A Commander and a Counsellor...

Posted on Sat Feb 7th, 2009 @ 1:03pm by Captain Elsie Halliwell & Lieutenant JG Lucy Carter

1,538 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Restricted Independent Operations
Location: Lane's Ready Room
Timeline: Current

Commander Lane shifted his weight in his Ready Room chair as the awkward pain started to compound at the base of his spine. Attempting to arch his back in order to alleviate the tension, he sighed heavily and became resigned to the pain. Looking at the console in front of him, the United Federation of Planets logo started to glare in and out of focus and he tried to squint his blue eyes to refocus them.

I think I need a rest and get out of this chair for a bit, he thought.

He stood up and cricked the left side of his neck by twisting his head sharply to the right. Placing his strong hand on the nape of his neck, he massaged it deeply and sighed.

Shaking the beginnings of pins and needles out of his boots he rounded his desk and strode leisurely over to the wall-mounted replicator by the window.

“Black coffee, hot, please,� he asked as the blue ionisation whirred in front of him and materialised into a cool, silver mug flanked on one side by and solid black handle. Lifting it up to his smooth lips, he blew gently on the steaming, reflective surface as the wisps and ripples edged lightly to the other side opening.

Picking up a PADD that lay on his desk, he scrolled down to the familiar ringing of the text spooling further and further down the little screen. Happening upon something, he raised his eyebrow and smiled.

Quickly flicking up his hand, he lightly twittered his combadge and cleared his throat.

=A= Commander Lane to Ensign Carter. Report to my Ready Room if you would be so kind. =A=

Ensign Carter was resting in her quarters after her ice skating session on the holodeck. Her legs were aching but the exercise it had been well worth it, not least for the refreshing sonic shower afterwards. She was sipping her tea when Lane's voice startled her. Immediately she stood up, to attention, spilling her tea over the beige carpet. "Damn" she said under her breath then quickly, tapping her combadge "on my way, sir".

She walked out of her quarters towards the turbo lift. "Bridge" she said and within seconds was there. Remembering the layout of the ship, she walked confidently to the ready room and tapped the button to enter.

As the doorbell chimed its way through the Commander’s Ready Room, the Trill stood to his feet and straightened up his uniform.

“Come in,� he announced.

"Ensign Carter reporting for duty, sir". Carter stood stiffly, arms by her sides and not looking directly at Lane, hoping to make a good first impression. Her legs were aching more now and, to her horror, began to tremble everso slightly. She continued looking straight ahead.

“At ease, Ensign… No need to be so formal, but I appreciate it. Welcome aboard,� he replied after returning a crisp, ceremonious salute.

Carter relaxed slightly and looked at Lane, smiling pleasantly. She noticed his blue eyes had an iridescent almost piercing quality. "Thank you for welcoming me on board, sir" she said. "I hope I will be of value to the crew". Her legs had stopped hurting so much but she knew she would be stiff tomorrow.

Lane looked tired - as if he needed a good night's sleep. His neck seemed stiff. "Sir, might I suggest a trip to sickbay for a full medical before the mission?" she asked, carefully.

“Thank you for the concern, Ensign, but I’ll be fine. Until we get this ship going, I just have a lot of late nights and early mornings to contend with and that’s all it is. Plus, it doesn’t help with my daughter running around exploring everywhere, either. But, it’ll all settle down, I’m sure.�

Standing in front of the Trill, the young woman seemed to shake ever so slightly on her feet, and motioning to the chair in front of him, he continued with, “Would you care to sit down?? And can I get you anything?? Coffee??�

Carter gratefully took the seat offered. "Thank you, sir" she said. "I have been making full use of the holodeck facilities and, well let's just say I overdid it a bit. I should love a tea, please. White, no sugar". She noticed Lane's eyes flicker. He moved over to the replicator and asked for the tea. It came in a mid-green china cup with a saucer. Carter took the cup offered to her and, smiling, said "thank you sir. I have a passion for tea."

“Ah, I’m more of a coffee man, myself. Can’t function without it, I have to admit,� he replied as he sat back down.

She took a sip and savoured the hot liquid in her mouth. Strong but with enough milk to sweeten it naturally. For a second she was transported back to her home, where all the other children drank juice or hot chocolate. She alone had been a tea drinker - her one vice. Caffeine.

She was suddenly aware that she was actually on board the Archimedes, drinking tea in front of her CO and she snapped back to reality. "The Archimedes brews a lovely cup of tea" she said quickly. "Just like at home".

“I’m glad you like it, Ensign,� he said. “I do have in mind, a notion to task the Science labs with growing and cultivating a crop of natural coffee for myself. I can arrange for a small yield of tea leaves, too, if you would care for it.�

Carter thought this a very generous offer, considering any ship would have limited space and resources. However, she thought it churlish to turn down such a suggestion and had to admit that it would be enjoyable to make her own tea in her quarters. Something of a ritual, perhaps.

"Sir, that would be most thoughtful, as long as it does not take up valuable resources. Thank you."

Returning back to the conversation, he smiled slightly, in an authoritative, yet calming fashion.

“Well, I asked you up here just for a little chat. I’ve had a little look at your service record, and I have to admit. I’m impressed. You have all the qualities to make a fine officer aboard the Archimedes…� He rubbed his chin lightly and fixed his eyes on the young Ensign before him.

“Do you have any questions, Counsellor, now that you are aboard??�

Carter replaced the cup in the saucer and liked the sound of the "chink" it made. She took a breath before replying.

"Yes, sir, I have a few questions. Firstly, given that we are waiting for the rest of the crew to arrive, I should like to offer my services in any other capacity to prepare for the mission.�

Interjecting, since the Commander felt a list was inevitable with the enthusiastic young Ensign before him, he said, “I think that we should have everything we need for the moment, Ms Carter. But thank you for offering.�

"Secondly, might I have a copy of the crew's service records so that I can familiarise myself with the personnel? Of course, I will keep everything completely confidential.

Awaiting for his reply, Ensign Carter picked up her tea cup and drank in the hot beverage once more. “Naturally. As Chief Counsellor, you have unrestricted access to the crews’ service records and personal, medical histories. One thing I will warn you of, Ms Carter. Your First Officer, Lieutenant Commander Arkham, belonged to Starfleet Intelligence for many, many years. Her Service record is highly contained. I don’t have access to most of it. But, when your First Officer is as competent as Ms Arkham, you learn not to ask questions.� He chuckled a little to make light of the conversation, however, he meant every word.

"Thirdly, can I suggest a party - a small gathering when the mission is underway? I find events such as those are so good for morale and I for one should like to get to know my colleagues".

“What a splendid idea, Ms Carter. And once the mission is underway, I’ll allow you to make the arrangements.� As he inflected upon the ‘you’ in the sentence, he conveyed that this was more of a volunteering of oneself by suggesting it in the first place.

“Now, Ensign, if there’s nothing else, then you’re dismissed. Make sure that you check in with Lieutenant Commander Arkham as soon as you can. She’s a devil but, her bark is much worse than her bite, I can assure you. I don’t believe that she’s expecting you, so I would make an appointment with her first.�

"Sir I will do that immediately. Thank you for the tea." Carter got to her feet and placed the cup and saucer back in the replicator then, smiling at Lane, walked quickly back through the door. The meeting had been a success, she thought but she wondered how she would be able to counsel such an experienced officer. Everyone has their problems - she thought - even him.




Commander Coltan Lane,
Commanding Officer
USS Archimedes

AND

Ensign Lucy Carter,
Chief Counsellor
USS Archimedes

 

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