Vocational Redirection

Posted on 23 Aug 2024 @ 5:39pm by Commander Morgan Tarin & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim

2,644 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Episode 20 - Reconstruction
Location: USS Galileo-A - Deck 2, Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: MD 02, 1848 hrs

[ON]

It had been a busy day so far. Not specifically for Commander Morgan Tarin - at least not yet - but rather for the rest of her starship which was currently in the process of onboarding a couple dozen new officers, NCOs, junior enlisted and civilian scientists to fully staff the small science vessel. It was the first time in her memory that a personnel restaffing request had actually been fully honored by Starfleet Command in this sector dating back to her prior tenure as the local strategic operations officer.

Along with many new crew additions, there were also departures, including several notable ones. And none perhaps more notable than Commander Scarlet Blake's reassignment to a different vessel operating in a nearby sector block. The tall former marine wasn't the only one leaving Galileo, but perhaps her lack of presence would be felt the most among the crew. Only time could tell.

"Tarin to Doctor Warraquim. Report to my ready room," said Tarin in a nondescript tone from where she sat behind her desk.

Allyndra got the communication and replied, "Right away, captain." She left the PaDDs with the personal records on her desk and tapped Nuesin on the shoulder briefly. "You are in charge of sickbay. The captain just called for me." She walked quickly to the lift for she knew that Captain Tarin ran a tight schedule. Se got the to ready room, straightened her uniform and then pressed the chime.

"Yes, enter." The door hissed open and presented the familiar interior of the ready room. No decorative elements had recently changed, yet the top of Tarin's desk looked particularly more cluttered with various-sized PADDs than it usually was.

Allyndra entered and came to attention smartly before the desk. "Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim, reporting as ordered, captain."

"Doctor," acknowledged Tarin before closing her desk's small LCARS screen and leaning back in her chair. She reached up and pushed several stray loosely-curled locks of dark brown hair back behind her years. "Have a seat. The past few hours have been...'lively', for lack of a better word. How's sickbay doing with your department's personnel transfers?"

"We are coping. Nusien and the rest, including Shirley, are processing incoming. We are using one of the holodecks to supplement the three biobeds in Sickbay, captain. Medical should have all new personnel that are onboarding scanned and checked in an hour."

"Good. And our new nurses? And the new chaplain? Have you met them, yet?" Tarin wasn't so much concerned with standard crew evaluations - those could be processed over the coming days and weeks. What she was interested in, however, were the three new members of the medical and counseling department.

"No, captain, I have not had the time. Once things settle, that task will be high on my list, as I like to get a feel for each new person. I am not sure what our status will be; thus, I thought to get personnel in files done and then meet with the new medical personnel."

"Make it a priority. This isn't a time for R&R," replied Tarin. Now was as good a time as any for the new medical crew members to pull their weight aboard the starship, and though Galileo currently orbited Regula I while idle, there were still daily duties and operations to perform. "In the meantime, there are more pressing personnel matters to attend to."

"Yes, captain. How can I assist you, ma'am? I presumed that calling your ready room was more than getting new personnel aboard."

A slight tilt of Tarin's head was a subtle indicator that the doctor was correct in her assumptions. "Yes, and no. This personnel transfer evolution is critical for us and Galileo is finally returning to maximum staffing levels. Many new crew members are coming aboard, but there've also been departures from key positions."

"Indeed, I am aware of a few. Did you need my input as second officer then on changes of position?"

"No. Well, perhaps. For one which concerns you directly, that is." The Human commander absentmindedly observed the doctor's jewel-like sapphire blue compound eyes. This meeting felt different, for it was the first of many devoid of one of the ship's key Command officers. "Commander Blake's been reassigned and promoted to a new command within one of the local sectors," Tarin revealed, though it was a not-so-secret disclosure to those such as Warraquim who held sufficient data access clearance. "I know she and I didn't always see eye-to-eye, but...she was growing on me. Competent first officers are hard to find and she'll be missed."

"Indeed, captain. It was always a pleasure to work with her. As you have said there are times when things don't always agree. I understand that things have to have a certain amount of command structure but when it puts the crew in danger or a decision does not seem proper, it is just as much a duty to say so. I know in the past, and before your time, I have had a disagreement or two. However, I considered it part of my job not only at the time as Chief Medical Officer but later as second officer. I will tell you, though, I have felt uncomfortable at times in a meeting playing both roles." Allyndra made a shrug which caused the wings to rustle. "It is what it is, captain."

Tarin could understand the winged Akkadian's sentiment. Disagreements between command-level officers wasn't an unheard of concept. The only issue arose when they rose to the level of insubordination or, dare the thought, mutiny. She started to speak in reply but paused as her hazel eyes glazed over and her mind traveled elsewhere.

~~

"Belay that order, Petty Officer Vansen!" Allyndra shouted out and took a step forward. She focused on Tarin and knew that she had swatted the honey hornet nest. "Captain Tarin, such a move could entail endangerment to this ship, and the other Gallileo. I don't think you are thinking this through but acting on emotional impulse. Continue down this course. I will relieve you of duty for medical reasons."

Galileo-A's New York City-born captain narrowed her eyes at the doctor's blatant and public contempt for her orders. Tarin stiffened when she then heard the threat from the winged Akkadian. Obscene, reckless, insubordinate - the list of adjectives to describe the wildly inappropriate declaration were too numerous. "You have no authority to countermand my orders and you're relieved, commander," ordered Tarin to the second officer with sharp and projecting inflection. "Leave the bridge immediately and return to your quarters." There was no time for this. Every additional second Rice remained aboard Praxis was one less for the opportunity to recover her. "Vansen, you heard my order. Get a lock on her and beam her to transporter room 1, now!"

"Captain, with respect, you are operating from a position of a highly emotional response. That ship," Allyndra pointed toward the view screen, "with your actions, could fire upon this vessel and in either case, whether you gain Lt. Rice or not, could easily warp away. As both the Chief Medical Officer and the Second Officer, it is my duty to look out for the well fare of this crew. I am concerned your actions in giving that order is endangering this crew. Master Chief Toren Vral has indicated the same." Allyndra turned to face Commander Blake. "I will remove myself Commander Blake as ordered if you concur with Captain Tarin."

Tarin quickly stepped out of the command well with long leg strides to stand mere inches from the blue-collared doctor. The look in her eyes was one of dismay and incredulity. This woman wasn't acting like a Starfleet command-level officer - or even an Academy cadet. "Commander Warraquim, this is a Starfleet vessel, not a democracy. You've voiced your disagreement and you may not like or agree with my decision, but I am this ship's captain and you will follow my lawful orders." Her sharp glare burned into the Akkadian's compound sapphire irises. "Now get off my bridge or I'll have you detained."

~~

Tarin blinked several times then shook her head after her perspective suddenly returned from whatever 'hallucination' she'd just experienced. The contents of it greatly disturbed her, specifically that apparently her orders had been countermanded by the very same blue-collared senior officer now sitting before her. It wasn't real, she continued to tell herself, yet it highlighted a very serious quandary which needed to be addressed. "Yes, I agree," she finally responded to Warraquim. "Your role as chief medical officer and second officer aren't just uncomfortable, they're incompatible." Those words spoken with dry tonality pierced through the room with a matter-of-fact cadence. "A traditionally-restricted line officer position such as yours should prohibit you from holding command...especially in the case of the CMO who, under Regulation 121 Section A, retains the power to relieve any crew member from duty if deemed medically unfit. Including members of the Triad. And for that same person to then possibly be next in line to command the vessel themselves, presents a glaring and inappropriate conflict of interest. I'm not sure what Captain Saalm was thinking but fortunately, I've found a solution to this."

"Understood captain. I will offer to resign my position as the second officer."

"That won't be necessary," replied Tarin with a shake of her head to dismiss the notion of such a drastic action. "Your contributions to Galileo over the years are noted in the ship's official records several times. Saalm saw something in you which I believe I'm beginning to. We haven't served together for long, but your record speaks for itself. You're a capable and competent Starfleet officer, and an excellent doctor. Right now, I need a new first officer and you're next senior." She extended an open palm to the doctor to emphasize the offer now being made. "Interested in a career change?"

Allyndra blinked rapidly as what the captain said hit with the implication. She closed her eyes momentarily. Then opened then leaned forward and almost took Tarin's hand. "I will support you the best I can, but as I have said, Captain Tarin, if I believe that I need to question, then I will. Knowing that, yes, I am happy to accept becoming your second in command."

"Excellent. I'd hoped you would take this position," Tarin replied before briefly addressing the Akkadian's subsequent statement. "I once told Blake this and now I'll tell you the same: I don't want a simple order-taker as my first officer. Our combined experiences and diverse perspectives are our strength as a unit, not a weakness. I don't tolerate insubordination but I won't dismiss any concern or perspective without first hearing it in full. My door and my ear will always be open to you." Flashbacks of a similar conversation she'd had with the now-departed former-marine commander briefly resurfaced to the forefront of her memory. Today would be the beginning of a new chapter.

"Thank you, captain. I will endeavor to show you made the right decision." Allyndra paused momentarily. "I believe Lieutenant Nuesin is capable of taking the spot of Chief Medical Officer. I have worked with him, and I am impressed with his ability. Thus, captain, I would like, as executive officer, to recommend his promotion to said position."

Nusien. The new Edosian deputy medical officer who'd recently arrived aboard the ship, Tarin quickly recalled. His unique physical traits made him hard to forget. "He's a strong candidate with prior experience aboard his last posting. I'll note your recommendation in the log and in his service record then speak to him later this evening."

Tarin fetched a PADD from the top of her desk and began to enter a series of data into the slim silver device. A long moment of silence ensued before she looked up again to the doctor. "I'll assemble a formal all-hands ceremony at 0630 tomorrow for your advancement. There are several other officers alongside you who I've also decided to promote to new positions, specifically Lieutenant Valenis and Ensign M'Lyr'Zor to lead their respective departments. Any objections? They haven't been aboard Galileo long but their records are as close to spotless as we're going to find out here."

"I am not familiar enough with their records, but I trust your judgment and agree if you think they are worthy of the promotions. That being said, I will get myself up to speed on their records and all other personnel." Allyndra smiled. "At least I am used to dealing with keeping records and paperwork. This will just be a different kind."

"We'll find out soon enough if they're cut out for the responsibility. They both show promise but it's going to be trial by fire," commented Tarin in reference to the newly-selected department heads. She entered more notations into her PADD while it softly chirped after each input confirmation. Several moments of silence again manifested before she set the administrative device back down atop the desk and focused her attention back to the blue-collared woman. "You've got a lot on your plate now, doctor. It usually takes several years of academic study for Command officers to become fully trained then several more years of experience to acclimate to the role. I've read your service record and I know your history and former XO stint aboard Firebird. But that was a long time ago and that skillset can atrophy. When was the last time you took your Kobayashi Maru evaluation?"

Allyndra chuckled a moment. It was a musical sound due to her vocal tract. "It has been awhile, captain. We have something we do similar in bringing someone to being a chief medical officer. You deal with a patient that no matter what you attempt you will never save. Same idea, you have have the fortitude to realize that you cannot save everyone and sometimes a decision is going to result in death and loss." She leaned forward slightly. "Every doctor, whether on that test or not learns soon enough that you can't save everyone and on a ship that you have to make decisions on who you can treat and who you have to let go. It is never an easy thing, but that is the job and if you can't handle it, then it is time for a different career."

The doctor spoke with probity which the captain silently appreciated. No doubt the fellow commander was an experienced Starfleet officer who hailed from a different discipline, but the Kobayashi Maru tested more than simple decision-making ability. It was the ultimate test of command, the metric by upon which each bridge officer was evaluated and command profile based. "Then this should be a walk in the park for you," she wryly smirked across one corner of her lips. "Let's make arrangements for 1800 tomorrow. Unless you'll be occupied then?"

"Very good, captain. Is there anything else?"

"Not at the moment," was accompanied by a tenuous shake of Tarin's head before she pushed herself up out of her chair to stand at full height and extend a formal hand to the equally-tall winged officer to shake. "Congratulations, commander. And make sure you replicate a new uniform before the change of command ceremony tomorrow. Teal doesn't suit you anymore. Dismissed."

Allyndra stood also and took the captain's hand firmly. "Yes, ma'am." She let go and then made a little bend of the knees which was traditional in her culture. "Thank you for having faith enough to offer this. Now I need to get a lot done."

[OFF]

--

CMDR Morgan Tarin
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo-A

CMDR Allyndra illm Warraquim
Executive Officer
USS Galileo-A

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