Bittersweet Changes

Posted on Wed Nov 8th, 2023 @ 6:24pm by Commander Jacqueline Wallace-Shaw & Lieutenant Tana Marshall

1,180 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: S1E0 - Prologue
Location: USS Alliance

Tana watched from the upper level of DS9's promenade as another ship departed through the wormhole. She had been standing there watching what was probably a dozen ships fly in or out of the worm hole on their way. It was relaxing and allowed her to focus her mind. Her leaving of the Yellowstone was more than bittersweet. She didn't blame Captain Heard for the changes she had made in the ship's routine, or the crew she brought with her. It was understandable. The war was over and with Didier retiring, it was a time for a changing of the guard and mission of the ship as it were. It didn't mean that the Yellowstone family didn't feel as if it was being broken up with Dider's retirement and Commander Novolk's reassignment as XO on the USS Colorado.

After nine years, the walk to the transporter room was more difficult than she imagined. The situation was bittersweet and the stress once she came aboard the station brought her to spot she stood the last several hours to help her mind focus while she regained control of her empathic abilities. With a deep sigh, Tana decided now was the time to make her way to her new assignment and prepared herself to meet her new XO as she made her way through the crowds towards the dock that the USS Alliance was currently occupying.

Commander Wallace-Shaw was already aboard the Alliance, and she'd been organizing all meetings to take place there. As such, she made herself easy to find. During alpha shift hours, and the first few of beta shift, she was in the XO's office on deck four. In truth, she was still digging her way out from under all the PADDs on her desk to read through about her new posting here as well as the political situation and where the ship was expected to fit in.

After seeing to the transfer of her belongings to her quarters, Tana saw to reporting in. Her orders upon receiving her transfer stated that once aboard, she should report to the ship's XO. Taking a turbolift to Deck Four, she found the appropriate office and pressed the chime, waiting patiently to be allowed to enter.

"Enter," Jacky called almost immediately. Her door had practically been revolving since the moment she set foot in this office, but it was fine. She had entirely expected it to be like this and knew what she'd been in for. She finished reading the paragraph she'd been on with the PADD in her hand, hearing the doors swish open. She set it aside and looked up to see a woman walking in, though she didn't immediately recognize her. Then again, she had a lot of personnel files she still hadn't read...

When the doors swished open, Tana made her way inside and found the Commander at her desk. The poor woman seemed to be drowning in PaDD's judging by the desk. It made sense, giving amount of transfers on board. Sensing that the XO didn't recognized her, Tana offered her hand with a smile. "Commander Wallace-Shaw, I'm Lieutenant Marshall, the new Intelligence Officer. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ma'am." She offered confidently.

Jacky rose with a smile to return the handshake. "Lieutenant," she greeted with a nod. "I've seen your name on the roster, although I've not had a chance to read through your file. It's a pleasure to meet you as well." She gestured an invitation at the seats in front of her desk while she retook her own. "Welcome aboard the Alliance. Have you just come aboard ship?"

Tana nodded as she took her seat. "Yes, Ma'am. My apologizes for not reporting in sooner. I hadn't had a chance to watch the ships transporting through the wormhole for quite some time. It's still...awe inspiring." She commented about the view. "But I am prepared to leave when the Alliance is ready."

"It is indeed a remarkable sight," Jacky could only agree. "I entirely understand wanting the chance to experience it for a while. We still have a little bit of time here in dock, so you may get another opportunity." She paused. "So, while I know these reporting-in meetings can always be a bit dull, I'm afraid I have to do the usual and ask you to tell me a little about yourself, since I haven't gotten through the stack to your file yet." She smiled sympathetically.

Tana gave a soft smile as she thought. She felt a bit rusty at explaining herself and her credentials to a superior officer, having spent years on the Yellowstone. "Myself, always an interesting question isn't it?" She asked rhetorically before proceeding. "Well, I was born in Vancouver Canada. My father is a structural engineer and my mother was an artist. I had what I suppose was an average but happy childhood. I thought I would study art history like my mother, but felt my time would be better spent helping others so enrolled at the Academy. I found the Intelligence program challenging and stimulating with my telepathic abilities, again seeing how that would have the greatest impact...." Tana thought her through her career as she spoke. "After the Academy I was assigned to the Rutledge for a number of years as an intelligence officer, doing field work mostly regarding the Cardassians. After that I transferred to the Yellowstone. It was a standard assignment but during the Borg assault..." Tana stopped with her thoughts as she remembered the horrible events of Wolf 359 before continuing. "The Rutledge was at Wolf 359. We were fortunate." She would only comment on the encounter. "After the attack was debriefed by Starfleet Intelligence before being promoted to the CIO. I stayed with the Yellowstone for a number of years, through the war, but when Captain Didier resigned after the peace treaty, it wasn't the same. The new captain brought in new policies and personnel of his own and it just wasn't the same. Hence why I put in for a reassignment. Which, that brings me here to you, Ma'am.

"Thank you, Lieutenant. The Alliance is glad to have you," Jacky said with a nod. "Do you have any questions for me at this point, before you settle in for your position?"

Tana smiled as she shook her head. "No, Ma'am. I think I should be alright until the senior staff briefing. Was there anything else you needed in the meantime?" She inquired, waiting to be dismissed to finish unpacking before hopefully returning to the station to get some dinner.

Jacky gave a small shake of her head. "Not at the moment. I'm sure we'll all have plenty of time to get to know one another after we've all settled in."

Tana stood as she nodded to the other woman and stood, preparing to leave. "Understood, Commander. Thank you for taking the time." She added with a bright smile, waiting to be formally dismissed.

"Dismissed, Lieutenant Marshall," Jacky said with a smile. "If you need anything, you know where to find me."

 

RSS Feed