Posted by Captain Alex Becket (Commanding Officer) in Side Sim: 17/18 Forward Lounge

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Alex Cross (Chief Counselor) in Side Sim: 17/18 Forward Lounge

Posted by Lieutenant Izak Waryn (Chief Engineer) in Side Sim: 17/18 Forward Lounge
Posted by… suppressed (16) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Lieutenant Alex Cross stepped through the doors of the 17/18 Forward Lounge and paused for a moment to take in the atmosphere.

The lounge was alive with the familiar rhythm of shipboard life. Conversations drifted between tables, punctuated by the occasional laugh, while the panoramic view beyond the forward windows offered a breathtaking display of stars streaking past at warp. It was one of the few places aboard where officers and crew could set aside duty rosters and departmental responsibilities for a little while and simply be themselves.

Dressed in his duty uniform, Cross made his way toward the replicator and ordered a cup of chicory coffee, a small reminder of home. As the steaming mug materialized, he offered a polite nod to a few crew members he recognized before selecting a table with a clear view of both the lounge and the stars beyond.

Settling into his chair, the counselor wrapped both hands around the warm mug and allowed himself a rare moment of quiet reflection. His attention drifted between the passing starfield and the crew around him, always observant, always listening, though tonight there was no particular agenda behind it.

For now, he was simply another officer enjoying a few moments away from the demands of duty.

Alex took a sip of his coffee and relaxed into his seat, content to see where the evening might lead.

CNS Alex Cross

Becket walked in and sighed. He didn’t think that the last mission was going to be as long as it did. He saw the counselor sitting by himself and thought to him should I go talk to him?. He thought. So he went ahead and sat down. “Counselor.” He said looking at Cross. Drinking some brandy from the replicator.

Captain Alex Becket
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Cross looked over, a bit surprised. He had been concentrating on the news report and hadn’t heard the Captain’s approach. “Captain, my apologies, I was concentrating on the news report. Good to see you, sir.”

Ollie wandered into the lounge and glanced around to see the level of activity. He had finished up his most recent shift and was excited to have some down time. He made his way over to one of the replicators and pondered what he would get for a moment. It had been awhile since he had treated himself and decided that today was a good time.

Addressing the replicator he said, “Peanut butter milkshake with whipped cream, a spoon and a straw please.”

A few seconds later the sweet treat appeared and he grabbed it with a smile. Turning around and taking a closer look at who was around he saw the counselor and captain conversing at one of the tables. He made his way over as he took a sip from his milkshake.

“Counselor, Captain, I hope you both are doing well,” he said nodding to the two other officers.

Lieutenant Commander Ezeami - COS

He looked at Ollie. “I am doing alright. It’s just been a lot of stuff going. I’ve just received orders. However, I’m not sure if it’s true.” He said.

Captain Alex Becket
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Cross nodded in greeting to Ezeami before looking back toward the Captain. “What have you heard, sir?”

Counselor Alex Cross

“It’s good to see you to counselor. What I’ve heard honestly is apparently I might go into early retirement or working at headquarters. I’ve heard that there will be this female Vulcan taking over as CO. But not sure about who though.” He said. Just a little confused on why he’s going into early retirement.

Captain Alex Becket
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Izak had just retrieved a Bajoran Ale from the replicator and was about to grab a table when he saw a few of the Senior Staff sitting together. I should pobabaly go join them… I’ve been so focused on the department that I rarely interact with them outside of meetings.

Truth be told… as the newest Department Head he still wasn’t that comfortable socializing with the Lieutenant Commanders and above. He still felt like he was struggling to do everything he expected a Chief Engineer to do… things all the other Department Heads seem to handle with ease.

He approached the table from the front so a couple of the occupants could see him coming. He heard the CO’s announcement just as he arrived.

“Retirement? Aren’t you in your early 30’s Captain?” Lt Waryn asked as he sat down and nodded to Alex and Ollie as a silent greeting. “It has to be some sort of Staff assignment at Headquarters… no way they put you out to pasture this early.”

Izak took a sip of his drink and shook his head. Still… you’re leaving the Ark Angel? I know change of commands are routine… but it won’t feel the same without you, Sir.”

Lt Izak Waryn - Chief Engineer - U.S.S. Ark Angel

He chuckled for a minute. “Yeah I’ll be stationed at Headquarters. It’s not going to be the same but it’ll be okay.” He said.

Captain Alex Becket
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

“How do you feel about this, sir? Are you alright with them taking you out of the center seat?” He asked concerned.

Counselor Alex Cross

He thought about it for a minute. “Honestly, I don’t know what to feel. They’ve apparently within the message is a desk job and being a professor there at command. I honestly feel like I’m going to miss being in the center seat. Though I know it wouldn’t feel the same without any of you guys. All of you guys are great and exceptional crew. If I know T’Nara well enough, she’ll end up doing the best she can while I’m gone. It’s not that I want to leave. But I have my orders.” He said. He was completely unsure of how to deal with not being on board the ship. Being the commanding officer of the Ark Angel has been his dream and now that he had been ordered back to command, and being a teacher and having a desk job he is completely unsure what to expect.

Captain Alex Becket
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

“Well, sir my comm channel is always open if you need someone to listen while you figure it. Personally, while we will miss you here on the Angel, I think the Academy is lucky to get you.” Cross smiled as he tried to offer his support and encouragement.

Counselor Alex Cross

“I appreciate it Counselor. However, I do want everyone’s opinion. Captain T’Nara. What does everyone know about her? All I got is the profile of hers. All I know is that she might be a former maquis. Not sure. Then to the academy to being captain in 5 years. I’m just worried about her command structure. I’ve known her for some time and then lost everything about her and my friendship. Counselor, before we arrive back at the Star base, could you do some research on her?” He asked her.

Captain Alex Becket
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

“Absolutely, sir. I would be honoured to do that for you.” Cross said sincerely.

Counselor Alex Cross

“Thank you. I want to know who you are going to be up against.’ He said.

Captain Alex Becket
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Lieutenant Alex Cross listened without interrupting, his attention fixed on the information displayed across his padd as he compared service dates, assignments, and qualifications. After a few moments, he looked up from the screen, his gaze shifting between Captain Becket and Lieutenant Waryn. The counselor’s expression was thoughtful as he addressed them both.

“For a Vulcan, that’s a remarkably unconventional career path, sir. Between the Maquis service, the provisional commissions, and the steady rise to captain, there isn’t much about her record that follows the expected pattern.” He set the padd down on the table between the three of them.

“Captain T’Nara appears to have built her career by proving herself repeatedly rather than following the traditional Starfleet promotion track. After her time with the Maquis and subsequent incarceration, she accepted a provisional commission and advanced through multiple assignments by merit. Her background gives her a blend of Maquis field experience, Starfleet operational doctrine, and a Vulcan education through the Vulcan Science Academy.”

Cross glanced toward Waryn before continuing. “From a command perspective, that kind of experience tends to produce an officer who’s comfortable operating outside textbook solutions while still understanding the value of structure. She has likely seen both the strengths and weaknesses of rigid procedure.”

He paused briefly, considering the implications.

“Her record suggests she’s highly adaptable. The Maquis would have taught her to think creatively with limited resources, while Starfleet refined that into disciplined command. Combined with Vulcan logic and scientific training, that could make her a formidable tactician—particularly in close-quarters situations or where unconventional thinking is required.”

He folded his hands comfortably, his eyes once again moving between the captain and the chief engineer.

“Psychologically, I would expect someone who has spent years earning trust after a controversial past to place a high value on competence and accountability. Officers like that often expect the same standards from those under their command.”

A faint smile crossed his face.

“My initial impression, based solely on her record, is that she isn’t someone to underestimate. She has overcome enough obstacles that people likely stopped questioning whether she belonged a long time ago.”

Cross looked back to Captain Becket.

“I’ll continue reviewing her personnel history and any command evaluations that are available, sir. If there are any behavioral patterns or leadership tendencies worth noting before she arrives, I’ll make sure both of you have them.”

Counselor Alex Cross

He sat there listening to Counselor Cross about the new commanding officers record and history. “The Maquis? Isn’t that a group of people who are federation citizens but defected from Starfleet? If so why is command assigning her here?” He thought about it more and more. “I know as for me I was undercover prior taking over the Ark Angel and was doing maquis stuff. Observing everyone. However, my analysis comes back to something rather rash.” He added.

Captain Alex Becket
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Izak couldn’t hide the shock on his face as Alex listed off their future CO’s accomplishments. To the Chief Engineer, she sounded more like a character from a holo-drama than a real person. He spared a sideways glance at their current CO. Then again… I didn’t realize Captain Becket spent time undercover around the Maquis. So what do really know about anything?

“Wow.” His cheeks blushed when he realized he said that out loud. Izak’s eyes darted from Alex, to Ollie, and then the Captain as he tried to explain himself. “I mean, I’d expect any Commanding Officer to be more than accomplished, but Captain T’Nara sounds quite… formidable.”

He wondered what sort of change was in store for the Ark Angel. Lt Waryn had experienced slight shifts in culture whenever the XOs turned over, but that had been relatively minor. A new CO though… that’s likely to have some ripple effects.

“Starfleet doesnt choose Captains lightly, Sir, so they must have good reasons for giving her command of the Ark Angel. I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about.” He tried to project a lack of concern for what their future held, but doubted he was entirely successful. Part of me wonders if her particular skill set indicates a potential shift in the types of missions were going to be assigned.

Lt Izak Waryn - Chief Engineer - U.S.S. Ark Angel

Lieutenant Alex Cross listened carefully as both officers spoke, noting the concern beneath the questions rather than the words themselves. He gave a small, understanding nod before responding.

“The Maquis certainly complicated Starfleet’s relationship with some of its own citizens,” he acknowledged. “But history has also shown that context matters. After the Dominion War, a number of former Maquis were evaluated individually. Those who demonstrated that they could uphold Starfleet’s principles were, in some cases, given the opportunity to serve again.”

He looked toward Captain Becket.

“The fact that Captain T’Nara not only returned to service but ultimately attained command of a Galaxy-class starship tells me something important. Every promotion, every command qualification, every psychological evaluation, and every fitness report would have been scrutinized. Starfleet Command doesn’t overlook a past like hers—they require an officer to demonstrate, repeatedly, that they’ve grown beyond it.”

Turning to Lieutenant Waryn, Cross offered a reassuring smile.

“I think your assessment is a reasonable one, Lieutenant. A commanding officer’s background often influences the missions they’re selected for, but it doesn’t necessarily redefine the ship. More often, Starfleet matches experienced captains to situations where those experiences become an asset.”

He leaned back slightly, adopting the measured tone that came naturally to him.

“As a counselor, what interests me most isn’t that Captain T’Nara was once Maquis. It’s what she chose to become afterward. Rehabilitation, accountability, and earning trust over time are all powerful indicators of character. People can make mistakes; what matters is what they do after those mistakes.”

Cross’s gaze settled briefly on both men before continuing.

“When she comes aboard, she’ll deserve the same thing every new commanding officer deserves—a fair assessment based on her leadership here, not solely on chapters of her career that are already decades behind her. Until she gives us reason to think otherwise, I believe the most professional course is to meet her with open minds and our best work.”

A faint smile returned. “And if her record is any indication, she’ll probably expect nothing less.”

Counselor Alex Cross
Chief Counselor
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Becket sat there nodding at both officers. “That I agree with but however, the Dominion War was a brutal time especially for her. However, I have read in history during that time of War at DS9. From what I’ve read in history class, Lieutenant Commander Eddington was a Starfleet officer who betrayed Starfleet and was really a maquis. Aren’t either of you guys worried that might end up being the same way with T’Nara? Let alone, the only other issue is, back of course during that war, another thing I’ve read in history, USS Voyager was going to find a maquis raider found them and had chakotay as commander in the provisional rank. Is this any different? Is that what Starfleet is going to do. Allow former maquis back in and allow them to hold the rank of captain as a provisional? If a Vulcan were here, like Commander Spock who I’ve also read in history, it is illogical. Am I wrong for saying any of that?” He asked them both these questions.

Captain Alex Becket
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

“I don’t know the specifics…” Izak temporized, a little caught off guard by Captain Becket’s reaction. “…just what Lt Cmdr Cross said just a few minutes ago. But it sounded like Captain T’Nara has been serving the Federation for some time… proving her loyalty and gaining rank.”

His own concerns were about how the Ark Angel would change under a new CO’s leadership. Even then, Lt Waryn was self-aware enough to know that was an emotional reaction to change, any change, and didn’t really have anything to do with T’Nara herself.

That didn’t stop him from worrying though.

He’d never even thought to question the loyalty of a Starfleet Captain. While there have been instances of treason or divided loyalties in the Federation’s long history, they were few and far between.

“Captain…” The Chief Engineer said, eyes flicking to the Counselor momentarily. “If you do have concerns about a fellow Captain… that might be the sort of thing to bring up with Headquarters. They could probabaly tell you about the vetting process.” And I’m sure such questions are above a Chief Engineer’s sphere of influence, he thought.

Lt Waryn casually glanced around the lounge to see if anybody was within earshot. The subject matter of this conversation feels… sensitive in nature. Parts of it could easily be taken out of context.

OOC: When I put whole chunks of text in italics its generally something he’s thinking, not saying. If there is an STF standard formatting to show what a character is thinking, I’ll use that instead.

That’s something I like to do because because their are Betazoids that can read thoughts directly (if they so choose) and highly perceptive officers/Counselors around that can intuit a lot of what he might be thinking.

Lt Izak Waryn - Chief Engineer - U.S.S. Ark Angel