<USS Avalon> "Black and White Make Gray"

“Black and White Make Gray”
by Commander Javan Sierra
& Junior Lieutenant Elissabeth Marksbury



After closing his communiqué with his associate, Javan returned to his desk and the amount of information he had to deal with. There were two additional officers that he was to meet and he wasn't looking forward to training them or getting them adapted to the ship. It was the one thing about new people that bothered him - the lack of their ability to immediately grasp the key concepts. He sighed and tossed the personnel dockets to the side and picked up the duty roster for the coming day.

It was frivolous stuff that he knew couldn't be officially set into stone. With the added compliment of crew he would have to rearrange the departments and their corresponding heads. It would be a tedious waste of time in the coming weeks, but it was what came with Starfleet - imminent change. He knew that the security offices were empty with people scattered near and far on shore leave. In truth, Javan despised shore leave for some unidentified reason. He considered it, like most things, to be a waste of time.

Lissi had donned her Junior Lieutenant’s uniform for this meeting with her new commander. She made her way directly to his office and rang the chime to the door.

The chime at his office door shattered his thoughts and, without thinking, he threw several of his PADDs into a nearby drawer and sealed it before centering himself and calling for the person to enter. He stood and folded his arms behind his back, which was his custom, and awaited the first of the two security officers. "Enter."

Lissi entered the door and stood as tall as her five-foot-four frame would allow. "Junior Lieutenant Elissabeth Marksbury reports as ordered, sir."

"Welcome aboard, Lieutenant," Javan gauged her up and down and then motioned to the seat in front of his desk. He cradled her service record in his hands and chose his words carefully. First impressions are everything when it comes to initial chief-subordinate relationships. "Impressive record, Lieutenant. I was wondering what you think you bring to Avalon?"

"There is no point in listing my qualifications, sir, as you are holding them in your grasp. However, in addition to the extensive training I have undergone, I speak several languages fluently, including some Klingon. I am also proficient with many martial weapons as well as phasers, disrupters and the like. I have a quick eye for anything out of place, a quick sense for personal security, and I have a near photographic memory when it comes to schematics. I am a very adept student and will gratefully learn and excel anywhere you decide I could be of value, Sir," Lissi finished with stoic silence. Her words, though sounding impressive, were not stated in a boastful manner. She was just honestly answering the Commander's question.

He liked her already.

"Excellent answer, Lieutenant," Javan put the service record on his table and smiled at her, then offered his hand. "I think that this relationship is going to work quite well. As of right now I want you on internal ship defense tactics. In addition, I'm putting you up on the primary security away team in the event we have to travel for security details. Understood?"

Lissi beamed at the Commander as she shook his proffered hand. "Yes, Sir. Excellent. Thank you."

"For the time being, Lieutenant Zachary Winters will be your chief supervisor. If, in the event you have a problem, please go to him for assistance. If you have any additional problems with him or the situation goes unhandled then you should come to me," Javan sat down and slid another PADD out to her. "You'll need to go to medical for an initial check-up with Doctor Felicity Roan and you'll need to get your quarter assignment from Senior Lieutenant Anthony Manson - he's our Chief Operations Officer. Any questions?"

"I've already received my quarters assignment, Sir, but I will gladly check in with the Doctor, though I've seen enough of a medical facility for one day," she smiled. "I do have one question. Could I get the names of my security associates? I would like to make acquaintance with them as soon as possible." She looked at Javan with a slight twinkle to her light green eyes. It was obvious that she was very happy to be here and looked forward to her job.

"Your primary comrades are Lieutenant Zachary Winters, Junior Lieutenant Savannah Eckstein, Junior Lieutenant Gregory Orton, Ensign Ryan Hollander, and Ensign Evan Benevente. All the others with other associates," Javan paused, "are under the direction of other supervisors are assigned to individual departments. You're more than welcome to get to know them, but right now we're on shore leave. I'm sorry that it's just transferring for you, but enjoy yourself and see the ship."

"Thank you, sir, I believe I will. I look forward to sailing with the Avalon." She stood as the Commander stood, preparing to be dismissed.

He nodded, "welcome aboard again and I look forward to working with you. Dismissed."

Junior Lieutenant Marksbury nodded her head once, then made a quick turn on her heel, and exited the room. She let a large breath escape after the door had closed behind her It was always a bit nerve-wracking to meet a new commander, but she liked Commander Sierra as he was all business. The way it should be. Excellent, she thought as she made her way through the corridors. I already like it here.

Javan smirked and tossed her service record in the special container. She may work for his plans.

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