Lieutenant Commander Ava Munro - Less Than Perfect Impressions
Luxa Lorana
((Maintenance Observation Lounge - Deck 372 - DS224))
Ava’s eyes were drawn immediately to the large, floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out onto the starships within the expansive docking area. She noticed MacKenzie’s distinctive hair almost immediately. Confirmed to be her when she spotted the pips on the collar. There weren't many Fleet Captains standing around maintenance lounges and she noticed a visible space between her new CO and the others.
After a momentary pause to fix her gold shouldered uniform, a popular habit in the fleet, Ava walked towards MacKenzie. She had a careful smile on her face.
Munro: :: hesitation :: Captain, I hope I'm not disturbing you? :: extends her arm in greeting :: Lt Commander Ava Munro.
As Ava passed her PADD to MacKenzie her eyes went from the PADD to her.
MacKenzie: Ah, Commander Munro. A pleasure.
Ava turned to look at the Artemis, not dissimilar to the Akira class she had served on last, but the slightly elongated saucer section gave the vessel a graceful elegance, with the sensor pod hung above it and the drive section.
Munro: She’s beautiful, Captain.
MacKenzie only briefly looked away from the Artemis to offer a slight smile and a nod. Ava returned her own gaze to the ship at hand as the commanding officer, several ranks her superior continued to speak.
MacKenzie: Enjoy the view, Commander. It’s not often we get to see her from this angle.
Munro: I’m looking forward to seeing the insides as well.
Ava bit her lip and winced.
oO did I just say that to a Fleet Captain? Oo
The Captain took a deep breath in through her nose, held it slightly at the top, then released it equally as slowly through her nostrils before turning to face Ava. Ava felt like she was a Starfleet cadet all over again, she straightened her shoulders and found that she was holding her breath.
MacKenzie: So, Commander. I hear you’re to be our new first officer. Captain Niac gave you quite the recommendation.
Munro: :: attempts a joke :: That might have had something to do with the brandy I gifted him :: more serious :: We served together back on Earth, at Starfleet HQ.
MacKenzie only smiled and nodded curtly. She wasn’t giving much away at all? Ava had the distinct impression that she was about to be airlocked and suddenly wished she hadn’t read about the airlock ensign rumour at all. It had just become apparent to her that it may not be limited to ensigns.
MacKenzie: Tell me a little about yourself, Commander.
Ava returned the polite smile, and suddenly felt parched. Was it unusually warm in here? Did they just turn up the temperature?
Munro: Well, as I said I served at Starfleet HQ, within Operations, until Captain Niac asked me to join his crew as Chief of Operations and -
Ava faltered as MacKenzie’s face slowly soured and then she waved a hand in front of her face. Ava thought very clearly … ‘the captain just swotted me’. She had no idea how to react to that? She normally diffused most awkward interactions with a well-placed joke but somehow she didn’t think Fleet Captain MacKenzie would appreciate that. So she decided she may appreciate the more forthright option.
Munro: Is there a problem, Captain, maybe I could go back further?
MacKenzie: No, no. I’ve already read your service record.
Ava forced a polite smile on her face. This was not a great start.
Munro: About me then? That’s not included on my service record :: beat, pause to think :: I love Starfleet. And I know you’ve heard that a million times because we all have, right?
MacKenzie: Response
Ava took a deep breath and released it slowly, giving herself time to think.
Munro: :: nods :: I say it because I am Starfleet, so if you want to know who I am, that is me. I was even before I knew what the word was. I believe in exploration, in understanding, in building something better than what we had before. People working together, all those different voices, different worlds, united by something greater than ourselves is our greatest strength. But mostly I’m hopeful. That annoyingly persistent kind of hope. That no matter how dark things get, there’s always a way forward and I won’t stop until I find it. I will never stop. Before I was even a daughter, a wife, a mother, an officer. That’s who I am. That’s who I’ve always been at my core.
She didn't usually begin every relationship with a monologue but if the Captain wanted to know who she was, she had a better idea now. She just hoped that she wouldn’t have to make the trip back to the Alpha Isles.
MacKenzie: Response
Munro: I apologise for being so blunt, but I’d very much like to be your first officer, Captain. With that I promise I will serve you and the crew with truth, passion, dedication … always. If you’ll have me?
MacKenzie: Response
Tags/TBC
