Sage Advice

Posted on 03 Jun 2015 @ 11:55am by Lieutenant Oren Idris Ph.D. & Commander Norvi Stace

2,805 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Episode 08 - NIMBUS
Location: USS Galileo, Deck 2 - XO's Office
Timeline: MD02 - 1330hrs

[ON]

"Why did I agree to this?"

Oren wondered that over and over as he stood in the middle of his office. Or was this his former office now, he wondered? Looking around the room wistfully, he turned his attention back to the mirror. He pulled at his new uniform, still finding it awkward. Black was never Oren's color. It always made him look more pale than he normally did and his hair was a mess. Did he have to look like all of the other officers now? Was he being assimilated, Starfleet style?

Letting out a noise of annoyance, he gave up adjusting his uniform and asked the computer for Stace's location.

Stace busied herself in her new office. She checked the chronometer and sighed. Only a few more hours to go before she had to report back up top and take her position on the bridge. After the Chief Science Officer's office, the captain's ready room and now this, Stace didn't know whether she was coming or going. And having to vacate her quarters to move up on Deck One earlier that morning as well, Stace had never felt so unsettled. She paced about the XO's office, things finally in order, and then sat down behind her new desk, surveying her new domain. Maroon didn't suit her. Red on red was not without its clash but she had bigger fish to fry.

As she opened up her computer terminal, a familiar sound reverberated around the space. Someone was bidding entry. She paused, moved the console aside and then granted access. "Come in," she called out to the door.

When his eyes landed on Stace, Oren shot her a sympathetic look. She appeared as unsettled in her new situation as he was in his.

"Life, huh?" he just said knowingly, motioning to his own uniform. If anything, he knew they both understood well the strange dynamic of existence, being thrown from one role into another.

"It has its way throwing you a..." she paused and then cast her mind back to her old commander. "What was that my former captain used to say? A corner ball or something? Anyway - " she cut off, dismissing her sentiment, " - what can I do for you, Lieutenant?" There was a lilt of familiarity in her voice as she called Oren by his new rank. Familiarity and congratulations as she smiled widely to him. "I have a feeling that I may already know. Please, come in and take a seat. It would appear that we're all at different starting spaces on the chess board today."

"Apparently," Oren said, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "I have no idea what I'm doing," he admitted, wondering how wise it was as the words left him. Oren prided himself on his science background, but being an officer seemed so far removed from everything he identified with, he couldn't help but feel like a fish out of water.

Settling into the offered seat, Oren crossed his legs. "This is all a little sudden for me. It's a bit of a blur, really."

Stace settled down with a warm smile. She knew exactly what the teal clad man was going through, only she weathered it with a ribbon of experience that threaded through several lifetimes. But his predicament was not lost on her at all. Regardless of how many lives Stace had passed through, there was always a first time for everything, even if that first time was several lifetimes in the past. She decided to temper this situation with the same tact that she had handled Kohl with.

"You've been extended this opportunity because of what Galileo's command staff - myself included - and Starfleet have seen in you and your work. You're not to be thrown into an unfamiliar environment. You know the procedures and the expectations Command expect on this ship. You merely are looking at it from the other side of the fence. They will undoubtedly be a transition period for us all. But you will have myself and Commander Kohl to help guide you to its success. Don't fret."

That was another thing. The fact that Oren would now need to work closely with Kohl within the department was one of his main concerns. While he tried his best to temper his annoyance and general dislike for the man, it all went right out the window the minute the Argelian opened his mouth.

"I was an enlisted officer during the war, but I was a nurse. It was nothing like this, and I thought I left that behind when the war ended." Truth be told, Oren wasn't completely sure of his reasons for accepting his new position. He was no soldier, of that he was certain. But he was also certain that only fools never change, so accepting a new opportunity seemed like the right decision at the time.

"I'm not even sure how to act with this uniform on."

"The position of Chief Research Officer is one totally unique on board this ship. There are others throughout the Fleet, but it is one of the only positions where you can freely indulge both your scientific passions while tempering it with a position of responsibility. It's such a rarity in this business." She paused and then added, "You'll pick it up. With both of our help."

"Hmm." Staying quiet for a few moment, Oren tried to figure out if Kohl knew of his new position. He assumed so and briefly considered what his reaction might have been. Oren figured it was much like his own, which wasn't promising. The idea of going to see Kohl to ask for help and guidance was one that made him sick to his stomach. Not being he didn't think Kohl was capable of providing it, but because Oren wasn't sure he could ask without being a jerk to the man.

"Kohl is better at handling the more administrative side of things," Oren admitted, his tone neutral.

"And that will largely be his new position. Plus, I believe he has also accepted the position of Second Officer which will mean his distraction from the department from time to time. And this is why it is good to have two heads of department for Science." She paused and then recalled the conversation she had had with Kohl earlier that day. And the pitfalls of dealing with scientists. She cocked her head as a thought formed but then decided not to pursue it. "Have you discussed your new appointment with Mr. Kohl?" she asked innocently.

"No, I'm afraid not," Oren said, then decided that perhaps embellishing things to Stace would be foolish. "I haven't had the chance, but to be completely honest, Kohl and I tend not to see eye to eye on certain things, so even if I did, I think I'd stall it as much as possible." To his credit, Oren did look slightly guilty about admitting it.

Stace replied by silently closing her eyes for a fraction longer than a blink required. She inhaled and then let out a little sigh, scrunching up her nose as she did so. "I assume that this is something that we're all prepared to work on, though." It wasn't a question and nor was it a chastising order. She knew that Oren knew the importance of communication and cooperation. Especially out in space and in a hierarchical family such as Starfleet. And in truth she wanted to help the situation as best she could. But she didn't quite understand it. Kohl was such an amenable man. "What is the actual issue, Lieutenant?" she questioned without prejudice.

At the question, Oren felt a bit embarrassed with his lack of proper answer. Everyone he'd ever spoken to always had something nice to say about Kohl and Oren felt alone in his view of him. To him, Kohl didn't feel amenable at all. Every time he spoke to him, Kohl always appeared like a man on the edge.

"How low would your opinion of me fall if I said I didn't quite know beyond the fact that I don't like him?" Oren crossed his arms, thinking on it himself while he waited for Stace's answer.

Stace's smile broke a little across her face and she snorted a harmless chuckle. She stopped herself and then held out her open hand in defence. "I apologise," she qualified. "An old friend of mine - of Yvaine's, actually - used to use an analogy that she picked up during her contact with the Federation diplomats herself when she first got off-world. Something about the Serengeti and animals around a watering hole. Basically, for no reason whatsoever, when two lions are taking a drink around a pool, they just make eye contact and then try to rip each other's throats out. No reason. No communication. Just attack. It happens."

Oren couldn't help but chuckle at the image her comparison inspired. "I wouldn't go as far as to say we're ripping each other's throats out," he admitted. "I'm sure Kohl is a perfectly reasonable man. When you agree with him, or you share his outlook and you outrank him. But, in my experience, whenever he's been confronted with any kind of criticism or someone who didn't share his views, he's been rude and condescending. I'm not saying I'm completely without blame, but I'm not going to suffer through anyone acting in such a way towards me."

"I understand that," Stace agreed, "but now you'll be in a similar position as Commander Kohl; 'with all the rights and privileges your rank and position affords'." She paused and allowed the sentiment to hang between them. "What I mean is, Lieutenant Commander Kohl has worked very hard to achieve what he has. He's fought for his position and earnt it. As you now have. Unfortunately, once your idea or suggestion is rejected by someone in authority of you or your department then you just have to let it go. This is Starfleet. Not a democracy. Now you might come across someone who will listen at your third protestation. Or you might get your Commander Kohl's who won't tolerate your second. But I understand that the Sciences are a little different with theories and thoughts. Trust me. I know. But you have to respect that, whether you like the man or not. Do you understand where I'm coming from?"

For the second time since getting his 'promotion', Oren thought that he'd made a mistake accepting it. While he remained highly skeptical of just how hard Kohl had worked to earn his position, he wasn't about to voice that. In fact, Stace's entire explanation felt like a conversation she should be having Kohl, and not Oren. Kohl was the one who got snarky and condescending at Oren telling him that Arandon and himself were unfit candidates to do a certain, important job. Oren was always willing to admit where his qualifications and knowledge were lacking. Kohl wasn't. If it had been an assignment during something less pressing, Oren would have gladly accepted. But these wargames were important, even if Oren couldn't fathom why. As if two cultures who had previously been at war would actually let the other side see all of their cards, so to speak. It was ridiculous.

Again, he kept that opinion to himself, deciding to suffer through. He accepted this new position, now he had to bear through it and hope it served as a lesson on making rash decisions in the future.

"I do understand where you're coming from," Oren said, leaning back in his seat. He also understood that Stace liked Kohl, and they were both Starfleet. Starfleet always looks out for their own, and Oren highly doubted he would find any support with Stace. Not that it was what he'd come for.

"I don't mind if anyone shuts down my suggestions, Commander," he added patiently. "I mind someone talking down to me like I'm a simple child, asking me whether Starfleet was some indentures servitude program, or if Holliday kidnapped me. I know full well that Starfleet isn't a democracy, but I at least imagine an environment where respect doesn't only travel up the ranks."

Stace paused longer than she usually would, considering Oren's words as they fell about her ears. He had a point but she had always rationed that between two parties there were three sides to the story. Each other's viewpoint and then the truth. She took in a breath and allowed it rest in her lungs for a moment before visibly relaxing and allowing it to escape. "We need this department to work as fluidly as though there were just one department head, and Commander Kohl excels you in both rank and position. But you will have very different responsibilities within it." She took anther beat to allow it to hang and then continued with a different tact. "But if you feel that you are not treated with respect then this is something that I will have to look into. For all of our sake's. I can't abide back-biting and unfortunately being at each other's throats in front of your subordinate crew is not an option either. I'll speak with Commander Kohl myself and then come up with something to make the... transition a little more smooth."

Oren shifted slightly as he spoke once Stace finished. "Commander, I would prefer if you didn't. I respect your concern and your willingness to help both myself and Commander Kohl, but I don't think it would do us any favors if you intervene before anything even happens. I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with Commander Kohl myself. We're both adults and professionals. The only reason I even voiced my concerns was because you asked."

"Like I told you earlier, there is no actual issue for you to resolve. Kohl and I will deal with our own issues by ourselves for now. I would appreciate having that opportunity and I'm sure the Commander would too," Oren finished. He knew it wouldn't do himself or Kohl any good to have Stace playing middle man just because they were acting like children. Oren was an adult, and he could put aside his personal discomfort for the benefit of peace and functionality withing the department.

Stace pondered what Oren had said to her. In truth, she would rather not mediate between two grown adults and especially between commissioned officers. Her face remained even yet friendly as she pursed her lips in a thought-evoking manner. "Very well," she replied with a tone that lilted the edge of her words. "I won't intervene but I am trusting you to even this out. I know that accepting the commission as Chief Research Officer was a difficult one for you. And I don't want to hamper that or your professional relationship with the commander. So we'll say no more about it. But I want you to know that I am here for you during this transition. Don't forget, I have served in both positions during my time on the Galileo and know the demands and pressures of them both."

"To be completely honest, Commander, the position is not what I find difficult. Being head of a research division is not unfamiliar to me. But the role of an officer is not something I'm completely comfortable with," Oren admitted, wondering why he was telling her all of this.

"But unfortunately the position comes with its title and that is what you must weather. As I said," she now added genuinely, "I am here to assist you when you need it."

Oren nodded but said nothing more on the subject. In reality, he already felt like maybe he'd made his doubts worse by coming to see the Commander. It was difficult to ask for help when you were completely unsure of your entire position. Instead, he made to get up.

"Thank you, Commander," he said, ready to leave but then remembering that now he needed to wait to be dismissed. It was, after all, the Starfleet way.

"You're welcome, Lieutenant," the Trill replied with a break of a smile. "If there's nothing further then I'll let you get back." She nodded to Oren and then watched as he left her office. This is gonna be tough, she thought to herself as the doors closed behind him. She sighed and blew the air through her cheeks, finally releasing the somewhat professional demeanour she had been fostering in his company. She shook her head, more to herself than at Oren, and then returned to her screen.

[OFF]

Commander Norvi Stace
First Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant JG Oren Idris Ph.D.
Chief Research Officer
USS Galileo

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