Facing the Music

Posted on 29 Jan 2013 @ 12:40pm by Petty Officer 1st Class Gabriel Stark

1,741 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 3 Security Chief's Office
Timeline: MD 02 - 1715

ON:

==^==Lieutenant Stone to Officer Stark, report to my office immediately==^==

Jeremy ended the comm as he set out the PADD and checked his chrono. He had set a private time limit for Stark's arrival in his office. Marking the time on his wrist PADD, he continued working on updating Sidi's training log as well as general reports and duties of his position.

Gabriel had replied that he was on his way, but he sighed to himself. It was inevitable though. He'd known that. He pulled his uniform jacket on as he walked down the corridor, doing it up as he suppressed a yawn. He rubbed his face as he stood outside the office, taking a moment to pep himself up. He finally pressed the chime, tugging the jacket on his slender body.

"Enter," Jeremy said, scowling. Why was the door closed? Oh, yes, Sidi, he recalled. He checked the chrono in case it was Stark.

Gabriel moved in, his face cool and unreadable. He kept it emotionless, determined to remain level this time as he walked to the desk. He remained standing, looking just above the man, not actually at him. "Stark reporting as ordered."

Jeremy straightened the PADD before him. "Petty Officer Stark," he said, "You are called here to answer to your actions from a mandatory briefing. You were deliberately disruptive and insubordinate. You will be given a chance to explain your actions before I dispense your reprimand."

Gabriel swallowed, clasping his hands behind his back. He remained staring forward, silent for a long moment as he gathered his thoughts. He thought about Kiwosk, what would he say? Ah yes, the sorry face. How to be honest but not get himself into even more trouble, that was the key. "What was said angered me. I was so angered that I, that I needed to regain control. I was once given the advice it's better to walk away from a situation than make it worse by losing my temper. It's what I was attempting to do. Walk away before I made it worse. I regret I was unable to control myself better. I, I apologise for walking out."

"In what way were you angered?"

Gabriel licked his bottom lip before drawing a deep breath in. Dangerous waters. "I didn't agree with some of what you said. Or how you then spoke to Rice," he hoped he wouldn't push it. If they got into it, he'd have to control himself tighter than ever.

"We are not here to speak of the incident with Lieutenant Rice. That is a matter between her and me. However, please tell me what you didn't agree with."

Gabriel gave a mental groan, his mouth going dry. This was bound to be a slippery slope to punishmentville. He cleared his throat. "Your assessment of the ability levels in the department. 12 hour shifts. That we're never really off duty, even when our shift is ended. How we should and shouldn't behave off duty. Referring to the death of a colleague in your response to Rice. The suggestion in your reply to her that we hadn't been able to do a single thing right." There, he'd been honest but not inflammatory. Not bad for Gabriel. Maybe he was learning after all.

"My assessment is supported by observed facts and evidence. If you are unhappy with that assessment then it behooves you to change the assessment. The shifts are necessary for us to maintin minimum staffing levels while also allowing for 'leave' every week for each member of the department, if you all wish to have duty shifts every day until the odd shoreleave, then I can readjust the schedule if that that's the wish of the department."

He sighed. This next he blamed previous COs for. "You are both a Starfleet member and a security officer. There is no such thing as 'off duty' for you, in either parts of that condition. Continuing to act as if you do not represent either Starfleet, or this security department will not be tolerated. How do you expect to deal with members of the crew and their actions when you are seen to be doing the same? Or do you feel hypocrisy is a hallmark of Starfleet or security?"

He straightened the PADD again. "I did not suggest or state that people were unable to do anything right. If that were the case, it would not be a suggestion but a statement and it would be followed by official action."

Gabriel frowned, feeling the annoyance start to tick in the back of his head, tingling hot. He thought about what Kiwosk had said. Just stand there and take it. He took a long, deep breath. He didn't agree with him. They'd been working on a three shift system just fine before. And his assessment about their ability was wrong. The only evidence he had was since he'd arrived. He'd been here longer than him. He'd been a part of a security team he was proud of. One that had worked hard and succeeded when all odds were against them. If that was an incapable security team, then he had no idea what a successful one was. He clenched his jaw tight, refusing to let himself argue. Wasn't his place. He was enlisted. This was an officer. He had to just let it wash over him. He let a long, slow breath out, to try and ease the tightness of his annoyance. "My view doesn't matter. Walking out was wrong either way."

Jeremy sighed. "Stark, your view does matter. Walking out does not resolve the issues that you obviously have nor does it allow me to understand what they are. Without understanding then and discipline I mete out is based only on my perceptions which may not be entirely accurate. Also, I'm not one to allow for only one viewpoint to control a dialogue. I understand how being subjected to another's perceptions can be...frustrating...irritating and with no ability to be able to express that frustration then it ruins people. That is something I'm subjected to all the time and I'm trying not to let it happen to my people. I would rather you express your frustrations and anger, in either meetings designed for that purpose, or if you are more comfortable, coming into this office.

"You, however, seem to have made up your mind about how things 'are' without stepping back to look at the situation objectively. This conforms to what I'm able to glean from your service record."

He picked up the PADD. "You are hereby counseled that you will not leave mandatory meetings until properly dismissed. Further, you are ordered to attend the counseling department for a fitness for duty exam. The results of the exam are to be forwarded to me for consideration. I'm also going to order that you attend anger management counseling until you're able to begin to effectively manage yourself."

He handed over the PADD. "Also, you are counseled that you are to bring your concerns to me, rather than let them fester and cause problems."

Gabriel frowned as he took the padd, letting out a shaking breath. He swallowed hard, his throat tight. He'd managed to lessen the amount of counselling he'd had over the years. Now, he'd landed himself right back into it. And a fitness for duty exam at that. It could send him out of service. A part of him suspected that scrubbing the deck would have been easier. He let out a long, shaking breath, nodding as he lowered the padd, his dark eyes even darker than normal. "Yes, Sir," he said quietly. He hesitated, planting a hand on his hip. "We're not bad at our jobs, Sir," he said, quietly, strangely drained. "We've got through a lot here. Together." He'd known that was why Rice had taken it badly. They'd been there together, when it seemed certain the Klingons would destroy the ship one way or another, none of the odds in their favour.

"You're not good either," Jeremy said. "Yet. That will change. For as long as I have any say in the matter, this department will become the security department this ship needs."

Gabriel frowned at that, his jaw clenching. "Just because I lose my temper, doesn't mean I'm not good at my job. It's the one thing I can do well. See? That's why I got angry..." he breathed a little harder, heat creeping up his neck. "You don't even know me yet. But you say I'm not good at my job! If I wasn't, I wouldn't be here. The Captain wouldn't have me," he swallowed hard, looking away with a frown, his hand clenching and unclenching behind his back, letting out a long, shaking breath. It was hardly inspirational talk from his chief, being told he wasn't good at his job. "Permission to leave, Sir," he murmured.

"What do you know about Gauss/Phaser weapons?" Jeremy asked.

Gabriel blinked, confused at the sudden question. He glanced away, watching the floor with a frown. "I know they're two different things. I know how to use weapons. I know how to look after them. I know different weapons are more suited for different tasks," he shrugged slightly.

"The department needs drills conducted on the use of Gauss/Phasers, both pistols and rifles. Set up the scenarios for Borg infestations and recoveries. Make sure people become familiar with the differing dynamics of the gauss firing system."

Jeremy looked up. "You tell me you're good at your job. Here's a chance to prove me wrong and help to prepare your fellow officers for potentialities."

Gabriel clenched his jaw at the idea of having to prove himself when he'd been surviving in the fire since arriving on the ship. He nodded curtly all the same. He could sort it out. The Borg were an interesting 'for instance'. "Understood."

"Dismissed," Jeremy said, "But also keep me updated on progress with the training. Which needs to begin immediately."

Gabriel nodded, sighing to himself as he made his way out. The training setups didn't worry him. But the counsellor did.

Jeremy turned to his station and brought up the formal reprimand he had prepared for Stark. He looked at it for a moment before deleting it.

[OFF]

LTjg Jeremy Stone
Chief Security/Tactical Officer/K9
USS Galileo

PO2 Gabriel Stark
Security/Tactical
USS Galileo

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