Getting to Know you.

Posted on 04 Aug 2026 @ 1:26pm by 1st Lieutenant Jasmine Allen & 2nd Lieutenant Elora Rykov

1,511 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: General Sim Postings
Location: USS Tomcat Marine Deck – Platoon Offices
Timeline: 1800 Hours

[ON]

The Marine offices were beginning to quiet as the day's administrative work gave way to the evening watch. Marines filtered through the corridor carrying PADDs, swapping jokes, or making their way toward the mess hall after another long day of drills and paperwork.

Second Lieutenant Elora Sirah Rykov rounded the corner with a steaming mug of coffee in one hand and a data PADD tucked beneath her arm. She'd spent most of the afternoon reviewing demolition readiness reports and personnel evaluations before finally deciding it was time to stop hiding behind paperwork and start meeting the Marines she'd now be serving alongside.

One name had appeared repeatedly in the personnel files.

First Lieutenant Jasmine Allen.
Marine Officer.
95th Rifles veteran. Excellent service record. Several commendations. One cautionary note read:

"Highly effective. Expect sarcasm." Elora couldn't help but grin. "Sounds like I'll fit right in."

She found the office door partially open. Raising a hand, she knocked lightly against the frame. "Lieutenant Allen?"

Allen was finishing up some work when the partially open office door opened a bit more, and there was a light rap on the door frame. She looked up, a little startled oO who would be politely knocking?! Oo, she asked herself.

"Enter", she said

Elora entered. "I hope I am not interrupting you. I wanted to introduce myself. I am Second Lieutenant Elora D'Tan Rykov."

*Still smiling* "Ah, yes, our new RXO. If you are wondering about the rank, I will not overrule you on duty. I have seen the new RCO, and I almost melted as I went weak at the knees. Knowing what I am like, the Captain would never make me RXO alongside such a fantastic specimen of a male. *She said, going dreamy-eyed* Please come in, where are my manners?" Allen said.

"So, apart from meeting your officers, what reason do I owe the pleasure?" She asked.

Elora managed not to smile too much at the comment about her new Caitain RCO. S'earr was indeed a fine specimen of a man, one could say. Elora could not refute it. He wasn't Taren, though. So, to each their own.

"Nothing else, just trying to acquaint myself with all of the team." She said evenly. First Somers and now Allen... Elora was starting to wonder if she was missing something important regarding S'earr. She spent plenty of time with him, and so far, the only time she got weak in the knees was when he took down two members of the Alpha team at once with little to no effort.

She studied the woman. "Hmm... I have been on this ship almost as long as you. How come we have not yet met before today?" She asked. "What have you heard and read about me, Lieutenant Rykov?" Allen asked with a smile.

Elora couldn't help but chuckle softly. Whatever she'd expected from First Lieutenant Jasmine Allen, the woman was somehow managing to exceed it within the first five minutes.

"Well... let's see." A faint smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Your personnel file warned me to expect sarcasm. Several Marines informed me that if you're teasing someone, it's because you like them, and if you stop teasing them, that's when they should worry."

She tilted her head thoughtfully. "I've also heard you're one of the finest officers in the Ninety-Fifth. That you're fearless, perhaps to the point of worrying your commanding officers and that if things ever become chaotic on the battlefield, you're exactly the person everyone wants leading from the front."

Her expression grew just a touch more amused. "There were also... rumours." She gave a small, knowing shrug. "Something about you maintaining an unofficial list of the fleet's most attractive officers. More than one Marine suggested the arrival of our new Rifle Commanding Officer nearly qualified as a fleet-wide morale event."

Elora laughed quietly before raising a placating hand. “I guess that's not so much a rumour anymore. Though I should add that I take rumours with a healthy amount of scepticism."

She met Allen's blue eyes with an easy smile.

"So far, though? They've all agreed on one thing. You're an officer who genuinely cares about her Marines and knows exactly what she's doing."

She nodded once, sincerely.

"I've learned over the years that I'd rather serve beside someone with a sense of humour and a proven record than someone who takes themselves too seriously. From everything I've heard, Lieutenant, I'm looking forward to working with you."

"If I tease, it is just that; I do not tease if I like someone," Allen answered one myth about her "Lieutenant, if any woman goes silent, everyone should worry; that is not unique to me," she said, then placed a hand on her chest and put on a surprised look "Me the finest officers!" She exclaimed, "I do not remember paying anyone to be so generous; I would have expected to be named the Regimental tease artist, and I do not maintain such a list... Well, not a physical one anyway; it is all up here," she said, pointing to her head, I think I cleared up some of the supposition, but as for the rest, it is true," Allen finished.

Elora laughed softly and raised her coffee mug in surrender. "I'll revise my notes then. Sarcasm doesn't equal affection, and a silent woman is a tactical warning." She smiled warmly. "I was curious because personnel files tell me what an officer has done, not who they are. From everything I've heard, one thing is consistent: you genuinely care about your Marines. That's the reputation that matters most to me."

Her expression became earnest. "I've always believed leadership is about serving the Marines under your command. If they succeed, we've done our jobs." A grin returned. "And yes... Lieutenant S'earr certainly has an impressive presence."

She paused with a playful smile. "Professionally, of course. I'm happily married, so I'll leave the fan club to you." Elora extended her hand. "I'd like us to be honest with each other. If you think I'm wrong, please tell me. I'd rather have officers who challenge me than agree with me." She smiled. "My goal is simple: build the best Rifle Company in the fleet. I have a feeling you'll be a big part of that."

Taking the offered hand and shaking it "What you know, a woman after my own heart, but I know the RCO is a Caitian, but wow those muscles, I feel sorry for his mate, all that weight, he cannot be light with all that muscle mass!" Allen commented with a smile.

"He is mighty big, that's for sure." Elora agreed. She remembered seeing the perfect set of teeth prints in Lyra's shoulder and wondered if the teeth and claws might have crossed the first Lieutenant's mind as well. "Lyra seems to endure him well enough." That was an understatement; Lyra seemed to be more of an instigator than an endurer, if Elora really stopped to think about it. Thankfully, she didn't. Though she did notice the change in her CO since the pair had bonded.

"Well, at least he is happy, and a happy Caitian is a safe ship," Allen said, smiling. "Is there anything else we need to talk about boss?" Allen asked, wondering if the meet and greet was over.

"No, I think that covers everything." Elora shifted her coffee mug to her other hand before offering a warm, genuine smile. "I appreciate you taking the time to humour the new Executive Rifle Officer. First impressions matter, and I'm glad we finally had the chance to meet." Her expression softened into one of quiet sincerity.

"I've heard a great deal about your abilities as an officer, Lieutenant. After talking with you, I'm even more convinced we're going to work well together." She extended her hand once more, this time less as a formal greeting and more as a colleague. "If you ever have concerns, ideas, or think I'm headed in the wrong direction, I expect you to tell me. I'd rather have honest conversations than polite silence. My door will always be open."

Allen takes the offered hand...

Elora gave the office one last glance before stepping back toward the doorway. "I'll let you get back to your paperwork before I become the newest item on your list of office interruptions."

A playful grin crossed her face. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Lieutenant. I'll see you around the company." With a friendly nod, she turned and headed back into the corridor, coffee still warm in her hand and feeling considerably more optimistic about the team she'd been entrusted to help lead.

Looking at the closed door, Allen smiled. "she if going to be a handful!" she said to herself and returned to her duties.

[OFF]

 

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