Posted by Lieutenant Casela Synthi-er (Counsellor) in Reporting for Duty

Posted by Captain Zachariah Cobb (Commanding Officer) in Reporting for Duty

Posted by Lieutenant Casela Synthi-er (Counsellor) in Reporting for Duty
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
After her physical, Casela made her way to the bridge, or command center. She entered and took a moment to look around, it was a thing of beauty. All the access and control panels shined and blinked with life. The tactical power in this room was a dream come true. Though that wasn’t her area of expertise and she doubted she would spend a great deal of time here, it was impressive. She personally couldn’t wait to see the interrogation rooms and the counseling deck. Not necessarily in that order. She stepped crisply down in front of the CO, “Lt. Casela Synthi-er, CNS reporting for duty, Sir.” She wasn’t quite at attention, not really giving such things much weight. A person would be judged on their actions and reactions to what they were faced with. Empty rank would not influence her opinion of her crew mates. They were all on the same level, until they proved otherwise. She handed the PaDD with her transfer orders over.

Lt. Synthi-er, CNS

With the Leviathan still docked at the Starbase - a starbase that, prior to the tumultuous events of the past few days, Zachariah Cobb had been blissfully unaware of its existence - the old man had been occupying his downtime with an enjoyable combination of whiskey consumption and exploring the new ship. His new ship. The last time he had held a command position had been in the midst of the Dominion war and…well, he had been attempting to evict the memory of the second battle of Chin’toka from his consciousness ever since.

About thirty minutes prior to Synthi-er stepping onto the Leviathan’s bridge, Cobb had himself discovered the space for the very first time and decided to toast the room and the ship from the comfort of the Captain’s chair. Moments later and he had fallen into a deep and comforting sleep.

So it was with something of a start that Zachariah was yanked from his slumber with a distant cry of “Lt. Casela Synthi-er, CNS reporting for duty, Sir.” As usual for a man of his age and constitution, his body reached the destination while his mind was still packing its overnight bag, and, leaping to his feet, he scanned the room, and the new arrival, with confusion before blurting out, “Counselor? Ah…it wasn’t me. I…I don’t need another evaluation right now. Thank you very much.”

• Captain Zachariah Cobb

Casela held back a snear. Even without her telepathy she could smell the liquor on the captain. OMG Star Fleet was known for suicide missions, but this was too much. She’d drop this lump of dirty rags out an airlock. Forget a paradise of a planet for R and R. He might have, at a point in his past, been worthy of the respect of Captain, but, she snorted dismissively to herself, not now. “I was reporting for duty, captain. But apparently I need to find the XO as I don’t think you’re on duty at the moment.” Casela was known for fits of temper and hers was about to snap. Granted they weren’t out of dock yet, but really, in the command center? Disgraceful. “And whether you want another psych eval or not, everyone has to have one before we can disembark. Orders,” her voice thick with sarcasm, “from Star Fleet Command.” She looks around, no one else is here. “Should I call the XO to the bridge?”
Lt. Synthi-er, CNS/KAI9 Handler

“I…well…” Cobb began, sinking back into the chair in an attempt to place as much distance between himself and this woman as was possible. Dammit man. You’re a captain now. How about you bloody well act like one!

Zachariah let out a deep sigh and ran a hand along his beard. In the space of seventy-two hours his entire existence had been turned inside out. He had been enjoying a reasonable semi-retirement, now he was once again an active Starfleet officer. He had been expecting to return to his beloved engineering, now he was the bloody captain. And not just any old captain but one in charge of a top secret ship, belonging to a top secret branch of Starfleet and embarking on a top secret mission. Why, it was enough to make the most steadfast individual lose their grip. Did this Counselor have no pity for one as disorientated as he?

It seemed the answer to that would be a resounding negative.

With a discreet yet fumbling attempt to stow his hipflask in his trouser pocket, Cobb straightened his tunic and smoothed over his hair, before once more rising to his feet and, adopting a more dignified posture this time, or at least, dignified for a man already several measures of liquor into his day, he continued in a more measured tone. “Ah, I don’t think that will be necessary. I’m sure I can handle crew onboarding on my own.”

Extending a hand to the woman and steeling himself for the possibility of it being slapped away again, he cleared his throat and announced. “I am Captain Cobb. Welcome to the Leviathan, Lieutenant Synthi-er.”

His face remained impassive as he looked to the woman before him, although internally he was already shrinking from a potential verbal lashing.

• Captain Zachariah Cobb

This man was going to be their captain. She’d seen his record, she knew why they picked him, at least on paper. And it was obvious he did not want to be here. Gods she hated this job. She’d have to help him or he could get them all killed, faster than they should. They were all going to die on this mission anyway. Looking around she ensured no one else was in the command center. Casela took his hand and shook it firmly, and not letting it go. She stepped in towards him discretely whispering to him. “Cpt. might I suggest you either go to your quarters or your ready room and detox yourself before any more crew come aboard? And though the stories of some of things we are going after makes me want to drink, perhaps now is not the right time? Certainly not to the point you pass out in the command chair. You can go clean up on your own, I can walk you there, or if you prefer I can have the CMO and XO come down and we can arrange for a different posting. Lives depend on your decisions. The crew needs you clear headed.” The choice was his, and she’d have him declared unfit, but he could choose to help himself or not. If she had to do it for him it would not be pleasant.

Lt. Synthi-er, CNS/KAI9 Handler

“Eh, pass out is a little strong there, Miss. I was just…” he trailed off. What was it Roebuck had said at the conclusion of, so far, the worst meeting of his life? “Remember, as a Starfleet captain you are always on duty.” It was nothing Zachariah didn’t already know, but he knew also that the last time he had allowed command to consume him so utterly it had damn near killed him. Perhaps this time it would finish the job once and for all.

But this woman before him, why she might be putting on a display that would make a Klingon warrior quake in their boots, yet he sensed that somewhere, beneath all of the confidence, she was afraid. Or possibly nervous. Whatever it was, she seemed no more happy to be assigned to this mission than Cobb himself. Was she also a recent recruit into the almost incomprehensible world of the ARU? Or on the other end of the scale, was her irritation and impatience the kind that only a seasoned veteran of such an organisation could muster?

Releasing her hand, Cobb made no effort to increase the distance between them and instead leaned in to murmur in her ear, “I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas any more, Lt Synthi-er. Now what say we go find ourselves some decent coffee and allow me the chance to get the lay of this munchkinland, eh?”

• Captain Zachariah Cobb