The Sheriff and Her New Deputy

Posted on Sat Jan 13th, 2024 @ 3:52pm by Lieutenant JG René Rouen & Lieutenant Amara Naidoo

657 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Prelude: Getting Ready to Depart
Location: Security Offices
Timeline: MD4, 0930 hours

René had come aboard almost an hour ago. He had gone straight to the ship's administration offices and, after handing over his assignment orders, received his in-processing checklist and cabin assignment. He swung by his new quarters, dropped off his personal belongings and had come straight to the Security/Tactical Operations Center. An enlisted security specialist was at the reception desk and reviewed his orders before buzzing Amara and informing her of René's arrival.

Amara for her part was just reaching the end of the mountain of paperwork that came with the launch of a ship on a new mission, especially where it was slated for several years. The ship needed to be self sufficient and completely independent. She was also not one for paperwork and a desk job.

She sensed a presence, from the many years of Security training, more than noticed it hovering in the doorway to her office just off of the main security centre.
"in our out, I don't have time for indecision!" she said with a warm smile even if she didn't look up.

René stepped forward and came to attention, his eyes looking straight ahead. "Lieutenant junior grade Rouen reporting. Personnel Command has me billeted as Deputy Chief of Security and Tactical for the USS Britannic sir."

"Ma'am I can cope with, I prefer Lieutenant but you get one free pass for calling me sir. I know I have short hair but do I look like a man to you Lieutenant" she had finally looked up casting her crystal blue eyes directly to the younger man. It was a cold stare, one that seemed to be well practiced by many officers who had taken on the mantle of chief of security.

René, his demeanor the epitome of professionalism, shook his head. "I did not mistake you for a man Lieutenant. I shall henceforth address you in the manner you prefer." He looked at the stack of PADDs on Amara's desk, giving them a slight gesture. "Would you like to bring me up to speed on the department and figure out how best I can assist in preparations?"

"I wish" she said, pushing the PADD aside. "Its my evaluation reports, inventory confirmation... All the boring stuff that a Chief Of Security gets to deal with".
She finally allowed the cold stare to drop and the usual warmth in her eyes and smile returned. "Please take a seat Lieutenant... It's Rouen is it not?"

René took the offered seat, sitting with a straight back posture. He nodded at Amara. "It is Lieutenant. My family name is from when France had nobility. An ancestor of mine was the Count de Rouen in the northern region of Normandy. The family still owns a vineyard and winery just outside the city."

"All I heard was the word Wine... You and I will get along just fine!" she smiled finally allowing her natural warmth to really show through.

René allowed a soft chuckle to escape him. "Let me know what kind of wine you like. I have a case with a variety of our best wines in my quarters. I will give you a bottle at the end of watch."

"So long as its red and wet I'll drink it!" she laughed finally lighting up for the first time in the exchange.

René made a mental note of Amara's wine preferences. "Well, I have some administrative and supply in-processing I am taking care of. How about I swing back here before the sixteen hundred hour shift change and drop off the bottle?"

"Oh, you better not be teasing me Lieutenant" her eyes locking with the younger mans. "Its been far to long since I tasted a real merlot!"

Rene met Amara's gaze. He allowed a small grin to surface. "I would never tease a woman...not about wine anyway. If the lady wants a real merlot. The lady shall have the finest produced in France."

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