The New XO Shows Up

Posted on Thu Mar 3rd, 2022 @ 8:16am by Lieutenant Commander Diane Doctrine & Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels

Mission: Free write
Location: Shuttle bay
Timeline: present

“Witty title here”

Commander Antonia Stoffels
Lieutenant Commander Diane Doctrine

==Main Shuttle Bay==

Diane stood with her hands folded behind her back as she waited patiently for the arrival of the Resolution’s new executive officer. Truth be told, she was relieved. She didn’t have a problem acting as Xavier’s first officer but her skill set really didn’t fit that role, at least not yet. Her career ambitions lay elsewhere at the moment. Perhaps someday that would change. Today was not that day.

Tony felt butterflies in her stomach when the shuttle docked. She had asked for an off radar arrival. She was a person who did not stand on ceremony at all. This would be her first posting in a command position and that was nerve wracking. The only thing she could hope for were some friendly faces to help her get settled in the role. As a matter of fact she had served on the Resolution years ago but the chance was small that anyone from her time was still around.

So here she was disembarking with some more replacement crew. The journey over had been nice and informal as she was in civvies with just a duffel bag. The rest of her belongings would be shipped over later.

She took a moment to ground herself and took a deep breath as she set foot on the Resolution again.

Standing alone outside the shuttle was a petite, blonde woman, the colors of her uniform indicating she worked in the Intelligence Department. When the Resolution’s new first officer approached she said, “Commander Antonia Stoffels, I presume?”

“That’s right.” Tony smiled. “No sneaking on board for me. Call me Tony.” She held out her hand. “And you are?”

Diane had a notion Tony wanted to keep things casual for the moment but she offered her rank anyway. "I'm Lieutenant Commander Diane Doctrine, chief intelligence, and second officer... also acting first officer until you're ready to take over."

Tony blinked. "You were the XO?" She silently cursed the admiral in her head. "How do you feel about me taking over your spot?"

"Acting XO, and I'm fine," Diane answered in a reassuring tone, "My skill set isn't really along the command track, not commanding a starship anyway." She offered a shrug and a smirk. "Perhaps in the future, but not today."

Tony watched the other woman for a few seconds. "What makes you say that?" After so many years in the job she just could not stop those therapeutic questions.

Diane's eyes narrowed suspiciously, "You used to be a counselor, didn't you?"

"What gave me away." Tony asked deadpan. "Sorry, old habits are hard to break. And you being intel I am surprised you did not know that about me already." Now she grinned.

"I did," Diane said plainly. "I just didn't want to mention it because, well, when I bring up details of people's past like that, sometimes it makes things awkward. Shall I show you to your quarters?"

"I am used to intel officers. I bet you know more about me then my mother." Tony grinned. "And yes that would be nice. I have to make myself presentable for the captain."

"Right this way," Diane started towards the corridor. "I'm sure you're presentable enough now if you want to go straight to his ready room."

"You think? In that case I can just drop off my duffel and get it out of the way. So how are senior quarters here?" on the De Ruyter they had been fairly cramped. But Resolution was bigger. "I am not taking your rooms am I?" It suddenly dawned on her.

Diane laughed, "No, you've got nothing to worry about there. Most of the senior staff is on deck seven or eight. I find the cabins rather roomy for just one person.

They approached a turbolift and stepped in. "You've ever served on a Galaxy Class before?" Diane asked.

"Yes but not as a senior officer." Tony admitted as she stepped into the lift.

"Deck eight," Diane ordered the turbolift, "I understand that feeling," she told Antonia. The lift stopped at deck eight and the doors opened. Stepping into the corridor she kept on speaking, "Your cabin is right around this bend."

"Great. All I really need is a bed and a desk you know." She could say that now after years of living as a cadet and junior officer. But it had been a shock to Antonia Stoffels to have to share a room with others at the academy. For years they had teasingly called her princess as she came from such a privileged marine family.

"Sometimes it's nice to have a couple of wants to make your needs a little more comfortable." Diane answered, "You've earned the first officer spot, enjoy the perks." They approached the door to the cabin and Diane input the security code. "You'll want to change that once you're settled."

"Yup I know the drill." By now she actually was curious to see where she would be living for the foreseeable future. It would be nice to have something to decorate a bit and call a home. That had been a long time.

"I suspected you did," Diane replied smiling, "Do you need anything else? Or do you think you can find your way around?"

"I think I can." Tony grinned. "Thank you Diane, I appreciate it. And I look forward to getting to know you better."