Giving thanks to the Officer

Posted on 01 Nov 2026 @ 11:27pm by Captain Alexandria Somers & Lieutenant Commander Leland Hawksley
Edited on on 01 Nov 2026 @ 11:29pm

4,196 words; about a 21 minute read

Mission: General Sim Postings
Location: Starbase 51/Various
Timeline: Two days After the Tomcat had docked

[ON]

Alex had acquired her Starbase quarters; it had been a couple of days since her meeting with a pilot from the Tomcat. The poor guy did not know who she was, and she was fine with that. But now that she looked up Leland Hawksley and his location, she was sad to hear that his marriage had fallen through.

She dressed in some smart, classic-style trousers with five-inch stiletto heels; the trousers were made for such footwear. She was not wearing them for the sake of wearing them. She put on a pendant around her neck that was in the shape of her name; she coiffed her hair, then decided on a ponytail and bangs. She put on a cream blouse, which went with the beige trousers and black shoes; she had minimal makeup on and small hoop earrings. She pinned her Commbadge to the left side of her chest.

Checking herself to see if she was respectable, she thought she looked good in the old-style outfits. She liked them more than the modern stuff Federation citizens wore; she picked up a tall bag with a real bottle of Blended Irish whiskey. This was not easy to obtain, but she figured the man who saved her husband deserved it.

So, with the bag in hand, she left her quarters and headed to the nearest lift. Upon entering, with the doors closing "Leland Hawksley's Quarters" she said, knowing the lift would take her to the nearest exit to Leland's quarters. It took her some time, but eventually the lift opened out onto the level Leland was on; she exited and walked down the corridor and stopped outside Leland's quarters. They were the same ones he had when Lilli was with him. She stopped, pressed the buzzer, and waited.

Leland was inside his quarters working through a stack of PADDs: Starfleet Regulations, Vol. I - Command, Discipline, and General Orders; the First Officer’s Handbook on personnel, duty rosters, and succession; Away Mission Protocols; this ship’s class Flight and Emergency Operations manual; and Captain’s standing orders beside the current watch bill and a handful of personnel jackets… In mid-annotation on the Prime Directive annex when the door chime sounds.

Getting up from his seated position at the small dinner table, he lent a short scratch to Hercules, his AI Golden Retriever… Herc first slapped his tail against the floor, always excited when a guest arrived at the door.

=/\= Door… Doorway… Someone… =/\= Herc licked his lips and trotted with Leland as he walked to the entrance to greet the guest. It was afternoon, so he wore civilian clothes on his shore leave. He wore a crisp white T-shirt, a chunky silver analog wristwatch, comfy khaki cargo shorts, and, of course, clean, fresh crew socks.

“Behave… Sit, Herc.” Leland stated, as he lent another tussle of Herc’s furry golden neck.

=/\= Be… Behave yourself… bi… big guy! =/\= The AI translator for Herc did its best to refine what was being stated.

“Come on in!” Hawksley stated, as he ran his hand through his short but scruffy hairline. Leland lent a kind face, as he usually does in off-hours.

The door opened, and she walked in with a smile "Hello, Leland, it has been some time!" Alex said as she closed the door behind her. When she was in the room, Leland's dog approached her with caution. She held out her hand for him to sniff, then she crouched down and moved her hand behind his left ear and gently scratched. "Hello, little one," she said, then looked up at Leland. "An excellent hologram there, Leland. What is his name?" she asked, and then stood up.

Leland smiled. He was truly happy to see Alexandra, or 'Alex,' he was accustomed to again. It had been a while since Leland had become good friends with Commander Paul Sharpe, or simply 'Paul.' Leland remembered the kindness that the couple had offered him and Lilliana: a comforting long dinner over wine in their own quarters.

Both Sharpe and Hawksley worked tirelessly on the complete overhaul, strip-down to spaceframe, and rebuild-up of the Tomcat. There were numerous challenges in the redesign and the retrofits with the integrated new bulkhead abutment systems. It was challenging, but one of the most joyful times in Leland's Engineering life. Thus, seeing now Alex, whom Leland had heard so much about all those months in drydock between him and Sharpe, he felt he knew them both very well.

"Alex!" Leland beamed, setting one of his PADDs to the side table near the quarters doorway. "It has been a while! It is very good to see you... I heard you arrived at the Station. I was going to visit you later." Hawksley, having no idea.

"Yes... This is my Hercules. He responds to Herc. So, that's what he named himself. He's a very, very good boy!" Leland grinned, loving to see how well Herc had enjoyed the warm greeting from Alex. "You look great. As always!" He remarked.

=/\= Herc... Good boy... Al... Always... Huggles... Many... Alex? =/\= Hercules spoke through his AI, enjoying any attention from another female.

=/\= Al... Alex... Perfume... Sme.. Really Good, Huggles. She pet nicely.. =/\= Herc's tail waved and then set back, having greeted Alex in his joy.

She finished fussing with the dog "Why hello, Herc, you are a beautiful boy, ain't ya!" She said, smiling as she stood again and looked at Leland "The AI part of Herc is a learning algorithm, or are you still working on it, and may I sit?" She asked.

"Of course!" Leland looked around his quarters. Leland kept a very clean and tidy room. He had a disdain for disorder.

"Please, can I get you a drink? Something to eat?" Leland truly did enjoy the company. He gestured to the comfy living area sofa and a seat to the side of it. Of course, spartan, but large enough when he had shared it with Lilliana. He was still in limbo between accepting his new XO-level quarters, constantly joking with Dodd to get his butt out of there!

"I will have a glass of water, please, Leland, if it is not too much trouble!" Alex said, closing in on the sofa.

Leland smiled and nodded. "Certainly." He then replicated a simple glass of water, cool. As well, Leland replicated himself a cup of coffee, this time just black.

Leland then took off some extra PADDs he was studying in different piles off of the sofas. "Please. Excuse some of Herc's hair. As you said. He is an AI, but..." Leland was embarrassed. "He still sheds a bit here and there as per his character algorithms.

Alex simply smiled and sat "The attention to detail for your pet is excellent, also I am told the Tomcat now has holo-emitters throughout the ship, so if you transferred the program there, you would have to be careful that he does not escape," she commented.

Leland walked to the replicator as Alex entered the quarters. In the background, Leland's music was playing softly, some Billy Idol and classic rock. It was enough that he didn't have to lower it further for some company. "Computer, company lighting." The lighting in the quarters then turned on to reveal the bookcases and lights around his little favourite items and artefacts from home that he kept on display.

"So. What brings you to Starbase 51? How is Paul doing? I had sent him a message a while back, but I know he is busy with Starfleet demands." It was true. Paul was definitely an in-demand officer for many of his specialities, just like Alex. They both were a very popular match in Type A energy.

"What brings me here is my new appointment as the Commanding Officer of the Tomcat. Commodore Jasmine Somers is being given command of the Starbase; did you not think there was more than just a very competent officer getting elevated to First Officer, new CO, new First Officer? Like the Commodore, I have learned to adjust my PTSD, and it no longer colours my actions. As for Paul, he is enjoying his duty back on earth. Normally, he may have been assigned to the Tomcat as the new CoS/CTac Officer, but as the rule states, no relationship can come between the CO and an officer under their direct chain of command, so as I am the new CO, he cannot be assigned due to this," she paused.

"I also have this for you," Alex said, pulling out a very rare bottle of Whiskey and handing it to Leland, I want to thank you for saving the light of my life and the father of my children," she said "How are you finding life as a single man these days? " Sorry to hear of your breakup," Alex added.

oO Command of a Starbase! No way... That's a step up! Oo

"Command of Starbase 51? That is. Wow." Hawksley was blown away. Yet, it was understandable. Jasmine had a lot of experience and was well-rounded. As a Commodore, that wasn't out of the ordinary.

"Here you are, Alex." Leland set down the glass gently on the glass table in front of the living room sofa near her. Leland then took a seat on the same sofa, with a comfortable distance. Herc then took the space in between them, as he jumped up and decided he wanted to listen in on the humans. Leland lent his hand to 'Herc ', giving him an absent-minded rub.

"That is good news. I am happy for Jasmine. The Commodore." He chose to use the same name that Alex was using out of respect. "She deserves it." He was happy and lent a smile. He thought for a moment, and then reached for his own silver stainless steel mug of coffee as he leaned back, taking a sip of the hot liquid.

"You're the new CO of the Tomcat? Alex..." He then once again paused. This was a lot of new information to process, but all good, nonetheless. Leland was now seated in his quarters with the Cousin of Jasmine. Alexandra, or Alex, was now his direct Commanding Officer.

"I am well of the Tomcat anyway. I am a little apprehensive, as before when I commanded; it was only for the odd mission, now it is going to be a regular gig!" She responded.

He glanced at the bottle, the dear present she had taken the time to find and then bring to Leland on behalf of saving Commander Sharpe... It indeed was a risky situation in the explosion on the Station during the Tomcat's retrofit. Leland only reacted as he would with anyone. There was no need for a gift after. But the thought and the kind words were very telling. He appreciated the gesture; it was not an easy bottle of Whiskey to attain. Leland glanced between the information he was hearing and then the gesture of kindness from Alex.

"I.." He stammered a bit. And accepted the kind gesture. "Thank you, Alexandra." He regarded the eloquent design of the bottle, a classic, vintage earth bottle as most Whiskey was presented. "This is too much. You really should not have. But I thank you." He then gently set it back down on the table.

oO This is your Captain, stupid! Stand up! Address her! Oo

This was faster than he had wanted. Leland wanted time to prepare his studies, so he could convince her and not sound too wet behind his ears. "Captain Alexandra Somers. It is a great honour." Leland stood up from his seat. "I feel we have got off to a very casual start." He didn't want to look stupid. He then gave an official salute. Not that she was on duty, or in command uniform, or even officially transferred. At least not in the Comms of the Tomcat. Everyone, most was still between the base and the ship for shore leave.

After his now awkward Salute. He then set down his cup of coffee. "Permission for us to speak freely?" He remembered his direct CO to XO chain of command communications.

*Alex hid a smile "Sit you down, Leland, sit you down, or you will bust a blood vessel geeze dude, you are like a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Thank you for the show of respect; it is appreciated and noted, but currently I am off duty and so are you," she said "Like you have not already been speaking freely!" She added, now openly smiling.

"Thank you, Captain." Leland then lent a smile. He then sat down in his seat once again. Herc then lifted his head, noticing the change in Leland's demeanour. It was now a bit nervous, but comforted at the same time, oddly.

"Alexandra. How do you wish to be addressed off duty?" Was his first question of many.

Deciding to tease Leland a little, "Now these questions come to you!!" she intoned, openly smiling "Alex will be fine, the usual when on duty. Next question?" Alex asked.

Leland let out a chuckle. Yeah. He was probably overdoing it. But he would rather overdo it than underdo it on his first meeting with his new CO, Alexandria Somers. He did not have 100% intel on her personality. He had done his best to research the Somers family within Starfleet associations, and they weren’t small contributors. He always knew this, but to the extent Leland did his research, he had help from Cass; she was always so helpful!

Recounting the information. Leland knew that Alex and Jasmine’s father was a Federation Diplomat, highly lauded in his Council Work and Federation Diplomacy. Their Family was large and largely a clan of high achievers. While this was interesting information, it would not change how Leland would act or follow his duty around Alex, nor would it be expected by Alex. Just fascinating information to know.

Hawksley enjoyed the rapport that they seemed to have developed since the SB 51 retrofit, as he got along well with her husband, Commander Paul Sharpe.

“These questions come to me now.” Leland couldn’t help but not stop laughing. “Of course they do, Alex.” He grinned, taking a sip from his coffee.

“Next question. When do you officially register as CO on board the Tomcat systems? I want to get away as much under-sight as I can before you are signed over…” He lent a joking smile. “And for second, that is a joke, Alex!” He laughed once more as he lent a gesture to her.

“Second question, it’s a two-parter.” He set down his mug of hot coffee gently. “When will our initial briefing take place?”

Hawksley was, of course, interested; as Alex’s XO, he wanted to know these things. But this all happened so fast; maybe Alex herself didn’t have the chance yet to go through her own personal briefings from Starfleet Command.

*Raises an eyebrow* "Officially now, but duty-based will be announced at the mission briefing will be where the handover takes place openly. The new XO will also be mentioned too; I think Jasmine had words with you and Dodd about the swaperoony, I hope?" Alex asked, ending with a question...

Leland listened to the reply to his questions. It was good to hear them. His eyes wandered to Herc for a moment, and then back to Alex when he heard the term 'swaperoony'.

oO Wow... A Somers said swaperoony, oh man! Alex is different! Oo, Leland grinned.

"Yes." Leland sipped his coffee, swallowed. Held his mug steady. "The Commodore did explain the switch. This is the result... Command training PADD's all around my quarters, as you see. It is a visual representation of my anxiety to learn as much as I can. But I have been told that true learning comes from being in the position on day one." Hawksley agreed.

"Question three." He narrowed his brow, curious. "Why this ship, and why now? Was the transfer requested, directed, or both?"

She gave it some thought "Why this ship! I have commanded it previously, so I am aware of its eccentricities, but I think after its retrofit and upgrade there will be a few that will be new. When Jasmine requested a transfer to SB51 and was granted it, along with a promotion to Commodore, I was automatically assigned this command. The crew were familiar with me, but I knew this was going to happen; that is why I went to the Academy and did a Command course, ready for this day. The current Academy Upper Class men tried to dominate me; let's just say after I dealt with them, they left me and my class mates alone," She said with a little chuckle.

"Dominate you? Within a Starfleet Command course?" Hawksley was surprised to hear this. There was surprisingly a lot of mentality within the Academy, especially within a Command course; there would be a lot of egos.

Leland chuckled to himself. "I could only imagine how you would have set them correct, Alex. I am very glad to hear that."

Leland regarded, looking towards the place in his quarters where there was once a picture frame with him and Lilliana. It was still a sore topic, but he had wanted to address the prior question. "On the Marriage front." Leland breathed out, relaxing himself into his seat. "I won't speak for Lilliana. But I believe we drifted apart." He narrowed his eyes as he then lent his hand downward to Herc for comfort psychologically once more. "It had become hard to communicate. But I still think the world of her and wish her the best, truly." He gave an accepting nod.

"Sorry to hear about the breakdown of your marriage, Leland. I never knew Lilli that well, so I will not judge there, but other than that, how have things been, and have I said thank you for saving my husband?" Alex responded.

"Yes. You did, twice now." He chuckled. "But. Really, I would have done that for anyone. I would think any Starfleet Officer would have done that for another crewmember. I am just glad I was there at the time, or it could have been worse."

Leland then got up and walked back to his small kitchen setup and took out two tumbler glasses. He shone them up and walked back and then down next to the Blended bottle of Old Irish Whiskey.

"Would you care for a drink? I think this calls for a small one at least. We can make a toast?" He gestured. It would be a shame not to open it when he was graced with it by Alex. He didn't want to save it to open for a date that was far off. This was a turning point for Leland becoming an XO for the Tomcat. Never in his wildest dreams did he think he would ascend to a position so quickly in his Starfleet career. Heck. Leland never thought he would be in a Command position. But here he was!

"Yes, please," she responded "So how are you coping with your rapid rise through the ranks? I read your file. You have attained your current rank much quicker than the few crew have been on the ship longer; is it hitting you, or has it hit you?" Alex asked.

Hawksley opened the whiskey bottle carefully, then lifted it and took a sniff. The fumes hit hard. His nostrils burned, and his eyes watered almost immediately.

"Oh man…" he chuckled, blinking. "This stuff’s serious. What's the proof on this, Alex?"

"Eighty Percent, so drink with caution", she responded, laughing.

"Good to know." Leland chuckled.

He poured a moderate measure into a tumbler and handed it to Alex, then poured himself the same.

Leland leaned back in the seat, the low classic rock still playing but turned down now so it sat under the conversation. He looked at the amber liquid for a moment before he spoke.

"I have to be honest. I'm still surprised," he said, voice steady but unhurried. "I've never held a command position. I've led people in Engineering, and I took that seriously, but that's not the same as being responsible for the ship and the people on it."

He looked over at Alex, then back to the glass.

"I'm not worried about the job itself. I figure the Commodore saw something in how I handled things down there, or I wouldn't be sitting here. But I know you don't train for command the way you train for a console or a reactor. It’s something you earn, day by day, with the people who have to trust you."

He paused, turning the glass slowly between his fingers.

"I'll lead the same way I did in Engineering. Straight with people, and willing to listen. I won't always get it right the first time. I know that. All I can do is try to be worthy of the trust they've placed in me, and of the crew who'll be counting on it."

He lifted the glass slightly, not quite a toast yet. "On the Tomcat, I get the chance to find out if I can do that. I'm not going to waste it." Leland felt comfortable with his answer, almost mentally preparing himself for the statement for his own sake.

She held her glass up "Doubt of that I have none, Leland, but we will both be learning on the job with this one", Alex said and took a sip of the drink and felt its warmth slide down her throat. She looked at the wall chrono "Wow, been here a couple of hours; not even my diplomatic training lasted this long", she said with a chuckle.

"At one time I could keep pace with a young Klingon male or female in drinking, then I hit forty, and suddenly I do not have the same constitution as I did back in my twenties and early thirties *sigh* but that was before two children; motherhood has a way of changing ones perceptions of your life choices", she added.

Leland smiled. Alex was a very hard-working officer, a former Marine who put her life on the line in many operations, and now a Mother. Being aware of this, Leland shook his head, reminding himself that she indeed had young children to take care of as well.

“Speaking of which. How are the little ones doing? If I remember. Paul Sharpe Junior,” He smiled at the name, “is four years old. As well, Samantha Somers is four. Would that be correct? I am sorry, I have forgotten.” Hawksley took a sip of his drink. He didn’t want Alex to leave, not just yet.

“Captain. Please don’t look at the Chronometer. We must bond!” Hawksley chuckled and gave a playful wink in jest.

"Regarding the chrono, it's too late. As for Paul and Samantha Lynne, they were born in 2384, so they are twelve years of age now, in their second year of Comprehensive school. Wow, twelve, time has flown by!" She exclaimed.

Leland nodded. "Well. If you have to go... I just have one last thing that needs to be done." He then reached for his tumbler with the last bit of amber in it for one toast.

Hawksley gestured with his glass and held it to Alex. "To the Tomcat. May she boldly go... Where..." Hawksley thought. "...Nobody has gone before." His eyes met to Alex.

"I do not want to, but I do have to finalise my Starbase quarters and prep for the next mission briefing and all that important stuff", she said, raising her glass in a toast, then knocking back the last of her drink. "Wow, that reaches the parts other drinks cannae reach, so it does!" She exclaimed as she grimaced.

She blushed a little as she burped. She put her hand over her mouth "Whoopsy, excuse me!" she said with a smile as she stood "Well, Leland, I have to be going. It was nice seeing you again, and I will see you at the mission briefing," she said.

Leland literally held back. His face nearly burst out of the drink. "Ooopsie! Indeed." He laughed, swallowing the burn.

"Of course, Captain. It was an unexpected pleasure. See you at the meeting. If there is anything else, I am sure I will be hearing from you." Hawksley stood up and then walked with Alex to the doorway. So did Herc, and the Golden Retriever made his way over and barked... His AI translator then relayed his words... "C.. Cool... Cool Lady..."

"That she is!" Hawksley corrected Herc as they watched Alex go on her way. They had a lot to do. "And that's Captain to you, Herc!"

Alex gave a smile to herself outside after the door closed; she sighed and headed out

[OFF]

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