Switching Things Up

Posted on 11/08/2020 @ 4:07pm by Captain Cian D'Anvers

Mission: S2E2: The Auction House
Location: USS Crazy Horse, Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: Day 54 at 1000

Tahlin signaled the captain from outside his ready room with some trepidation. She hated switching departments--hated it. But, she still wanted to be valuable, still a member of the crew, and she wasn't fit for Security. Richards, the doctor, and even K'Taal had made that abundantly clear... K'Taal, in particular, had been blistering of her loving critique.

"Enter," Cian said. He'd been at his desk for hours, going through reports, and welcomed an intrusion. Provided, he amended silently, it does not involve children taking over cargo bays, an engineering staff that doesn't understand the meaning of discipline, or officers running amuck. He sighed quietly. Probably too much to hope for.

Tahlin entered. "Sir, could I have a moment of your time?" She saluted, then shifted a bit. "Sorry--still getting used to things that got... Replaced."

"Of course," Cian said as he rose from his seat and gestured for her to take a seat on the sofa while he chose the single chair, set at an angle for himself. He brought his coffee cup with him and took a long sip while he wanted her to start.

Tahlin sat, took in the scent of the room a moment, then spoke. "Sir, I realize that with my... Injury... Although the damage was repairable, I don't think I can serve in Security. However, I still want to be a part of Starfleet, part of this ship and crew... I don't think we've found a permanent helmsman, unless my information is wrong? I'd like to request that I become chief of Flight Control."

"Why don't you think you can continue in Security," he asked as he set his coffee cup down and gave her his complete attention. "It hasn't even been two weeks since you were wounded."

"True... I've been cleared for duty, but..." She broke off, then continued, "Captain, a personal question if I may?"

"Within reason," Cian said. He sat quietly, without extraneous movements, a habit he'd learned as a child. At the Academy, he'd been amazed at beings who waved their hands like agitated butterflies, punctuating every word with movement.

"Have you ever faced your own mortality, Sir? Come close to death, I mean, and had to think about it?"

"Yes," he said, having now begun to understand the direction that the conversation was headed. "I have. Is that what happened to you, Lieutenant?"

"More or less... Bajorans are a deeply spiritual people--I think that's known across two quadrants. I've had experiences with an Orb, once or twice, but this..." Tahlin turned to the viewport, looking at the streaking stars of warp. "You'll see in my file that I had a nasty leg injury. That didn't set me back--I over came it, and rose to where I am now... This, however... When you come that close to death, it changes you... You start questioning your choices... When you have time to think."

"The doctor told me that, if I'd gotten to Sickbay even five, ten minutes later, there would have been nothing they could have done... Space is dangerous--I know that. But... I don't feel I can keep putting myself through this... You understand, I think, Captain."

Cian kept his expression neutral as he thought about what she was saying. When they had left him on a dying world, one of many, he had had to look death in the face. His decision had been to fight, to meet it all head on, but that was him. She was someone else entirely. "Security requires more in terms of meeting danger head on. I understand that much," he said. "And I appreciate your honesty, in letting me know that you are no longer able to fill that position on this ship."

"But running Flight? Do you have the experience for that," Cian asked. "Have you even done it before?"

"Running the department, no. However, I have served in Flight Control for a number of years--I only transferred to Security after the Taylor's first officer was nearly killed--I was able to take the hit meant for him, even as just the shuttle pilot that day. I majored in both at the Academy--I was very busy... I'm happy to run simulations under your, or likely Lieutenant Joral's oversight if you wish?"

"I think that would be a good first step," Cian said, nodding thoughtfully. "If you can do the job to Lieutenant Joral's satisfaction. Stratus can test you, she's more than capable. If you pass the simulations, then, the job is yours."

"Yes, Sir." Tahlin rose. "If I am dismissed, I think I'll get myself fortifying, then find the Lieutenant and Ensign Stratus... Thank you for giving me this chance, Captain."

"You're dismissed and ... good luck, Lieutenant."

A Post by:

Captain Cian D'Anvers
Commanding Officer
USS Crazy Horse

and

Lieutenant JG Lae'Or Tahlin
(Formerly) Chief of Security
USS Crazy Horse