Posted by Lieutenant Commander Renveer (Counselor) in Pre-Sim: CNS checks in with the CO

Posted by Colonel Calvin Harris (Commanding Officer) in Pre-Sim: CNS checks in with the CO

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Renveer (Counselor) in Pre-Sim: CNS checks in with the CO
Posted by… suppressed (10) by the Post Ghost! 👻
(snip)
Renveer dropped his eyes to the floor, allowing a moment of silence to respect the weight of the Colonel’s statement. Then he raised his gaze back to the captain, expression serious but filled with sympathy. “I’m here to help, Colonel. What do you need from me? Both for the Dresden and her crew, but also for yourself personally. I know we’ll have other missions to complete in the meantime, but I don’t want anyone to feel as if their needs are not being addressed in relation to what happened before I came aboard.”

(Lt. Comm. Renveer, Counselor)

As the starlight reflection of Warp streaked across stormy blue eyes, Harris sighed and kept his gaze out the window… taking two slow, deep breaths before cutting those same eyes back to Renveer. “Counselor, I will be frank. I’m a warrior… a solider… a man that came from a long line of service members that choose to stand in the breech and fight for those that can’t. Don’t get me wrong… the last year has been frackin hard, one of the worst years of my life and believe me… I’ll be calling on you from time to time. But I’m worried about what my people have been through, what my Department Heads have been through, and…” Calvin looked away but not before Renveer would see a single tear fall from his eye. “… I’m worried about my girls. Brianna is like my second daughter, she’s been best friends with my Ali since the girls were 12. I’m worried about my Exec. Amelia was never, ever cut out for the horseshit we’ve faced over the last year… but damn if that girl hasn’t surprised the hell outta me.”

Harris smiled warmly, thoughtfully. “That girl has been through hell and hasn’t flinched. She’s arguably the best Executive Officer I’ve ever had. And then there’s my Molly.” Calvin blushed as he glanced to a picture of the couple in a park on his desk. “Molly and I have been together over two years and… and I’m crazy about her. But goddamn has through some shit… and most of it was my fault. I completely take the blame for that. That said, I can’t being to think of everything she’s been through for me. My crew, my DH’s, and my girls… that’s what I worry about Commander. It’s what keeps me up at night. You take care of them and than come talk to me. Otherwise, I think you’ll just have a mumbling idiot on your hands. Ya got me?”

Harris, CO

Renveer’s eyebrows flickered upward for just a second, intrigued by the frankness. Of course he was inclined to suggest that the captain too might benefit from processing of the events under his guidance in the meantime, but Renveer got the impress that it wasn’t going to be that simple to persuade him. “Understood, Colonel,” Renveer eventually said. “I will continue to do my best to help Commander Manning, and I will make time to see Captain Holloway immediately. I want to make sure the strong support network you’ve created continues to be a source of strength for you, and I hope that with time I can join that privileged group of individuals.”

“You pull off what I have requested Commander…” Harris said with a soft and sincere smile. “… I can assure you, you will be.”

“That being said,” he couldn’t help but add, “please let me know if you need anything from me. I am here to help, in any way I can.” Renveer paused to allow the emotions in the room to settle. “On that note,” he said by way of transition, “I would appreciate any perspective you have on my role on the bridge and during our missions. How would you prefer for me to support you during those instances?”

(Lt. Comm. Renveer, Counselor)

Harris gently pinched his bottom lip between his finger tip and thumb, clearly deep in thought for a few moments. Clearing his throat softly, blue eyes cut back to Renveer’s once more. “Commander… I am probably one of the few true combatants in command of a Federation Starship, much less a warship like the Dresden. But, the Dres’ is still a Federation Starship first and foremost…” The Marine began with a slightly roguish smile. “… much to my… annoyance.”

A flicker of Renveer’s eyebrows were the only indication that Harris’ statement intrigued him. His face remained otherwise neutral, but he made a mental note to explore that particular ‘annoyance’ at a later date.

“So, while I can tend to be harder than some CO’s… I have a crystal clear understanding of not only my role, but the role of the Fleet personnel under my command, as the Skipper of a Fleet ship. That means I fully expect you to serve in the same capacity as you would on any other Fleet vessel. During formal operations, diplomatic communications, and while the Dres’ is actively engaged in missions…” Harris continued. “… you will be working the same Bridge shift as me. And in emergency situations, when Command Staff are ordered to the Bridge, I expect you will be there. Your place, under Fleet protocols, is on the Bridge in the Port Command chair. From it, you will provide me and the Command Staff with expert advice from your field. Any other questions in that regard Commander?”

Harris, CO

Renveer shook his head, a hint of a smile on his lips. “None at all, Colonel. That answers any questions I have might had nicely.” It also told Renveer a lot about the respect the commanding officer had for the counselor’s role on the ship. Given the… ‘combatant’ nature that Harris had mentioned, Renveer had been prepared to have to advocate for the value of his expertise. It was a pleasant surprise that it was unnecessary to do so.

(Lt. Comm. Renveer, Counselor)

Harris was, if anything, a highly receptive person when it came to catching… nuance… that others might miss. Nearly a decade double-dipping between the Corps and Starfleet Intelligence makes on a tad bit more observant than the everyday Marine. A slightly wicked smile crossed Harris’ features and after a soft chuckle escaped the Marine.

“Commander Renveer… you look surprised. Penny for your thoughts Counselor.” His tone was light and his eyes basically twinkled as he asked the question.

Harris, CO

OOC: Sorry for the delay. Last week was the last of my Masters. Damn RL problems LOL

Renveer shook his head with a small smile. “Even I, who has been trained to have an open mind, am sometimes prone to assumptions. I must admit that I was expecting a little bit more protest on your part when it came to my direct involvement on the bridge. But, I am happy to be proven wrong.”

The counselor paused, then decided to elaborate further. “You mentioned that the Dresden is a warship. Counselors like myself are often responsible for guiding the command staff on matters of diplomacy and peaceful conflict resolution. I suppose that I hope that you will allow me to fulfill that part of my duties, if I see fit to share my perspective. In return, I will of course understand when you make the call that utilizing force is necessary.”

(Lt. Comm. Renveer, Counselor)

“Well said Commander…” Harris replied with a smile and a chuckle. “… and yes, this is in fact… a warship. Though trust that I will not get in the way of your duties and have no aversion to your role. Additionally, though a warship… a great man once said ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick’.” The Marine smiled a bit wider. “And the Dres’ is one hellofa big stick. However, the ships of Roosevelt’s ‘Great White Fleet’ never fired a shot in anger during their circumnavigation of Earth. The fleet was a show of force to make possible enemies think twice… just like the Dresden. She can handle anything thrown at her… but the mission of Starfleet is peace. Therefore, I intend to do something very un-Marine like… and not shoot first.” Harris winked. “Very uncharacteristic!”

Harris, CO

Renveer’s expression relaxed noticeably as Harris spoke. Of course Renveer had reviewed Harris’ service record and had no reason to be concerned, but the Dresden had been in a handful of violent incidents under his command, and some part of Renveer had wondered if that was in some way due to the Colonel’s personality. But the counselor did not get the impression that Harris was being dishonest about his approach to conflict, and perhaps it was the case that having a marine at in command was the very thing the Dresden needed, given its tendency to get into trouble.

“Thank you, Colonel, for divulging your command philosophy to me. I hope I don’t seem intrusive, I just wanted to get an idea of how you, and by proxy the Dresden, operate. I look forward to supporting you in my role as ship’s counselor, hopefully both on the bridge and off of it.” Renveer offered that small hint but did not push the matter further. He would have his hands full with Holloway and Manning, for now.

(Lt. Comm. Renveer, Counselor)

“Not at all Commander…” Harris smiled. “… not a bother at all. I welcome you to keep an eye on me and check in with me as you feel it is appropriate. As the Commanding Officer of a warship, I tend to have more than my fair share of stressors. Don’t get wrong, I knew what I was getting into and I’m proud of the career I’ve led over the past 20 years… but I can be very stubborn and can trend to not seek out help when needed. Between you and the girls keeping an eye on me… I think I’ll be in good hands.”

The Marine then added. “Is there anything I can do for you, Counselor, to make your adjustment to shipboard life a bit easier?”

Harris, CO

Renveer’s eyebrows tilted outwards slightly in mild surprise. The colonel’s level of self-awareness was impressive, and reassuring. But the counselor found his lips turning upwards in a smile as well. “Understood, Colonel. Although perhaps you should be careful what you wish for,” he jested.

Renveer paused for a second, tracing his trill spots on his temple with a finger in thought. “I don’t think so, at this exact moment. I still need to finish setting up my office, so that’s step one. But I’m sure I’ll have questions in the future. Perhaps we can rendezvous sometime in the near future, for both of our benefit.”

(Lt. Comm. Renveer, Counselor)

“Sounds like a great plan” Harris smiled warmly. “Let’s plan to get to together every Tuesday of lunch and we can discuss the previous week. Sound good?”

Harris, CO