Very Good, Ma'am

Posted on Wed Aug 5th, 2015 @ 2:06am by Captain Enalia Telvan & Ensign Eames Eldritch

Mission: The New Sydney Fiasco
Location: CO's Ready Room | Deck 1 | USS Hera
Timeline: After 'Shore Leave' & 'Bad Bit of Business'

It was with a brisk, deliberate pace that Ensign Eames Eldritch stepped onto the bridge of the USS Hera. Only the briefest pause mid-step as the black-haired Betan glanced around quickly at his surroundings hinted at any outward show of surprise. The comfortable confines of Hera's customized bridge layout weren't what Eldritch had expected to find. As he approached the doors to the CO's Ready Room, the tall, dark & handsome ensign wondered what other surprises he could expect in his meeting with his new captain.

As soon as the chime rang, Enalia called out for whomever it was to enter, wondering whom it could be. Seeing the man that entered, she wasn't sure of who this actually was. "May I help you, Ensign?"

Upon stepping across the threshold, Eldritch smoothly came to stand at attention, and announced, "Greetings, Captain. Ensign Eames Eldritch, at your service. I'm your new Yeoman, Ma'am. Only just arrived aboard the Hera."

"Welcome aboard. Please, have a seat and tell me a little about yourself." Enalia said, motioning to the chair across from hers.

"Thank you," replied Eldritch. The young Betan ensign allowed himself an appraising look at his new boss. She appeared to be Trill, if the spots that trailed from her temples down the sides of her neck were to be believed. Taller than he had expected. Lean and long-legged. An attractive face framed by long black hair. The promise of mischief glimmered behind her dark-brown eyes. Eldritch's smile was little more than a slash across his debonair features as he slipped into the offered seat. A little mischief now and again could definitely be fun.

"Well, now, let's see," continued the young Betan, fixing his stone-grey eyes upon the Trill captain. "I'm 23 years-old. Fresh out of Starfleet Academy, where I graduated first in my class. I'm told I surprised more than a few people when I asked to be considered for a position as Yeoman rather than a Flight Control Officer."

"Especially since it's a position normally filled by cadets and enlisted." Enalia replied, leaning forward curiously. "Why did you request to be a yeoman?"

"Well, ma'am, it's really the one position that would allow me to 'shadow' you, so to speak. To learn from directly underneath you. I'm not really going to learn anything about command by sitting at the helm, despite how prestigious -- how sexy -- people regard such a role. I decided that I wanted a more administrative role. One that get's me involved in the day-to-day tasks and duties involved in being a Starfleet CO." Eldritch settled comfortably into his seat. "'One has to learn how to follow orders, before one is ready to give them.' An old saying, to be sure, ma'am ... but also a true one. I hope to become a decent leader, one day. And I hope to learn how, by serving you to the best of my abilities."

Enalia's eyebrows slowly raised in surprise at this knowledge. "You want to learn how to be a good CO from me? You might have been better off on another ship then."

"If you say so, ma'am," Eldritch allowed with a deferential nod. "However, from what I've been reading about the Hera's history under your command, I daresay you are being modest. If I can learn to be half as capable under such trying circumstances, I shall consider myself lucky." Eldritch paused for a moment before continuing. "But, perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself. For now, I think it's more than enough for me to concentrate on becoming a capable assistant. To that end, ma'am ... may I ask what you would like out of your Yeoman? I've heard that the position often changes to suit the needs and command style of the CO. Do you see me serving in an administrative capacity, like a secretary? Or perhaps in more of a stewardship role -- a sort of 'gentleman's gentleman', as it were? I am, of course, ready and willing to fulfill whatever role you require."

That was something Enalia hadn't thought much of since she had gotten used to not having a yeoman. "I tend to be able to take care of my own paperwork just fine and I prefer making my own tea... So I guess start with sorting out the paperwork I receive and let me know if there's anything I need to take care of immediately for now. I mean, it's not like I need a butler or anything. It would be nice, but that's not why you're here, is it? Also, first and foremost, keep your weapons training up. This ship has a tendency to run into the unexpected."

"Very good, ma'am," nodded Eldritch. "I shall schedule some range time at the earliest opportunity." After a moment's consideration, the Betan ensign stood and clasped his hands behind his back. "Well. If there is nothing further you require, Captain, then I'll take my leave. Still a bit left to do before settling in, as it were."

Enalia nodded, satisfied with her first impressions of the young man that was her new Yeoman. "If you need anything, let me know. Dismissed."