Transfer Orders

Posted on Sat Aug 30th, 2014 @ 9:54am by Commander Alexandra Vance & Commodore Samantha York

1,573 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Deadly Diplomacy
Location: Ready Room

"Incoming message from the Office of the Chief of Starfleet Personnel."

Sam was expecting this. She'd forwarded the information on the PADD to Admirals Burke and Blackcat to deal with as she had no desire to lose her Xo when they were finally getting to a point where they could work together. "I'll take it in my Ready Room," she said, turning the bridge over to Lieutenant Munich.

A minute later she was at her desk. "Computer, open communication."

"Good day Commodore. How are things out amongst the stars?" A middle aged woman with mid length blonde hair, deep blue eyes and a gentle demeanour said as she appeared on Samantha's console.

Sam was sure the woman didn't contact her to chat. "Always interesting," she replied. "How can I help you?"

"Actually Commodore I wanted to contact you personally. I was never a fan of transfer orders via PADD but sadly there is only one of me and I cannot attend to everyone personally, but this one is different and I did not wish to sour the relationship of an esteemed Commanding Officer with my department."

The Admiral paused for a moment before continuing as she let out a long drawn sigh. "Truthfully Miss York, I've made a grave mistake in Commander Vance's original assignment, ignoring the warning signs and allowing a snake like Thomas Shanks leverage to cause harm to an officer whose methods may be 'over the line' but whose heart has always been in the right place. I'd like to take the opportunity to get Commander Vance the help she needs and put her back behind the front lines for a time. She's tended to us for so long it's time we tend to her. This is the purpose of my call, to work in conjunction with you to ensure this happens."

"To be honest, Commander Vance is exactly where she belongs. She's on a ship with people who know her and support her. More important, she's on a ship with people who will give her the help she needs and keep the snakes like Shanks away. I don't think taking her away when she's finally opening up to her fellow officers is not in her best interest."

"Alexandra Vance open up? That is surprising. May I ask what she has done exactly? I don't mean to pry but I have been concerned about her for quite some time." the woman replied genuinely astonished.

"If you will excuse my bluntness, you have yet to tell me who you are and why you are so concerned about Commander Vance," Sam said.

"My apologies Commodore. My name is Cassandra Willington and I am the Chief of Starfleet Personnel. As you know my department is all about finding the right people for the right position. I have long had an interest in Commander Vance since she came out of the intelligence world into ours hoping to find that best fit for her. I have nothing against you or your ship Commodore I am simply looking at what is best for the Commander and Starfleet. I do have a distinguished officer with some good experience whom I am sure would be honoured to be your right hand."

"I'm happy with Commander Vance," Sam replied bluntly.

"I'm very pleased to hear that. I know I am failing at my job when I get complaints from CO's telling me that their new science officer blew up a lab or whatnot. XO's are usually the hardest, most Commander's still hold firm on choosing their own. However our main concern with Commander Vance lies in her state of mind. She has not received any psychiatric evaluations in quite some time and given the nature of her recent 'hardships' we would like to bring her into an environment where she can let her guard down a little and perhaps begin the healing process so she can lead a healthier life. Perhaps she may even one day return to the Calypso! Given your record I would see no better officer to mentor her in the return to the front lines." Cassandra replied with a warm smile.

Sam was beginning to warm to the other officer, but she still had reservations. "You are aware that I have two counselors and a chaplain on board? They have been through some very tough times themselves and are more than competent to help Commander Vance." She cocked her head to one side and considered the other woman. "Have you asked Alexandra if she wants a transfer? Or are you simply assuming that you know best?"

"I wanted to speak to you before speaking with Commander Vance. You are her CO, the boots on the ground. I'm not one for circumventing the chain of command but I will admit Starfleet medical is worried and I can't say I completely disagree with them. However that doesn't mean I'm going to simply allow them to dictate transfers without at least ensuring the proper people were informed. If you are okay with it I would like to speak with Commander Vance on my own." Cassie replied.

"What aren't you telling me, Admiral?" Sam asked, preferring to be blunt rather than beat around the bush. She didn't trust this woman. Right now, she didn't trust anyone from Starfleet Command. But one thing she could tell, the woman wasn't being entirely truthful. It was almost as if she was afraid of something. It was there in her eyes, even though she tried to hide it. Some fear that the woman didn't want to express.

"Excuse me?!" Willington exclaimed as if insulted by the statement.

"I'm Betazoid, Admiral. I can tell when someone is lying to me," Sam said. "Forgive my bluntness, but after the Court Martial, I am a little protective of my Executive Officer."

"Court martial? For what? On who's authority?" Cassandra replied in an irritated tone. Her eyes conveyed genuine concern and anger towards the notion of a court martial. She truly was unaware of the proceedings.

"Then perhaps you need to learn more before you decide to have her transferred. Right now, the Calypso is the best place for her. Especially as she was found not guilty."

Cassandra sighed. "Sadly the reason we want her transferred is to avoid such attention irregardless of the outcome. Commander Vance hasn't exactly struck a chord with Starfleet Command and too many are willing to abandon those whom serve with distinction and valour simply because they do not fit the mould." She slammed her fist on the desk. "Damn it this is the kind of thing I didn't want to happen."

"Isn't this precisely why she should stay here? We know what to expect and she will be well-protected," Sam said.

Cassandra sighed once again. "I don't know Commodore. Both my department and Starfleet medical have special interest in her. It took some strings just to get them to stand down so I could talk to the both of you. I am deeply appreciative of your loyalty to someone most would cast aside or throw into a brig, but I think some minds would be put at ease if Commander Vance was given some 'time off' with extensive support and care. Of course you will still be granted whatever access you'd like to her, visits, communications. Like I said when the process concludes I could think of no better woman suited to reintegrate her."

"I still disagree with you, Admiral. I don't see what you can do for her that the crew of this ship cannot. And she has the added safety of being aboard a starship. Still, if she wishes to speak with you, I will allow it, but the conversation will be monitored."

"I see no problems with that. Starfleet medical has told me they would like her to consult with some of their counsellors whom specialize in PTSD just to get that off the table. In my honest opinion I think there are a few people whom may be over concerned and are taking precautions. If you'd like I can look into having this turned into a temporary placement as opposed to a permanent change should that better suit you and Commander Vance of course." Cassandra said with a warm smile returning to her face.

"I would prefer you to go through Admiral Blackcat," Sam replied.

"Admiral Blackcat? What's that old kitty gotten himself into now." Cassandra said with a slight giggle.

Sam wasn't going to enlighten her. "That, Admiral, is on a need-to-know basis. Any transfer orders must be approved by me or Admiral Blackcat."

Cassandra frowned for a moment. While she had warmed up to York and the woman's loyalty to Vance was unquestionable she clearly had not listened to a word that was said and would fight no matter the implications to Vance's career. "Very well. I probably didn't want to know anyways." she joked. "I'll speak with Commander Vance and then we can go from there."

Sam still didn't trust the woman and had a feeling that letting the Admiral talk to Vance was a bad idea, but she couldn't use that as a reason not to let her at least talk to Vance. Anything beyond the conversation would depend on how it went -- and what Vance herself wanted to do. "Very well, Admiral. York out."

____
OFF

Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer
USS Calypso

Vice Admiral Cassandra Willington (NPC)
Chief of Starfleet Personnel

 

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