Ensign Natasha Cole - Caffeinated Counsel

[Natasha Schell]

((USS Artemis-A, deck 8, Chief Tactical Officer office))

Silveira: No, of course not. You actually did well, given the circumstances. It was your first mission and you ended up in a space battle. I spent years before actually firing any of the ship's weapons in action. That’s not why I called you.

Cole: Thank you Sir. It certainly wasn’t what I expected from my first mission.

Silveira: Without sounding condescending, I want you to take this lesson and learn from it. Don’t go to battle with the most outlandish tactic upfront. Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. If the other Destroyer was nearer, and they were coordinating, the Artemis would have been in big trouble. It’s like a game of chess. You have to think a few moves ahead.

Cole: ::nodding:: I understand sir, a more apt metaphor might be an ace up your sleeve.

She would have to keep some of her more bold tactics in reserve if she found herself at tactical in the future. As the Lieutenant relaxed somewhat, leaning back on his chair and opening his arms.

Silveira: I hope you don’t mind the advice. I am pleased to know that if we ever need you at Tactical you can handle the job.

Cole: Advice is always welcome. Admittedly Tactical is kind of in my blood.

Silveira: Really?

Cole: An ancestor of mine served aboard an NX class ship as a Tactical officer. And my father is Commander Solan.

She sipped more of her coffee.

Silveira: An NX class? ::Vitor thought of Tito. His family had also been serving since the dawn of Starfleet.:: Interesting… But how did you end up in Security?

Cole: Yes Sir. ::nodding to the question:: Growing up I loved holo mysteries, and admittedly it was my way of subtly rebelling against my father.

Vitor nodded,

Silveira: I see. Well if you ever want to cross on to Tactical for a bit… He smiled and winked at her.:: You have my permission, just don’t ram into the first ship we see.

Cole: ::smiling as she sipped her coffee:: Got it, hold that in reserve for the second or third ship.

The Lieutenant leaned forward as if he was preparing for a serious question or request. She downed the last bit of her coffee and looked at the empty cup for a moment.

Silveira: I don’t want to pry. But please, tell me more about your… Ancestor. In what ship did he serve?

Natasha suspected that was where the conversation was going to go. Some people were surprised to find people serving today with family lines that tied back that far.

Cole: I don’t mind, but first could I get another coffee? With a touch of Vanilla and a splash of Cherry syrup this time.

 

She watched the Lieutenant process and she changed how she liked her coffee. She appreciated that he didn’t outwardly judge her earlier order. You could often tell a bit about people with how they ordered drinks and food, and in some cases how they reacted to how others did the same.

Silveira: But of course, I will get one of mine as well.

 

The Lieutenant picked up their cups to recycle and replicated two fresh cups of coffee.

 

Silveira: Let me program your coffee, but please carry on.

 

Cole: My Great-Great-Great-Grandfather was Corad Cole. He served aboard the NX-04 Challenger. He had started out as an Armory Officer until sometime in 2157 when the ship was in a battle with Nausicaan pirates and the Captain at the time was killed in action and the Executive Officer had been knocked unconscious trying to use a Jeffries tube.

Silveira: What happened next?

 

Cole: ::taking the coffee:: Thank you. ::smelling the familiar aroma:: The bridge crew turned to him as the ranking officer. Without hesitation he issued orders and managed to hold on till another ship arrived to help. He was given command and served for about ten years till his retirement. ::sipping her red alert brew::

Silveira: Fascinating story. Thank you for sharing. ::he tipped his head to her cup:: I hope the coffee is to your liking? If it’s not I can replicate another. I am a better cook than a barista.

 

Cole: It tastes how I expected, Vanilla smooth with a cherry kick. What got you interested in cooking?

Vitor smiled, opening his arms.

Silveira: Well, I leaned from my father side of the family. It’s not as cool story as that of your Great-Great-Great-Greatgrandfather. ::he raised his finger:: Forgive again my indiscretion, but I assume he served on the Earth-Romulan War?

Cole: ::nodding:: He did, even in the Battle of Cheron. He led a flotilla of Andorian and Klingon ships backing up Captain Archer’s task force, which helped turn the tide.

Silveira: Fascinating… I have a friend who’s family also served since the founding of the Federation and Starfleet. But their earliest service dated 2190, so well after your Great-Great-Great-Greatgrandfather.

Cole: That’s still quite impressive, can I ask who?

 

Silveira: Lieutenant Vitor Tito, he’s Chief Science officer of Starbase 118. He’s totally a Fleet brat. It's a family tradition they carried over with having at least one family member enlisting.

 

Cole: ::drinking coffee:: Do you have family in Starfleet, or are you the first one? If you don’t mind me asking.

 

Silveira: Not that anyone in the family recalls. I admit Tito, who is a bit older, was an inspiration. That and the fact nobody in my close family wanted me to join. ::Vitor grinned and winked.:: You know how it is when we are young and rebellious, thinking we can write the next book in Starfleet. I realized I wanted to serve and help. Protect those who can’t.

Cole: ::nodding:: I understand that. I’m of the same mindset.

 

Silveira: Well the spirit, the desire to serve and help, and sacrifice if needed didn’t change. In fact with all my years of experience it got bigger. But there is one huge difference now.

 

Cole: ::raising an eyebrow as she sipped more coffee:: What’s that?

 

Vitor smiled more seriously and leaned forward. As he did Natasha wondered if he was going to mention his relationship with Lieutenant Commander Jovanen. Not that she saw any issue with that, from what she observed they both were very respectful of each other's position and responsibilities.

 

Silveira: Now I don’t try to be the next Starfleet Legend. I don’t try to… To write the book, if you know the expression.
I learned from experience and mistakes that what we really need to do is to learn what we have been taught, at the Academy and here. Learn from our experiences and learn from others. ::he smiled:: And aspired to be a Starfleet Officer.
If we do that, excellence will follow if we deserve it.

 

Cole: ::smiling:: Ever learning and working towards our best version of yourself.

 

Silveira: Response

 

Cole: I hate to cut our conversation short, but I should get ready for my shift.

 

Silveira: Response

 

She downed the last of her coffee, and stood striating her uniform.

 

Cole: Thank you Sir. For the coffee, and the advice.

 

Silveira: Response

 

Natasha turned towards the door, picking the coffee cup up, setting on the replicator as she passed.

 

TAG (end of scene for Natasha.

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Ens. Natasha Cole
Security Officer
USS Artemis-A
Writer ID A240205NC4