Meeting my Staff

Posted on Thursday 7 July 2016 @ 03:36 by Lieutenant Commander David Tan
Edited on on Thursday 7 July 2016 @ 03:58

Mission: Old, New Ship
Location: Deck 5: Main Security Office
Timeline: Following CO Meeting
778 words - 1.6 OF Standard Post Measure

Following his meeting with Commander Barstow, David decided to take a tour of the ship. While familiar with the schematics, there was no substitute for looking with one’s own eyes … He had started on the Bridge before making his way to numerous Departments, finally ending his ‘tour’ on Deck five, where the Main Security Office, the Tactical Office, and the Tactical Information Center were located …

He had contacted this two Deputies, Lieutenants jg, Emma McNeil, over Security, and Raf Green, Deputy tactical Officer, and had them meet him in the TIC … Entering, he couldn’t help be impressed with the room, it was almost completely circular, save for the section of bulkhead containing the heavy blast doors, with a large control console in the middle, akin to Stellar Cartography on a Galaxy Class Star Ship. Six Officers could be seated easily at the console, allowing full spherical information to be viewed.

"Lieutenant’s …." He said, approaching the two younger Officers, “I’m lieutenant Tan, the new Chief, I’m going to make a stab here and say you are Lieutenant Green.” He said, turning his attention to the tall male.

"Yes Sir, but …." The man began, but David got in first.

"You don’t strike me as an ‘Emma’ Lieutenant." He said, a wry grin forming, "OK, do you want to give me a rundown of what we have going on at the moment, and any issues you think worthy of mention right away." Raf deferred to Emma to begin, they sat in his office and she provided a precise update of the Security Section of his Department, Raf then followed with a Tactical report:

"Thank you both, exactly what I needed. I can see we’re going to get on just fine you guys." David said, leaning forward, fingers interlaced on the table, his two Deputies opposite, "I have no idea what sort of protocol’s Commander Barstow employs with his Department Heads, on the Galapagos, and yes, I know this isn’t the Galapagos, but over there we held briefings under something called a 'Chinese Parliament' basis, where rank isn't an issue, if you have a comment, suggestion, within reason of course, or query ,you could voice that without recrimination. We all left the proverbial school room a long time ago, some longer than others, so I'm not a fan of having to hold up a hand to be allowed to speak. I honestly think that a sense of familiarity can work wonders, it can forge tighter, stronger bonds between colleagues, and allows for the most important thing when working as a team .. Trust ! ... Now, I assume address on the Merlin will be formal until told otherwise, so before we all start saluting left right and center, let me just say that in here, with us three, I'm more than happy to run our briefings on a 'first name terms' basis. Of course, if you feel uncomfortable with that then feel free to go back to formal address."

He watched as his two Deputies eyed each other, obviously coming to some telepathically-agreed decision:

"We're happy to go with first names, Lieutenant." Raf Green said.

"Good, good … Personally, I think it makes for a better working relationship. There’s a chain of Command and we all know that, so if the need arises I'll be exercising my authority as Department Head in short order.” He said, an almost evil grin forming, "I want your suggestions for drills, Intruder, and Bio-hazard … We'll target the Bridge and Life support for both scenario's OK."

"We can begin working on them now Lieuten … David." Emma McNeil corrected herself.

"Get back to me in an hour with a brief synopsis. We will be rendezvousing with the USS Galapagos in, two hours five minutes, give or take, my Family is aboard and will be transferring to the Merlin."

"I heard that your wife will be opening a school for the children aboard, is that right ?" Emma asked.

"Yes, she'll be taking over education, basically moving the current tutors to one area, setting out classes and curriculum for each age group. All over my head, but there you go." He said, grinning, "You have a child Emma ?"

"A Daughter, Emmy …" she said, smiling, "No imagination with names, as you can tell."

"Emma and Emmy, sounds like a se ….."

"Shut up." The Deputy Chief of Security told her counterpart. Everyone laughed.

"OK, dismissed." David said, eyeing the chronometer over the door as the two got up to leave, "Oh, tell everyone I'll be meeting each of them in turn, nothing formal, just a quick 'Hello' kind of thing."

"Yes Sir." they replied in unison ..........