Posted by Captain Zachariah Cobb (Commanding Officer) in side-sim Needing Cobb’s Advice

Posted by Lieutenant Casela Synthi-er (Counsellor / RTF) in side-sim Needing Cobb’s Advice

Posted by Captain Zachariah Cobb (Commanding Officer) in side-sim Needing Cobb’s Advice
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Casela nods in agreement. “She’s very lonely, and has been for a long time. The few people in the lower lounge overwhelmed her with the amount of noise. And she’s very afraid of Dave. I’ve been trying to take longer routes around the ship to avoid her being near him. He really seems to scare her. I think one-on-one, or just the 3 of us would be better. If she has become telepathic, and can use it some what then the conflicting emotions of all the senior staff can be daunting.”

“Would you mind setting that up then, Lieutenant?” Cobb requested. “Just let me know when and where. Right now this is priority one in my schedule, okay?”
He could see how important Gen was to the Counselor and, in turn, Casela had become important to him. Which meant he would do everything in his power to protect the young girl from anyone who might wish to do her harm.

“She’s still down on the counseling deck. Unless she’s gone exploring. But we can go now. The sooner the better.”

She smiles, but it doesn’t meet her eyes. Her face showing too many years of struggle. “Well, Manhattan and McHarrie can’t get past me, and they both know it.” She winces and lifts the hem of her shirt, showing the bruised and cracked ribs, “Not a gift from them, someone else, but at least Manhattan is aware and knows the risk he would take trying. However,” here she pauses, “I’m not happy with the number of S31 officers on board. They have mixed loyalties.” She smiled ruefully, “I know, aren’t I one of them? Not by choice. My loyalty is to you, and then this crew.” And now Gen. She’s was in a hard spot and she knew she’d put herself in it.

“Good gods, lass,” the captain gasped, his fingers extending to trace out the bruise but pulling away at the last. “Who the hell did this to you, eh? I’ll have their head on a stake, whoever it is! You just say the word!”

Casela smiled, a little taken aback by his sudden vehemence. She could tell he meant every word of it, and it was touching that he should feel that way. Casela however wasn’t sure what do with it. No one expressed that kind of concern over her since she’d left home for the Academy. She chuckles, “Someone who thought that they could teach me a lesson. Don’t worry captain, I gave as good as I got. I’m sure you’re observant enough to figure it out.” She didn’t want to tell him out right because the whole situation with Ryder was now very complicated. She didn’t want to lie to Cobb either. “I..I don’t think you would want this persons head on a stake. It wasn’t as if he caught me by surprise. I knew what I was doing. And well we all know I’m a hot head.”

Zachariah shook his head. He had no place to comment on anyone’s conduct out of hours, considering his own was hardly fitting for a man of his position and stature. And from what he had seen so far, Synthi-er was more than capable of handling herself. Physically, at least. Where her emotions were concerned, however, now that was the conundrum.
“I make a point not to involve myself in the personal lives of my crew, Cas,” he informed her. “So long as it remains their personal life. The moment it interferes with their ability to do their duties then it becomes very much my business. Do you understand?”

Casela smiled, “On that point Zachariah, we are in 100% agreement. The issue is resolved, and it won’t be repeated.” Okay so there were issues to be resolved, but the sparring session would not be repeated.

He sighed and ran a hand through his non-regulation hair. “This mission, Cas, it…it scares me. So little information have they given us on what happened to the Einstein and what might be waiting for us when we reach the nebula. And the warnings from your friend, Gen, have not helped one bit.”

Gently, he took hold of her arms and turned her to face him. Their faces only inches apart now, he needed to look into those eyes, to know that his next point had made its target.
“This crew, my crew,” Cobb began, “to have a hope in hell of surviving this thing then they need you at the top of your game. And so do I.”

Caslea didn’t smile, but she did inside. Although she had been loath to come talk to him, apparently he’d needed it as much as she did. There was steal in Zachariah she hadn’t seen before. She meet his stared dead on. “Sir, if I wasn’t on top of my game I wouldn’t be in here to try and resolve this problem. If this was…3 maybe 5 months ago, I’d have stolen a shuttle and be gone. I promise you, I’m on top of my game. No whether the rest of your senior staff thinks so, that’s a totally different problem.”

“However, McHarrie, I like him, and if push comes to shove I think we can trust him. Time will tell. We have…an understanding. If I ask him to leave her alone, he might. But, and the crux of the matter is, I don’t trust myself to trust them. I know this is an issue for me, and honestly, you’re the only one I trust.” She wasn’t going to mention Ryder Rauuhl. She didn’t know where that was going. He was competent and cared about his crew, but that particular relationship was suddenly very complicated.

Lt. LSynthi-er, CNS

Zachariah sighed and lowered himself wearily back into his seat. “McHarrie is an…unknown quantity and that makes me nervous. If you feel like you’re getting the measure of him then perhaps you’re a better diplomat than I. Not that the bar is set too high in that regard,” he laughed. “It is not my wish to place you in a compromising position, Casela, but…if you ever have cause to change your opinion of Mr McHarrie then I would appreciate knowing it.”

“I wouldn’t say I’m a diplomat, but I got very good at reading my fellow S31 operatives. And he knew all about me when he got here. Though usually there is a lot of posturing that goes on between agents. There was none of that in him. But I promise if anything looks strange or wrong or suspicious, or different you will be the first to know. Even if I have to get you out of bed in the middle of the night. I’m not comfortable with all the different secret divisions that are on this ship. It has the potential to create an amazing and formidable crew.” She glanced up at him, “But you, and only you, will have to be the one to make that happen. Despite how you feel about this assignment, you have the ability and skill. You’ve already created quite a bit of loyalty in different members of the crew.

“Aye, so I’ve been told,” he shrugged, sheepishly. Ever since his meeting with the Doctor, Zachariah had found a new determination to become what this crew needed in a captain. He remained measures off just yet, but it was, at least, a start. But the compliments he would never get used to and beneath that primitive beard, he could feel his cheeks burning as crimson as a glass of red wine.

“Still, the clearances and the secrets and the interference by the sheer pain in the ass that is 31, it makes me feel like I’m back in the war.”
“Well I have clearance and you’re welcome to make use of it as often as you want. And if for some reason I don’t, I have ways of getting it. Think of me…as your own personal Ace in the hole. If you need it I’ll get it. With enough time I could probably get you your own clearance, top level and then you’d have access to everything. Actually I’m not sure why you don’t. That reaks of subplots to this ship’s mission that could seriously undermine it. So far I haven’t seen anything on board that says it started here.” She drums her fingers on the desk top. Wheels turning in her head. “I’ll look into that.”

Zachariah’s eyebrows raised up to his hairline and he cleared his throat with a chuckle. “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that,” he winked at the Counselor.

In truth his own OMEGA level clearance from the war had been re-activated, which allowed him to know, he reckoned at a guess, about 90 percent of the ship’s business. It was the other little details, the ones concerning GLaDOS and McHarrie and their above-top-secret research, that he’d been denied access to the files on. And that irritated him to no end.

But if Synthi-er was indeed becoming friendly with the Research Consultant, then perhaps Cobb would finally get his window into this mysterious world of Abell-level anomalies.
“Say”, he offered faux-casually, “I’m meant to be meeting McHarrie for a tour of his lab tomorrow morning. You’re welcome to join me, if you like?”

He knew that she, more than anyone else onboard the ship, would understand. On a battlefield, things like transparency, openness and fair treatment were a luxury that none could afford. Secrets and cabals were the only way to win against someone as calculating as the Dominion. And win, eventually, they had. But the cost, on the shattered psyches of those caught up in it, would remain forever, unforgivable.

He sat back and released a heavy sigh. “Sometimes I think I have more enemies on this ship than friends. Manhattan. What does your counselor’s sensibilities make of our noble RTF chief, might I ask?”

• Captain Zachariah Cobb

“As a counselor, I can’t tell you. He hasn’t shown up for a formal eval yet, though I have made notes in his file based on my interactions with him. As myself and all my experience. He’s good at what he does, and he knows it. He’s cocky, but mostly likely it’s earned. He’s here to make the RTF work smoothly and successfully and he believes in that. He also thinks he needs to ‘fix’ me.” She lets out a little wolfish grin. “He has this idea that adding more to my plate will make me more....pliable to being a good agent.” She shrugs. “I’m on his team by default, because I’m the only one who can train and handle the AARM. But his attitude towards me indicates he sees a problem and will work to fix it. There is some tension between him and Cmdr. Rauuhl,” she wasn’t going to tell him why. “I would suggest you make it clear to Manhattan and Rauuhl what their individual duties are. Or you can let them work it out like big boys. Just expect some tension along the way.” Casela shrugged at that point. “I don’t have much more to stay other than that. I haven’t spent enough time with him to really know. I start training with RTF tomorrow night. Maybe I can tell you more then.”

Lt. Synthi-er, CNS

Sitting back and refilling both of their glasses, Cobb let out a hearty chuckle.
“You’re my kind of woman, Cas, you know that?” he complimented her, before clarifying quickly, “Not in a trivial, romantic sense. But in the soul, where it truly counts.”

Casela was rather complimented by that. “I think, Zachariah we are going to do just fine as a team. I don’t deal in trivials, so I appreciate the compliment.”

What he left unspoken was that she reminded him, in ways, of Shamera Zar, the commanding and vivacious bar owner who had, at one time, captured his heart. But Sham had long since transcended to the heavens and Prim, the true love of his life, well, only the gods now knew where she dwelled.

“I’ve not yet gained the measure of my XO,” he admitted. “To tell the truth, I’ve been so busy trying to get my head around all of this bloody nonsense,” and here he gestured vaguely at the papers and PADDs on his desk, “that I haven’t really got the measure of anyone at all. Perhaps some kind of social event is in order? I know it’s not exactly the best time for a party, us being on the way to the nebula and all. But Cas,” he whispered, as if afraid to complete his sentence aloud, “I have the feeling that a good number of this crew might not make it back from this mission. And as their captain I need to share in their lives, no matter how briefly, before I’m obliged to officiate over their deaths.”

• Captain Zachariah Cobb

Casela thought about the XO, her schooled expression keeping the blush at bay. “I’ve…spoken with him. I think you will find the XO a good honest officer. Dedicated to his crew. He has four life times of experience to draw on, from his previous hosts. He will undoubtedly make a find command partner for you.” Of course two days ago she wouldn’t have said that, but things happen and she had to reevaluate her opinions. “I think some type of social might be good for the crew. Perhaps 2 days before we arrive, to release the pressure, so to speak, but still give them time to work out the last details before we arrive. Command has put you in a terrible position with this mission. I think you spending some off hours with them is an excellent idea.”

Lt. Synthi-er, CNS

“Aye,” Cobb nodded, draining his glass. “A social it is then. I’ll get something sorted for later this week. But first,” he continued, rising once more to his feet, “Let’s go and talk to Gen. See what she can tell us.”

• Captain Zachariah Cobb

Casela nodded. “Let me know about McHarrie and I’ll be there.” Casela had her own She’ll level clearance so it shouldn’t be a problem. Casela stood up and as she did the person who Cobb and met in his office for the last hour was gone replaced by the Lt Synthi-er that he’d met on their first encounter: as surely if someone had transported her away and replaced her. She waved towards the door, “After you.”

Lt Synthi-er, CNS/RTF