Posted by Commander Shedda Mal’athar (Executive Officer) in Sounding Boards

Posted by Fleet Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Sounding Boards

Posted by Commander Shedda Mal’athar (Executive Officer) in Sounding Boards
Posted by… suppressed (14) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Stepping on to the bridge, Shedda made her way toward Cochrane’s ready room. She pressed the chime, maybe jabbing it a bit harder than necessary.

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

“Come in.” came the voice of Cochrane from inside. The office was at it always was, and Cochrane was sitting behind his desk. He looked up and saw the XO and took a deep breath. “Commander.” he said as the door slid closed behind her. “Something from the replicator?” he asked innocently.

Cochrane, CO

Shedda entered and walked toward the desk. “No.” It was a shame everything tasted like ash. The chili was good, or it had been the last time. Without invitation, she dropped into a chair. Heavily enough that the chair rocked back. Maybe a go in the gym with Cmdr Fayth would be beneficial. Or maybe private holodeck time to just punch things and watch them break. “I have a problem with another officer.”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

“Oh, really?” Cochrane said. There was a slight… something… in his tone that was very hard to place, but his face remained calm. “Something that you feel requires my intervention? Or is this more of an informative dialogue?”

Cochrane, CO

Shedda stared at the shelves behind his desk. Willing herself to release her temper. “More like a friend asking another friend to stop her from bashing a man’s skill in and ending up in prison. Or helping her hide the body.”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

Alex leaned back and said “Well, the composter in the garden is getting a little low. But why don’t we start at the beginning and you tell me who we are talking about and what is going on?”

Cochrane, CO

Shedda’s ice blue gaze landed on his. “Lt. Cmdr. d’Aramis. Our newly arrived Chief of Intel. The short of it - his inappropriate innuendos got more sleezey over the course of our conversation. Until it ended with him telling me that one of the martial arts forms he knows is ‘Kama Sutra’ and he trains regularly and would love to know if I like to spar.”

“Alex,” it was a measure of how much this bothered her that she dropped the formality. “We only made it from the shuttle bay to the Officer’s Mess. Less than half a deck!”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

Cochrane’s jaw set and his ice-blue eyes seemed to get colder. “I see…” was all he said for a moment. He leaned back and looked at Shedda. “Alright. As the Executive Officer of this ship, Commander d’Armis falls under your authority. But I will ask you… how do you want to handle this? I can certainly call him on the carpet for such unprofessional behaviour. But that may, in the long run, hinder your ability to effectively manage him. Either way, we both need to make certain that he realizes the Manhattan isn’t his own personal pleasure yacht.”

Cochrane, CO

“As the Executive Officer of this ship, I am inclined to see if he corrects his behavior after being told his behavior was inappropriate and unbecoming. Just like I would anyone else.” She sighed, “But the me with a chip on her shoulder. Well she’s not so calm or understanding.”

Shedda gave a little shrug. She knew she had one, and she’d told Alex that from the beginning. Asked him to make sure she kept that chip firmly put away. “I’m not wrong about in my reaction, but I know putting his skull through a bulk head would be overkill. Knowing my luck he’d like it.”

“If it happens again, I’ll have no choice but to bring this to you officially. What concerns me the most, is that, if he will treat his superior Officer that way, how does he treat the junior officers?”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

“A truly valid concern ” Alex said. He was quiet a moment and then said “Alright. As you are the Executive Officer of this ship and it’s crew, I suggest you handle the situation initially. That way you don’t lose any authority when dealing with him. You and I will keep an eye and ear open for any… indiscretions… on his part with regards to the crew and others on the ship. If we observe anything, we will deal with it together. Is that acceptable?”

Cochrane, CO

Not really, but that was her temper talking. “Yes. Thank you.” She let out a not so amused chuckle. “He may be dead by morning. Harv might kill him.”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

Alex laughed. “Yeah… I’ve already received a message from him. Apparently he’s banned our new Intel officer from the Mess. I’m not entirely sure he had that authority, but I dont think I’ll argue the point right now.” He cocked his head to the side a little and then said “Speaking of the chef… how’s things?”

Cochrane, CO

“How’s things?” Shedda gave him a look. “The new CIO just told our murderous chef that he was passing off rot gut for Risian chowder, and had obviously never been to Risa. So right now I’m trying to figure out how we are going to hide and dispose of the body without having to admit we know things we don’t.” Shedda knew exactly what Alex was asking. She was still a bit disgruntled with him. So if he wanted details he was going to have to work for it.

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

Cochrane’s face darked slightly. “He told Harv what?” he asked with an unnecessary lowering of his voice. “Oh, shit… that will certainly be a problem at some point. I may have to have a word with the Commander sooner than we thought.” He took a breath and slowly exhaled. “But in the meantime, how are things between you and Harv? Yeah, yeah… I butted in. But you two are too damn stubborn to make the first move. So I ‘encouraged’ you.”

Cochrane, CO

Shedda’s brows went up with seriousness and slight amusement at Alex’s reaction. “Banning d’Aramis from the mess is pretty tame, don’t you think?” Shedda huffed a half laugh and crossed her arms over her chest. “Encourage? I walked into the conference room and it took about 30 seconds before the man started throwing dishes back onto the tray and almost beaned me in the head.” It hadn’t been like that, but Alex could squirm. But he was too proud of himself to feel bad. “He’s pretty pissed at you, so I would avoid the mess for awhile. I mean, if you disappeared I might get the Manhattan, but Fleet could send someone out here who has no idea what they are doing. I’ve spent too much time training you. So don’t get dead.” Shedda grinned and laughed.

“I’ll do my best.” Alex said with a chuckle. “But between you and Harv, I think I like my chances with a rabid Jem Hadar commando team more.”

“Between me and Harv?” Shedda shrugged. It was one dinner, forced by Alex interfering. It was too soon to tell. “Alright. I mean he didn’t threaten and curse me when I walked out of the mess without touching the food he put in front of me. In fact he told me it was alright, he had it.” That was huge considering all their early interactions.

“You know, you two could try going on an actual date.” he said, smiling. “I mean, if he didn’t give you hell for not eating, he obviously likes you more than… well… anyone.”

“Or you know, he has a soft spot for women that get harassed by lecherous advances.” An actual date, wouldn’t that be a novel idea. And let the whole crew know about her personal life. No thanks, she wasn’t interested in listening to those rumors and innuendos again. It was why she didn’t date. Harv, well anyone, deserved to have someone that they wouldn’t be judged for being with. Harv didn’t care she was Orion, didn’t mean he wanted to deal with people who did.

Shedda leaned forward slightly, “But let’s talk about you calling my father and somehow managing to convince him give you his recipe for his chili. What exactly did you say to him to manage that?”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

Alex held up his hands and said “Whoa whoa whoa. That wasn’t me, and I resent the insinuation.” and then he grinned. “My entire participation in that was when Harv comm’d me and requested your father’s name. When I asked him why, he said ‘Because I need it. Now either say no or give me the damn name.’… or something to that effect.” and he laughed. “Maybe call your dad and ask him what the conversation was about.”

Cochrane, CO

Shedda cross her arms, raising one brow and stared at him. “Now see, Harv said he asked you to contact my father on his behalf. So one or both of you are lying to save your backsides. Honestly, I’m impressed that one of you managed to convince him to give it up rather than upset you called him.”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

Alex shrugged and said “All I did was send a introduction so your father would I ow it was a legitimate contact, so there. I never spoke to him. That was all Harv.”

Cochrane, CO