Take Your XO To Work Day

Posted on Mon Nov 11th, 2024 @ 7:12pm by Lieutenant K’Var & Lieutenant Fang Lee

1,297 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Stars Around the Well
Location: Main Engineering Office | USS Arcadia
Timeline: Day 3 out of Starbase

ON:

"Thanks for coming to see me." He leaned back. "I won't start by asking or talking about what Adrianna Baciami spoke to us about days ago. I'll trust you to take care of things." He motioned to the little tray of drinks. "Would you like something? It's non-alcoholic but I'm grabbing a cold tea. What would you like?"

“I’ll handle things as discussed, sir” K’Var reassured her leader. “Tea would be nice” the woman replied to the offer of a beverage.

Fang poured the teat handing the glass to K'Var. "Fang is fine or Lee, whichever." He sat down. "Starfleet has just approved my appointment as XO so this, while the circumstances of the meeting are not ideal is a good time to talk XO to Department head. Are you rushed for time or can we talk for a while?"

“I have some time now sir” K’Var corrected herself “Fang.”

Fang gave a nod. "So, I'm first officer and you are second officer. I've read your record and I think that with your potential you have it in you make one hell of a Captain some day. Until then we're both learning our roles as XO and second XO and department heads. So when it comes at admin we'll have to work together. I also want to do something different with respect to the department heads and I need your help if you are up for it."

“What are you proposing” she took a sip of her tea and then focused her attention on the First Officer.

"I know each department head is dealing with a lot." He tapped his finger on the desk. "I want us to come up with a way to make it easier on everyone. Paperwork is key for each department but in addition to that they also have to give reports to the XO on a monthly basis. I want to make departmental reports more automated. Less writing and more distilled to fill in the blanks of what's needed and then add extra comments if necessary. That would make it easier on everyone. What do you think?"

"We can come up with some standardized forms. Of course department specific and with areas for comments" K'Var agreed with Fang. "It shouldn't be to difficult or take to long to create them with the help of the computer."

He gave a nod. "I want to make this as easy on everyone as possible but that would make it temporarily more difficult on us. We've got to go through logs and figure things out."

"The price we pay as leaders I guess" Lieutenant K'Var gave a grin. "I don't mind the extra work. The crew will have plenty to do without having to file lengthy reports" she paused and took a breath. "So anything we can do to help them out and shorten the time they have to spend on reports will be time they can spend in their department or on other assignments."

Fang smiled. "I agree." He thought for a moment. "So I guess the first step is to get all the department heads together and get the lay of the land in terms of reports and hurdles they have to go through." He sighed. "That's going to be interesting to say the least. What do you suggest formal meeting or an informal lunch as an exchange of ideas."

“I’d say informal so they feel free to voice their opinion” she realizes she was giving a lot of her opinion “but that’s my personal opinion.”

He smiled. "That you never have to do with me. I always want to hear opinions from you and the other department heads, without fear and without censorship. While Starfleet maintains a certain decorum there are times when even the XO is, if you will forgive my language, an ass. So you can say. Lee, you're being and ass that's not how it should be done and here's why." He laughed. "I'm not very big on formality."

"Noted" K'Var let out a chuckle. "I think the idea will be received well by the other department heads" the Lieutenant added still wearing the smile on her face.

He grinned. "Great. The key is that we are all part of the same team and we need to actually show that not just say that." He thought a moment, "Okay can I ask you something, maybe I'm alone in this but...is it just me or do the vast majority of XOs not know how departments work. I mean the actual functions and day to day."

“Have you had an experience” she asked before taking a sip of her beverage. “It wouldn’t make sense as most have experience in the role of a department head” the security chief had a concerned look on her face.

"I know my department Engineering but I'd like to learn more about Ops, and Medical, Navigation, and Tactical. I mean I've had field experience in your department but not day to day." He suddenly laugh. "I think I may arrange a 'take your XO' to work day.' What do you think?"

"I'd be honored to show you the ropes in Tactical" K'Var smiled "and I'm sure everyone else would appreciate you getting first hand knowledge of their jobs."

He smiled. "Thanks! Now there is one security issue that we have to discuss...it's one that all ships that have Engineers have to deal with."

"What exactly is your concern, sir" K'Var asked. She wondered for a moment if she had missed something or made some sort of serious mistake.

He smiled. "Like every ship in the fleet we have a... engineering hooch distillery. Like every chief Engineer I look the other way but as an XO and given the mission we are going on I wonder if we should shut things down...temporarily mind you since we took first place at the base contest of all the ships and frankly I like the idea of our ship being first."

"Distillery" K'Var paused a moment before she cracked a sharp toothed smile. "That would be your call" she shrugged "I can see where it might interfere with the crew's work and they could set it back up if we were on leave or down time."

"Generally we've had not problems but given this mission and the unknowns would it be prudent to temporarily suspend it?"

K'Var shook her head "it would be" the security officer admitted.

"Now is where I ask you for a really big favor because I'm being a chicken and not an XO, so feel free to say no."

"What exactly is the favor" she asked raising an eyebrow.

"Can you help me deliver the message. The Distillery master and I are currently at odds and I don't want him to think this is personal. I need an outside party who understands that this is only temporary."

"Sure" K'Var glanced over at him "make me the bad guy" there was a few second pause before the she cracked a smile. "Of course I can deliver the bad news. Who might I be visiting to give the bad news?"

"Not the bad guy just a confirmation. Trust me Lieutenant Zai is more likely to believe you that this is temporary then me."

"I don't think the Lieutenant will be a problem" she smiled "besides they will have their hooch back before they know it."

He smiled. "Well then. I think we have a plan."

"I'll get on it right away" K'Var said just letting Fang know she wouldn't wait around to start the task she had been given.

He grinned. "I'm looking forward to working with you. Lieutenant."

K’Var grinned and gave a half nod.

OFF:

 

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