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 (28) 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

Shedda shook her head all while giving him a look. “If you say so. Now what about your love life? You cannot live vicariously through me. Too many people will want to beat or murder you.”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

“I’m sure there is a waiting list for those activities already.” Alex said with a laugh. “And we can’t talk about something that doesn’t exist. And you know damn well how I feel about the Captain fraternizing with crew. Too many ways for that to go sideways; no ma’am. I will just sit here and make this office a monestary. Better for everyone concerned. Besides, if all else fails, we do have the holodeck.” and he laughed again.

Cochrane, CO

Shedda laughed softly and shook her head. “Well by those standards that means I can join you in the monastery and we’ll live as monks happily ever after.” She shook her head again. “You don’t have to have a love life Alex, but you need more than your work. You need to live what you speak. You emphasize to the crew constantly that we are a family, that we have to be there for each other, support each other, create bonds. You need to do the same. And there are civilians on board.”

She held up a hand, “No really. You don’t have to date or be involved with anyone. But we both could do with making more time for friendships and non-solitary hobbies.”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

Alex steepled his fingers together and pursed his lips slightly for a moment. “Alright. I will make you a deal. If you will truly give whatever is between you and Harv a shot… and I mean sincerely… then I will make myself more available to social interactions. Where that may lead is up to Fate. Deal?”

Cochrane, CO

Shedda rolled her eyes, “Fine, deal. The things I do for our friendship, Alex, I swear. I will sincerely give this… whatever it is, between Harv and I a chance, and you will be more social.” Alex was a great officer, and steadfast friend, and a good man. She hated seeing him alone. But not being alone didn’t have to mean romance. She just didn’t want him so isolated.

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

“Done.” Alex said and let the topic end there, at least for the time being. “Now then… let’s get back to our new Cassanova Intel officer. I was just replaying some interactions I observed; and I do see a pattern there that is commensurate with your experience. But I have a question. What do we know of his cultural upbringing? And have you looked to see if he has had any previous complaints against him for said behavior?”

Cochrane, CO

Shedda shook her head. “I read over his file when he was first assigned. I don’t remember any disciplinary actions standing out. I do know he has been a field agent most of his career. Working on his own, outside of direct supervision. The opportunity to make his own rules to get the job done. His file doesn’t say so directly, but his father was MIA with no closure about what had happened. He joined Star Fleet and Intel. There was mention that he was looking into his father’s fate.”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

“Ghosts are something that we contend with from time to time.” Alex said. “But doesn’t excuse or explain the tendency to be… ‘overly charming’… for lack of a better term.” He paused for a moment and then rocked him a head back and forth. “Ok. How about you call the Commander in for a talk? Nip it in the bud, as they say. And if there is an issue after that, we’ll address it together. I want him to feel comfortable on board, after all. But I also want some decorum from my leaders, too.”

Cochrane, CO

Shedda didn’t like that order. She’d do it. It was her job after all. She was the XO and she couldn’t back away from her responsibility. But she wasn’t comfortable around d’Aramis. It wasn’t a conversation that, professionally, should be held in a public location, but she wasn’t comfortable being alone with him either. She’d have to get over it. It had to be addressed, and she had to set the example. “Understood.”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

As if reading her thoughts, he said “And if you want me to listen in, just comms me and I’ll mute myself.” He gave her a half-smile and said “The joys of command, Commander. I’m pretty sure if Command School taught us what Commanding a ship and crew were really like, we’d have half the fleet immobile because there wouldn’t be anyone to take the Captain’s chair.” and he chuckled.

Cochrane, CO

Shedda laughed, “Of that I am absolutely sure. I may have you listen in just to cover myself and him. A third set of ears.” She shrugged, “Uncomfortable situations are a part of command. If I avoided them, I wouldn’t have made it this far. And don’t forget you have a meeting with him as well after his medical and counseling checks.”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

” I am aware.” he said with a slow shake of his head. He suddenly looked at his desk and said ” Dammit. I forgot to tell you. My mother and sister are coming to visit in a month or two. We’ll pick them up at Event Horizon next time we dock for replenishment.”

Cochrane, CO

Shedda grinned, “Excellent. I’m glad they are coming. Anything in particular you want to schedule for when they are here?”

Cmdr. Mal’athar, XO

Alex smiled and said ” Yeah. I want you and Harv to join us for dinner. And I’m cooking. Going to make some Vulcan dishes my mom likes.”

Cochrane, CO