<snip>

“You know,” he said, walking up to the desk, “it occurs to me that in some ways, our situations mirror each other’s.”

Lt. Cmdr. Brad Walker
Incoming Chief of Staff

No pleasantries, right to the point. Arun warmed up to the man, although his expression stayed the same.

“New positions are always a welcome challenge, especially when we’re in the middle of a mission and you have basically no time to get settled. But I’m sure if we work together we can wing it in a professional way.” he said, one corner of his lips twitching up shortly.

• Lt. Cmdr. Onuru, incoming XO

“Plus, I’ve been in your position, transitioning from leading a Medical department to serving as an XO,” Brad said. “It’s an interesting switch at first, to say the least. I can only imagine on a medical ship the transition will seem even more abrupt.”

Lt. Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Incoming Chief of Staff

There was a strong temptation then for Arun to read the man’s mind. Was he seeing Arun as competition?
* Calm down brother * came Anisha’s instant thought. * He can talk all he wants, he can be the ex-president for all you care, you are the new XO *
Arun smiled and shrugged. “It’s a small ship and most of the crew is medical anyhow, so the shift is actually not so difficult.” he said while agreeing with Anisha.

Brad nodded. “All the same, you’ll have to learn a lot about the non-medical parts of the crew, and the ship itself. Myself, I’m plenty glad to be shedding the Red collar for Blue again.”

Arun just nodded, actually understanding. Being the XO of a Starfleet contingent on a planet was like flying a ship in the holodeck - not why you signed up for it.

“Please take a seat.” he said, and stepped away from the seat behind the desk, rounding it to sit in front of it. He sat down comfortably, showing Brad that he didn’t mind at all.

Brad followed suit, though he spun the chair around to sit leaning forward, hands on the back of the chair and resting his chin on them.

Arun lost his smile and raised one eyebrow.

“We have a short time to get to know each other, and we have to, since you’ll be the 2O. Plus I have to crack you in on the current mission. I’ve already started preparations, which you’ll now have to take over. But one thing at a time.”

“I just came from the surface, actually,” Brad said. “I came out from San Fran on a runabout carrying some medication you guys weren’t able to pick up at the Starbase with the rest of the supplies for the new clinic. What is the plan for our staff to support the efforts on the surface?” he asked.

• Lt. Cmdr. Arun Onuru, incoming XO

OOC: I’m playing this as slightly into the current future, once the Owie actually reaches the planet. Brad would have been there for probably a day or so, to account for differences in leaving and the Owie’s “detour” with the telempathic gastropods.
OOC: Ok, cool.
Lt. Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker,
Incoming Chief of Staff

Arun was still looking at him critically. “I appreciate you are enthusiastic about starting your new assignment, but this is still you reporting in for duty. I’m not overly concerned about protocol, but this is a small ship, not a planet and as a senior officer you have to set an example. So sit down properly please.” he said calmly.

Brad’s gaze narrowed, appraising the new XO to gauge whether he was always this stuck up, or if this was a side-effect of the promotion. Technically speaking, he was to report in to the Captain. He was just here to check out his new office before doing that, and maybe informally meet some of his new co-workers.

Slowly, and with as little movement as possible, he maintained his now-cool stare at Onuru before moving the chair beneath him and settling into it in the rigid posture of someone meticulously committed to sitting by the book.

• I like him - a lot * Anisha thought, laughing in Arun’s mind. * He puzzels you! Good on him! *
• Ha ha. * Arun thought back, supremely unamused. * I’ll have to disagree. *

“Satisfied, Lieutenant Commander?” Brad asked, all collegiality gone from his tone.

“Now, as you know the mission requires two teams. One is to go to the location of the current hospital, if you can name it that, set up a triage and take care of the patients. The other is to set up the new hospital and supervise the construction according to its efficiency and medical need.
Originally I was going to head team hospital and I was going to put Dr. Marshall in charge of team triage. He’s got a lot of ER experience under his belt and he has leadership experience as well.
We have a Bajoran Lt. Cmdr. Nurse on the Staff, PIlar O’Keefe. Don’t ask me how a nurse can become a Lt. Cmdr… I haven’t gotten around to ask the Captain, but she’s very capable and devoted, she should be on team triage.
With this change now, this set-up may change as well however. It depends if the Captain wants me on the bridge or panetside. If I stay, I’d suggest you take charge of team hospital. If I am to go down, you can take over team triage. Do you agree?”

“Will most of the rest of the ship’s complement be assisting in the construction effort?” Brad asked. “I’m curious as to who, if anyone, among the staff you plan to leave aboard to see to needs here.”

He was also confused by the other man’s remark about the Chief Nurse. He knew it did no one any good to disrespect the nursing staff. If she had enough time in service, and performed her duties well, there was no reason for her not to reach her current rank or higher, should she wish it. It was elitist to say the least on Onuru’s behalf to suggest otherwise.

• Lt. Cmdr. Arun Onuru, incoming XO

Lt. Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Incoming Chief of Staff