Lieutenant Laria Herren - Getting Right to It
Laria Herren
((Cockpit - Shuttlecraft Edison))
When Laria arrived at Starbase 104 to meet her new ship, there was an unexpected problem. The Constitution was gone. Apparently, shortly before her transport was due to arrive, something urgent had come up and the ship had taken off on very short notice. After discussing it with the station’s personnel officer, they had arranged for her to be flown out to the Constitution’s position by shuttlecraft, being flown by a nice Human crewman that Laria hadn’t gotten a name from yet.
On final approach, she had let the pilot focus on flying while she read over her transfer orders and instructions for the tenth time. One could never be too prepared. She read one more time her instructions, to report to the command staff of the USS Constitution-B. The transfer orders also came with a summary of the senior staff of the ship and the ship’s history and technical specifications. Laria scrolled through everything until the shuttle pilot spoke up.
Pilot: We’re approaching the Constitution now.
Laria looked up from the PADD in her hands to get her first look at the new assignment. Not that she didn’t already know what a Galaxy-class looked like. It was only all over any book covering the second half of the 24th century. But it was her first time seeing the class up close and in person. It really was more majestic in person than in pictures.
Herren: An impressive ship.
Pilot: They may not be the biggest and strongest ships in the fleet, but there’s still something majestic about the Galaxy-class. Such a strong legacy as a galaxy-exploring, war-fighting powerhouse of the Federation. With a ship like that, you know it’s destined for something exciting.
She was too young to have any memory of it, but her parents talked about the fear that blanketed Trill during the Dominion War after the fall of Betazed. People lived in a constant state of worry, wondering if their world was the next one that would be washed away by the seemingly unending tide of Jem’Hadar tearing through the Alpha Quadrant. The only thing that gave people some peace of mind was the bulk of the Eighth Fleet in orbit. There were so many ships in close orbit that they created an artificial constellation of lights visible from the surface. And every visitor to Trill would see the Eighth Fleet, with the Galaxy-class USS Vanguard at the front, standing guard over the planet. Staring out at the ship she could see how it would be an inspiring sight in such dark times.
Herren: I know what you mean.
Pilot: First time serving aboard a ship?
During the trip from Starbase 104, they had gotten to talking rather than just sitting and watching the stars fly by in silence. He had told her about his decision to enlist in Starfleet and shared some of what he knew about the Constitution from when it was at its home port. She had talked about her background as a diplomat and told some stories from her time at the consulate at Gamma Hydra II. Her brief stint on the Hood hadn’t come up yet.
Herren: No, I was a diplomatic officer on an old Excelsior-class cruiser. I think it was a few revisions behind the most up-to-date upgrades for the class. The USS Hood.
Beside her, the Human crewman made a remark half to himself.
Pilot: Ah, the Mighty Hood.
Laria raised an eyebrow and looked over at the pilot, unsure what he was referring to. She’d never heard anyone refer to her old ship like that before.
Herren: Crewman?
Pilot: Hmmmm? ::He looked over, noticing her quizzical expression:: Oh, it was the nickname of an old Earth naval ship. The HMS Hood. Just reminded me of that from history class. Don’t know if that Hood was the namesake for your Hood or not.
The pilot brought the shuttle in for a final approach towards the large shuttlebay on the back of the ship’s saucer. While he was focused on maneuvering the shuttle to a landing, Laria put her PADD in the front pocket of her bag and slung the carrying strap over her shoulder. There’d been enough delay already getting out to the ship. She didn’t want to wait another second to get to work.
Pilot: And we’re here. You are now free to move about the cabin.
Herren: Thank you for your assistance, Crewman. Without you, who knows who long I might have had to wait at the starbase.
Pilot: No problem, Lieutenant.
She nodded to the crewman and walked across the cramped shuttle interior to the descending ramp. Laria walked around the shuttle and crossed the bay towards the corridor. The area was abnormally busy. Whatever had brought the Constitution out to this area of space, people on the ship were on alert. Now she just needed to find a turbolift…
((Timeskip: A few minutes later.))
((Main Bridge - Deck 1, USS Constitution-B))
The bridge wasn’t somewhere she was used to being. Most of her work on the Hood was behind the scenes, only coming up on the bridge when diplomacy was needed. She surveyed the area and saw a Vulcan woman sitting in the central chair. Definitely not the Trill commodore, but she appeared to be in charge for the moment.
Herren: Permission to speak, ::Her eyes darted to the officer’s rank insignia. That of a marine captain. Unusual.:: Captain.
She stood at attention, channeling the memory of her past self right before inspection at the Academy. Practiced posture, a clean and creaseless uniform, polished boots. Reporting for duty was the last time to slack on protocol.
T’Aven: Response
Herren: Lieutenant Laria Herren, serial number LH-375-128, reporting for duty as mission specialist. Are you currently in command?
A casual visual sweep of the bridge didn’t show anyone of higher rank. Which meant that the current mission had necessitated the attention of the senior staff elsewhere. Normally, she would have reported to the first officer as a mission specialist. However, the first officer position of the Constitution appeared to be in flux on paper. Next best would be Commodore Rajel herself, who wasn’t there either. Failing that, the officer currently in command would suffice.
T’Aven: Response
Sounded serious. Laria leaned forward slightly, subconsciously putting herself forward to volunteer herself to help wherever was needed.
Herren: I am ready and willing to assist however I can.
T’Aven: Response
Herren: My specialty is diplomacy, but I do have some background in both law and intelligence. Put me wherever I can be most useful.
Laria looked around the bridge again, seeing which bridge stations were manned. Would she be asked to take one of them, or be sent somewhere else on the ship?
T’Aven: Response
Lieutenant Laria Herren
Mission Specialist
USS Constitution-B
A239402AG0