New Science Officer, Meeting the XO

Posted on Sat Jan 18th, 2025 @ 7:39pm by Captain Remy Johansen & Commander Maxun Spello & Lieutenant Chrysanthe Capulet & Ensign Awidat

2,363 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Side Plots
Location: USS Astrea
Timeline: Ensign Awidat's First Day

Ensign Awidat arrived punctually at the main shuttle bay, and was soon redirected to take the turbolift. She still wore traditional Vulcan clothes at the time of arrival, and had no interest in any formalities with people across the decks - smiles and greetings were met with silence, almost seeming disdainful. From her perspective, though, she was just being practical.

Her head and ears were covered with a scarf, but it was her behavior that was making it difficult to identify her as human.

“Deck 2.”

It was a short ride to the XO's office, and she had plenty of time to reflect on her last game of chess. After arrival, she simply walked herself towards the First Officer's Office, chimed the bell and stood, waiting.

Maxun was at his desk, going over personnel files, when his door chime rang. "Enter," he said clearly as he started to close the file that he was currently reading.

"Ensign Awidat presenting to Commander Spello." She said, as she entered the room.

Maxun stood and offered the young woman a friendly grin. "Please, have a seat." He indicated the two two empty chairs that faced the front of his desk. "Would you care for any refreshment?"

The smile was met with a cold glare as she considered for a brief moment what would be the most diplomatic approach to such a warm welcome. She couldn't think of any. "No", She refused as she sat down. She supposed there wouldn't be any familiar drinks in the database.

Maxun didn't need his El Aurian senses to pick up that the young woman was feeling out of place. Moving over to his replicator and ordered an Altair water. Carrying it back to his desk and sitting down, he began to speak. "First off, allow me to be the first to welcome you aboard the Astrea. As you already know, I am Commander Maxun Spello, the Executive Officer. Do you have your transfer orders and personnel file, Ensign?"

She swiftly handed him her PADD containing the requested information.

Maxin took the offered PADD and read through the orders first. He then copied all of the information to his own files. Once that was done, he handed the device back. "Well, it looks like everything is in order. If I may ask, why did you request transfer from the Vulcan Defense Fleet, to Starfleet?"

She asked herself the same question often, and it is her first day aboard. "I was advised by an elder to do so." Her monotone voice didn't fail as she answered. It was a complex topic, since religion is one of the Vulcan Silences - topics that should be granted proper privacy.

Maxun nodded slightly. He knew there was more to the story, but decided to leave it there. Clasping his hands together as he leaned back in his chair, he asked. "So, tell me about yourself, Ensign. What drew you to service? Hobbies, interests?."

She raised her eyebrow as she thought of chess. "I fail to see why would non-essential interests would be relevant on duty," she said.

Maxun replied simply, "It's relevant because we are more than our professions. Also, by finding a group activity, one can begin the process of gaining friends and building strong connections with your coworkers."

She adjusted her posture. "Precisely, Commander. I have been researching human strategy games as well as popular martial arts and sports. However, this is a formal meeting, and I don't usually discuss off-duty activities on these."

Maxun considered the young woman for a few beats, then replied. "Well, Ensign, as your superior officer, I am making the decision to discuss off-duty activities. So..which form or forms of martial arts have you been studying?"

Non-Vulcanians really do lack self control, she thought. Using his rank to force the unusual topic was unexpected, to say the least. She yielded. "Capoeira is a successful human martial art that uses the body weight and inertia to deal powerful attacks. However, for some traditional practicioners, it is anything but a combat. To these masters, it is a dance. I have researched other topics that might be useful to human socialization, but I could only suppose what could spark interest."

Maxun nodded slowly. If he were telepathic, he would be able to hear what the young officer was thinking. However, his own natural abilities, plus vast experience, granted him a different method to hear by. Leaning forward on his elbows, he spoke. "Let me give you a bit of advice, Ensign. While I understand you wish to carry yourself as a Vulcan, and wish to be treated as a Vulcan...which is certainly your right and prerogative...you are still, in biological fact, a human. And because of that, you have certain traits that are built into your DNA. Emotions being the most prevalent." He took a beat, then continued.

"Now, Vulcans are known to seem a bit standoffish at times, due to the fact that they work their entire lives, to expunge emotions from their lives. Society, as a whole, recognizes this and doesn't think much more about it. You, however, everyone can tell that you're Human. By attempting to live your life, as Vulcans do...well...you run the risk of others seeing you, hearing how you speak, watching how you act. And, if you're not careful, you could be seen, less as someone living their life as they wish, and more as you having a huge chip on your shoulder."

"Now, before we continue, you should know that I'm not Human. I am El Aurian. I have lived for over four hundred of your years now. In that time, I have become very good at reading people. Right now? Your tone and body language is practically screaming bad attitude. I strongly suggest that you figure out how to better acclimate to your new surroundings quickly. To do otherwise would only put you at a disadvantage here, among a crew that is predominantly Human."

When he was finished, he looked at her, much like a teacher would gaze at their pupil after they attempted to pass on an important class lesson.

"Vulcans are inherently emotional, and avoiding the influence of emotions on daily decisions is a philosophy culturally endemic to planet Vulcan. I am not attempting to be Vulcan, but i am Vulcanian and share similar traits. Humans once have mistaken Ethnicity and Culture, and it has led to devastating results. I made my research.", she said in a perfect monotone voice.

"It seems that you have some difficulties accepting different cultures among your crew, Commander. I am not standoff-ish, nor do I have a bad attitude - I merely have a cultural background that does not match your expectations of my race. Would an ethnic Vulcan with my behavior ask for such a monologue? Do all other Vulcanians adapt with earth humor as well?", she continued. In all truth, she was disappointed with Starfleet.

"One of my reasons to join Starfleet was the Vulcan Philosophy of Kol Ut Shan, or IDIC - Infinite diversity in infinite combination, in Starfleet Standard. It may be beneficial for you to read about it", she concluded.

The sound of the door chime interrupted the ensign's last sentence. The Captain had decided to stop by and say hello after her subspace conference comm with the other fleet captains for the sector.

Before Maxun could reply to the young woman's comment, which felt a bit snarky, his door chime rang. "Excuse me a moment," he said to Awidat. He then turned his eyes to his door. "Enter," he called out.

Captain Johansen stepped in. "Sorry to interrupt. My meeting didn't take as long as usual, so I thought I would see if I could catch Ensign Awidat in time to introduce myself. I noticed we have some Bridge rotations together starting up. Thought it might be nice to break the ice first if we had a chance."

Upon seeing the Captain entering his office, Maxun stood up, out of respect. He then nodded, and smiled respectfully. "Of course, Ma'am. The young Ensign and I were just discussing the differences in cultures, between the Humans and Vulcans."

"Interesting topic. Do you have an interest in anthropology or sociology, Ensign?" Remy asked with a smile.

Awidat got up and turned to the captain, greeting her with the Vulcan salute. "Specialized knowledge is often useless without any complement. It is in my best interest to widen my wisdom, Ma'am.", she aswered.

Remy cast a brief glance at Spello and then looked back at the junior officer. "True. Or you could just like something for the sake of enjoyment."

She raised an eyebrow and tucked her arms behind her back. "Informalities aside, Captain, it would be beneficial to be acquainted to my new working station and quarters."

From behind the young Ensign, Maxun arched his right eyebrow, giving Remy, who was facing them both, a silent look of concern. However, as she was the ranking officer present, he would keep silent.

"I see," the Captain replied. "Commander, I'm not sure where you left things off.'

A slight grin lifted one side of Maxun's mouth as he replied. "Well, Captain, I was about to caution the young Ensign on how to politely and respectfully correct a senior officer, when she thinks that they've said something that she doesn't agree with." He then turned his attention to Awidat. "Believe me when I tell you, Ensign, I've more experience with Vulcans than you ever will. I learned the IDIC before your grandparents were born. And yes, in my experience, Vulcans do tend to adapt to how Humans act and joke with each other. While some, still today, think Vulcans are emotionless, I know that the opposite is true. Their emotions are actually much stronger than most." He let out a soft breath, then continued.

"And one other thing, Miss Awidat," his grin fell away and his tone grew harder. "You would definitely do well to mind your tone when speaking to a senior officer. Though you have chosen to live your life as a Vulcan would, your physical appearance is still wholly Human. If you were to speak, as you did to me earlier, to another senior officer who does not know you, you would find yourself in danger of being charged with disrespect. I strongly suggest that you take the time needed to alter how you will carry yourself here." His expression softened as he added, "Afterall, I'd hate to see a promising career shot down by you accusing another senior officer of monologuing." He actually grinned at the end.

"I think some of the best advice for any officer anywhere is to observe. Learn to read the room. And when you're unsure, to just ask. We're all on the same team here, Ensign. Even the senior officers." Remy nodded at the young ensign. She looked up at Spello giving him a nod as well. "Commander, I'll leave you to get Ms. Adiwat situated."

Remy smiled at the two before leaving the First Officer's office.

Awidat raised an eyebrow as she turned to the commander. "Sir, I did not choose to be raised on Vulcan, and I held no power to object to Vulcanian culture. I find this implication puzzling." She stopped, and her smooth gesture almost indicated that she was calculating something.

"I am failing to understand the conection between race and culture, as you mentioned. I could ask you to elaborate on why my appearence would be relevant to my behavior, since many others are adepts of Surak, some of which were not raised in Vulcan, nor are ethnically Vulcan. Musician Krog, for example," she paused.

"I am being advised to disregard my culture and personal values with the goal to acomodate others. May I ask, how does this reflect Kol-Ut-Shan, and not of its antithesis?" She said, and pondered if she was impolite to his standards once again.

The situation was unexpected. She wasn't expecting such a cultural shock in her first day, but as Mitrani advised once, Vulcans don't speculate.

Maxun could feel the conversation starting to take a downward slant. Shaking his head slightly, he replied. "Ensign, whether you chose to live your life as a Vulcan is not the issue here. The issue is, simply-put, you need to learn how to take cunstruct8ve criticism. I'm not saying that you should change who you are in your core, however, we all alter ourselves somewhat, when we work and live closely to others. It is only natural. It helps to breed comradery." That said, he started to head towards the door. "Now, if you'll come with me, I'll give you a brief tour of the ship."

“Interesting…”, she said as she got up. “I never objected to breeding comradery as you put it, Commander. We are, however, in an official meeting and I do not entertain these with unofficial topics.” She followed his lead towards the door.

Stiffening up slightly, Maxun turned to the young officer. "Miss Awidat, a word of advice...when a senior officer has already stated that they wish to speak on more personal issues, as a way of getting to know a new officer under their command, it would be wise to at least answer the questions, so long as they are not too personal in nature. Telling the senior officer that you refuse to answer simple questions, will not do you any favors insofar as gaining the senior officer's respect." He then turned and continued walking, showing Awidat the various parts of the ship, to help familiarize herself with her new home.

"A man of advices, I see...", Awidat thought. She followed the commander, making sure to memorize the ship's layout in the way. She thought of asking about hobbies of his own, but it still didn't look like an appropriate time to do so.

Maxun gave her a polite grin and nod as he replied. "Comes with the territory of living for several hundred years." He then continued the tour, showing her where the major departments were located, ending with the science department.

~tbc~

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