Better The Devil You Know

Posted on Sun Jun 21st, 2020 @ 3:51am by Captain Nycolas Temple & Lieutenant Commander Janet Glyndar
Edited on on Wed Jun 24th, 2020 @ 7:03am

Mission: New Moon Rising
Location: Ready Room

With the Pandora now on her way to the Carnwennan Corridor, Temple was pleased with how the launch operations had gone, and the crew's preparations to face the difficult task ahead. Wanting to ensure the next phase of their mission went off just as smoothly, Nyx had scheduled a meeting with Executive Officer, Lt. Commander Glyndar to discuss their progress.

Nyx was reclining on the small lounge in his office, reading a novel on his PADD, when he heard the door chime. He jumped to his feet and eagerly called out for his guest to enter.

"Come in!" He exclaimed.

Janet was looking forward to having some one on one time with her Commanding Officer. She knew from her past experiences that the crew of any starship were only as strong as their Command Department. She wanted her working relationship with Commander Temple to be as smooth working as it could be. She briskly walked into Ready Room, cutting straight to business. "You had requested to see me, Sir?" she said looking at the man.

"Indeed, Commander," Nyx replied with a smile, indicating to the seating area just near the far window. "Let's discuss a few matters, I'd like this to be the first of our weekly meetings."

Janet nodded "Of course, Sir" she said as she settled into a seat. "What did you have in mind to discuss?" she asked.

"First, let's review personnel," Nyx began, looking at his PaDD. "I've been most impressed by Ensign Griffin's work in the security department. He has been running regular drills, training senior officers on phaser use, and coordinating with Major Halliwell regarding the Marine's secondary mission. I've also received strong recommendations from his prior tour of duty, enough to consider promoting him to Lieutenant Junior Grade. I wanted to get your thoughts on this, especially as a former Security Chief yourself."

Lieutenant Commander Glyndar looked at her Commanding Officer. "Well, I actually can't say that I have gotten to know him too well personally, though what I have seen from him professionally speaks profoundly highly for him" she said. "Actually, I believe our Ship's Counselor may be able to provide more insight on him that either of us can. She was Executive Officer on the USS Tornado, the starship in which he previously served on" she said.

Janet smiled slightly. "I believe promoting him in rank would be advantageous and quite beneficial to the ship and to Griffin himself" she said crisply. "Speaking as a Former Security Chief, he's doing a lot for man of his rank. An Ensign is charge of a Department is one thing, but an Ensign heading Security is difficult to shoulder. Especially if we have any higher ranking officers transfer into the Department or end up assigned to us" she said. "Adding a pip to his collar might help stabilize that Department more firmly."

Nyx nodded as he listened, "An excellent point, Commander. With your blessing, I will see to it that Mr Griffin is promoted once we reach Carnwennan Station."

Janet flashed her vibrant purple irises at the Commanding Officer and nodded. "Given that I oversee personnel matters, I appreciate you seeking my advice and 'blessing' for this promotion" she replied politely. "I respectfully give my full endorsement, Captain" she added with a smile. "Promote him when you see fit."

The captain flipped his finger across his PADD again, moving to the next topic, "Have you had a chance to speak with the Research Officer assigned to us, Lieutenant Wakefield? She was a last minute arrival on the ship, as deigned by Starfleet Sciences. I'm more than a little curious about her, to be honest, as she is very forthright and little stubborn. What concerns me is that she may not share her private research with the rest of the ship. I find that untenable, as we are all here on scientific exploration and all discoveries should be Pandora's discoveries. But I don't know how to rectify that situation." He gave a wry frown, "Any advice?"

Smack that smugness right out of Miss pretentious thought Janet instinctively, though she had learned that the first response that came to her mind was not always...often not the best nor correct thing to say in response. "I have been keeping my distance with the crew to be honest" she said. "I still am not...comfortable with the 'socialization' that some First Officer's tend to place in this position. As such, I haven't had time to meet with everyone. I will soon rectify that, Sir" she said reassuringly.

Janet crossed one leg over her lap and looked at Commander Temple. "She smells something rather unpleasant" said the First Officer. "Her reluctance to share the findings of her work let alone discuss it with anyone, and her lack of 'social graces' remind me of a few things that I do not like" said the Xenexian. "One is Romulans and the is Internal Affairs" she said bitterly. "She may have the personnel file of a 'Research Officer,' but the suspicious part of me is wondering if that is truly who and what she is" offered his First Officer.

Nyx frowned a little, "Is there anything I can do to help you become more comfortable with the socialising? I remember how fondly you considered touring on the previous Pandora's service, I believe you considered it home. If there's anything I can do to assist you in that regard, please let me know."

"Nothing short of a lobotomy" she said a bit jokingly. "No, I'll be fine. I just am getting used to having an office, a desk, and stacks of PaDDs that need my attention" she explained. "It is an entirely foreign world when you have spent your career scheduling tactical drills and running security simulations, accompanying the First Officer on away missions, and standing your ground at the tactical console as the starship squares off against another vessel or a dozen" she added.

"As for Lieutenant Wakefield, I hope it's just a case of misunderstanding, or getting off on the wrong foot," Nyx continued. He snorted a little with laughter, "I may have given instructions for Mr. Nash to beam her into the cargo hold when she first arrived. But that was only because she was so insistent on coming onboard despite proper procedure. I should apologise for that and see if we can't form a better working relationship."

Janet shrugged "Well, if you want to play good cop with her, I'm more than willing to play bad cop and see what I can get out of her in terms of her research and what exactly she is doing here" she offered. "Even if she is just a simple researcher, if her research puts this starship or the crew in jeopardy, you can damn well count on it that I want to be the first to know" added the woman, crossing her arms. "At the very least, I want her to share what she is working on at all times with the Science Department."

"We will try a good cop approach first," Nyx replied, "To her credit, Wakefield did say she would be willing to make reports and help the Pandora when required. I don't want to be too harsh on her, let's give her a chance to settle in."

Nyx turned to his PADD again and looked over the list of departments, "Commander Nash did a wonderful job in Operations, managing the loading of supplies and equipment, enrollment of crew and passengers, and the final preparations for launch. He turned a logistical nightmare into a smooth operation. Moving forward, I want us to have a means of rewarding crew for their performance of duties. We may be spending several years in the Expanse, and we will need to find ways to recognise their achievements, apart from handing out pips all the time."

"I could not agree more" she said in all regards. "Commander Nash is an outstanding Operations Officer. You will continue to be impressed by him, Sir. He made his impact on the USS Pandora while I was Security Chief, and I can assure you that in Nash, you have the best of the best" she said firmly. "I understand that we obviously cannot throw pips onto collars left and right. If we did, I'd be out ranked within a year or two" teased Janet.

She thought a moment before continuing. "Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets have awards and decorations for a reason, undoubtedly our Task Force and Fleet have their own awards and decorations" said the woman. "I believe we should be vocal about the accomplishments of our crew. When the time comes, we should push for their recognition. Awards are hard to come by, but we could also look into granting shore leave routinely."

Temple nodded, "Mission or duty specific awards are a really good idea, we can look at what the Task Force and Fleet have on offer. Shore leave is a possibility, but right now we're not even sure if there's going to be any planets the crew will want to visit recreationally. I was wondering if there was some way we could use the Recreation Deck? There are a lot of facilities available to us, perhaps we could reward a department with a private function in the Eclipse Bar or Pandora's Box once a month, only while we're in between assignments."

Janet countered "Don't crush my dreams" she said shaking her head. "There's a tropical paradise out there in that expanse, Captain. You can mark my words on that one" she said defiantly with a smirk. "Statistically speaking, the odds are in my favor that we will find at least one planet we can breathe the atmosphere and it have friendly native folk" said the First Officer.

"Besides," she continued. "If worse comes to worse we can grant shipboard leave and go your route with surrendering up the Recreation Deck and other facilities. It also may be advantageous to look into having parties and events aboard to keep morale up" she added. "Maybe we could even get some clubs and activities started" she offered. Oh my stars. It is happening. I am becoming Merith thought Janet.

There was an unmistakeable glee to Nyx's face, seeing the Executive Officer making such suggestions. It showed this Xenexian warrior had a mind for morale and socialising after all.

"Wonderful suggestions," Nyx replied with a firm slap of his knee. He then raised his eyebrows as he asked, "As XO, would you like to be responsible for implementing the events? I'd suggest a rotating roster of activities, with special parties reserved as a reward for performance?"

She nodded in agreement with the rotation of the roster. "I'll shoulder some of the weight on such events, but I believe it in the best interest of the crew if someone like Doctor Oakley as Ship's Counselor see to the actual hosting or implementing of said events" offered Janet. "My...people skills are a work in progress" she added.

"Aren't they always." Nyx replied with a wry smile, thinking back to his none-too-smooth encounter with Oakley earlier in the journey. "If Doctor Oakley is willing to host then that's perfect, but I think it would be very meaningful to have the Executive Officer in attendance as well. Your presence means a lot to people on board the ship. Whether you like it or not." He finished with a slight chuckle.

"Oh I see" she said with a small wry smile of her own. "Well then, when you put it that way...consider your Executive Officer in attendance. I will make sure my presence aboard is felt at these social events" she said calmly. Then, she looked at Nyx and crossed her arms. "And what of you, Sir? Will you be attending these social gatherings as well or should I make one of the events Captain Temple Appreciation Day?"

Nyx let out a delighted guffaw, "I won't say no to a shindig in my honour. Any excuse'll do. But you needn't worry, I'll be making my rounds to any social events we hold as well, as long as they're plenty fun and totally informal." He gave the Commander a knowing look, making a silent vow to follow through with his promise. "And I don't want us to be strangers to the regular duties of a Starship. I've made plans to work some shifts in cargo bay, with the maintenance crew, and possible a watch shift on the Bridge. I think it'll be good for crew morale to see the command team pitching in and doing the grunt work every now and then."

"I have no objections to pitching in and pulling some extra weight" she said with a nod. "However, I beseech you not to place me anywhere near scientific duties. Aside from running a basic scan or launching a probe...science and I do not agree" explained the woman. "Xenexians and science do not agree in general. I would not mind working in the armory from time to time or standing watch in the Brig of any prisoners we may be holding."

The captain shifted in his seat, taking in the information. If he was honest he didn't know much about Xenexians and would have to find out more along their journey. "Duly noted, we'll keep you off deck seven entirely. I'm sure Mr Griffin and the Major will appreciate your assistance."

She nodded. "Appreciated" she added.

"So," Temple sighed, looking back at his PADD, "I believe that's everything on my list. Is there anything you'd like to discuss now before we head toward the senior briefing?"

The Xenexian shook her head. "No,Sir. I have nothing further to bring to your attention" she replied.

"Well then," Nyx clapped his hand together. "If all business is done, perhaps we can get continue this meeting on the recreation deck? I haven't had lunch yet and I'm keen to get to know you as a person, as well."

"Please" she said nodding. "And unless you have things to discuss in private that you don't want going around and ship's scuttlebutt, I'm fine with having discussions in a less formal setting" offered the woman. "So...I believe it's chow time?" she said gesturing towards the door.

"Chow time!" Nyx replied enthusiastically as the two walked out of the room.

OFF