Mission's Debrief

Posted on Wed Aug 27th, 2025 @ 3:18pm by Lieutenant Commander Steve Ryan & Ensign Fiona Flores

1,301 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Children of the Stars
Location: Ensign Flores Quarters, Deck 5
Tags: Lieutenant Commander Steve Ryan, Ensign Fiona Flores

Fiona strolled through Deck 5, dressed in nothing but a slate-blue crop top that ended above her navel, matching bicycle shorts, and white trainers. Ruffling a white towel through her loose dark hair, she draped it around her shoulders and retied her long hair into a high ponytail as she approached her quarters.

Entering her quarters, Fiona tossed the towel carelessly across the room, watching it land in a damp heap in the corner. She approached her replicator and instructed, "Coffee, black, no sugar or milk." Watching it materialise, she collected the saucer, and cup, before standing at the window, looking out into space. Taking slow sips of her coffee, Fiona reflected on the mission ahead as a bead of sweat rolled down her left shoulder blade.

Downing another mouthful of coffee, Fiona set the cup and saucer on a nearby table before sitting on the corner of her bed. One by one, she tugged off her sneakers and kicked them aside. She then peeled the damp ankle socks from her feet, gathered them in one hand, and picked up the recently discarded towel. Fiona stepped into her personal laundry to begin cleaning her sweaty gym gear.

Lt. Cmdr. Ryan strolled along deck 5 repeatedly checking the PADD in his hands for the desired location. His uniform still in a good shape although worn out by the shift he just ended. As he approached the selected quarter he notified his presence and waited.

Fiona heard her door chime from out in the mainroom. Walking toward it, she rested her hands on her hips, nodding, "Enter".

The door slid open and the XO stepped in glancing around in the rather spacious room. “Well, I didn’t expect ensigns to be given all of this room onboard” he commented before locking his eyes on Fiona.

Fiona's eyes held his, taking in his comment. She turned side-on, and sauntered toward her replicator. As she did, her slim physique was in full display where the material of her skimpy outfit accentuated every curve, more room to host. Smirking wryly, she peered over her shoulder once she stood at the replicator. "Drink?"

Steve’s gaze fell on the ensign’s shapes as she turned towards the replicator. The question took him unprepared and it took him a second or two to answer “no no, thanks” he quickly came back “I was just passing by after the end of the shift” he explained while standing still, motionless.

Fiona maintained her gaze over her shoulder, the back of her body facing him, nodding, "Did you need me to assist with something?"

He shook his head “oh yes, yes” he carefully stepped forward to let the door finally close “I wanted your professional idea on the current mission, especially the communication part. What do you think of it?” he asked.

Instead of ordering a beverage, Fiona stepped forward into the middle of the floor space. Resting both hands on her lumbar as she eyed him, noting that the door had sealed behind him, Fiona answered, "It's early days. But it seems like a hospitable crew."

His question made her sceptical of his motives. She was unsure why this encounter was having such an impact, but Fiona felt goose bumps harden on her skin.

“Indeed it is” he nodded briefly “there are a few people to manage from time to time but being XO in here is indeed a rather easy job” he smiled “still…I’m worried about the current mission. Not being able to communicate might happen from time to time and I’m sure it may have happened to you as well, just, I’d prefer to have a backup protocol just in case”.

Fiona listened to him as she approached a banquette style of seating that was built into the wall beneath the window looking into space. Crossing one leg over the other, she nodded, "What did you have in mind for a backup, Lieutenant?"

Steve started pacing and walking nervously around the room, trying not to stare her “well, communicating with the ship is impossible, besides not recommended as the captain suggested” he started his reasoning “and we have two different landed teams…” he kept describing the situation out loud “In case of emergency the team A can boost the comm signal through the shuttlecraft systems to reach the team B. At least no team is likely to be alone if anything happens and at least one of the two can return to the Montana with first-hand information on what happened so that to can proceed with a rescue mission” he suggested, finally looking at her to see what she thought of the idea.

She pulled her knees up to her chest as she listened, followed by wrapping her arms around her calves and rested her chin on her kneecap. Tilting her head to the right, "If I am understanding what you are saying, you're thinking on having a shuttle patrol the area above the away team as an intermediary between the Montana, and the away team? So, we're basically a conduit for communication, and short range transportation should an emergency require it?"

He waited for a second staring at her then turned and started pacing along the room once again.
“No. We’ll be descending in two shuttles. One in which you and the captain will be and another one where me and Lt. Kestra will be. We’ll be in two different locations so the chances that something happens at the same time to both landing parties is rather limited.” He explained “so one party will check with the other at regular intervals, if a check fails, the remaining party will play rescue resources and go back to the Montana if needed”.

Fiona watched him prowl her room like a lion, almost as though he were expecting someone to make an entrance in her quarters. Stroking her right hand through her untied hair, Fiona listened to his pitch which, to her, was sound. Nodding, she affirmed, "That sounds reasonable and tactful. It keeps the Montana away from the action while two smaller shuttles allow for speed, and ongoing communication. Has the Captain given his thoughts since our briefing?"

Steve stopped abruptly and smiled, as if Fiona’s words acknowledging his reasoning improved his morale.
“Not yet, after the briefing we had with the senior staff I didn’t have the time to speak to him and I was getting my head around this communication dilemma but wanted to share my view with you to see whether I was off track or not. I’ll let him know about this protocol immediately” he confirmed "or better... You could do that".

Fiona stood from the seat, as he spoke. Once he finished, she responded, "I need to be in Astrometrics tomorrow, I want to make some scans of the planet, along with comparing it to the Starfleet database to test for any terraforming or evidence in population growth. I'll make a point of raising it with him then."

"Great" he exclaimed closing in towards the door "well, I guess I'll be better going now".
About to clear the door he stopped abruptly and turned once again.
"Oh no, another thing. Any news regarding that special assignment I gave you?" He asked

Fiona looked away awkwardly as she pressed her bare foot into the floor, twisting it slowly, speaking lowly. "This and that. I just need more time. I promise i'll make it priority after the mission."

Steve nodded "No worries, I was just checking in for updates, take your time" he smiled and, once saluted, left Fiona's personal quarters.

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Lt. Cmdr. Steve Ryan
XO, USS Montana

Ens. Fiona Flores
Operations Officer, USS Montana

 

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