A Seat at the Table

Posted on Sunday June 22, 2025 @ 7:49am by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Makan & Petty Officer 2nd Class Lira Vonn & Crewman Jacob Reid

1,121 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 1: A New Frontier
Location: Deck 9 - Enlisted Mess Hall
Timeline: 2424.6.16 1200 Hours

Crewman Jacob Reid walked into the enlisted mess hall. It was busy, as it was close to lunch time for most of the enlisted crew. He ordered his food from the replicator and looked around. He didn't recognize anyone yet. Being a new transfer from a different ship that was long gone, he wasn't sure who any of these people were. Taking a seat at an empty table, he dug into the sandwich that he had ordered.

"Can we sit here?" A woman's voice asked him. Looking up he saw a Bolian woman and a Zaranite male standing on the other side of the table.

"Sure, he said." It was then Jacob noticed their ranks. Shooting to his feet, "sirs." He added.

"Sit down crewman." Chief Warrant Officer Makan said, as he took a seat and set his tray down. The Zaranite removed his breathing apparatus. The Bolian woman sat down at another of the four chairs. It wasn't long before Jacob also took his seat. "I am Chief Warrant Officer 3 Makan, Boatswain. This is Petty Officer 2nd Class Lira Vonn, the Quartermaster."

"Hello." Lira said with a smile as took a bite of her noodle dish. She dapped the sides of her mouth as she swallowed, "Nice to meet you crewman..."

"Jacob Reid. Crewman Jacob Reid. Captain's Yeoman." He said almost shyly, but not too shyly. "We met before, Petty Officer. When I came aboard. It was a crazy day for you, so I am sure you don't remember."

"Oh yes. I do remember you now. It was a crazy day. I apologize. Being one of the only quartermasters aboard, it can be crazy handing out assignments on the first day." The Bolian woman smiled.

"I was helping in the other line. So I didn't get to see you." Makan said taking a spoonful of soup. He looked up, his yellow eyes locking with the crewman's. Seeing the question in his eyes, "I can live without the mask, yes. Like Benzites, we need a special air mixture to live, but we breathe oxygen. we can live for several days without it. So I am fine crewman." Relief fell on the young man's face. "Tell us your story crewman. You must have pretty good connections to get stationed on a ship like this."

Jacob swallowed the bite that he had just taken. Shaking his head, "No sir. I am just a normal guy from Earth. My mother is a school teacher and my father is shop owner. No one special. My previous superior gave me a good recommendation."

"So what are your goals? Do you want to continue a career in administration or are you using it as a stepping stone?" Lira asked with a curious look.

"I am wanting to stay in administration. It can lead to a chief of operations role. I can even go to OCTP and become Chief of Staff on a ship like this or a starbase. But, yes, I want to continue in administration." Jacob said, then he took a drink of his water. He was liking these superiors that were sitting with him. He didn't think two NCOs would want to talk to him, a crewman. This was a good welcome for him.

"That's a good plan. It can lead to a lot of places. I have seen a Yeoman become Chief of Boat. A member of my first command. I was a transporter specialist at the time. That was the path I chose. You can go a long way." Makan said with a smile. His soup bowl now empty. The Zaranite cleaned his face, and replaced his breathing apparatus and leaned back in his chair, "I almost went to OCTP, but when the head of Starfleet came to me and wanted to promote me to Warrant Officer, I decided to stay NCO. And here we are."

Nodding, Lira continued, "I plan on staying NCO. OCTP seems like a lot of work, plus more responsibility." The Bolian woman looked at Makan, " Plus, as far as NCOs go, we have two high positions. We get to do most of the work with less responsibility. I mean, shit, I just assigned quarters, and supplies to departments. That's not hard. Inventory is a pain, but it's better than having to run an entire department."

Nodding, Makan raised his hands in defeat, "Having covered for Chief Operations Officer, it's not fun. I don't envy them. I do cover when needed, but I try not too. Oh!" He exclaimed, "I met our Chief of Staff today. She is going to be interesting to work with. The Captain is going to have his hands full, but he can handle her. They have... similar personalities. So we will see. I also met our XO. She is nice, her and the captain are opposites. So we will see how that dynamic goes."

"Huh." Jacob said. "So... What's with the captain? He seems to be upset all time."

"He's just pragmatic and really stoic." The Bolian woman said, "Don't take it personally. He just has his own way of doing things."

Makan leaned forward, "He has a bit of a past. We have known each other for years and he hasn't even told me everything. He says that some things are for him only. It's a big mystery. Just don't push it. I have seen him get pushed too far, at that point you better have an escape plan."

"Coridan left the Federation in 2350s... does that..."

"Don't mention anything like that. He is a Federation citizen. That's all." Makan said, "If I need to remove this mask so that you can read my face, I will." Makan's combadge chirped. Tapping it he answered, "Chief Warrant Officer Makan."

"Chief Warrant Officer, the transporter in cargo bay 4 is throwing errors every attempt we make."

"I'll be right there." Makan tapped it to close the channel, "I swear, they throw these ships together too fast. They send them out of dry dock with only have of the systems working properly. I will talk to you two later."

"I better go to." Jacob said standing, "I have some paperwork to finish and send the captain's way for signatures."

"I am not needed anywhere." Lira said standing and looking around, "I am going to go see who else I can talk to. Have a great day Crewman Reid. I am sure we will chat again." The smiled as she approached another table and was greeted warmly, by some other crew that obviously new her.

Jacob returned his tray and empty plate to the replicator and recycled it. Leaving the mess hall, he returned to his office to complete the work that the captain needed him to do.

 

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