Mind the Helm

Posted on Sat Sep 26th, 2026 @ 1:42am by Captain Mhiess Hru’da & Lieutenant Lilolette Cleminson

1,067 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Bloodline
Location: USS Saratoga
Timeline: 2439-08-12, 20:45

It had been a very busy start. Around checking in with their respective departments, Lilolette, Felicity had been helping their daughters settle in whilst unpacking their belongings. Or trying to. The girls had found the change unsettling, but their mothers felt they would adapt in time. Nellie, Emilia often asked when they would see Uncle Henry again. He had last seen them on a visit to The Lime Tree, a couple of nights before the Cleminsons’ departure to Saratoga. It was hoped by all they would meet again. Alas, that was in the future. Lilolette was in the present.

She had been spent a lot of time familiarising herself with her new surroundings. Getting to know the staff in her department. Like Lilolette, most were new. She also familiarised herself with the various auxiliary craft on board. None of the types were new to her, but it was Lilolette’s responsibility to know the current picture. Thankfully, a positive one. After inspecting the final craft, Lilolette decided to find somewhere quiet to go over Saratoga’s intended flight plan again. She’d already been over it twice, but she would feel more comfortable with a third review.

Exiting the main shuttlebay, Lilolette pondered where to go. Saratoga was still a hive of activity. Was it even going to be possible to find somewhere quiet? Felicity was currently in their quarters, watching Nellie, Emilia as she continued unpacking. Lilolette felt reviewing the plan tonight would be cutting it too fine. And it would result in Felicity’s wrath. Felicity was adamant that after their shifts were over, work was to be left at work. Although that wasn’t always so easy for Lilolette, her being a department head. At least it appeared they had been assigned to the same shift pattern.

Still undecided, Lilolette proceeded down the corridor with purpose.

As Lilolette rounded the corner toward the quiet sanctuary of an auxiliary observation lounge, a tall, imposing figure stepped out from an adjacent turbolift alcove, holding an LCARS datapad in one gloved hand. Captain Mhiess Hru’da paused, a subtle, approving tilt touching his jaw as his dark eyes locked onto his Chief Flight Control Officer. The half-Klingon, half-Romulan commander observed her purposeful stride, noting the lingering dedication in her posture even with the ship smoothly underway.

"Lieutenant Cleminson," Mhiess greeted, his deep baritone carrying a warm, measured cadence through the quiet corridor. He gestured with a faint, knowing smile toward the datapad in her hand, "Reviewing our course corrections for a third time, I presume? A methodical approach to flight control is commendable, Lieutenant, but even my finest pilot needs to step back from the helm."

After hers, Mhiess' paths crossed, Lilolette stopped in her tracks. "We are entering an area of space I am unfamiliar with, Captain." she responded, raising her gaze to match that of the taller man. "I want to make sure I am as prepared as I can be to navigate it safely."

Mhiess matched her pause, his tall frame coming to a halt with fluid, deliberate grace. He looked down at his Chief Flight Control Officer, his dark eyes reflecting the cool ambient light of the quiet corridor as he considered her response.

"Preparation is the foundation of survival, Lieutenant," Mhiess acknowledged, his dark eyes reflecting the cool ambient light of the quiet corridor, "However, familiarity with a sector comes not merely from studying stellar charts, but from maintaining the mental acuity to react when those charts inevitably fail us. The Saratoga is in capable hands, Lilolette, so take the evening to unwind and spend some well-earned time with Felicity and your daughters. I require sharp reflexes at the Helm when you return to my Bridge."

Lilolette pondered. Maybe she had been working a little too hard to impress. And Mhiess was right. Preparation also involved making sure her batteries were recharged, to ensure peak performance. And part of that involved spending time with Felicity, Nellie, Emilia. "Thank you, Captain." responded Lilolette. Her initial worries about what her new commanding officer was like continued to wane. It was clear Mhiess expected the best from his officers. Rightly so. But he saw them for the people they were, too. Henry was exactly the same. However, she knew it wasn't a quality all commanding officers possessed.

Mhiess gave a subtle, approving incline of his head, his impassive expression softening into something resembling quiet respect. "Go, Lieutenant," Mhiess said smoothly as he took a brief step back to grant her passage. "A commander who fails to preserve the well-being of their crew undermines the readiness of the entire vessel. Report to the Bridge at 0700 hours for the morning watch; refreshed, focused, and ready to navigate."

A slightly early end to her shift was welcome, thought Lilolette. She knew Felicity would have been run ragged all day. Nellie, Emilia were very well behaved. But juggling them, the formalities of a transfer and the move itself wasn't easy. Felicity was unquestionably the key cog in the Cleminson family machine. Of course, that role was recognised, acknowledged often. But all cogs, big or small, needed to be oiled regularly to keep working at their best. Lilolette made sure her wife felt the love, appreciation which she, Nellie, Emilia all had for her often. This opportunity given to her by Mhiess would allow Lilolette to do that again this evening. "Thank you again, Captain." responded Lilolette, gratefully. She decided she would prepare the family's evening meal. Her great-grandfather Matthew's family favourite recipe, cottage pie with cauliflower cheese. While Lilolette did this, Felicity would be relaxing on the sofa. Her feet up, a cup of tea in hand. "I'll see you in the morning, 07:00 sharp."

"Until 0700, Lieutenant," Mhiess offered a final, subtle nod of acknowledgment as Lilolette turned to head back to her quarters. "Dismissed."

Watching her depart, Mhiess felt a rare moment of quiet satisfaction. Balancing the absolute readiness of a starship with the human needs of its crew was a delicate discipline—one he had learned far away from the chaotic demands of his youth. With the border crossing looming and the Admiral's aggressive timetable ahead, he would need every officer at peak focus. As the turbolift doors slid shut behind him, Mhiess set his sights back on Deck 1, his analytical mind already shifting back to the tactical grid and the potential threats waiting within the Neutral Zone.

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