Operational Considerations

Posted on Wed Nov 4th, 2026 @ 3:43am by Lieutenant Commander Alph & Lieutenant Lovan Dimitri

1,362 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Shifting Shapes [4-5]
Location: Ops Chief's Office - DS13
Timeline: The day after 'Out of Body Experiences'

Alph didn't spend a lot of time in his office. Alpha-type androids didn't need to sit down, and he could do his work from virtually anywhere. But today, he had a reason to be there, and so he sat waiting, staring ahead, while internally monitoring systems and schedules and requests for assistance from other departments. He had reviewed the profile of the new officer he was to be meeting, which while not especially complete, gave him a basic approach to consider.

"Enter." He responded once the door chime sounded.

"Greetings Lieutenant. Please sit or stand as is your preference." Alph said once the man appeared. He made a point to sit in such meetings. His natural choice, standing, was described as 'tense' and 'disturbing'.

Lovan nodded, studying this android as he took a seat. He'd not met any before, although he did know there were some serving in Starfleet. "Thank you," he said, holding a PADD in his lap.

"I understand you have previously served in Operations as an Assistant Department Chief in Starfleet in a parallel universe not unlike our own. What are your specialities and areas of interest?" Alph asked.

"Computer systems and encryption, holosystems, and replication systems are my specialities," Lovan said. "But I'm well versed in power distribution networks as well."

"Yes. I see." Alph said somewhat tonelessly. "Can you tell me about a time when you used your knowledge gained from experience or the academy to alleviate a time critical situation?" He asked.

Lovan raised an eyebrow at the question. "I can appreciate that these are probably standard questions to evaluate the skills of a new placement, but I can tell you that I have 5 years of Ops experience, the last 2 as Assistant Ops Chief. That does come with a certain level of competence. Perhaps you can tell me what roles Operations actually needs filled right now, and I can tell you what I can do to help with those?"

Alph folded his hands in front of him on the desk. “Master Chief Gaz maintained an efficiency rating of 94% during his tenure as chief of ops. I have maintained an efficiency rating of 96%. With all due respect Lieutenant, you are surplus to requirements. While I fully respect your right to privacy and the limits of your disclosed personal information, it is unclear to me why an individual with the ability to become physically insubstantial - but also carry small items - has dedicated their abilities to maintaining power levels, managing inventory, and the other admittedly menial task in the Operations remit.”

“If I might speak frankly Lieutenant, I do not doubt your expertise or experience but, one could be forgiven for thinking that your natural abilities might be better suited to security or intelligence.”

Lovan smiled a bit. There was the answer he had been looking for. "One might think so, if my only function was to fight people or to surveil them. I am interested in neither. When I was alive over three centuries ago I was a soldier, a warrior. I killed many people in that time, and unfortunately since. I don't want to kill people any more, or even fight them. While I would fight to protect myself or my crewmates as I'm sure any officer here would, I don't want that to be my primary purpose. Operations interests me, keeping things running and functioning smoothly, interacting with others in a civil and peaceful manner, that interests me. Operations performs a variety of functions, so there is always something new and different to focus on, and Operations interacts regularly with all other departments. It is the beating heart of any starship or space station. That's where I belong."

“Your logic is sound. And the decision is yours. But there are avenues of pursuit that do not require combat or surveillance. Search and rescue. First response. Crisis negotiation and tactical communications.” Alph suggested. “I do not intend to talk you out of your decision, but I have found the way to get the best out of one’s crew is to leverage their advantages. Your advantages seem almost entirely unrelated to the work you have chosen. I am therefore unclear as to how best utilize you as someone who will be operating to their greatest potential.” Alph said.

"In all honesty, sir, I don't want my abilities leveraged. I can serve in Ops and still be available if such a situation arises that needs extra hands. But I have no desire to work in those functions on a permanent ongoing basis. Helping to keep everyone on the station alive on the day to day, and helping keep the station functioning, that's my priority."

Alph unfolded his hands, and put them back under the table. "It is your right to pursue the career of your preference. Boatswain Bwalya has been looking for a boatswain's mate. Is this a position you would consider?"

Lovan nodded. "Yes, sir."

"As you wish Lieutenant. Be aware however that the position is available largely because the Boatswain's expectations can be high. It will not be an easy position." Alph explained with something mimicking concern.

Lovan smiled a bit. "That's fine, I like a challenge," he said.

“That is encouraging.” Alph said. “Is there anything else I can do to support you as you join this department Lieutenant?” He asked.

"Not that I can think of at the moment, sir. I've been assigned permanent quarters, so I will meet with the Boatswain as soon as possible to get to work."

"Very good. I believe you have been assigned to quarters with standardised ambient holographics. You may be accustomed to this technology, but it will allow you to generate any environment you may choose within your quarters. It will not have all the interactive features of a standard holodeck, but advances in the available technology can be earned. But if you prefer simple manual quarters, this is of course also the default option."

Lovan looked surprised. "Oh, that's something I've not encountered before. It sounds interesting, thank you."

"We will see that it is done. You will find we have one additional unwritten rule in our department, one which will require your attention. The rule is that we do not leave Lieutenant Olson in charge of the department or any senior station in the command structure." Alph explained, bringing up a small holo of the man, in his unapproved starfleet trucker hat and one-way aviator-style feedglasses, on which he did the majority of his work.

"He is an impossibly talented manager of systems, but he is not, as some would say, a people person. At least not in the traditional sense. In the event of absenteeism in command, you will officially outrank him, despite his position as assistant chief. He will never go higher in the chain of command than assistant chief. This is his choice, and one we all agree on." Alph explained.

Lovan raised an eyebrow at this. It was an unorthodox arrangement, but he imagined in this place there were lots of things that weren't done in the usual way. "Yes, sir, I understand."

"The only final remaining item I have to discuss is; is it feasible for you to wear a standard-issue combadge?" Alph asked.

Lovan nodded. "Yes, I can wear a commbadge and other items of a material nature. My hair clasp is one such item. It actually helps in transporting to have one."

"Understood. I will ensure the transporter teams know to look out for this." Alph produced a badge from his desk, encoded for Lieutenant Dimitri. He passed it across the surface. "Welcome to Ops, Mr Dimitri."

He gave Alph a smile as he reached to take the commbadge and affix it to his uniform. "Thank you, sir."

"Dismissed, Lieutenant. Boatswain Bwalya will be expecting you." Alph said with a nod.

Lovan nodded and exited the office, consulting his PADD for directions to Bwalya's office next.

Once the man was gone, Alph stared expressionlessly at the door while making some setting changes internally, then followed him out a few minutes later, leaving the room to return to the still darkness it occupied most of the time.

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