An Invitation: Siobhan Richards

Posted on 11/27/2020 @ 2:00am by Captain Cian D'Anvers

Mission: S3E1: Time of Change
Location: Exploratory Corps Offices, Federation Headquarters, Earth
Timeline: Day 92 at 1200

For Chief Counselor, his first and only choice was Siobhan Richards for a number of reasons. A kind soul, intelligent and capable, she was well-liked among the crew and he believed would thrive in the larger environment that was the Sitting Bull. And so, with that in mind, he made the connection and waited for her to respond.

Siobhan heard the incoming message signal. She stood up and walked toward the desk. Sitting in front of the computer she tapped the button accepting the connection.

Dressed in a pullover navy blue sweater and light gray slacks, Cian sat, relaxed and at ease, at the Exploratory Corps offices at Federation Headquarters on Earth. It was one of the places shared by those in need of a temporary, private workspace, devoid of personality by design, but comfortable nevertheless. He smiled as his Chief Counselor's face came into view. "Lieutenant Richards, I'm sorry to disturb your shore leave but there's been a development that I wanted to make you aware of as soon as I could."

"It's ok, captain." Siobhan was still in the uniform back in her office on the Crazy Horse. "I haven't started my shore leave yet." She offered him a small grin, leaning back in her seat. "What can I do for you?"

"Long story," Cian said. "Turns out, I was ordered to appear before the Federation Council to defend my candidacy for a position that I'd never heard of or applied for ... odd, right? Its an EC vessel, the Sitting Bull, brand-new, only the third of her class. She's built to go it alone which is a good thing because she's being sent into a newly accessible and previously unexplored region of space."

He paused to take a sip of coffee and really, to give her time to absorb that before he hit her with the rest. "Anyway, it means a transfer out of Starfleet and into the EC, the Pathfinders. I'm assembling my senior staff and your are first on my list for Chief Counselor. There's going to be an EC Academy branch on board as well and you'd be asked to help out there ... if you're willing, that is."

The silence stretched almost to its limits and about then was when he realized she wasn't going to say yes. That had always been a risk, of course. Loyalty to Starfleet, an unwillingness to go so far beyond Federation space. Any number of reasons. He understood and his smile was gentle, almost rueful, as he said. "Better offer?"

Siobhan nodded. "Sorry, Captain. I didn't know how to tell you."

"I wish you all the best, Lieutenant," Cian said. "Take care."

They chatted for a few moments longer, promises that might or might not be kept, the way that people do when they have worked together and see the ending in sight. He hoped as the conversation wound down that this wouldn't be the first of many such good-byes but then again, that was part of the path he had chosen for himself. One left, another arrived. Different strengths. Different weaknesses. But in the end, the special ones, well, they were missed.

They said their good-byes and he closed the connection, leaning on one arm of his chair, as he stroked his jaw. He would need a contingency, especially since Rahl might not be joining the ship either. And wondered suddenly what Fawkes was doing. Better a counselor that you know, than one you don't. Wasn't that how the saying went?

A Post by:

Captain Cian D'Anvers
Commanding Officer
USS Crazy Horse

and

Lieutenant JG Siobhan Richards, Ph.D.
(Formerly) Chief Counselor
USS Crazy Horse

tag