Cmdr. Alora DeVeau - "A Different Sort Of Intel"
Amanda Nordstrom
((First Officer’s Office, Deck 1, USS Khitomer, DS33 Drydock))
The trip to the Khitomer had been, thankfully, uneventful. Most of the time, that was the case in space, but as an officer, Alora knew that the strange and weird could certainly happen, even on shuttles. Thus far, however, her trip was quite happily boring, a fact she didn’t take for granted, especially since Shyla was with her. Well, it wasn’t all boring. She’d gotten to meet Kmett, and now, she stood before the first officer of the USS Khitomer, a man whom she’d never met before, and now had the opportunity to do so and get to know him a little better.
DeVeau: I believe we should both be on the manifest of arrivals from the USS Avignon.
Dewitt: ::glancing at the PADD in the sideboard:: You are, Commander. Both of you. The Avignon manifest came in this morning. ::a little warmer:: If it is easier for you with Shyla, we can take the couch under the viewport instead of the desk. She is welcome wherever she is
most comfortable. ::nodding towards the sideboard:: I have tea if either of you would like a cup. Water for Ms Shyla if she’s thirsty.
Kmett: No, Commander, thank you. I usually prefer coffee... ::The words had barely left his mouth before he regretted them.:: I mean...while I'm working. During breaks, like now, I'm perfectly fine without anything. Thank you. ::He offered an awkward smile, silently hoping
he hadn't embarrassed himself again.::
At the word ‘water’, Shyla opened one hand to make some sort of sign at the side of her mouth, the tail of the feline captain barely hanging on for she managed to keep her thumb over it, even as she did so.
Shyla: Wawa?
DeVeau: Water would be lovely, thank you.
As much as Alora liked chocolate milk, she didn’t necessarily want to encourage a child who had no inhibitions, even if the replicator did make them nutritionally rich.
DeVeau: For both of us.
As Alora moved over to the couch, she set Shyla down and indicated the piece of furniture, upon which the child promptly climbed. Meanwhile, Kmett had orders to attend to, and Dewitt gave a command.
Dewitt: Please put your assignment orders on my desk, Ensign Kmett.
Kmett: Of course, Commander. ::He placed his assignment orders on the desk with care and smiled politely.:: I hope everything is in order.
Dewitt: Before we get to the paperwork, and I promise there is very little of it left, I have one thing I like to ask new arrivals. ::a beat:: Who taught you to want this? Whichever version of "this" fits you. Starfleet, this uniform, a first officer's office at 0900 on a ship still being welded back together. ::turning around with the teapot, a small smile:: I usually find the answer worth knowing.
Alora recognised the question. While Connor had phrased it differently than she had used in the past, it still amounted to the same thing. Why had Kmett joined Starfleet? Whether she was first officer, chief of science, or simply a person trying to get to know another person, she posed it to others so many times, she’d lost count - and she listened with interest to the Ensign’s answer.
Kmett: My parents, Commander... without even realizing it. ::He smiled softly.:: They taught me that knowledge only has value if it can help someone else. When my father became seriously ill, I saw how medicine could restore not only a person's health, but also a family's hope.
That's when I knew I wanted to become a doctor. Joining Starfleet came later. I realized that if I truly wanted to learn, serve, and make a difference, I had to leave Bolarus IX. I wanted to meet new people, understand other cultures, and become the best doctor I could be. That's what brought me here.
Alora knew that ‘parents’ likely meant more than simply two people on Bolarus, but it didn’t matter. Obviously, however many parental units Kmett had, they had done a good job seeking to instill their son with values that would help others.
DeVeau: It sounds like you’ll fit right in.
Dewitt: Response
Kmett: Commander, if I may ask... when do you think the Khitomer will be ready to depart?
Alora didn’t have that information, so she wasn’t about to insert herself by answering it. Sitting down next to her daughter, the little girl placed each plus beside her, one on the left, one on the right, then started kicking her feet as she repeated -
Shyla: Wawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawa…
Dewitt: Response
Kmett: That's good to hear. I suppose I'll have some time to meet the rest of the crew before we depart. ::He smiled, his excitement now tempered by curiosity.:: I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone and learning how each department works together. I have a feeling there's a great deal I can learn from the officers aboard the Khitomer. ::After a brief pause, he tilted his head slightly.:: Commander... is there anyone on the crew you think I should make a point of meeting first?
Part of Alora wanted to say ‘All of them’, just to be silly. While some people might appreciate the humour, others wouldn’t, and from what she saw, Connor was more on the former side than the latter, but Kmett wasn’t her Ensign. She didn’t have torturing privileges. Ah well.
Shyla: Wawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawa.
Leaning over, Alora gently placed one hand on the cheek opposite her and leaned over to whisper into the toddler's ear something about maybe being a little softer. The child paused for a moment, blinked, then continued doing exactly the same thing, though she did whisper it instead of speaking at a normal volume.
Shyla: Wawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawa.
Dewitt: Response
Kmett: Perfect. Thank you, Commander. ::His smile widened, his enthusiasm impossible to hide.:: What else do you think I should know about the Khitomer? I'm interested in everything. I'm genuinely excited to serve here and to work with all of you. ::He paused for a
moment before adding with a warm smile.:: Is there anything about the
ship—or its crew—that every new officer should know?
Shyla received another whisper and a second later, she picked up Captain Twibble and hugged him to her, not out of fear, but as if the Captain just really needed a hug right then. Perhaps her mama had noticed and suggested it, and the consequence was the child was quieter - at least for the moment.
DeVeau: I’m sure you’re going to enjoy your time on the Khitomer. I’ve heard good things about her and her crew.
Dewitt/Kmett: Response
The water came and Shyla set Captain Twibble down, the plush immediately falling over, as she reached for the cup, then began to drink in earnest. This also meant she was quiet. For now.
DeVeau: I’m looking forward to seeing some of the research your officers have been engaged in, and I understand I get to take home some samples of some interesting flora you’ve collected on various missions.
Dewitt/Kmett: Response
Alora had a lot of things she wanted to do. In addition to collaborating with scientists and taking what she learned back with her, as well as seeing how another ship functioned (which was always interesting, for command styles were very different), not to mention catching up with a friend, Alora also got to visit another station, and meet new people. For her, as someone who was very much a people person, that was a delight in itself. Shyla didn’t seem very shy either, though she preoccupied herself with trying to give Captain Twibble some sips of water in between her own. Evidently, he was thirsty.
DeVeau: I wouldn’t mind hearing of some of your adventures. And some recommendations for the station, if you have any. I’m sure we both could benefit from that sort of intel.
Dewitt/Kmett: Response
-- Commander Alora DeVeau Chief Science Officer USS Thor & Matriarch of the 15th House Betazed M239008AD0
