Yeoman's Log

Ensign Lyra, Captain’s Yeoman.

Yeoman’s Log, Stardate 79023.941.

I reported aboard USS Kepler today.

This is my first assignment.

Several members of the crew have already been kind enough to remind me that fact.

I assure them I am aware.

The journey from Delta IV to Starfleet was not particularly direct.

Few worthwhile journeys are.

As a Deltan, I am accustomed to people forming impressions before introductions have occurred.

Experience suggests that most of those impressions improve with additional information.

I spent the majority of the day reviewing schedules, departmental rosters, meeting requests, and command priorities.

I also spent a surprising amount of time learning where various senior officers prefer to keep things.

This information appears to be considered important.

By the end of the day, I could already identify which officers prefer to arrive early, which prefer to arrive prepared, and which prefer to arrive appearing prepared.

The categories are not identical.

Schedules reveal more about people than most people realize.

The position of a captain’s yeoman is frequently misunderstood.

Many assume the role involves managing calendars and organizing correspondence.

The work certainly includes those responsibilities.

It also involves creating enough order that a captain may focus on more important matters.

The challenge is appealing.

Captain McClendon was kind enough to welcome me aboard personally.

I suspect he has more pressing concerns than the location of briefing materials and status reports.

My objective is to ensure he rarely needs to think about such things.

The crew of Kepler includes officers with decades of experience.

Some have survived events I only studied at the Academy.

Others have spent more years in Starfleet than I have spent alive.

I would be lying if I claimed this was not intimidating.

Fortunately, intimidation and opportunity occasionally arrive together.

I spent part of the afternoon exploring the ship.

The Forward Lounge appears to function as an unofficial gathering place.

The Arboretum is quieter than I expected.

I suspect that will change.

Every ship develops traditions.

Every crew develops habits.

I look forward to learning both.

My responsibility is to understand them before I begin contributing my own.

Some journeys begin with a starship.

Others begin with a desk assignment.

I am increasingly convinced this may be both.

End log.