Meeting the Mission Advisor

Posted on Wed Jun 8th, 2011 @ 10:44am by Lieutenant Commander Preston Wexler & Commodore Samantha York & Lieutenant Kevin Benning-Wexler

1,312 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Shades of Gray
Location: Main Shuttle Bay

The shuttle craft Denver slowed it's approach as it prepared to dock with the Calypso.

"Shuttle craft Denver to Calypso; requesting permission to dock." Lieutenant Kevin Benning-Wexler entered data into the navigation interface.

"Permission granted Denver." The anonymous communication officer replied.

Gently, Kevin passed the shuttle through the open bay doors and the containment field, bringing the shuttle to rest on the deck of the bay. As Kevin powered down the shuttles engines, he turned to Preston and smiled. "We're in."

Preston nodded and stood. "There are advantages to settling down with a man who can pilot a shuttle." He grinned, picking up a PADD with mission information, and then made his way to the exit hatch.

Kevin rushed past Preston and pressed the buttons opening the exit hatch. He turned and hugged Preston. "I'm proud of you Pres. This is big for us."

For a brief moment, they enjoyed an embrace. They didn't have to speak a word, both felt very content with this new phase in their life.

After breaking the embrace, Preston adjusted his uniform and stepped out of the shuttle onto the deck. He looked around and noted the Captain walking mere seconds after Preston stepped onto the deck.

As the Captain entered, Kevin moved into a rear-flanking position behind Preston. He stood silently at attention.

"At ease," Sam said as she walked up to the two men. "I'm not much on formality, I'm afraid. And please, call me Sam. Welcome aboard the Calypso."

Preston nodded and stepped forward extending his hand. "I'm Preston Wexler and this is my spouse," Preston smiled and motioned toward Kevin. "Lieutenant Kevin Benning-Wexler."

Kevin moved forward towards the Captain, extending his hand as well.

Sam shook both their hands. "Welcome, gentlemen. I believe the quartermaster has assigned you family quarters."

"Thank you Captain, we appreciate that." Preston glanced back at Kevin who was nodding in agreement. "If you would like, we can adjourn to your Ready Room and discuss the current mission. Kevin can go ahead and get us settled in." Another glance towards Kevin who again was nodding in agreement, confirmed Preston's comments.

"All right," Sam said. She stopped at the OOD's terminal long enough to grab a PADD and hand it to Kevin. "Your stuff will be delivered shortly. The PADD will give you directions to whatever you need."

Then she turned to Preston. "This way."

Preston nodded and winked at Kevin. "See you soon..." He then followed Captain York. "Admiral Burke pulled me from an assignment on Monroiz VII, leading me to believe this mission was of up-most importance. I have managed to pull all relevant information available on Michnar VI. I have been pouring over the data and think that we have a fairly complicated and delicate situation on our hands."

Kevin, for his part, moved in the opposite directions towards their new quarters.

"We recently oversaw peace negotiations on Turkana IV. It didn't end well. The factions are talking, but it'll be a while before they achieve actual peace. For some reason I feel like we're headed back into a war zone with this assignment," Sam said as they entered the turbolift.

After the doors to the turbolift closed, Preston continued. "I'm afraid that you're correct. The official reports are sketchy at best and I'm not sure how much stock we want to put into the actual reports. It appears to me that we're walking into a situation that is very similar to Turkana IV. Gangs, riots, government inefficiencies..." Preston shook his head. "To be honest with you Captain, this is the first time I will be serving as a Mission Advisor. I have spent my entire career doing field work, and frankly this assignment is going to require a little field work. But until I have a chance to get to the surface and see for myself what is going on, we will want to be prepared for anything."

"Agreed," Sam replied. "But, none of our missions have gone to plan, so I expect this one to follow suit." She led the way into her ready room and indicated a cluster of overstuffed chairs and a couch. "Have a seat. Can I get you something to drink?"

"Yes please, an Arnold Palmer easy ice." Preston took a seat in a chair across from the Captain's desk. "I apologize Captain for not being able to be of greater assistance at this point, but I assure you I will be more effective with more information. I have forecasted many different political shifts on numerous worlds so I am confident my experience will be invaluable once we reach the planet."

Sam replicated his drink and got herself a glass of lemonade. She set both glasses on her desk and sat down. "You just arrived. I don't expect you to have all the answers right now. I would like you to meet the crew in the interim. Most will be involved in one way or another. I'd also like you to give the senior staff a report at a briefing in the morning."

Preston nodded. "I would embrace an opportunity to get to know the crew. It's always prudent to know the potential assets and liabilities prior to arrival. And Captain, I assure you I have no desire to be like other Mission Advisers I've encountered. I have no intention of taking over this mission. It's your ship, your mission, and I am merely a tool to be used at your discretion." He picked up his drink and enjoyed the refreshing blend of tea and lemonade.

"Trust me, I wouldn't let you take over," she said with a pleasant smile. "I may have a relaxed command style, but I am clearly the boss. That being said, I like to get as many of my senior staff involved as I can. As you said, many of them will have talents and abilities that will be of use during this mission. I also want to to feel free to advise me whenever you feel it necessary." She took anohter sip of her lemonade and observed Preston. So far, she liked him and his attitude. He would be a good addition to her crew -- at least temporarily.

"Absolutely Captain. At this point I would prefer to keep counsel with you privately. I would not want to counter your permanent staff in open meeting. I find it creates problems when someone new comes in telling everyone else how something should be done." Preston took another sip of his drink. "I am scheduled to leave after this mission and I don't want to leave you with a crew holding hard feelings."

"All right. We can work in private for now. Is there anything you wish to know, Commander, before you settle in?"

"If I may as a small favor. Kevin has taken leave to follow me on this mission and I don't want him to regret that decision. If there is any work for him to do down in Engineering I'm sure he'd leap at the opportunity." Preston smiled.

"I'm sure Tav will be able to use him," Sam assured him. "For now, he can go to Engineering and see where he can help out. I don't want to make it a permanent assignment if you're only here for a short time, but I don't see a problem for the interim."

Preston placed his hand on his heart and bowed slightly. "Thank you Captain. You have been more than gracious. I sincerely appreciate your willingness to go beyond the call of duty to accommodate me."

"Any time," Sam assured him. "I'll see you at 0800 tomorrow for the briefing."

"Understood." With that, understanding that he was dismissed, Preston stood and exited to find his quarters.

OFF

Captain Samantha York
Commanding Officer
USS Calypso

Lieutenant Commander Preston Wexler
Mission Advisor
USS Calypso

 

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