An Unexpected Party - Part II

Posted on Fri Feb 13th, 2026 @ 10:33am by Commander Zaiden Isaac & Commander T'Maas

2,724 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: The Last Space Station on the Left
Location: Washington State, Earth
Timeline: MD0

Zaiden took a good look around the kitchen as he entered it and the smell of a hearty meal being prepared hit his senses. "I am a fan of both options, so if I may, I'll leave it to the chef to decide what gets served." He was thoroughly impressed by the sheer size of the windows and the views they afforded, especially to one as peaceful as this, and stood by them.

"Is there anything I can assist you with?" Zaiden asked, not wanting to feel useless while he waited. Back home, he and Helena shared the duties of cooking the meals, and even the kids had started to join in on it too to create some nice memories for him to look back on.

'Yes, there's a loaf of sourdough bread in the basket by the refrigeration unit. It needs to be torn up, oiled, salted and peppered to make croutons,' Sakaan replied as she washed her hands. 'We'll be having a sort of panzenella salad. I trust you're not allergic to cucumber, tomato, the onion family, or olives? Or dairy?'

"Mushrooms," Zaiden admitted with a nod as he went to where he was directed and picked up the sourdough loaf, taking in the divine smell of it for a moment, his eyes closed, before opening them again and starting about the process of tearing it up. "I'm fairly easy going with most foods, but mushrooms are a definite no on my part. There are few other things from back in the Rigel system that I'm allergic to, but they don't apply here, so it's of no consequence, really."

Once the bread was torn up, oiled, salted and placed on a tray that was already prepped, the bread was placed in the oven. "I must say, using proper kitchen equipment and not a replicator for once is quite refreshing."

'Then it is a good thing I have no Rigelian recipes in my repertoire,' T'Maas said drily as she put the last of the sliced tomatoes into a collander and salted them. The oven preheated instantly, allowing her to shove the bread in the oven. She handed a sharp, Japanese knife and a cucumber to Zaiden. 'Please core this then slice into crescents and put it in this,' she placed a salad bowl in front of him, 'bowl.'

'So,' she said, setting about ripping up a ball of mozzarella and chucking it in the bowl. 'You have a new command, the Equitas. And you are looking for a Chief Intelligence Officer. Which brought you here. What kind of vessel is the new ship?'

"Ah," Zaiden chuckled. He appreciated the dryness and authority T'Maas possessed and it made him think that she would get along with his wife perfectly. Taking the cucumber and knife and starting to prepare it as instructed, he continued talking, "I was hoping to have this conversation after we'd finished preparing and eating the food, but that's okay with me to have it now." He stopped for cutting for a moment and placed some of the cucumber into the bowl.

"The Equitas is primarily a scientific and diplomatic vessel, and we've got our first lot of orders to head out to the Romulan border to deliver some well-needed medical supplies to a space station." Zaiden continued his task while he spoke, "While we are indeed looking for a Chief Intelligence Officer, that's not exactly the position I'm here to ask you about. I understand and have read that you're an exceptional Intelligence Officer, especially given your almost four-decade history with Starfleet, and I have nothing but the highest respect for that. I'm actually here to ask you about your opinions and thoughts on becoming my Executive Officer."

She paused slicing the olives for a moment and regarded the prospective commanding officer coolly. 'This does not seem logical to me. My experience in Starfleet is ... not of the norm. The most I have had command over is my own department, not a whole ship. Who recommended me, if I may ask?'

"Commodore Curzon Bennett of Starfleet Intelligence," Zaiden stated as he stepped away from the bench and wiped his hands to rid himself of the stickiness that came with cutting cucumbers before grabbing the padd that he'd beamed down with and handing it over to her. "He clearly believes that you've got the potential, and I'm inclined to agree with him. Here, take a look at what he said."

Continuing to scrutinise him, T'Maas merely said 'indeed,' and took the padd after washing her own hands. She spent an efficient thirty seconds reading through Bennett's words. Though human, the Commodore did have a pleasingly efficient turn of phrase, something his father could have learned about. 'Thankfully Curzon is unsentimental when it comes to Starfleet service. It does, however, seem strange to have a man I once mentor advocate for me.'

She demurred a moment, put together the completed salad, and put the steaks to fry. 'Assuming I would accept, what would you expect of me Commander?'

Zaiden paused for a moment to think. "Well, in the name of honesty, I would be expecting a lot from you. I'm not afraid to admit that I am new to captaincy, and therefore I will need help as I navigate this new position and learn from it." The Academy could teach everything from the books and simulations could be run, but actually being in the real world and applying what was taught was a different story.

He rattled off the list of responsibilities he'd prepared, "As my second-in-command, you would be my advisor and counterbalance in offering alternative viewpoints for decisions that need to be made, and would have the authority to act as Captain if I'm otherwise incapacitated, unavailable or off ship. You would be in charge of overseeing the day-to-day ship operations and making sure all departments are running as smooth as possible, and handling any personnel issues, training and development if necessary." Taking a moment for a breath, Zaiden recollected his thoughts and continued, "Coordinate the Bridge crew to ensure everyone is in sync and take command of the Bridge when needed, and lead away teams on various missions if or when required."

"Those are the standard requirements of an Executive Officer, but I have no doubt these can and will change throughout our time together, should you choose to accept." Zaiden offered her an easy, relaxed smile and dropped some of the tension starting to form in his shoulders. "Are these requirements acceptable to you?" he asked.

'The requirements are the standard requirements and are satisfactory. Were I to accept,' T'Maas replied neutrally as she flipped over the steaks to sear on their uncooked side. She observed them in silence for the precise two minutes they required before taking them out of the pan and plating them. A long table could be seen in the next room, and she nodded in its direction. 'Bring the salad.'

She sat after placing down the plates opposite one another. 'It is only logical that I remind you that I requested a leave of absence from my last posting. During my time aboard the Ares I experienced difficulties in ... adjusting to life as a day-to-day Starfleet officer.' T'Maas arched an eyebrow, 'it was felt that a year as a tutor at Starfleet Academy would be sufficient to put distance between myself and a long-term field assignment. It became apparent to me that was not the case.'

Zaiden followed suit and sat after he put the salad on the table, listening intently to what she was saying. He nodded, "How have you been adapting to life as a Starfleet tutor so far? Do you feel like sufficient time has passed that you might be ready to readjust to Starfleet officer life in a less chaotic role? Or would you need more time for it." His tone wasn't judgmental; it was full of concern for a fellow officer. He'd read the file, understood why T'Maas had needed the time away and everything that came with it, but still, he wanted to get her thoughts and feelings about it. After all, it had to be her decision to join him, not his.

'That is yet to be determined,' T'Maas said as she carved up her steak expertly. 'My only certainty is that teaching at the Academy is not ... 'my speed' as humans would say. But I have no real wish to return purely to intelligence work. I have accepted that this will take a period of adjustment on my part.' She concentrated on her meal for a moment, then came to a decision. 'I would like to try this new position, however.'

A growing smile and nod confirmed Zaiden's understanding as he finished the mouthful of food before he started to talk, "I imagine that, with the Equitas being a brand-new ship and all, that we will most likely be getting a Chief Intelligence Officer who is fresh to the role or position, so my only ask in terms of going back to Intelligence is that you be open to offer any advice if they come to ask a question or your opinion."

Pushing some of the salad onto the fork before adding some steak, he paused and let the smile grow wider, "In regard to the position of Executive Officer, does this mean that you formally accept my offer?"

'If you have the necessary papers to sign, then, yes,' T'Maas replied, looking at her new commanding officer. 'And to clarify, I have no problem offering advice, but I would rather not have to undertake prolonged clandestine missions again in the future. However, given the Equitas' mission profile I doubt that will be necessary.'

"Noted and understood, Commander." Zaiden acknowledged with another nod. Things were starting to fall into place beginning with his crew, and he couldn't be happier. "I don't imagine we would be going into any situations that would require prolonged clandestine missions, as you put it."

He reached over for the padd and switched in back on, pressing a few commands and bringing up the necessary details for the position acceptance before sliding it over to her, "I had a feeling you'd accept so it's all here and waiting to be signed, and then i can get it sent off to HQ and all made official. But, it can wait until we've finished this, if you would like."

Motioning for the padd, T'Maas took it off his hands, scan-read it and nodded, more to herself than anyone else. Pressing firmly on the finger-print reader with her thumb, she shrugged, a habit she had learned on long assignments away from the Federation from - no, best steer away from those thoughts, she decided. 'It is done,' she said simply, and resumed her meal.

"Thank you, T'Maas." Zaiden said with genuine appreciation and a nod. "I'll get that sorted as soon as I get back. By the way," he motioned to the food in front of him with his fork, "This meal is sensational. The simple seasoning fits perfectly with the searing, and the salad is pretty decent too. Do you enjoy cooking on a regular basis, or is this just a once of kind of thing for you?" There was a lot he could learn from her by getting to know her as person and not just what was on her file.

'Home cooking is the most efficient way of ensuring I have the nutrients I need,' T'Maas observed as she placed her knife and fork down on her plate. Then she remembered she was not talking to a Vulcan. 'It ... is satisfying to be able to prepare a meal to a satisfactory standard and then consume it. I cook regularly for myself.' She eyed Zaiden, knowing that acceptable Vulcan behaviour prevented her from admitting her pleasure at cooking. 'Do you enjoy cooking?'

His eyebrow quirked in response at the admission; he'd been around enough Vulcans to pick up on the fact she secretly enjoyed cooking but wouldn't admit it out loud. "I do enjoy cooking, yes, especially barbeques back home. I mostly only cook though when my wife isn't able to, like if she's just come off a long shift or something, but the kitchen is her happy place so I let her have that and I just help out where I can."

'Fascinating,' T'Maas replied neutrally. 'An aptitude for cooking is a necessary prerequisite for an enjoyable, fulfilling life is something I would argue. It bodes well that we are in agreement on this, at least. It indicates more points of commonality we might be able to exploit while we serve together.' At this point, T'Maas was unsure whether she would seek additional friendships or merely observe her colleagues as just that. Time would tell.

"Well," Zaiden started as he placed his knife and fork to the side of his plate, "I hope we can find more points of commonality, as you put it, too. If it is of any interest to you, my wife Helena will be on board as one of the nurses and will be more than happy to strike up a conversation about food or any other topic you wish. She's quite the conversationalist and will talk for hours." He wasn't sure how T'Maas would handle Helena and her excitement around certain topics and conversations.

'That sounds ... fascinating,' T'Maas replied deadpan as she placed her knife and fork pin-neat to one side of her plate, meal finished. Picking up both plates she bussed them to the sink. 'I am sure we'll get along like a house on fire as humans are apt to say. 'When do you expect me to report for duty?' She returned to the table.

Ah, the famous Vulcan sense of humour. Zaiden inclined his head slightly, "As mentioned previously, the Equitas launches in two weeks time, so I would be expecting you on board and having familiarized yourself with it the week prior. There is a formal launch ceremony that will take place within that week, as will the first senior staff mission briefing." Leaning back in the chair slightly, "So Stardate 67162.8 is when you are to report in for duty."

'Acceptable. Is the ship accessible before then for senior officers? Or is the final fit still being completed?' T'Maas asked, already running down a mental checklist of items both essential and sentimental that she needed to pack. A pitifully small list, even for a Vulcan a voice at the back of her head said.

"The final fit is almost complete, so senior officers will be granted access by the time you arrive." There was a moment of hesitation in Zaiden's voice, something that made him want to check again that everything was going according to schedule and that there wouldn't be any delays. "I will just confirm that again and let you know, but I've been assured everything is happening right on time."

'I am sure Starfleet will do their normal admirable work,' T'Mass stated with no discernible sarcasm. She got to her feet. 'I have take up entirely too much of your time, Captain. There is also more wood to chop in readiness for the winter. Please excuse me on both accounts.' Her eyes flicked to the door then back to the captain as she clasped her hands in front of her.

He could take a hint when it was so obviously given, "And that's my queue to leave." Zaiden moved his chair back further and stood up. "I appreciate the time you've dedicated to humouring my request to come on board as my Executive Officer, thank you. I look forward to seeing where we go from here."

Once outside, Zaiden watched as T'Maas followed to a certain point before stopping and nodding. "Thank you again, the meal was lovely. I'll be seeing you on the Equitas soon." He called for the transporter to pick him back up, a final nod given to T'Maas, "Commander" before he disappeared.

::OFF::

Commander T'Maas
Executive Officer
USS Equitas

Commander Zaiden Isaac
Commanding Officer
USS Equitas

 

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