Reporting In

Posted on Thu Sep 19th, 2024 @ 11:13pm by Commodore Finchley Kerr & Commander Alec Hunter

1,628 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: The 'Eagle continues.
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: Current

Alec hadn't been on the Blackeagle long. Just long enough to find his quarters and put his belongings on the bed. Now it was time to make his presence known and that was done by reporting to the Captain, one Finchley Kerr.

Alec made his way to the bridge and across it to the captain's ready room. Before he pushed the chime to announce him he straightened his tunic and wiped invisible dust from it. Now he was ready. Taking a breath, he pushed the chime and waited.

Inside the Ready Room, Finchley was staring out the port window at the passing stars. His thoughts were of the fact he was back in the Captain's chair once again, something he hadn't counted on happening,even with his return to the ship.

He was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of the chime, and walking to his desk, he sat down facing the doors and said, "Enter."

Hearing the command to enter, Alec stepped through the door and walked to the desk and the man seated behind it, "Lt. Commander Alec Hunter reporting in sir. Your new chief of flight control." He said crisply. His eyes on Kerr's.

Finchley looked at the officer in front of him, he was smartly dressed which was always a good sign and he spoke clearly and precisely. Glancing to his screen, he tapped a command on the keyboard and a file came up onscreen.

Looking back at Alec he said, "Welcome aboard Commander, it's good to have you here. I don't know if you were informed, but as you're record shows me, your experience has also added to the Command structure here, you're now Second Officer as well as CFO, congratulations" he added, standing up and offering his hand.

A smile formed on Alec's face at hearing the unexpected news that he was now second officer. "Thank you, sir. I look forward to my time here and no I wasn't informed and that is a very pleasant and unexpected surprise. I won't let you or the crew down sir." As he finished Alec's right hand grasped the captain's hand in a firm grip and shook it.

"I'm sure you won't, please, take a seat Commander" Finchley offered, sitting back down himself. He adjusted himself a little, this wasn't the seat he'd had when he was last in charge, it was newer, a little firmer than he liked.

"So, Commander, tell me a little about your service so far...who is Alec Hunter?" Finchley asked.

"Thank you, sir." Alec replied taking a seat in one of the two chairs in front of the captain's desk. I was born on Camdus Prime. My parents are both research scientists. As you probably know sir, Camdus's soil has some unusual properties. It can grow just about anything. Which makes the planet a major agricultural center for the Federation. At seventeen I enlisted in the local military. Really a militia but it got me in the cockpit of a old starfighter and I've been flying ever since."

"I love flying sir. Anyway, when I was old enough, I applied to Starfleet Academy and here I am. However, in answer to who Alec Hunter is. He is a man of honor and loyalty. I will defend this ship, crew and officers with all my ability. I can be hardheaded and stubborn especially when it comes to flight operation. I'm a good friend, I care deeply about my family and my friends, and this ship and crew are family now sir." He looked across at Kerr. "Anything else you might need sir, will be in my record."

"All very commendable traits Commander, loyalty is a very big thing with me, you'll come to understand that in the coming weeks and months ahead" Finchley replied. "One thing I have to ask, you were wounded in rescue of civilians at Chin Noga IV I see, a very brave thing to do indeed. Has this affected you personally and or professionally at all?"

"Thank you, sir." Alec replied honestly. " Being wounded has made me more aware of the situations I'm involved in as well as the circumstances surrounding them. It hasn't lessened my love for flying or my loyalty to Starfleet. Nor my willingness to take action and make a difference."

"That's good to hear Commander" Finchley replied. He glanced again at his computer screen, "I see you've flown different classes of starships, that's good, it tells me you can adapt to things quickly, something that we may frequently have to do during our missions. I see you've also got Second Officer experience from your time on the Arlington. How do you see your role as Second Officer here, what's your take on the duty?"

Alec nodded and grinned. "I can adapt to flying a brick if that is what is needed sir. Yes, sir, I see my role as second officer as one of support for you and the executive officer in your decisions that affect the ship and crew. Any difference of opinions we may have I would discuss with you or the XO in private. In front of the crew, we are a united front. In addition, sir, my position as second officer allows me to serve as CO or XO in that unlikely situation."

Finchley was glad that Alec had a firm grip on the understanding of what was expected of him in his position onboard the Blackeagle.

"You realise that what we do here falls under the purview of Starfleet Intelligence" Finchley said, "What's not on your record there" he said, pointing to the screen, "is what experience you have in Intelligence. Now, I only got to find out that you're to be my new Second Officer about an hour ago, so as you can imagine, with things moving as quickly as they have, I haven't had time to look up your record, so why don't you tell me. Don't worry Commander, I'm level nine clearance, if you wish, you can contact SFIHQ and ask them."

Alec grinned at Finchley, "Oh, I believe you sir in that you have the necessary clearance. Though if I didn't want to tell you something, I wouldn't. However, in regard to Intelligence operations. I have been in quiet a few either as a pilot or a field operative under the command of Captain Hanson. I can take and follow orders and more importantly I keep my mouth shut. The mission to Chin Noga IV was a intelligence operation."

"There's nothing you ever hold back from me Commander, is that clear?" Finchley asked, "If I ever find out there is, if there's anything you don't tell me when I ask, that won't bode well for you. That reply in itself has me questioning your loyalty straight away, not only to me, but to this ship and it's mission."

He leaned forward, "Do you wish to rethink your reply?"

Alec met Finchley's gaze head on. "I am loyal to you and this crew Captain Kerr. You can check my other CO's. They will confirm what I said. I resent your questioning of my loyalty though I can see where my answer could lead to that question. So, to clear the matter up. I won't keep anything from you."

"Now you get the idea Commander" Finchley replied. "Now, I need you to do something for me, I want you to find out everything you can about Starfleets flight plans for the Presidents visit to Deep Space Eight. Schedules, pilots, fighter escorts, who's on the personal staff to the President and the Presidents personal security detail."

Alec listened as Captain Kerr made his request. When he had finished, Alec spoke. "I can do that. May I ask why you need such information sir and when do you need it by?"

"I'll need it in the next twenty four hours" Finchley replied, "as to the why, somethings going down with the Romulan's, they've invited the President to a conference 'on' Deep Space Eight to discuss their imminent departure from Romulus to Rator III, but, there's back channel chatter that they've been contacting the Cardassian's as well. We have no concrete proof of that right now, but we're working on it. Thing is, why ask the President to be there, why not do it through official diplomatic channels or through Admiral Picard. It doesn't sit right with me, and someone must have persuaded the President that it's a good idea for him to go, I doubt they'd have thought it was a good idea themselves."

"Twenty four hours." Alec whistled at the thought and the amount of information Kerr wanted. "Cutting it close for me to get the information as schedules and flight plans won't be firmed up for another five to six hours." Alec observed However, I can get it sir and as the clock is ticking, I best get to it."

"If you can't get it all, get as much as you can, we'll just have try and figure out the rest as best we can, dismissed Commander" Finchley replied.

"Not to worry sir. I know a few tricks. I'll get the information for you" Alec replied with quiet self-confidence. As he stood and turned and left the ready room. He had work to do.

Finchley watched Alec go, he was impressed at the way his new Second Officer was confident he'd manage to get the information he required. He couldn't help think an ill wind was blowing in this Romulan situation, and he couldn't shake the idea that there was trouble ahead. The conference was a smoke screen, he was convinced about that, but he needed proof the Romulans were up to no good, his hopes lay in whatever Alec found out.

 

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