Posted by Lieutenant Commander Amelia Manning (Executive Officer) in Ready Room - Main Sim

Posted by Colonel Calvin Harris (Commanding Officer) in Ready Room - Main Sim

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Amelia Manning (Executive Officer) in Ready Room - Main Sim
Walking in behind the Marine, Amelia was unsure as to why Harris had called a meeting with her alone. Turning to the Dresden’s Commanding Officer, she looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to speak.

Lt. Cmdr. Manning, XO

Harris looked at the Dresden’s Executive Officer with a look of clear exasperation as he sat in his chair. “Don’t look at me like that, your Highness…” The Marine snapped with an eye roll. “And sit down.” Harris made a slashing motion to the chairs on the other side of his desk.

If there was anything that her time on the Dresden had taught her, was to ignore Harris’s nicknames for her. She had accepted that they would always come and they would always be some sort of reference to her peerage background. There was no point in fighting them back at this point. Sitting down on her own usual spot, Amelia’s gaze didn’t change.

Pausing for a moment, clearly deep in thought, the Dresden’s CO looked up with piercing blue eyes and said flatly. “I wanted to go over this B.S. with you privately so we can make a game plan and be on the same page on the Bridge. I know your background Amelia and I am well aware of your general lack of combat experience. While you did a hell of a job handling yourself when that mess with Molly and I happened, you were lucky and I intend to teach you & mentor you to get you as up to speed as I can when it comes to sharing the Bridge as XO with me in similar situations.”

The Marine’s words hadn’t been what she had expected. She furrowed her brow slightly as he spoke, wondering where he was going with them.

“To be clear, I am not and never will hold that lack of experience against you but we have to be a team… one mind… during tactical situations.” He then smiled a warm, genuine smile. “You think you’re up for it Commander?”

Harris, CO

“Colonel… you do know that, even though my background is heavily in Engineering, I attended Starfleet’s Command College just like any crew member that would want to become an Executive Officer, right?” She wondered if he thought that her peerage ancestry made her weaker or more feeble than others. “During my time there, we were extensively trained in combat and other types of situations, surely I am no Marine, but I can handle myself and the ship. I wasn’t just… lucky, as you put it.” Her tone was defiant and as British as Harris had ever heard it.

“Goddamnit you are stubborn, aren’t you.” Harris grumbled, barely audible. “Yes… Princess… you /were/ lucky and had the Thresher not showed up when it did, you would have gotten /my/ ship blown out from under your arse.” The final word said in the most obnoxious British impersonation Amelia had ever heard. “The reason you were lucky, and you /were/ VERY lucky, had to do with the fact the Dresden was out gunned to a factor of nearly three to one. So take that damn chip off your shoulder and listen when people are trying to teach you, Lieutenant Commander Manning…” Harris snapped, purposefully using the Executive Officer’s formal rank. “… cause that wasn’t a frackin’ training simulation!”

After a short pause Manning continued. “On my first mission after the academy, I was taken possession by an alien entity who considered themselves to be a God and I was able to endure it. I am confident in my abilities, Colonel, and I know that we need to be a team during Tactical situations. Or are you under the impression that I will work on my own or with the other party?” She scoffed.

Harris couldn’t help but roll his eyes once more. “Don’t be a smartass Manning… I read your file, even the redacted parts… cause I maintain my Intel Security Clearance.” Pausing, seemingly to calm himself, Harris continued. “If I didn’t trust your abilities, you wouldn’t be my Exec. I highly suggest you lose the attitude.”

“Now, Colonel… are you trying to tell me that you are treating our current mission as a combat situation? Because the way I see it, we witnessed a dispute between several ships over a piece of art. The ships have disengaged and one of them is now on the run. We are pursuing. I know the type Mr. Lorenzo is. Men like him are spread around the galaxy. Men that think their influence and money shields them from any sort of accountability they might hold for their actions. It is as far from a combat situation as you’re going to get. It seems to me nothing a little diplomacy can’t fix. So, while I appreciate the offer Colonel, I don’t think I will need your guidance or mentorship for our current mission. But I will keep it in mind for when I do.”

Lt. Cmdr. Manning, XO

“I treat every goddamn situation like it could go tac!” Harris’ fist slammed into the desk. “It’s called playing it safe. And of course we’re handling it in a diplomatic way. I’m not a goon Amelia.” Harris was still annoyed but calming.

Harris, CO