2XO By Appointment

Posted on Sat Dec 19th, 2009 @ 4:39am by Captain Elsie Halliwell

993 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Balowlli System
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: Current

ON:

“Yeoman Andrews to Captain Kerr,� came the voice over the internal com, “Commander Arkham’s shuttle has cleared the bay.�

Kerr looked out of his ready room window, inwardly sighed, and then gently slapped his combadge to reply. “Thank you, Andrews.�

He turned to face the tower-cup of stale coffee that sat on the surface of his desk, rising majestically out of his perfectly surrounded interlaced fingers. A cold film had began to form on its surface as he stared into the murky depths of the beaker.

“…You also have an Admiral Towler on subspace channel Epsilon, sir,� Andrews continued, almost breaking his thoughts.

“Put him though, please,� Kerr replied mindlessly as he activated the console before him, twisting it face him squarely.

The screen flicked to life, displaying the form of an elderly man of Asian descent. Something in the man's appearance was oddly comforting, as if he was radiating and aura of wisdom. "Captain Kerr, I hope that I am not disturbing you."

Kerr couldn’t help but rub his forehead to release the stress accumulating over the past few days. With Lieutenant Commander Kemmer reassigned and now with Arkham having vacated the ship, Kerr stood alone in the command team and felt the strain coarse through him. “No, Admiral,� he lied, “not at all. How can I help you?�

"I've recently read a report that your executive officer has left you for the time being, and I noted that you also have yet to appoint a second officer. I was wondering if you have given any thought to how you will be dealing with this situation." The tone of the admiral's voice indicated that he had a suggestion in mind. In fact, he was hoping that it would only need to be a suggestion. He didn't want to give Kerr a direct order, as that action might seem suspicious, but he would if it was necessary; everything depended on this.

Locking his brow, Kerr narrowed his eyes onto his superior and attempted to soften his features out of respect, crossing his arms in front of him on the desk. “Go on,� Admiral,� he ventured, “why do I get the feeling that you already have an avenue for me to explore?�

The man on the screen smiled warmly, "You're very perceptive, Captain. I realize that it is rather unorthodox for me to give you suggestions about your own personnel, but I'd like you to consider Lieutenant Larkin for the post," he let the words hang in the air for a moment, but spoke again before Kerr could interject. "As I'm sure you're well aware, Mr. Larkin's case is an interesting one. Assuming that everything he's told us is true, he has probably sacrificed more to fight VISTA than any, short of those who've given their lives, and we'd like to reward him for that. But, at the same time, given our history with...well I guess both of them, would be the best way of putting it... We'd just like to keep him as close to you as possible. You know: just in case what he's told is isn't true."

The congenial mask that Kerr wore dropped suddenly from his face. He locked his brow and then coldly narrowed his eyes onto the Admiral. “Admiral Towler,� he began, choosing his words carefully and directly. “Are you suggesting that a man whom Command doesn’t fully trust is being shoe-horned into a more responsible position onboard my ship?� Not waiting for a response from his superior, the Trill continued on. “I believe that this little ship of mine has been quite the test-bed for personnel over the last few months, and as much as I respect, and even like Lieutenant Larkin, I don’t think that a Junior Grade Lieutenant has any business on my command team.�

Towler clenched his teeth imperceptibly. "Then we'll promote him to full Lieutenant, if it will make you happy," there was a stern quality to the Admiral's voice; the unspoken suggestion that Kerr should do as he was told and not resist this any further was clear.

Worried that he was provoking Kerr, Towler softened his tone. "Captain, I know this is a strange request, but the truth is that I have a lot of faith in your CSO. I've read the reports of his experiences, both with VISTA and before his time with them, and I believe that he has the makings of a command officer in him. I want you to expose him to that line of work. You were a science officer once yourself, and I think that working with you in this manner might lead him down that path." He paused for a moment to smile. "I'm sure I don't need to tell you how much Starfleet needs good CO's of your calibre these days, Kerr." It wasn't a lie, even though it wasn't the entire truth. Towler could only hope that his attempt at flattery would work.

But it didn’t. “Appealing to my vanity, Admiral,� Kerr replied, “will not favour your request any more.� He sighed heavily, and closed his eyes briefly, leaning back into his chair. “I understand your point, Admiral, and if this is an order, then I will follow it. I just simply believe that the last two years of the Lieutenant’s service record needs further experience. He has been a prisoner.�

Towler's brow furrowed, "And your own reports of late have stated that he has made the transition back to his work marvelously. I am making this an order, Captain. I'm sure that this will all be for the best," the Admiral abruptly cut the comm channel before Kerr could say another word. The man rubbed his temples gently, unsure if things had gone well or not. Only time would tell.

A JP by:

Captain Coltan Kerr
Commanding Officer
USS Archimedes

and

Lt. Kevin Larkin
Chief Science Officer
USS Archimedes

 

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