Meeting of the minds

Posted on Tue Jan 22nd, 2019 @ 11:59pm by Second Mate Quinton Beck & Second Mate Simon Starr & Master Steward Othor Jaxz Ghost of the Second Star
Edited on on Tue Jan 29th, 2019 @ 6:10pm

1,983 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Meanwhile...
Location: Agora
Timeline: Post mission 3

Start-

{Agora- still under construction}

He loved to work with his hands. his fathers before him had all made it a point to encourage manual labor, to seek the prize of the patient persistent art. Work is the only path to greatness, and work comes in all forms. The Agora was an ugly gouge missing from the Saucer Section, work was turning it into an Arboretum with a stellar view.

He heard her approach. She hadn't spoken to him since Dure's death. He wondered what brought her here.

Kas was appreciative of the overlook provided by the multiple floored promenade, there was even to be a space walk event ride company. She saw the ship mystic himself, working on his hands and knees.

"This is amazing Othor, I cannot believe the transformation." She really couldn't, so much of this ship had been gutted, what wasn't burned or wrecked, cobbled. He had taken the time to etch patterns into the metal gratings along the floor, it looked nice, even.

A warm smile and he tried to rise to his feet. Age, and a kneeling posture the last hour, made him hold his back and rise slowly, carefully.
"It's the little things that endear people. Plus I had to laser strip the rust, might as well create a mandala pattern in the process."

Kas felt the window for a graceful continuance slipping by, "So... Talloc being gone is a problem. We need a real person to fall back on when it goes up, this Marine outfit doesn't have a leader with Sheila gone and makes a piss poor security force."

With a knowing nod, Othor was prepared. "I have observed one of the deputies on board, Simon Starr. He was the one who arrested Talloc. Fair, punctual, tips well. He has been my go-to for talking to Starfleet workers who overstep as well. He speaks Fleet. If you'd like we can talk to him now, work crews won't be in here for another hour?"

He was always ready, always had the answer. He really was magic, of course they should select Simon, the man had stepped up and done the deed when they asked him. Doing the job before you got the title was an endearing quality to her.

"I'll leave you to it then, if you need help with filigree, Ina has quite the eye."

Othor considered that Kas and Ina were arguing, and for Kas to offer Ina's help a ploy to involve himself in the dispute. It was as close as Kas came to asking for help.

"I'd love to have her help, I will reach out in time. I think I have pies in the cooler to tempt the little ones with as well."

"Kora berry?"

Othor nodded, "and Chocolate Fudge brownies for picky picky Zala of course."

Kas smiled, she couldn't help it. The thought of her family filled her with pride, but it was also tainted by shame and self doubt. She had abandoned her familial obligations chasing a dream of vaguery and freedom. Chasing after her had killed Dure, and the reckoning on that was still to come.

"Business at hand..." a silent plea to herself for strength was all she said to bring focus back. Time for feelings later.

She tapped her badge,
=0= Kas Shar'Zhen to Deputy Starr, report to Agora Frank-3 on the double.

=0=I'm on my way, sir=0=

Being called to the Chief's office? Simon was thinking about things he had possibly done wrong. This wasn't the first time he had to be called. It happened in the fleet one too many times.

Kas looked at the eye level and saw holo-emitters. "Those working, Judah?"

Othor shook his head, "Installed, not powered. He can hear you well enough, just not reply."

Her badge chirped as if to confirm. Kas didn't miss a beat, "Judah I need to knows everything on Simon Starr you can gather in one minute."

Judah responds "I have managed to gather all Data on Simon Starr, at least what records we have access to. Human, Male, 32 years old.

"Simon Starr reached Lieutenant in Star fleet, he took longer than most to reach there. He was discharged when, well that is interesting" Judah said with his usual almost-human like tone

"Discharged as physically unfit for duty." Simon had been on the ship for some time, and apart from the Medical staff, he seemed to be as fit as the rest of the crew.

"Accessing medical records for him. It seems that during a combat scenario, his leg was torn right off. Doesn't mention against whom this other party was, but that would explain the discharge. Since then, his had operations and an artificial leg installed, but Starfleet decided that he would no longer be able to serve.

"There is also a note on his file... seems his chiefs weren't always fond of him, a few reprimands for disrespecting senior officers" Judah continued "Noted as direct, blunt and one note here of the rudest officer they have ever worked with." All those notes made by one person. A Lt. Commander Silver, Chief of Security on board the USS Fortune.

As Judah finishes, there was the sound of a turbolift door announcing Simon's arrival.

"Over here." She waved him over to her. The dim light made the deck and surrounding area more dark than she would have liked. Then again, she didn't plan on making this a long talk, it was up to Quinton and Fala really. She was a glorified Triage for candidates, and this guy was getting the offer no matter what, provided he didnt blow the interview. The nearby Concierge den offered a sensible place to discuss matters

Starr entered. "Hi, you wanted to see me?" he asked, glancing around the half built office a little, analysing the surroundings, as he stood just inside the entrance to the door.

"Please, take a seat, or if you prefer to stand... It's nice ot meet you in person, my thanks to your invaluable assistance yesterday. I got a summary of your situation, I see you didn't pass the physical bar for Starfleet Security at your last physical, but there is far less running and jumping on a ship like this. We would like to consider you for department head for ships security. You would need to exercise civility in the face of rude behavior, restraint over tactical completion of objectives, a beat cop in a friendly neighborhood is what the Captain said he wanted. If that makes sense to you?

"Well, Starfleet didn't really fit...at least after this happened anyway" he tapped on his leg, which was obviously more artificial, though the technology on prosthetics is now much improved, there is still the slight metallic knock of the systems connected to his nerves in the leg.

"It does make sense, sir. Keeping people safe in a way the people think it's a benefit, rather than someone getting in the way" he said. "As any good security officer should be." he added, as he began walking towards the desk to sit.

She appreciated the answer, "A light touch, yes. The Captain will need to brief you on other matters should you accept an offer from him, but we have vetted many candidates, you are the right choice we feel. It is of course, the Captain's decision. I needed to ask a few things before we went in though, to save us all time."

Simon knew that questions would start. His background made some of the crew question his true loyalty at first, until the day in engineering. Being the one to arrest Talloc showed that he didn’t let the past interfere with the crew he was currently serving. Kicking some ass had a way of bringing a group together to respect you as well. Starfleet had effectively kicked him aside anyway so this here was the chance he had worked so hard for. The looks from a number of the crew stopped after that day, there was a home here.

He nodded and replied “Of course, sir. Ask away,” anticipating the first question.

She wasn't used to military decorum, it was nice to have sometimes. "I shall, ask anything as it occurs to you."

Kas smirked, she liked to keep people guessing so she started with a joke, "Festivities from the last 24 hours not withstanding, do you understand that this job will likely kill you from a lack of sleep or sheer monotony?"

Simon looked Kas square in the eye and replied coldly “guard duty on Starbase One didn’t kill me, so if I didn’t die of boredom there that shouldn’t be an issue,” he began. “I don’t expect to have to arrest my direct commanding officer all the time,” and for the very first time since he got onto the ship, he loosened up a small amount after a pause “I don’t think I’ll get my next reference from Talloc,” suggesting that he knew she was attempting humour.

Her smile persisted, his small joke was the light touch she was looking for, the man could do the job, and be classy. Points to him.

"Talloc will likely find his career in need of a good reference, unfortunate he won't find it at the bottom of a bottle, which is the last image I had of him over at the officers commissary on Base. How long did you see yourself staying here?"

"I intend to be here for the long haul" Starr replied, continuing his more professional decorum. "I don't intend on leaving, that is for sure. And I also don't intend on facing the same fate as my predecessor, so I will be around for some time" he added.

"Anything from your past that might prove dangerous to the crew?"

"I'm ex-Starfleet. They have enemies, so if one comes looking then that would be the only danger that could come from my end. Also, I've been making sure the crew stay out of danger as much as possible, it's better to prevent it than deal with it from my experience," Starr replied. He knew his previous experience may bring some attention, but he never reached Captain, so he didn't think it too big an issue more than worth mentioning.

"Compensation, amenities, special requests?"

"Well, it goes without saying I get Talloc's office. Apart from that, everything else has been provided since I started on the ship, the crew have been rather accommodating thus far," Simon answered the question. "I'm a man of few needs, just what is needed to get the job done" he said matter-of-factly.

Kas appreciated the forthright nature of the man, so she made her mind up. "Safe to say I think you're a good fit, I'll pass the word to the Captain and Fala who may offer to meet with you. We got the Agora opening up tonight, should be a show, you'll need to take over coordination from the idio.... fellow who has it now. We can arrange backpay one the title transfer is complete, but effective now and pending captains approval, you got the job... Chief."

"Sounds good, I'll go and see the crewman now in regards to that, and get a progress report from him. I look forward to serving in the new position," Starr replied, and for a moment out of habit waited to be dismissed, then remembering things were more casual here, departed and headed to the office to sort out that meeting.

Othor knew the man had some demons, but untarnished souls plainly didnt exist past a certain age. He made a note to himself to make himself available to Simon whenever he was caught up. After all, he was their security, it was his duty to keep them safe. Othor knew it had to be someones duty to look after him.

-End-

Austen
Ben

 

RSS Feed