The New Command Staff

Posted on Mon Jun 6th, 2011 @ 2:09pm by Captain Elsie Halliwell & Captain T'mpest Michaels

1,512 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Shoreleave
Location: Halliwell's Ready Room, USS Ranger
Timeline: Current

ON:

The rumour mill had been turning ceaselessly for days, weeks even, churning out tales of the budding relationship of two of the Ranger’s senior officers. Words and whispers had found their own way to ears of their captain through unconventional means. No one really confides in their commanding officer with tittle-tattle but these gossiping musings seem to have a way of snaking their way to the top one way or another.

But, by this point, Halliwell had already made up her mind on who was to replace Drake and the connecting dominos that they followed. She had sent out the message via her yeoman to call both parties to her office, to discuss professional and unprofessional matters.

The two officers arrived at her Ready Room at the same time. Not surprising, considering they were spending every night together now. Their relationship, over the past month, had become quite a bit more serious. It wasn't forbidden for officers to date, and they weren't violating any Starfleet rules by doing it. However, the both had agreed the night before that they needed to tell the captain. She had the right to know that the two of them were an item.

So, it seemed strange that both of them were summoned to see the captain that morning.

Zhukov and T'mpest walked up to the Ready Room and Vladimir nodded and smiled at her as he pushed the chime.

"Come in," the disembodied voice rattled through the door.

The door opened and Zhukov stepped back and let T'mpest go through first. He then followed behind her and the two stood in front of Captain Halliwell's desk.

As the two officers came through, Halliwell glanced up from her chair but didn’t stand. The PaDD that she held was placed down to her right as she readjusted her seating and quickly but disingenuously flashed a half smile as they both walked further into the room. She cleared her throat, looked up to both and began, for the moment, keeping them both standing.

“I have two orders of business with you this morning, Commanders,†she stated, her tone unemotional and clipped. “Both are connected.†Not waiting for a beat, Elsie droned on. “As you may or may not be aware, Commander Drake has been reassigned to other duties within the Fleet. He has been my First Officer for longer than I care to remember and his loss – his vacancy – will bear down on this ship more than I would like.†She paused for a moment as they both stood silent, flicking her attention and gaze from one officer to the other and then back again.

“But, when the river runs dry, somewhere the rain falls and so, Commander T’mpest, I have decided that, as Second Officer, at least temporarily, you should rightly be the Vulcan for the job. Providing we are both satisfied with the arrangement, this will then be made a permanent fixture in time. Is that agreeable?â€

T'mpest blinked. She had several ideas as to why they'd been called to the Captain's Ready Room, but this was not one of them. "Yes, ma'am." she replied calmly. This would make their confession that much harder, but she still wanted to tell the captain of her and Vladimir's relationship.

It was clear by now, by her tone and demeanour, that something was niggling at Elsie; that something was crawling beneath her skin. She was a cold woman at times and, proudly, she had come to embrace that facet of her own character. However, a promotion to Executive Officer was a staple in anyone’s career and Elsie knew this more than most. But something inside her couldn’t share in her subordinate’s joy. At least not yet.

T'mpest watched the captain. There was something wrong with this. Her eyes widened slightly. The captain knew already. T'mpest was sure of it.

“Good,†Elsie nodded, now clearing her throat fully again. “It seems the sensible course of action considering such haste in Commander Drake’s departure. And,†she continued, now looking up to Vladimir, “we now need to think about replacing Commander Michaels’ position of Second Officer. And that is why I have asked you here, Commander.â€

Vladimir raised his eyebrows and his eyes widened a bit. He moved his head slightly as if to indicate that he was listening. Was he about to be asked to be Second Officer?

“But before we continue and break out the champagne… for you both,†now Halliwell’s tone was almost sarcastic and scathing, “in light of this new proposed restructure in the Command Team, is there anything you two wish to… disclose? To get off your chests, so to speak?â€

Elsie’s face was stoic as her eyes, now slits of squinting cynicism, glared through both of them.

Zhukov looked at T'mpest and nodded. He should be the one to say something.

"Well, mam, we were going to come to you today anyway, even before you asked us here. We need to tell you that, well, Commander Michaels and I have developed a relationship that extends beyond friendship." he said. Why did he feel like he was in trouble? It wasn't against the rules. Oh sure, it wasn't encouraged, but there was nothing forbidding it. "It has not been going on very long, but we felt you needed to know before it went any further." Zhukov said to the captain.

"It started after Marchwiel," T'mpest added, slipping her hand into Vlad's. "We don't want to keep this a secret, Ma'am. We want to see where our relationship goes. I love him."

Elsie inhaled controlledly, shot a quick glance at their now conjoined hands and then as the words fell from T’mpest’s lips, rolled her eyes and shook her head in what seemed like repugnance. She remained silent for a moment, a pregnant pause that dominated the space between the three officers. “Personally, I find fraternisation between officers in service abhorrent, Commanders. Especially senior staff members. But I have never been one to question or control the personal lives of those I command.â€

The visage of Lieutenant Commander Wolfenstow struck her behind her eyes and she found it difficult to quash the disgust she felt herself for her actions during her own service aboard the Proteus. Her own affairs had affected her professional conduct in her youth and since the discovery of Wolfenstow’s wife (and her own embarrassment exposed), Elsie had vowed never to embark on such a personal relationship in service since. Or tolerate anyone else’s now that she was in a position to impose her own authority.

“I will not have your personal and intimate relationship affect the running of this ship or its crew. Am I making myself clear?†Her tone was now harsh and her volume raised. The mere thought that her reaction could be deemed retaliatory in any way did not cross her mind. Nor did the realisation that it came from her own burning.

Zhukov simply nodded and replied, "Yes, mam." Clearly, whether or not relationships were allowed, she was clearly not happy it was happening on her ship.

"It did not affect our performance during the last mission, Captain. It will not keep us from doing our jobs. You know both Vladimir and I would give our lives for the Ranger. We are both committed to doing the best we can. But there are many instances of senior officers dating, marrying and raising families who continue to be effective officers. I can have a personal life and a career, Captain, but if this bothers you, I will decline your generous offer and remain a science officer." Her tone was firm and respectful, but she would not back down. If the Captain was going to have a problem with their relationship, she'd rather know now.

"I believe that I have had made my position clear, Commander," Elsie replied, now exhibiting a sterner face than she already was. "And if you wish to consider your possibly temporary promotion from your responsibility of Second Office to now First a direct order, then please do so." Elsie had now thrown down her gauntlet to the Vulcan. This was a transition that needed to happen for the captain. She needed the replacement of Drake to go as smoothly as possible, but ever true to herself, would not allow her own authority to be called into question.

"Now, if there's nothing else, then you're both dismissed with my instructions."

T'mpest stood taller, her expression devoid of emotion. "You made yourself quite clear, Captain."


OFF:

---

Captain Elsie Halliwell
Commanding Officer
USS Ranger


Commander T'mpest Michaels
Executive Officer
USS Ranger

AND


Lieutenant Commander Vladimir Zhukov
Chief Flight Control Officer & Second Officer
USS Ranger

 

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