Captain At The Mast

Posted on Sat Aug 3rd, 2024 @ 2:28am by Senior Chief Petty Officer Jadizon Enor & Captain Calypso Skyie

Mission: Doing What We Do Best
Location: Holodeck 1

The air swirled with smoke as Calypso Skyie crossed swords with opponent and laughed loudly as she pushed the blade away and slashed wildly. The pirate officer backed away before pulling a pistol out of his belt, pointed it at the woman in risque English uniform, then he froze in mid-sneer as his finger tightened on the trigger. An alert sound came over the now complete lack of noise from the raging battle on the deck of the ship and the computer's voice, not the traditional female voice but a sultry male voice she'd had programmed in for her interactions, came about, "Captain, the new personnel have arrived on board ship. There are five officers and thirteen enlisted aboard. In order of rank, Lieut-"

"Shut it." Cally snapped as she stepped to the side, out of line with the pistol being pointed at her, "I um... Hm.... What's the senior enlisted person on board?"

"Senior Chief Petty Officer Jadizon Enor." The sexy voice stated, putting an emphasis on the last name, "Then is Chief Petty Officer Flora Valarde, then."

"Do you ever shut up?" The Captain glanced around the deck. Her team was winning, that was for sure, her mixed crew of women and men frozen just like the dwindling number of pirates, "Inform the Senior Chief to come and see me right away. I've got enough time to finish this bit up, I think." She took the spot she'd had before, but well out of line with the pistol and much closer, "Resume program."

**********

USS Chimera - Shuttlebay

The shuttlecraft touched down smoothly on the deck of the USS Chimera’s shuttlebay, its engines humming as they powered down. The rear hatch opened, and a tall, muscular figure stepped out with a confident stride. Senior Chief Petty Officer Jadizon Enor, standing at 6 feet 2 inches with short blond hair and striking blue eyes, scanned the bustling shuttlebay. His presence was immediately commanding, the epitome of peak human physical perfection with his broad shoulders and powerful limbs.

A deckhand approached, standing crisply at attention before handing Enor a PADD. “Welcome aboard, Chief."

Enor took the PADD, his square jawline set in a determined expression. He quickly scanned the message: "Captain Skyie has requested your presence in Holodeck 1.” Looking back at the crewman, he nodded, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Thanks, crewman. Make sure my things get to my quarters.”

The young crewman nodded. "Aye, Chief."

Jadizon scanned the room one more time and started to head towards the door, but before he could take his first step, he called out again to the crewman. "Oh, and crewman, it's either Senior Chief Enor informally or Senior Chief, never just Chief... Understood?"

Enor didn't have to turn around to feel the slight shame on the crewman's face. "Yes, Senior Chief, I apologize!" he yelled as Enor was already exiting the shuttlebay.

USS Chimera - Corridor to Holodeck 1

Enor moved through the corridors with purpose, his charismatic demeanor drawing the attention of passing crew members. He acknowledged them with nods and brief smiles, exuding a blend of confidence and approachability that boosted morale and fostered camaraderie.

USS Chimera - Holodeck 1

Arriving at Holodeck 1, Enor took a moment to compose himself before entering. The doors slid open, revealing a simulation that the Captain had been enjoying before his arrival. Jadizon stood at parade rest, taking in the holographic scenery, waiting to see if he would be acknowledged. What some new and nervous crew members might describe as minutes, Jadizon knew was only seconds, but he wasn't going to wait any longer.

Enor stepped forward, his posture crisp and respectful, but with a hint of cocky confidence. “Computer, freeze program.” He paused for a second, then continued, “Senior Chief Petty Officer Jadizon Enor reporting as ordered, Captain.” His voice was firm, carrying a military tone, yet laced with an undeniable charm.

The Captain's head snapped around as the movement around her suddenly stopped. One sleeve had been torn off by an unfortunate pistol blast, so not only did she have threads dangling from her shoulder onto her bare bicep, she was also definitely showing cleavage. Her crew had finally cornered the last of the French, she'd determined them to be, privateers on her own quarterdeck and now she was back to being The Captain, sword in hand and calling the shots. And then things had stopped.

Her voice had an Irish lilt to it, faked for the purposes of the simulation, though she thought it was English herself. "Ahh, thank you for coming, Chief Enor." She smiled broadly him as she took the deck steps in two strides, taking her sword and sheathing it at her side, "How was the flight from the Federation out here? Hopefully uneventful? The Dashians did tell me that they marked out the fastest safe route and posted some pickets along the way."

Jadizon maintained his posture, hands clasped behind his back as the Captain descended the steps. He noted her casual inquiry about his journey—a typical conversation opener, yet it felt like a subtle test of his observational skills and situational awareness. "The journey was smooth, Captain," he responded, his voice even, maintaining the respectful tone of a junior officer. "The Dashian corridor is well-patrolled, and their navigational markers were precise. It was as uneventful as one could hope for in these sectors."

“In these sectors.” Calypso repeated, as she looked up at him. He was at least four inches taller than him, she couldn’t really wear heels on board a rocking ship, “Makes it sound like it’s known territory within the Federation.” It was an idle comment, nothing more.

He paused for a moment, his gaze briefly returning to the holographic remnants of the battle that had frozen around them. "I must say, the simulation seems quite intense. Training for an upcoming mission, or just keeping the edge sharp?" His question, lightly tinged with curiosity, was a strategic move to shift the focus from himself to the Captain, potentially opening her up to reveal more about her current focus and perhaps the role he was to play under her command.

“Intense? This?” She shook her head slightly, “Just a bit of fun in some idle time. Trying to figure out the best approach to meeting with a rather warlike species on a planet where, if my source is correct and she is, the sword is one of the higher planetside technological weapons.” Cally shook her head again, “But not my forte. Give me a fighter or shuttle and I’m a happy girl. But, that’s not why I called you up here.”

Jadizon shifted slightly, reaching inside his duty jacket with practiced ease. He produced a small, sleek personnel PADD, its screen glowing faintly in the dim light of the holodeck. Holding it out to the Captain, he presented the list of newly transferred crew members, their roles and ranks neatly displayed.

“Captain, I’ve facilitated the transfers for additional crew support as per the recent staffing directives. Here are the details for your final approval,” he explained, his tone professional but inviting a touch of informality with his next words. “Just need your thumbprint to cross the T's and dot the I's, as Humans say.”

He tapped the screen gently, highlighting the names:

Name: Tessa Markham
Position: Helmsman
Rank: Petty Officer Second Class

Name: Orin Jax
Position: Security Specialist
Rank: Petty Officer First Class

Name: Rigel Andor
Position: Propulsion Technician
Rank: Petty Officer First Class

Name: Kael Draven
Position: Boatswain
Rank: Petty Officer First Class

Name: Ela Vreenak
Position: Research Scientist
Rank: Chief Petty Officer

Name: Jamison Keats
Position: Medical Technician
Rank: Petty Officer Second Class

Name: Leya Moran
Position: Diplomatic Aide
Rank: Chief Petty Officer

Name: Sergeant Kora N'tal
Position: Squad Leader

And finally, he added with a slightly raised eyebrow and a playful tone, "And, of course, to ensure smooth operations and soothe nerves, we have our own mixologist on board:"

Name: Dex Corvan
Position: Bartender at the Ship's Lounge

“This last one I’m going to have to defer to our current mistress of the Hydra Lounge.” Cally glanced over the list as he scrolled down it, “With the departure of Enara Joval, Miss Erilin is in charge of that area and I believe she has high standards.”

The PADD was poised for her approval, awaiting the customary authorization to finalize the process. His gesture was smooth, indicating that such administrative duties were well within his expertise, yet he carried it out with enough deference to remind that he was attentive to protocol and hierarchy.

The Captain gave a ‘gimme’ gesture with two fingers without the pro-forma approval it had been proffered for, “I’m going to go over the list before I approve anything or anyone. I just want to make sure no… Obvious plants were being snuck in by someone way above your paygrade.”

Jadizon handed the PADD over with a confident nod, "Captain, I'd like to introduce you to 'Enor's Elite.' They're the backbone of our operations, ready to handle any challenge with expertise and resilience."

“No.” The Captain stuck the PADD under her arm, “Plenty of time for that later, Chief.” She glanced up, “Computer, program Skyie 8.” The Holodeck shimmered and the ship and crew vanished, a new room appearing, vastly different in nature from the heaving deck of a watercraft. An ornate swimming pool and several lounge chairs lit with an overcast sky in no danger of rain. She started to walk over to where a large dressing screen had been set up, tossing the PADD onto on of them before starting to strip off the uniform and vanishing behind the privacy screen, “Get comfortable, Mister Enor, and tell me a bit about yourself? I can get your service record, in fact I’m going to, but that’s not what makes you, you.”

Jadizon blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the sudden shift in the holodeck's scenery. The simulated deck of a watercraft had vanished, replaced by an ornate swimming pool surrounded by lounge chairs, under a soft, overcast sky. The Captain's casual demeanor was a stark contrast to the formal introduction he had prepared for.

As he was speaking, Calypso came out from behind the screen, now in a bathing suit with a gauzy wrap around her waist. It was clear she was definitely comfortable as she padded over to the lounge chair with the PADD and picked it up again before sliding onto the chair, glancing over the names and starting to look into more details even as her eyes flickered to Jadizon and she was listening.

Jadizon stood stiffly by the edge of the pool, his posture still military-grade despite the relaxed environment. He watched as she tossed the PADD onto a nearby chair, then began speaking, his eyes momentarily flicking toward the screen as her uniform was discarded.

"Well," he started, keeping his tone professional, "I grew up in a Starfleet family. My father, Commodore Nevin Enor, and my siblings all serve in different capacities. Starfleet's kind of in the blood, you could say."

He remained standing, refusing to sit or relax despite the Captain's casual attire and the holodeck's leisurely setting. His gaze briefly tracked Captain Skyie as she emerged from behind the screen, now clad in a bathing suit with a gauzy wrap around her waist. He couldn't help but notice her change in attire, but quickly refocused, maintaining his formal demeanor.

"I've always gravitated towards engineering and combat tactics, which naturally led me to my role as Senior Chief. I handle high-pressure situations well, whether it's a critical system failure or leading a team in an emergency. I believe in leading by example and building strong camaraderie among the crew."

He continued, his stance unyielding despite the Captain's relaxed posture as she reclined on a lounge chair, picking up the PADD again. "Beyond my duties, I have a passion for fitness, particularly Krav Maga. It keeps me disciplined, both physically and mentally. And while it might seem like a contradiction, I'm also a fan of old Earth literature. I find that the classics offer a lot of insight into human nature."

Captain Skyie seemed to be dividing her attention between the PADD and him, but he pressed on, keeping his tone measured and composed. "For me, being in Starfleet isn't just about duty. It's about upholding the values of exploration, protection, and service. My record shows what I've done, but who I am is rooted in a commitment to these principles."

Jadizon paused, waiting for the Captain's response, his posture still formal. Despite the casual setting and her relaxed appearance, he wasn't willing to let his guard down. The uniform might have been off, but he was still every bit the disciplined, focused although he caught himself several times examining her figure as she sat on the chair trying to get a feel for him, never the less he was determined to maintain his professionalism.

Her eyes flicked up from the PADD once more as his words finished, then sat up from where she was mostly lounging and leaned forward, placing the item on the low table next to her and inadvertently giving him a look at her cleavage, "Then why the hell are you here on the Chimera?" It was a very serious question she was asking, but before he could answer she started talking again, "I'm asking this because this ship has been the dumping grounds for everyone that Starfleet doesn't want."

She made an expansive gesture to indicate the entire ship, "This is a rebuilt and renamed ship, Senior Chief Enor, resurrected from the corpse of the USS Aegir, because as a Luna-class she was too valuable to break up for parts. Most of the enlisted crew are either too new out of the technical academies or were sent here so that their former Captains could get rid of them. The officers are effectively the same, brand new out of the Academy or with black marks aplenty on their records to make this their last chance to stay in Starfleet. Then we were sent out here, beyond the borders of the Federation, to see what was out here. If we get blown away, Starfleet HQ won't lose anything they weren't willing to lose, that's almost a direct quote from one of the Admirals I talked to when I was given this command."

With a fluid movement, she was back on her feet, the wrap shifting and if he were paying attention, there was a scar on the left thigh that wrapped around and was a slightly different color than the rest of her skin, "I enlisted in the Marines in 2372, before the Dominion War started, just a grunt Private rifleman." It would be informative to see his reaction to that little tidbit, "My brother was a First Lieutenant and was killed early in the war when we were getting driven back world by world, it was... Bad in the ground forces, but worse for our fliers. I got recruited to be a pilot near the end of it, assault shuttles, but after getting shot down in a bad incident, got asked if I wanted to fly fighters, so I did. Went from a Warrant Officer to a genuine Second Lieutenant after a quick OCS, because they were desperate for pilots. Then I committed the worst sin of all when they downchecked me after my last landing accident, I joined Starfleet and learned to fly starships. The rest is history, really, until my last Captain and I got our own ship blown to hell by a pirate we were chasing. I survived, she didn't. So eventually they finally gave me Chimera here, a crew of career fuckups and newbies and sent us out to die." she put a smile on her face, cocking her head as she asked again, "So what did you do to piss off the Admirals so much as to get shipped to me?"

Jadizon cleared his throat and raised an eyebrow, a Vulcan mannerism he had picked up over the years which now served as a prelude to his more thought-provoking responses. The Captain's candid rundown of the Chimera's crew and her personal journey resonated with the stark openness of deep space itself—vast, somewhat isolating, but also intriguing.

"Commodore Enor," he began, his tone carrying a mix of respect and a hint of irony. "My father, a man who has shaped much of my perspective but not my decisions." He paused, reflecting on the weight of his next words. "The path of a commissioned officer, while honorable, wasn't the right trajectory for me. I've always felt more at home as a working-class man, directly handling the gears of Starfleet's operations, rather than orchestrating them from a command chair."

His eyes briefly traced over the Captain, noting the scar on her thigh—a mark of survival and battles endured. It was a silent acknowledgment, a shared badge of resilience, before his gaze returned to meet hers squarely, professionalism back in place.

"My siblings, they follow in his footsteps, poised to be among Starfleet's finest leaders. And me? I'm the eldest and, in his eyes, the family outlier—the one who might have ascended to great heights but chose the trenches instead."

Jadizon's stance softened slightly as he continued, "Commodore Enor, he's got his hands in many corners of Starfleet HQ. His disappointment in my 'lack of ambition' has, ironically, positioned me here. On the Chimera, among what some might call 'career fuckups' and newbies. But here's the thing—" he leaned in slightly, his voice firm but imbued with a sincerity that matched the Captain's own raw honesty, "—I believe that being here isn't about being sent out to die. It's about proving that even the so-called 'fuck ups' have the grit and guts to make it when the odds are stacked against us. We're not just survivors; we're the dark horse contenders of Starfleet."

Jadizon's expression held a mixture of pride and challenge. "So, Captain, while the Admirals might have intended this as a quiet sidelining, I see it as a chance to redefine the narrative. And frankly, there's no one I'd rather have at the helm of this underdog story than someone who's stared down adversity and come out flying." His grin was wry, but there was an unmistakable respect in his eyes. "What do you say—shall we give the brass at HQ something unexpected to talk about?"

"I see they've been burying my reports again, if they haven't talked about us. Take off that jacket and sit, me boy, because by The Four, have I got a show for you!" Calypso grinned and sat back in the lounge chair again, "Because if you hadn't heard, we've already discovered a large interstellar civilization out here, a giant species of space snake that lays small planet-sized eggs and even have a real, live call her Princess on board! And that's just the start of things!"

Jadizon carefully removed his duty jacket, revealing his well-toned physique, and sat down as instructed. The mention of giant space snakes and a princess aboard piqued his curiosity, prompting a small smile. "Captain, it seems things have been anything but ordinary out here," he remarked, intrigued.


"Now, as for what I'm wanting from you as Chief of the Boat," She didn't even wait for a reaction to that decision she'd just made, "I'll get you a list of the real troublemakers in the enlisted ranks, as well as some of the junior officers outside of the Helm that could use a handy eye, plus... There's an exceptional junior officer in Engineering who really needs a mentor that has the work ethic and guidance I don't have in her area. I'm a pilot and a decent fighter and what Margie didn't teach me about starship tactics I picked up pretty well, but I'm lost in the actual workings of the ship. Jenna had to take control in Engineering basically Day One out of the Academy and she's done one helluva job down there, but every single Chief Engineer we've had has been a bust, except for my Exec who I need where he's at because my first one decided to get hurt even more than I did during that one mission." She quirked an eyebrow, "Up to it?"

Listening intently to Captain Skyie's expectations for him as Chief of the Boat, Enor nodded at the clear trust she was placing in him, especially with the enlisted ranks and junior officers. When she finished, he met her gaze confidently. "Absolutely up to it," he affirmed. "I'll get acquainted with the crew and provide the needed mentorship in Engineering."

Leaning forward, he added, "It sounds like you've had your hands full, Captain. I'm here to help keep this ship and crew in top shape." He paused, then asked, "As a fellow Betazoid, do you use your telepathic abilities much in your role? I've found them helpful in understanding crew dynamics." His question hung in the air, genuinely curious about her approach.

"I..." The question caught Calypso off guard and she wondered if he'd reached out to her and bounced off the mental shields she kept up out of pure habit. She glanced down and then back up at him into his eyes, "I don't use them." She said stolidly, shaking her blonde mane with a curt negative motion, "Remember when I mentioned that I got shot down in a shuttle assault? It was a hot dropzone and I had a company of troops in my hold. We got herded into a firetrap after the initial missile ambush and I was the lead shuttle. We didn't stand a chance once the shells started hitting. I felt them die. All of them, while wearing my copilot as decoration on my uniform before I hit the ground. Like that." She snapped her fingers once.

Enor listened closely, his expression softening as Captain Skyie recounted her traumatic experience. The pain in her eyes was evident, and he nodded, acknowledging the deep scars such an event could leave.

"I understand why you'd choose not to use your abilities," he said gently. "Experiencing that kind of trauma—it's a burden not easily shed."

He paused, then continued, "I rarely use my telepathic abilities either. It can feel like an unfair advantage, something I only resort to when absolutely necessary."

He gave her a subtle, knowing smile. "But there are times when a deeper understanding can be valuable."

Closing his eyes briefly, Enor gently pushed a thought towards her, a warm, inviting sensation. Some connections are worth exploring, even if only briefly.

When he opened his eyes, he met her gaze, letting the moment linger. The thought he conveyed was layered with curiosity and a subtle suggestion of deeper understanding, leaving room for interpretation without being overt.

Calypso felt Enor reach out to her with his own gift, but it bounced off of her mental armor and as his eyes opened and met hers, it was with complete impassivity and absolutely no radiated emotions that she returned his gaze. There had been several attempts to get her to open up since she'd been shot down and one time she had done so, she'd been betrayed. So she wouldn't let anyone in. Period, "Senior Chief, I don't judge anyone's willingness to use their gift either for or against them, but neither will I attempt to goad them one way or the other." There was a chill in her voice that hadn't been there before, but it was the only hint of emotion in her voice now, "I don't use mine often, and certainly not around people I've just met. You didn't know that before, now you do. When it comes to me, ask before ever doing that again, clear?"

Enor felt the cold barrier of Captain Skyie's mental defenses as his thought reached out and was immediately repelled. Her impassive gaze met his, devoid of any emotion, and the chill in her voice was unmistakable as she responded. Her words left no room for misinterpretation, and he realized he had misjudged the situation entirely.

"Captain, I—I'm sorry," Enor stammered, momentarily caught off guard. He fumbled over his words, his usual confidence shaken. "I assumed—on Betazed, it's a cultural norm to reach out to others of our kind. I... I thought it would be okay."

Quickly recovering, he snapped back to attention, slipping his duty jacket back on with practiced efficiency. He stood at parade rest, his posture stiff and formal, the picture of military discipline. "It won't happen again, Captain," he said, his voice steady and respectful. "I'll respect your boundaries. Thank you for the clarification."

He stood there, awaiting her next words, the atmosphere thick with tension. The encounter had been a stark reminder of the complexities of interpersonal relations, even among those who shared similar backgrounds and abilities.

"Thank you, Senior Chief." Instead of frozen, it was only flat now. "I'm sure we'll get a chance to get to know each other better as we work together. Take the rest of the day today and tomorrow to visit the other sections of the ship and make sure to stop into Engineering to meet Lieutenant Jade. If you find you need another day, drop me a message, but otherwise I'll see you on the Bridge the day after." She exhaled deeply, "And get yourself settled into your quarters too, this ship is home for the foreseeable future."

As Enor prepared to exit the holodeck, he turned back to Captain Skyie. "I'll spend the next couple of days getting to know the ship and crew, and I'll make sure to meet with Lieutenant Jade in Engineering. I'll also settle into my quarters and start making this place feel like home. If I need additional time, I'll let you know; otherwise, I'll see you on the Bridge the day after tomorrow."

He paused, then added, "And Captain, what about my request for enlisted personnel?"

“If they arrived with you already, then someone’s seen fit to assign them here.” Her voice had regained a little of the previous warmth it had held, but nowhere even close to it, “If this is a wish list of personnel, I’ll kick it up the line and try some personal negotiations with the COs of their current assignments to try to get them assigned. After I go over their records, of course, but I’ll do that expeditiously. We need people, good people, hell, I’d take mediocre people if I could get them. As soon as I know the situation, I’ll keep you informed.”

She acknowledged his question, and Enor nodded. With a final respectful gesture, he turned and exited the holodeck. As he walked away, he felt a renewed sense of purpose, ready to establish his presence and build rapport with the crew.