Changing Things Up

Posted on Wednesday 5 October 2016 @ 03:42 by Captain John "Apollo" Barstow, M.D. & Commander Cale Llewellyn DSci & Captain Melody Jones & Major David Scarlet

Mission: Old, New Ship
Location: Bridge
Timeline: MD8
1222 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

John sat in the command chair reading over the latest transfers. Lieutenant Eleena had been rushed away by command and they were trying to send him an officer fresh from the Academy. Barstow rubbed his chin and thought momentarily, he didn't mind fresh officers, but with what was happening plus their mission going to deep space he wanted to have someone a little more seasoned manning tactical. After a second he typed in the orders saying the position had been filled before standing, "Cale, Melody, can you join me in the ready room, please? And have Master at Arms Scarlet join us as well."

Melody who was sat at the helm activated the comm system "Crewman Scarlet please report to the Captains Ready Room." She then turned and walked over to Cale, an ensign taking her place. She raised an eyebrow "You know what this is about?" she asked him.

Cale nodded to the captain and rose from his chair and followed him into the ready room. "Not a clue, Mel. Sorry."

=/\= On my way sir. Do you require a security team? =/\=

Even before they answered, Crewman Scarlet had already begun moving to the turbolift toward the bridge. It would only take seconds to assembly a security team from those posted on various decks.

Melody responded over the comm "No That's not necessary, just yourself." She fell in behind Cale and the Captain. She got the feeling that Barstow was rather disappointed with her at the moment. The Captains usual easy going tone with her had been replaced with a much more formal one in her opinion. Melody also got the feeling she was being given the silent treatment as talk on the bridge had been minimal and she and the Captain had not really talked much since the Saveena incident. She also got the feeling that starting any kind of conversation other than official was going to be hard. Was she being paranoid? Even Cale was being short and direct with his answers. No time for chit chat.

"You asked to see us, Captain?" Cale asked as the three officers filed into the ready room. Cale was wondering why the captain had been generating anger like waves. But he was doing better at 'controlling' the emotional backwash after his last session with Ensign T'Lar. He was also gaining better control over the way he handled over peoples emotions as well as developing a new ability; projection and redirection of his emotions and other peoples.

The Commander nodded, "Lieutenant Eleena has been reassigned and the only officers Starfleet can send to us for tactical are Ensigns that were graduated last week," he explained and sat on the edge of his desk and stretched his legs out, crossing his ankles, "I know everyone has to start somewhere, however, we're still cutting our teeth ourselves and I don't want to have a fresh Ensign cutting their teeth as a department head just get. So, I am going to promote Scarlet, he taught at the Academy and on training cruises. I'd like to know if either of you would have any objections to giving him a field commission to Lieutenant j g?"

"I for one don't have any problem with that, Sir. He's been a model crewmember. And if he doesn't have any objection, I certainly don't. Mel what are your thoughts on this one?" Cale said and questioned Melody at the same time.

Melody nodded in agreement "I'd have to agree with Cale Sir, Crewman Scarlett has done an excellent job." Melody was still treating things more formally at the moment, and was so still standing at attention.

Being requested to the Captain's ready room, Crewman Scarlet buzzed the door and promptly entered when it slid open. He glanced at the gathered officers and frowned a little was this something else regarding Lieutenant Saveena? If so, shouldn't Major Johnson and Lieutenant Eleena be here as well? He quickly looked to the Captain. "I was requested sir?"

"Yes, I did. Have you heard about Lieutenant Eleena?" John asked and stood up from the edge of his desk.

Cale couldn't help but smile at the crewman. After his performance on Dashit and his supreme professionalism made his a model crewmate. Despite the fact that he didn't say much made him all the more mysterious and that was something Cale found intriguing. A little too intrigued if you asked him.

"Only recently sir." Crewman Scarlet replied crisply. "I have been busy ensuring that the department is set up and running smoothly until the new CSO arrives." He paused for a moment and frowned. "You were given adequate notice sir? I didn't know that I should be the one to inform you as usually it is the duty of the individual to inform the commanding officer."

John nodded and motioned to Cale to grab the box off his desk, "Lieutenant Scarlet, what if I told you the new chief had been here for a while already?" he asked with a smirk, intentionally using the new rank, "and, in fact, you know them intimately."

Cale moved to grab the box off the captain's desk. He realized what this was now. 'Apollo, you are one sly fox aren't you?' he thought to himself. Cale then

Scarlet's eyes went wide and the colour drained from his face. "Sir? I'm not an officer." He paused for a moment and glanced at Lieutenant Commander Llewellyn. "I do not have officer training sir."

"Nice try, Lieutenant. Our captain doesn't always go with training as with innate ability. Hence my being elevated to First Officer after having only been a lieutenant for a year," Cale said after Scarlet tried to weasel his way out of this promotion. "Congratulations, Mr. Scarlet."

Melody had kept very quiet during this exchange, still getting an uneasy feeling from the Captain. She offered her hand to Scarlett. "Congratulations Lieutenant. I'm sure you'll do just fine as an officer."

Scarlet was stunned into silence. Lieutenant? Lieutenant Scarlet? He looked around at the three officers in the room with him. He looked down for a moment and after a bit of hesitation he stood firmly at attention. "Sir, I accept the position and promotion."

Still a bit nervous and in shock, Scarlet managed to shake the hands that were offered him while still avoiding the box with the pips in it. "Thank you..." He reached out to take the box finally. "I... I will put the pips on once I get myself settled into the office and... position."

John nodded with a smile, "good. I know you don't like the officer pip's, David, but, I'm glad to have you heading things up," the CO replied happily.

Cale turned to the new lieutenant, placed a hand on his shoulder and spoke, "I feel the same way, David. Your expertise will be greatly appreciated.

"Thank you again sir." Scarlet looked down at the box one last time before snapping to attention. "Lieutenant Scarlet, Chief Security Officer reporting for duty. Request to return to station sir."

"Granted, dismissed, Lieutenant," John replied with a smile.

OFF:

Commander John "Apollo" Barstow, M.D.
Commanding Officer
USS Merlin

Lieutenant Commander Cale Llewellyn
Executive Officer
USS Merlin


Lieutenant Melody Jones
Second officer / Chief flight control officer
USS Merlin

Lieutenant David Scarlet
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Merlin