Reporting In

Posted on Sat Jun 20th, 2026 @ 11:16am by Captain Doran'atar & Lieutenant Commander J.J McEntyre

1,250 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Laying the Groundwork
Location: U.S.S. Koinonia Bridge

As if walking from one room into another, the form of a Caitian in Starfleet Command Red appeared on the bridge of the Koinonia. Moving with cat-like elegance and confident pride, J.J McEntyre took in his new ship. Though if one was being honest, Pax Class ships were more Mobile Space Stations than actual starships. Meant to be kept in one place for long periods of time before relocating to somewhere else.

For now though, the new XO headed for the ready room, setting down his bag before tapping the chime on the door to announce his presence to his new commanding officer, Doran'atar, a Jem'hadar. J.J thought for a moment of if his ancestors could see this now, what they would think of Jem'Hadar in Starfleet. J.J knew better, having served with one or two before. They had become vital members of the Federation and honorable allies.

Unfortunately, today was one of the days where Doran'atar had no choice but to be stuck in his ready room for hours on end. The administration needed to run a starship, let alone one which'll be hosting scores of diplomats and other civilian staff, is truly astronomical - a fact he'd resigned himself to fairly early.

The chime of the doorbell, though, was a welcome distraction. "...yes, I have a visitor. I will speak with- tomorrow. Fine. I will hope to see them in our storage bays then. Thank you." Doran'atar swiped away the programmable matter console and took a moment to contemplate just what the fuck he'd gotten himself into before stating clearly, "Enter."

The Tall Caitian steps through the door that dematerialized behind him. He stands to attention before the desk where his new commanding officer was sitting.

“Lieutenant Commander Josiah Jeremiah McEntyre reporting for duty” he spoke in a crisp Texan accent.

"XO. It is good to meet you at last." Doran'atar stated, placing his hands folded on the table in front of him. "Please sit. We have a lot to discuss."

The Caitian nods, stepping forward to take a seat in front of the desk in a chair that materializes as he sits.

"First. Do you understand the gravity of the position you have been appointed to?" Doran'atar sat back in his chair with a grunt.

"For the most part. Executive Officer. Day to Day admin while you're on the important things. Koinonia herself is diplomatic support for the region." J.J elaborated.

"More than that, XO. Those things are the foremost and most obvious of what we are here to do. Beyond that." Doran prompted, a little more gentle-sounding this time.

"Leadership of the crew. Inspiration for our new officers and enlisted. We have to show them the way after so many years behind the cloaking field of Federation HQ. Inspiration for the galaxy that the Federation is returning to light the path to the future." J.J replied with some confidence.

"Yes. What we do here may affect the future of the Federation - and quite possibly the galaxy at large, if the rest of the galaxy appears at our doorstep." Doran'atar reiterated, this time with a grim smile. "Starfleet Command expects miracles to come out of what happens here, as the case might as well be. So at all times we must be at the top of our game. Security, operational readiness... service." Doran visibly shuddered at the last word. "How we... pour tea, as humans call it - one of the most visible examples of Starfleet and Federation values in this sector."

"I am not the type of captain who sits in an office and expects the world around him to run smoothly without looking at it - in fact you will rarely find me in this ready room if ever. I prefer to see things happen. No commander has ever learned about the state and welfare of his men by looking down on high. I would rather get my hands dirty ensuring with my own two eyes that what needs to be done is done. My question now is, can you do the same?" He added, leaning forward with his hands clasped together.

"Captain Doran'atar. I have a thousand years of Starfleet history on my shoulders. I wouldn't dare dream of sitting behind a desk while others explore. As a Leader, I can't ask the men, women, non-binary and transgendered individuals under my command to do something that I am not willing to do myself." J.J found his voice again, smooth and sauve, putting the weight of his legacy and pedigree behind it.

"I am perfectly aware of the legacy you carry, XO. Talk is easy. Action much less. Show that you are capable of living up to it." Doran reaches over the table and places a stack of PADDs in front of the mostly-Caitian. "Our incoming requisitions manifest. At least half of it might as well be random tokens and trinkets that can be given out in goody bags in children's parties because Command thinks presents of commercially made chocolate truffles will somehow appease distrustful politicians and make them more amenable to talking. Hah. I will believe it when I see it."

"I need you to be in our cargo bay to receive them with our quartermaster tomorrow at 0900 hours. They will be arriving... en masse. Make absolutely sure that we get what has been allocated to us, no more, no less. By more I mean no bombs, no animals, no stowaways, not even a funny smell that nobody can explain. I am not willing to take chances. I will join you at 1400 hours when the slew of meetings that have been so thoughtfully put into my calendar from on high are finished. Can you do that?'

"Aye, Sir" J.J nods in agreement. "Though, I'd feel comfortable with defensive options in case diplomacy fails. As someone once said "Shake hands with others using a velvet glove but keep a razor blade hidden between ya fingers for the ones who forgot their manners.". Starfleet has been out of the galaxy for a long time. Emerald Chain, Nus Braka and the Venari Ral. Lots of other opportunists out there taking advantage of good folk. Diplomacy will help, but we also need to be prepared to defend ourselves."

"Bombs in the goods, Commander. Sabotage. Or simply just efforts to shake us." Doran'atar replied. "That is my worry. Trust me when I say that I have seen my share of sabotage - the fact that all the groups you just talked about exist is an even bigger reason for us to be careful."

"Starfleet Command has decided not to skimp on our armaments anyway - but in the here and now our chief concern is making sure that all the diplomatic goodies we're supposed to get actually get here. I don't make the rules, although I wish I did." He added wryly. "Questions or concerns before we proceed?"

"None off the top of my head, sir" J.J replied in crisp fashion.

"Good." Doran'atar cracked a smile. Perhaps this job wouldn't be quite so bad after all. "Dismissed. See you tomorrow, XO. I am glad to have you, even though I might not always seem the part."

"Sir" J.J saluted before he turns on his heels and exited the ready room.

-----

Captain Doran'atar
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Koinonia

Lieutenant Commander J.J. McEntyre
Executive Officer
U.S.S. Koinonia

 

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