A Friendly Chat

Posted on Tue Nov 10th, 2020 @ 12:59pm by Captain Abigail Laurens & Lieutenant Commander William Rogers & Commander Ichiko Gail
Edited on on Sat Dec 5th, 2020 @ 3:30pm

Mission: Enforced Intermission
Location: Captain's Ready Room

Abigail and Ichiko were already in the ready room when the chime to the door sounded. Standing up, she straightened her jacket and nodded at Ichiko before calling "Enter."

The doors slid aside and Rogers stepped inside. He saluted the senior officers. "I'm sorry I'm late Ma'am. Had to climb up from Deck 2: lifts are jammed again."

As he entered, Abigail smiled politely and motioned for him to take a seat across from the couch the two females had been occupying. "Thank you for joining us Commander," she said warmly. "I would offer you some tea, but I'm afraid they still haven't been able to restore the replicators."

"I trust you can forgive this lapse in hospitality." Ichiko said. Not being able to attend to a guest bothered her, but only slightly as it wasn't her fault directly. "But please, join us."

"Of course, Ma'am." He was a little uneasy; still wary about being called in by the command staff. Neither Commander Gail and Captain Laurens had held the fact that he was genetically enhanced against him, but you only get one chance to make a first impression, and the taste of Starfleet's was still bitter. "How can I help?"

"Commander Gail and I have been reviewing crew performances, especially your performance. In the past few missions you've gone above and beyond, and your performance has been duly noted by both Commander Gail and myself. We wanted to speak with you, first and foremost to commend you on your performance and your ongoing dedication, not only to this ship and crew, but to Starfleet as a whole."

"It's a relief to see someone you put your faith in reward that faith with excellent performance. You've more than repaid my faith in you, Mister Rogers. You're a good man, and just as good an officer." Ichiko added.

"Thank you, both." Buck acknowledged the praise with a small nod of gratitude. "'Either work hard or you might as well quit.'"

Abigail smiled slightly. "I'm glad you feel that way, because there's one more thing we would like to speak to you about," she said softly. "Commander Gail and I have been talking and we were wondering how you might feel about taking on some additional duties and responsibilities around the ship moving forward?"

"What did you have in mind?" He asked. It seemed like there wasn't more that he could be doing at the moment; with the posting of a new group commander he was no longer managing the fighter squadron. Buck hoped it wouldn't involve helping out security; the turn over at that position was so high he felt it would be safer to be Spinal Taps drummer.

"We have been undertaking crew reviews, and both Commander Gail and I feel you would be a great candidate for some preliminary command training, and we'd like to offer you the position of Second Officer. It wouldn't affect your duties at the helm, but it would give you more responsibility and you would be more involved at a command level," Abigail explained.

"thank you." Buck scratched his beard. He'd not considered himself as command material, but it was fair to say he'd been looking to move on from being a helmsman. He wanted to fly again. Proper flying, not whatever it was driving a starship counted as. Sure that was space travel, but it didn't have the same sense of discovery it had in his NASA days. This might be a step in the direction though. "When do I start?"

"I see no point in delaying it," Abigail said with a smile. "Computer, please enter into ships records that on this day Lieutenant Commander William Rogers has officially been appointed as Second Officer aboard the USS Astraea."

"Pawn to Bishop 4."

Abigail sighed softly. "Computer, again, please enter into ships records that on this day Lieutenant Commander William Rogers has officially been appointed as Second Officer aboard the USS Astraea."

"Knight to King's Rook 3. Knight to Knight 5" came the automated response.

Glancing toward Ichiko, Abigail shook her head slightly. "Another glitch to add to the ever growing list?"

Ichiko simply shook her head, "A fool's gambit, Lance to adv..." she paused, "Of course. Chess." she returned to the here and now. "I submitted a list of current glitches to the Engineering department, trying to rule out a physical issue. In the meantime, Mister Rogers, welcome to the upper echelon of command. Abigail and I meet every morning when possible to drink tea and chai, eat ginger snap cookies, and prepare mentally for the day. I doubt you're being there would be an issue. Instead, it may offer a new perspective."

"In the Ts'usugi Navy, a promoted officer is given three days to prepare for the new title, new responsibility, and potentially new rank. Given our current state of computer efficiency, I hope you won't mind waiting a few days for it to be official?"

"Waiting won't be a problem, ma'am." Buck chuckled ruefully. "I've got a lot of experience at it."

Ichiko gave a soft smile, "So, let me ask you something. I like to know the hopes and dreams of my crew. Their desires and ambitions." a pause, "What motivates you, Mister Rogers? What's the one thing you'd leap at the chance for?" a pause, "If you don't mind my asking, that is."

There was quiet for a moment while Buck pondered the question. "Don't think I have an answer for that second one, Ma'am." He admitted a little reluctantly. "As for what motivates me?" There was a shake of the head. "Growing up you'd get told if you worked hard you could be anything you set your mind to. You could be the President. And it was all bullshit. If you weren't born into money and power you never stood a chance: the system was rigged against you from the start. But now?" Buck shrugged. "That's all been done away with. Or so I'm told." He wasn't entirely sure that was the case. Even after a decade and a half it still seemed too good to be true; and in his experience such things that seemed to good to be true usually weren't. "I want to see what I can do now I'm not being held back by the economic circumstances I was born into."

Ichiko gave a nod after thinking on his answer, "I admire your ambition. The drive to better oneself, break through what obstacles life puts before you. You let either of us know if there's anything standing between you and your goal." she paused, "And if there's anything you want to try, want to strive for, just give the word. As I'm certain there are on Earth, there are many stories in the history of my people where a son or daughter of Ts'usu rises up from the ranks, becoming ... pardon the term, more then they were ever meant to be."

A small nod was given by way of reply. As much as he appreciated the support, Buck was fully aware of what the biggest obstacle he faced was. he also knew it wasn't in their power to overcome it.

Without further comment, Ichiko turned her attention back to Abigail. The floor was her's.

Abigail smiled appreciatively. Ichiko had a way with words, it was one of the traits she admired most about her Executive Officer. "Yes, exactly as Commander Gail indicated, if there is anything we can do to help you along the way, please tell us. Maybe take a few days to think about things? Enjoy some down time, Gods know, you've more than earned it Commander Rogers. The real work will start after we leave Earth." She said with a warm smile. "Welcome to the Command Team, I look forward to you joining us."