Andy's desk com, in her quarters, rang.
"Thoreau."
"Ensign Zo here, Captain. You asked me to meet you early?"
"Come in, Ensign. The door's open."
Zo did as she was ordered and stood within the Captain's temporary room. "In all the excitement yesterday, Captain, "Zo began," I never really showed you around. Your ready room is complete and available for your inspection."
Andy came around the corner from her closet, closing the last clasp to her uniform jacket as she spoke. "Thank you, Zo. That would be great. Let's go."
Together they left the quarters and reached the nearest turbo lift. Zo punched in the coordinates and the elevator took off. Within minutes they stood outside the room Andy truly expected to inhabit more than her quarters. Zo stood back to allow her new Captain to see it first.
Andy was impressed. The room was a complete bank of windows, opening to the outside and deep space. Her desk was old fashioned, not unlike the kinds seen in old pictures of the President's Oval Office. Yet, closer inspection revealed it was outfitted with state of the art communication capabilities. The chairs, fitting with the desk, looked like old time wing back chairs but were covered with a material that was butter soft and would not show stains.
"I understand you have an affinity for old Earth style objects," Zo said in way of explanation.
Andy turned and smiled genuinely, "I do, Ensign. This is perfect. Whom should I thank?"
Zo's brow furrowed, "I'm not exactly sure, ma'am, but I'll find out for you. Also, I believe arrangements could be made to install a temporary sleeping area until you're able to determine where you want your quarters to be."
Andy smiled again, "A last call from Captain Riker?"
Zo looked embarrassed as she replied, "I'm afraid so."
Andy turned around to look at the office one last time, still not believing it was really for her. Behind her, Zo cleared her throat, "Captain, I…" the young ensign paused, not sure how far to go.
Andy turned back, sensing her uncertainty, "Zo, let's make an executive decision right now, shall we?"
The ensign nodded, "Okay."
"In this office, with no one else present, you can dispense with the formalities and call me Andy. You can ask anything; say anything without fear of retribution. If you step over the line or it's something I don't think you need to be a part of, I'll let you know. Otherwise, no holds barred."
Zo couldn't believe the Captain's leniency. She knew this was typically unheard of but she was excited to know her commanding officer was open to this free exchange, "Thank you, Captain. That's more than kind."
Andy knew it would take Zo a bit to get used to the informality, but the ensign quickly responded to the ability to question her commander.
"So how do you have claustrophobia and serve on a starship?"
Andy laughed at the question. "It's all in my head, really. On a starship, even though you don't feel it, you know you're moving. Try as I may, I can't make my mind believe that we're really moving on a station like this. Windows help. The more there are, the better I am."
"Interestingly enough, that makes sense to me."
"Anything else?" Andy asked
The ensign shook her head, no. "Then I have something." Andy replied. "I know this is going to sound unusual but I need you to do this just how I ask without question. Dr. Davies and Dr. Handraddy are both arriving at the same time today but on different shuttles. Do you know where they're arriving?"
Zo checked her Personal Access Display Device, or PADD, the hand-held information module used on most Starfleet vessels, and replied, "Dr. Handraddy will dock in Bay 3, Dr. Davies in Bay 8."
"Are they near each other?"
"No, ma'am. They're on opposite sides of the station."
"Good. I need you to meet Dr. Davies and take him straight to his guest quarters. Whatever you do, do not mention that I am the commanding officer. I'll meet Dr. Handraddy and take care of him."
"As you wish, Captain, but how does he not already know?"
"I made it sound as if the decision was being made at the same time of his appointment. I promise, Zo, though it doesn't seem like it now, it will eventually make sense. If it doesn't, I'll explain it to you later, deal?"
Zo smiled, "Deal."
Andy smiled in reply and together they left to meet their respective candidates.
