Meeting of the Tactical Minds

Posted on Sun Aug 3rd, 2025 @ 12:49am by Lieutenant Commander Valerie Novis & Lieutenant Commander Clay McEntyre

1,221 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: ARYL 1X01: Bound for Cold Frontier
Location: Security and Tactical Department

He’d been aboard for almost a day. Having settled into his new quarters, Clay McEntyre first thought was to report to his counterpart in the Tactical Department. She also happened to be the XO of the ship in addition to being the Chief Tactical Officer. They would be working closely with one another.

Stepping off the turbo lift in his customary uniform, the Security Forces Armor with duty belt, and in properly military fashion, he headed down the corridor to the tactical department. Arriving a few minutes later, the door hissing open to announce his arrival, he looked for the officer in question, Valarie Novis, he’d read in the crew roster.

“Commander Novis” he called out in his crisp Texan.

Valerie's eyes looked up from over the large mug of... Something. She glanced down into the mug and again determined it to be a broth that tasted of beef and barley, not something she would have typically been having, but it was something her stomach was accepting well, which wasn't the normal situation when it came to coffee. She slowly put the mug down as she arched an eyebrow in question, "Yes, Commander... McEntyre, is it?" She asked warily, aware of the armor and sidearm and clearly wondering what was happening or about to happen, "What can I do for you?"

“Clay McEntyre, that is correct. I’m the new Chief of Security. I was hoping we could take some time to get to know one another and coordinate our two departments.” He says standing before the desk.

"Of course we can, I think I had it in mind to swing by your own offices later on today, but I don't think I was going to come ready to invade." It was as much as she was going to say regarding entering someone's offices the way he was dressed, but she stood to extend a hand to him, with a wry grin, "And I think you actually have me by date of rank, so we can consider everything a wash regarding seniority? If it's all right by you, since we are neighbors in regards to our duties, you can call me Valerie or Val, I'll call you Clay?"

“Clay is fine. As for invade, no. This is the standard duty armor for the Security Forces. Some ships and installations don’t differentiate the Tactical and Security departments. I intend to have all personnel assigned to the security department to wear their armor on duty as a way to differentiate. In a situation it’ll streamline things.”

"I still think it would be a bit much, but if Captain T'Kal approves, not much I can say against it." Valerie shook her head in lieu of rolling her eyes as she picked up her mug again as she sat down again, for another drink of the fragrant broth, "But you're right, our sections are pretty much interchangeable much of the time and you can feel free to dragoon any of my tactical officers whenever the need arises. I myself am more of an Intelligence subspecialty, though I can most certainly hold my own in any form of combat you could care to name. Please, take a seat, get comfortable."

Clay nods, sitting down in front of the desk. “I’m sure that Intelligence will be of great import during our time in the frontier. My specialty is in asymmetric warfare and small team tactics. Ideally our first task should be small arms certifications for the senior staff and then moving down. In a combat situation every phaser counts”

"Absolutely." Valerie agreed, "Put me first on your list if you'd like, my certification is still current, but I wouldn't want anyone to think that I'd use that just to get out of something I should have no problems with at all. Threat assessment, reaction time, accuracy, I think you'll be quite happy to have me on your team." There was a wide smile on her face. After all, even if he didn't know it, she might even have more combat experience than he did, it was just... Longer ago.

"I had hope that the Tactical and Security Departments would work together. Playing on one another's strengths. However, I will take point on any Security related matters or shipboarding operations." Clay elaborated.

"Are there any concerns that you feel needs to be addressed first? In terms of what areas need improvement on ship?"

“Nothing that jumps out at me, but our tenure here is just beginning.” Valerie waggled a hand, “And by all means take point on anything regarding boarding or being boarded, you won’t have any complaint from me!” She laughed, miming dodging while in her chair.

‘You’re no fun.’ A voice in her head said, in a mocking sad voice. Valerie’s shook her head to get Kyra out of it, even though she loved hearing from her whenever she could. This could be progress.

Clay looked at Novis with a curious look, a tilt of the head as she bounced in her chair. Odd, and curious at the same time. More to her than appears, The Security Officer thought.

It only took a moment for Valerie to settle down again, but she just didn't have the bug to be serious right now and she didn't know why, "So, if you're going to take the ground game, that means I get to take lead in the flight operations, right? I mean space combat, of course, something I'm a fair hand about. Top fifteen percent of my class in tactics, though previous CO's only let me give advice, but Captain T'Kal I think intends me to be the primary director aboard Ark Royal here."

"I'll leave tactical and space operations to you, Commander. Play on our strengths, so to speak" Clay nodded in affirmation.

"And ground operations are in your hands." Valerie agreed, "You can include me in on those as well, as you're going to find out, I'm rather quite qualified with both rifle and hand phasers and you can test me in hand to hand at your own peril." Again, the smile was jaunty, "In fact, when did you want to run me through qualifications?"

"Whenever you get a free block of time in the next few days or so." Clay replied, writing on his padd.

"I'm available now? Or tomorrow at about Thirteen-hundred, take your pick?" Valerie cocked her head in question.

“Tomorrow will work best. Need to update the quartermasters logs with our inventory and go over the training schedule.” Clay replied writing on his PADD.

"Then tomorrow it is." Valerie grinned, "I'll try not to show up your officers too bad."

"I look forward to it, Commander" Clay nods with a smile. "And We'll try not to beat your tactical minds too much"

Valerie gave him a smile that promised him that it wouldn't be a challenge to her at all if he tried to do it, "Then have a good day, Commander." And she was off.

Clay leans back in his chair. The XO was an interesting one and he couldn't wait to see how she reacted under combat.

-----
Lieutenant Commander Clay McEntyre
Chief of Security
U.S.S. Ark Royal

Lieutenant Commander Valerie Novis
Executive Officer/Chief Tactical Officer
USS Ark Royal

 

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