Setting Things Straight

Posted on Wed Oct 11th, 2017 @ 9:49am by Captain Michelle Bartlett

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/3
Location: XO's Office

Bowman was in her own office, not quite ready to move to the Ready Room yet. Even on a Cardassian ship, it would have been appropriate to not take the former Gul's office within hours after his or her death. She figured she would start using the Ready Room tomorrow, maybe even later given the propensity of these Federation types to mourn and grieve. It was almost revolting to her in some ways. Certainly not her command style on board her own ship. But then, they were Cardassians. They didn't need such foolish reflections. To die in service to the state was an honour. Not a tragedy.

She was about to report to her order when her door chimed. She cursed under her breath in Cardassian.. 'Time to put on my Starfleet face'. she thought to herself. "Come in." she called out.

"Commander." Michelle said. "I just wanted to update you on the watch since I haven't seen you this morning."

"I've been reviewing briefing reports and trying to get caught up." Bowman said. "A lot fell by the wayside yesterday."

"I can assist in any way if you want to send me some of those to review." Michelle offered. She'd had no use for Bowman's behaviour the last few months, but they were now in command of the men and women aboard. Hostility had to give way to co-operation. Even if it was just temporary.

"You don't need to worry about these." Bowman said. "Your responsibility should be your watch. I'll handle the reports."

"Of course, ma'am." Michelle said as she noticed a PADD with a Cardassian Novel called the Never Ending Sacrifice on the desk. "You read Cardassian literature?"

"My father introduced me to it when he was posted to the Demilitarized Zone. You pick a few things up when you're out there. This is one of the finest Cardassian novels ever written. The story of generation after generation of public servants living their lives in duty to a higher cause. I think he found it fitting. Though I think most other humans found it boring"

'Other humans?' Michelle asked, catching that slip. "Maybe I'll have to see what the fuss is about. Otherwise, Ma'am... I just wanted you to know that we're obviously going to have to put aside any disagreements we may have had now for the sake of the crew. If there's anything I can do..."

"If there's anything you can do, I'll be sure to let you know. I expect this crew to do their jobs and perform to the expectations set for them regardless of this tragedy. To be honest with you I actually had a different First Officer in mind. But... Apparently the Commodore had other plans." Bowman replied.

"I'm sure the Commodore wasn't trying to interfere." Michelle said. "I just have experience in the job is all and I think he wanted--"

"Drop the act, Commander." Bowman said irritably. "Myers doesn't trust me. Nor did Captain Ross. In fact, I'm pretty sure that had things gone differently, you would be measuring the drapes in this office and I would be reading up on my next assignment. Because it's no secret that the Captain wanted to replace me. I know what "we need to talk at 0700" really meant."

"With all due respect, ma'am... What conclusion was Captain Ross to draw following yesterday's briefing? You tore apart the mission, questioned the integrity and worth of a Federation ally in this sector, suggested that we should just take the Klingon Empire's word that no wrongdoing was committed when evidence clearly suggests otherwise, and have been frankly a little too hostile to Engineering as they try and figure out what the hell went wrong with most of the systems on our ship. Not to mention, have seemingly been overtly hostile towards Federation policy. Were it not for your history and your background, some might say--"

"Say nothing more, Commander. Or I will confine you to quarters the rest of this mission." Bowman said. "Someone too chicken shit to take the command chair doesn't have the right to question my suitability to command. I'll make this simple for you. You will carry out my orders. You will not question my orders in public or in private, and if I give an order, your only response is to back it up and ensure it's carried out, regardless of your almighty morality. This isn't going to be some love-in where we have tea every morning and discuss ship affairs. You have your job and I expect you to do it. The same as any other member of this crew. No more. No less. Is that clear?" Bowman asked.

"Quite so, ma'am." Bartlett replied. "However, you should know something... I take my role as First Officer seriously whether this is a temporary arrangement or not. I will carry out your orders and do what you expect. But if I find you are endangering this ship, it's crew, and if you act in a way contrary to the principles we have both taken an oath to uphold, I will use everything within MY authority as First Officer to stop you. And I think you will find that I'm not just some good wishy washy little diplomat." she said. "Ma'am." she added as she began to walk away.

"I didn't dismiss you, Commander." Bowman said.

"May I return to the bridge?" Michelle asked.

"You may. Dismissed." Bowman said as Michelle left. This woman was going to have to be dealt with... She couldn't have her getting in the way of her orders.

END

Commander Olivia Bowman
Acting Commanding Officer
USS Wellington

Commander Michelle Bartlett
Acting Executive Officer
USS Wellington