Battlefield Promotions

Posted on 24 Jan 2019 @ 11:35pm by Captain Gabriel Barron M.D.

1,036 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Empty Creche
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: ED1 2230

ON:

It was late in the first twenty-four hours of Barron's command of the Redemption, Admiral Ashcart had departed as had Commander Rhyan. He had spoken with all but Major Afton about the open XO's position. He had decided to take Commander Rhyan's suggestion on Lieutenant Webb for the acting science officer and was about to meet with Major Afton to see if she would be willing to step into the commander's shoes.

Steeling herself visibly, Keisha straightened her uniform, alabaster fingers stroking over olive green. Pressing the button on the ready room door she waited to be summoned.

Barron straightened at the sound of the door chime and nodded to himself. "Enter please." He stood out of reflex as the doors parted and nodded to the olive clad woman to enter and take a seat across from him.

Her mouth tightened as she looked into the face of a new commanding officer and had to fight down her normal greeting to her husband. "You wanted to see me, sir?"

He nodded "Please sit, I have something to discuss with you. First, can I offer you anything by way of refreshment?"

Keisha sat as instructed and shrugged a little "A strawberry basil sparkler, please. I've been curious about that for some time."

He nodded and headed to the replicator and requested the drink as well as a sweet tea for himself. He offered the drink to her and sat down behind his desk. "I have asked you here Major to offer you a proposition. I see that you've passed the bridge officer exams and are certified to serve as bridge crew."

"Ye-es..." she drew out the word indicating he should continue, her fingers trembling around the chilled glass.

He nodded "As Commander Rhyan has left I have a vacancy on the bridge. I prefer to have someone from the original crew and while Lieutenant Commander Doyle is qualified I would also prefer she maintain her station as Chief Sec/Tac and she's a relative newcomer to the ship. Major Blackburn... I have my misgivings about. You, aside from your olive uniform are a properly trained fleet officer with bridge experience and qualifications. I would like you to serve as my pro tempore Executive Officer for the duration of this mission or until Commander Rhyan returns. This posting would require you to spend the majority of your time on the bridge with the man that has replaced your husband. I would completely understand if you wish to refuse this offer."

"I am hallucinating. I must be. You cannot possibly have just said you want me in the second seat. " Afton's voice was quiet and full of disbelief.

He blinked as it took a sip of his tea. "Is there a particular reason why you shouldn't be XO?"

"I am a doctor, not a line officer." She muttered with a sigh. Taking a sip of her red drink. Her face transformed into intrigue and she sipped again.

He snorted "With all due respect Major, I'm a Surgeon and a line officer. It's not either or, you were on track to command one day from how your dossier reads."

"I took the bridge exam...perhaps, not for the best reason." She shrugged "I wasn't expecting to pass it, nor did I truly want to. But...how does my dossier read to an outsider?"

"To an outsider, it reads like a doctor who wants to command a ship one day. Dutiful to her patients, a solid if not exemplary department head who could have transitioned into a command position a year ago but instead transitioned out of star fleet and into the marines. A questionable action but everyone is different. Having said that I need someone with a background on the ship as I'm new and someone who is willing to move from teal to olive and think outside the box sitting next to me. Again nothing against the other officers that are qualified but I think you would be the best option for the chair while Rhyan is otherwise indisposed. If he comes back at all. I am uncertain as to Star Fleet's disposition towards him."

She made a disparaging noise at the mention of Rhyan. She was going to have some serious words with him about stealing her research especially before it was finished. "He has to contend with me either way." Keisha muttered as she raised cool blue eyes to Gabriel's face.

Barron raised an eyebrow and grinned "Your not meek that's for sure. So, do I name you Temporary XO and update the computer?"

"I have never been accused of being meek. Suicidal and insane but never meek. " gazing at him she seemed to deflate a little bit. "Are you certain of this?"

He nodded "Your the best officer I have for the post. I also think it will help you with your future endeavors should you choose to come back to the fleet. You might end up coming back in crimson."

"Not a chance" she countered and closed her eyes "Azura will not believe this turn of events."

"Not a chance of you coming back to the fleet?" he snorted "The Admiral, I think, will be pleased... as much as a Vulcan can be pleased."

Something flickered deep in her eyes, a memory of the depths of passion he had in him. "You have no idea Captain."

He nodded "I'm sure I don't, I can only imagine what kind of depth is shared between those so bonded."

The corner of her mouth quirked up even as pain hovered just beyond the smile. "It wouldn't be appropriate for me to share. I will tell you that it's like nothing you can imagine."

He grunted, "Indeed, so are you my right hand?"

"Aye." She whispered, "I hope you will not regret it."

He nodded "PALLAS please make note that of this moment Major Afton is the temporary Executive Officer, a battlefield promotion." The holographic woman appeared and nodded "So noted Captain. Congratulations Major."

"Thank you" inclining her head to the hologram that appeared and licked pale lips.

OFF

Gabriel Barron, M.D.
Captain
Commanding Officer
USS Redemption

&

Keisha Afton
Major
Temporary XO/Cheif Medical Officer
USS Redemption

 

RSS Feed