Getting Answers

Posted on Thu Aug 18th, 2016 @ 3:10pm by Commodore Samantha York & Lieutenant Commander Jennifer Tate & Commander Hans Munich

1,523 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Shadow Dance
Location: CO's Ready Room

ON

Before Sam could relax and talk with Damon about the evening, she needed to have a talk with Jennifer. To make sure she wasn't overreacting, he invited Hans to join them.

Tate exited the turbo lift walking down the ramp towards Samantha's ready room. It was a conversation she expected to have, but did not fear. For her part she had made a great impression on the Jenefrans securing a good foundation to future relations. She also knew if she had any shot of becoming a permanent fixture on this ship, let alone XO she had to make a little noise. Tapping on the chime, she signaled her arrival.

"Come," Sam said, turning to face the door.

Jennifer walked in approaching Sam. "Good day ma'am. You called for me?"

"I did," Sam said, indicating one of the chairs in her conversation area. "Please, have a seat." Sam walked over and sat in her favorite overstuffed chair. "Why were you down on the planet this evening?" She asked. "You weren't at the briefing, and as far as I know, you weren't given information about it. I assumed you would be on the ship giving Hans a hand on the bridge."

Taking her seat Jennifer let out a short sigh. "To be honest, it wasn't part of my original plan. I fully expected to remain here and just continue the search for Beckinsale. However it was suggested my prowess for diplomacy might better aid the party on the surface. Truthfully, I was reluctant at first, but to be honest sitting here was doing nothing for anyone. I took a calculated risk, thankfully for the time being it seems to have paid off."

"Suggested by whom?" Sam asked.

"That would be Mister Vance. He may be unorthodox but he's got a good set of senses. I'm not sure I'll ever adopt his style but I have to admit, it's kind of effective." Jennifer laughed softly knowing her actions were outside her usual realm of the letter of the law. It felt nice, for once to bend the rules.

"I wouldn't exactly say that," Sam said. "While you did redeem yourself, your entrance was unprofessional at best." She paused for a moment her gaze intent. "And you keep forgetting that Mr. Vance has absolutely no authority on my ship. He cannot say who will or will not be my next XO, nor can he say who should or should not be part of an away team."

"I understand." Jennifer said matter of factly. "I take full responsibility for my actions. While Mister Vance may not have authority the choice was ultimately mine and mine alone. I accept whatever repercussions you deem necessary."

Munich had been seated at the back of the ready room with his arms crossed over his chest as he let Tate explain herself, he had not made his presence known as he felt until this time that his opinion was not warrented, the Coomadore had things well at hand. PLus Munich wanted to see where the Commanding Officer is taking this.

"Perhaps if you were part of Command Crew is a point und fact you are acting on your own volition from a civilian in ways that affect the Command Chain of this ship ?" Munich asked from his place on the Sofa. "Da point is in the interaction with Command I think, Dat you acted on orders outside chain is where you find yourself in this situation. You should asked the Commanding Officer where you can best be of use?"

Tate turned to Munich giving him a smile. "I couldn't agree more Commander. The chain of command is sacred and it is important especially in the senior ranks that it is observed. Despite the positive outcome, the blatant breach cannot be allowed to stand nor be tolerated. Perhaps it would serve in the best interest of all parties if I am to remain in the Intelligence labs. It is important the crew no that regardless of rank or stature, protocol is to be followed. This will also allow me to still serve of use assisting Mister Vance in his search which I am told has sprung new developments. I would also like to sincerely apologize to you both and I assure you such actions will not occur again."

"The situation is far too complex for that," Sam said. "Because you DID go down to the planet, if you don't show up tomorrow, you will offend the King and cause a serious breach of protocol. That could jeopardize our reason for being here and relations between Jenefra and the Federation."

Jennifer sighed as she nodded in agreement. Suddenly she wasn't overly thrilled with the choice and wished she had stayed behind. "I will fulfill my commitments to the King and return when the situation best permits. Once again Commodore, I do apologize for my poor decision making."

"You know the chain of command. Mr. Vance is not in it, no matter what he thinks. I do not answer to him or to Intel. I answer to Starfleet. If you can remember that, we can move on from here," Sam said. She was more irate with Jethro Vance who seemed to believe he was above the law and could do as he pleased -- and that she should be grateful to him for picking her new XO. He was too much like his daughter, who continually treated Sam like she couldn't take care of herself.

Jennifer perked a brow. While she understood how Sam could come to such a notion she was surprised she actually believed it. She also wondered why she simply did not remove him, he was a civilian consultant after all. "I know the chain of command ma'am, and I know I'm also not part of it. I'm just a guest here and once this whole Morat thing is over I'll be gone just like him." She commented in a serious almost cold tone.

Sam raised an eyebrow. "The only reason you're BOTH here is because of Morat and Alexandra. And now Amarylis.

"Yes ma'am. Once this is resolved I promise you both of us will be off your ship." Jennifer commented.

Sam sighed. "You and the Vances seem to have the same problem. You all think you can do whatever you want on my ship and that I don't seem to have any say. I've been patient because of Alexandra's disappearance and Morat's troublemaking, but my patience has run out. For the remainder of your stay here, I want you to follow the rules. Understood?"

"Yes ma'am." Was all Jennifer said.

"You can still be of help with Bridge rotations." Munich said. "The Commadore mentioned you had helped with with dat, you are velcome to continue; I vill put you in rotation if you could?"

"I leave that decision with the Commanding Officer." Jennifer replied looking to York.

"I have no problem with you working gamma shift," Sam said. "After we leave Jenefra."

"I understand ma'am." Jennifer stated secretly knowing inside that would relegate her to filler status once again and she would soon become as memorable as one of the many pieces of deck plating.

"I should remind you, Commander, that I'm a telepath," Sam said. "That wasn't my intention, but if you act that way, it will become so."

Jennifer did not comment instead hiding her irritation of having her thoughts expressed outwardly.

Sam stood. "I think we've said enough for now. We still have much to do while we are here, and much to learn. You will be going back to Jenefra tomorrow. We'll see what happens after that."

"Understood Commodore. Permission to be dismissed?" Jennifer asked now wanting nothing more then to leave the ready room.

Sam nodded. "Permission granted. And Commander, much of the blame falls on Mr. Vance. You simply followed what he told you. Now, get some sleep. You will need to be alert during the wedding tomorrow."

"I'm a Starfleet Lieutenant Commander, he is not Starfleet. I should have made a better decision, there is no excuse ma'am." Jennifer commented before making her way out of the ready room.

Sam turned to Hans and sighed. "It may not be an excuse, but if she learns her lesson, she could become a very good officer." It was understandable that Jennifer would do what her mentor told her to do, but she did need to be reminded that it wasn't always the most advisable thing to do. "Thank you for being here. Put her in the rotation for gamma shift when we leave Jenefra. Let's see how she does."

"Gamma shift has a strong helmsman, they are pretty organized and know their jobs." Munich said with a nod. "They will not give her trouble." He began to rise. "I am yours when you need." He clicked his heels together. "I will get back to monitoring the Bridge Ma'am."

Munich moved to depart the Ready Room.

"Thank you," Sam said, closing her eyes for a few moments to relax.

OFF

Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer

&

Lieutenant Commander Jennifer Tate
Intel Officer

&

Commander Hans Munich
Acting XO

 

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