Ensign Jace Ryen - Getting Comfortable

[alongtheway]

((47 Lounge, Deck 4, USS Ronin))

Jace sat at the table in the 47 Lounge with a mixture of high-ranking officers, such as the first and second officers of this new ship, as well as a Marine.  He found it fascinating how the ranks didn't really matter as much here in the 47 Lounge; folks just sat with whoever they wanted and seemed pretty much at ease.

Knight: Welcome aboard, then. I came aboard last shore leave, and I’m still developing my system down with the Ronin, as I had to make adjustments. The USS Chiahoga was an old Excellsior II Class, one of the last few remaining, and I’m pretty sure she’s getting decommissioned.

Ryen:  An Excelsior II Class  ::a faint note of recognition crosses his face::  I studied their refits at the Academy.  They were designed for longevity.  It is unfortunate to hear one may be nearing the end of its service.  Though I imagine transitioning to the Ronin presents... new efficiencies.

Raga: Well, welcome aboard Ensign. She’s as beautiful and fierce as they can build them. And she’s seen more than her fair share of battles. Not surprising since we’re in a warzone.

Kel:  ::looking at Raga::  I hear there working on a Lattice Alliance campaign ribbon.  

Knight: I’m one of the very few Kerlians to join the Marines. Well, for one, our gravity is heavier than most worlds, so the only time I get to feel the gravity is at home, is in my personal quarters. But if someone who is not from a world such as ours, I would accommodate. This also makes me stronger than the average humanoid.

Jace's eyes moved subtly, assessing the Marine's frame with clinical interest rather than curiosity.

Ryen:  That would suggest increased bone density and muscular development.  A significant physiological advantage in both strength and endurance.  Though I imagine operating in lower gravity environments requires a degree of control to compensate.

Raga: Quite. While I can’t speak for the Gunny beyond the fact that he hasn’t broken anything to my knowledge, we also have to contend with having a higher mass than most. Suffice it to say, the average Starfleet issue chair isn’t exactly rated for such bulk. And I don’t know about the Gunny, but the atmosphere on the ship isn’t quite the same as home. My quarters have their own environmental and gravitic systems so my family and I can spend at least a portion of the day in our natural environs.

Kel: So what exactly is that you have on your plate?

Knight: Oh, the sub? There was a little sub shop in San Francisco that made the best Italian Subs in the quadrant, trust me, the Marines run on their bellies. ::he chuckled::

Ryen:  I have not yet had the opportunity to explore much of Earth's regional cuisine.  

Raga: It’s diverse like any world but most of it’s too bland for my liking. However that’s not through any fault other than my species diminutive sense of taste and smell. Cajun food is nice, but mild. And ghost peppers make a good snack from time to time. ::he nodded::

Kel:  This chilidog and root beer combo is very good, but if I'm cooking I prefer food from the Earth's Southeast Asian region.  The flavor combinations are most impressive.

Knight/Any: Response

Ryen:  If I may return to an earlier point.  Mork from Ork.  I would be interested in understanding the origin of that reference.

Raga: Ah, an example of Terran culture’s pervasiveness. ::he grinned at Kel::

Kel: ::shrugging his shoulders::  All I know is that my brother got the name from a holovid.  I guess it's about an alien visitor to the planet.  I guess?

Jace gave a small, acknowledging nod.

Knight/Any: Response

Ryen:  What would you say is the most important thing for a new officer to understand about this crew? 

Ryen: The Marines seem to value adaptability and resilience.

Jace shifted his attention between the officers, measuring their reactions carefully.

Ryen: But the Ronin as a whole appears to operate with a great deal of cohesion. I would prefer not to be the variable that disrupts that.

Raga: Very astute, Ensign. A significant part of that cohesion, aside from our Starfleet training, is due to the sheer amount of conflict this crew has faced. Between the Lattice Alliance and the Consortium our crew has been in more battles than most in a short order. We’ve had to repel boarders multiple times and while the rest of the fleet more or less was facing the Borg during Frontier Day, we, along with the Khitomer’s crew defended Deep Space Thirty Three from the Alliance. Shared adversity and reliance on one another is why this crew is as close as we are. We’ve given more than a few todays for other’s tomorrows. ::he sat back in his seat slightly, mug in hand in front of him:: It can be summed up even beyond our ship’s official motto, to the one not on our commissioning plaque. Ronin strong.

Kel:  ::rolling his eyes at Raga::  Now how am I supposed to follow that? ::pause::  I believe that this crew operates like a family.  There's a lot of trust we have for each other to give our best and do what's asked.  I think that "esprit de corps" helps us meet the challenges we face.  

Knight/Any: Response

Jace took that in, expression softening just a touch.

Jace:  Cohesion formed under sustained stress consitions tend to be highly resilient.  I will make sure that I do my part to earn that trust.

Raga: Trust in your Academy training and learn from your colleagues. The rest just takes time. That being said, if you haven’t I would read through the ship’s database on our run ins with the Alliance and Consortium. Particularly about the latter’s spiderbots. They vary but the smallest is Mork’s size and all of them are deadly. I also recommend you keep up with your phaser qualifications. Given our past experiences everyone needs to be able to handle one competently since our foes don’t have any qualms about firing on anyone. Since you’re Security, you understand I’m sure.

Kel:  I'm working on that particular skill.  I'm more adapt at putting people back together rather than taking things apart.

Jace's focus sharpened slightly at the mention of the spiderbots.

Ryen:  I'll make that a priority sir.  If they're as adaptable as you say, I'd rather not learn about them the hard way.

Knight/Any: Response

Raga: We’ve had our fair mix of surprises that didn’t involve fighting either. Let’s just say, we’ve had a visit from Temporal Investigations Department. And explored a few phenomena as well. I for one hope this recent encounter of yours while the Captain and I were away doesn’t result in TID lurking through the corridors again. If they do, I'm sending them to you, Commander. ::he chuckled::

Kel:  I've dealt with temporal investigations and for the record I don't believe the Ronin moved through time at any point.  I hope that keeps them out of it.

Jace shifted slightly in his seat, just a hint of discomfort.

Ryen:  I'd prefer to avoid attracting their attention if possible.  I've read enough reports to know how thorough they can be.

Knight/Any: Response

Raga: We even have a Starfleet Ranger on board. Though, I imagine now that we’re on leave again Osiris might disembark for a while. Since he’s the only one in the Isles, he can only stay on board for so long and still be effective. He’s little more than extra Security here. Speaking of, I’m curious why you chose Security as your Prote, Ensign? ::he quickly clarified:: Was that your first choice of duty assignment?

Jace answered without much hesitation.

Ryen:  It was.  It just felt right to me.  Being in a position where I can help protect the crew and keep things from getting out of hand.  All of that matters to me.  But, I have to admit, engineering also has a strong appeal.

Knight/Any: Response

Kel:  On that subject how are you finding Lt. Kessler.  We've served together before so I'd be happy to give you some insights.  

Jace nodded slightly and gave the question some thought before answering.

Ryen:  He seems solid.  Straightforward, focused.  I appreciate that.  I'd definitely take any advice you might have, however.

Raga/Any: Response

Kel:  Jack's a great guy, Starfleet brat through and through, in fact his father's ship is still missing in the Gamma Quadrant.

Kel:  He takes the ships safety very seriously I can tell you that much.  

Jace allowed a small smirk to cross his lips as he learned more about his new Chief.

Ryen:  That kind of perspective probably shapes how he leads.  Especially in the field of security.

Raga/Knight/Any: Response

Kel:  Believe it or not I started out in Medical.  My shift to Chief Science Officer is fairly recent.  

Jace raised a brow slightly, interested.

Ryen:  That's quite a shift.  Still, I guess it gives you a different way of looking at problems.  I have often second-guessed my decision to pick Security.  Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for the position, and I believe I will succeed at it... But the thought of tinkering with engineering problems, well, it does cross my mind often.

Raga/Knight/Any: Response

Kel:  Well that's one reason I enjoy Starfleet, it never gets boring.  

Raga/Knight/Any: Response

Jace sat back slightly, the conversation settling into something more comfortable than when he first arrived.  His earlier tension had eased, replaced by a quiet focus.  These were people he would be trusting, and who would ultimately have to trust him.

Ryen:  If I'm being honest, I didn't originally think I'd end up in Security.  I grew up working on an old ground vehicle with my father.  We were always fixing something, engine faults, structural wear, whatever broke that week.  It taught me how systems fail, and how to put them back together.

Raga/Kel/Knight/Any: Response

He looked back up, expression steady, though there was a trace more openness now than before.

Ryen:  But the more I learned, the more I realized I wasn't just focused on the systems themselves.  I was thinking about the people using them.  How failures affect them, how quickly things can go wrong.  That's when it started to shift toward security for me.

Raga/Kel/Knight/Any: Response

Jace straightened slightly again, that familiar discipline returning, but now it felt more grounded and less rigid.

Ryen:  Security felt like the natural extension of that.  You don't just react, you anticipate, you protect, you make sure small failures don't become catastrophic ones.  Thought, I suppose... if something does break, I still like knowing I can fix it.  Old habits are difficult to abandon.

Raga/Kel/Knight/Any: Response

Tags/TBC

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Ensign Jace Ryen

Security Officer

USS Ronin NCC-34523

R240303JR2