira: Second, I want both of you ::Turning to Alex:: as Tactical ::turning to Cole:: and as Security officers to work on a risk assessment course. Something that officers of both departments can attend and hopefully learn something. ::he raised his finger:: and that goes for me as well. Down on Callis I ended up fighting a squid, so I will be the first to attend.
Get in touch with medical and Operations to set it up.
Silveira: I know risk is our business, but we need to start minimizing it. ::he rested his hand on his chest:: And that starts with me. I want us to get better in calculating risks and I trust that both of you can assemble this.
Alex uncrossed her arms and reached out for the one Sil held out to her.
Silveira: And finally… I want you both to plan a ship wide drill that I can propose to the Captain. Again comprising every element of the ship, something that can test us both in space and inside the ship. Preferably an anti boarding scenario. ::He tipped his head to them:: There isn’t exactly a deadline, but the risk assessment course I would like it ready as soon as possible. Questions about this homework?
Alex glanced through the most immediate information on the PADD. Her finger swiped up the screen while her eyes scanned the text quickly.
Storm: So you want Tactical and Security to learn how to spot hazards, analyze the risks, and come up with ways to mitigate them before they bite us?
Cole: Response
The pointer finger of Alex’s right hand tapped against the chair’s armrest as her mind processed what she was reading on the PADD. When she looked up at Sil, her eyebrows knitted together.
Alex glanced sideways at Nat. If this was homework, it was the kind that would eat the next three weeks of their lives.
Storm: That’s … a lot. When you say that you want it ready as soon as possible, are we talking by the end of shoreleave - soon, or in the next couple of months - soon?
Cole/Silveira: Response
Storm: I’m sure if Cole and I put our heads together, we can come up with something for you. oO Eventually Oo Whatcha think Nat?
Cole/Silveira: Response
Storm: Funny thing is, Nat and I were already batting around a boarding drill idea. ::Turning to look at Cole:: Do you want to give him the broad strokes on it?
Cole/Silveira: Response
~*~
Tags / TBC!
~*~
Lt Alex Storm
Tactical Officer
USS Artemis
O240103SK2