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Posted on Thu Oct 2nd, 2025 @ 2:42pm by Lieutenant Aubrie Fox & Ensign Leela

447 words; about a 2 minute read

Mission: Children of the Stars
Location: Security Office, USS Montana
Timeline: Present

Aubrie stepped into the Security Office with her usual stride — confident, no-nonsense, and already scanning the room for details out of place. Everything looked in order, but after leave, she always felt the urge to double-check for herself.

A lone officer sat at the duty console, dark hair tied back, eyes focused on the security feed rotation. Ensign Leela. Aubrie had read her file on the trip back: capable, by-the-book, and still young enough to want to prove herself every second of every shift.

“Ensign,” Aubrie said, hands folded behind her back as she came to stand beside her. “Report.”

Leela straightened so fast she nearly knocked her chair back. “Ma’am! All security stations report green. No unauthorized access attempts, no outstanding issues since your return. Routine patrols on schedule.”

Her voice was steady, but Aubrie caught the flicker in her eyes — the kind of nervous energy of a junior officer suddenly face-to-face with the department head.

“Relax, Ensign. I didn’t bite before leave, and I don’t plan on starting now.” Aubrie allowed the faintest hint of a smile. “I’ve been reading your logs. Solid work. You kept the deck teams sharp while I was gone.”

Leela flushed slightly at the compliment.

“That said,” Aubrie continued, tone shifting back to firm, “green reports are good, but I don’t want this department just cruising on green. The Montana’s in a new sector, and the political climate is… let’s say unpredictable. I want you and the others drilling harder than before. Faster phaser response times. Tighter formation maneuvers for away teams. Can you handle that?”

“Yes, ma’am. Absolutely.” Leela’s expression tightened into determination. “I’ll adjust the schedules and make sure every officer’s performance is logged for review. No one will be slacking on my watch.”

She hesitated a moment before adding: “If I may, ma’am… it’s good to have you back. The department feels… steadier with you here.”

Aubrie regarded her for a beat, hearing the sincerity. “Noted, Ensign. Keep that same energy. Because steadiness is only half the battle. The other half is knowing when to move, and when to hit hard.”

She leaned slightly closer, voice dropping just enough so only Leela could hear. “And when that moment comes, I expect you to be the one leading from the front. Understood?”

Leela swallowed once, then nodded sharply. “Understood, Lieutenant.”

“Good.” Aubrie straightened, satisfied. “Now, get to it. Let’s make sure this ship’s security isn’t just adequate — it’s the standard everyone else envies.”

With that, she turned toward her office, already thinking of the new drill schedules she’d assign tomorrow.

 

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