Posted by Fleet Captain Drudoc Andone (Commanding Officer) in A great change.... Att Capt.
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A crisp =/\= Enter! =/\= came from within, the tone didnt sound pleased nor happy. In fact it radiated frustration, anger, and outrage just barely held in check.

When Trax would enter the ready room the first thing he would notice was a held up ‘wait’ gesture from the Romlan Fleet Captain. As she had her attention to the comm screen on her desk. =/\= …out of my hands, Captain Andone. Orders from higher up says what you got to do. =/\= Came a male voice on the other end in mid-sentence as he entered.

Nearby as if sensing the tension in the room and anger from its owner the basketball sized Romulan piranha like fish swam about back and forth in its large tank on the prowl.

=/\= Commodore, this is an outrage and you know it! Demoting an officer, hell anyone of any rank due to what is clearly a blackmailed political move is....=/\= Drudoc began but got cut off.

=/\= Andone look....=/\= There was a heavy sigh on the other end of the line. =/\= I know your feelings on this, but orders are orders. Politics across the Federation are high right now. Back room deals are making and breaking people’s lives! This is the only option that’ll preserve Mr Suder’s dignity and career once we can work through this. I expect you to carry out your orders, despising as they may be to you. Commodore Bradley out…=/\= then the line went dead.

Drudoc clenched a hand in anger, which radiated off her in waves, then she closed her eyes took several deep long breathes before letting them out slowly while muttering some kind of mantra in Romulan which Trax’s commbadge UT didn’t pick up. Sighing then she rose to face Trax, “..I’m sorry about that Lieutenant. I hoped to have that call finished before you arrived. Thank you for your prompt arrival. Would you care for a drink?” She offered indicating for him to take a seat. Her voice now was calmer, more like its usual self. But held a hint of pained restraint likely over some future topic coming up soon.

Drudoc Andone CO

Trax wasn’t sure what had just happened but he knew it was not good. A strong drink might be in order. “Sure captain a good strong drink might be a good destresser. ” Trax replied kindly.

Knowing some things were not a good sign. And it had something to do with him. As he took a seat as he calmly waited on the captain to get his drink. And waited for the hard news that she didn’t want to tell him.

Trax Sider -cmo

Drudoc nodded, moving, not to the nearby replicator, but to a storage cabinet. From it she pulled a small glass bottle and two small shot glasses. Putting the bottle down Trax could see the label read, ‘MacQueens 32 Year Blended Scotch Whiskey - 2364’. “..Something to make the coming news go down better, its my last bottle from when I was given it by Admiral Janeway when teaching at the Academy..” She said pouring two small shots in each glass.

After both had finished the shot glass, Drudoc got to the bad news. “..Orders from higher up, effectively immediately you are to be demoted from your current lieutenant rank to ensign, and removed for now, from holding a department head role on the ship..” She said delivering the news bluntly but to the point.

”..I don’t like this ensign..” She said after quietly removing the extra pips, “..political pressure from Betazed, I assume from your family, originally wanted you stripped from the service, and have had you returned there. But I fought back as best I could to get this compromise. I want you to know you service as our chief medical officer has been excellent in the line of duty a fact I stressed to my superiors. Sadly my influence can only go so far given the political environment. You are of course free to challenge this decision up the chain of command. Unofficially I encourage you to do so, and whatever support I can provide I shall. For now Ensign....so to be junior lieutenant Marshall will assume your departmental duties as chief medical officer. I have no doubt you will serve and aide her well in this transition and in the times ahead..” She said.

”..Do you have any questions, Ensign?” She asked.

Drudoc Andone CO

Trax sat there in total and uder shock with a blank look on his face. At the news of his demotion and loss of CMO status. He knew it was not the captains fault or the crews. But his mother’s doing along with the matriarch of the governing body of Betazed.

As other questions finally penitrated his shock. “No sir.” Barely escaped his lips. Apparently he was not safe from his mother especially in starfleet.

“I will comply with the changes sir and give what I can to the new CMO.” He felt like he was betrayed by star fleet and UFP. The life and spirit he had was gone. He barely stood now. “Thank you sir.for the drink…am I dismissed.” Trax asked quietly.

But she was right the news was softened by the sooth scotch. Trax was not sure if he would be able to get back to his quarters. But he was going to try just for his dignity of the situation.

Ensign Trax Sider Jo doctor