Inspection

Posted on 24 Jun 2016 @ 12:02am by Commodore Harvey Geisler & Master Chief Petty Officer Mila Rasputin

3,127 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Risky Business
Location: USS Black Hawk || Deck 5
Timeline: MD 2 || 0700 hours

Harvey was not alone in the turbolift. He stood in the back, not uncomfortable in the slightest. In front of him was the Delta Shift, released from their first shift since the mission began. Harvey had stood in this turbolift like this many times before, but never before had he seen their energy like this. Since the mission began, there was a new vigor in the crew, something Harvey thought had been beat out of them at New Risa. The rumored weapon did little to dampen their spirits. They had a chance to fight back, to actually beat the Consortium at something.

The Captain himself had been on the bridge since 0630, purposely leaving command to the officer of the watch. It was something he liked to do now, see the Delta Shift in action, personally speaking to each crewmember on the bridge. For him, it was a huge step since coming aboard. Often he kept to himself, but he'd learned to take an interest in those around him. He felt it not only connected him to the ship and the crew more, but also brought the best out of the crew.

He could feel the turbolift come to a stop, and then watched as the doors opened allowing the crew to file out. As they often did, the crew split up in different directions. Some went towards their quarters, and others towards the rec rooms. He stepped out of the turbolift and began to follow those heading for the mess hall. As he did, he pulled out a black fitted cap emblazoned with the ship's patch on the front (it had been tucked in the rear of his trousers), and placed it on his head.

By the time he had it secured, he was in the mess hall. Harvey was pleased to see it was bustling more than the Delta shift had been on the bridge. He smirked, stepping behind the counter and nodding at the Bolian chef just before Harvey stepped up to the coffee carafe and picked up the travel mug that had been set aside just for him.

The Bolian returned the nod with a smile. It was good to see the Captain back at his daily inspections, something he hadn't done since the morning the Black Hawk intercepted the O'Carroll.

Harvey set down the carafe and brought the mug up to his nose to smell the freshly brewed elixir. Its sharp aroma permeated his senses, adding extra energy to his already energized spirit. Today's inspection would be a good one. He could feel it.

Even though she had had breakfast before leaving her quarters, Mila had decided to go to the mess hall to see what the scuttlebutt was so she could pass the rumors to the Captain if they were of any importance. She wore her hair down and her uniform was immaculate as she walked in, spotting the tall Captain she served at the counter getting a carafe of coffee.

For a moment, she considered turning around and leaving again, but she was a professional and that dictated that she make herself available to the man at any hour. She took a breath and walked over to where he was. "Good morning, Captain," she said. "I see you are feeling well again."

Harvey glanced up at the familiar voice, then looked down to put the lid on his coffee. "Good morning," the Captain replied automatically. He then suddenly blinked, realized what he'd just seen, and looked back up at Rasputin. "I don't think I ever thought your hair could be that long, Chief," he told her just before taking a sip of the black coffee.

He almost just as immediately winced. The liquid was hot, as expected, but the flavor was quite different.

"It's a Venezuelan blend," said the Bolian chef, who'd been keeping an eye on the Captain. "I know you prefer Colombian, but Unity didn't have any on hand."

Harvey took another sip, this time savoring the taste to decide if he liked it. "That's fine, Chef," Harvey admitted. "I think this will do until we get that wormhole back."

The Chef smiled, thanking his Captain, before returning to observe the food line.

"If it is problem, I can put it up, Captain," Mila said. She noted the hat on his head and gave it a perusal for a moment. "I am seeing that you are following Navy tradition, Sir. Is a new look for you, da?"

"Keeping an old tradition alive," Harvey confirmed. "It was a gift from the former Chief of the Boat. I haven't actually put it on in a couple months. Today just felt like a good day to bring it back out." Smiling at Mila as he slipped around the counter, he also added as he gestured to her hair, "It's not a problem, at all, Miss Rasputin. In fact, I think it suits you."

"Thank you," she said. "Cap is different look for you. What is plan for today, Captain?"

"Reviving another tradition of mine," he told Mila, gesturing towards the door and starting to walk towards it. "Daily inspections of the ship. Care to join me?"

Mila started to walk beside of him. "As you wish, Captain," she said politely, her Russian accent tinging her words.

Harvey arched an eyebrow at her response. It was more of an invitation than a request. Still, at least he had someone to walk with for now. As he crossed the threshold into the corridor, he explained, "When I was first assigned as CO, I borrowed a page out of Captain Illunarr's playbook and started these morning inspections. I felt it gave me more face time with the crew and connected me more with the ship, especially since Akiras were foreign to me."

"This is to be first Akira for me as well," she said as she walked into the corridor. "But to me, most important part of any ship is to be making certain Captain has all that they need. Anything else is extra and I deal with things as they come as long as my job is done."

Harvey nodded, thinking he'd read about her not serving on an Akira before in her service record. "What do you think of the Black Hawk, Mila?" he asked as he turned a corner.

"She is fine ship," Mila said. "Only problem is rumor mill due to small size. Is easy to know everyone's business almost as soon as they do."

Harvey had no immediate reply. He stopped in an alcove and tapped the call button for a turbolift. "Trouble is most rumors are often true." Harvey had heard several as he roamed the ship, and quite often heard a few things from Jayla. Alas, there was little point in hiding it anymore. If everyone knew, everyone knew.

"We're not sure what to call it yet," he told Mila, making her the first person, besides the Counselor, that he'd told. "Or if it'll last."

"What are you talking about, Captain?" Mila asked him as she turned her attention towards him.

Harvey looked at her with narrowed eyes. Did she really not know, or was this some sort of ploy like his Chief of Security used a few days ago to indicate that she knew? Thankfully, the turbolift arrived and Harvey stepped inside. He didn't want to make his confession in the open.

Mila smirked as Harvey stepped into the turbolift, but schooled her expression back to neutral as she stepped in after her. The narrowing of the Captain's eyes pleased her but she was not going to make things easy in light of the recent rumors which were circulating the ship faster than a slip of gold-pressed latinum at a Ferengi Dabo game.

"Deck C," Harvey instructed the computer, giving it his furthest destination for the day. After the doors shut and the lift began to move, he turned to Mila. "Doctor Kij and I... We've been spending some time together."

Mila waved a hand dismissively. "Is old news, Captain," she said. "I am thinking everyone knows. Is not hard to find out who is going to whose quarters and when on such small ship. I am having one question which may be inopportune in timing, depending on situation."

"Oh?" Harvey asked, not sure he wanted to hear the question. He did, however, walk into this situation. There was no choice now but to press forward.

"Who was one who initiated this...spending time together?" she asked, deliberately using his words. The man is adult, she thought derisively. If he cannot use adult speech with adult, then he was not worthy of my notice to begin with. She began to review protocols and regulations in her mind to keep her face straight as she waited for his response.

Harvey looked at her for a second while he determined his response. After a moment, he said. "Computer, stop." Looking at Mila, he considered asking what the purpose of the question was, or even what it mattered to her. To him, it didn't necessarily matter who initiated it, but if it mattered to Mila...

"Jayla and I have been having dinners and talks for a few months now. She was the first to make a move after all of that."

Mila nodded. "Then all is well," she said. I never had chance, she thought. Is no wonder he dismissed me so easily in Sickbay when I visited him. Gratitude is not required to be shown to enlisted or anyone else below you unless it is in bedroom. "If you had initiated with her, it would have been against regulation."

He nodded, slowly, realizing that he hadn't considered regulations in the heat of the moment or afterwards. "I have a feeling that there's something more to this that I'm not aware of," he suggested.

"Should there be, Captain?" she asked him.

Harvey studied her face for a moment. He'd be the first to admit that he wasn't an expert in reading people, but there certainly wasn't a tell to be seen. "I suppose not," he replied. If she wanted to tell him, she would have, or so he assumed. "Computer, resume." The computer beeped in reply and the lift began to move.

"Computer, halt," Mila said, her anger bubbling over as she turned to face him. "Is your memory to be so bad that you do not remember me coming to see you in Sickbay when you were phasered by traitorous ex Security Chief or do you just consider such things as perk of you being Captain?" she asked with frost in her voice. "Meanwhile, when I was in Sickbay and hallucinating, you are nowhere to be found. You have not even commented on it since you have returned to duty."

"First," Harvey said, suddenly finding agitation in this voice. He paused for a beat, hoping it would be enough to quell that uprising. Resuming, he said, "I remember you coming to see me in Sickbay. The tea was soothing and the song was beautiful and you were the only person outside of the medical staff to come to my side. And, second, I too was in sickbay, hallucinating and the like, just in a different ward. Before I got worse, I was trying to help come up with a cure. Unfortunately, since I was one of the first to fall ill, I was quickly rendered out of commission. By the time I was back on my feet, I had no XO. No Second Officer. My duty was to the ship and to the planet below."

Harvey sighed. "When it calmed down enough, I did try to come see you. But you'd already been released."

"Does not matter," she said quietly. "Is in past, but I could not let it go." She looked down. "I am embarrassed to admit that I had alternate reason to see you, but does not matter. You are having someone. I am having someone." She shrugged. "Computer, resume."

"Computer," Harvey spoke instantly. "Belay that." Harvey fought back a sigh and kept his gaze fixed on her. "Mila," he said, purposely using her name instead of rank or position. "I know you've read my file, so I know I don't need to tell you what happened to be during the war. I closed myself off. I don't let people in. There are only three, maybe four, people on this ship who have managed to get past at least some of those barriers. You are not just a yeoman to me," he told her. "You're a confidant. You can say it's by trade all you want. I'd like to think otherwise."

This time, he reached and pressed the flashing resume button on the control panel by the door. "And, for what it's worth, I'm glad you have someone. Space is, well, lonely. The adventure is best shared with someone."

"It is what it is," Mila responded. "I am Yeoman and serve in any way required, Captain. I have served under others who have asked for more and asked for less. Those who have taken me into their confidence and those who would not trust me with getting replicator order. It is what I do. I wish you best in your...spending time together with Doctor Kij."

"Thank you," Harvey said as the lift continued on its journey. "And I wish you all the best in yours."

She didn't want to ask, but a part of her urged her until she looked at him again. "I am having one question before we let history settle, Captain."

"Halt." The turbo lift came to a complete stop once again. "Go ahead, Chief," he replied, returning rank with rank.

Mila winced visibly when he used her rank, but she had used his. "Would I have ever had chance with you on personal level?" she asked him.

Harvey noted the wince and knew his response needed to be crafted carefully. "Mila," he began. "I'm sure if we had the right opportunities along the way, we could have had something. Whether that ship has sailed or has yet to come into port is not a matter of concern. What matters is that you and I have a chance to get to know one another now."

She nodded. "Da. Ship has sailed long before I made it to port. Is of no consequence but curiosity now. I have different ship now but would like to get to know you other than as Captain."

He immediately prompted the turbolift to resume. "I look forward to that, Mila," he told her with a smile.

"Is plan....Harvey," Mila said, tentatively trying his name out. "Perhaps I could make traditional Russian meal for you one day after shift?"

"How's tonight?" Harvey asked. "Assuming your someone will not be offended for making your new friend dinner."

"Nyet. Tonight is good," she said. "Are you to be having any allergies?"

Harvey shook his head. "I eat pretty much anything. Though, I can't say there's a dish I don't like." He smiled, thinking of the gagh he'd had on New Risa. "I do prefer my food to not be moving though."

"I am thinking Pelmeni, sorrel soup, and ptasie mleckzo with Sbiten," she said. "Is good, filling food fit for Tsar. Since you are Captain, it shall be my pleasure to make it for you. What is to be good time?"

"1800, if that'll work," Harvey replied. He intended to follow the same orders he'd given the rest of the crew. Rest and prepare. Therefore, he didn't want to stay late, or deny Mila the chance to see her someone.

"It is to be fine," Mila said with a smile, the first one she had given him in two days. "I am looking forward to it, Harvey. I am having request, though."

"What's that?" Harvey asked as the turbolift was allowed to finally reach its destination.

"Do not bring Captain Geisler," she replied. "I do not bring Senior Chief Petty Officer Rasputin home and do not like or title in quarters. I will have Chow steal pips if you do."

The Captain flashed a smirk. "Harvey will be there," he said as the doors opened.

"Good," she said and motioned for him to step out first as her voice became professional again instead of the soft tones she had been using. "Reports are on desk and everything is in order of importance, Captain."

Harvey followed the motion and stepped out first into the corridor. "Good. I'll try not to upset the order."

Mila went on to inform him of updates sent from different department heads, then paused. "I am forgetting. We are having Executive Officer again. Should I shunt minor stuff to him?"

"By all means," Harvey immediately replied. "After more than a week of handling this ship by my lonesome, I have a very strong desire to delegate."

"Will do so immediately," Mila said. "Would you like me to shove meetings over to Commander Teixeira as well? Lieutenant Di Pasquale has sent requests as have others I have no prioritized yet."

Probably plans for the Chimera and Cochrane, thought Harvey. "Include Teixeira in as much as possible. Any details on Di Pasquale's requests?"

"I am believing it is for Security part of mission, Captain," she said. "I will send her to Command Teixeira." Her Russian accent made the Brazilian XO's name sound even more exotic.

As much as Harvey wanted to hear Lieutenant Di Pasquale's ideas, he realized it would be a good chance to hear his new First Officer's perspective on the bold security chief's proposal. He therefore nodded his approval. "If she submitted a report or an agenda, please make sure I get a copy of it."

"Always, Captain," Mila said. "You are always having reports on everything. I would not be good Yeoman if you were left in dark, now would I?"

Harvey could only smile in response. He turned the corner to stop just outside the proximity sensors for access to the torpedo magazines. "Indeed. I don't want to keep you from anything important if you have things to tend to."

She looked around and stopped when she saw that no one was around. "Harvey," she said with a smile. "You are my important thing to tend to. I am your Yeoman and only duty I have on ship is to ensure that you are kept informed."

His smile never left his face. "Then, Mila, let us begin." With that, Harvey turned and strode through the entrance to the rear cluster of torpedo launchers, his eyes immediately on the prowl as the first inspection began.

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