Command Structure Meeting

Posted on Tue Feb 26th, 2019 @ 11:51pm by Commander Abigail Prescott & Captain M'Mira & Lieutenant Commander Catrina (Cat) Tendai
Edited on on Mon Mar 11th, 2019 @ 2:29pm

3,252 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Mission 2: Into The Breach
Location: Captain's Lounge
Timeline: MD06 - 0930

M'Mira arrived in the Captain's Lounge, which was now Mint's. It seemed funny that it was hers and that she was now the XO. Of course, the pungent smell of Refelian's stupid beast, Laddie still reeked in this area. She wondered how nobody else noticed it. Mint had not told M'Mira who the new second would be. Personally, she had hoped that Mint would select Lieutenant Barden. Barden seemed like the only real competent officer on staff. Regardless, she waited.

Having been told to just come in when she got there, Cat knew there would be one person who wouldn’t be happy to see her. More so just due to their previous interactions. But, they were going to have to sort all of that out eventually, as after what she had dealt with, she was up for talking to anyone. Overall though, she was more relaxed. Stepping inside, she caught sight of one person. “Commander,” she said politely before finding a spot to sit.

Noticing that Cat had the Lieutenant Commander pips on now, M'Mira's hopes took a nosedive. Icily, she issued a little, low growl, "Commanderrrr."

Knowing the moment that the word came from M'Mira's mouth, Cat sighed. She wanted to say something, but that was better left for a private conversation.

Mint walked into the room with an air of frustration. She caught M'Mira's tone and let out a short growl of her own. "M'Mira, you're executive officer now, act like it and keep your emotions in check, please," she said shortly. She was in no mood to deal with more crap. "Now, I've called you both here," she said as she came around them and leaned against her desk, "because I wanted to talk to you both and discuss the new command structure.

"First, with Captain Refelian's departure, it has placed a great deal of stress on me. You are the only two that knew for sure that we were dating, and now you can officially not lie when you say we are not. You and the doctor know that I am pregnant and for now we will keep it that way. I need to figure out how to deal with that topic while officially denying that I had relations with Harry. Second, congratulations Commander Tendai, you are second officer, if you should want it," she paused and waited to see how they would react. She knew she was being much more brash than usual, but she felt there was no reason to beat around the bush today.

Watching and listening to Mint, Cat’s eyes went wide at most of what was said. She knew not to dig into Mint’s personal life, even though she’d heard about Harry leaving. Sitting back a little in the seat, she wasn’t sure what to do about the second officer part. “I um..I’ll try to do the position proud,” was all that she could really think to say. She had known M’Mira would make first officer, that was a given, but her second officer? She hadn’t expected it.

M'Mira sighed in a way that came out as a hiss when Cat was promoted. Perhaps she was annoyed that her BFF would actually have told Cat after telling M'Mira about the pregnancy. Why her? What was so special about this incompetent engineer that Refelian liked her and that now Mint was showing her preference? "I do not like lying," M'Mira admitted. "This is betterrr forrr everrryone. I am sorrrrry to see the Captain gone but I am happy that you got the seat, Mint. What arrrre you going to do about the prrregnancy?" she asked curiously. "If you keep the child, yourrr condition will become evident in time. It cannot be hidden forrreverrr." The Caitian seemed genuinely worried.

"I am keeping the child. I hope to have a solid explanation sorted so that no one questions me further on it before I start showing," Mint sighed and slumped slightly. "Look, I just want everyone here to get along. M'Mira, I still don't understand your dislike of Cat, but can we please set it aside while on duty. And before you question my choice of second officer, M'Mira, I will point out that we've recently lost a number of staff due to reassignment. A lot of them couldn't handle the tensions with Faltan, some just wanted to be closer to family. This left me with a very limited choice and Cat is the best option in my opinion."

Looking at Mint first and then at Cat, M'Mira's voice took on a low growl as she looked back to Mint. "Clearrrly verrry limited," M'Mira agreed.

Cat was in a fairly good mood, but M'Mira was putting a damper on it. "I have nothing against you, M'Mira. I will do everything I can to help."

Suck up. Do a lot of nothing and get praise. Typical. Given an audible sound that was somewhere between a groan and a sigh, M'Mira simply answered, "You'rrre in charrrge, Mint. I'll do what I must."

Closing her eyes in frustration for a moment, Cat looked to M'Mira. "Commander, please. I do not wish to cause trouble. Mint picked me for this, please let me try to show that I can do it."

"I've been orrrderrred to," M'Mira replied more than a little disgusted.

"Bloody hell, you and Candy are going to be the death of me," Mint said with a sigh, pushing herself off her desk and going over to the replicator. She ordered herself a coffee, then a white russian with extra cream. Not knowing what to get Cat, she looked over her shoulder, raising an eyebrow in question instead of actually speaking.

"Same as you," Cat said, catching onto what Mint was asking without actually asking. "Thank you."

M'Mira raised an eyebrow again and said nothing. Suck up.

Mint nodded and ordered another coffee. She handed M'Mira her drink first and then carried the coffees over to the couch area. "Look, this is going to be rough enough. You two need to talk about this issue and sort it fast," she said handing Cat her coffee before taking a seat. "I need this to be a cohesive team. I'm counting on you two to work together and if you can't do that, then I'm going to have to find a new team."

Taking the cup, Cat took a small sip and sighed, tucking her legs up underneath her in the seat she was in. She stared down into the cup before looking back over between Mint and M’Mira. “I have nothing against you, M’Mira, I truly don’t. But something happened my first day here that...you can’t seem to get past. If my asking for help that day upset you, I’m sorry.”

“You will not need to find a new team,” M’Mira replies irritated. “I suggest that we get down to business.”

"So, the first thing is sorted. New command team in place. The next order of business... several of our staff have been transferred out. Some just wanted new adventure, some couldn't handle the tension and well everything that's going on," Mint said, moving to sit cross legged on the couch, holding her coffee in her lap. "Let's see, the most pressing is Doctor Aereen was transferred out, along with several other medical officers. I've had a quick look at the roster, but I would like to know your thoughts on who you think is best for the role."

"I suppose that finding outside assistance is not a solution," M'Mira responded while looking at the list disdainfully.

“I haven’t have any real contact with any of the current medical team here since I arrived. If we’ve had that many leave, do we have anyone who would qualify?” Cat sat in thought. Doing command type thinking was new to her. “Would we have to look outside of who is already here?”

"Our personnel request list is fairly long. Resources, including personnel, in this region are stretched thin. It's difficult to get experienced officers, so the idea is to promote from within and fill in the gaps with junior officers," Mint sighed. "I know it's not ideal, but it's what we've got. If we can't fill from within, we will look outside. So, for this position, the likely candidate that I can see is Amidok. He's had the most experience out of all the medical officers stationed here. What say the two of you?"

With a derisive snort, M'Mira responded,"I suppose."

Cat nodded. “If he’s got the most experience, and we need someone, I’ll agree.”

"You two can suggest alternatives," Mint said shaking her head. "But if you're both in agreement, then I'll ask Amidok if he wants the position."

“I don’t have any alternatives in mind, I think we are good with Amidok.”

M'Mira shook her head. Who or what would she know? She was 2XO and busy in Ops trying to fix the outdated machinery.

"The next position is the Operations. M'Mira, do you have anyone from your department you would like to suggest?" Mint knew the list was chock full of junior officers, so she wasn't holding out much hope here.

"In about five years, we might have someone who could handle it," M'Mira complained. "The best of the lot herrre is Lieutenant Rrroslyn. I would let herrr do it on an acting basis. I will prrrobably have to tutorrr herrrr."

"Alright. If that's your pick, then we shall go with that," Mint nodded, glad that one was decided quickly. "Unless you have any concerns Cat?" She added, almost as an afterthought.

Cat thought for a moment. “I’ve never worked with Roslyn before, but if M’Mira thinks she can do the job, then I am okay with that.”

M'Mira gave Cat a quizzical look but said nothing.

"And now security. Again, mostly junior officers in that department," Mint rubbed her temples, looking at all of this just made her head hurt. She didn't know how Refelian had done it previously, nor any station Commander. The list of personnel was huge compared to a ship. "Either of you like any of these candidates?"

M'Mira looked at the names as saw Lieutenant Srash. She gave a coy grin and said, "Him. Definitely Lieutenant Srrrash."

“Srash always seemed to be one of the best security officers I’ve seen.”

"Hmm... Alright," Mint said chewing her lip. "We'll give it to him on a temporary basis. See how he does, and if HQ has a more senior officer to take the position.

"And finally, the marines. Colonel Haversford and Major Tritter have both transferred out. I know neither of you had a particularly good experience with Braddock while building the joint intel building, but he is the next in line for the Marine CO position." Mint braced herself for the backlash here, or at least the catty comments that would probably be thrown about.

"Can we just shove the marrrines into a torrrpedo bay and shoot them into space?" M'Mira asked while hissing.

“I never kept up with the command structure of the Marines, never needed to before. But...from what I heard, he should do fine if we let him take over.” Cat raised an eyebrow at M’Mira’s response but didn’t say anything to it.

M'Mira gave another derisive snort. Suck up.

"As annoying as they can be, Marines are necessary for this base," Mint pointed out to M'Mira. "If you've got any other comments," she gave M'Mira a smirk. "Please do as you normally do and just say them." She rubbed the back of her neck. "Ok, so Amidok, Rhosyn, Srash, and Braddock offered their respective department head positions? Rosyln and Srash on temporary bases. Are we in agreement, ladies?"

Cat nodded as she sipped the coffee. “Those all sound good to me.”

"Agrrreement with shooting the marrrines out of a photon torrrpedo? Yes!" M'Mira replied, laughing at her audacity.

"M'Mira..." Cat said softly as she looked over. She knew Mint said she could keep up the comments, but it still made her eyes roll a bit.

It took every ounce of restraint for M'Mira not to remind Cat that she was still her superior officer. She figured that she would take the time to do that when her BFF, Mint was not around.

"Ladies," Mint said with a shake of her head. "Play nice," she teased. "But I think everything is settled for now. I need to finish clearing out my old office and bring everything here," she sighed. "Never an end to the work, is there?"

Cat put up a hand. “I am being nice.” She finished off her coffee and nodded. “And I have to figure out who is going on the next away mission from engineering.”

"You?" M'Mira asked, curiously.

“Commander,” Cat said, looking to M’Mira as she set her empty coffee cup down, “I am attempting to put whatever it is that happened behind us and actually come up with ideas for things. This whole command officer stuff is new to me. Might I remind you that the Minotaur is now in your command? I have other engineers who are more skilled in what is needed there, trust me.” She knew they had to talk in private, but she had to get that out now.

"Minotaurrr," M'Mira replied lazily, while her heart leapt. Finally! Back on a ship! Away from all the craziness on the station! She had to admit that she had not considered this because she was mostly concerned with Mint. Playing it off like she remembered all of this information she said, "Of courrrse I knew I would be in command of Minotaurrrr. I will have to select a crrrew, this is trrrue."

Thinking about it further, M'Mira realized that probably would mean leaving Cat alone with Mint. She shuddered at that thought. There was a balancing act to be performed but who could do it better than a Caitian?

"Ah yes, we do need to send a team back to deactivate and remove what we can of the Medway," Mint sighed. "It will have to be an engineer heavy team," she smiled at M'Mira. "And while I like the ship, I'm glad to pass on the recovery of the Medway to you."

"The only engineer I know for sure right now is Turner. He got the systems stabilized on the Medway enough for us to take the time to get the next away team ready."

"I am surrrprrrised he was able to boarrrd and deboarrrd the ship. Would he not faint at seeing either of you two on the ship? Imagine how he would handle me." M'Mira shook her head.

Cat smirked, "He did fairly well, as he got a new computer to talk to. He more so stumbled through trying to help bring the survivors to the beam-out point." She glanced to Mint. "Sorry, Mint. Rambling a bit."

"It's alright," Mint waved her hand at Cat, as though dismissing her apology. "I do suggest taking Turner back there, if he could handle it," she rubbed the back of her neck. "I also suggest Srash and a few other security members as well, just to make sure everyone stays safe. I'll leave the rest of the formulation of recovery team up to you," she smiled at M'Mira.

M'Mira gave Mint a toothy smile back. "When would you like me to leave with them?"

“The engineering teams are at your disposal, as long as you leave me someone to work with, Commander,” Cat said with a grin.

"If she takes them all, I can always come boss you around your own department," Mint grinned at Cat before turning to M'Mira. "As soon as possible, really. I am not sure how long Turner's repairs will last and there are still.... crew... left to bring home." She frowned as she said the word, knowing that it would not be pleasant for M'Mira to gather those lost to return to their families.

Cat smirked. “I’m glad station repairs are done, so as many that are needed can go.” She caught onto what Mint was saying to M’Mira and didn’t like the memories of what was left there.

"Verrry well," M'Mira replied lazily and being more than a little upset that Cat was going to get cat naps while she was working. "I'll look over the duty rrrrosterrr and pick a team to go this evening. Misterrr Turrrnerrr will be on the list. I will plan to leave at 1900. Anything else?"

"No, go take your nap," Mint teased. "I may do the same actually. I've never been so tired in my life..."

“You two rest, I don’t mind watching things. I have reports to catch up on from while we were gone as it is,” Cat stated with a small smile.

The thought of Cat watching Faltan by her lonesome jolted M'Mira. "I can handle rrremaining on duty," M'Mira said wearily.

Cat frowned. "M'Mira, you two both need rest, I can handle it."

"No," M'Mira insisted. "Either Mint or myself should be on duty."

She didn’t want to argue, but Cat knew she had to stand her ground on this. “Commander, I am completely capable to running this station while you two get some rest.”

"It is not apprrroprrriate. I do not need any rrrest," M'Mira insisted.

"It is just as appropriate as me running the station while Harry was healing. Or you running it whenever I needed downtime," Mint pointed out. "Don't make this harder than it has to be, M'Mira. You have to work together whether you like it or not. And remember, when I have the baby, you two will have to run the station together while I'm recuperating."

"You werrre Executive Officerrr, when you rrran it," M'Mira pointed out. "I am now, so the burrrden falls on me. I will handle it."

Holding her tongue, Cat was getting irritated. M'Mira didn't trust her with anything, not even her own department, let alone her new second officer position. "As she stated, M'Mira, you ran it when she needed downtime and you were second officer."

"I do not need it," M'Mira insisted. "I will select my crrrew for Minotaurrr while Mint rrrests."

"I call bull, but I'm not going to argue with you. Off you two go, I will rest later," Mint said with a shake of her head. She made shooing motions with her arms. "We have work to do ladies, let's get too it, and I'm sure we will talk again later."

Letting out a frustrated sigh, Cat got up and headed out the door. She'd have to talk to M'Mira alone, somehow. But right now she was too frustrated and did have work to do.

"I'm surrre," M'Mira answered. "If you need me," M'Mira called as she left, "I will be in my old office. Maybe I'll sorrrt it out while I pick a team."

After they both left, Mint leaned back in her seat and let out a deep sigh. She wasn't sure how she was going to manage M'Mira. She was quite the diva and stuck to her perceptions like glue, even if she knew they were wrong or slightly off the mark. "This is going to be quite the ride..." she thought aloud.

 

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