My Cat Doesn't Like Change

Posted on 04/09/2020 @ 5:22pm by Captain Cian D'Anvers & Lieutenant JG S'Lace
Edited on on 04/09/2020 @ 7:25pm

Mission: S1E2: The Plomeek Soup Conundrum
Location: Ready Room, Deck 1, USS Crazy Horse
Timeline: Day 5 at 1315

Doctor Voight had not be entirely forthcoming about the new 'guests' that were now on Crazy Horse, only that they required her undivided attention. That mean S'Lace was given what was for some unknown reason called the 'lion's share' of the paperwork. That was not unexpected. For untold millennia subordinates of almost every sentient species within and known by the Federation were given such work to allow their superiors to handle more important duties.

Or to waste time in frivolous pursuits.

Speaking of frivolous pursuits, Dalgliesh was on the bed, chasing the red dot of the laser pointer S'Lace wielded with her left hand while she used her right to scroll through the data regarding recent medicals. It was not what any rational sentient would call "interesting", but-

Her comm chirped: "Doctor S'Lace? Bridge here. The Captain would like to see you in his ready room right away, if possible."

"Understood. Please inform the Captain I am on my way." S'Lace shut off the pointer and set it on the desk, the approached the bed. She reached out her hand and Dalgliesh pushed his hand into her palm, purring loudly. S'Lace gave the feline a scratch behind the ears, then backed towards the door, eyes on the cat as it sat up. The door opened.

The cat made his move, bounding off the bed and towards the door. S'Lace knelt, caught the feline and deftly tossed it back onto the bed, the door closed before Dalgliesh could attempt another escape. S'Lace stood, adjusted her jacket and did a credible job ignoring the curious look from a pair of passing crew persons.

A few minutes later S'Lace was on the bridge. She had been up here only once before when she met Captain D'Anvers on her first day. Since then she had no need to be up here. Without noting the bridge crew any more than necessary she strode towards the ready room door and pressed the chime, wondering what would induce the Captain to summon her...

He'd taken a few minutes off the Bridge to take care of the essentials -- bathroom, coffee, and a meeting with Lieutenant S'Lace. The meeting was necessary because, as it often turned out, problems seldom cropped up singularly. Generally, in multiples. Relieved that he did in fact receive coffee, Cian had just sat down behind his desk when the door chime announced her arrival. "Enter," he said and then took a quick appreciative sip.

As she had before exiting the turbolift S'Lace had taken a habitual few seconds to take stock, to allow her ears to pick up anything unusual. It was a habit acquired years ago and she had never quite lost it. She caught the scent of coffee, sensed only one person inside. Nevertheless as she entered the ready room her eyes scanned the room as she approached the desk.

"Doctor S'Lace," she noted, "You wished to see me Sir?"

He watched her gaze travel the room before settling on him; it was a behavior he recognized and understood though not in context of a doctor and made a mental note to review her file. "Yes, I did. Please, have a seat."

S'Lace would have preferred to stand; being seated with her back to any door made her uncomfortable. But debating a superior officer over such things was 1) a waste of time and 2) immediately set up a confrontational relationship. Besides, it seemed to be a nice chair. She sat. And waited to see what would happen next.

"I don't have a lot of time so I'm forced to be blunt. Dr. Voight has resigned her position effective immediately. That leaves me short a Chief Medical Officer and you're the most qualified candidate to replace her."

S'Lace was, of course, curious as to why a qualified doctor would resign so abruptly. But it was none of her business. Instead, after a moment's consideration as her mind ran through all potential candidates, she simply replied, "Yes, sir, I am. Are there any cases or situations that I should be made aware of?" she hesitated then added, "And will it be a requirement to move into her quarters? My cat has become assimilated to our space and I would not wish to distress him unduly."

Well, not actually the only candidate but that's only because she took herself out of the running long ago. "No need to move quarters. You're fine where you are. As to cases, we're going to bringing about five prisoners shortly. You'll find their files on the computer. While they are on board, Sickbay will be responsible for their care though you'll have to treat them down there if there's a need."

"Prisoners," S'Lace echoed. That was interesting. She found herself leaning forward and resting her elbows on the desk. Steepling her hands, she inquired, "Will there be a substantial security presence? Or should I discuss this with lieutenant Tahlin? Are there any other duties or expectations you feel you should discuss with me, sir?"

Despite herself she found herself growing intrigued in a manner she had not felt in quite some time. A department head position, albeit presumably a temporary position, presented challenges and expectations.

The barrage of questions, so different than what he'd come to expect from Vulcans, intrigued him. He took a long sip of coffee and then answered in the order they'd been asked. "First, substantial? I suppose that depends on your definition. The prisoners will be under guard and you will not be left alone with any of them. Lieutenant Lae'Or is a capable officer."

"Second, if you have concerns about your own safety, you can certainly speak with her when she's back and has a moment. She's on the Blackwell with the away team right now. A discussion about how she is handling security for the prisoners ... I would recommend a tactful approach as it could be seen as you trying to do her job for her."

"Lastly, I will expect from you what I expect from all of my department heads. Dedication to the job at hand and to the principles that we all swore to uphold as Starfleet officers. Your job is to manage the medical team and ensure the well being of the crew ... same as it would be on any other Starfleet vessel."

S'Lace realized belatedly that she had perhaps seemed too...eager. She leaned back and replied, "My apologies if I implied any lack of confidence on the part of the security department. I am not so much concerned for my safety as for the department I now find myself in charge of. I will of course cooperate fully with..." a slight frown, then a mild rise of both eyebrows, "Ah, of course; Bajoran surnames come first. It seems I need to better acquaint myself with my new peers. Thank you, Sir. I would not have wished such a faux pax to have been taken as a slight. I shall, of course, do my best in all things. Other than these prisoners are there any other immediate concerns you feel I should be aware of or should address?"

Cian nodded over another long sip of coffee. "I understand. The safety of the crew is important to me ... if you have reason to feel otherwise, let either myself or Commander Othran know immediately." He set the mostly empty cup down and thought for a moment. "I can't think of anything else. What about you? Any questions or concerns?"

S'Lace gave that a moment's thought. At last she said, "I believe any immediate questions will be answered by the data that will be made available to me, Captain. As for concerns..."

The principle one was whether or not she was qualified for the position given her. That would be determined in time. Her duty was to do her best.

"...I have none at this time. With your permission, Captain, I should head directly to Sickbay to inform my staff of the changes, then arrange a meeting with lieutenant Lae'Or to see what she requires of me."

"Very good. Then, you are dismissed because I have to get back to the Bridge," Cian said.

S'Lace rose. She refrained from any assurances or expressions of appreciation. The Captain had made the most logical decision available to him. She walked over to the door and it swooshed open, reflexively she paused in the doorway, suddenly aware she had just cut the Captain off. She glanced over her shoulder at him, her expression almost apologetic.

"Captain," she murmured, at a loss for what else to say. She departed the bridge, her mind already on what she was going to say to her staff.

Her staff. For someone who had no actual ambitions beyond what she had achieved she surprisingly found the concept of having a staff...not unwelcome.

A Post By

Cmdr. Cian D'Anvers
Commanding Officer
USS Crazy Horse

and

Lieutenant JG S'Lace
Chief Medical Officer
USS Crazy Horse