The Comfort of a Familiar Face

Posted on Thu Dec 11th, 2025 @ 11:21pm by Lieutenant Tatiana Dragos & Captain Erik Norsgaard

1,396 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Wolf in the Fold: Hide and Seek
Location: Captain's Ready Room | Deck 1 | USS Thunderbird

It was good to settle back into the rhythm of things, Erik thought, as he settled in behind his somewhat oversized wood desk and matching chair, that had been built to accommodate his larger frame. A mug of coffee, carrying the ship's emblem as did all the dishes, cups and mugs generated by the replicators did. One hand circled the base of the mug as he relaxed, engrossed in the latest reports from the various departments.

It hadn’t taken long for Tatiana to get her quarters set up. She didn’t have much in the way of personal items, just things that were precious to her. A quick look in her mirror, making certain that her uniform was in order. Her green eyes were showing a range of trepidation, to that of curiosity, as she wondered what Erik would be like now.

Arriving at the office of Erik’s - well make that Captain Erik Norsgaard’s ready room Tatiana could feel her heart rate pick up. She took a moment or two to collect herself, then reached out to press the chime. The door opened as if in anticipation of her arrival, and she stepped in.

“Salutations, Captain Norsgaard, I see our paths have crossed once more.” She announced herself, a twinkle in Tatiana’s eyes.

"Well, well," Erik said as he rose to his feet, gesturing for her to have a seat, "Tatiana Dragos." He grinned cheerfully, waiting for her to be seated before resuming his own, "me and some of the guys used to bet chores on your matches. Got out of a lot of cleaning duty because they underestimated you ... every time."

She lowered herself into the indicated seat, leaning back and crossing her leg over the other. "Do tell, I am glad that you were able to win bets." amusement tinting her voice. "I won some bets due to you as well. Especially those saying I didn't know the two time champion of the snowboarding competition." giving a light laugh.

She raised her hands up in a shrug. "Proved them wrong several times over. Got some good dinners from that." Tatiana grinning.

"Well then, I"m glad it worked out for both of us then," Erik said quietly. "How have things been for you since our Academy days?"

"Well there was the short time you and I were on the same ship, the USS Sitting Bull," Tatiana began, "Afterwards, its been complicated. I am no longer married to Owen." a bitter twist to her lips. "And-" she paused for a moment or two, wondering if she should drop the next part on him. Deciding to let him know. "Owen stole my kids from me and disappeared."

That fåne Owens, Norsgaard thought. He remembered those years, the emptiness of his life, knowing Lizzie was gone, the grief that had threatened to overwhelm him for a time, and her husband, who had mistook a bit of friendship for something else entirely. Yes, he remembered. "I'm sorry to hear that," he said. "The search isn't going well then?"

"Not really, I looked for them for a year. I was convinced to come back, to what I know best, and that is intelligence work. Funny how someone in intelligence isn't able to pick up the trail. Then again, Owen had his own strengths, as he was in security. He wasn't someone who was stupid, except for taking my kids. Besides maybe, just maybe there is a chance that in all of the data feed that comes about, someone may come across them. Or that Annalise manages to contact me again."

As she mentioned Annalise, Tatiana's lips curved up in a slight smile. "Before I arrived, I got a message from her, don't quite know the origin but, she left a short message, that she and my son were alive. There is hope." Her eyes softened, as she looked at Erik. "How have you been since we last saw each other? And are you still in shape to take me on in snowboarding?" a gleam in her eyes as she lifted up her eyebrows.

"I grew up in snow country," Erik said, "as you well know. So, yes. Any time." He sighed quietly, his expression folding into a slight frown, as he continued. "Using the data feeds for your own personal purposes ... you know how Starfleet feels about that sort of things. I understand your need to find your children but those feeds, well, they aren't there for your personal agenda. You understand that, I hope."

"I took my own time off to go look for them. As for using data feed for intelligence for my personal use, that is not my intention, nor will I ever do that. My daughter contacted me via another way, a bulletin board."

Tatiana frowned slightly. "If I said something that sounded like I was using it for personal data, that wasn't my intention. When I got word from my daughter it was more on the ship nearing the station, that I received her message. Truth be told, when I was on that listening post, I cut myself off from personal contacts, until I went on a shore leave even then it was just quick messages to let people know I was alive. Then I went back to radio silence except for contacting the proper channels."

"That's good," Erik said, nodding. "It's a temptation we all face at one time or another, using the tools at our disposal to pursue a personal agenda, and it's to your credit that you have not done so. So, any questions for me?"

Questions on what she could ask Erik.

"There are several questions, How are you liking being the captain of this fine ship? And did you request for me to join your crew? Or was it a surprise for me arriving?" Of course he may not have planned this but,still there was the thought of perhaps he could have had a hand in this assignment. There was a twinkle in her eyes at those questions, but also she was serious in the asking.

"Too new to answer that as yet and there might be a part of me that's still missing my old ship ... but that's Starfleet for you. Always the surprise," Erik said. He paused for a moment, moving from the first question to the second, and in doing so, his expression turned apologetic, "I am sorry but no, I didn't request you. Truth is, I wanted time to get to know the crew that was here before I started making changes. Which means you were a complete surprise. A welcome one though. You've done well in your career." His head cocked momentarily to one side as part of a quick shrug. "I checked your personnel record when I finally heard you'd been transferred here."

"Thank you. It looks like we both will be getting to know the crew at the same time, but in different ways. They may find you more approachable than they will me." Giving a teasing smile, "Who wants to talk to an intelligence officer?" She paused, then said in a different tone. "It is good to be on the same ship as you. You've not ever treated me unkindly and I thank you. I valued the time I served on the Sitting Bull with you."

"Alright, then let's get the formalities over with then," Erik said. "Lieutenant Tatiana Dragos, you are hereby assigned to the USS Thunderbird as Chief Intelligence Officer with all the rights and privileges that go along with the position."

The computer responded at once, "Lieutenant Dragos is now Chief Intelligence Officer for the USS Thunderbird."

"Operations will get you sorted as far as quarters go," Erik continued. "So, if there's nothing else, you're excused. Welcome to the USS Thunderbird."

"Thank you, Captain." Tatiana replied with a smile.Turning to leave her thoughts were bemused but also she was thankful.

Just the fact of now serving on another ship with Erik is going to be interesting. Both of them have gone through a lot, but it is comforting to have that sense of connection with someone whom she's worked with before, makes things more--like coming home even if it is a new ship.

---

Captain Erik Norsgaard
Commanding Officer
USS Thunderbird

and

Lieutenant Tatiana Dragos
Chief Of Intelligence
USS Thunderbird

 

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