Shifting Orbits

Posted on Sat Jan 17th, 2026 @ 2:37pm by Commander Narell Teya & Commander Isabella dei`Silvisi

1,386 words; about a 7 minute read

Commander Narell Teya paused just outside the entrance to the ship's forward lounge, allowing herself a single steadying breath before stepping inside. She had already met the captain. She had already stood on the bridge and felt the weight of the Endeavour beneath her feet. But this meeting carried a different kind of gravity. Commander Isabella dei`Silvisi, the former executive officer of the Endeavour and current chief science officer, was by all accounts an honest, reasonable and honorable woman. But, whether Teya liked it or not, the commander was also a woman who had once occupied the chair she now held.

Teya had read the dei`Silvisi's personnel file carefully, or rather she had studied it, if she could be perfectly honest. Commander dei`Silvisi had served with distinction, had been well liked by the crew and respected for her sharp intellect and measured command presence. When the Endeavour underwent its recent change in command, she had made a choice to step down from the first officer position and return to science.

It had been completely voluntary and to Teya an honorable decision, but it was still complicated. Teya understood that kind of decision. Bajor had taught her early that leadership was not always about climbing higher, but rather sometimes it was about knowing where one could do the most good. With a steadying breath, she entered the lounge quietly.

Isabella was already in the forward lounge, seated in her usual seat near the view port. She held a glass of tea cradled in one hand as she read from a padd on the table in front of her. It had become part of her usual routine to take an hour or two to relax in the lounge at the end of her shift. Even though managing the science department may have seemed mundane compared to being the first officer, she still found the time calming and somewhat relaxing.

Teya took a moment to glance around the lounge before she spied Commander dei`Silvisi and approached with deliberate calm. “Commander dei`Silvisi,” she said, voice warm but professional. “I’m Narell Teya. I wanted to formally introduce myself.”

Isabella looked up from reading her padd and quickly studied the woman before her with open curiosity. She had heard about the new first officer, but had yet to meet her. The commander was young, but didn't seem uncertain. Like most Bajorans Isabella had met, Commander Narell carried herself with a calm demeanor but there was an undertone that seemed like an almost aggressive confidence, as if she could fight the entire galaxy on her own. Isabella knew that first hand impressions could be mistaken as well, and wasn't sure if she was reading the Bajoran commander correctly or not. She knew that it didn't truly matter. Narell had been assigned as first officer of the Endeavour, and thus was Isabella's superior. She stood smoothly and extended her hand.

“Of course,” she said, her accent crisp but just slightly betraying the fact that she was just a little restrained. “Welcome aboard, Commander. Please, call me Isabella.”

Teya accepted the handshake, but sensed that none of the tension between them vanished, although it did soften just a little. “Thank you. And please, Narell,” she said.

“I appreciate you coming by,” Isabella said, gesturing to the chair opposite her. “I imagine the last few hours have been rather busy for you.”

Teya sat, posture attentive but not rigid. “That’s one way to describe it,” she replied with a faint smile. “The Endeavour is in the middle of being assigned a new command team along with having nearly the entire crew reassigned to new assignments.”

Isabella nodded knowingly as she took a sip of her tea, studying the younger commander over the rim of the glass. Setting the glass down, she remained quiet for a long moment as she thought carefully. “I won’t pretend this ship hasn’t been through a period of adjustment,” Isabella said at last. “Without warning, the Endeavour has been assigned a new captain and a new executive officer as well as a host of new officers. But I stepped down into science willingly. I want you to know that.”

Teya met her gaze directly. She had worried quietly and privately, about how this conversation would have unfolded. “I never doubted that,” she said calmly, choosing her words with care. “And I wouldn’t have accepted this post if I believed I was displacing someone against their will. I also wanted to meet you personally, not just as part of the transition the Endeavour is currently undergoing but because I want you to know that your experience both as a Starfleet officer and as a previously serving commander officer matters.”

Isabella studied Narell for a long moment before her brow lifted slightly and she nodded. “That’s not something every incoming first officer would say to the person who they would be replacing,” she said.

Teya inclined her head before she turned her gaze briefly toward the view port, watching the view of the stars as the Endeavour drifted through space. “I imagine stepping down wasn’t an easy decision,” she said quietly. “Even if it was the right one.”

“No,” Isabella admitted. “It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but it was an honest one. I loved the challenge of being first officer, and with Captain McKeon it felt like where I belonged. But with the change in command, I realized that I found myself missing that which brought me to Starfleet in the first place. I joined because I love science, the joys of making discoveries and exploring the unknown. I also realized that I could serve the ship and her crew better during a transition such as this from a position that I'm stronger and more familiar with.”

Teya absorbed the commander's words quietly for a long time. To her, such humility was not weakness but strength. “I respect that,” she said at last.

Isabella’s gaze softened as she felt herself relax. "Thank you," she said, feeling somewhat relieved. "I have to be honest. Seeing someone else step into the position of first officer, even though I willingly stepped aside, is going to take some adjustment. I don't feel replaced, but it'll take some time for me to get used to the change."

"I can certainly understand that it will take some time for not only you but everyone else on the ship to adjust to the changes that are both taking place now and any that may occur in the near future," Teya said as she exhaled quietly. "I just wanted to make sure that you were truly acceptable to the changes that are taking place."

"I get to focus on my work," Isabella said. "And I get to do it knowing the ship is in capable hands. That includes yours."

“I intend to earn that confidence,” Teya said, feeling relieved. “I’ll be honest with you in return,” she continued. “The crew will watch how we interact. If there’s friction, they’ll feel it. That is a concern for me. This is also my first assignment as a first officer, and the Endeavour seems to have a history of being a challenging assignment.”

Isabella smiled at that. "The previous Endeavour certainly faced its share of adventures," she said. "And I have no doubt that this Endeavour will continue the legacy that was founded beforehand. I'm almost certain of it."

“If I may ask, I’d like to meet with you regularly,” Teya said. “Not just for science briefings, but to hear your perspective. You see the ship through a different lens than I do, and I feel that your perspective would be invaluable.”

Isabella nodded. “I’d like that,” she said.

Teya nodded as she stood. "Thank you, Commander," she said. "I believe I've taken enough of your time for now, but rest assured that I may be calling for your advice soon."

"Of course," Isabella said as she stood and clasped her hands behind her back. "Welcome to the Endeavour, Commander."

Teya met the commander's gaze with one filled with a quiet confidence. “Thank you, Commander dei`Silvisi. I’m glad to be here,” she said before she turned and headed out of the lounge.

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