Welcome Wagon

Posted on Thu Oct 30th, 2025 @ 11:55am by Lieutenant Commander Andrew Star & Captain Jacob Rye

1,581 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Ghost Starship

Andrew had walked into the shuttlebay control room while the blue alert was sounding. His uniform was crisp and golden, a change of colour for the new kingdom he ruled. He watched as the shuttlecraft landed and was going to experience the merry-go-round of Department Chiefs. He'd passed the Bridge Officer test but the CO was planning something, XO was filing paperwork, and the 2XO was doing a stock check.

The child hopped down the ladder gracefully and approached the shuttlebay metallic door, which swished open, and the pilot exited with a PADD, his gift to Andrew. "Your docking & refuel request is approved by order of Captain Cooke." Then he looked the Marine up and down. He was reeking of confidence; hopefully, he'd stay much longer.

"Hello!" Andrew said with confidence of his own and a big, smily face. "Can I have your transfer PADD, Captain? I guessed you had a super comfy flight?"

JJ paused just inside the control room, boots clinking on the deck as he looked down at the “boy” in gold. He’d been told about the Onlie engineer, but seeing him in person was something else entirely - a mix between jarring and mildly amusing although he tried to hide the latter to avoid causing any inadvertent office.

He handed the PADD over. “Flight was fine, Sir, thank you. A bit of turbulence out of Planitia, but nothing the hull couldn’t handle.”

The grin that met him was bright and unbothered. JJ gave a faint smirk in return. “Didn’t expect the chief engineer to be first to greet me. You always this hands-on, or just showing off?”

He nodded toward the shuttle behind him that was already being prepared for it's return journey. Missouriwas clearly tightly run and Rye already appreciated it.

Shrugging his shoulders, Andrew replied, "Captain Cooke is indisposed, Cmdr Chance is ensuring the away team writes their reports, and Lt Kogami is doing inventory. I'm just helping out!" Andrew had a new department and had to bring it up to his standards. He'd rather be in his new office, but when the ship has a high turnaround, you're needed everywhere.

Looking over the PADD with a watchful eye, "Permission granted to come aboard and take command of Marine Detachment ... granted on behalf of Capt Cooke." Tucking the PADD under his arm, the Onlie led the grump across the shuttlebay. "I'll take you to your quarters." Leading him through the cold metal corridors of 2400 design until they stepped into a turbolift. "I thought you would meet us at Camp Khitomer! But I guess you want your troops marching when we arrive." He asked as the turoblift shot through the ship

Jacob followed beside the small engineer, his duffel slung over one shoulder. “Thank you, Commander." He said lightly, "Certainly sounds like you’ve got your hands full."

He glanced around as they walked — familiarizing himself with the Missouri’s corridors, the hum of her engines, the faint vibration beneath his boots.

As the turbolift doors closed, he smirked faintly. "I like to get the lay of the land first — crew, decks, routines. Makes marching go smoother when you know the ground you’re standing on.”

He looked down at Andrew, one brow raised, a very slight smile remaining on the Marine's lips, “You always this welcoming to new arrivals, or am I just lucky?”

"I love meeting new people!" Andrew quipped. "But being an Onlie, I tend to outlive all my friends," He said with a hint of sadness in his voice. "But I've just taken over engineering after a 20-year break, but I've been fixing stuff for 95 years, I hope it's like riding a bike!"

Rye listened as the lift hummed around them, the engineer’s words lingering longer than his smile did. “That’s a long time to keep fixing things,” he said quietly, more statement than question. “Guess it’s good the universe keeps breaking just enough to keep you busy.”

He glanced down, meeting Andrew’s eyes — not patronizing, just steady. “Outliving people doesn’t make it easier to meet the next lot, I imagine. But it says something that you still want to.”

Nout slouching down on one knee granted this Marine, good boy points, there were a lot of grumps in Starfleet that saw Andrew as a child and not an Onlie. "I'm still Human and Humans are social animals sooooo," He said, stretching the 'o' out. " Want to be friends? I made my own vodka when I was Science Chief. I could get you a bottle!"

Rye blinked, then let out a short laugh. “Vodka, huh? You realise how that looks coming from someone who looks thirteen?” He shook his head, still smiling, still laughing quietly. “Guess I’d lose my commission if anyone walked in right now.”

A beat passed as they walked. “Friends works for me, and if your vodka’s as good as your engines, I’ll take that bottle — just pour it into a coffee mug so Security doesn’t panic.”

"It's super easy!" He stated, "I outrank most of the security officers, and grumps think it's water, that I'm too innocent and sweet." But the question about his age, he should of just asked outright about it, beating around the bush caused more hate. Chuckling like Santa, "I wish I were 13! I'm 449, but in Earth terms I'll be 14 in 51... I'm looking forward to it! I hope I've grown a beard by then!"

JJ smirked. “Four centuries and still waiting on the beard — that’s patience.” He chuckled. “And you can’t blame Security. You’ve got the element of surprise.”

A beat later, dryly: “When the beard shows up, let me know. That’ll be a day for the logs.”

The doors slid open to reveal another stretch of corridor. JJ adjusted the strap of his duffel and stepped out beside him. “For what it’s worth, Commander, I’m glad you’re back at it. I'm sure any ship could use steady hands like yours. Some things you don't lose, no matter how long you're away from it"

People's faith in Andrew was inspiring, but not inspiring him. "I worked on freighters with second-hand stuff. I dunno how to fix the slipstream drive! But I love to learn!" He replied, walking alongside the Marine, leading him to his room still. "I remember the days when Slipstream was just a dream. I'm super duper excited to try it out!"

Jacob glanced over as they walked. “I imagine freighters’ll teach you more than manuals ever could. If you kept those flying, this’ll be a breeze.”

A small grin tugged at his mouth. “Just… try not to break the speed record before I’ve unpacked.”

Andrew suddenly came to an abrupt halt at a 4-way junction. On their left, there was a door embedded in the sharp corner of the left turn. "Here we go!" He said, unlocking the door, PADD still under his arm.

The doors swished open, and he stepped into a small living area. The metallic floor is now a grey carpet, tan coloured armchairs, and glass tables placed around the room. "Could do with some paint," Andrew said, attacking the metallic walls. Somebody either forgot to paint or painting was forbidden. "Welcome to your new home!"

Rye stepped inside, taking in the small space with a slow nod. “Can’t complain. I’ve bunked in worse.”

He dropped his duffel beside one of the chairs and looked around again. “Paint or not, it’s got potential.”

Turning back to Andrew, his voice eased a little. “Thanks, Commander, for the proper welcome. Feels good."

When the door slid shut behind them, Jacob stood for a moment, taking in the clean lines and quiet hum of the room. It felt a little sterile now, the kind of space waiting to be lived in. Taking in a deep breath, he allowed himself a small smile. It wouldn’t stay that way for long — he’d make it home soon enough.

"Anything else I can do?" Andrew asked; he knew how strange a new posting could feel. It'd been only a couple of weeks since he himself was posted aboard the Missouri.

Jacob looked back toward the doorway, the faint smile still on his face. “No, Commander. You’ve done more than enough — thank you.”

He gave a small nod. “I’ll see you around the ship.”

When the door closed again, the quiet settled, and JJ took one last look around the room. Still bare, still new — but it would do. It always did.

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