Reporting In
Posted on Thu Aug 27th, 2026 @ 4:26am by Captain Bayre Lockwood & Lieutenant Commander Abraham Winters
Edited on on Thu Aug 27th, 2026 @ 10:34pm
1,065 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
The Silence of Archanis
Location: Ready Room | Deck 1 | USS Veritas
Timeline: 1/22/2267 - 0900
Lieutenant Commander Abraham Winters made his way down the corridor. After spending some time with his wife, he escorted her back to the Starbase. Now he was on his way to meet Captain Lockwood. The Miranda class was a cross between the Constitution class and a Bellerophon class. His last starship assignment was on Bellerophon-class ship, which he had spent three years serving on. The Veritas was definitely bigger, more powerful, and had more advancements. It was an honor to be given this opportunity. Nodding at a few of the enlisted personnel as he walked by, he was reminded to make a stop at the security office after meeting with the Captain.
Finally reaching his destination, he looked himself over quickly before pressing the chime on the door to the ready room. Winters took first impressions very seriously and was a stickler for things being in their place.
Fresh from his workout and breakfast with his First Officer, Bayre was going through the crew rotation reports because, after two years on border patrol, there were always changes to be made. To his mind, Starfleet personnel looking on any port of call with something approaching glee, so eager were they to pull good crew away from where they rightly belonged, on the Veritas. He scanned the list, nodding. Commander Belran had made his feelings known on more than one occasion. Security wasn't an easy job requiring as it did a level of fitness that wasn't easy for Belran to achieve any longer. Wise, Lockwood, thought for Starfleet to have required yearly checkups and for Security, a physical fitness certification. "Enter," he called out as he rose to greet his visitor.
The door opened as Abraham entered the room. Approaching directly in front of the desk, he stood in the position of attention. "Lieutenant Commander Abraham Winters, reporting for duty, Sir."
"Commander Winters," Bayre said. "Welcome and please, have a seat. I understand you're replacing Commander Belran as head of Security."
Relaxing, he took the seat behind him. "That would be correct. Not really familiar with Commander Belran at all. But I imagine he might have left some big shoes to fill."
"That he did," Bayre said, one corner of his mouth kicking up as he resumed his seat, "from what I heard they had a contest. He wore size 14's and no one else even came close. But seriously, he's ready for something quieter. I hear he's going to get reacquainted with his family back on Earth and take a teaching position at the Academy. After the last two years, he deserves it."
"Spent the last few years teaching at the Academy myself," Winters mentioned. "Felt like it would be good to share my experiences with the future officers of Starfleet. But after a while, I began to envy Cadets who were had so much to look forward to ahead of them."
"You've been ... what ... five years in a teaching position on Earth, if I remember correctly," Bayre said, leaning back in his seat as he mock-shuddered. "All those eager young cadets. Better you than me. You understand, I hope, that you'll need to requalify, not experience wise, you have that already, but physically. Ensure you meet standards; Starfleet regulations being what they are."
Abe chuckled a bit. "Unlike most of the instructors at the Academy, I did weekly workouts with the cadets. I'm actually in better shape than when I initially took the position. My pride wouldn't allow me to be that old out-of-shape instructor."
"Well, that should make the test easy for you," Bayre said and then, cocking his head slightly to one side, "what kind of training do they make the cadets do these days?"
"When I was recruited to teach," the Commander responded. "They wanted officers who had actually had extensive experience on ship duty. Three years of exploration, plus several years prior to that dealing with various experiences. The Commandant gave us quite a bit of leeway with how we instructed our courses. I emphasized hand-to-hand combat because of our experiences in dealing with the Klingons. Also, regarding cardio. We may not be as strong as them, but we can be quicker, and have better conditioning. And most importantly, outwit them."
"And you'll bring this to our Security detachment as well, I take it," Bayre asked.
Winters thought carefully about the question. "Not as intense. But I intend to ensure the security is up to the task of surviving an attack or defending this crew. I hate losing people, but it bothers me even more when I realize it could have been avoided by simply being prepared."
"I'm all for training ... workouts," Bayre said, "as long as it's done the right way, with an understand of physiological limits, so we're in agreement on that. I'm meeting with Commodore Haldane this afternoon so I should know more about where we headed after that. For now, though, do you have any questions for me?"
"Are we heading out immediately or waiting for a full crew complement?"
"As I said," Bayre answered, "I'm meeting with Commodore Haldane this afternoon. I'll know more after that. In any case, we are expected to complete the transfers today if Starfleet Personnel comes through as promised."
Nodding in response, he thought about anything that was worth asking. But everything he wanted to know would come after that meeting. "Is there anything particular that you need for me to focus on?"
"Just the usual," Bayre said. "Get to know your team, get settled in. That sort of thing. I'll let everyone know our departure time once I've spoken with the Commodore."
"Security Complex is my next stop," Winters added. "Want to get a layout right off the bat. Let everyone know my expectations, then pull the shift heads and team leaders in for a private meeting."
"Anything you need, let someone know and we'll sort it out before we leave," Bayre said. "But honestly, Belran is nothing if not organized. So, if there's nothing else, I welcome you on board the USS Veritas as my new Chief of Security."
"Thank you, Sir." Standing up, he turned and exited the office. In the next few minutes, he was about to find out what kind of department that he was inheriting from Belran.
Captain Bayre Lockwood
Commanding Officer
USS Veritas
and
Lt. Commander Abraham Winters
Chief Security Officer
USS Veritas
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