<snip>

Posted by Ensign Dr. Madison Marsh (Senior Researcher (Exobiology)) in Admiral Roebuck’s Office: Reporting for Fleet Assignment

Posted by Captain Zachariah Cobb (Commanding Officer) in Admiral Roebuck’s Office: Reporting for Fleet Assignment

Something changed within Roebuck, in that moment. Something in her words, or perhaps in the way they’d been said? Whatever the trigger, the boyish twinkle was immediately dissipated, replaced by a confidence and calm that could only come from immeasurable pride. Rising to his feet, the Admiral moved to the back of the room, to a row of ceiling-high glass cabinets, each one filled with artifacts and objects and pictures. Pausing at one particular cabinet, he motioned for the scientist to join him, allowing fully for her to cross the room before bending and nodding towards a particular photograph in a blue and gold glass frame.

The image was of two men; the older one noble, clean-cut and impeccably dressed in command red, the younger illuminating command yellows with some familiar, boyish good-looks. They were embracing in the manner of a father and son, standing proud on the bridge of a now much-older starship. The USS Albatross.
“Perhaps you recognise one of the men in that photo?” The question was rhetorical. “The other, is Captain Zachariah Cobb. And you are indeed correct, Dr Marsh. Cobb was the finest captain I have ever served under. And he remains also a very dear friend.”

From here it took only a handful of sidesteps to reach the small bar, at which Roebuck filled two crystal tumblers with whiskey, before handing one to Madison and raising his own in a toast. “To Captain Cobb, war hero and genuine good soul. Also,” he continued with a wink, moving back to his seat while simultaneously downing the alcohol, “soon to be your new commanding officer. And I will admit I somewhat envy you for that.”

But once again, the mood quickly shifted and, as Roebuck waited for Marsh to retake her own seat, he continued to talk.
“What I do not envy, Miss Marsh, is your placement. What you have heard about the Leviathan is correct. Or, it marks the beginning of the tale at least. But I’m afraid the reality is far more dangerous than any bedside story could do justice. You are to be assigned to the Leviathan as a Scientific Researcher. It is the opinion of the ARU that your level of intelligence and scientific understanding, paired with your approach to research and study and also your interest in exobiology, makes you an excellent candidate for the role. What you shall be studying, I shall leave for Captain Cobb to detail. Suffice it for me to say that we have awarded you Delta-03 level clearance for this position. I trust you understand fully the implications of that action.”

Once again he sat back and studied his guest. “I realise this is a lot of information to take in so, do you have any questions for me so far?”

• Admiral Roebuck

Madison acknowledged the Admiral’s signal, rose to her feet, and walked over to join him by his side. Her eyes darted downward as she studied the picture of the two attractive men. Her lips formed an warm honest smile as she listened to his words and extended her hand happily accepting his drink offer. She raised the glass of whiskey to meet her soft lips taking a sip of the whiskey. Madison found the whiskey to be quite delicious as it had aged well and must have cost a fortune. She then downed the rest of her drink, set her glass down at the bar, and returned to her chair sitting down in the same position as before. As she had anticipated form earlier in their conversation, the Admiral had assigned her to the Leviathan. His explanation of the ship naturally filled her with curiousity and a tad bit of concern simultaneously.

As she responded to the Admiral, she would make occasional hand gestures and talked to him like they had known each other for years. “I understand that I am to keep all of the studies that take place on the Leviathan classified sir.” Madison naturally had questions about this unusual assignment. “I do have a few questions for you though. You mentioned that you do not envy my placement on this assignment. I would like to have an idea of what I am getting myself into by joining this ship as it is still a mystery to me. Can you please elaborate there? Also, what are your expectations of me in this new position? In your experience, do you have any suggestions on how I can separate myself from my peers and excel throughout the duration of my time spent working on the Leviathan?” She made direct contact with the Admiral while she spoke and her interest in continuing to be a high performer in whatever role she was assigned to was obviously important to her. She had asked him point blank because she truly did want to develop herself and progress throughout her career in Starfleet. Madison knew that the Admiral would know best on how she can find success in this situation based upon his own experience and with his previous history of evaluating plethora of personnel throughout his career.

• Dr. Madison Marsh (Ensign - Senior Researcher)

The Admiral’s eyebrows rose to his hairline as he allowed himself a small chuckle. “You have enthusiasm, Doctor Marsh. And ambition. I like that. And in return I shall treat you with the respect that your intelligence and your aptitude deserves. I shall tell you the truth.”
He paused for a moment to ensure that he had the woman’s full and unhindered attention, then continued, “To separate yourself from your peers on this vessel, you only need do one thing consistently. Stay alive.”

Roebuck studied the young woman closely, his eyes searching for any hint of fear or anxiety or concern.
“Doctor Marsh, I have been a starfleet officer for a quarter of a century. I have sailed on more starships than I can count, have visited planets and stations from one end of this quadrant to the next. But please believe me when I tell you that the Leviathan is the most dangerous ship I have ever set foot on. And these creatures that you will be studying, these anomalies…they make the Borg look like teddy bears, the Cardassians like playful kittens.”

He sighed and, for a moment, the boyish good looks were contorted by the burden of his years.
“I do not tell you this to frighten you, Doctor. I tell you merely to prepare you. The ARU has full confidence in your ability to serve on this ship. But whether you accept the role is with you and you alone.”

• Admiral Roebuck

After Admiral Roebuck finished speaking, Madison paused for a moment recalling a childhood memory. After careful reflection, she provided him with a closed lip smile all while relaying what came to mind. “You know sir, the way that you describe the Leviathan is as if it is a large scale haunted house. The fear, anxiety, and tension at every turn left or right. You just never know what to expect and there is never enough preparation to be able to predict every scare.” She folded her arms under her chest, leaned comfortably against the back of the chair, and her facial expression shifted to neutral at this point. “Between my Mum and Dr. Ruggieri daring me to do better in everything I do in my life, I usually end up plotting a roadmap to success. Having a solid plan has always been the x-factor in regards to achieving my goals in the long haul. The way I do just that is by finding the strength within myself to endure and persevere when trying to rise above or maneuver around various overwhelming obstacles that stand in my way. I have had my fair share of failures every now and then. However, if I did not fail in the past, then I would not have been nearly as innovative as I am here in this present moment.” Madison nodded her head just slightly in an unconscious expression of assurance that true conviction stood behind her words.

Madison uncrossed her arms and set her hands on her lap. She looked the Admiral dead in the eye as she delivered her answer to his assignment offer. “I see this assignment as a change of pace from my work in the past. However, adapting to change is a crucial step in the process of moving forward and developing as a person. I have the courage to continue to push forward despite any setbacks.” Madison extended her soft right hand across the desk. “Admiral Roebuck, I believe you found the right woman for the position. I accept your challenge. I plan to survive and join you once again for more of that whiskey of yours.” She smiled at the cute older man. “Did you have a particular anomaly in mind that requires my expertise to start off? Perhaps a special project that intrigues you?” She tilted her head slightly as an expression of curiousity spread across her adorable face. “Or shall I defer to Captain Cobb alone going forward?”

• Dr. Madison Marsh (Ensign - Senior Researcher)

His failure to fully convey the dangers of this mission was almost palpable, the Admiral’s face briefly falling with the burden of his inadequate words. But he recovered quickly and, offering no further comment, simply returned the woman’s smile. Once Cobb took her onboard the Leviathan, it would fall to him to be responsible for her mental state. Roebuck could do no more than staff the Leviathan, Zachariah Cobb must then keep them alive. Or not. It was all the same to the ARU in the end.

“The Leviathan will be docking in two days and will then begin the process of unloading their current anomalies. And also of taking onboard new ones. So if there is an anomaly already in containment on this station that you have a particular interest in studying then please, be my guest.”

Unlocking a drawer in his desk by means of a touch-identification pad, Roebuck withdrew a PADD, activated it, then handed it to the scientist.
“On here you will find details of all contained anomalies that your clearance level permits knowledge of. Please, take your time, read them thoroughly and let me know if any are of interest to you, from a scientific point of view.”

• Admiral Roebuck