Late to the game

Posted on Saturday, 22 August 2020 - 7:21pm by Captain Barret Stillwater & Commander Soral

Mission: Operation: Dreamweaver
Location: USS Standing Bear | Captain's Office
Timeline: 2393 - MD 01

{ON:}

Soral finished the round of crew evaluations. He headed to the CO's office not even realizing that he was late. Time...seemed to be an elusive concept as of late. Looking a little more disheveled then usual he rang the chime and waited.

Commander Stillwater was just fixing himself a tea when the chime rang. He was surprised that Soral was running late for their meeting. If anything, Soral tended to be exactly on time if not a smidge early. Stillwater granted the entry as he returned to his desk and the First Officer walked in.

"I was about to send out a search party," Stillwater commented in jest. "I have never had a Vulcan late for anything. I was begining to think you had been abducted" Stillwater added again jokingly.

"Late? I can assure you my internal clock would not allow..." He stopped as he noted the time on the chronometer at the desk. "I was late." He said with a little hint of surprise in his tone. He sat down hard. "I am never late." The lack of sleep must have been affecting him more then he thought.

Stillwater gestured to the replicator. "Help yourself to anything you want, but you aren't alone." stated Stillwater. "I haven't been able to sleep as soundly lately either. Being late happens to everyone at some point. How was your shore leave, Commander?"

He headed over ordering an extra large, extra strong Klingon coffee. He took it back to his seat. "I must admit that sleep has been an elusive ... being." He took a sip letting the scalding hot brew work down his throat. "As for shore leave....it was eventful....I am" He paused to think, "relived to be back."

"Wonderful," replied Stillwater "And congratulations? I believe I heard something about wedding bells. Speaking of your wife, she had a bit of excitement a couple hours ago on night watch. We have a small diplomatic party of Vomnin coming aboard, a scientist and a guard. Would you mind overseeing that meeting."

"Indeed. I shall ensure it goes well." He paused to drink coffee again. "There was a formal human wedding indeed since the Vulcan joining was more private. Alexandra is arranging for a dinner here aboard ship for the crew." He shifted. "I had heard about the excitement. She is not happy at loosing a probe."

Stillwater nodded and smirked. "Scientists," he replied. "They get a bit attached to their equipment. Nevertheless, I'm glad it was a probe they decided to take their frustrations out on and not one of our shuttles. I would say she handled herself well in the situation."

"Indeed. She I a fascinating woman. I do not say this lightly and I do not say it because she is my wife but she is a top rate officer."

Stillwater nodded. "She is and has been doing a good job on the Standing Bear. We are not equipped for scientific research, but she's made excellent use of limited resources. I have been impressed" noted the Commanding Officer who reached across his desk and grabbed a small box.

He slid it towards Soral. "What do you think?" asked Stillwater as he observed Soral open the small box. "She's young, but confident. Several away missions under her belt thus far, limited resources as a Department Head, and fine job as officer on watch recently."

Soral opened the box and had to fight to supress his smile. "I concur." His pride in his wife welling up inside him. "It is a good way to recognize her contributions." He closed the box. "She will be surprised."

"I would suggest that you promote her during or after the meeting with the Vomnin," replied the Captain. "I had been holding off on doing it myself. I thought it would be better coming from you. Kingsley will make a fine Starfleet lieutenant for the years to come."

He stared at the box and then looked up at Stillwater. "Indeed. I thank you sir. It would be my honour to promote her." He looked at Stillwater. "Not many captain's would be happy with their first officer being married to a department head. You are a very unique commanding officer, sir."

"Commander, I am not thrilled with the idea," Stillwater said looking at Soral. "What you have is a Commanding Officer giving you a chance. I have confidence in your abilities to keep it professional."

"Indeed sir." He paused. "Speaking of spouses have you heard anything about your husband's reinstatement?"

Stillwater nodded "I have...I am waiting for an appropriate time to break the news," explained Stillwater. "Lieutenant Commander Victrix was most helpful as was Captain Dashwood. Talarn, has been granted warrant reinstating him as a warrant officer. It is not his previous rank by any means, but it is something."

"indeed. Small victories." He thought a moment. "Permission to speak freely sir?"

"Mmm," Stillwater replied after taking a sip from his mug. "Go ahead, Commander. What is on your mind?"

"The Starfleet I joined would have reinstated him fully. I have hope that it once again will be that Starfleet."

Stillwater sighed. "Commander, no truer words have been spoken about the current status of Starfleet. The Starfleet I served for years prior to leaving was one I could stand by. They would not have severed and stripped commissions from ex Borg drones. A lot changed after the Dominion War...a lot changed with when Mars was attacked. Federation citizens were terrified to use their home replicator units for months in end. You can imagine what it was like with ex Borg in Starfleet."

"I can but imagine it yet Starfleet as always been founded on adapting and picking up the pieces and embracing what is unique...not so much anymore." He truly, for the first time, felt that he related well to the CO. He held up some data PaDDs. "Crew updates. Including a lengthy one from me."

"That reminds me," replied Stillwater. "I need to check on our newly acquired Chief Engineer. It will be a bit of adjustment for him, having been on the starbase previously. The Standing Bear is no Diligent class ship either."

"I am confident that he will adjust. I am in the process of meeting with new staff to find out how they are settling in. I will put him on priority." He paused. "Speaking of engineering..." He cleared his throat. "I wish to speak to you about Chief Eyelaya."

Stillwater shook his head. "Lieutenant Commander Victrix had warned me that whenever you stop by the Ready Room, it is often in regards to Chief Eyelaya. What has she done this time?"

"She has done nothing. I see great potential in her. I believe that she would benefit from mentorship, both her and Petty Officer Grol. I would like to step up to the task with your permission."

"I don't believe we have an established Chief of the Boat aboard. If I recall Muniz in science is senior most, but he's expressed no interest in a leadership position. At least I have not been made aware of such. This is a personnel matter, so, I will yield to you. If you want to mentor them, be my guest."

He gave a nod. "Thank you sir." He paused as he made some notes on his date PaDD. "I do believe both have much to contribute." There was another pause. "There is something personal I wished to speak with you about, sir."

"Relationship advice?" asked Stillwater who chuckled, a unique sighting. He was not usually one to appear jovial these days, but as the days went by and the more time he spent of the Bridge, the softer he was becoming, or at least the sleep deprivation was withering away at it. "Resistance is futile," added Stillwater. "At least that's what I have learned in my years of being with Talarn."

"Indeed I have learned that as well in my short time with Alexandra. I was meaning more to speak with you about the bond a captain and an XO have. We have not gotten to know one another yet well enough, and I understand that will come with time but I have been researching the bonding rituals of your Earth. Activities such as fishing or mountain climbing or camping. I wondered if you wished to partake in one of those rituals. There are several others from other species that may apply."

Stillwater nodded "It will take me some time, Soral. I have always kept myself professionally distant from my crew, even when I had an XO I served a while with; however, I would be willing to try an outing with you to bond" said the Captain. "The holodeck is certainly an option for the time being, though next time we are at a peaceful planet, we could try to get some CO and XO time in."

"Indeed. I will ensure it is so."

"I look forward to hearing about the Vomnin," noted Stillwater referring to the meeting he had asked Soral to oversee. "See what you can find out, and try to make sure they do not fire on any more of our probes. Your wife is fond of her science probes."

"Indeed I have no doubt I shall be hearing about the destruction of this one for while. I wonder if I can buy her a new probe....perhaps one that can be stellar shipped overnight?"

Commander Stillwater made a dismissive gesture. "We have plenty of probes and the materials necessary to construct more," replied Stillwater. "I do not think it was about the probe so much as the work that went into calibrating it for this mission. I think that pip you have will go a long way in making up for one lost probe."

"Indeed." He was enjoying this talk with the CO. It was, in fact, the most they had talked since he'd come on board. "Perhaps the Vomnin will make a good ally. I will do my best to ensure we walk away from this with a good relationship and maybe even future scientific missions together."

"Thank you, Commander," Stillwater said with a nod. "I'll leave that in your capable hands."

He gave a nod. "With your permission I shall take my leave."

Stillwater responded with a grunt and nod, simple and to the point.

{OFF:}