[snip]

”..Hmm, a fair point. Perhaps mobile emergency generators? A generator could run such minimal power demands for a month or so on end in a room like any of the arboretums..” Drudoc proposed. “..Though really if a problem occurs where we lost power ship wide for a month or more I imagine we had more pressing concerns to worry about for our survival..” she said grimly.

Sharah nodded, conceding the point. “It’s certainly a project that needs to be well thought out. I’m interested to see what the civilian staff comes up with, and the students as well. The robot was well built and the sentiment was one I was glad to see. That the children wanted to make an effort to contribute to the ship they live on. Maybe not the best way with a tiny robot roaming the major departments of the ship, but they were respectful and careful. I understand their desire to have some influence over their life when it can be so unpredictable.” Sharah decided to address the other reason, “I also think it would be good for the children. They will connect with other adults on the ship and not feel so helpless when incidents occur like they did in the lounge. I spoke with several of the younger children while we waited for their parents. This isn’t the first time, and Tel’eck isn’t always there to protect them.”

”..Fair enough. I trust you’ll make the best decisions among your department and staff for the ship as a whole, Lieutenant.” Drudoc replied to the first comment. To the second she added, “..As for the children, the fight Tel’eck was in was a rarity, as is the outright bullying from what I have been briefed of by the teachers and other parents. Though outright fully preventing them is a frank impossibility. Children will be children as they say..” she said.

Tel’eck meanwhile had also finished her meal. “..Well once more I’ll leave you two to talk shop I guess. I should go get my things ready for school in a half hour..” She said sliding off the chair. “..Thank you for inviting us over Lieutenant.” Tel’eck said respectfully. Drudoc seemed to trust her daughter would get to the school on time, and seemed willing if Fayth was to continue their discussion on insect population control.

“You are very welcome Tel’eck. I’m glad you could come.” Fayth turned back to the captain, more than willing to continue the conversation.

After a final farewell, Tel’eck took her leave heading out the door.

Drudoc Andone CO

As they continued to talk Sharah began clearing the dishes. “Would you like something else to drink? Tea perhaps?”

Lt.jg Fayth, CSO

”..A warm herbal mint tea with Reman Cha’dal root would be welcome. The root is like a spicey vanilla extract and sweetens such teas without adding extra sugar or higher levels of caffeine.” She said.

Thanks to Dr. Zarath, Sharah was well versed in teas. She couldn’t stand them. The only one she liked was tea from home, but it was so high in stimulants she only drank it sparingly. She made the tea fresh with practiced hands.

Once the drink was served, Drudoc sipped it with obvious enjoyment. Obviously too savoring some memory or another for a moment. Setting the cup down then, she regarded Fayth. “..I must say Lieutenant you are a welcome breath of fresh air among the senior staff as of late. The last officer who took such a proactive role aboard ship life and the like eventually became the ship’s chief engineer and later my XO for some time before being promoted to the USS Memorial. Should I alert Commander Soval off perhaps some form of competition?” She said with a fun teasing tone.

Drudoc Andone CO

Sharah smiled slightly and blushed at the praise. She didn’t really see it that way. She needed things to occupy her mind and her time and so she just found things to do. It kept her out of trouble. With a slight grin she chuckled, “I don’t think I’m made for command.” And then she turned very serious and wary. “Cmdr Soval has nothing to worry about. Really, there’s no need to mention it to him.” She’d rather that the captain not mention her at all for any reason to the Lt Cmdr, but that was not possible with the Lt Cmdr being in charge of personnel reviews. But she could stay off his radar as much as possible.

Lt jg Fayth, CSO

Smiling gently at Fayth, “..Relax, Lieutenant, I was only somewhat joking. One thing you should though consider is being on the senior staff means in certain situations a chance however remote, that you may be thrust into command in an emergency. You also would be in charge of the bridge during certain shifts. I might suggest you freshen up on your command courses if you feel some uncertainty..” She suggested. “..It’s a scary prospect, trust me I know. Being thrust into a command role when you could least expect it, but as you pointed out this is space, anything could happen.”

Drudoc Andone CO

Sharah took a long drink of her water. “Um, Captain, I never took the command courses. They weren’t required for my field of study in medicine, and I honestly never considered my career going in that direction. I suppose that is something I will have to study on my own then.” So now not only did she have bridge duty she was going to have to be in charge? She really needed to rethink this promotion. She’d only been CSO for a few days and she loved it. She really did. She was surprised by how much, but being in charge of the ship. High tension and high demand and then having to filter out the stress and opinions of everyone on the bridge and else where? Sharah was not sure she was the best person for that job. She certainly could order a course change, request sensor readings, etc, but what if it was more dire than that? She had no experience at all with anything like that. She wasn’t even sure what all that involved. “I suppose that will be the first thing I look at today.”

Lt. jg Fayth, CSO

Drudoc listened to the likely tension in Fayth’s voice. Setting the cup down again after a sip, “..More than the courses teach, Lieutenant is the realization of this nugget I have painfully learned. Make a choice when the chips come down, any choice is better than no choice in an emergency or moment of decision. The hard part then afterwards comes from living with your choices.” she explained.

Then trying to put a lighter happier tone on the topic she said, “..Besides not all moments of command are doom and gloom. There are more often than not happier choices I have found. Focus on the positives in your life, when times come where you may need to make a command decision or provide me or the XO input or advice know that the only wrong answer is those not answered. Starfleet’s instructional programs are robust and well thought out, trust in them, I may even suggest running Archer Instructional Command Advice Program 1 through 3. As well as the similar volume by then Captain Pike.” she suggested.

Sipping the tea then a moment, Drudoc then seemed to consider something else, “..Do you regret that I promoted you, Lieutenant?” She inquired obviously wanting Fayth to be open and free in her reply.

Drudoc Andone CO