The new First Officer

Posted on Sun Jun 15th, 2025 @ 2:09pm by Commodore Elias McEntyre & Captain Niun Standing Bear

1,429 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Prologue
Location: Deep Space 12
Timeline: January 2388

Elias stood excitedly at the docking port of the Guinevere. An exciting day. His previous first officer Commander Pheylin had been promoted to Captain and given his first command in the deep frontier. It was a bittersweet day when he left but Elias had been given a new first officer in the form of Captain Niun Standing Bear. Elias had read over his file. A member of the very elusive Mri species, a race of tribal warriors from Kulath.

That had been surprising. They had been known not to even travel among the stars, even more, the first contact with their world had ended poorly. But Elias was open to welcoming his new XO with open arms and an open heart.

The docking doors chimed, announcing passage of crew embarking onto Guinevere and opened with a clunk.

Dressed in his uniform, sheathed dagger made by his own hands at his waist, Niun stepped through at the docking doors opened. At 5'10", he was considered short among many of the species he'd met with a lean, well-muscled runner's physique and long, wavy blonde hair. His dark blue, nearly black, gaze fixed on the Commodore waiting for him and came smoothly came to attention. "Commodore, Captain Niun Standing Bear reporting as ordered," he said in accented Federation Standard. "Permission to board, Sir?"

“Permission Granted. Welcome aboard Guinevere!” Elias greeted warmly, extending a paw out.

“I’m Elias McEntyre. It’s a pleasure to meet you Captain. I hope the trip out wasn’t too taxing?” He asked cordially, putting his best foot forward to the new officer.

Niun, having learned about handshakes at the Academy, extended his own and shook his new commanding officer's paw. "No, it wasn't," he answered. "It was ... comfortable ..." A word that the Mri disliked immensely. Soft, cushioned surfaces were unpleasant; chairs, where one was forced to sit above the ground, were just ... wrong. In fact, he had slept on the floor beside the bed in his quarters each night using just a blanket and a pillow. "I am looking forward to seeing the Guinevere."

“Well, then no time like the present. Let me show ya to your quarters. They’re on Deck 6 next to mine.” Elias explained as he gestured towards the turbolifts.

“Though I do want to apologize in advance. The walls are a bit thin and my son can be a bit…loud.” Elias continues as they both walked to the turbolifts.

"Among the Mri, we lived in close proximity. Privacy was not a concept I even understood until I entered the Academy," Niun said. "Though I do have some requests with regards to my how my quarters are set up. Is there someone I can speak with about that?"

"Quartermaster should be able to get you squared away, Though they've already taken the liberty to try to make them as comfortable for you as possible. Though the way that the Quartermaster explained it to me was basically removing everything not bolted or welded to the ship superstructure itself. Barebones." Elias elaborated as they stop before the turbolift doors, waiting for it to arrive.

"The understanding of your culture is that those of the Warrior caste of the Mri have nothing but the clothes on their backs and a sword. Have I gotten that correct thus far?" Elias turned to face his new XO as he asked the question.

"The Azahadi, warrior caste as you said, are responsible for protecting the tribe. We do not carry. And the tribe itself is always moving. We sleep on the ground near the central fire. In terms of quarters though, I have discovered that the closest approximation would be traditional Japanese from Earth. As you said," Niun continued, "I'll speak with the quartermaster."

“He’s cleared out all the furniture. It’s really more of an empty room than anything else. At least that’s how he explained it.” the turbolifts doors open, Elias stepping on as he spoke.

"Good," Niun said. "There's no need to show me to an empty set of rooms, Sir. Perhaps we could tour the ship while we talk?"

“Then to the bridge then.” Elias says with a toothy kitty smile.

The turbolifts chirped “Level Please” in that classic computer voice.

“Bridge” Elias responded just as quickly before the turbolifts thrummed to life as it began its upward journey. Turning to his new first officer, Elias began to speak again.

“Guinevere’s current mission is continuing mapping of the Briar Patch and the underlying subspace currents. We’re supporting Deep Space 12 and it’s continuing research into the Grey Tetrahedrons that litter the region. We’re also homeported here as well. We make regular returns to the station and Bak’u below.”
Elias pauses a moment. “I’ve come to think of Bak’u as a second home. This is where my Husband is from. It holds a special place in my heart,” he elaborated.

“Beyond that, it’s mainly keeping the ship in check, day to day paperwork, the usual trappings of an XO with the added benefit of being my Flag Captain. Old naval tradition that the XO of a ship with a flag officer in command is usually Captain in rank and titled as Flag Captain.”

Elias stops. “I’m rambling, aren’t I?” He asks of the man besides him.

"I understand the traditional meaning of 'flag captain,' Niun said, 'but I'd like to hear what it means to you.' There were words and concepts in the Commodore's introduction that meant nothing to Niun -- home, family, husband. At forty-five, he was already five years past the longest an Azhadi lived and though that life was far in the past, a part of him still felt as though he had already lived past his due-date. His people had no concept of romance and monogamous relationships and to date, not something he could understand. Duty, now that was something he understood very well.

“Your duties is the day to day administration of the ship. Supervision of the crew, liaising with the department heads on matters relating to the operations of the ship. Beyond that, supporting the mission of the ship.” Elias explained in rapt attention.

The turbolifts stops and beeps.

“Bridge” it announces as the doors slid open and Elias stepped onto the bridge.

Hands on Commodore then. Niun nodded and followed the Commodore onto the Bridge. "Understood," he said quietly as he looked around the Bridge.

The bridge was a hum of technicians refitting the controls, panels opened as they worked. The faint blue glow to the bridge gave the area a soft glow. Elias gestured to the chair that was to the right side of the bridge from his perspective facing the viewscreen.

"This chair is yours, so long as you're comfortable with it. I'll also understand if you choose to stand during your shifts as well. We're getting retrofitted with new Bio-Neural gel pack systems and software upgrades so it's a bit of a mess right now, but we should be back out in space in a week or so. Plenty of time to get settled in there," Elias said to Niun.

"You also have an office on Deck Two. My Ready Room is just off of the bridge here, I'm in there most days. Any questions so far?" He asked.

"Are we waiting for any transfers," Niun asked, "or as we fully crewed?"

“For the moment though promotion cycle is coming up and our Tactical Officer is up for commander and his own frigate so we may need to start looking for a new CTO. Beyond that my doors are open for anything you need”

Elias turned to offer his hand again.

“Again, welcome to Guinevere.”

Niun accepted the handshake because in Starfleet obedience to a superior officer was expected; he did not enjoy it though. To the Mri, touch was different and meetings between individuals vastly more reserved. Part of his training had been to understand the customs of the people he would serve with just as he researched other species so that he understood what they too would expect. "Thank you, Commodore," he said. "It is good to be here. With your permission, I will get to work."

“Permission granted. XO, you have the deck. I’ll be in my ready room should you need me” Elias said enthusiastically, nodding before he headed to his ready room confident in his choice of an XO.

—————
Commodore Elias McEntyre
Commanding Officer
USS Guinevere

Captain Niun Standing Bear
First Officer
USS Guinevere

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