Not Another Mind Reader

Posted on 08 Mar 2016 @ 5:43pm by Captain Jonathan Holliday & Ensign Lia Circe

1,210 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 10 - Symposium
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 1 - XO's Office
Timeline: MD 93

[ON]

Lia walked off the turbolift towards her next destination. She had finished checking in with her Department Head, and now she was to meet Captain Holliday. Normally she'd be focused on this meeting however the assignment she received from her Chief. As she approached the door she paused. With the assignment to investigate the Admiral, she wonders if she should share that info with the Captain. She sighed and decided against it for now. She reached out and tapped the door chime, and waited.

Holliday on the other hand was already behind the door, having just reached out to open the door on his way out of the office. As the panels separated in front of him he realised that there was someone blocking his escape.

"Ensign. Apologies - I didn't hear the chime."

Lia didn't flinch as the doors pulled apart revealing Captain Holliday. "That's because I was just about to press the chime." She pulled her hand away from the panel and placed it behind her back with her other hand, "Ensign Lia Circe, Assistant Chief Intelligence Officer, reporting in for duty, Sir."

Holliday grimaced for a moment internally at the addition of another intelligence officer to his ship. Granted it was a position that needed filling, but he had pretty much had his share of Intelligence officers recently. Swallowing the moment of panic he acknowledged the Ensign with a curt nod before turning on his heels to head back into the office.

"You may as well come in - I don't think it's appropriate for the First Officer to be meeting with new crewmembers in the middle of the corridor. I trust you had an easy enough journey to our little ship?"

"I was stationed on Earth, so I was able to easily catch a transport to Jupiter Station..." Lia answered as she hesitantly followed Holliday in the office. "Permission to speak frankly, Sir?"

"So soon after meeting a senior officer Ensign?" Holliday replied with a raised eyebrow. The particular phrase the Ensign had used generally meant she was about to say something that he probably would not approve of.

"Very well - permission granted."

Lia took and deep breath and spoke; "I just would like to inform you, I'm a telepath sir. While I know some have the ability to 'ignore' other people's thoughts, I don't have such filter. Just wanted to inform you before you have another disparaging thought about my assignment to the Galileo."

Holliday thought for a moment about how most unhelpful it would be to have a telepath crawling around in his head. Then the inevitable thought that perhaps the telepath in question could hear exactly what he was thinking about telepaths came into his head, and the Captain began to try and focus on something other than the invasive capabilities of...telepaths.

"I will....try and control my thoughts in that case Ensign. You'll be happy to know that usually what you see is what you get with this particular officer. No more and no less than you would expect."

Lia nodded, "What you see is what you get with me as well, Sir. Please don't feel the need to alter your thoughts around me. Despite protocol I tend to be blunt and opinionated and I don't hide myself from others. I am who I am." Lia realized she was rambling and she took a deep breath. "If it makes you feel better, your thoughts are not the only ones I hear right now. I hear the thoughts of every individual on this ship."

Holliday cringed internally at the thought of having to hear the innermost thoughts of everyone around you. At times it was difficult enough arguing with one voice in your head, let alone having the best part of another hundred milling around in there. Whilst sometimes he could see the usefulness of telepathy, as a general rule he was glad that it wasn't something he had to contend with.

"Blunt has it's place. As long as you follow orders when you are given them, then we will get along just fine. I have no problem with my officers speaking openly, just remember there is a time and place for just doing as you are told. Deal?"

Lia looked at him, "Just because I'm blunt doesn't mean I won't follow orders. I'm not argumentative."

"That's all I need to know." Holliday replied with a curt nod, accepting that there was no need to focus on the same element of the conversation for much further.

"I must say Ensign it is refreshing to speak with someone who is as forthcoming when required. I am sure that you will do well here."

Lia smiled, "Thank you sir. I appreciate it." She paused for a second looking at him for a moment. "I would like to also take a step in repairing your opinions with regards to the Intel Department. There is something I wish to share with you, however I'm conflicted on whether protocol allows it."

Holliday had by now made his way back to his desk and settled into his chair. It seemed he would be having to do a little more thinking than perhaps he might have been expecting to do for a first meeting. Nevertheless, he offered the spare chair across from him with a tip of his hand.

"Speak freely in that case Ensign."

Lia walked over to the chair and sat down. "I just came from a meeting with my department head, Ensign Faye. I was given an assignment to investigate an unconfirmed rumor of a threat on an undisclosed member of the crew. I know what my orders are and how to proceed; but I believe it's only fair for you to know that there is an investigation being conducted on the Galileo."

Jonathan felt himself grimacing for what felt like the tenth time today at the idea of their Intelligence department having to be called into action in the middle of a spacedock.

"I would suggest that for now I remain as out of the loop as possible. It does not seem like good form for the ship's XO to be overly involved in an Intelligence investigation without being in possession of the full facts. Carry out your orders as they stand for now, but report back to me if you find things to be a little...out of hand. Understood?"

"Of course, sir." Lia nodded her head. "Is there anything else we need to discuss as a new member of the Galileo?"

"Nothing comes to mind Ensign." Holliday replied, looking down at the myriad of PADDs spread across his desk.

"I'm sure with a ship this small it won't take you long to find your way around."

"Already given myself a tour." Lia replied taking steps towards the door, she paused at the foot of the door. "Have a good day. Sir." And with that she stepped out of his office.

Holliday took a moment to think of his displeasure at an officer leaving without his authorisation. Think it. Not say it......perhaps being a telepath might have had some uses after all.....

OFF:

Ensign Lia Circe
Assistant Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo

CAPT Jonathan Holliday
Executive Officer
USS Galileo

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