Location : USS Oakland, CO Ready Room

“Lieutenant Junior Grade Stella Elwell reporting for duty, Captain.” Stella said, with a big smile on her face. She was really excited to be serving on the USS Oakland.

Byron was feeling his head spin a little, he was meeting his crew quickly. “Have a seat, Lieutenant.” Byron said. “Can I offer you something to drink?”

“I would love a hot peppermint tea with sugar, Captain.” Stella said, thinking to herself, a nice hot cup of tea could help sooth her soul.

Byron thought this was someone who knew what she wanted and wasn’t one bit afraid to ask for it. He turned and got her the drink and smiled as he handed it to her. “How are you finding your first days on the Oakland?”

“I am struggling a little to many visitors for my liking. Those pesky corps of engineers seem to think they own everything on the Oakland. Always disregarding security protocols.” Stella said with a big grin on her face. They were annoying, and she was trying to stay positive.

“They will be gone soon enough.” Byron grinned. “Our engineer is hounding them to complete the work so hang in there for a little but longer.”

“Not soon enough sir, but we will find a way to co-habitate with them.” Stella said with a slight twisted grin on her face. She hated the idea, but she was trying to make the best of a bad decision. They were a necessary evil, for the moment.

“I appreciate that.” Byron nodded. “As much of.a Hindrance they are, they will get the ship repaired.”

“I will try to give them a lot of leeway.” Stella said, as she was being sincere with her Captain. She was not a big fan of the corps of engineers, and their lack of security protocols.

“If they give you too much trouble.” Byron said. “Talk to Lieutenant Commander Robinson.”

“Our fearless first officer, I heard the Irish are not be reckoned with.” Stella said to the Captain. She knew how Fiesty Irish folks could be.

“That is what they say.” Byron said with a grin. “She has quite the way of getting people to do what is expected and be happy doing it.”

“I’m looking forward to working with her, from what I heard she’s a very capable officer and I can learn a lot from her. And I can learn a lot from you too, captain.” Stella said with a big warm smile on her face.

“That is the best part of this job.” Byron confessed with a smile. “To mentor and watch as you grow as officers and eventually find your way through the chain of command.”

“I can see the benefit of that, now that I’m a department head I guess I’ll be mentoring my own people, in a sense.”Stella suggested to Byron.

“You will.” Byron said seriously. “They will look up to you. I still remember my first chief and the lessons I learned.”

“Did your first Chief become a captain?” Stella asked hoping she wasn’t out of line for asking.

“Yes.” Byron said a nod. “He ended up a commodore the last time I knew. He always tells me he is watching my career.”

“A Commodore, that’s pretty cool. I’m sorry I lost touch with him sir.” Stella said, feeling a little bad for bringing it up now.

“We still talk once in a while.” Byron said. “This time it’s been longer than before which reminds me to drop him a line.” He smiled. “Thank you for reminding me.”

“You’re welcome captain.”’Stella said as a scene starts to fade away.

”You are dismissed.” Byron said. “We’re glad to have you on board.” He watched as she left his office.