Newcomers

Posted on Sun Nov 23rd, 2025 @ 12:33am by Petty Officer 1st Class Akaathaan Saarnosh & Crewman 2nd Class Viktoriya Nikolayenko & Commander Zhora zh'Roothi & Lieutenant Commander Aidan Datari

1,717 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Short Treks
Location: U.S.S. Enterprise
Timeline: 2439-07-24, 08:00

Recently promoted Petty Officer, First Class, Akaathaan Saarnosh stood at the controls of the Transporter for the Enterprise preparing to bring over the new personnel transfers. Things aboard the Enterprise had been pretty exciting over the last few weeks, especially for her and her Transporter. Ever since they evacuated the alien creature known as Tchema and transported the Vorta refugees back to the homeworld the Enterprise had been getting more attention than usual. There were even rumors that the President of the United Federation of Planets was thinking about making a visit.

Who would have ever thought that she, a humble girl from Selay, would ever get to see such amazing things in her career?

Checking the readouts on her screen, she noticed that the Enterprise had rendezvoused with the Starship Leonard McCoy and that the two were now flying alongside. They'd anticipated meeting up with the McCoy for crew transfers, but they were a little earlier than expected. The Petty Officer was sure that the XO, Commander Zhora zh'Roothi, was aware of their arrival, but sent a notice all the same that she was ready to begin beaming personnel aboard at the Commander's discretion. The XO often came to the transfers personally so she would wait to hear how to proceed before bringing anyone aboard.

Aboard the McCoy, Aidan finished packing up. Most notably his two precious and priceless swords, which would need checking in with the security chief. Within the case was also his ushaan, a weapon his foster father had gifted him when he came of age.

A chirp from Sherlock, who was perched on the bed, made the Trill officer look up. He smiled as a small girl toddled his way. He caught her in his arms and held her in a brief hug. "You ready for a new adventure?"

Saeri nodded slowly, carrying a small plush toy in her arms. It resembled the dragonlike creature perched on the bed. "Yes daddy," she answered, "I'm all packed."

Smiling, he offered his hand and slung the case across his shoulder before picking up the bags with his free hand. "Sherlock, zip to the transporter room would you? You know how the crew feels about you flying around. We'll be there shortly." The blue chirped and zipped away.

Minutes behind the blue, father and daughter arrived too. "Two to transport to the Enterprise," he announced.

Meanwhile, back on the Enterprise Commander zh'Roothi arrived to oversee the transport and greet the new officer. The Andorian XO looked over to Petty Officer Saarnosh manning the controls eagerly waiting for the green light and gave a stiff nod.

"Energize when ready Saarnosh, please."

The Selay woman nodded as she entered the sequence on the control console. Two figures started to appear on the platform, curious as their reports indicated that Enterprise was to have a dozen new arrivals. These two may've just been early birds.

As they appeared on the platform, the snake like alien said, "Transport successful."

As two figures coalesced into a young man and a very young girl, a third figure zipped into the room out of seemingly nowhere, taking perch on one of the pads. The male took a small step forward, while firmly holding the girl who now hid behind him by the hand. "Lieutenant Commander Aidan Datari," he introduced himself, "this is my daughter Saeri and that bold critter over there, who couldn't wait until called, is Sherlock. He's harmless, but extremely curious."

"Is that a... dragon?" The Transporter Chief asked surprised.

"Sort of," the Trill replied, beckoning the dragonlike creature over. As he landed on his master's arm, he measured about the man's arm length from nose to tail tip, with a fairly impressive wingspan. The creature's eyes were currently a mix of green and blue, indicating calm and curiosity. "You can touch him, if you like. He's very protective of us, especially my daughter these days, but he's just wanting to make himself known."

"Daddy said he hatched when he was very young," the girl spoke up, brushing her long hair behind her ear to reveal faint spots along the side of her face. "Daddy says he doesn't know where Sherlock comes from."

Aidan nodded. "I've never seen another like him," he admitted.

The normal formality of greeting a new crew member, especially a member of the senior staff was quickly forgotten by zh'Roothi when the air was filled by flapping wings. Her first instinct aside from ducking was that the flying creature presented a risk to both herself, Saarnosh and the small child, she'd been a whisker away from calling security before Datari offered and explanation.

Relieved her concerns were misplaced Zhora moved closer, her gaze affixed to winged creature called Sherlock with fascination and curiosity. "He's remarkable," she breathed and lifted a hand towards to touch him. "If I may?" she asked softly.

The blue winged creature chirped and hopped closer, dipping his head towards the alien woman. "Sherlock says it's okay," Aidan translated the chirp. "He likes to be scratched just above his eyes, and his neck ridges."

Gently, and with smooth movements the Andorian closed the last few inches towards them and lightly ran her fingers along Sherlock's neck ridges in soft caress. "He certainly has a strong character," she observed. "And an even stronger bond to you both."

"We are bonded," the Trill confirmed, "he communicates sort of in images, and emotions. The colour of his eyes is very indicative. And I have no idea what the age span is either, given that I've never been able to find much about them." He watched with a smile as the mini dragon crooned in delight. "Anyway... permission to get settled ma'am? And see the captain?"

Akaathaan smirked at the question, wondering if the Commodore would be down to see the newcomer in. It had been hit and miss for Wilkan to come and see new arrivals to the Enterprise's crew and, more often than nought, if he sent Commander zh'Roothi he didn't usually come himself. The Selay tried to hide her questioning attitude though, quickly burying her attention on her display consoles.

"Of course, where are my manners?" Zhora asked rhetorically feeling her cheeks heat at the lack of her own professionalism having been distracted by Sherlock. She stepped back, visibly composed herself and returned to her normal, rather stiff mannerism Officer Saarnosh was accustomed to seeing. "As you probably deduced I'm Zhora zh'Roothi the First Officer, it's a pleasure to meet you and little Saeri," she nodded to the Trill child still half tucked behind her father. "I trust you have your transfer orders?" she asked next.

"Of course ma'am," the Trill answered, this time switching to very fluent Andorian, a language he had grown up with. He produced a PADD and offered it to her. "I'm assigned as navigation chief but I have experience in linguistics and intelligence as well."

The Commander's eyes flicked between the device and the new officer with continued surprise: "You're certainly full of surprises," she replied in her native tongue before returning PADD to him. "You speak it well, where did you learn?" she asked switching back to Federation Standard.

"I grew up with an Andorian family, they took me in when my parents and sister were killed in a fire. My foster father is a marine, my sister a marine doctor. She's half Trill and deaf so I ended up being her interpreter for a very long time. Until she told me to follow my own path so here I am. It's all in my records ma'am." Aidan tapped the PADD's surface.

"I'm sure it is, though thank you for sharing," Zhora smiled softly imagining how difficult it must have been for him to adjust after such a tragedy. "If you'd like to follow me I'll escort you the your quarters. I assume Sherlock will be joining us?"

"Sorry for interrupting," the Selay spoke up, "I just received notice from Crewman Nikolayenko that the Commodore is 'catching up on some logs' and won't be joining you." It wasn't the craziest excuse that she'd ever heard for him not meeting with a newcomer.

"Thank," The Commander acknowledged slightly disappointing Wilkan wasn't joining them as she'd been curious to observe his reaction to Sherlock's presence.

"He'll wait here, and zip in when I call for him," Aidan assured her with an apologetic smile, "let's not scare the crew all at once shall we? I'll also need to see the security chief, because I have personal weapons that require registration aboard." He indicated the long case he'd slung across his back. "And probably best to see the CMO as soon as possible too?" He paused, seeming to consider something. "Does this medical bay also entertain a vet?"

Saarnosh smirked with all the questions that she heard being asked, wondering just what the crew would think of a dragon being aboard the Enterprise. She also couldn't help but wonder what the new Astrometrics Officer would think after learning the Security Chief was a Vorta on loan to the ship.

"I'll alert Kuzos to expect both reports of a small dragon flying the halls and of your personal effects," zh'Roothi nodded. "Doctor Kholin our CMO should be available for your physical, however I cannot vouch for her knowledge in treating other life forms," she paused. "That may be more suitable for our holo Medical Officer Sawbones."

"I'll see to them as soon as I've settled my daughter with the holonanny," Aidan promised. "No, actually, I'll take her to see the CMO. And Sherlock won't be flying the halls on his own. If he does I'll be there close by. I don't want him to scare anyone." He gave a solemn nod. "Permission to see to it?" He asked, referring to seeing those he needed to see.

"As you wish," the Commander replied. "I apologise that the Commodore wasn't able to greet you, our last mission had more loose ends than I was foresaw."

"I'll find him after seeing all others I need to see," the Trill promised. "Come Saeri, we've people to see. Sherlock, wait here, I'll call for you when I get there." The blue settled on a console and chirped a confirmation. "Let's go then."

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