Basic Training

Posted on Thu Apr 3rd, 2025 @ 10:46pm by Michał Lipinski & Lieutenant Commander Jason Reeves
Edited on on Tue Apr 8th, 2025 @ 6:09am

2,052 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Resistance is Necessary
Timeline: MD002 - 0645

Discharged from Sickbay, Michał Lipinski had the opportunity to explore the Federation starship a bit albeit not the restricted areas. He was kept under somewhat close supervision though his chaperones never introduced themselves. They were good at their jobs though, blending into the scenery, mingling in the lounge with others, but Michał was perceptive. He had not tried to authorize restricted areas.

He was a refugee here and he wasn't expecting much. A cot aboard a Federation starship in makeshift quarters that were clearly a cargobay were more than accommodating all things considered.

The makeshift living arrangements were actually quite nice, a lot more spacious and inviting than his crew cabin aboard the Luxury Starcruiser that he worked aboard. Above deck was always nicer than below on Risian Luxury Starcruisers but that was practical. The guests stayed atop, the crew lived below.

Lieutenant Commander Reeves entered the cargo bay that was currently being used as refugee housing, a temporary medical facility and various other uses. Walking around, he searched until he found exactly who he was looking for. The room assignment that had been given to Michal Lipinski. Even though the young man, hadn't spent a day in Starfleet. Jason had convinced the Captain to give Lipinski a chance to be his Yeoman. "Michal Lipinski?"

He was getting settled in when a voice practically echoed throughout the cargobay. Oh great thought Michał curious what trouble he was in. Federation starships were not entirely foreign to him, but this one was much larger than what he had been aboard temporarily. He had literally come aboard taken from an escape pod, an escape pod he had scrambled out of his bunk to get to. His life was packed away on Risa. If he had his uniform from the Starcruiser it would have been a polo shirt with the charter company's emblem and a pair of deck shorts.

"Just a moment," he called out. Sickbay had been kind enough to give him some generic smock and scrub slacks. Better than nothing thought Michał Lipinski as he made his way towards the source of tge voice.

He saw a man that looked similar enough to him, humanoid and tall. "Hey," he said casually. The man was not the physician who had treated him nor one of the nurses. The uniform color was also a shade of maroon red ratgee than teal. "May I..." he was about to ask if he could help the man, but he was not even sure how he could. This starship was foreign to Michał.

"Lieutenant Commander Jason Reeves. First Officer of the Jane Addams." It was obvious that the Michal was a bit confused. Honestly, he wondered if the young man had ever really considered a life of Starfleet or at least a brief stint. "When you arrived on board, there was someone who gathered some background information from you. Also, you mentioned that you would be willing to assist in any that you could."

Did I? thought the blonde Risian man looking perplexed. "I apologize, Lieutenant Commander Reeves. Your Doctor said I was conscious when your ship pulled me from the escape pod that I was in, but he diagnosed me with severe dehydration and a mild concussion."

Best if I don't disclose more than I need to thought Michał. The luxury starcruisers had a reputation after all. "I may not recall much from then or what I said, but that sounds like me. I'd of course help if I could."

"So, I will get right to it," Jason replied. "Captain M'Raz is in need of a Yeoman. Not sure if your familiar with the position, but I'll break it down. Yeoman are enlisted personnel who file paperwork, and other sensitive information at times. Basically, assisting the CO in day-to-day duties that the Captain otherwise would not have the time to do."

"Your Captain needs a secretary," quipped Michał. His gaze met Jason's. "That is essentially what you are describing. An administrative assistant."

I've done worse he thought. "And my experience..." The man looked at Jason with curiosity. "Commander, I've waited tables, made drinks, and get sociable with people. I can set a table informal or formal and make up beds. Paperwork may not be within my wheelhouse, but I attended the University of Betazed. I'm not a stranger to academic readings or typing reports."

Reeves slightly chuckled. "You majored in Hospitality Management. Therefore, you have training in management which involves paperwork. A minor in Psychology, which I am fairly certain coincides with your ability to provide services to people. Yes, I would be describing an administrative assistant. But a Starfleet one and the responsibilities is far more different and important. Not downplaying any other career, but you would be depended upon by the Captain. Let me ask you something about your current job. What goal were you trying to achieve?"

"I'm not unfamiliar with a Captain depending on me, Commander. We may not be explorers, but luxury cruisers and pleasure yachts have crew and structure. Career wise? Move up from 3rd Steward to Chief Steward, continue my education eventually."

Clearly what little information Michał had given caused them to do a deeper dive in his background. "Services. We provide services and memories. At least that was how it was before The Borg." Michał smirked. "The perk of what I did, Commander was between ports and charters. The crew got the opportunity to enjoy the ship, the ports, and indulge ourselves."

"Oh, I'm familiar with your structure. But my point is that your familiar with the chain of command already just need to be brushed up on Starfleet structure, but you have the basics down. Your goal is eventually move up the chain of command, which you can do here. Hell you might decide not to make a career out of Starfleet which is alright. We travel to a lot of places as well and indulge on the ship as well. Likely not to the level Risians do."

Reeves pulled up a chair and sat down to make himself more comfortable. "You had a Captain who very much depended on his people including yourself. All this is way too much to simply run by yourself. Starfleet and cruise ship. But what other concerns that you have?"

"Do I get a uniform and does it look like yours?" Really Michał could work with anything. "I'm used to a polo and deck shorts, but I am open to anything. I've seen someone wearing something...a skant? What would the Captain prefer?"

"Yes it would be similar and the same color as well," the older man answered with a smile. "The rank would be different, which will be explained in your training."


Michał nodded. "Alright, so there's training. Where do I go for that and how long are we talking? I'm generally a pretty quick learner but if I'm going to be the Captain's secretary... that's probably going to be less about my skill and ability to do the tasks and more about the Captain liking me."

Jason couldn't help but to smile calling himself the Captain's secretary. "Typically, basic training would consist of a few weeks. But I will have you sworn in and get you up to date with what you would learn in Basic Training. Everything else will be on the job training."

So, this is my life now he thought. "Fetch me a PADD and start talking, Commander. I'll do my best to keep up. Where do we start?"

"We get to my office and you swear an oath to Starfleet," the Commander responded. "Hope your fast study."

"To your office it is" the Risian affirmed. Quick study the words made him want to scoff and be dismissive, but he was grateful to be alive. "Commander, Risian Luxury Starcruisers are gorgeous vessels with some state of the art amenities aboard. We get some very particular charter guests. It requires excellent customer service skills, being adaptable, and going above and beyond. I'll be a fast study if that is what is needed of me."

Standing from his seat, Reeves smiled as he patted the young man on the back. "Let's go. Also tell me about these Luxury Starcruisers. Last real vacation, I took involved my ex-wife and the kids on a Risian Starcruiser. Believe it was a stepdown from the Luxury vessel, but nonetheless very nice."

The patting of his back made Michał smile, a genuine one which had not been the case since the Borg attack. It had reminded him of better days. "Our luxury starcruisers are practically our resorts among the stars. We are often charted by groups of individuals, wealthy Ferengi businessmen or some Starfleet Admirals looking to get away from the stress of the uniform."

"Our vessels have bars, casinos, pools, recreational halls, if you can fathom it being on Risa then we have it aboard. Our chartered trips can be a simple as the back and forth to Earth and Risa, but some of our deluxe packages include a crown jewel trip of pleasure planets. Risa, Pacifica, Casperia Prime, Wrigley's Pleasure Planet, Beta Omicron Delta III...." Lipinski looked at Reeves. "You get the point, pleasure at its finest."

The look on Jason's face was definitely of someone who was intrigued by everything that he just heard. As they exited the corridor, the Commander had a brief moment of regret of not taking more vacations. "Guess the only thing I need is an actual girlfriend to bring with me."

"Singles week was a thing," replied Lipinski. "Sometimes you need to treat yourself to the pleasurable things in life. Whether that be on a pleasure planet, a starcruiser, or just on your own starship. I may not have served aboard a Federation starship before but I understand that there's a strong correlation between crew performance and crew morale."

"Very much so," Jason answered as they reached his office. "Who knows, one day you might decide to become a morale officer. Now if I can just get you to stand over there, stand in the position of attention raise your right hand and repeat after me."

The take charge sort of thought Lipinski. So formal he did as instructed though the whole posture was evident that he hadn't gone through basic training, had not gone the officer route through the academy. He was just there playing the role that had been given to him. He raised his right hand.

Grabbing a PADD, he stood directly in front of Michael. "I, state your name, having been appointed an officer in the United Federation of Planets, as indicated above in the grade of (rank) do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United Federation of Planets against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter. I solemnly swear to uphold the regulations of United Federation Starfleet as well as the laws of the United Federation of Planets, to become an ambassador of peace and goodwill, to represent the highest ideals of peace and brotherhood, to protect and serve the Federation and its member worlds, to serve always the interests of peace, to respect the Prime Directive, and to offer aid to any and all beings that request it."

Is this a cult? Am I joining a cult? Lipinski kept those thoughts private and tried not to display any hesitation of reluctance. He stated his name and echoed each word carefully, deliberately as directed. Internally though he was wondering how much of this oath these other people would hold up. "....and to offer aid to any and all beings that request it" he finished.

"Congratulations and welcome to Starfleet," the Commander finished as he shook the young man's hand. "Now have a seat and let's get through this paperwork."

As instructed, Lipinski took a seat. Now, the paperwork portion would ensue.

=================
Lt. Commander Jason Reeves
Executive Officer
USS Jane Addams

Michał Lipinski
Refugee
USS Jane Addams

 

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