Reporting In

Posted on Fri Aug 27th, 2021 @ 3:56pm by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Lieutenant Aiko Kato

Mission: Breen in Paradise
Location: USS Washington
Timeline: Before Departure from DS9

Aiko Kato had only attended her quarters to drop off her duffel bag before she was out again on her way to report in. She would have to visit the quartermaster later to arrange for the release of her personal effects, which had been transported aboard from the Scylax.

Her destination was the Bridge where she hoped to formally introduce herself to the Captain. Normally, she would have gone to the Executive Officer, but the computer had informed her that Commander Grayson was not on active duty.

As the turbolift parted to reveal the Bridge of the Washington Aiko was caught off guard by how beautiful the layout was. Her gaze was immediately locked onto the pair of consoles at the front of the Bridge. She knew hers was the one on the right. It was currently occupied by a Caitian, no doubt Lieutenant L’Rissa.

Aiko would have to make sure she stopped by to say a quick hello. But for now, she quickly headed to the Ready Room, waiting outside of the doors patiently waiting to be acknowledged.

The doors opened and Shran looked up from his desk to see the woman standing outside. "Come in lieutenant" he said as he rose from his chair, continuing to look over some information on a PADD.

"Lieutenant Kato reporting for duty sir," Aiko stated as she entered the room and stood at attention, eyes centered and facing forward, looking through her new commanding officer though she still studied his reaction.

Shran put the PADD down on his desk and looked at this new officer. She was a long standing officer who had served during the Dominion War according to her file. She was battle tested, something he knew all to well would be useful on the Washington. "At ease lieutenant. Take a seat." Shran sat and studied the lieutenant for a moment. "You have an interesting record. I see you put in a request to transfer to the Washington. Why?"

Aiko did as instructed and took a seat. She paused taken aback by the question she had been asked. Why was it she had put in for a transfer on board this vessel? she stated in her mind, repeating the question.

In truth, there were a myriad of reasons, the topmost of which was that her life on board her former home - the Scylax, had become too comfortable and mundane. Her colleagues had become like family. On the surface, there was nothing wrong with that, but such a stale environment lacked the excitement and thrill she desperately craved.

An assignment on board a Sovereign-class starship opened up a wide range of exciting missions than just the typical scientific mission she was used to. Again, nothing was necessarily wrong with scientific discovery. However, one of the quirks that the Dominion War had imparted on her was a morbid fear of routine and mundane things. She needed, every now and then, a shot of excitement, thrill...anything that got the adrenaline running.

Some people turned to drugs, chasing a high. Others turned to high stakes scenarios like gambling or taking illogical risks. Her way of feeding this compulsion, for it was indeed more than just a need or want, is to seek it through her work, to do what she loved doing while also living on the edge. Always on the ready to be put the test where there were real stakes, beyond just "science".

She was a warrior...and a warrior craved opportunities to test their mettle in the name of honour and duty.

"To be honest Captain," Aiko began clearing her throat, not quite sure what the right answer was to state back to the Captain. "I was looking for more opportunities and a Sovereign-class starship seemed appropriate. I have also heard that career advancement always benefits from being exposed to multiple environments. I thought after a decade on the Scylax, it was time to move on and seek better opportunities to build upon my skills and experience."

She paused, surprising herself by her own answer. Although not her primary reason, there was truth to her words. She did one day aspire to command a starship of her own.

Shran sat quietly as he mused and digested her answer. It was a perfectly acceptable answer, but one he had heard countless times. He had even used it once himself when he was up for his junior grade pip so many years ago. He expected more from her for some reason. His antennae tingled, telling him she was holding back.

He shifted ever so slightly in his chair and tilted his head to the side as he stared at her as he considered his next utterance carefully. He was going to challenge her. "So, looking for a promotion? Hoping to do more than just ferry people from one scientific expedition to another, is that it? Did your time in the war teach you nothing, change nothing for you? I know you are an excellent pilot, but to be honest we already have an excellent pilot on this ship, and we get a dozen applications every cycle for new pilots that are equally excellent." His voice was stern, bordering on harsh. He leaned forward, his antennae standing erect, his eyes wide and then narrowing, "So tell me the truth lieutenant, why are you on my ship?"

Aiko was caught off guard by Shran's directness and challenge. She was instantly on the defensive as she pondered how to respond. Her older self, prior to months of therapy would have been on her feet ready to fight like a Klingon at what she perceived as an insult to her honour, but she remembered her training.

For anyone perceptive enough, they would have seen her fingers digging deep to the sides of the chair as she used it to release her tension while she mentally counted down from five to zero.

Aiko smiled and sat back in her chair, feeling confident that the worse of her anger was restrained although her tone was sharp but nevertheless respectful. "I guess you got me there Captain." She interlaced her fingers together. "The real truth Captain is that I have become tired of simply ferrying people from destination to destination like a glorified cargo pilot."

She paused to control her voice as she felt the anger beginning to well up again. "I am a combat pilot...a warrior. As much as I ascribe to the ideals of the Federation about scientific discovery and advancing knowledge, my lived truth since the start of the Dominion War has been to always be ready for battle. My previous posting did not afford me the opportunity to do that. I am here because I believe the Washington will."

She paused again seeking to clarify her position even as she realized her anger was dissipating. "Don't get me wrong Captain, I am not some lunatic looking for trouble and wanting battle for the sake of battle, but I just want the opportunity to do what I know how to do best and unlike the Scylax, I think the Washington will actually enable me to accomplish this."

Shran smiled. He had pressed her buttons and had forced her to share a truth. She had fire and he liked that. He recognized it, she was tempered into something greater while in the war. He knew what that was like from personal experience and had seen others be baptized the same way. He stood and extended his hand, "You will do fine here lieutenant. Welcome to the Washington."

Aiko stood up surprised by the response but nonetheless appreciative that she had not been summarily rejected from joining the ship's crew. She shook his hand, managing a smile. "Thank you Captain. I look forward to working with you and the rest of the crew."