Capt. Lia Rouiancet: Welcome Aboard

[Tony Colella]

(( Chief Engineer's Office, Deck 11, USS Octavia E Butler ))

Rouiancet: Oh, I see. Well, I don't see any difficulties, though (beat; considering the pair) I am curious how you two came up with this plan. Why not crew a ship of your own?

This was, partially, meant for Lieutenant Forsyth, who was new to the Butler and whom Lia hadn't had much time to speak with yet. This would be a nice opportunity to get to know more about her. Lia liked to know something about what had drawn all the officers and crew who served with her to their current career.

Forsyth: Um well….He started getting bored not having work to do, So I told him I would see if Lieutenant Herrick would let him help out in engineering.

Valk: I also do not have the skills to be a captain, I much prefer fixing things.

True enough for most engineers, though Lia frowned for just a moment. She'd need to follow up with Forsyth later.

Herrick: And how versed are you in our protocols and tech?

Valk: I have been reading up on Starfleet protocols provided by Alex and I do read the Engineer Weekly from time to time, which sometimes talks about new tech in Starfleet.

Forsyth: Yeah, he apparently never misses an issue.

Josh had given every appearance of thinking hard during these answers, and Lia thought she heard the almost imperceptible snap of a decision being made.

Herrick: (looking to the Captain) So a trial basis for 3 months, and see how it goes?

Rouiancet: Sounds reasonable to me. Valk?

Valk: That would be acceptable, thank you.

Forsyth: Yes, thank you for helping us.

Herrick: (smiling) Well, I would expect nothing less; it’s important that we be the right fit for you as much as you are for us. (Beat) You said your dad was in Starfleet?

Ah! At this, Lia's focus phasered back in. She'd been prepared to oversee Josh's assignment of duties and responsibilities to Valk -- important, but most interesting to those directly involved -- but his unexpected question piqued her interest immediately.

Valk: Yes, a Captain Robert Forsyth.

Forsyth: Valk is my long lost brother, sir.

Rouiancet: (raising an eyebrow) Well, not so lost anymore. (beat) I can understand your desire to stay together after a lengthy separation.

Though the way the lieutenant had phrased it, long lost, was intriguing. Had something happened to one or both of them to keep them separate?

Herrick: Response

Forsyth: It was in my transfer request, It said my brother would be joining me as well.

Lia glanced at Josh and nodded.

Rouiancet: I remember it now, though I didn't mark it then.

She'd assumed that Lieutenant Forsyth, then an unknown quantity, had a sibling who was also an officer or NCO and who would request a transfer at some future date. She hadn't inquired in greater detail then, due in large part to the ship gallivanting off to the distant future without her.

Herrick: Response

Forsyth: I forgot you were not on the Butler when I arrived, Cap’n.

Valk: It was a simple mistake, sister.

Rouiancet: (dry) I missed more than a few events, it seems.

Not only had the Butler ended up in the 32nd century, the crew had bounced around various times that had, in the two notable cases of Toxin and Josh, actually ended up with extended stays in times where they had already existed as they waited for the slow progression of the months (and years, in Toxin's case) to catch them up with the Butler's return.

Herrick/Forsyth/Valk: Responses

Rouiancet: (a clap; standing) Well! This all seems in order. (to Josh) Keep me apprised, Lieutenant, please. (to Valk and Forsyth) Welcome aboard, both of you, and (to Forsyth) I'd like the opportunity to get to know you better, Lieutenant Forsyth. I'll reach out.

That sort of invitation could have a way of freezing the recipient's blood, which Lia had regretfully accepted was her lot as a CO, but that didn't change the reality -- she did want to get to know Forsyth.

Herrick/Forsyth/Valk: Responses

With nods all around, Lia took her leave.

Tags! and END SCENE for Rouiancet!

--

Captain Lia Rouiancet

Commanding Officer

USS Octavia E. Butler

V238208LV0

she/her/hers (this character)