AN:
This takes place in the original ST timeline. Not the reboot.
An overview of the Star trek species that are mentioned in this fic.
Terran (Just means human, specifically, born on Earth)
Vulcan- pointed eared green blooded species from the planet Vulcan. Suppress all emotion in the pursuit of logic
Romulan- pointed eared green blooded species from the planet Romulus. Distant relatives of Vulcans who left after the society gave up being warlike. Heavily militant power structure, they are enemies of the Federation.
Betazoid- telepathic species from the planet Betazed.
"How are you doing, Mike?"
Mike squinted at the view screen in his ready room. Vice Admiral Luongo was giving him a knowing look. How was he doing? He was trying to hold together a deep space star base, despite the fact that Star Fleet Command had decided to throw a photon torpedo in his crew roster. "Great question Al." He pretended to be thoughtful. "Well let's see, I've got a crop of new officers fresh out of the academy who I need to whip into shape in a mere 3 weeks before a Romulan delegation stops off on our base on their way to the renegotiation of neutral zone boundaries with Star Fleet command." He leaned back in his chair. "I'm peachy."
"That's the spirit, Lawson." Al said. "On the bright side you've got a pretty interesting crop of officers."
He was talking about Ensign Baker. Of course; everyone in the quadrant was. He was trying to suss out how Mike felt about the newly graduated officer. Well he wasn't getting anything out of him. He hadn't met the girl yet. He wasn't going to judge her based on rumor.
"Can I ask you something?" Mike said. "I looked over her aptitude reports and by all rights she should be serving on a Starship, maybe even the Enterprise... I hear they're finally building a new one." He stopped. Al gave him a look. They both knew the answer, Mike just wanted someone at Star Fleet command to own up to it. For all of the Federation's talk of inclusion and tolerance, prejudice was still rampant. All that Al would say in acknowledgement of his implication was "keep an eye on her."
Mike's eyes narrowed, they didn't even know what type of officer she'd be yet. "I"m assuming you mean the same amount of scrutiny I'd give any officer under my command?" He asked. Al nodded.
"Exactly." The Vice Admiral seemed to relax. "As long as we see to eye to eye on this."
Somehow Mike knew they did not. He ended the transmission feeling sick. Leaving his ready room, he went into ops. The entire bridge fell silent, looking at him intently.
"What?" He said. "I know I'm handsome, but if this keeps up, you'll make me blush."
"We're being hailed by the USS Billings." Lieutenant Tommy Miller said.
The Billings was carrying the new Cadets from the academy. Mike nodded. "Tell the captain that docking station 17 is available to them." He walked over to the main command station. There was a silence. He sighed heavily, looking around him. Everyone was hyper focused on their work, fooling no one.
"Alright." He growled. "Listen up. You've all heard the rumors and I want it made exceptionally clear that the only thing I care about is how well someone works as a Star Fleet officer. Any of you forget that, and you'll have me to answer to. Understood?"
"Yes Captain." The answer was an irritated rumble. It hadn't changed anyone's mind. He knew it, but he needed it on the record that he'd said it.
"Good." He said. "I'm going to docking bay 12 to greet the new recruits. Commander Sanders, Lieutenant Commander Slater. With me." He walked over to the turbo lift. His first officer and chief communications officer followed. He let the turbo lift go for a bit before stopping it. Turning to Blip he said. "You know...Ensign Baker, right?"
Blip nodded. "And before you ask. Whatever you've read in those reports...she's better." Mike nodded, the clenching in his gut loosening. Turning, he ordered the turbo lift to continue.
"It was well said, Captain."
Mike looked over his shoulder at the his Vulcan communications officer. Amelia was staring forward.
"You addressed the issue without making direct reference to it." She continued. "It is a show of guile that a Cardassian would be proud of."
Mike grimaced. "A Vulcan compliment." He said. "Somehow they make me feel worse."
"The issue?" Blip scowled at him. The Vulcan didn't flinch, but then again why would she.
"That's how the crew interprets it." Amelia said.
"Ginny Baker is not an issue." Blip said. Mike looked at the ceiling.
"In and of herself, no." Amelia said. "If she proves herself as proficient as her Academy records suggest I believe we will be fortunate to command one of the best officers in Star Fleet...However, there will be those who will not be able to look past what she is." The turbo lift stopped. "I will not be among that number...nor will I tolerate any officer acting in such a way."
Mike nodded. He led them towards the docking station. He sighed when he caught sight of another member of his senior staff standing in front of the docking station doors. He glanced over at Blip before saying "Doctor, I didn't know we moved sick bay."
Evelyn Sanders gave him a smile. "Captain, what a coincidence that you be here."
"Cut the crap, Ev." Mike said.
"Fine." Evelyn sighed. "Ginny's a friend and I wanted to make sure she has at least one friendly face when she comes off."
Mike sighed. The doors opened. Mike smiled at the captain of the Billings. "Captain Janeway." He nodded at her. "You're delivering the fresh meat."
Janeway nodded, stepping aside. "I'm afraid I can't enjoy too much of your hospitality. I have orders to go pick up an ambassador from Betazed to help with the Romulan treaty negotiations." Some officers filed off. 2 humans, the second of which was wearing a red command uniform and smirked as he looked Mike up and down, as though assessing an opponent. Mike didn't like him already. Then she walked off. Ensign Genevieve Baker. 23, top of her class at the academy, born on the Terran lunar colony. Species: half Terran Half Romulan.
She held her head high, challenging anyone to say anything to her. She could almost pass for a Vulcan with her pointed ears, but...the eyes. Her eyes were alive, burning and determined. She had too much fight to be a Vulcan. A quality, he realized, that if she were a human, he'd find positive. She was watching him watch her. He tore his gaze away, taking the pad that Blip handed him. "Alright, officers." He said. "Here are your room assignments."
Ginny watched as Captain Lawson read off assignments. She'd been put to serve under Lieutenant Cara Syrax who ran stellar cartography. It was unsurprising, as a command officer she'd have to learn all the different operations of the ship. She was being started on cartography. She was relieved that Blip was there. He'd been a teaching assistant to one of her classes at the Academy during her first year there. And Evelyn. The doctor was practically brimming with excitement, no doubt wanting to hear everything that had happened since they'd last communicated. Ginny kept her expression neutral.
Then there was Captain Lawson. She couldn't believe that out of all the possible assignments she was going to serve under Captain Lawson. He'd become kind of legend at the Academy, having saved the majority of a freighter crew attacked by the Orion syndicate by piloting through a mined asteroid field left over from the days when the Federation was still in conflict with the Klingon Empire. He'd been promoted to Captain and sent to command this starbase. He looked quite different from the images of him she'd seen in the press videos. The beard was new.
"Your duty shifts are going to be found in your quarters." He said. "Welcome to Deep Space 7."
Livan smirked over at her. "Looks like we're going to be neighbors, Mami." He swaggered down the hall. She was about to follow when-
"Ensign Baker." Captain Lawson said. She froze, looking over at him. "I'd like to talk to you for a second."
She waited as the others left. Blip and Evelyn seemed like they wanted to stay, but Captain Lawson cleared his throat and they left, muttering promises of dinner in their quarters to her before walking away. It was just her and Captain Lawson.
"At ease, Ensign." He said. She put her bag on the ground.
"Captain Lawson."
"Ginny Baker in the flesh." He said. "The entire quadrant's been buzzing about you. You have no idea how many captains are bringing their ships by because they...just happen to be sector." He sighed. "I know it isn't because of me. I'm a bit of a narcissist so you can see how irritating it is."
"It's an honor to meet you, Captain. I find you inspiring, I wrote a paper on you-"
"Stop." He held up a hand. She fell quiet. "It makes me feel old and makes you look stupid."
"You're not old." She blurted out. "You're only the second youngest person ever to be promoted to Captain in the history of Star Fleet." He'd been 34 when he'd been promoted. The record was 32. He raised an eyebrow. "Is there a reason you wanted to talk to me?" She winced as he examined her. Insubordination on the first day was not a good look. She was about to apologize when she noticed his gaze lingering too long on her ears. Anger sparked. "Just so you know. I'm not a Romulan spy. I'm not planning on overthrowing the Starbase and I have 0 intention of using my feminine wiles to ingratiate myself to senior staff members and force them to do my bidding. I'm here to be a star fleet officer, that's it."
He gaped at her. She picked up her luggage and was about to go find her quarters when he called out. "I didn't dismiss you, Ensign Baker."
She froze.
"That was a particularly specific list of things you aren't planning on doing." He said. He didn't look angry, she noted as she turned around. In fact, he looked slightly amused. She relaxed slightly.
"You'd be surprised what kind of insane things people can accuse you of when you're different." She mumbled.
"Well you're only the second most fascinating person I've had under my command." He said. "So no worries."
"Second most?" She asked.
"Yup." He said. "I once had a joined Trill whose former host used to be a lounge singer for a Klingon outpost." He looked at her. "Face it; you're downright boring." He looked at her. "Point is, as long as you can do the work, I have no problem with you."
"Thank you Captain." She said slowly. He nodded.
"See you at 800 hours at Ops, Ensign Baker." He smirked. "That is if you haven't used your feminine wiles to enslave us all by then."