Ensign Jace Ryen - Get it Together

[alongtheway]

((Ready Room, Deck 3, USS Ronin))

Niac:  Enter!  

The Captain's presence was already one that Jace surmised to be full of command, strength, and no-nonsense.  Normally, he would admire this, except that he had disappointed the Captain by not following proper protocol and reporting to him sooner.  This upset Jace more than he thought it would.  He wasn't sure if it was because he was so far from home, if he felt like a small fish in a giant ocean, or if he just really wanted to impress his new Captain, but his disappointment in him truly hit hard.

His eyes fell to the ground for just a moment before rising back up.  He had to regain composure; this wasn't like him.  He closed his eyes for a moment, tuning into his Vulcan training.

Ryen:  My apologies, Captain.  I have no excuse for my tardiness.

There it was again.  He could hear it in his voice as he spoke.  Why was this affecting him so much?  oO I have to pull myself together. Oo

Time ticked away as the Captain just stared at him.  Jace wanted to look away, but he refused. He stood at attention and stared back into the Captain's eyes.  oO Is this a test?  Why is he giving me that look?  Is he about to send me back to Starfleet?  Is he going to say, "No Officer of mine has ever been tardy like this.  Get back in that shuttle and never come back!" Oo  Jace's mind reeled.

Niac:  Stand at ease, Ensign, you're making my back hurt.  Any trouble finding your way here this time?  

oO Am I really making his back hurt?  He has to be messing with me.  Oo  Jace cleared his throat and allowed himself to relax a little.  If the Captain was going to dismiss him from his ship already, he wouldn't be asking that question.  Or was he asking because he was late?

Ryen:  Captain, no.  I reported to the Security Office, and then to Medical.  I should have come here right away, but I stopped by my Quarters to unpack.  That was not the most logical of choices.

Logic.  Sometimes Jace wished his human side wouldn't distract him so much, like it did today.  He was too sentimental.  He needed to be more Vulcan, more pragmatic.

Jace tilted his head when he noticed the Captain chuckle.  oO He was messing with me!  Not a very good joke. Oo

Niac:  I'm confident it won't happen again...in fact, I'm sure of it.  Chief Kessler has been known to drill his people on the ships layout by transporting them out of bed in the middle of the night to a random jefferies tube, giving them a destination, then cutting off their computer access and comm access until they get there.  You might want to study up before we find you wandering the catamaran in your pajamas.  

oO Right, it will never happen again. Oo Jace listened to the Captain as he explained how Chief Kessler orients his crew to the ship.  For a moment, he allowed his mind to wander to a scene of himself crawling through a jefferies tube in silk blue pajamas, only to fall out onto the Bridge and embarrass himself in front of all the command staff.  What a nightmare of a daydream that was.

Jace:  I think there are more logical ways to become oriented to the ship, Captain.

He said the words before he could even think about whether they were appropriate or not.  Who was he to tell the Captain what was the most logical way to be oriented to the ship?  Surely not himself, not some Ensign right out of Starfleet.  This first meeting wasn't going too well, in Jace's mind.

The Captain gestured toward one of the seats next to his desk, and Jace took the opportunity to catch his breath.  Maybe he could allow himself to relax a little now that he wasn't standing in front of the Captain.  

Niac:  Sit.  I'm glad to have you with us...the Alpha Isles presents a broad selection of security issues for the Ronin and the Chief can use all the help they can get.  I'd encourage you to review some of the ships previous engagements to familiarize yourself with what we've faced since coming to this region several years ago.  

oO Glad that I have joined you?  When I can't even follow the simplest of protocols as to report to the ship's Commanding Officer on time?  Oo  The Captain was being polite, surely.  I had to do better.  This wasn't Starfleet Academy; this was the real deal.

Jace:  Yes, sir.  Thank you for the opportunity to serve aboard this beautiful ship.  It is a dream of mine.  I will make sure to study and read over the previous engagements.  You won't regret approving my request to join your ship.

For a moment after speaking, Jace realized he had leaned slightly forward in this chair.  He forced himself to settle back, clasping his hands together loosely in his lap.  Jace drew a slow breath through his nose.

Jace:  Captain... if I may add, my tardiness today was not representative of the discipline I expect of myself.  I take my duties very seriously.  Starfleet represents the ideals I have spent my life working toward.  Being assigned to the Ronin, especially after requesting the posting, means a great deal to me.

Niac:  Response

He straightened slightly in the chair again, his posture still respectful but no longer rigid.

Ryen:  If there are any particular security concerns in the Alpha Isles that you feel I should prioritize studying, Captain, I would welcome the guidance.

Niace:  Response

--

Ensign Jace Ryen

Security Officer

USS Ronin NCC-34523

R240303JR2