XOs and COs

Posted on Sun Feb 1st, 2009 @ 10:18pm by Captain Elsie Halliwell

1,287 words; about a 6 minute read

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

It had been two days since Commander Lane had assumed command of the USS Archimedes and, as Mrs. Gray and Lorelai got settled and explored the 8-decked Nova class vessel, Lane himself was locked away in his ready-room sifting through PADDs and PADDs of Starfleet service records.

The Archimedes had not, as yet, received any of her senior staff, and Lane had the dubious task of assigning the vessel her First Officer.

“Too young, too fresh, not experienced enough…� he thought as he cast PADD after PADD onto his NO pile. It was mounted high with the rejects and his MAYBE pile was very thin on the ground indeed. Suddenly, he picked up the record of Lieutenant Commander Rowena Arkham.

Qualified and weathered, he thought. Lane was not one to rule with an iron rod, so to speak, and so, looking upon Arkham’s experience and Psych evaluations, she could serve him very well indeed.

He moved the console on his desk in front of himself squarely and tapped at it haplessly.

“Computer, open a channel to USS Artemis, Lieutenant Commander Rowena Arkham…�

The computer chimed and the grim appearance of the Commander before him washed over his console.

“Commander Arkham??� he asked, matter-of-factly.

[USS Artemis]

Not near her comm screen, Rowena Arkham had hardly been ready for the interruption--she had been off duty for several hours, and had been just settling down--clad in a sharp looking dress shirt and black slacks, she'd been having a drink with Catherine and getting ready to play a bit on her violin--she'd made it through the first few measures of 'The Parting Glass' before being interrupted.

"Rowena," Catherine said, coming in from the other room. "You have a call, Commander."

"I'm busy, Catherine," Rowena said sternly, barely pausing. "Which idiot is---"

"It's not," Dr. Halsey said simply. "It's a man from the USS Archimedes."

Rowena's brow furrowed in confusion. She didn't know anybody aboard the Archimedes, and as far as she had known it wasn't currently in commission. Putting down her violin delicately and breezing past Dr. Halsey, Rowena took a seat in front of the comm console. "Good evening, sir. To what do I owe this honor?"

“I am Lieutenant Commander Coltan Lane of the USS Archimedes, Commander. And it’s a pleasure to talk to you. I’ll cut right to the chase, ma’am, if you don’t mind. You seem to be just as busy I am.� He smiled, politely, but continued, not waiting for her response.

“I am in need of a qualified and prolific First Officer and looking over these service records before me, I have happened upon yours. I have to say, it’s quite remarkable. What would you say to a transfer and an elevation of position??�

Arkham looked at her caller incredulously. "This is a...most surprising offer, sir. Most surprising indeed. In my twenty-five years as an officer, I have never been a command officer--I'm from an Intelligence background. I'm sure there are many other..."qualified and prolific" candidates? Especially ones that do not need a surgeon at their beck and call."

From behind her, Catherine, who was leaning in the door frame, glass of red wine in hand. "I'm at your beck and call? Please. It's been the other way around for years, Rowena--"

"Well, Commander," Arkham said, eyeing the Captain of the Archimedes, with one gray eyebrow--the left--cocked, giving her a look of great gravity. "I'm waiting."

“The Archimedes is a Nova class, Commander. Small, yes, but highly advanced in its scientific capabilities. She has a bit of a bite to her, but, she is, by no means, a warship. The ship will be filled with scientific personnel, primarily. No marine barracks, limited phaser power and torpedo launchers. She can handle herself, but I hope not to let it come to a full on confrontation with any hostile force. I believe that your background, and contacts, can come in extremely useful when heading into the ‘unknown quarters’ we will be tasked to survey.�

He sat there squarely in his chair and rubbed the cleft of his chin with his first and index finger.

“As for your physical condition, Ms Arkham, that’s neither here nor there. It is of no concern of my own. You seem to be doing a fine job on the Artemis and I understand that your tongue is hinged in the middle, which more than qualifies you.�

He smiled, and then continued.

“Commander, I run a tight ship. And, from the looks of it, I believe that that is your sentiment, also. If you are happy serving underneath Commander LaTeeroen, then I apologise. His ‘open door’ policy, and tolerant approach works for him, however, I prefer a harsher tone to speak with. You are already Second Officer aboard the Artemis which I believe stands you in good stead. But as XO, you would have more dealings with the crew than I, and with that in mind, you would be my ideal candidate.�

He widened his smile and spoke a little less professionally. “I like the sound of you, Arkham. And this is not a formal request. It is merely a conversation that we are having. However, I have spoken to your current CO, and he has green-lit the notion already. If you have any questions, then, please, by all means.�

Arkham smirked a little. The man had done his research that was for certain. She wondered for a moment how much of her background he actually knew, but quickly dismissed the notion. The records of those operations had been sealed so tight that she knew Admirals had trouble getting at them, never mind the commander of a small scientific vessel. Sipping at her wine, Arkham weighed her options—the truth was, everyone who knew Rowena Arkham knew she’d rather have a root canal done in a third world country by a blind man than continue to serve aboard the Artemis.

“I suppose I can take the position, Mr. Lane,� Arkham said quietly. “I am not used to scientific vessels; however… I’ve always served on warships, minus this pile of shit, but if it’s a firm hand you’re looking for, you’ll never find one better. So I suppose—“

Catherine came forward toward and gave Arkham a playful slap across the back of the head. “I think that’s a ‘yes’ in Cantankerous Old Fool-speak, Mr. Lane.�

“Erm, indeed,� Arkham said, sheepishly—a rather surprising tone in such a self-assured old officer. “I’ll be arriving within the next couple of days. Anything else I should know?�

“Nothing important, Ms Arkham. Everything can wait until your arrival, I’m sure,� he replied. “I’ll send over the transfer orders for you and prepare your quarters. If there is anything specifically you require, then please let me know and I’ll have it arranged for you both. We are currently docked at Starbase 351 so, in your own time, make your way here. And, Lieutenant Commander Arkham, welcome to the Archimedes.�

[USS Archimedes]

He closed off the comm. communication and sat back in his chair with a sigh and a smile. One job down and another 400 to go, he thought. As he took a sip of his cooling black coffee, he thought of Commander Arkham and her… staunch approach to service. Excitedly, he let out a grin and a wave of relief flooded his calming mind. With Arkham onboard, he would have one of the finest crews in the fleet. Orderly, productive and efficient and a pleasure to serve with, he hoped.




Lieutenant Commander Rowena Arkham
Chief Intelligence Officer and
Second Officer
USS Artemis

AND

Lieutenant Commander Coltan Lane
Commanding Officer
USS Archimedes

 

RSS Feed