Making an Offer

Posted on Fri Aug 13th, 2021 @ 3:08am by Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen

Mission: Gamma Quadrant
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: Current

The Sunfire was returning to DS9 after a short but exciting trip through the wormhole. An encouter with Jem'Hadar ships and the rescue of a Bajaron transport ship and it's crew and passengers.

Captain Kaylen was in her ready room, signing off the repair requests they were submitting through to DS9 for the more substantial damage the crew couldn't repair themselves. Whilst it wasn't extensive it would still take a few days to get everything done and be read to head back into the Gamma Quadrant. She did have a few matters to attend to in the meantime, there were a few crew transfers happening at DS9, including a highly qualified Strategetic Operations officer. Rhenora looked over the crew roster and knew that Thomas Halderman, the Captain responsible for 'The Game' in the jungle a few months ago was currently serving in that role. Whilst he was performing admirably in the role, she had another idea for his skillset.

"Captain to Halderman - please report to my ready room" She paged the fellow Captain.

Thomas was in his and Alison's quarters when Rhenora's call came through. "Haldeman to Captain Kaylen. I will be there shortly." He replied and a few minutes later he was standing outside the doors the the Captain's ready room. As he stood there his finger posed above the chime wondering what the Captain wanted to see him about. "Press the chime Thomas. You aren't going to find out anything standing here.*

The Captain waited inside, reviewing the decision she had made about where to use Halderman's talent. He was a tried and tested Starship Captain - he had also made a rather large error of judgement in order to keep his crew alive. Something she could empathise with. His service had been exemplary on the Liberty and now the Sunfire and she hoped he would be willing to entertain the thought of stretching his skills a little further.

Thomas pressed the chime announcing his presence and trying very hard not to overthink the reason he had been summoned. Perhaps Rhenora was going to tell him he had been restored to Captain and was again getting his own command.

" Come in" The voice from inside the small office echoed from inside, cueing the small double doors to slide open.

Hearing the command to come in, Thomas entered the room and walked up to the desk Rhenora was seated behind. "You wanted to see me Rhenora er Captain." He asked, forgetting he and Rhenora were no longer fellow Captains.

Rhenora looked up as Thomas entered, guesturing towards the vacant seat opposite her. "Please come in, take a seat. Would you like some coffee? Ronson is trying to tempt me with a new blende" She indicated the steaming coffee pot and two mugs that sat to the side of her desk.

Thomas slid into the seat, "I would actually." He admitted, wondering just what the Captain's yeoman had cooked up.

The Captain smiled and poured a cup, the delicious aroma permeating the office like a thick pleasant smelling fog.
"I find it most satisfying" She handed the cup over to Thomas and waited for his opinion.

Thomas took the offered cup and took a sip. "Hmmm. This is good. A most pleasant and pleasing taste. Did Ronson happened to tell you the name of this blend? Alie would like it as well. I'm sure of it."

" I don't believe he has named it yet - although I think he's attempting to keep up with my ever changing cravings and taste changes." Rhenora admitted, taking another sip of the coffee before setting the mug down on the desk. "So tell me Thomas, how have you been finding Strategic Operations?"

Thomas chuckled at the comment about Ronson as he took another sip. "Well whatever he ends up calling it, I want some." He looked over the top of the cup at her "It's fine. It was my first posting, so I am comfortable with it and it with me. Like an old glove.

" I see" She contemplated the rim of her mug for a moment, tracing the outer edge with a fingertip as she considered her next move. "How would you feel about stretching your skills a little?"

He sighed, his hopes dashed about regaining his rank along with a new command. He tried to hide his disappointment but was sure if he was entirely successful. "Stretch my skills how?" He asked cautiously.

Rhenora read his expression and could see the internal disappointment despite his efforts to conceal it. She could understand the emotion, how his dreams of command still a distant hope.
" We've been without a diplomatic chief since T'Strella left us a few months ago considering our mission to the Gamma Quadrant - I feel this will be a vital position and something that would draw on your extensive experience."

He was quiet as he listened to Rhenora voice her reasons along with buttering him up. "I see." He said lapsing into silence again before he spoke. "You want me to be the chief diplomat?" He sighed, "How much penance do I have to continue to pay?"

" I can't answer that, until Command are satisfied I guess." She admitted with a sad smile " I can't change that, all I can do is give you the opportunity to use your skills in the best way I can"

"How's that? By shuffling me off to the chief diplomat position and staying out of the way?" He countered. The hurt coming through. He wasn't mad at Rhenora. It was those in the Admiralty he was mad with. "Kirk broke the Prime Directive, the Temporal Prime Directive and he's viewed as a legend. I kept my crew alive and I'm a pariah."

" We're not in Kirk's era anymore. I can't answer for the Admiralty's decision. But think of it this way - when was the last time you were in a First Contact situation? Not counting the Jungle planet of course" She countered with an even tone.

"No, we aren't." Thomas admitted. "As for my last First Contact situation. It was over ten years ago." He looked at Rhenora, "You sure you want me for this?"

" You're more than Strategic Operations, you could do that role blindfolded with your arms behind your back. I think you need a challenge. And I need a Diplomat" She admitted with a wry smile "I'll get Ronson to make your coffee?"

Tom had to chuckle at Rhenora's attempt to get him to accept the chief diplomat position. "I can't argue with what you said about Strat Ops and getting Ronson to make me coffee is tempting. Do you I at least get a promotion out of this? If I accept of course."

She raised an eyebrow at him, knowing he understood the chain of command as well as she did " You know I can't do that...." her words were a quiet apology. He could only be promoted back to Captain if the Admiralty was happy with his performance, and if he was promoted he would be given his own command again.

He shook his head, "I don't mean to captain Rhenora. I know you can't do that. It has to come from Command but you could promote me to Lt. Commander." He explained.

" If your performance in your new role reflects your performance in your old role I may do that" She kept her options open but her cards close to her chest.

He sighed, "I save my crew I get demoted. I take a new position and I'm asked to move and now move again and I get nothing in return but vague promises. Not very confidence building."

"Confidence building perhaps not, but character building and profile building - definately. Every step you take brings you closer to proving to command you are ready for the chair again." Rhenora encouraged, taking another sip of the coffee " I know this is hard for you"

"Forgive me Rhenora but how do you know? Were you stripped of your command? Demoted and made to do penance until someone decided enough was enough? I may never sit in the center seat again. People want me to be a team player and I have been but they aren't being very fair with me." Thomas replied. "Furthermore what do I have to prove? Pull my record. I'll match it against anyone's."

"You'd be surprised" Rhenora replied with a twisted smile, she left the rest unsaid regarding being demoted. "All I can say is playing by the book does eventually pay off"

"I've played by the book my entire career and look where it's gotten me." Tom snapped.

" And I used to be a Rear Admiral. But one day I made a call that I thought was right, and others thought otherwise. Took me 5 years to get back in the centre chair of a starship" Few knew the vague details, and even fewer knew what actually happened. "So believe me when I say I can empathise with how you feel"

Tom's eyes widen at Rhenora's admission. "I had no idea maybe you do at that." He admitted "However it doesn't change the here and now and it sure as hell isn't making me feel any better."

"I'm not trying to make you feel better, I'm trying to get you to see this as an opportunity to prove yourself and to prove to those higher up that you can make the right decisions, whilst getting into some potential first contact situations" Rhenora explained, tracing the rim of the coffee mug again. "We're not out to get you Thomas, the opposite in fact"

"I made the right decisions for years, now it seems everyone doubts me." He sighed. "Fine, I'll be your chief diplomat for all the good it will do." Thomas was hurt and angry a whole career ruined because someone didn't think he should have kept his crew, his family alive.

" Hopefully it will do a lot of good, there are many situations I'm sure we will encounter that will benefit from your experience and expertise." Rhenora tried to remain positive.

Thomas shook his head, "I'm not mad with you Rhenora but rather the entire situation. As for it doing any good, time will tell. Though I'm not very hopeful based on past and current events."

"I'm glad you're not mad a me, it's a situation and we will both get through it in the best way we know how. Now that the business is over, what are you and Allison planning for your shoreleave time?" She asked.

"I don't think we have any concrete plans though knowing Alie she'll want to hit the shops." Thomas replied with a smile. "You and Remal have any plans?"

" We're going home to our cabin I think, the rebuild has started and it gives us a good excuse to get away from everything for a few days " Rhenora smiled at the thought of their cottage by the beach. "When we finish you'll have to visit"

"Sounds restful and beautiful. Perhaps the four of us can have dinner together sometime." Thomas answered. "I'm sure Alie would be all for it."

" I would very much like that" The Captain admitted as her thoughts turned to the cabin on the beach. "Hopefully it won't be too long - a few months maybe until its finished."

"I'd like us to have dinner together before a few months Rhenora. Just saying." Tom quipped putting the last few minutes squarely behind him. He didn't want to lose a friend especially a good one like Rhenora.

" Of course, and I'd enjoy that very much" The Bajoran replied with a smile. " In the meantime - go enjoy your time off, you deserve it - we all do"

Thomas rose, "As would we. I will leave you to your work Captain and I apologize for my earlier mood. It was in no way a reflection of my feelings to you and our friendship. I only hope you can forgive me and I haven't damaged our friendship."

" I can assure you that is not the case, I can understand your feelings of frustration and empathise with how you are feeling. Think nothing more of it " The Captain replied with a smile, extending her hand in the tradition of a handshake.

Thomas reacted instantly, clasping Rhenora's hand within his in a firm yet warm handshake that reaffirmed their lasting friendship. "Thank you Rhenora."

" Now go enjoy enjoy your shoreleave - that's an order" Kaylen released his hand with a warm smile.

"Aye, aye Captain. I can assure you, we'll give it our best shot." Thomas replied flashing a smile that hadn't been seen much up until now. "You enjoy yourself at your cabin and remember to relax."

" I will do my best, of that I can assure you" She replied as she returned to her seat. "I meet Remal in half an hour, I just need to finish these reports then I'm out of here"

"Enough said. I won't keep you from getting out of here." Tom replied as he exited the room.