A Camel Walks Into The XO's Office... No, Really!

Posted on Mon Sep 16th, 2019 @ 8:34pm by Commander Temperance Zachary & Lieutenant Daisuke Hafan, 3rd Tribe of Bon-Hwa

Mission: Episode 01: "Vestal Hearth"
Location: XO's Office
Timeline: Day 1 at 0000

Temperance had been in her office already for far more hours than she cared to count and it still wasn't even anywhere close to being lunch time yet, but there was reports that she needed to read and a whole ship that she needed to bring herself up to speed on, with not a lot of time to do it.

The differences between the Vesta and the Harare were becoming more and more startling. Size, technology, equipment, personell, even the breakdown of positions on the ship seemed to be different. Vesta had separate positions for Security and Tactical. While she understood why it was done that way, it was going to be something that she would have to make a conscious point of remembering. Tactical issues would not be directed to the Chief of Security, but rather to the Chief Tactical Officer, who, should have been arriving at her door at any moment.

Picking up the PADD, she started reviewing the last tactical report again, making sure she had her questions lined up in her head.

With a methodical walk, Daisuke came up to the XO's door. The camel like officer was decked in a custom made red shirt that covered the majority of his torso. His thick fur poked out at the edges and covered the majority of his body, what he considered to be his "clothing." Strapped by his hind legs were two bags that seemed to be mostly empty. He looked around, the corridor empty due to the shore leave. He didn't like meeting new officers, especially senior ones. It wasn't something he was used to. Lifting a webbed hand, he gently tapped the chime to the door.

"Enter," Temperance called, looking up, the bright smile on her face faltering slightly as she saw the excessively large animal standing in front of her, or, at least, that was the first thought reaction she had. Almost immediately her eyes fixed on the red heavily modified uniform and the rank pip. "Lieutenant Hafan?" she asked, unable to hide the confusion in her voice.

He walked up to the desk, his large eyes focused squarely on her, trying to judge her. He wasn't use to not having more visual ways to see rank and hierarchy. To keep proper form, he gave her a methodical and perfectly executed salute before sitting his butt down on the ground in between the chairs on his side of the desk. "Yes Ma'am, reporting for the weekly tactical report."

"I see," Temperance replied, straightening her back and leaning back in her seat momentarily before curiosity got the better of her. She leaned forward again, offering a smile. "Sorry, I will be honest, I didn't get a chance to read your file before this meeting, I was caught up reviewing the tactical report, but, I'll be honest, I was expecting someone a little more... uh... humanoid?" She bit her bottom lip as she faltered, trying to remain tactful despite her obvious curiosity. "Where are you actually from Lieutenant?"

Daisuke's face, which doesn't show expressions well anyways, looked blank, possibly some RBF present, though his head cocked slightly. "My full name is Daisuke Hafan of the 3rd Tribe of Bon-Hwa wanderers of the City State Amara, follower of the City-State Bactrian, of the planet Bactrianus. It can be found in what your charts call the Gamma quadrant." His words spoken slow but precise.

"I see," Temperance replied, though it was quite clear by the tone of her voice that she was still puzzled. "I shall have to do some reading tonight I think," she said with a warm smile. "You're the first of your kind I've ever encountered, it's... interesting." Another smile. "How long have you been serving as Chief Tactical Officer on the Vesta?"

"Two years ma'am," He replied simply, his ear twitched randomly. "I'm the only of my kind in Starfleet," He added in a moment later. His head leveled off again, contemplating his new XO. "There is only some information on Dromedars in the computer, I can answer any questions not covered." He brought his right hand around to his right pouch and produced a PaDD, which looked small resting almost entirely in the webbing between two fingers. Dexterous fingers shifted it around to the forefront of his hand as it swung back around and placed it gently on the middle of the desk.

Temperance picked up the PaDD and thumbed it, glancing momentarily at the contents before looking back toward Daisuke. "What brought you to Starfleet?" she asked with a smile, genuinely interested. "I imagine it can't have been an easy decision, especially if you're the only one of your kind here."

He answered after a moment of thought. "It was a decision of the meritorious to send me to Starfleet to expand our people's knowledge. I was chosen due to my merit and knowledge. I found the decision easy, the experience will be invaluable to Bactrianus." A few seconds passed as he considered her entire statement. "The experience has been rewarding, but challenging."

"I can only imagine," she said softly, offering him a smile. "I'm sure that Starfleet has benefited greatly from your presence. I look forward to working with you on the Vesta" she said with a smile. "Now, you mentioned a tactical report?"

"Yes ma'am," He responded, glancing down at the PaDD. "Nothing abnormal, progress on several projects." Listed on the PaDD were multiple projects on efficiency upgrades to parts of the phaser arrays and standard preventative maintenance on torpedoes. Also included were reallotments of power usage of the different areas and backup power involved with the weapon systems. Everything seemed to be on an appropriate time table. He waited patiently for her to read and let him know if she had questions.

Temperance read through the report, nodding slowly as she read. "Everything seems to be in order," she said with a smile. "I'm not immediately familiar with the projects you have listed, but it seems that the're progressing in good time. I think I would like to prioritize anything to do with the weaponry systems specifically, but other than that, it looks like you're well across everything and keeping it all in hand."

"Thank you ma'am," He responded. His head dipping slightly as he said it. He sat there quietly for a moment, recognizing the silence in the room. He racked his brain, trying to remember proper human etiquette for these situations, since he was unfamiliar with this one. "Any other questions for me?" He asked, feeling almost uneasy asking it, but thinking it was the appropriate response for the moment.

Temperance paused for a moment, contemplating before she shook her head quickly. "No, not that I can think of. You seem to have everything well in hand and I'm sure you know what you're doing. Do you mind if I hold onto this so I can read it again?" she asked, motioning with the PaDD she still held in her hand.

The subtlest of a shake of a head, almost more of his eyes than his head. He looked at her, his eyes studying her once more, words forming. "No, I am available to discuss anytime." He responded, with what counted as sincerity in his tone of voice.

"Thank you Lieutenant, I appreciate your time." She smiled genuinely. "Now, before you go, is there anything you need from me?"

"No Ma'am," He responded, his legs lifting his back quarter up. With another methodical, slow and crisp salute, he straightened up. "May there be water over your next hill," He stated as he turned and left.