The Captain and the Security Officer

Posted on Thu Jul 3rd, 2025 @ 9:19am by Lieutenant Alvy Vithu & Captain Lukas Fredricks

849 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: R&R
Location: Captain's Ready Room

Lukas sat at his desk with his feet resting on the desk with a cup of coffee in his lap while he watched the FNS.

"As the president and his team get ready to leave for their tour of Cardassian space, the first since the end of the war, tensions seem to be high with this high profile visit..."

---

Following lunch with Wintrow, Alvy had returned to the ship to drop off her coat and bag. She glanced at the last trunk of her personal possessions yet to be unpacked - containing her collection of paper books and some souvenirs from her time on Stauffenberg, as well as a few photos of friends and family back home - but decided to leave it for now. Instead, she called out to the ship's computer.

"Computer, locate the Captain."

"Captain Fredricks is currently in his ready room."

With a nod, Alvy grabbed her uniform jacket, which she had thrown onto her bed, and headed for the bridge.

---

Naturally, with the ship in port, the bridge was quiet. Alvy quickly located what was to be her station as tactical officer, and made a mental map of the bridge layout, as it was slightly different to that of the Akira-class she had served on previously, before heading towards the ready room and pressing the entry buzzer. "Lieutenant Alvy Vithu reporting in for duty."

"Ah, my security chief. Please take a seat." Fredricks said as he placed the now empty cup on his desk and turned the monitor off. He took his feet of the table and adjusted his uniform. "Apologies for the informal greeting, I was just catching up with the news while we had some down time."

Alvy stood to attention. "Sir. It is a pleasure to meet you. I have reviewed the ship's latest mission reports, and believe I have sufficiently familiarised myself with her layout and tactical systems. I will be ready for duty once we leave port."

"That's good to hear, Lieutenant. Please sit, don't make me order you." Lukas said with a warm smile. "So, tell me a bit about yourself? Something your file wouldn't tell me."

The Lieutenant nodded, and took a seat. "Well, there's not much else to say. I was born in space, my parents had a freighter. When my father died, my mother and I settled on Earth, so I mostly grew up there, in Edinburgh. After high school, I followed in my stepdad's footsteps and went to the police academy. I am a fully qualified police constable in the Scottish Police Service, actually."

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a little wallet, folding it open to reveal a badge and a Police Scotland warrant card. "Technically, I still am a sworn officer of the law, on transfer to Starfleet. About five months into my first year on duty, I realised that always being on Earth just isn't what I want to do with my life, so I applied to Starfleet Academy. My Chief Inspector put in a good word, and I got into the accelerated security and tactical track."

Alvy sighed. "You can read about my service in the Dominion War in my file. Once Stauffenberg was destroyed at Chin'toka, I was assigned to Starfleet Intelligence in London to work with the Romulans, since I am fluent in their language. And, well, now I'm here. If you have any questions, sir, just ask."

Lukas nodded sombrely, "Britannic was at both battles of Chin'toka. Many good people and ships where lost on those days." His mood changed to be slightly more upbeat. "A police constable, interesting line of work but also gives you a good insight to both Starfleet security and civilian law enforcement. Have you found both sides enlightening as your forge your career path?"

The Lieutenant nodded. "There certainly have been valuable experiences, yes. But space is where I belong. Not on the streets of Edinburgh, and even less in an office block in London."

"Indeed. Space is where the fun is. Never a dull moment aboard a Starship these days. Espeically on the Cardassian frontier, helping rebuild the Cardassian way of life is very satisfying."

"That's Starfleet for you, not that long ago, the Cardassians were our enemies." Alvy shrugged. "Sorry, sir. The war has taken its toll. Is there anything else you need of me?"

"Of course, the war took its toll on everyone, but I don't think the Cardassian's were ever truly our enemies, they were used as canon fodder by the Dominion." Fredricks replied solemnly. He the took a deep breath. "Nothing really at the moment, get yourself settled in and familiarise yourself with the ship. Also make sure you get some R'n'R in. Not sure when we'll get the next chance."

Alvy nodded, and stood. "That is what I am planning to do, sir. Please do inform me when I am needed to report for active duty."

"Of course, but for now, go and explore." Lukas said with a smile. "Welcome aboard."

 

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