Flighty? - Part 1

Posted on Sun Apr 26, 2026 @ 2:49pm by Commander Richard Fitzsimons & Lieutenant Commander Alice Journey
Edited on on Sat May 2, 2026 @ 6:06pm

1,599 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: S03E01 - Something about Tribbles
Location: Langley Station: Docking Bay
Timeline: MD02 11:00hrs

ON:

The senior staff briefing hadn't long ended when a message came through that the new Chief of Flight Operations was arriving a little ahead of schedule; and not a moment too soon. Richard always found flight people to be...well flighty. They enjoyed their downtime a little too much and spent their shift time joking around and not taking orders all that seriously.

He quite liked his full head of hair but had the new Chief not arrived sooner rather than later; the officer feared there wouldn't be much left of it.

Looking up as the door slide open, he started glancing at the people exited before managing to narrow in on the one he recognized from their bio. "Commander Journey!"

Alice followed the surprisingly large group of passenger off USS Hood. She ran her free hand along the bulkhead of the airlock as a 'Faire thee well' gesture she did for any vessel that saw her safely, wherever she was going. It also bade luck and fortune to the crew of said vessel.

As she cleared the gangway, she heard someone calling out her name, looking around to seek the male voice and it's owner.

Richard waved his hand a little higher as he tried to grab the attention of the officer. It vaguely crossed his mind that he may have looked a little like an attention seeking plonker but sure, he'd leave a lasting impression at least. "Commander Journey, over here!"

Ah, there he was. She guessed. Looks kinda young, or perhaps it's just those boyish brown curly locks of his. No matter, she shouldered her day bag and politely, if not gently, hustled her way through the crowd.

She arrived in front of him, much shorter and uniform immaculate, not withstanding the crowd buffetting, hair tied back in a long tail and one of her bangs had worked it's way in front of her right eye. She ignored it. Painfully so, as it would not be good to blow it out of her eye or make like a teenage girl and curl it back behind her ear.

Meeting people always made her nervous.

"Lieutenant Commander Alice Journey, reporting"

"I've never been happier to hear such words Commander! You have no idea how many space satellites this hunk of metal has bumped into because your department can't seem to get their heads around station maneuvering thrusts. That last Chief, Lieutenant Domingo...he had no control over his boy racers." Richard stopped as he realised perhaps he was talking a little too much when the woman has just arrived after a long transfer. "My apologies. Got a little too excited that we now have a proper Chief for Flight onboard. How about you let me take your bag and I fill you in on more as I walk to you station operations?"

Alice took a moment to look at his waiting hand. Its not often a senior officer would make such an officer, normally a yeoman or orderly would be requested.

This is a new situation... well, even candles need friendly energy. She carefully unshouldered her bag, heavy as it was for her she often found it frustrating being small. Though she'd never let it on.

"Sounds good Commander. And thank you, for assisting me with the bag. One wonders why I pack such heavy things in a small package." Wait, that didnt sound right.

Richard gave a friendly grin as he pushed the bag strap up onto his shoulder. He faked a groan and slight lean to the side but the sparkle stayed in his eye. "My god...did you bring some rock samples with you too? Cammy in science is looking for new staff; we could side hussle you out to help her!"

Alice always had a ready smile and she could not help the slight dimple on her cheek as she lowered her head slightly to cover it. She couldn't help that the commander had a boyishness that was, well charming. Damn hair still in her eyes, she realized probably didnt help. She finally reached a hand up and brushed it back behind her ear.

Looking back to the commander, face straight again, she replied "Well, only if your science officer is interested in candle wax, sir. Which might be an indictment on their department if that's the field of study"

Alice gave the challenge, seeking his response to her mild humor. Sometimes people dont react very well to others criticisms, humerous or not. Its telling, all the same. And, damn it, she just has to test people. If they rely on her, she relies on them too, and needs to know.

Richard indicated with his hand for Alice to start walking with him and shortened his strides to ensure that she would be able to keep up without difficulty. He couldn't help the laugh at her words, "Ooooohhhh boy. First piece of advise I can give you around here; don't ever mention to our head of Research the words indictment of her department. That woman..." He paused as he searched for the right words, "Well let's just say her bark is worse than her bite but at the same time; the bark is most definitely loud and will give you a headache."

Alice nodded to the advice. "Well commander, as long as she gives me no reason to say such things, then we shall not have any barking contests. I may have the stature of a chihuahua, but I've the bite of an Akita". She smiled remembering her old pet from childhood.

But the smile was grim. Bullying about her size was never anything new in the universe. So she long learned for herself, and her mother growing up, to stand taller than one is. When needed. Sometimes it's advantageous to be small. And underestimated.

She shook her head slightly. It was hard growing up an only child with a grief stricken mother. Not that she lacked any grief of her own. Relationships she had barely made it past infancy. Too, what was the word?

Anyway, she strode down the walkway with commander... mhmm. "Excuse me commander, but you never did introduce yourself to me, Commander Fitzsimons, yes?"

Richard winced a little as he realised how right the woman was. "Well thats some first impression I've given...can't even start a proper introduction the the beginning but can spend time dissing my senior crew."

Pushing the bag up on his shoulder as he continued to walk, the officer offered out his hand. "Commander Richard Fitzsimons at your service. Executive Officer of this delightful station who's main duties revolve around ensuring the Commodore doesn't blow this one up too."

Alice was not proud of the stutter in her step, but nor could she brush it off, for it had indeed happened. She caught up, always with the short legs, even though she noted he kindly managed his stride, and took his offered hand.

"I managed a little reading up on the Hood, I guess the promotion is recent? You were still listed as a Lieutenant Commander." She quirked an raised brow and small dimple his way, as form of question and congratulations.

Then she got serious again, "although I'll admit I've missed some of the recent news. How exactly did the Commodore 'blow up' a station?"

She should have studied more, though she remembered something on the fleet net.

"My last duties on DS9 had me commanding RunRon 117 (Runabout Squadron 117), for efforts with the Bajorans, Cardassion and Romulans. Had a few pirate scrapes, but the small unit command, was a refreshing incite into the larger command perspective. Probably why Colonel Kira assigned me to it. But that has kept my mind off of General station issues and news recently, so forgive my lack of incite on the, uhm, 'explodius unfortunus'".

Richard blushed a little as he was reminded of the fresh new pin on his collar. "About an hour ago funnily." He quickly glanced across the promotion, not wanting to dwell as he hated standing on ranks and honours. "You may find it a little quieter around here. We've got a few shuttles, a few roundabouts and also a Defiant class. The Defiant is to help with recon missions or distress signals which may require travel which the station is obviously not capable of. I believe one of your team is currently on assignment with them."

As they walked, Richard was careful with his steps still; glancing down every once in awhile while they walked the mazes of corridors and turbo lifts. "And the station blowing up...one of our scientists uncovered an ancient weapon on the surface of Lyshan Prime which unfortunately decided to attack and blow up the previous station. It was a fun six months with the survivers on the planet while we awaited deliver of this new station."

This time Alice managed to contain her reaction to a blink, and a nod, sending her long tail of hair bobbing. She started to rub her right palm with her left thumb, but managed to simply clasp her hands together instead.

She looked ahead, trying to learn the route through the station as they walked. When she spoke she seldom had to raise her voice to be heard, while not a high squeaky voice you might expect from someone of her, stature.. it's pleasant contralto carried easily, if a little husky sounding at times.

"So, what is it you need of me, commander?"

TBC

OFF:

Commander Richard Fitzsimons
Executive Officer
Langley Station

Lieutenant Commander Alice Journey
Chief of Flight Operations
Langley Station

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