Chapter Text
Captain Diem Nhi liked the quiet of a survey mission. He knew people found it odd considering what a vivacious personality he had, but he often felt the calm routine did him some good. It was nice to kick back, relax, and admire the beauty of space. However, it was clear that his new first officer did not share his opinion. Commander Lockridge’s knee was bouncing up and down as she sat in her chair beside Diem. The twitching motion was enough to jolt Diem out of his peaceful state.
“Nice weather we’re having,” Diem said blandly.
Lockridge turned to give him a very flat look, although at least her leg stopped bouncing. “We’re in an asteroid field. There is no weather.”
That was entirely true, but it wasn’t like Diem had any better conversation starters. Usually, it didn’t matter that he wasn’t particularly verbose as he had the sort of charm that effused from him that won over his conversation partners despite his plain words. Unfortunately, though, Lockridge seemed entirely impervious to his charm. He wasn’t even sure it had been this difficult to win over actual Vulcans.
“Commander, do you dislike me?” he asked bluntly, hoping the straightforward approach would appeal to Lockridge.
She seemed to consider her words very carefully before saying, “You are fine.”
Despite not knowing Lockridge very well, Diem had a feeling that she had firmly told him that she did dislike him, but phrased it in a polite manner. It was discouraging; he much preferred it when people liked him.
“What don’t you like about me?”
“Oh, come on, Captain!” Aunlid objected. “Don’t put the poor woman on the spot! She can’t possibly answer that honestly!”
Diem had forgotten they were on the bridge where others could overhear. The tactical officer was probably right that it wasn’t the place to bring up this conversation. He expected Lockridge to use the excuse and return to her stoic silence, so he nearly jumped when she spoke.
“You used to be a commodore.”
At first, Diem wondered how Lockridge could possibly know that before remembering that it was in his personnel file. Lockridge seemed like the sort of person who would obsessively read personnel files. Diem did so rarely, preferring to get to know a person by speaking to them. Personnel files could be so impersonal.
“Oh, that. Were you involved in that scandal? I didn’t realize we crossed paths before.”
Diem liked to pride himself on his social skills, including remembering every person who crossed his path. He would have thought he would recall having encountered Lockridge before. There was something very memorable about her forbearance that made him think he would have remembered even if they only met in passing.
“No. It simply doesn’t say good things about you.”
Diem waved a dismissive hand. “I didn’t fit in with the flag officer crowd. I suppose I’m too much of a rebel.”
Admittedly, he had a much different opinion when the incident first happened, but that was a while ago now. He had come to accept that he was simply different from those other flag officers, and his unique self was better off on the Lovelace anyway. Starfleet Command didn’t deserve someone as exceptional as Diem Nhi. Lockridge was remaining quiet in a way that made him suspect she disagreed, but clearly they didn’t know each other well enough for her to voice that opinion. Nhi wished she would; he didn’t mind his crew voicing their objections to him. He was well-aware that he had flaws.
“You know, most Starfleet officers actually think what I did was heroic.”
Lockridge considered that before saying, “I reserved my opinion on your actions until I met you.”
From the way she was treating him, apparently, he hadn’t passed her tests. He wondered what he had done to give Lockridge the impression that he wasn’t capable. Perhaps it was simply that he was a rather odd person, whereas Lockridge was a very punctilious person. Unfortunately, he was interrupted from finding out if his charm could win over Lockridge enough for her to explain by Kerce’s voice.
“Captain, we’re getting a distress call. It’s from Bilaun.”
“The colony with the hot Romulan planetary governor?”
Somehow, Diem knew Kerce was rolling her eyes even though she was facing away from him. “Yes, sir. They’re being attacked by pirates and are requesting assistance.”
It was uncouth to smile at someone’s misfortune, but Diem was too busy imagining seeing Harrok again. “Very well. Set a course.”