A New Boss

Posted on Fri Jan 9th, 2026 @ 6:59pm by Lieutenant Commander Hadir Prenar & Lieutenant Junior Grade Tara Marsh

1,628 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: A Day In The Life
Location: Office of the Chief of Tactical Operations - Deck 15 - USS Orcrist

Tara was slightly surprised that her previous boss, the Vulcan S'Vor was gone. Instead, she had a new Chief, Hadir Prenar. She was pretty certain that he was in intelligence before. However, they had never met. Well, that had to change. How could she know what was expected of her if she did not know the rules? After all, rules were important.

Going into the bowels of Security, she looked around for Hadir, a smile beaming on her face.

Hadir had worked diligently at his desk. There was still the issue of the Bridge nagging at him. Now that he was Chief he would be expected to do Bridge duty. However, it was something he truly detested. The Cardassian took pride in knowing most things that went on aboard the ship. He stood up and opened the door to his office. "Lieutenant Marsh. You may enter. I believe you have come to see me." His green eyes flashed and his trademark Cardassian smile beamed.

"I did, sir." Tara replied, grinning back. "Since you are my new boss, I wanted to discuss your expectations for my position as your assistant, sir."

"Yes of course. Please have a seat." Hadir began and pointed to the chairs before his desk. The Cardassian within him would want to offer a glass of kanar. However, he knew that within Starfleet drinking at official meetings was frowned upon. "Can I get you anything? The first expectation I have is to not call me sir in private. It makes my blood run cold, and for a cold-blooded individual that is something. Hadir will do nicely."

"Hadir it is, then," Tara agreed, as she took the proffered seat. "I don't need anything, but thank you." She sat straight as a board waiting for Hadir to continue the conversation.

Hadir sipped his coffee, a beverage that he acquired a taste for when he joined Starfleet. It tasted much better than the traditional Cardassian fish juice. When he set the cup down he began to speak. "I came up through Intelligence and have now been appointed to Chief of Security. It doesn't take much to realize that a lot of people around here do not want a Cardassian on the Bridge. Add to that my lack of interest of being there. So, I would like you to be the face of this department. You would have the Bridge shifts, and the glory as it were. I would handle the paperwork and logistics from my office."

"You would do the paperwork?" Tara asked, hardly believing her luck. Usually the Assistant Chief got stuck with that. "That is very generous, Hadir, but why do you make the assumption that nobody wants a Cardassian on the bridge? Certainly such prejudices do not exist still."

Hadir smiled in that manner that only Cardassians could. "Perhaps the greatest trait of my species is our efficiency and organization. So, paperwork is right up my aly. As to the prejudices. The Occupation, and Cardassian War is still too recent for people to have totally forgotten. While most are not open about it, the looks and whispers are still there. However, I do not allow them to bother me."

"Yet you do not want to appear on the bridge?" Tara asked. It seemed to her that it bothered him more than she let on. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I would rather enjoy it and I really do not like the paperwork, so, well, this suits me fine. It is just, well, unusual."

"I agree that it is unusual. But, as I said I am an Intelligence asset through and through. Manning bridge consoles never suited me, and perhaps never will. Don't worry I will still take the heat if anything goes wrong. And of course if the Captain does not like this course of action then it will have to return to the normalcy that most ships have." Hadir leaned back in his chair as he relaxed for the moment. "Now, tell me what does Lieutenant Marsh enjoy? I do want to get to know the people I work with." Knowing the people one worked with meant that one knew how they would react to certain situations, and that was the key to gaining intelligence about anyone and everyone.

"I'm a physical gal. I like to play sports, even Parises Squares. I enjoy martial arts, wrestling, football, or really anything that will work up a nice sweat. Keep me active and keep me healthy. That's really all I need. Just don't expect me to dress up fancy. I'm really not good at it, nor do I care for it." She shrugged without apology. "What does my new boss like to do?" she asked casting Hadir a winning grin.

"I practice the Cardassian Martial Arts known as the Lox Kardassia. I also play the trombone, jazz mostly. Helps me relax and think to be honest." Hadir thought for a moment and then realized that this is a unique opportunity to learn a few things. "So, since I am new to this department. Tell me is there anything I need to know."

Tara considered the question for a moment and said, "I really would like to spar with you and learn Cardassian martial arts. Now, as to anything you need to know, I guess that would depend on what you want to know. I don't know that there's anything that you need to know. My previous chief was a Vulcan and rarely interacted with me."

Hadir nodded almost sagely. "Yeah, Vulcans have a tendency to play their cards close to the proverbial vest. Consider this your first task. It is my belief that the Security Department should have its fingers on the pulse of the crew at all times. We should know pretty much what the crew is up to, and any security risks that may entail. I am not saying to infringe on personal space or rights. But, let us just say that a high percentage of the rumor mill is usually true. We can have a weekly meeting, the two of us where we share this information, and decide what needs to be done. If there is one thing that Cardassia has taught me it is that knowledge is always power. Now, as to the martial arts it would be my pleasure. We can schedule sparring sessions where I can teach you."

Beaming a pearly white smile at Hadir, Tara enthusiastically stated, "I fully agree with you! I love interacting with the crew and getting to know everyone. But seriously, how can one ever know if somoene is acting outside their normal behaviors if one does not know what 'normal' is. It could be a tip to someone or something putting undue influence on one of our crewmates and that should never happen! I'm so glad that your thinking is so similar to mine! So weekly sparring and discussions on the crew..... Same day or different ones?"

Hadir did find it refreshing that the woman thought the same as he did. Truth was he thought that asking her to basically spy on the crew would not have gone done well. Yet she took right to it. "We can see how it goes. Just remember these conversations stay between us, unless it is deemed necessary to tell the Captain."

"As you say, sir," Tara answered confidently. She had a bit of misgivings about keeping anything from the Captain but at this moment, that was not a concern. There was no threat to the ship or the crew.

"It has been my experience that most of the day to day security matters are not needed to be placed before the Captain. As I say if needed of course the Captain will be told. At the moment it seems that the ship is well secure, with little to no threats. I would like to plan weekly joint briefings between Security and Intelligence." Hadir attempted to gage Tara's awareness of keeping certain things covert.

"I do try to keep everyone happy and safe. I try to get to know everyone so I can ascertain whether there will be any difficulties. Is there any particular emphasis that I should put on my daily routines?" Tara asked.

It was now that Hadir exhaled sharply through his nose. "I would hate to say it but try to stay on top of the gossip. It seems to me that gossip always has some amount of truth to it. Also, it is the very start of almost all arguments on a starship. Keeping everyone happy and safe is a large part of the job. But the other part is making sure that no one kills each other in the process."

"Nobody will kill another person on my watch," Tara answered insistently. "I will make certain of that."

It seemed that the dry wit of a Cardassian may have been lost on Tara. Pity... Hadir thought. "Of course as is your duty. Now, then I think we both had better get to it. Since you have been in this department longer than I. Perhaps you can introduce me around to the rest of our staff."

"Of course, I would be happy to do so! I suppose that I should have them come here, given your preference to be reclusive."

Hadir was about to agree with her and then since he was brand new to the ship he thought better of it. "Not this time Lieutenant. Perhaps at least at the very beginning I should be seen out and about. Lead the way." He pointed toward the door as he stood.


Lieutenant Junior Grade Tara Marsh
Assistant Chief of Tactical Operations
USS Orcrist

Lieutenant Commander Hadir Prenar
Chief of Tactical Operations
USS Orcrist

 

RSS Feed