New to the Ship

Posted on Fri Feb 13th, 2026 @ 11:40pm by Lieutenant JG Aiden Poe & Lieutenant Lanna Alexander

1,234 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Shore Leave - Starbase 1
Location: Counsellor’s Office

ON:

Aiden walked down the hall way marveling. This place felt epic in so many ways that he didn't have words to describe it. He was about to take his post as the Archaeologist and Anthropologist. The ship was open to him using his head as the Historian and he was the Acting Department head and science. He suppressed a squeal of delight.

He rounded the corner on the medical deck and then stopped in front of the counseling quarters. Ringing the chime he bounced on his heels.

Lanna could feel the enthusiasm coming from outside her door, it made a change from the usual dread that came from visiting the Counsellor. Opening the door she smiled warmly as she greeted the officer standing outside. “Well you're a rare delight, please come on in.”

Poe did his usual he threw his arms around her and hugged her. "Thank you! I'm the new science officer here for my loonie lookie!"

Lanna couldn’t help but grin at the hug, and the loonie lookie comment. “Now that’s a new one! I will have to remember that, a loonie lookie I love it!” She motioned Poe to a seat. “Please take a seat.”

Grinning he sat down. This place is nice. A lot of counseling offices are sparse but this place has personality."

“I like to have a comfy, cozy room” Lanna smiled. “I like to make people feel at ease, and I love my creature comforts.”

"Makes sense for like, the best ship in the fleet! I'm ready for my brain shrinking. Where do we start?"

Lanna grinned. “We already have, you’re obviously happy to be here. Did you request this assignment? And if so, why?”

He snort laughed. "I've been requesting this assignment for a while now and kept getting rejected but I finally got in! As for why because since this ship was made I knew I was meant to fly on her. It's so hard to explain it's like I feel like this is my destiny. This ship she's been calling to me and now that I’m here." His eyes misted over. "It's...like I've finally entered heaven, you know?"

“Heaven…” Lanna nodded and grinned. “Everyone has their own idea of heaven and I’m glad you’ve found yours. Have you had chance to look around, meet others in your department?”

"Not yet." He blushed. "If I was honest I'm trying hard not to hyperventilate...it's been interesting. I did meet the Captain we came over together and the Yeoman to the XO an there was that incident with the XO."

“Was there a specific incident?” Lanna looked at Poe curiously wondering if he just meant Sebastian’s recent loss, or something else.

"Um...after the memorial service. The XO sort of got pale and left and then the big guy.. Lai? Lee? followed him and there was a brawl. I kind of helped pull him off the other fellow. The XO is not only a hottie but strong!"

Lanna nodded. “Thank you Aiden, I hadn’t heard about that one.” She paused. “Anyway back to your evaluation. Do you have any worries, or concerns you’d like to talk about?”

He blushed. "Honestly...how to fit all the stuff I brought in my quarters...I think I over packed." He laughed. "I was so excited I think I brought everything but the kitchen sink." He shrugged. "Other then that maybe I'm worried my department won't respect me...I'm kind of new to the team lead position even though it's temporary."

“That’s not unusual, being a team leader can be daunting” Lanna smiled warmly. “Just be polite, yet firm with your expectations, try to get along with everyone. Any big issues feel free to speak to me and I’ll see what I can do to help you without undermining your position.”

He grinned. "That's awesome!. Thanks."

“Not a problem” Lanna grinned, Poe’s bubbly enthusiasm was infectious. “Well I can’t think of anything that truly worries me about you, you’re enthusiastic, and you’ve certainly made my day feel brighter.”

He blushed a little. "That's awesome!" He grinned. "So now I only need the medical. He paused. "Counselor can I ask you something?"

Lanna nodded “By all means, ask away.”

"What was the XO's husband like? When I got there when he and the other guy were fighting when he saw my eyes he said, 'purple' then called me Zai and when he hugged me it's like...I could feel so much pain I think I cried for like four hours after and you probably think that's stupid...."

“Not at all” Lanna shook her head. “I thought you were empathic, I can feel it. I’m Betazoid myself.” She smiled. “Zai was Capellan, he had eyes that were a purple shade you could say Amethyst. You would have reminded Sebastian of Zai when he looked at your eye colour.” She took a deep breath. “Zai died saving others, a true hero, and that is how I will remember him.”

His eyes filled with tears. "Poor XO Walker! How terrible."

Lanna nodded. “Commander Walker is hurting a great deal right now, so I suggest you try and keep your empathic senses under tight control around him. I know that’s easier said than done.”

"I don't usually use those around people. I find that they cause more trouble then they are worth." He said sadly. "Sometimes you find out truths you knew but didn't know for sure and that can be...painful."

Lanna nodded. “That's very true, I use my empathic abilities to help when I’m needed. My telepathy tends to stay pretty much locked up unless I have to use it.”

"My people tend to feel the emotions of others...but it's easy to compartmentalize. I don't think I was born with that ability. I tend to carry the emotions of others." He sighed. Another way he was broken. "So what's the ship like?"

“The ship is amazing” Lanna smiled. “You’ll enjoy working here. Take the time to get to know your way around, there’s nothing worse than getting lost and having to ask the way.”

"I will. I think I'm still seeing this ship as holy ground. I wonder if the officer that delivered my orders is here. He seemed like he knew the ship well."

“Who was it who delivered them?” Lanna asked curiously.

"Not sure. I actually didn't catch his name. He had beautiful purple eyes and was so handsome...had white hair, tall." He shrugged. "Maybe I'll get to meet him."

“Oh…” Lanna paused. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible anymore, Zai…” she paused again. “I’m afraid he’s no longer with us.” She didn’t want to go into details.

"Oh." He sighed. "Well that's too bad. He felt a heavy sadness that he was sure was not his own. He sighed. "Well I guess the question is, am I fit for duty?"

“Are you fit? Are you kidding?” Lanna grinned. “You are most definitely fit, now you can go and enjoy yourself.”

He smiled. "Thank you counselor! I'm really happy we met. I may impose on you a little bit more." He tapped his head. "Just to keep things working up here."

“By all means” Lanna grinned. “My door is always open.”

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