Sprucing Up the Office Decor

Posted on Tue Dec 3rd, 2024 @ 5:25am by Lieutenant Commander Harrison Knox & Lieutenant Ayryn Trynn M.D.

1,806 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: A Silence of Friends
Location: USS Thunderbird | Deck 04 | Counselor's Office
Timeline: MD001 - 1330

No longer the First Officer aboard the USS Thunderbird due to the disaster that was his first away mission, undermining direct orders, and operating outside of mission perimeters on faulty information supplied to him by one of his former Commanding Officers who had turned out to be a Maquis sympathizer. It had caused one hell of a rift between Lieutenant Commander Knox and his superior, Captain Rylan Gray. To make matters worse, the two of them had been close friends for years having served on the Ark Royale together. Harrison Knox was unaware of the personnel changes that had occurred until after they were in place. Counselor Ayren Kelan had departed without so much as a goodbye to Knox and though they had barely spent any time getting to know one another, Harrison felt responsible for her sudden disappearance.

Counselor Kelan had been part of that away team and so had the young helmswoman, Lieutenant JG Shizuru Chikura. Neither of them were serving aboard the starship anymore. Knox had been knocked down to Second Officer with no other departmental positions. Others were still aboard and still serving in their previous roles, but Knox worried what they were going through that he was not aware of. Had he caused a black mark on all of their service records?

Though he may not had been First Officer anymore, that did not prevent him from trying to greet new members of the crew, especially senior staff. He had carried a medium sized potted plant with him, gently resting against his chest. Orange begonia flowers in bloom only moderately stood out against the dark red of his uniform. He proceeded to deck four and stood at the office that had once been Ayren Kelan's. It now belonged to a Dr. Ayryn Trynn MD. Knox reached out, juggling the plant and pressed the door chime.

With an armful of cushions in a rainbow of colours, Lieutenant Trynn was not expecting anyone yet welcomed the distraction as she tried to capture the right balance between comforting and professional to her office. Many studies had emphasised the importance of a warm, welcoming atmosphere to encourage people to feel safe. Certainly cold and sterile was not an option.

Calling for her visitor to enter she turned, offering a warm smile as dropped the cushions in a pile on the chair nearby. “Please, come on in. Apologies, the room is a work in progress,” she offered. “Can I get you anything to drink, Commander?”

"A bit too early for whiskey," replied Knox as he stepped in. "Brought you this plant to add some color in here. I'd settle for some tea though. I hope you've been settling in well."

“You clearly had the same idea as me,” she smiled, nodding towards the cushions as she took the plant, “it’s beautiful, thank you. I love this colour! Please, find yourself a seat and I’ll sort some tea. Do you have a preference? For tea, I mean?”

As she waited for his answer she carefully set down the plant on her desk. It needed a better spot but for the moment it would be safe and sound.

"You caught me," Knox said throwing his hands up. "I don't know too much about tea. My wife would scold me. I was raised drinking it iced and sweet, in another century I'd probably be diabetic. I don't venture much into the realm of hot tea, but surprise me with something."

“I can replicate you some ice tea if you prefer? But give this a try,” she suggested as she brought a small tray over to the small coffee table. A small teapot and two small teacups, and she poured them each some of the tea she had prepared just a little earlier. Placing his cup on a matching saucer she handed his over. “Milk Oolong.”

With her own cup in hand she seated herself, allowing him a moment to decide if the tea would suffice.

Knox was pleasantly surprised after taking a cautious sip. "This isn't bad," he said with a small chuckle. "Maddy always kept pushing hot black tea my way. Flowery, peppery, perfumy crap. She said it was 'proper' tea" Knox explained reflecting on his deceased wife who was about the only person besides Rylan that could make him grin and smirk ear to ear. "I think I might even like this Milk Oolong."

“It’s one of my favourites so I tend to keep a supply and stock up whenever I can,” she confided. “So you know where to find a fresh cup if you need it. I’m actually happy you stopped by. In addition to adding some life to this room, I’m obviously tasked with supporting the wellbeing of the crew. I think you would have a lot of insight to offer.

And, given recent events, we should arrange a more formal meeting. I have a lot of reading to do but honestly, I’d rather hear from you about the events leading up to your demotion. I’m not here to judge, only to help. And hopefully ensure your demotion is just a brief hiccup and get you back into your XO position. If that is what you want. But that doesn’t have to happen today.”

"The Executive Officer position and I were a mismatched arrangement from the get go" Knox stated. "If you want to know firsthand about my blunderous yet brief time as First Officer, I'll tell you what I can." He shook his head.

He took another sip of tea. "Yes, I want to get over my hiccup, but I don't think Captain Gray wants me back as his right hand. Not after what happened. I was not ready to First Officer, but I took it anyways."

“Even some of the greatest officers to wear that uniform have made mistakes. They don’t define us, unless we let them.

I had the impression from what the Captain said that this may be a temporary demotion, although that will largely rest on you. In my experience selecting a first officer is not a choice captains make lightly. I can only assume he saw qualities in you which he felt would make you the best candidate. Unless he is prone to making rash spur of the moment choices?”

"He takes honor and loyalty very seriously," replied Knox. "As he should of course. I don't know if it was entirely his doing or higher ups, but we served together for years. He's been my best friend. I don't think that would entirely make him select me, but he'd probably feel comfortable with me as his right hand. At least up until recently."

She considered his answer, taking a sip of the tea. “Or perhaps it wasn’t just feeling comfortable,” she reasoned. “Don’t be too hard on yourself or assume one mistake or error in judgment means you shouldn’t have a future as first officer. I haven’t reviewed your file… what would your ideal role be on the ship?”

"Ship's Counselor," he replied cheekily. He was not being serious at all. "What is it that you do? Listen to the crew vent about their problems and collect their life story?" Knox chuckled. "I'd be most comfortable at the tactical station and ensuring the Captain was safe. Right now, I don't really have much purpose aboard."

“You forgot making great tea,” she corrected him with a grin, making it clear she took no offence. “But for what it’s worth I think you’d be a great counsellor.”

Knox shook his head "Doubful. I don't even know how to work out my own problems let alone offering advice to others." That was certainly an understatement. He had so much on his mind and the difficulties with Rylan.

She grinned, “if you believe everyone sitting in this chair, even me, knows the answer to all our own problems then I have some pretty bad news for you.”

"I guess I cannot blame you for that," replied Knox. "No amount of training, reading, nor education fully prepares us for life, right?" He smiled at the woman. "I always knew being First Officer would be challenging, but some people feel like naturals in the position. I feel like a floundering fish out of water. Being Security Chief or a Chief Tactical Officer was comfortable for me. Threat assessment and thinking on your feet with the focus of keeping the ship and personnel safe could be stressful, but I often received orders. It was either follow them or don't, and if I chose not to, I was in for an earful. So, I was used to being a 'Yes man' and I don't think that works as well as First Officer."

“Life is indeed unpredictable,” she agreed with a rueful smile, taking a sip of tea. “And sometimes, we are our own worst critic. Quick to find fault in our actions and not as ready to acknowledge achievements or positive traits. Like coming here to say hello. You didn’t have to take the time out of your day, but you did.”

Knox smiled. "It is common politeness where I'm from to make sure a lovely lady is properly welcomed aboard warmly," he sated. "Now, I mean that in the least HR problematic way as possible. I'd be here even if you were not a lady, lovely or otherwise. Also, I was getting used to being First Officer and being a bit of a friendly face to new crew."

“First officer or not it is appreciated,” she told him honestly, “and I am sure HR understands you meant nothing by it. But, genuinely, it seems to me that deep down you still have the best interests of this crew at heart. And I can’t think of a better place to start if you are considering who - and who isn’t - first officer material. Plus you like tea. That’s always a good sign.”


"I like your tea at least" he said with a chuckle. "And sweet tea, very sweet tea ice cold. I appreciate your kind words. I would love to stay, but I do need to get back to whatever it is one does as Second Officer without anything else tied to it. I suppose I could check the escape pods and such."

“Sounds like a plan, and tea is always here, I find most people avoid me unless ordered here so you are welcome to stop by anytime,” she told him. “I may also take advantage of you, for your knowledge of the crew. None of that HR inappropriate stuff going on here either.”

Harrison smirked. "Oh of course not. I would love to stop by for tea and regular counselling sessions."

 

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