Introductions

Posted on Thu Oct 2, 2025 @ 10:06pm by Captain Richard Winchester & Lieutenant Commander Tihduk Verquh

931 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Episode 0,1 - The Privateers
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: MD01

Like many Starfleet Captain's Richard's workload was more than just about commanding the bridge of a starship. He had personnel management to contend with, along with responsibilities within the wider Zodiac Fleet and its Titan Task Group.

Today was an admin day, and probably the last chance he'd get to spend some dedicated time clearing the mountain of PADDs on his desk before they left space dock and the Columbia started its next batch of missions.

When he had work to do, he liked to sit in minimal lighting to help minimise distractions. As such the normally well lit, Ready Room was in practical darkness with only minor illumination provided by recessed lighting in the cornices between the bulkhead and the ceiling. As such the Captain's own face was lit mostly by the light emitted from the PADDs he was reading.

As he skimmed the latest intelligence report on Cardassian activities in the Antares Sector, the offices door chime went to signal that there was a visitor requesting entry.

"Enter." he muttered, looking up from the PADD and reaching for a glass of water that he'd begun drinking sometime earlier. As he took a sip he grimaced, the previously cold water was now at room temperature and was much less palatable.

Lieutenant Commander Tihduk Verquh stood looking at his reflection in the mirror of his quarters. He had been aboard the Columbia only a short while and he was very eager to get started with his assignment. Being assigned as the Chief Science Officer on a ship was an accomplishment, being assigned Chief Science Officer on an Ambassador Class vessel was an incredible one. They were top of the line vessels, filling in the role of the Constitution and Excelsior Class before them. It was amazing to be here.

As the Columbia did not feature an aquatic environment, Tihduk needed to wear a specialized piece of technology called an Anlac'ven on his head in a nonaquatic environments to maintain balance. Adjusting the device accordingly, the Arkenite was about to leave when he saw the picture of his family sitting on the ledge below the mirror. Picking it up he looked at the image of his wife and children on their homeworld and was sad by the perfection that he saw, the perfection that he had risked while aboard the Roosevelt.

Setting aside the picture, the Lieutenant Commander knew that he needed to get moving if he was going to go meet with the Captain. Picking up his datapad, the Science Officer immediately set out for the Captain's Ready Room. It didn't take long to get there, the computer having helped him with most of the walk, but the feeling of pride that welled in him was almost palpable. This was going to be fun.

He reached forward and pressed the door chime.

Having heard his permission to enter the Ready Room, Tihduk entered and approached the Captain's desk, "Lieutenant Commander Tihduk Verquh, Chief Science Officer, reporting as ordered, Captain."

"Ah, Lieutenant Commander. Welcome onboard!" The Captain spoke as he raised from his seat, "Please take a seat. Can I get you a drink?"

This had always been a point of contention for the Arkenite Scientist. During his studies at the Academy Annex he had learned that he should not ask for a drink or to eat at an interview or an early meeting with a superior as it could be used as a test. Despite this, he had learned too that among many cultures within the Federation it was customary to have a communal dining experience to build comradery with one's crewmates. It had never been an easy decision for him.

"A water would be fine, Sir."

Richard moved from behind his desk and headed towards the food replicator that was recessed into a nearby alcove.

The Lieutenant Commander looked around the Captain's Ready Room aboard the Columbia, still impressed by the ship and its advanced accommodations. While he had served aboard an Excelsior Class starship for most of his career, he'd found that they were still more outfitted for the previous generation than the current one. He could only wonder what the future would hold for the fleet.

"The Columbia is quite a ship, Sir. I am happy to be here."

"Yes, she is, isn't she?" He responded to the Science Officers compliment about the Columbia.

"I've become very fond of her over the last 10 years." Winchester continued as he reached out to the bulkhead to the the side of his desk and patted it in an affectionate manner. "I'm very glad you're onboard Commander. With Klingon threat waning, I'm hoping we'll get back to our roots of exploration and discovery. We'll be keeping you busy in the Science's section."

He took a sip of the drink that he'd retrieved from the replicator, "Remind me, what are your specialities?"

"My primary studies at the Academy Annex on my homeworld were in astronomy and, originally, I had planned to pursue a career as the Navigator on a starship; however, Captain Nensh of the Roosevelt felt I was better suited for a career as a Science Officer and he promoted me to the Chief role." He paused, wondering if the Captain would ask about the Victory and his return to being Assistant Chief immediately before this posting. Instead, he kept explaining the Roosevelt, "Captain Nensh said my assignment was partially because of my history working in a laboratory before I joined Starfleet. He said it 'gave me a grasp of the fundamentals.'"

[[... computer record corrupted ...]]

 

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