Getting To Know Cassian Massy

Posted on Sat May 17th, 2025 @ 3:22pm by Penelope Haskell & Lieutenant Cassian Massy

2,163 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Let That Be Your Last
Location: Promenade.

Penelope had reserved the location with the promise of a sparkling review to the cafe that was hosting her 'slice of life' interviews with some of the senior officers. It wasn't the most popular location, but they did do a fair amount of business with the Starfleeters aboard the ship. She had four drones ready to go, two of them camera drones, the other two ready to adjust the lighting to get the best pictures for those same cameras. For this, she wore a silvery dress, one of the ones that had been in her wardrobe for a while, complete with matching heels and she paced back and forth a couple steps at a time as she waited for her first invitee to this particular set. She'd decided to spring THIS particular trap on one of the more 'junior' of the senior officers.

Cassian was walking though the promenade initially unsure what he was going to eat, he had an appointment with Penelope which rumour had it was courting a marine Captain. There came a rule with the fleet that some followed and that was never to mess around with another service members partner, Cassian also knew Penelope was attractive having seen her on the news. In his mind though lingered Ana, hoping it wouldn't complicate matters with her for doing this interview. "Penelope?" He spoke walking upto her. "I'm Lt. Massy, we have an appointment."

"That we do, Lieutenant!" Penelope beamed at him, extending her hand for a traditional handshake, "And I'd like to thank you in advance for being willing to do this, I promise that there won't be anything negative about this interview, I'm not a sludge reporter trying to 'get one over' on the Fleet, I just really want to be able to get everyone aboard to get to know the people that run the ship and make their lives a lot easier!"

Cassian shook her hand, a pleasant smile on his face then took a seat opposite her across the table. "Put a face to the person kind of thing right?" He asked. Not that he minded as sometimes it was nice to be seen even at the lower ranks.

"Bingo!" Penny brushed back her hair as she more delicately settled herself back into her own chair, "I've never had the opportunity to do something like this on other ships, that was really ad hoc reporting there, sending in opinion pieces and fact-finding bits to the main studio, but the Dreadnought is big enough to even have their own audience along with the transmission capability to the rest of the Federation. Just making sure, you don't have any objections to being recorded during the interview, right?"

"No, none at all." Cassian understood all too well how unique the Dreadnought was when it compared to other ships in the fleet. While frequently considered a mobile space station it certainly held enough population on board to support that consideration. Nobody would be brave enough to say so to the Admiral but it was the general consensus.

She pressed a button on the PADD that lay on the table along with a couple of water bottles for them to make sure they remained hydrated and the four drones rose in the air. The lighting drones went through a cycle of brightening and dimming until they settled on a low level that illuminated the both of them the best. The reporter put on her traditional smile and her voice altered ever so slightly, just enough to be easily heard and her annunciation was much more clear, a true signal that they were now recording, "I'd like to introduce Lieutenant Cassian Massy, the Chief of Ship Operations here aboard the USS Dreadnought. Lieutenant, thank you very much for being with us today in this opportunity to get to know the people who run the largest ship in Starfleet. How has everything gone today for you?"

"Today has been fairly routine in terms of day to day ship board operations. While there are challenges faced with the smooth operation of a vessel of any size its making sure that the various departments on board get the resources and materials they need to keep the ship functioning. Once my shift ended, I came to the promenade as I usually do after duty hours to see what the many shops have on offer." Cassian spoke in reply as he tried to hide his nerves from the attention being on him so directly....which he wasn't used to.

"Having been here only a few weeks myself, I've found that the promenade is rather quite expansive." Penny remarked, "I'm sure that while I've explored, I myself have only unearthed the very top layer of what the ship has to see even in just the civilian sector of it." Her head cocked a handful of degrees to the left, "When you peruse the area, do you usually go in uniform, or just as a 'regular Joe' in civilian garb? I know I could see it in either, the charms of being here 'officially' or just as your own person."

"I guess that depends on the moment really. If I am coming straight from shift and feel hungry or the like then I'll come in uniform. It's not like its an uncommon sight as you can see around us even now people in uniform of various colours walking about. I have walked in civilian attire before so it really does fall down to the moment and need at the time." Cassian answered, the prime example being just today, he had the need to go to the Promenade so made his way straight there after his shift ended.

It was almost a perfect moment as Penelope noticed a woman in uniform crossing behind Cassian even as he spoke, just further reinforcing his words, "And the sheer variety and background of just the senior staff that I've met is impressive as well. So far I've had the luck to be able to interview Admiral S'irra, a Caitian, Commander Aventova from the world of Roma Nueva, Lieutenant Commander Ist'ivan from Andoria and Lieutenant Commander Bovrastrian from Bolia. Where do you hail from, Lieutenant? And if you could say anything to your family back there or elsewhere in the Federation, what would you tell them?"

"Earth, though I moved about a bit because my mother was a construction consultant which I guess lead me to where I am now, so she went where the projects were. Father was Starfleet." He answered.

A less than complete answer, but she did have a limited amount of time overall. The sweet spot for these types of interviews was between ten and twentyish minutes, enough to get a feel for the person, but not enough to bore the audience, "With so many people on board, especially civilians, I could imagine that there is more opportunity to meet that special someone that many Starfleet personnel tend to give up on in pursuit of their service to the Federation." A sly smile crossed her face, "Is there a special someone aboard Dreadnought that you've met?"

"I'll admit that as with any profession there can be limited opportunity to find someone, Starfleet is no different. I believe you are courting a Marine Captain, so I'm sure that, like with any situation a person or couple may encounter has brought with it challenges of its own. I was one of those types that was all duty, honour and uniform but recently there has been someone. I don't want to say too much because it is still in its infancy but I am hopeful." Cassian didn't want to present Ana with a situation like this given her highly important role on board.

That last comment caused a raised eyebrow from someone who had expected to be told that nothing was going on in his personal life, "Captain Sean and I definitely haven't attempted to hide our relationship, which truth be told has been a challenge in itself as you can imagine and have pointed out. I do wish you luck with yours and hope that it blossoms to bring you happiness." She pivoted away from the subject, "To those people, civilian, Starfleet and those from other star nations who are worried that a ship such as Dreadnought can only result in a disaster of grand proportions, or even end up with a megalomaniac in command, can you give them any reassurance as to the nature of the ship?"

"Technically the ship is designated a command carrier, it leads operations. Yes it's size is considerable as is its capabilities but just because something can do a thing doesn't mean it will. That's the beauty of choice, all too often people are quick to judge that which they don't understand. It's also a part of Starfleet and we strive to uphold the laws of the Federation from the smallest ship, to the largest, from planet to space facility. Yes her presence will be hard to mission on any field of operation but that doesn't mean its hostile. Our expansive air wing can provide cover or ferry services for our huge medical wing to help fight a disease or virus in a given area. Our scores of engineers can help natural disaster zones with water, homes and essentials for example." Cassian spoke. "The Dreadnought is big granted, but she's nobody's enemy."

"And to that, I can agree to, nobody's enemy, but she can certainly take care of herself." Penny's bright smile beamed again, this was a good spot to ease into the ending of the interview, "Now I know that some of my type are loathe to ask this sort of question, but as we round out this opportunity, do you have anything you'd like to say to the galaxy and Federation at large? Or do you have any questions you'd like to ask me?"

"Yes actually, one to you. You having been on board for a little bit now and given your profession see things differently to normal people. Your eye is more critical, you mention you have done interviews with others and explored a little of the ship. You have reported on many Federation topics so as someone who isn't part of the fleet, that doesn't wear the uniform. What's your impression of the ship, the people on her and what you've seen so far on board her?"

This was new, usually when offered, the officers had demurred on asking questions, "My impression of Dreadnought? I would say much like yours, but with a vision that while she is very capable and intended for the mission opportunities that you pointed out, she is also a force unto herself, capable of forcing an invasion beachhead as well as overwhelming destruction if push comes to shove. Still, she's vulnerable as we discovered a few weeks back, a force for good and the potential for havoc." Penny was somber at the admission, "As for the officers and crew I've talked to both on and off the record? I honestly believe that the residents here are in good hands. It definitely appears to take a special person to be assigned to this ship."

"And there you have it, a single coin, with both sides and the edge for a perspective." Cassian remarked.

"Indeed we do." Penelope agreed, "Once again, thank you Lieutenant Massy for being here with me today to talk about yourself and the USS Dreadnought, one of the preeminent ships of the United Federation of Planets."

"You are welcome." Massy said with a smile, since he knew he was being recorded he wanted to maintain a friendly composure to the end.

She reached out and with a press of the button on the PADD, the drones began to drop to their previous resting places and she reached out again with a hand to him, "But seriously, thanks, I genuinely enjoy meeting the people in charge and as you can see, there weren't any shady or misleading questions involved."

"I think its good what you're doing. Putting faces to people, making people see those in command of the ship keeping them safe. Sure there are risks but with people knowing the officers it generates a degree of confidence and assurance with the population on board." Cassian spoke.

"And managing those risks are a good part of what I'm supposed to do, especially to be a successful media personality." Penny smiled, a far more real smile than the one she had on for the interview, "And if there's anything I can do for you, just let me know?"

"I'll remember that." Cassian spoke as he stood up, seeming the interview was concluded yet he had plans later this evening. "If there is nothing else, plans call and they wait for no man."

She stood along with him and gave an expansive gesture, "Have a great day, Lieutenant, and good luck!"

"Ma'am." Cassian nodded, then went on his way.

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