Kicked out of the nest.

Posted on Tue Aug 11th, 2009 @ 3:26am by Petty Officer 3rd Class Vaxx

713 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Behind the Mask of Familiarity
Location: Starbase 375
Timeline: unknown

= ON =

“Crewman Vaxx, please come in and take a seat.� Vaxx looked at the seat and sat in it and then looked at his Department XO for Starbase 375, Lieutenant Commander Shae Morganstern. He either did something very well, or one of his endeavors was just pinched.

“I was just reviewing your last performance evaluation. You have received high marks from your immediate supervisor, which is good to see.� She scrolled down the PADD a bit. “However…�

There was always a ‘however’ with Starfleet. They like to put in ‘opportunities for improvement’ which was just a fancy was of stating ‘weakness’. He was just curious to see what had irked the higher ups that he was going to need to find another way to accomplish. “However?� was all he said in reply.

“Let is put the formality aside, shall we. I admire your ambition, your need to excel and improve. I also understand your cultural background, your desire to accumulate ‘things’. I have heard many unofficial things about what you have managed to accomplish on your own time. Things that might skirt the rules and regulations of more ‘hardcore’ Starfleet Personnel. But being part of Starfleet isn’t just about self improvement, shall we say. It’s about being part of a team, and belonging to something greater than the sum of its parts. Do you follow me?�

“I believe so. Have I done something wrong?� Vaxx was beginning to wonder where this was all going.

“No, you haven’t done anything I would classify as wrong, but I am concerned about your development as a member of Starfleet. I know you have a knack for the mercantile side of life. Your ability to acquire things hard to come by has become an interesting tale told by many in your short time here. I think it’s time to put an edge to that facet of your talents. To take what you have been gifted with and what Starfleet as embedded in you and see what you can really do.�

Vaxx looked concerned. “Am I being demoted?�

“Far from it. I’m pushing through a promotion to Petty Officer 3rd class.� Vaxx’s eyes lit up.

“And a transfer.�

“A what?�

“A transfer. A reassignment. Your life aboard the Starbase, however profitable it may be, is at an end, and a new journey begins.�

Vaxx looked very concerned. “Where will I be going?�

She handed him the PADD. Vaxx looked it over with trepidation. “The Arch-a-middes?�

“Archimedes.�

He looked over the schematics. “The Nova class. It’s very… small.�

“Yes, It is. That’s why I chose it for you. You’ll be in charge of ALL the supplies the ship and the needs of its 100 crew that replicators can’t deliver. In essence, you will be vital to the success of the ship. It’s a tremendous responsibility. They will need someone that can think ‘outside the box’ when it comes to meeting a crisis. Your skill and acumen will be essential in the places where the Archimedes will go. They won’t have the ready comforts of a Starbase. Basically, they will turn to ‘you’ for their needs.� She emphasized the last point.

Vaxx sat quietly for a moment, mulling over the situation. ‘The loss of easy profit on the Starbase will be a big blow to the bottom line, but… Less competition, greater risk, greater profit. And I won’t necessarily have to give up everything. In fact my contacts here would be more vital than ever.’ “I accept.�

“Well, you don’t really have an option, but I’m glad you see the opportunity in all of this. Expanding your horizons will only make you better.� He thought about the rules that guided his life. Rule #9 = Opportunity plus instinct equals profit. Rule #45 = Expand or die.

“I’m sure you have a lot to think about in the next few days. As a side note, and strictly off the record, if you can find any Delavian Chocolates, I’m sure I can make it worth your while to part with them.� She smiled, and Vaxx stood and nodded. “I’ll see what I can do, Commander.� And with that, he left to start the next step of expanding his little empire.

 

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