Winging It

Posted on Sat Apr 4th, 2026 @ 1:49pm by Captain Nycolas Temple & Lieutenant Commander Christine J'Oh

Mission: A New Day at Midnight
Location: Deck 1: Captain’s Ready Room

ON:

With the Pandora on her way to the White Diamond Nebula, Nyx had moved to the Captain’s Ready Room. The journey would take several hours and he wasn’t needed on the Bridge just yet. He wanted to spend some time in his new office. Like most of the ship, it had been updated and reconfigured in the new Starfleet style. It featured a large black glass desk, metal chairs, and a white couch. Gone was the comfy hotel style of the 2380’s, replaced by a more modern, sleek appearance.

Nyx was at the desk, which rounded towards a window; the stars were flashing by while the Pandora was traveling at high warp. He had been figuring out where to put a photo frame of his family when the door chimed.

“Come in.” He called out, deciding to place the frame between his console and the window.

Lieutenant Commander Christine J’Oh appeared as the door swished opened. She nodded to the Captain as a sign of respect as she entered. “All hands reporting status ready for the mission.”

Christine stood with her hands behind her back. The pip still fresh on her lapel; she had been promoted by Admiral Milne especially for the Pandora, for their new mission. She had gulped at the prospect, staring at the Admiral with wide eyes. She had to shake off that moment of fear very quickly to accept the commission. Up until now, she had been able to bury herself in the motions of launching the ship, preparing for the mission, getting everything sorted. The minutiae of logistics provided a happy cover for any and all nerves. Now that they were on their way, it had become real.

Nyx looked up and took possession of a PADD she was holding out. As expected, the former Operations Officer loved protocol and regulation; a big reason why she was chosen to be the next Executive Officer of the Pandora. She was known to run an efficient department, not entirely by the book, but just as much as it needed to be run well. Christine’s record had been exemplary, but she clearly had some doubt in her eyes as this was her first time in the second chair. A need to prove her readiness.

Reviewing the information, the Captain nodded, “Excellent work. I expected more hiccups, to be honest. More teething problems?”

“That’s just a sign of poor planning.” Christine replied, allowing some bravado to compensate for her nerves.

“Not everything is going to run smoothly, Lieutenant Commander.” Nyx said, raising his eyebrows. “Believe me.”

Christine smiled a little, nodding, “I hear the Pandora has a reputation for the… unexpected?”

Nyx laughed. Nine years in the Command chair had proven that to be true. Over and over again. “Definitely so. How familiar are you with our prior missions?”

“I’ve read what I can.” Christine admitted.

Christine had done more than just read. She studied. She traced the path the Pandora had taken from her initial launch in 2376 into the Inconnu Expanse. The killing fields. Salvaxe. Ravagers. The Indigo Sky. Bubble universe. Paradise Outpost. The Alrakis Pact. A rebellion born. She disappeared for some time into the Hesiod Region. That was classified. The Pandora returned to Federation space ravaged by war, with no insignia on her hull. Then she disappeared, allegedly. So did the Captain, also allegedly. There was a brief moment where he was being investigated. Then it turned out to be part of a plan to find the Pandora and stop a gravitational well from destroying known space.

Unexpected didn’t even begin to describe it.

It was no wonder then that the Pandora had been chosen as the Rapid Response unit; they were used to this by now. Acting on impulse, responding quickly. The Captain and crew had more than enough experience dealing with these situations. It was a big reason why Christine was happy that she had said yes to joining the crew.

“Our mission parameters are more specific now.” Nyx replied, as if he could tell where Christine’s mind had taken her. “But I am still expecting the unexpected.”

“Understood, sir.” Christine said firmly.

The responsive tone caused a moment of flinching in Nyx. They didn’t know each other yet, hadn’t developed their way of speaking in private without the “sirs” and authorities. Nyx was not the type to believe that everything he said was a command. He didn’t like when people felt the need to respond as if he was giving orders. Sometimes he just wanted to chat.

‘That will come’ He thought to himself as he looked at the Lieutenant Commander. ‘In time.’

Decoding to move on, Nyx put on a smile. “How did we go with sorting the cargo bay?” He asked.

“Under control.” Christine added carefully, but she hesitated. Nyx noticed immediately and raised an eyebrow. “There was a dispute over Cargo hold 14. Engineering wants it for experimental equipment storage, but Operations believes it needs to be kept clear for potential emergency supplies, depending on the mission.”

Nyx considered this for a moment. Both departments had a reasonable claim. “What do you think?”

“I know Engineering likes to get creative. The Pandora has the opportunity to delve into new discoveries and technological advancements.” Christine weighed up the options, thoughtfully. She had already had this conversation with herself in the Turbolift on the way up here. She had wanted to give an answer to the Captain. “But Operations will probably need the space too. It makes sense to keep it clear.”

Nyx tapped his finger playfully, leaving the silence hanging in the air. He raised another eyebrow. “Your concerns?”

“That experimental equipment should be kept within the confines of Engineering.” Christine said, not entirely sure of herself now. Doubt had crept in. “And, well, Ops has the more practical solution. But - “

“But the Chief of Ops just happens to be your partner.” Nyx spoke for her, knowing this would be the issue. Christine just nodded solemnly.

After getting the XO offer from Milne, Christine had returned home to the apartment she shared with her partner Liana to give her the good news. It had taken some discussion back and forth - Liana was settled on her existing ship but it had meant many months spent apart from each other. They were married but couldn’t always see each other - it was a horrible situation they both tolerated out of love for their jobs. When Christine revealed that her offer from Milne had come with a joined offer for Liana as Chief of Operations, they had agreed.

Now they were in the strange situation where one partner was the second in charge of the ship, and the other was in charge of one of the ship’s most vital departments. They knew it would have caused some conflicts along the way.

“And you don’t want to be seen to be favouring your wife.” Nyx added.

“Not on my first day, at least.” Christine admitted with a slight frown. “And I don’t want to not do something out of fear that it could be taken the wrong way, either.”

Nyx nodded and leaned back in his chair, sighing. “I know what it is to have your partner serve on the same ship. Emilie is running our education department onboard the Pandora. I constantly worry that I could be seen to be deferring to her or favouring her when making decisions. Even when they’re the right decisions to make.”

Christine held the back of the chair in front of her, taking in a breath. “I knew this could be a problem when we agreed to serve together. I - well, we - agreed not to second guess ourselves. Just make the best decision at the time.”

“And don’t take anything home.” Nyx added with a helpful smile. “I learnt that the hard way. Once you enter your quarters, or you’re off duty then that’s it. No more discussion or debate. Leave it out of your home.”

“Good advice.” Christine grinned in agreement. She was warmed to have someone who had been through this before. “You know what you’re talking about.”

“I do.” Nyx laughed, “But it comes from years of working out how to manage it. We were just winging it for a long time.”

“And here I was thinking we had it down already.” Christine laughed. “But here’s the very first conflicted decision I have and I freeze.”

“You’ve already made the decision.” Nyx shrugged, “Stop second guessing it.”

Christine straightened up and held her hands to herself once more. She nodded. “Yes. I know.”

“Besides, I know Engineering will love the space.” Nyx casually remarked.

This caused Christine to startle and cough. “Actually, I was going to -“

Nyx laughed loudly, interrupting her stumbling. “I’m sorry, I had to!”

Christine laughed in relief as well, breaking their formalities for a moment. Nyx felt warm again.

“Oh god, don’t make me start second guessing you too!” Christine laughed loudly.

“Don’t.” Nyx replied carefully. He didn’t want to be too serious but it was the truth still. “You are my fourth Executive Officer on the Pandora. I expect you to be honest with me at all times. Give me your real opinion. I need you to.”

The Lieutenant Commander snapped into a nod, “Aye, I will.”

“Admiral Milne and I both believe you were ready for this appointment, don’t doubt that either.” Nyx continued, feeling a speech was coming on, even if he tried to resist it. “I have always enjoyed a close personal friendship with my first officers and many of them have gone on to amazing careers. Two captain their own vessels now. I believe in that for you, too.”

“I appreciate that, Captain Temple.” Christine was trying not to get overwhelmed, but there was a timber to Nyx’s words that was moving her. “I won’t let you down.”

“You won’t.” Nyx smiled, relenting. “I’ll need you on the Bridge when we reach the White Diamond Nebula, alright?”

“Yes, sir.” She nodded, “I will be there.”

OFF