Posted by Captain Zachariah Cobb (Commanding Officer) in Reporting for Duty
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Posted by Lieutenant Casela Synthi-er (Counsellor) in Reporting for Duty

Posted by Captain Zachariah Cobb (Commanding Officer) in Reporting for Duty
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻

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?

Casela listened. Oh she had been thrust here, because her skill set made her too good to just let her go, but she was a thorn that SFI wanted gone, hence her placement on this suicide mission. She knew it for what it was. But she’d spent her lengthy career protecting those that needed it, and she wouldn’t regret it.

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

Casela of course had no qualms listening to Cobb’s thoughts and though he had drunk to much her respect for him increased. He didn’t want to be there, who did, but he was capable and willing to pull it together. Good! “I believe that would be best, Cpt Cobb.” This time when she used his rank there was sarcasim. She stepped into the ready room and came back with two cups of strong black coffee. She had no idea how he took it but this was best. “Shall we begin your tour?”
Lt. Synthi-er, CNS

“Ah, that’s the stuff right there,” Cobb groaned with delight as he took the offered coffee and drained a quarter of the mug’s contents in one swallow. He was about to wipe at his mouth with a sleeve but remembered the counselor beside him at the last and instead dabbed gently at his lips with his pinky.

Casela chuckled a bit seeing him stop himself from using his sleeve, “I don’t know about you, Sir, but I find sleeves are good for a great many purposes, one being as a napkin. I don’t stand on politeness. You’ll see that in my record, I prefer to judge by actions or inactions as the situation calls for.” Casela was offering an Olive branch of sorts. They both had vices, and she expected them to work on it.

For a brief moment, he considered doing the gentlemanly thing and offering her his arm, but then considered that he might be rewarded with a slap in the face for such an outdated notion. So instead he simply cradled the remainder of his coffee in one hand and motioned towards the door with the other.

“Please, Lieutenant, lead the way.”

• Captain Zachariah Cobb

Cobb was an old soul. Once upon a time, Casela would have appreciated the gesture, but now....well lots of things had changed since she was a child, one of them giving up on fantasies. She lead the way to the turbo lift and picked a random deck. She put on her counselor face and reminded herself of what her job was. This wasn’t a small team mission this was…well, she couldn’t drop a member off for a little vacation and do it all herself this time. “Tell me, Cobb, what you think about this suicide mission command has sent us on?”
Lt. Synthi-er, CNS