So Jack, how did you spend your shore leave?

Posted on Friday 23 December 2022 @ 18:13 by Captain Melody Jones

Mission: Revelations
Location: Tempory Office, DS21
Timeline: MD20 1300
1271 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

"Chief Macgyver, could you join me in my office please? Room 113-A, Habitat ring level 21 section Baker?"

Almost fifteen minutes later, Jack walked into the office. He didn’t immediately look up from the hand PADD he was tapping away at, but as soon as he came to a stop on the other side of Melody’s desk, he paused his work and looked up at her, “something I can help you with Captain? Hope everything is ok”

Melody stood and held to her hand, greeting him warmly. "Chief, don't worry. Everything is fine. Please have a seat. I've been catching up with the crew. I find a starship operates best when the Captain pays attention to the thoughts and well-being of her crew. Especially after a very difficult and trying event." referring to the quantum filament incident that had necessitated the refit and repairs here at Deep space 21.

"So tell me, did you have an enjoyable shore leave?"

Jack nodded, "I did thank you. I should take shore leave more often, apparently it's quite relaxing. Who would've figured that?" he said with a grin, "how about yourself Captain? how're the kids?"

"The boys are doing just fine. They seem just as comfortable sleeping on the station as they did sleeping on Ba'ku. Sansa is remaining on the Station for about another month, she's helping with a planetary survey of the new colony. She's cataloguing all the aquatic life. She has mentioned you in conversation, how you helped her out of a turbolift but that you weren't allowed near her wardrobe. Some kind of an inside joke between you two I hope?" she added with a curious expression.

Jack smiled, “it was a purely innocent interaction I can assure you. As I was helping Sansa, I mean Ms Jones, out of the disabled turbolift, her shirt caught on a sharp piece of tritanuim around the rim of the emergency hatch and was torn off of her. After which she fell on top of me due to the sudden increase in force. I swear I didn’t touch her at all after that point and we had a nice drink in the lounge the next day to have a chat and laugh about it. Oh, that reminds me, did you like the bottle I gave to her to give to you?”

"Hmmm, innocent you say.." she replied with a sly smile. "I'll take your word for it Chief. As for the bottle, yes, I was meaning to thank you for that. I haven't had the chance to try any yet. Anyway, back to business. Now that the refit is complete, the operations department will have its hands full with all the new system testing. Have you been back on board the Merlin yet?"

Jack shook his head, "not yet, but I'm sure the Ops Chief will have a list of jobs for me a kilometre long. Are there any systems you'd like us to prioritize, or should we just start from deck 1 and work our way down?"

"That's something I've been meaning to talk to you about. With Commander Mcphee being promoted to XO, our operations chief position has become available. I've spoken with him about it and we feel that you deserve a chance at this position. What do you say? It would mean a promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Junior grade as well."

For the first time in quite a while, Jack was lost for words. Did he hear her right, she was offering him not only a promotion but a commission? Taking a moment to process, Jack cleared his throat before looking back to Melody, "I'm sorry ma'am, did you just say you wanted to make me an officer?"

Melody smiled. "Indeed I did. I discussed this with the XO earlier today and I've been going over your crew evaluation report while you've been onboard. I also pulled your academy file form before you dropped out to join the Marines. Many of your teachers at the academy commented that you had the potential to make a fine officer and were saddened when you decided to leave. Your performance on this ship has been very good I think you deserve this opportunity to spread your wings, so to speak."

Giving a sigh, Jack took a moment to think it over. This was going to be a big step for him, and with his budding relationship with Peral and her own transfer to security, would his becoming an officer put too much strain on the relationship? Looking back to Melody with a determined look on his face, Jack gave her a nod, "alright, sign me up Captain. I've never been one to shy away from a challenge"

"I'm glad to hear it." Melody stood and went over to her desk, taking a small wooden box out of one of the drawers. She came back over and stood in front of Jack. "I hereby appoint you to chief operations officer with the rank of Lieutenant Junior grade. Congratulations Lieutenant MacGuyver."

Looking at the box in Melody’s hands with a bit of surprise, Jack reached out and took hold of it, “so that’s it? I don’t need some kind of extra training? Just slap a few pips on and call it a day”

Melody laughed. "Not quite. I believe your service to this vessel has provided you with practical experience combined with your time spent at the academy warrants this promotion. What you do with it, well that's up to you. I shall make any material you missed from your incompleted years available to you and if you feel like you require extra training come and see the XO. I'm sure he'll be happy to assist you. At the end of the day, this is your career and your decision and it will be a challenge but I have faith in you."

She paused and took a breath. "So, are you still interested in the position?"

Giving a moment of thought, Jack looked up from the box in his hands and gave Melody a confident nod, “Operations Chief MacGyver reporting for duty Captain”

Melody smiled. "Good, I think you've made the right decision." She handed him a PADD. "Here's that list of jobs you can delegate out now. I think it's just over 3 kilometres long." She said deadpan but after a few moments, laughed.

Taking hold of the PADD, Jack gave it a quick skim over before nodding, "right, well looks like we've got our work cut out for us. Anywhere you would like me to start, or should I just work through these systems alphabetically?"

Melody smiled thoughtfully “I trust you to use your own good judgment, might I suggest this time, to start with the primary systems and then move on to the secondary ones?”

Giving a half smile, Jack gave Melody the largest eye roll he could muster, “and here I was thinking I’d start with waist extraction. Well I’m glad I didn’t waste my time” he said, leaving the pun hanging there.

Melody looked at him for a moment and smiled as she shook her head. "What was it they used to say? Ah, yes... Don't give up your day job."

“Oh, I wouldn’t miss this job for the world. It’s too much fun” Jack replied before flashing one of his boyish smiles.


OFF:

●●●● Captain Melody Jones
Commanding Officer
USS Merlin


>>>* Chief Petty Officer Johnathan "Jack" MacGyver
Operations Specialist
USS Merlin