At the Gatehouse

Posted on Sun Jan 2nd, 2022 @ 9:08pm by Commander Aren Tejak

Mission: A Day in the Life
Location: Airlock, USS Mendota
Timeline: 2137 hours

ON: [[Airlock, USS Mendota, 2137 hours]]

The hour was late by the time the Mendota finally secured to its berth. Although they had arrived much earlier in the day, it had taken them awhile to move through the traffic pattern, security screening, and docking procedures. Tejak knew this was to be expected (and, indeed, was considered par for the course). However, he also recognized that, when added to the nearly three week journey from Cestus III, it might also have caused some frustration.

For that reason, it came as no surprise to the Cardassian operations officer when he arrived at the airlock to find a line had already formed, waiting to disembark. He saw that most of those gathered were ship's personnel, no doubt looking to get a head start on their shoreleave. Some appeared to be departing for transfers to other assignments. And a few, like himself, had been passengers on this trip as a matter of convenience.

Tejak stood patiently, waiting. Every so often, everyone would take a step or two, and the line would shuffle forward. He and the others watched as those at the front conferred with the noncommissioned officer assigned to the airlock. And this, too, was standard procedure. Words were exchanged along with a few laughs and the occasional data PADD. Then they would be waved through and the line would move again. In short, it seemed to be a fairly smooth, relaxed operation.

"Next."

Tejak stepped forward, hitching the strap of his travel bag a little higher on his shoulder. It was his turn, now. He paused in front of the deck chief and held out the PADD with his transfer orders.

"Commander," the chief said, acknowledging Tejak. He took the offered PADD, turned it around, and began skimming through the contents. "Enjoy your trip, sir," he asked.

"Yes, I believe I did," Tejak replied. This time, it was the chief who paused. He looked up from his reading. The expression on his face was somewhat difficult to read, though it seemed to almost be one of disappointment (or perhaps expectation), as if he was waiting to hear more. "I...uhh...don't often get to spend time aboard ship," Tejak added quickly, hoping it would help clarify, "It was a rather nice change for me."

This must have been enough for the man, because his expression softened, revealing a small smile. "Glad to hear it," he said, turning his attention back to the PADD. He gave it one last read through, then offered it back to Tejak. "Everything seems to be in order. You're all set."

"Thank you, chief," Tejak said, "Permission to disembark?"

"Permission granted, sir."

Tejak gave one final nod of acknowledgment and, with that, bid a final farewell to both the Mendota and its crew. His future lay ahead of him, a new opportunity aboard this new station. And thus, without even so much as a second thought, Tejak stepped forward through the ship's airlock, passed through a similar chamber on the other side, and then into the corridor beyond.

[[Airlock, Starbase 332]]

Things were relatively quiet when Prescott arrived at the airlock to meet his successor. He had been looking forward to this reunion ever since he’d learned the captain had taken his recommendation and appointed Tejak as the new chief of operations.

Upon reaching the junction, Prescott took up position a few paces beyond the checkpoint, making sure to keep to one side so that others could pass. He noticed with mild amusement that there was already a steady stream of people coming through. Aside from that, however, nothing really seemed to be out of the ordinary. From there, he watched and waited until he saw a familiar figure emerge through the hatchway.

“Tejak...Aren,” he said, calling out the man’s name and causing him to turn. There was a brief moment as the Cardassian finished working through the process with the deck chief. Then, Tejak came forward, stepping out of line as he drew closer to where the outgoing chief of operations was. “You made it,” Prescott continued, “Welcome to 332.”

"Thank you, Walter," Tejak replied. Though it was the first time in awhile that they'd seen one another in-person, the two had been in regular communication with each other since they found out Tejak had gotten the position, and it was clear from their conversations Prescott was pleased to be handing things off this way. He reached out to shake Prescott's hand, but his colleague pulled him into a welcoming embrace before taking a step back again.

"Come on," Prescott said, motioning for Tejak to follow, "let's get you settled in."

OFF

Commander Aren Tejak
Chief of Operations
Starbase 332

Commander Walter Prescott
Former Chief of Operations
Starbase 332