They Gave Me a Department
Posted on Mon Aug 25th, 2025 @ 5:37pm by Lieutenant Tahlira Serin
1,022 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
A Day In The Life
Location: Earth: San Francisco
[Earth - San Francisco]
The San Francisco skyline shimmered in the late afternoon sun, its towers casting long reflections across the calm waters of the bay. Overhead, a shuttle moved quietly through the sky, angling toward Starfleet Command. Tahlira stood at the window of her temporary quarters, hands folded behind her back, her gaze following the shuttle’s path.
She had been on Earth for three days now, recalled from her last assignment with the promise of a new posting. Two of those days had been spent simply waiting on Starfleet Command, hurry up and wait, as the saying goes. The pause had given her a chance to catch up on neglected reading, but she would have preferred not to be left in limbo. However, at last, the orders had arrived.
She was to serve as Chief Diplomatic Officer aboard the USS _Orcrist_. Her first department head posting. As her gaze followed a shuttle the weight of the assignment settled over her. This was no temporary assignment, no short-term posting to fill a gap. For the first time, she was being entrusted with a department of her own.
A mix of pride and unease stirred within her. Pride because the assignment was proof that years of effort hadn't gone unnoticed. And unease because leadership carried a weight unlike any responsibility she had shouldered before.
She had advised, mediated, and supported others in their decisions, but now it would be her responsibility to set the tone, guide a team, and serve as the key voice of diplomacy aboard the starship.
The thoughts tightened her chest, making it hard to breathe for a moment.
Tahlira closed her eyes and drew in a steady breath. As she exhaled, her shoulders eased, the tension slipping away with the slow release of air. She centered herself in the familiar rhythm of calm, reminding herself that uncertainty was not weakness but an opportunity for growth.
It was only when the chime of her door sounded that she opened her eyes. Tahlira glanced over her shoulder as it echoed again, then crossed the room. Before she could key the panel, the chime sounded a third time. Patience, it seemed, was not her visitor’s strength. Before it had the chance to sound again, she pressed the control and the door slid open.
The door slid open to reveal a young woman in a crisp cadet’s uniform, shoulders squared and chin lifted with practiced formality. The resemblance struck Tahlira instantly. It was like looking into a younger version of herself. The same dark eyes, the same sharp features, the same neatly tied-back hair.
“Cadet Aris Serin, reporting.” Aris declared
Tahlira raised an eyebrow. “Did you practice that on the way over, or is the performance just for me?”
“No, ma’am. You only get one first impression.” Aris remained at attention, posture unwavering.
“Prophets help whoever actually ends up in charge of you.” Tahlira murmured, stepping to the side. “Come in before you strain something.”
Aris nodded. “Thank you, ma’am.”
As Aris stepped inside, Tahlira hesitated for a moment at the doorway, the word _ma’am_ still hanging in the air. She knew she’d be hearing it more now...from junior officers, cadets, even strangers who didn’t know her well enough to call her anything else. It was protocol, a sign of respect, but it still made her sound older than she felt.
Aris paused a few steps in, turning back with a raised eyebrow. “You okay, ma’am?” She asked.
Tahlira gave her a sidelong glance. “Yes, Cadet. I’m fine. Thank you for asking.” She said in her best officer’s tone, deciding to play along. “Make yourself comfortable while I grab my jacket.” With that, she turned and headed into the bedroom.
When Tahlira returned, jacket in hand, she found Aris already settled in one of the chairs, legs casually crossed and a PADD in hand. Her eyes were skimming the screen with far too much interest for someone pretending not to snoop.
“Did you know the _Orcrist_ is an Akira-class?” She asked.
Tahlira slipped on her jacket, adjusting the collar with practiced ease. “I did.” She replied. “I also know that PADD was locked when I left it on the table.”
Aris grinned. “Must’ve unlocked itself out of sheer curiosity.” She said, turning the PADD over in her hands as if it might confirm her story. “Akira-class, though. That’s not nothing. She’s got some teeth.”
Tahlira took the PADD from Aris's hands, and powered it off with a single tap. She placed it back on the table.
Aris leaned back in the chair, arms draped loosely over the armrests. "You don't think it's a little odd?" She asked. "Akira-class ships aren't exactly known for their diplomatic missions. They're build to hold a line, not hold hands."
Tahlira looked at Aris. "It may not have been built for diplomacy, but Federation sends messages in all kinds of ways...including what kind of ship it chooses to send."
Aris raised both eyebrows. “Okay, that’s actually a good line.” She said, sitting up a little straighter. “You’re really good at this, you know. It suits you.”
Tahlira held her sister’s gaze for a moment, the compliment settling deeper than she let show. “I try.” She said. “And I’m still learning. But… thank you.”
The silence that followed was brief but comfortable.
“Shall we?” She asked “I’m hungry, and I’d rather not spend my afternoon watching you dig through my PADDs.”
Aris grinned. “Right. I was going to pretend I had a tactical study group, but I guess I can make time for my favorite diplomat and sister.”
“I’m honored. Let’s go before you decide to break into anything else I own.”
Beneath the teasing, she was genuinely grateful that Aris was on Earth, and that they had this moment together. Opportunities like this were rare, and she knew better than to take them for granted.
A post by
LT. Tahlira Serin
Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Orcrist
Cadet Aris Serin
Starfleet Academy
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