CDR Naxell — Last Butt, not Least
Naxell
((Science Lab, Deck 16, USS Khitomer, Ceram Archipelago))
Naxell stepped away from the microscope, blinkingly, and turned to face his visitor. An Ensign, she was a Bajoran woman, of average height, collared by blue in the fashion of Starfleet’s sciences division. But she wasn’t a face that he recognized, even vaguely. He had given up all hope of remembering everyone who served on his ship by name, but he at least knew the faces. This one was new, and so likely she had come aboard before they departed Deep Space 33. It was customary for new officers to report to the CO before their first duty shift, and Naxell wasn’t sure whether she was lucky or unlucky to have been off-duty for most of their shenanigans.
Naxell: Consider yourself reported, Ensign Eeso. ::gesturing to the PADD she carried:: Your orders, I presume?
Eeso: Response
Semara: =/\= Semara to Naxell. =/\=
He visually scanned the PADD’s contents. One of his eyebrows arched upward at something he read. “Planetary biochemistry” was something of a passion of Commander Naxell’s, though his own exploration tended towards the comparative lens. A variety of planetary conditions gave rise to life, which diversified itself. There were a few well-trod evolutionary paths to get to organic biology, and there was a great deal even yet to be learned about why there weren’t more.
Aware that the Bridge was waiting for him, he tapped his combadge while he read.
Semara: =/\= We got an idea. We can use the tractor beam to pull the nebula into a retreat, but we gotta know where the Alliance will shoot. We can draw their fire where we want it with torpedoes from the nebula's cover, and drag all the gas can with us when we vacate the premises. We oughta be able to keep that up until the Velithari are innoculated. =/\=
Naxell: ::nodding:: =/\= Have you devised a way to get our torpedoes out of the nebula before they’re snared and explode in our faces? For that matter, where are we on getting ourselves out? =/\=
Semara: =/\= We think we can navigate the nebula safely if we transmit the same sleepy harmonics through the hull, and let the filaments lodged there transmit it to their friends. I'd like permission to test that theory first. =/\=
An audible murmur escaped Naxell’s throat despite his sealed lips, and he eyed the Ensign beside him who was dutifully waiting for him to formally accept her assignment. For his part, the ship’s Captain was searching for a way to turn whatever they were about to do into an opportunity for professional development. Junior officers never stayed junior for long.
Naxell: =/\= Don’t think, Lieutenant! Experiment. Cue the Kenny G. =/\=
The odds were long that his Betazoid intelligence officer would understand the cultural reference. But the odds were just as long that a Denobulan would have discovered and taken a liking to the soothing notes of a classical “smooth jazz” saxophonist in the faculty lounge in his stint at Starfleet Academy. And more to the point: gone were the days that Commander Naxell underestimated Lieutenant Amelia Semara.
Semara: =/\= Then there's the last bit. We got a Leviathan-class out there. We'll need the Jorogumo to make an appearance - the more dramatic and frightenin' the better. Any luck, they'll turn tail when they see our's is bigger. If not, we only got one shot, maybe two from the SDA to cover any attack the Velithari make. =/\=
Naxell: =/\= Warm up the band, Mister Semara, I’ll talk to Captain Rana.=/\=
Semara: =/\= Aye, sir. I'll be in touch. =/\=
Once the channel was closed, Naxell flashed Ensign Eeso a tight-lipped smile. His eyebrows bounced.
Naxell: Ensign Eeso Ayi, I formally accept your assignment to the USS Khitomer as Science Officer. Welcome home, but please follow me.
Eeso: Response
Naxell: ::walking towards the door:: I assume Commander Ohnari hasn’t gotten her hands on your backside yet?
He paused mid-gait, turning to address her. He could have phrased that better. It was the kind of comment that only made sense after Ohnari had already gotten her hands on the listener’s backside.
Eeso: Response
Naxell: We are facing the prospect of combat against the Lattice Alliance and their Sencha weaponry, the effects of which have a nasty habit of pulling the subspace out from under your feet. Dr. Ohnari has devised an implant that helps keep your particles here, where they belong, and it fits comfortably within a standard-issue gluteus maximus. ::pause:: Or so I’m told. I’m overdue, as well.
Eeso: Response
((Timeskip, Main Sickbay, Deck 6))
The doors parted for Commander Naxell and Ensign Eeso to reveal something of a crowd gathering around one biobed. A number of blue-collared Starfleet uniforms, and one Velithari among them. He quietly signaled for the junior science officer to join him.
Ohnari: With your permission, I will demonstrate the scan myself and sample process so we can proceed.
El'Heem / Melville-Kilpatrick / Rana: Response
Naxell: Apologies for interrupting, Doctor, but I’ve come to speak with Captain Rana about the Jorogumo and its combat capabilities. ::an open hand indicting:: Also to introduce Ensign Eeso Ayi, our fresh Science Officer who has not yet received her Sencha implant.
El'Heem / Melville-Kilpatrick / Rana / Ohnari / Eeso: Response
TBC
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Commander Nax-Ellarneii-Tellargo
Commanding Officer
USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)
A240001NH3