Chief Cat - Is it Even Possible?
Posted on Thu Nov 11th, 2010 @ 5:15pm by Lieutenant Jimmy Cooper & Captain Elsie Halliwell
851 words; about a 4 minute read
Mission:
Structured Shoreleave - Marchwiel
Location: Main Science Lab
Timeline: Current
ON:
As Captain Halliwell gently strode through the rolling doors of the main Science Lab, she could, over the equipment, hear the gentling rumble of a feline purr. She smiled at the familiar sound but straightened her features as she rounded the corner and then nodded to Lieutenant T'kaarch as he looked up to spy the intruder.
"Lieutenant," she said, walking over to him as he straightened up from the experiment he was working on, "I wonder if you have a moment."
T'kaarch nodded quickly to the science assistants, pressed a few buttons on the monitor he was working on, which showed Marchwiel's features as observed by the away team just a few days earlier. Still, he was back to be on the ship, without strange dresses and fully able to show his furry face. "It's busy without the commanderrr, but I can sparrre a moment." He purred.
"Please, then," she replied, nodding in the direction of the office, expecting him to follow her. She walked intently over to the door, stepped in first and took the seat opposite the head of the table. "As you know, Commander Larkin has now been permanently assigned to Headquarters. The shuttle accident, coupled with the strain of the last mission has taken its toll and he has actively requested a land-laid duty assignment."
T'kaarch looked disappointed. Over the past months he had grown quite fond of the commander, even though his duties and everything had meant he hadn't seen him much in the science department. "I underrrstand," he purred finally, "though I was hoping the assignment wasn't perrrmanent."
"So did I," she replied, almost affectionately. "As well as a new Science Chief, I also have to replace my Second Officer. But that's no concern of yours." She paused for a brief moment, smiled and then asked, "How do you like the fit of that chair, Lieutenant?"
"It is quite comforrrtable, actually." With the innuendo lost in T'kaarch's slightly lacking social skills, he hadn't even realized he was sitting in Commander Larkin's working seat.
“Good,� she replied, standing rather quickly, “because it’s now yours.� She shot him a look that she was confident he would understand.
T'kaarch looked down at the desk, then at the chair he was sitting on, then to the Captain. Unbelieving, he stammered "Arrre you prrromoting me? To Chief?"
"I have to admit, T'kaarch," she said, looking down upon him as he still sat, "I have wrestled with this decision and I am still unsure whether I have made the right one." She leant in a little and smiled warmly at him. "I do believe in you, T'kaarch, and your abilities. I have championed you since you came under my command." Then she paused. "But that stunt you pulled before we crash landed here was unprofessional and needless." She turned to herself and mouthed, "I seem to be rewarding unruly behaviour lately, rather than punishing it."
"I... I..." T'kaarch didn't know what to say. In fact, he didn't even really fully comprehend what this meant - The amount of responsibility as well as the amount of sheer work hasn't really come down on him. Above that, considering he'd only been under command for - what - a year now? - his social and leadership skills probably still lacked.
However, all that didn't matter now. The captain had made her decision, and T'kaarch would probably find out the hard way. "Thank you" T'kaarch purred, still shakily.
Halliwell softened. "It is a big responsibility, Lieutenant. A big one. But, I have faith that you can handle it. You've managed so far without the commander..." She sat back down and reached out to awkwardly touch his paw. "It's a senior position, and, as such, I'm going to need you to start acting more like a senior officer. Be more focused on the job, and your responsibilities. Do you think you can?"
T'kaarch thought about it. And almost immediately, he had to conclude "I don't know..." His voice trailed away. You can't know if you can do something if you never try. Not just that, but he never really gave it a second thought - never really considered what Larkin did. It all overwhelmed him a bit. "I will do my best, though."
"That's all I ask," Elsie exchanged, smiling at him. "And I'll be here for you should you need any help in the beginning."
"Verrry well," he purred, "thank you."
"And I thank you for stepping up to the challenge, Lieutenant." She smiled, removed her hand and stood to leave. "Remember where my ready room is, T'kaarch."
T'kaarch stood up as well and nodded. "Yes, Captain." He purred decisively before walking behind the captain back into the science lab to complete his survey of Marchwiel - work must go on.
OFF:
Elise Halliwell
Commanding Officer
USS Ranger
AND
T'kaarch
Chief Science Officer
USS Ranger
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