On the other side of the world, specifically on the bridge of the USS Athena, a lot of things were happening while waiting for the captain to arrive. Natalie Kurtz is the standing executive officer and the most senior officer on deck, and she now has the responsibility of making sure everything is up to standard before the captain ever stands a foot on the ship.

Walking into the main bridge, Natalie could see everyone—officers and enlisted personnel—working diligently on their stations and tasks. ”This is certainly a new environment; you’d expect that you'd be giving out orders on what to do to ensigns or lieutenants, but no. On a Prometheus-class starship, everyone knows what they’re doing. I am seeing senior officers and master chief petty officers who have, respectively, years of service at Starfleet doing the work a crewman would normally do. I haven’t even seen a single junior-ranked officer aboard the Athena yet, so I’m guessing that this is a prestigious assignment. I am well lucky,“ said Natalie inside her own mind. 

”Sitrep, I want reports on every department on this ship. Every knot and bolt that is in this ship, and I want it to be up to standard before the captain comes. Do I have an affirmative from you all?“ Asked Natalie to all the personnel on the bridge. 

”Yes, Sir!” was the collective answer of the crew that was certainly standing on the bridge. 

“How are we doing with engineering, and where is my chief engineering officer? ” asked Natalie.

”They are running a bit late with some problems that arose on their current posting on a starbase. The team down in the engineering room is working double to check systems.“

Walking towards the Chief of Operations, she asked, “I’m hoping that everything is going well on your end, commander? “

”Indeed, I just need a few adjustments and system diagnostics, and we’ll be good to go.” 

Nodding her head in understanding, Natalie went over to the consoles, where normally the chief of security and tactical would be. “I’m assuming the Chief hasn’t arrived yet, too. “

”Most officers have been transferred from starbases; it could take them at least a few more hours to get here, sir. Not to worry, all inventory and systems have been cleared and checked for any issues or bugs that might arise,“ said the unknown Lieutenant Commander that was currently under the consoles fixing up some things.

”I do hope they get here before the captain does, but great work. Thank you, Commander,“ replied Natalie. 

Looking around, Natalie could see that most systems and stations were already operating and working at standard levels. She couldn't be happier that everything was running smoothly at the start of the week. She only had two more departments to check on: science and medical. “I’ll probably just go down to their labs and check in on them,” muttered Natalie as she stepped off the bridge and into the turbolift.