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Posted on Mon Jun 10th, 2019 @ 7:07am by Lieutenant Commander Amber Quinn & Lieutenant Xander Oroyo DSci

870 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Caverns of the mind
Location: Oroyo's Office
Timeline: After the Breifing

Oroyo left he meeting with a great many questions about their new CO's abilities. He wandered over to Commander Quinn and asked her to meet him in his office at her earliest convenience in order to speak with her. He needed to hear it from a command officer's point of view.

He needed to talk to a real command officer and the CO was not it. Though he was a trained counselor, he wasn't the right person to talk to about Xander's misgivings about Ka'Tocks ability to command a starship.

Amber was still frustrated after meeting with Ka'Tock and the new pilot. Going back to science, even to answer questions, would be a much-needed change of pace for her.

She went to Xander's office and rang the chime.

"Enter," Oroyo said and rose from his chair to greet the comer and when he saw it was the Commander, he came to attention.

"Please, don't," she said, walking into the room and waving him to stand down. "I don't stand on ceremony. What do you need?"

"My apologies, Commander. I'm not sure really. I'm just at a loss concerning our new commanding officer. Are you sure he's ready for command. I mean, just yesterday, he was a counselor and now without any training, we're supposed to trust him as our 'captain'," Xander said, obviously upset. He was so upset that he was visibly shaking.

She looked at him for a long moment. He had a valid concern, and she respected him for bringing his concerns to her attention. "No, I'm not sure he's ready," Amber said. "I don't think anyone is really ready for command." She waved him to his seat and sitting down opposite his desk. "Did you know that I wasn't trained for command? I was on a six-month sabbatical working on a dig on a planet with little to no off-world communication. The Aurora was going through a refit, so it was the best use of my time--or so I thought. When I returned, I was offered the position of First Officer without any training. Hopefully I've done a good enough job, especially with Captain Westphalen unavailable." She paused, considering her words. "I've worked with Ka'Tock for several months, and I've read over his file. He has taken command training, and he was on track for a command position at some point. He'd even been promoted to lieutenant while we were gone."

Xander regarded her for quite a moment. He had to admit he didn't know any of this and it shed some light on the situation. But he still wasn't convinced about Ka'Tock's ability to command. "Actually, Commander, I didn't know any of that what with me being a lowly science officer on a science ship," he said trying his best not to sound overly irritated. "But, you have been in your position for quite some time and should have been up for the command slot before a counselor. By all rights, you should be captain and not still first officer, Commander Quinn."

Xander, though having no designs on the center seat, was overly angry about a counselor's promotion from lieutenant, jg all the way to lieutenant commander in the course of a few months. He didn't know why he was so miffed at the counselor's promotion to commanding officer over the first officer but he knew he had to curb his aggression towards Ka'Tock soon or his career would soon be over and that was something he did not want.

"He's going to have growing pains, and he's going to have his share of problems, but if you and I are there to help him, I think he'll be okay. And if not, Starfleet will give him additional training. Does that help any?"

He sighed heavily and relented to the First Officer. "I suppose you're correct. That still doesn't soothe me but it does help."

"Only time will assuage all your fears," she said. "There are no guarantees in this life. We just make the most of what we've got." She gave him a self-deprecating smile. "And that includes being stuck with your First Officer."

"You, I trust. Him, not so much but he will either prove himself or fail. The crucible reveals all, Commander," Xander said.

"This is true," she replied. "And if thing get bad, you can always talk to me. I won't say anything to the captain without your permission."

"Thank you...Amber? If that's okay with you?" Xander said haltingly.

"Please, I prefer Amber." She smiled. "I'm more comfortable with that."

"Amber, it is, then. At least, when we're off the bridge," Xander said.

"Good. And if you don't mind, I'd like to help out in science from time to time when needed," she said.

"Of course, it is, after all, your ship," Xander said smiling at her. And then he added, "Or at least, after Commander Ka'Tock."

"Thanks. I don't want to get too rusty." She smiled. "I'll let you get back to work. Please, let me know if you have any future problems. I'll do what I can to help."

____
OFF

Lieutenant Xander Oroyo
Chief Science/Second Officer
USS Aurora

Lieutenant Commander Amber Quinn
Executive Officer

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