Ensign Natasha Cole - Don’t Ram the First Ship You See
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 that 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: Response
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: Response
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: Response
TAGs/TBC
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Ens. Natasha Cole
Security Officer
USS Artemis-A
Writer ID A240205NC4