Greetings and Salutations

Posted on Thu Sep 3rd, 2026 @ 12:30am by Lieutenant Delix & Captain William Abernathy & Lieutenant Commander Elyse White & Lieutenant Lanna Alexander & Lieutenant Tholos Th'Keal

2,505 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Blade of Deceit
Location: Various | USS Arcadia
Timeline: Post Sab's return

ON:

Thol stood with the CO, the acting XO and Counselor in the transporter room. He had to order Eli to stand down when they heard who the Assistant Chief was. He now looked on as the transporter shimmered the new Assistant Chief for Engineering. This was going to be awkward as hell but it is what it is. Starfleet had diverted Lieutenant Delix's shuttle to meet them on the way. Sabastian was still in a coma and they needed a second that was as good as Sab and Delix, was definitely it. The Academy crew, those who'd served in the Academy with Sab, all new Delix. They didn't know his story or how things happened but they knew some details.

Sabastian had been pretty protective of Delix's back story. He took a steadying breath seeing the counselor's eyes on him. "Nervous about meeting the new Assistant Chief, with him here I'm out of a Job." He laughed nervously hoping the Counselor and Captain believed him. Fudge me...Poe...What about Poe? This was... He shook his head as the form materialized. The familiar six foot five frame that even dwarfed Sab's height and build materialized. He'd forgot how tall and broad the Denobulan was, a bit of a freak height and girth wise, on the Denobulan planet.

Lanna was feeling somewhat dwarfed herself at the height of the new arrival, this was the first Denobulan she’d ever met.

Whilst White was short, she was far from intimidated. She supposed it was a benefit of starting out in intelligence. That said, however, she'd not spoken to Tholos about Delix and now, seeing Thol rather nervous, she wondered if a bit of a head start would have been better.

A new arrival was always something that Bill Abernathy liked to be a part of, though he knew that going forward, he would likely have to delegate these warm receptions to Sabastian and Lanna. He stood ready to receive. "We're ready," Bill stated and motioned to the transporter operator.


Delix materialized on the platform bags in hand. His face a mase of seriousness. "Well hello. Party of four greeting. Am I that badly needed on the ship?"

Lanna smiled warmly, waiting for the Captain to greet their new arrival, and introduce everyone.

"My Chief Engineer also serves as my First Officer on a good day," replied Captain Abernathy. "Your presence aboard would help alleviate him from some of those duties and responsibilities. For the time being, however, Lieutenant Commander White has been filling in as my Acting First Officer," added Abernathy, gesturing to Elyse.

Elyse nodded when she was introduced, a small, polite smile crossing her lips.

Delix gave a nod. "Great to meet you Captain, Counselor, Um... women who is XO but not the XO I was expecting." He gave her a curious look. He turned to the Andorian Engineer. "Thol old man. Good to see you again. I assume the Walker fan club is all on board."

Thol shook his head. "I'm younger then you, old man."

Delix's lip quirked up. "I'm young at heart but I must say, Walker's not here to greet his second in command in Engineering land? Should I be insulted? Is he trapped in his quarters with that lavender eyed bastard whose snared his mind in the honeymoon phase?"

Thol sighed. "There...was...an issue."

Delix's glare cut to Thol and he stepped down off the platform looming over the nervous Andorian. "Issue? Pray Tell."

"Long story...."

Delix got in the Andorian's face. He held up two fingers. "I have never been one to repeat myself, you know this, yet here I am repeating. There will not be a third repeat Tholos th'Kael. So. Pray. Tell. I'm showing manners because of the Captain and lovely Counselor and the equally Lovley XO lady. Why is Walker not here? He was the XO now he's not. I heard he married the lavender eyed devil and that Zai was his second here why am I here to take his place. Tholos?"

That's when White stepped in. "That's enough," she firmly interjected, "I would hardly call your greeting 'polite', and I would not call this behaviour 'polite' either. If you would have two minutes to actually show some patience, all will be explained in the manner that it should be. Right now, you need to follow orders, and those orders are to be an assistant chief on board this ship. Your acting chief is Th'Kael. That means you report to him." Elyse glanced at the captain before continuing, "unfortunately, we find ourselves in a predicament that means that we are without a chief for a little while. Should you wish to speak with Walker about your lack of greeting, then your-- like the rest of us-- will have to wait until he wakes up. If he wakes up."

Delix turned to her gaze burning. "What do you mean if he wakes up." He kept a tight reign on his outward voice and behaviour but inside it felt as if a blade had hit him in the heart. He hadn't studied people so he didn't know the Counselor was an empath so inside he let his rage, pain, fear just burn. He'd long learned to control his outward appearance but his hands trembled a little. His eyes shot to Tholos.

Lanna was hit by a wave of emotions that took her a moment to shut out, taking a deep breath she looked at Delix. “Long story very short, Sabastian is in sickbay, currently in a coma. We don’t yet know if he’ll wake up or not. It’s all up to him now.”

"He's being his typical stubborn self," Bill interjected. "We're trying to be optimistic," he added.

Tholos' knees buckled. He'd remembered a conversation at the Academy where he'd overhead Walker talking to Delix about working with Orions and since then he'd feared him like a vampire fears holy water.

"Chief Delix it's...a long story. As commander Walker always says duty first. I am still acting chief until I bring you up to speed so let's get that done, in engineering and Eli and I will explain all. Plus you haven't greeted the Captain yet. That's not usually like you...Commander Walker would chide you on that." He spoke in a soothing tone like you would to a wounded wild animal.

Delix gave a nod. The cocky attitude gone. He absently rubbed his heart. The pain barely leashed. He looked at the XO lady as she seemed the most straight forward and then he turned to the Captain. "Apologies. Sabsti...Commander Walker does say duty first." He put out his hand to the Captain hating that it shook. Everything screamed in him to find Sabastian.

Bill extended his hand, "Welcome aboard, Delix."

Lanna was feeling every emotion that Delix was pouring out, it practically hurt to be near him as the emotion poured out of him. Her discomfort was starting to show as she fidgeted uncomfortably.

Captain Abernathy had noticed Lanna's physical reaction. He would talk to her about it later. It was clear that she picked up on something.

Elyse may not have been overly happy with Tholos for running out on her, but she still cared about him. She looked over at him and subtly nodded as if to tell him that she had his back in this. Her eyes went back to Delix, not particularly having the best first impression of the man, but watched on regardless.

"Lieutenant Commander White will help you get caught up to speed on everything, and please feel free to utilize Lieutenant Alexander regarding any additional needs. The two of them make for a good welcoming party," explained Captain Abernathy.

"Yes sir." Delix gave a nod. He looked at Thol and shot him a look that said we will talk.

Thol smiled. "Why don't I go to Engineering and start getting this sorted and I can leave you with the Counselor the XO."

Delix thought quickly. "Captain I understand that you need me in Engineering right away. May I maybe drop my bags in my new quarters and then I can head there. I can brief with..." He looked at White. "The XO and the counselor after. If I know Sabastian he'd want to ensure that all was well with the Engine room. Once that's sorted Why don't I buy the welcome part a Drink in the mess."

"If you wish to dive in head first into Engineering, you may, but I am not as concerned as Walker would be. Engineering is in capable enough hands as it is. We could just use someone to manage the department a bit for the time being" explained Captain Abernathy.

Thol moved closer to the ladies while the Captain kept Del's attention. "Ladies I know I may be overstepping but um... perhaps I should take charge of the big idiot. He's not good company now that he knows Sabastian is injured and Counselor you look pale. No doubt the big guy's emotions are not pleasant to be around now given um...his history with Walker and me and half of the Engineering crew." He sighed. "Gawd. Actually Counselor can I beg a favour of you?"

Lanna nodded and offered a smile. “By all means.”

"Can you get Poe out of Sickbay and like...away from Del until Eli and I have had a chance to um...prepare Del?"

Lanna nodded. “I can do that, he no doubt needs to talk anyway.”

"Thanks." He smiled at both of them. "Thank you both."

Elyse raised a brow at Tholos, her cold attitude was meant to be professional, but she couldn't help some emotion come through, "you are over stepping. I advise you to get down to engineering and ensure the lieutenant will be happy with what he sees. I'll be showing him to his quarters, and briefing him-- that gives you thirty minutes. Do you need longer?"

"Yes ma'am... I mean to the going down to engineering and no thirty minutes is fine." He looked at Elyse. "He's not a horrible person just... more stressed then usual with the news and if you tell him Zai is dead his mood will improve exponentially."

Elyse rolled her eyes, "gawd, this ship seems to run on relationship drama. Right, fine. Get down to engineering."

"Yes ma'am." He smiled at the counselor and hurried out.

Del turned to the door and raised an eyebrow. Finishing with the Captain they joined Lanna and White. He studied the counselor. "You are white as a ghost. I take it you are an empath." He sniffed. "And pregnant." He winced. "My apologies for the um... stray emotions that could not have been easy.

Lanna nodded. “I am, but no apologies are necessary. Powerful emotions have a way of breaking through barriers and I wasn’t prepared hence why your emotions made such an impact. For what it’s worth I’m sorry you had to find out about Commander Walker that way.”

Del kept himself from flinching at the reminder. He didn't trust himself to speak so he gave a nod. "I take it that's why I'm here, Zai is by his side?"

Elyse cleared her throat, "I hate to be the person to spill yet more news, but unfortunately needs must. Zai was killed a few months back. He has close friends by his side, each taking turns, right now. Rest assured, Walker is being well taken care of."

Del snorted and waved a hand. "No no, no need to hate. That's actually fantastic news. Did someone stake the idiot to make sure he's really gone?" He grinned a rather bright smile. "You just made my day Commander White and became my favourite person."

Elyse glanced at Lanna. That was far from a normal response. Elyse cleared her throat and looked back at Delix, "I personally did not know the man, therefore do not have an opinion. For the sake of your time on board this ship though, may I suggest that your opinion of the man remains muted. It appears to be a raw topic, especially within your department."

"Oh they know my views, at least the ones that have been around me since the Academy." He shrugged. "I personally don't sensor my speech or hide things. I don't play nice for the fuck of playing nice. I say what I think, feel, and mean. Life's to short to do otherwise."

"And as your XO, albeit temporary, I am ordering you to be mindful of others during this transition period. Emotions are already running high, we don't need them worsening because you feel the need to divulge 'I told you so's' and what not to an already stressed team. I am sure that Lieutenant Alexander here will agree," Elyse said firmly, "now, in terms of your quarter, we have assigned one to you but as and when we get back to a base, we'll have a shift around. Consider them temporary until then. This was just rather short notice. I'm sure that you understand. Th'Keal is preparing a handover for you and it should be ready within the next thirty minutes so that you can get stuck in. I can walk you down, as I need to speak with a few people to collect some reports anyway." A small lie but Elyse needed to speak with Tholos after that brief encounter.

"No need. My previous ship was the same class. I'll just drop my crap in my quarters and then make my way down to mess to get a sandwich then head to Engineering." He turned to the Captain. "I look forward working with you all."

Elyse watched Delix leave before looking between the Captain and Counsellor, "why do I get the feeling that he's going to be a walking HR violation?"

“He’s very definitely a unique individual.” Lanna added glad to have the bubbling storm of emotions gone. “His emotions are overwhelming at present.”

"That's a polite way of putting it," Elyse grumbled.

“The news about Sab…Commander Walker came as quite a shock to Delix, hence his emotional state.” Lanna added. “I suggest we allow him some leeway to settle before making judgement.”

"I'm happy to give leeway there, my issue surrounds before that news and when he found out about Walker's late partner," Elyse sighed, "I'll talk to engineering-- those who know him from another life. I'll see if there's anything that we should have a heads up about."

Lanna nodded. “I’ll also speak to him once he’s had time to cool down.”

Elyse nodded, "definitely wise. Captain, anything to add?"

"No," replied Bill. "Just that I am going to need something for this headache" added Abernathy. This crew was most certainly a unique one.

OFF:

Captain William Abernathy
Commanding Officer

&

Lieutenant Lanna Alexander
Ship's Counselor

&

Lieutenant Delix
Assistant Chief Engineering Officer

&

Lieutenant Tholos Th'Keal
Engineering Officer

&

Lieutenant Commander Elyse White
Chief Communications Officer

 

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