Capt. Shayne: I Come In Peace. I May Leave In Pieces.

[Randal Shayne]

((Deck 1, First Officer’s Office, USS Khitomer)) 

Two firsts for Randal Shayne were executed in close succession. 

The first was getting up; not particularly unusual for him, even during the onerous shore leave stints that left little time for anything but paperwork. But it was the destination that violated tradition; he now stood just before the threshold of the first officer’s office on the bridge- a place he was only now realizing he didn’t think he’d ever seen the inside of. 

The second unusual happening was the manner in which he sought entrance. Forgoing the nearby doorbell panel entirely, Shayne instead gave a sharp, rhythmic rapping upon the sliding door panel with his knuckles. This would, after all, not be an ordinary visit. 

Hobart: Response 

The captain actually took a breath to relax himself before entering. 

It was the little things a career officer noticed about a peer’s surroundings first, and what stood out to Shayne more than anything was the spare cot, neatly arranged against the rest of the room’s furnishings. Yup. He was the XO, alright. 

Shayne: I hope I’m not intruding. 

He did actually mean this; unusual though it might be for a first officer to send the captain packing, he would respect the decision if the reasoning were valid, and he would trust any of his senior staff to have valid reasons. He was not coming here as a commanding officer, a colleague, or even a friend. 

He was here for the truth.

Hobart: Response 

Shayne held up a hand to stop any unnecessary formalities, and instead approached the desk, taking a comfortable seat opposite Hobart. The captain appraised Hobart with an amalgamation of support, sternness, a hint of sadness, an unbanashable pride in his first officer, and just the barest dash of mischief perceivable in the corner of his mouth. 

Shayne: I thought we might discuss the situation with Lieutenant El’Heem. 

Hobart: Response 

The captain gave a wistful chuckle. 

Shayne: Oh, no, nothing like that. No one has complained or reported or even said a word of it to me. But you know how it is on starships- rumors travel twice as fast as the words that carry them. And if there are rumors, chances are there’s some truth there, misshapen and maligned, but truth nonetheless. 

Hobart: Response 

Tag/TBC…

Captain Randal Shayne
Commanding Officer
USS Khitomer
NCC 62400
G239202RS0