Banging Your Head

Posted on Wed Mar 27th, 2013 @ 10:57am by Captain Elsie Halliwell & Captain T'mpest Michaels

901 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Rumours, Promises, and Lies
Location: Briefing Room, USS Ranger
Timeline: Mission Day 6, 1300hrs

ON:

"I'm not accustomed to not trusting your judgement," Elsie continued, standing but a metre away from T'mpest. Both officers stood rigid; one adopting the other's stoic and unmoving stance, hands clasped behind backs, as the window of the Briefing Room framed Elsie's visage. "But it appears it's come to a point where I no longer know where my command staff's loyalties lie."

She sighed as she looked into the ever stone-like, unemotional face of her First Officer and shook her head in disappointment. "I'm not as familiar with Intelligence protocols as yourself and some others on this ship, but I do know that covert correspondences are taking place."

Elsie searched T'mpest's face for a wince or a betrayal of feeling or flicker of human empathy, but as always, found none. This was the first time that she, as captain, had regretted appointing the half-Vulcan as her Executive Officer. Impeccable logic didn't always lend to emotional understanding. And sometimes the only fuel Elsie had to drive her command on with was sheer, unadulterated emotion.

"My loyalties have not changed," T'mpest said quietly. "I continue to work to uncover the cause of the stress and tension currently affecting the Ranger. Time is running short if we are to prevent a repeat of what happened to the Dubai."

"I agree," Elsie replied solemnly. "But I feel that we should not only act quickly, but also smartly." She narrowed her eyes onto T'mpest. "I don't like being left out of the loop, Commander. So, I want you to gather to the senior staff and have them report here in one hour."

"I don't like being treated like a traitor, Captain," T'mpest countered. "However, that is not something I wish to bring up in front of the rest of the crew." She gave the Captain a half bow. "I will inform the senior staff that you wish to meet with them."

She paused for a moment before continuing. "I recommend you arrive late to the meeting -- with a good excuse, of course -- just to see what develops."

"Unfortunately, Commander, 'seeing what develops' is not going to be the subject nor the contents of this briefing." Her face was now cold, isolating almost. It was conversations like these that Elsie loathed to have the most and so, in a fleeting wealth of compassion and friendship, she reached out her hand and touched the Vulcan's shoulder; something that she had never done before. "I don't accuse you of being a traitor, Commander," she offered, unsure of what she was going to say next. "You're not only my first officer, T'mpest. But you're my confidant." She paused, took in a breath and searched her face once more. "And a friend."

She took her hand down from her arm. "I'm not sure what's happening on this ship, but something is. And if the similar demise of the Dubai isn't warning enough for us to unite and get through this, then I don't know what is."

"I agree. But, if I may speak freely, you're not helping the situation, Captain."

Through gritted teeth, Elsie stepped back and said, "I am doing everything in my power to keep a sense of order around here!" She took in a deep, angered breath and then added with a twisted face, "I feel out on my own here, Commander. And I am trying anything I can to keep the chain of command and procedures in place before this whole ship goes to Hell in a handbasket."

"Has it occurred to you that your attempts to maintain rigid control are pushing the dissenters closer to rebellion and thus you are, in fact, creating the very situation you are trying to prevent."

"If I stand down now then we'll not survive this, T'mpest." She inhaled and then relaxed her face again. "Captain Jenner seemed nervous and pliable. I'll not suffer the same fate. The Ranger isn't a democracy, Commander, as you are well aware. Nor is this a leisure cruise." She narrowed her eyes onto her first officer and pressed her point home. "Without structure and rules, we'll fall apart at the bulkheads. And I'm not going to lose control over my ship."

"And so you go too far in the opposite direction," T'mpest admonished. "I did not say stand down. You need to show an even hand. Not one that crushes all who oppose her. But, as you said, this is not a democracy, but neither is it a dictatorship." It was becoming increasingly difficult to reason with the Captain and T'mpest was starting to get a headache. "I am not your enemy, Captain, no matter what you believe."

She stood straighter. "I believe our conversation has come to an end. I will apprise the senior staff of the meeting." She gave the woman a polite bow. "Until the meeting, Captain."

As T'mpest left the room, Elsie pondered her words. Perhaps the Vulcan was right. But had the captain gone too far as she was accused?

"I am in blood stepped in so far that should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o'er." she said to herself. Her pride was one of her biggest failings and yet, without help, she was helpless to aid it.

OFF:

(OOC: Nice little Macbeth quote I've managed to shoe-horn in there for you all.) :o)

 

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