Walk With Me

Posted on Mon Jul 27th, 2026 @ 4:34pm by Commander Cale Llewellyn DSci & Captain Nycolas Temple

Mission: A New Day at Midnight
Location: Deck 4 - Transporter Room 1

ON:

Nyx was walking quickly through the corridors of the Pandora, eyes peeled to his PADD. Starfleet had come through for him on his pick for XO, which he had to admit they had been doing more of recently. His direct superior, Admiral Milne, had given him free rein to staff the new Pandora with a senior crew of his choosing, something a lot of captains didn’t get the pleasure of doing.

For the Pandora’s next Executive Officer, Nyx wanted someone who was hungry. Experienced but still willing to learn. Dependable in an emergency - which, let’s face it, was always happening on this ship; but also willing to take the time to craft a positive culture onboard the vessel. Nyx’s last two XO’s had gone on to captain their own ships after being on the Pandora for a few years; with Nash now heading the USS Palentine and Mindo commanding Starbase 109. It was his honour to get officers ready for command, and he was looking forward to doing that again with Commander Llewellyn. Nyx had seen the candidates who were available and he had chosen the Commander on a belief that the officer was ready for the challenge of the Pandora.

Turning sharply on his heel as he walked into the Transporter Room, Nyx looked over to Ensign Navot on duty.

“We’re ready?” Nyx asked, and he received a nod in response. “Energise.” A moment later and the Commander was standing before them. “Welcome.” He said warmly.

"Greetings, Captain," Cale replied. “Commander Cale Jayson Llewellyn, reporting for duty." Stepping off the platform, Cale extended his hand towards his new Captain along with a smile.

Nyx took the hand and clasped it between his own, shaking firmly. “Glad you were able to make it on time. I know it was a short turn around for you.”

"I'm happy to be here. One of my former CO's said I was destined for the 'chair', as he put it. I agree with him on some level," Cale said returning the firm hand shake perhaps a little too firm.

Nyx gave a loud laugh, “I hope there hasn’t been some kind of mix up here. I’m still the Captain, right?”

Cale returned the laugh and replied, "No sir, no mix-up and yes sir, you're still the Captain. And feel free to call me Cale or Jayson, whichever you prefer, sir."

“Cale then.” Nyx shrugged, “Call me Nyx.” He nodded towards the doorway, extending his hand out to allow the Commander to go ahead. “Walk with me to my Ready Room. I’ll have the team take your belongings to your quarters, so we can chat now. We don’t have long to settle in, unfortunately.”

"After you, Nyx," Cale said and then followed him up to his ready room. Cale wondered what Nyx meant by not having long to settle in. Cale himself was looking forward to getting to know this ship and the crew. But apparently there was something else going on that he didn't yet know about. Cale didn't like being left in the dark though he felt this trip to the ready room would shed some light on the situation.

“We’re currently en-route to the White Diamond Nebula,” Nyx explained as they strolled through the corridor of the Pandora. Officers were busy at work, preparing for the mission at hand. “There’s a colony on the planet Omipro, it was attacked several hours ago by some unknown assailants. Mass casualties, about a dozen dead. But, it wasn’t just an opportunistic hit. They have stolen something from an archeological museum in the city. We don’t know what as yet.”

They came up to a turbo lift terminal and the Captain pushed the call button. It was only a moment later when a lift arrived, the two officers stepping inside. “Deck one.” Nyx commanded.

"Ah, I see, said the blind man," Cale said with a grin and a mischievious one at that.

Nyx raised an eyebrow at the saying. The Turbolift reached its destination and the two exited into the corridor behind the Bridge, heading towards the Ready Room. The captain continued, “Once we arrive at Omipro, Lieutenants Jarok and Xanth will lead the forensic investigation into the attack, and try to find out who was responsible. Lieutenant Commander J’Oh and Ensign DeVine will handle the medical crisis and coordinate treatment for the injured. I want yourself and the Security team to secure the colony, on the ground and around the planet. It’s important that we ensure the attackers know the colony is protected by Starfleet.”

"I understand, Captain. Consider it done," Cale said finally seeing to what the captain had been alluding. Now all he needed to do was meet with the so-called security team. And he would do so all in due time.

They entered the Ready Room and Nyx chose to lean on the front side of his desk, instead of sitting behind it. He indicated for the Commander to take a seat on the couch nearby. “We won’t have much time to get to know each other, but I think that’s for the best. I want to see how we fit in with each while on a mission because that’s when it matters most. That’s when the crew is looking to us as leaders to make the right decisions and work together.”

"I tend to agree with you on that point," Cale said with compliance and understanding.

“Good.” Nyx nodded, “I’m also interested in developing you as a leader, if that’s something you’re looking for? If you were looking to sit in the slightly bigger chair?”

"Who is the current Chief of Security? That sounds good to me, sir, though I'm not currently looking to take the center seat, it is something I would like to do some day," Cale replied.

“Chief Intel Lieutenant Jarok is overseeing Security until a permanent chief can be posted.” Nyx explained, “Another area I wasn’t able to get coverage of before launch. But Jarok will be your liaison for the mission.” The captain nodded, “Well, I can certainly help bring ‘one day’ a bit closer.”

"Brilliant on all accounts, sir. Another question; who will be assisting me with security on the surface while Jarok and Cyrin are doing the forsensic thing? I understand Vulcans are multi-faceted but I've yet to meet one who could be in two places at once," Cale asked after taking a seat on the couch.

“I guess not. We will be securing the colony first before any investigation can begin. I can have Lieutenant J’Oh assist you with maintaining Security after that?” Nyx suggested.

"Isn't she needed at Ops? Not to call into question your orders, sir," Cale said with a cheeky smile on his face and a slight chuckle afterwards.

“We’ll make it work. I am no stranger to the Ops platform myself, I’m sure I can lend a hand while you lead the Away team to the colony.” Nyx smiled. “We’re going to have to get used to filling in for roles until we have a full ship’s compliment of senior staff. But luckily our departments are fully rostered, so there’s plenty of officers around to help out as well. I like to operate on a ‘next person up’ basis. It means everyone on board is ready and willing to step up to the next role if required.”

"Understood. I'll get to setting my away team up. I can do that from the bridge, no?" Cale asked but asked it anyway.

“Yes, definitely. You do have an office though.” Nyx remarked before he stopped himself. He tried to remember the last time he had seen the XO’s office and was coming up with a blank. He was sure it existed, though. He nodded, “But work whether you feel most comfortable, whatever’s best for you.”

"But you may need me on the bridge and since I've never served on a ship of this class, I would like to see it before I'm called away," Cale answered as confidently as he could.

“As you wish.” Nyx shrugged. “Was there anything else you needed from me right now?”

"Not right this minute, Captain," Cale replied.

“Good. Efficient. I like that.” Nyx smiled. “I cannot promise that everything with go smoothly, that we won’t have our problems and disagreements along the way. I’m counting on it. But if we can keep an open and honest dialogue, if we can respect each other when we are together and when with others, and promise to always put the welfare of our crew above all else, then we will be just fine, Commander.” He extended his hand out once more to the new XO. “Welcome to the Pandora.”

Cale accepted the hand and said, "Thank you, Captain."

OFF