Conferring with the Admiralty

Posted on Mon Jan 10th, 2022 @ 3:49am by Commander Jennifer Baldric & Commander Finchley Kerr & Commander Dean House

Mission: Gamma Quadrant
Location: Ready Room

Commander Jennifer Baldric strode out of the briefing room and towards the Captain's Ready Room. She had no idea what to expect as the doors opened to reveal what was to become her temporary office. It appeared styled in a minimalist cross between efficient Starfleet and the soulful ancient Bajoran taste. She admired it for a moment before rounding the desk and opening a channel to Starfleet Command and advising them of the current situation.

20 minutes later she closed the channel and sat back with a sigh. The Admiralty agreed with her position to step up as acting commanding officer, under the supervision of Commodore S'Thenosis who was already on board. Whilst she didn't feel like she needed a chaperone, she was glad there was one on board.

That only left the matter of the command structure to attend to. She paged the officers concerned, and waited.

Dean glanced up since he'd taken his station again after the briefing. Just leaving it on standby for the moment. Pretty sure he'd been behaving. Turning to hit the chime, even though they were called. Coming in once said to enter.

"Come in" The young brash officer called from behind the large desk. She dared not touch anything yet, only the desk computer. An array of reports and padds lay in a neat pile to one side either awaiting attention or awaiting collection - she wasn't sure.

"You wanted to see me, ma'am?" Dean had been in there before but gave another look around again anyway. Moving over to behind one of the chairs.

" Indeed I did, please take a seat Lt House" Jennifer eyeballed the officer and tried to size him up. She'd read the profile but nothing compares to an actual conversation in order to make up one's mind. Captain Kaylen had written highly about the two men who would be in this office this morning, and she felt it necessary to talk to them first before making up her mind completely.

Shifting around the chair, one hand on the top of it as he did, Dean sat down. Not really sizing her up, there was a little bit he didn't need to. There were certain things she'd already made evident about her self. Giving her a light smile.

" Captain Kaylen speaks highly of you Mr House, particularly of your efforts during the time 'in the jungle' as she so succinctly put it. " She tried to draw the man out in conversation. " She didn't elaborate overly, but "I'm sure her words are validated"

"That's kind of her to say, and the jungle was interesting. Though I had a couple missteps. I tried my best. Not as 'proud' if you want to call it during the other marooned situation. I got the race right but didn't interpret a few things right. No one's perfect." Dean rubbed his nose, "What exactly did she say?"

" I can't reveal that precisely, but know she speaks highly of you, as she does of Commander Kerr who should be joining us shortly" Baldric glanced towards the door.

"Well that's not exactly fair. Teasing with something said or in a review report and dangling it." Ever-so-slightly wiggling his head back and forth a moment. "Either way, I'll take it," Dean said. "Since you know about that and your position right now, that should mean you read the reports. Your evaluation?"

"My evaluation, and that of Captain Kaylen from her notes and that of the Admiralty is that in light of our current predicament you be field promoted to the rank of Commander and assume the role of First Officer" Balric dropped the bombshell and waited for any explosions.

Finchley entered the Captains briefing room, approaching the desk he said "My apologies Sir, I was finishing up my report just as I was asked to report here."

"Thank you for coming Commander, please take a seat" she indicated the vacant chair next to Dean's. "We were just discussing the current command structure."

He'd also heard the end of the conversation the CO had been having with Dean, said "Congratulations on your promotion Commander" and looking at the new CO added "Also on your promotion Sir."

Dean nodded a little, looking to Finchley once he came in and at the congratulations, "Thank you."

"And to you as well Commander, I have chosen you to be the Sunfire's second officer, if you're up to the task" Baldric eyeballed the newly arrived officer.

"Thank you Sir, I appreciate your trust in me, and yes, I have every confidence in myself that I can carry out the position of Second Officer to the very best of my abilities" Finchley replied keeping strong eye contact with Baldric.

"I'll advise Command of the change in Command structure, is there anything else?" She eyed the two before her, wondering how the crew were going to manage this much change in such a short period of time. She made a mental note to try and contact Captain Kaylen and advise her of the situation.

Finchley stood up and said "I have nothing Captain, if you'll excuse me Sir, I need to file then send the report I've compiled and also have my Assistant Chief check up on some reports we received as I came here."

"Very well then, congratulations Gentlemen. I can't say this will be easy given the number of changes we've had to make, but I'm sure we'll get by" she reassured them.

"I don't believe I have any questions at the moment. If I think of any I'm sure you'll hear about them. Also congratulations on Second Officer, Finchley." Dean gave a light smile.

"Thank you Sir" Finchley replied, nodding back.

"If there's nothing else, dismissed, let's get this show on the road..I'll make the appropriate announcements to the crew. Please utilise whatever resources you need to to make this transition as smooth as possible" Baldric advised as she sat back against the high backed chair.

"Sir, and Sir" Finchley replied, rising from his seat. He turned and left the Ready Room, hopeful that when he returned to his console, Karadis had finished checking up on the reports.

Jennifer watched as they both left the Ready Room and sank back against the chair in relief. She still had to send the required files and reports off to Command but for now, 5 minutes she would take to compose herself before she headed out onto the bridge. There was another senior staff briefing that needed to be held first thing this afternoon to inform everyone of the new command structure and their mission parametres. But for now - 5 minutes of peace.