Spot the Trill

Posted on Tue Oct 6th, 2026 @ 11:01pm by Commander Cornelius 'Kit' Hanlon & Lieutenant Xey

1,660 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Mission 1: Behind the Curtain
Location: First Officer's Office, Deck 2, USS Fenrir
Timeline: Couple days before arrival at Apsloe

[ON]

Kit had gone through Xey's service record twice since finding out Lieutenant Kabon Praers was leaving. The first time had been because Xey was due to report aboard as the new Assistant Chief Science Officer anyway. The second had been because suddenly there wasn't a Chief Science Officer for them to assist. He had spoken to Starfleet, sent through the recommendation and, somewhat faster than he had expected, gotten the answer back.

There was a small box sitting on his desk now, next to his coffee, and Kit picked it up again as he read through the confirmation on the PADD. A solid pip to replace the hollow one Xey was currently wearing. It was perhaps not the most conventional way to meet someone for the first time, but circumstances had a habit of doing that. He put the box back down, reaching for his coffee instead and taking a mouthful before making a face. Cold. Of course it was. The door chimed before he could decide whether to replace it and Kit looked towards it. "Come in."

Xey stood at the door, hovering just at the threshold, to the First Officer's office, pushing down a peculiar sense of nerves. Their hands were cold - beyond that expected in Trills -and strangely clammy for once, their fingers fidgeting with uncharacteristic energy, twiddling a PADD amongst slender digits. It was an unconscious action that afforded Xey little attention until they noticed they were doing so; immediately, instinctive action became deliberate study, and the PADD threatened to leave their grip entirely as what amounted to an Observer Effect collapsed the probabilities from assured control to an embarrassed clattering upon the clean traction carpet. Fortunately, the recognition of this promised disaster swiftly focused the mind, and Xey restored some measure of self-control with the troublesome device.

This moment of clumsiness was entirely unlike them, and the Trill officer spent a moment determining why they felt quite so apprehensive. Several moments of pondering later, and Xey concluded this was due to being the first meeting with a command officer aboard the first starship they were serving on since 'the accident' - the auspicious occasion was not lost on them, but nor were moments of reflection on the tragic - yet not morose - circumstances that brought them to this moment, and in Sciences teal.

Recognising they had been standing here for longer that could be considered normal to the casual passer-by, Xey reached with the same hand holding the PADD, taking good care to retain a firm hold, and stretched an index finger for the chime. Almost immediately, a brief sound came from inside that sounded chaotic and disruptive, before a voice called out to enter- Commander Hanlon.

Gulp.

The doors opened, and Xey stepped through, taking in the decor..and the strong smell of coffee. Xey inhaled and smiled wide at the sensation..before realising where they were, and before whom they stood; their natural inclination to joyously absorb their surroundings with every sense instantly stymied in favour of professional etiquette. "Lt Xey, reporting for duty" they said, stiffening their back, and inwardly marvelling at the different cluster of muscles that responded to the posture. They reached out the PADD that detailed their embarkation orders, looking forward to releasing it to another's care, and thus out of theirs.

Kit looked at Xey for a moment before he smiled, reaching out to take the offered PADD. "Thank you, Lieutenant Xey." He glanced down at it briefly before putting it beside the one he had been reading, safely away from the empty coffee mug. "And welcome aboard." He gestured towards the chairs in front of his desk. "Have a seat. Do you want anything to drink?" His smile warmed slightly as he moved towards the replicator. "I try to meet most of the crew and get to know them."

At the warm greeting, the Trill lit up a huge smile and circled the chair in front of Hanlon's desk, before settling into it with a slow grace. They waved an appreciative, but declining, hand in response to the offer, before it returned to their lap, clasping both with demure air. "No thank you, Commander" they added. "But really very kind to ask." They tracked the First Officer with keen, inquisitive eyes whilst they waited for this introduction to continue in earnest. Frankly, sitting in the chair felt awfully constrictive - the initial nerves had vanished once first contact had been established - now they were keen to get up and out, into the proverbial fray of both their duties and personal exploration.

Kit nodded, turning towards the replicator. "No problem. Green tea, hot." He took the cup when it appeared and moved back towards the desk, sitting down and wrapping one hand loosely around it. "This isn't anything particularly formal, by the way. I know being called to report to the First Officer can make it sound like it should be." He smiled, taking a small sip. "I like knowing who I'm serving with beyond names on a duty roster, and it gives you a chance to ask me anything as well." He paused for a moment before setting the cup down. "Although, there is something else we need to talk about."

He reached for the small box beside his PADD, picking it up. "Lieutenant Praers has left the Fenrir, which rather suddenly leaves us without a Chief Science Officer." Kit met Xey's eyes, a small smile on his lips because...he loved doing this. "I went through your record and your previous experience..." He hesitated for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly. "I'm not entirely sure if previous is actually the right word there." There was a slightly apologetic smile before he continued. "But I spoke to Starfleet and put in a recommendation. They agreed." He held the box out towards them. "So, you're being promoted to full Lieutenant and taking over as Chief Science Officer." His smile widened. "Congratulations, Lieutenant Xey."

Xey stood there for a moment, their collective experience struggling to take in the rapid turn of events and opportunity. A slender hand reached out to take the box, allowing it's texture to fully inform them this was not a dream, a confused memory, nor a holodeck simulation created by an alien probe that sought to understand the concept of pride. "Commander, I am very grateful for the opportunity" they replied. "I promise to continue to live up to the immense trust you have placed in me in doing so." It was a rather formal response, very much in keeping with the circumstance, but inwardly Xey was doing excited star-jumps.

Kit's smile widened as Xey took the box, watching them for a moment before he picked his tea up again. "Good. Although you don't have to make quite that formal a promise to me." There was a touch of amusement in his voice before he took another sip. "I wouldn't have recommended you if I didn't think you could do it." He settled back slightly, one hand still around the cup. "And I'm not expecting you to walk into Science tomorrow and suddenly know everything about being a Department Head. You've got people around you, use them." His expression softened slightly as he made sure to say what he wished someone had told him years ago. "The job isn't about proving you can do everything yourself, Lieutenant Xey. It's making sure the department can. So anything you want or need...you let me know."

Xey nodded at the sensible advice given by the Commander; being a Department Head so immediately had not been something expected so soon, and the Trill could understand the cautionary words not to be overwhelmed or over-exuberant at the sudden elevation of responsibilities. In response, they nodded. "I assure you Commander, if I were to already know everything, I'd be in the wrong job." They smiled, dimming the output to an acceptable level in line with the circumstance. "I see Science, and Starfleet, as a privileged opportunity to explore unfamiliar environments, novel existences and extraordinary cultures; to dauntlessly venture where Science has yet to study." Their fingers felt the box in their hands. "And, to a Joined Trill, to do so alone is anathema to our very purpose. I assure you I will seek the advice, experiences, and knowledge of those around me, and under my charge."

Xey let the words hang in the air, confident in their future, but also keen to get started on this new road of discovery.

Kit smiled at that, giving a small nod. "Good. Then I don't think I need to worry too much." He looked at Xey for a moment, clearly pleased with the answer. "And if someone in your department knows more than you do about something, let them. We all have our strengths....and I expect if you know something I don't, hat you tell me." His smile widened slightly before his eyes dropped to the box in Xey's hands. "Although before you do anything else, we might want to put that pip on you...Lieutenant Xey."

Recognising their probably-now-notorious reputation for enthusiasm could have be construed as unfettered immaturity, and an inability to draw upon the advice of others, which for an entity of their age and experience was a sobering notion, Xey nodded curtly and proffered the box back to Hanlon with a curt nod. "If you would be so kind, Commander" they said, forcing down the natural smile that continued to threaten to burst out.

Okay, so perhaps at least 'unfettered' was an accurate description.

Hanlon stood and took the pip, moving around the desk. He reached out to change the current pip, his eyes meeting Xey's. "I know you will uphold the ideals of the Federation and the rules of Starfleet," he said, his voice soft. "Congratulations, Lieutenant Xey."

OFF:

Lieutenant Xey
Chief Science Officer
USS Fenrir

Commander Kit Hanlon
First Officer
USS Fenrir

 

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