Meeting the Chief Intelligence Officer

Posted on Sat Jul 29th, 2023 @ 12:01pm by Commander Raven Adams & Commander Yalee Prar

1,288 words; about a 6 minute read

The Senior Staff was certainly turning out to be unique. The Captain was stoic and straightforward, which Yalee somewhat appreciated. However, he could use a lot more personality. The Chief Medical Officer was a wreck. A pleasant wreck, but a wreck nonetheless. At least she seemed to be picking up the pieces with her marriage.

At least the reason for her not being in command was now quite evident. But why didn't the Chief Intelligence Officer, the 2XO get promoted to the XO? Why would the Captain reach outside to get her? Yalee did not mind but it was a mystery.

By the CMO's own words, Ms. Adams was a strong officer. So, Yalee needed to see for herself. Why was the Betazoid not promoted and would they get along? With this thought, Yalee immediately sought out Commander Adams.

Raven was in the min intel office, making small adjustments to a holographic image of the interior of Typhon. Security had managed to poke a few holes in her secondary layer of defense and she was working on a way to keep it from happening again.

She looked up when the door opened, recognizing the new first officer. "May I help you, ma'am?"

"Yes, I think you will be helping me for the foreseeable future," Yalee replied happily. "I am your new Executive Officer, Commander Yalee Prar. I came to meet you, seeing as you are the Chief Intelligence Officer and my 2XO." She looked over at the holographic image and asked, "Trying to figure out what happened on the security breach, are you? Do you have any theories?"

"The breach had to come from the station. There are too many protocols that aren't directly connected to the station's security system for them to get in as easily as they did. We're narrowing it down, but don't have enough data to say where it came from," Raven said. "But we will."

"An inside job?" Yalee mused. "I don't like that. Do we know all the people that would have been able to give access?"

"Yes, but I don't want to say until I have proof," Raven replied. "I don't want to give anyone forewarning." She smiled at the other woman. "Better to let it be a surprise, once I have the proof I need."

"Makes sense," Yalee replied, mildly disappointed. She wanted to do something, anything, but she was stuck trying to learn everything so she could make a move. "So, I'm going to ask the question that has been on my mind since before I got here. Why did you not take on the XO position? After all, you are certainly more familiar with things here than I."

"First, I must remind you that I am Betazoid. I pick up strong thoughts and emotions, even when I try not to. I will occasionally respond to what I sense." The first officer needed to be aware of that so that she couldn't come back later and accuse Raven of prying. "Second, I don't want the job. I like working in intelligence. I have a number of long-standing connections that I trust. I have, as you know, set up a secondary security system on this station. That was a necessity at the time, and it has come in handy since. I consider it a failsafe. I would have to officially turn that over to Starfleet rather than keep it as an intel asset. I also have opportunities from time to time to be asked to help with other assignments in my role as an intel operative. That, too, would have to be surrendered if I became first officer." She smiled, her eyes twinkling with humor. "I would also be buried in paperwork. So, I choose to remain where I am."

"Paperwork is why the Gods created Yeomans," Yalee responded promptly with a small giggle. "But your points are well taken and make sense. As to being Betazoid, that is not a problem for me. I'm pretty much an open book. I think you'll find that I am always on the go. I'd much rather be busier than not. It is good to see that you're quite busy. The Gods know that I wish I had something more directly to do with finding those pirates but as the Captain has reminded me, there is a lot to shore up here first." She sighed as she uttered the last sentence.

"There is, but I'm sure you'll have the opportunity to do something about the pirates. Once I verify my information, it'll open up new...opportunities." At least she hoped so. "So, commander, what brings you to Typhon?"

"A promotion," Yalee responded with a small chuckle. "It was a change of scenery, to be out on the frontier. I'm looking forward to the experience." She looked over at Raven and asked, "What about you?"

"Opportunity. When I got here, there wasn't an established colony in the Tiberius system. We had yet to explore most of the planets. It was the frontier, with so much potential. It still has that, which is why I'm still here." She shrugged. "And it's a bit too crowded in the more inhabited sectors."

"Some may say crowded, but there is plenty of space for all. And the more individuals, the more opportunities for interpersonal experiences." Yalee shrugged apologetically. "But this is a different variety of new experiences, is it not? Charting and exploring the unknown. Discovering things that may never have been discovered. There is definitely a thrill to that, no doubt about it."

Raven smiled. "There is, indeed. And on a station the size of Typhon, there's plenty of opportunity for...interpersonal relations."

Yalee chuckled, realizing that now her second officer must think her to be rather indiscriminate, like an Andorian in first puberty. In fairness, she did use some language that expressed innuendos that she had not intended. Certainly, she was not adverse to those sort of adventures but it took a bit more than a pretty face to catch a Trill's attention. "I would suppose that there would be. One never has enough friends. Do you find that difficult in your line of work?" she wondered curiously aloud.

"I do not think you discrete. It can be lonely on a station this size if you don't have friends," she replied, choosing to answer the clear thought first. "For the other, yes. I deal in secrets on a daily basis. Some I keep from civilians, some I keep from crew, and some, I can't even tell the captain. it makes it difficult, at times, to forge close friendships. I have been fortunate. I have several casual friends, and two I trust implicitly."

"Hopefully I will be number three," Yalee responded earnestly and enthusiastically. "And, if you need to lessen your burdens, I'm here."

Raven couldn't help grinning. "Thank you. I will definitely keep you in mind when I need help." She should talk to Darius and...Morticia. Her life was far too complicated. Perhaps letting a few more people in might be a good thing. But first, she would see how this new executive officer got along.

Pleased that Raven smiled, Yalee did so warmly in return. Best to leave on a high note and leave Raven wanting more. "Well, Commander, unless you wish to know more about me or have anything else to tell me, I will take my leave."

"Nothing at the moment, but I'm sure we'll have time for more questions later. Until then, I hope you continue to like what you see of the station and system."

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Commander Yalee Prar
Executive Officer
Starbase Typhon

Commander Raven Adams
Chief Intelligence Officer
Starbase Typhon

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Commander Raven Adams
Chief Intelligence Officer
Starbase Typhon

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