Posted by Commander Heather Grace (Executive Officer/Chief Science Officer) in Side Simm - Working Out Some Stuff (open to anyone)

Posted by Lieutenant Helena Laursen (Helm/Navigation Officer) in Side Simm - Working Out Some Stuff (open to anyone)

Posted by Commander Heather Grace (Executive Officer/Chief Science Officer) in Side Simm - Working Out Some Stuff (open to anyone)
Posted by… suppressed (11) by the Post Ghost! 👻
After the last couple of days, between everything that happened on the planet, the alien bug attacks on the ship, and arguing with the Captain, Heather needed a chance to vent. Preferably before it was at some helpless crewman who put a beaker in the wrong location. There weren’t a ton of options on the Sojourner, and she wasn’t interested in hearing someones opinion on her shooting, just for the chance to shoot some targets, so that really just left the gym.

Having changed into workout clothes and pulled her hair back into a ponytail, it wasn’t long before she stalked into the gym. Grabbing a towel off of the shelf by the door, she made her way over to one mats along one wall to start off stretching. She might be frustrated, but getting hurt would only make it worse in the long run.

Sufficiently warmed up, she stepped onto one of the treadmills. Throwing her towel over the railing, she took a quick drink from her water bottle before setting off on a slow jog to start. Over the next couple of minutes she built up her speed to a decent run. While it was not as nice as running outside, something about the repetitive motion was soothing to her. It was a type of meditation in its own way, allowing her to clear her mind and focus just on the run.

Cmdr. Grace - XO / CSO

Helena entered the gym about the time Grace had just hit her stride. She gave the XO a friendly smile and sat down on the mats. She took resistance bands and small weights from her bag and began her routine PT exercises.

Lt. Laursen, Helm/Navigation Officer

Heather gave a small wave as she kept going. It was about 20 minutes later that she finally started to slow down before finally stepping off of the treadmill. It hadn’t been a long run, only a bit over 5km, but it had been enough to clear her head, which is what she really needed. Taking a deep drink from her water bottle, she headed back over to the mats and started her cool down stretches.

Putting her legs together, Heather bent over reaching for her toes. As she held the stretch, she turned her head over towards where Helena was doing her own exercises. “Well, I have to say that wasn’t exactly how I figured the Sojourner’s first mission out would play out.”

Cmdr. Grace - XO / CSO

Helena shook her head as she adjusted the resistance bands. “I’ve seen some weird events happen on missions, but that was a new one.” She sighed sadly, “Losing crew is never easy.” Helena had heard about the medical officer and she had watched the destruction on the bridge. You expect danger on alien planets, not on your ship coming out of the vents.

Lt. Laursen, Helm/Navigation Officer

Heather nodded. “Especially when it’s in your own house.”

The pilot only nodded solemnly. It was never easy on anyone, but the weight of responsibility was heavier for the command staff.

Letting the statement hang there, Heather sat back up and shifted to her next stretch. “It seems like you and the Captain go way back.”

Cmdr. Grace - XO / CSO

There was a pause as Laursen finished her ten count. “All the way back to two days before the first day of freshman year at the Academy.” She switched out the band she was working with and began another stretch. “His flight from Marseilles arrived late in Boston and he missed the connecting flight. My parents had rented me a Cessna as a surprise. So I could fly the last leg of the trip myself. I gave Renault a lift. We served in the same cadet squad all the way through graduation.” She switched legs and stretched again. “We’ve served together off and on over our careers. Of course, most people do. Fleet service isn’t huge yet. You’ll know at least 2 people where ever you go. At least that’s been my experience.”

Lt. Laursen, Helm/Navigation Officer

“Isn’t that true,” Heather said as she shifted so she was sitting cross legged on the mat. “This is probably the first assignment where I haven’t run into the same 50 people again. But that’s probably because most of my colleagues have decided to remain a bit closer to home these days.”

“It’s always nice, well usually nice to get to serve again with people you know,” Helena grinned. Not every relationship was a positive one, she knew.

Heather took a deep breath. “I know we didn’t get off on the best foot. But I’d appreciate it if you could give me some insight into what kind of person he is.”

Cmdr. Grace - XO / CSO

Helena lifted up out of her stretch and regarded the Commander, “Permission to speak freely, Cmdr?”

Lt. Laursen, Helm/Navigation Officer

“Please. I wouldn’t be asking if I didn’t want your candid opinion.”

Cmdr. Grace - XO / CSO

Helena nodded and sat up. “Marceau Renault is a kind and compassionate man. He takes his responsibilities very seriously. There is never a decision that he will ever make lightly, even if he has to make it quickly. He is a man that believes in respect. Not that BS about you get respect when you’ve earned it. He gives respect and asks the same until there is solid reason to lose it.” The pilot took a breath. “I’m guessing this is about your objection to what happened with that creature. Knowing him as long as I have, I can say he does not object to your objection of what happened on the bridge. He most likely objects to how you voiced it. He welcomes advice and other perspectives, but not outright defiance or what may be perceived by others as such. He would not dress you down in front of the crew, without cause, because it causes the crew to choose sides between people in the command staff. I may have pulled the trigger, but he will carry the weight of that decision with him always. It was not an easy decision for him, but in the end the decision and safety of the crew is his responsibility.”

Lt. Laursen, Helm/Navigation Officer

Heather nodded. “I appreciate the insight. I still stand behind my argument, and will own whatever consequences come out of it. We will work through whatever happens there. But,” she said taking a deep breath. “Having had a chance to get a bit of space since then. I’ve come to realize that the rational side of my brain might not have been working so clearly at that particular moment. Which might have been caused by being slimed for either the second or third time that day by those creatures.”

Helena nodded, “I don’t think anyone expects you to not stand by your argument. Renault will stand by his as well. They are two valid sides to the same argument.” The pilot blew out a breath, “Yeah, I totally understand the getting slimed factor. Watching what that thing did to NE on the bridge was nightmarish.”

“I don’t know how much input he had in my assignment here, but I do know that there is only so much you can tell about a person by reading a personnel file. And in the end this is still a small ship, and we still have to work together. Your candor helps me get a better idea of how to frame things going forward. So thank you for that.”

Cmdr. Grace - XO / CSO

“Of course. I hope it helps.” Laursen shrugged, “I don’t know how much choice he had in the crew selection. You would have to ask him. I may be a Lt and a pilot, but I’ve been in the service a long time. I could even be captain by now, if I wasn’t so stubborn about wanting to fly,” she laughed. “But I do know that good command teams are able to speak openly and candidly with each other. That may be behind the door of the ready room, but it happens.” She sighed again, “I probably shouldn’t say anything, and I’ll pay the price if he finds out later. First commands are hard, it’s not like being a first officer or a department head. You still have someone else to turn to for the tough decisions. I imagine it’s a bit lonely being CO with all that weight on your shoulders, responsible for every decision every crew member makes as well as your own. Having an person to bounce things around with is probably worth their weight in gold.”

“I think you’ll both do well together. Just takes some getting used to each other and talking.”

Lt. Laursen, Helm/Navigation Officer

Heather nodded as she listened and thought about what Laursen had to say. “Still I appreciate it. In the meantime though we’ll make it work.

“And speaking of work,” she said after glancing at the clock. “I’m due back on shift in 30 minutes. Enjoy your workout, and I appreciate the advice.”

Pushing herself off the floor Heather tossed the towel she had grabbed into the waiting bin and headed for the exit.

Cmdr. Grace - XO / CSO

“Commander,” Helena said as the woman got up to leave, “any time. We are all we have out here.”

Lt. Laursen, Helm/Navigation Officer