Drama and Regrets - Part Thirteen

Posted on Fri Sep 30th, 2022 @ 5:15am by Captain Jordal Hunt & Lieutenant JG Michelle Rodriguez-Ortiz

Mission: Mission 108: Grains of Sand
Location: Various Locations - USS Heart of the Tiger / Starbase Vanguard
Timeline: 1450Hrs - December 3rd, 2393

The doors to turbolift one opened and out came an average-frame human woman wearing a Starfleet uniform. She glanced left and then right while she smiled, or rather she tried to smile. This was the worst part of reporting aboard for a new assignment. It was reporting aboard and presenting herself to a senior officer. Last time, she simply needed to go and see her new boss whereas this time it had much more serious implications as now she was seeing the Captain of the ship rather than the ship's chief of science.

Michelle Rodriguez-Ortiz stepped forward and onto the bridge for the first time. She pushed her fears and insecurities aside as she nodded to the person at security, he nodded back at her.

"New aboard El-Tee?" Someone addressed Rodriguez-Ortiz.

"Yeah. I just arrived about an hour or so ago." Rodriguez-Ortiz answered. She did not need to raise her voice or let her emotions get in the way as she almost dropped her PADD which she was holding in her hands. She was able to not fumble her way to victory.

"The skipper is in the ready room Doc... I think he's expecting you." came the expected and unexpected statement. Both at the same time.

Rodriguez-Ortiz wanted to squirm and run away but she forced herself to breathe. 'Calm yourself, honey... Calm...' she told herself. She approached the ready room door and she tapped the door chime. Alerting the occupant within that he had a visitor.

So far this day. Hunt had replaced his chief of science, chief of conn and chief of Medical all in one go. He had been dealing with their replacements. Now he was hoping that this was the new chief of science.
In his mind, nobody could replace Luhanna Wintersnow.

When the chime announced his next visitor, he called out, "Enter." Hunt lifted his eyes as he regarded the door. While he waited for his newest guest.

Rodriguez-Ortiz sucked in a deep breath before she tapped the door release button. The doors slid apart with a smooth hissing sound before the human woman stepped into the office. She regarded the man sitting behind the desk in silence before her sense of duty took over. She then stepped forward and announced herself. "Lieutenant Michelle Rodriguez-Ortiz. Reporting for duty, sir." she addressed the Captain formally.

He noted the pause, of course, you couldn't help but notice. Still, he rose smoothly to his feet and gestured for her to take one of the chairs facing the desk. "Ah yes, please, have a seat, Lieutenant," he commented as he indicated the chairs across from the desk.

"Thank you, Captain," Rodriguez-Ortiz answered as she slid her form into a chair. "So long as I know you are addressing me. You may address me however you please," she added, while she placed her PADD onto the desk before her. "My orders Captain," she commented on why she was dropping off the PADD.

He accepted her orders and settled back into his own seat, giving the formal language a brief glance before setting it aside. It was a big jump from science officer on the Valourus to chief science officer for the Heart of the Tiger. One he questioned when she was first presented as a possibility. And all of that had led to the discovery that he had met the Valorous captain before. He was on a first-name basis with Patricia Walking Bear and her spouse. "You come well recommended. As I understand it, the only reason you weren't promoted before this was due solely to the lack of open positions on the Valorous." Hunt commented.

"So I was told sir," Rodriguez-Ortiz answered, a gentle smile on her face. "Lieutenant Fletcher insisted that I go," she added in a quiet tone of voice. "She said that these opportunities don't come along very often."

"That's true," Hunt answered with a gentle smile. "These possibilities don't come along often," he commented. "Sometimes it's wise to consider the possibilities of the matter before you decide." he paused. "

"Well then, I'd best let you get started. Welcome aboard, Lieutenant," Hunt said. "You are dismissed," he added.

"Aye Captain." Rodriguez-Ortiz rose to her feet. Order were orders. Hers were crystal clear and while she had a lot of work to do. The human knew she would need to get on with it. She nodded to him once before she departed the office without a backward glance.

Hunt watched her leave, a thoughtful expression on his face, as he considered the situation. The interview had been surprisingly brief, which was not something that he was overly concerned about. Hunt was known for preferring short meetings, as he was a man who did not like long-winded meetings.

Hunt smiled as he lifted the drink he had been sipping earlier. He then finished the drink off before he recycled it.