The New Detachment XO

Posted on Thu Aug 21st, 2025 @ 8:00am by Lieutenant Colonel W.B Llewelyn & Major Jesse Moriarty

813 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Prologue
Location: Ground Force Operations Center - Deck 13
Timeline: January 2389 - Deep Space 12

The last of the crew transfer came aboard in short order from what William B. Llewelyn was told by his commanding officer. A new Tactical Officer for the Bridge and Elias had been able to find a promising Ground Force Major to be XO to Llewelyn, which suited the old warhorse just fine. One last deployment and then retirement, he hoped as he waited for his new XO to arrive at the Barracks. It was a modest operations center, a whole deck of armories, barracks, tactical centers and offices for the embarked ground force detachment that made many bases feel outdated.

W.B leaned on the large tactical table, going over schedules for training and drills, sipping his morning cup of coffee.

"Sir," the new XO in question stood in the doorway, his dark eyes watching the Colonel knowingly. Jesse recognised him from the PADD that contained the details of his new assignment. Even if he hadn't seen his picture, he'd have still known it was him; from the experience written on his features, to the authoritative way he held himself. He made his way over, his clean boots clicking against the deck, his crisp uniform neat despite his journey, his dark, lightly curled hair tamed back from his face. "Major Jesse Moriarty, reporting for duty, Sir..." he offered the PADD over for him to accept. At least, he hoped he would accept it.

"Stand easy," Llewelyn nods as he accepts the PADD from the Major, looking it over for a moment.

"I see some good ships, service in the Dominion Wars, combat experience. That's good." He started before he stopped, and glared.

"Maquis?" He asked bruntly, sternly.

Jesse kept his gaze without flinching. He was used to being judged for his time in the Maquis, but it wasn't something he was ashamed of. It wasn't even something he regretted considering the circumstances. "For about 3 years, Sir. Until the Dominion War started. I was given a pardon in exchange for enlisting in the war effort," he replied honestly.

Llewelyn murmered for a moment before setting down the PADD.

"I can use that. My boys could use more experience in asymmetrical tactics. However, I wouldn't bring up the Maquis around the Commodore, simply for the fact he fought in the Cardassaian Wars and mostly spent his time around the Cardassian DMZ." Llewelyn mentioned.

Moriarty's brow furrowed just a touch at the news, but he nodded all the same. He was right, that would be more than just a little awkward. Maybe even career ending on a particularly bad day. "Noted," he assured, sincere with it. "It's not something I broadcast to be honest. It's not worth the grief."

"Good to know," Llewelyn nods. "Our primary duties is the protection of this ship and force projection on the ground. Guinevere doesn't maintain a Starfleet Security detachment cause the last time we did, they shit the bed so badly that the Commodore fired the Chief and department and ordered the Ground Force to assume their duties. We do it well."

Llewelyn crosses to face Moriarty.

"I hope that I can trust you to lead to the best of your abilities. I have high expectations for my troops and so does the commodore."

"I'll give it everything I have, Sir," Jesse replied without hesitation, and with total sincerity in his eyes. It wasn't cocky; he delivered the assurance as calm fact. But there was a burning curiosity inside of him, and he was battling between the formality of this first meeting and really wanting to ask the question that was burning. "Sir...what did Security do that was so bad?"

Llewelyn looks down at Moriarty with a serious look, his eyes focusing seriously on the Major.

"That, Major, is beyond your pay grade."

Moriarty gave a single, firm nod, accepting the reply easily enough. It wasn't the first time he'd heard that, and it sure as hell wouldn't be the last. It *did* raise the question of just how high a rank he would need to find out, but he'd pushed his luck enough for one day. "Well, either way, we'll make sure he never regrets his decision, Sir."

"Excellent! Get your gear settled, report to Quartermaster with your armor. We'll intro you to the troops in the morning. Thank you Major." Llewelyn snapped to attention with a salute.

Jesse straightened up with a matching salute, not that there was much to straighten again. He'd gotten so used to the military posture, he usually lived in it without realising. He moved out to follow instructions, letting out a long, tense breath. He wasn't a naturally optimistic soul, so he wouldn't say it had gone well. But it certainly could have gone an awful lot worse.

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Lt. Colonel W.B. Llewelyn
Detachment Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Guinevere

Major Jesse Moriarty
Detachment XO
U.S.S. Guinevere

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