Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Toveka Brine (Chief Science Officer) in Station Commander’s Office - “Captain, May I?” Side Sim

Posted by Captain Mathias McGarrett (CO) in Station Commander’s Office - “Captain, May I?” Side Sim

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Toveka Brine (Chief Science Officer) in Station Commander’s Office - “Captain, May I?” Side Sim

SNIP

That was it. There was the gut punch she knew today would end with. A runabout, and detail an pilot. An inhaling of breathe was all she had that gave away her mixed feelings and anxiety. “That’s up to the Captain,” was all she could say. If she argued, it would get worse, perhaps even end in a flat out refusal. But if she offered more, she would also be shooting herself in the foot.

She was trying to think of ways to get her agenda into the science computers so flight plans, collections and gathering all went ‘according to mission plans’ rather than try and create convenient excuses on the fly why they should head that direction just a couple more kilometers.

Mathias folded his hands together as he was beginning to get the feeling that he was going to play the role of a diplomat before the conversation was over. “Yes, Lieutenant, it is up to me. And I do agree on every point Commander Tenkiller is making. I didn’t send you out there alone last year and there’s no reason to do so this time either. The last mission we sent you out with a shuttle and you weren’t able to come back with it. Something with more defense capabilities will be needed. Perhaps a runabout or maybe even taking the Lancer. Or if a cloaking device is needed maybe you catch a ride with the Klingon ship. And I completely agree about having the security presence. At a minimum we’ll have the best security officer we’ve got go with you, whoever Commander Tenkiller says that is.”

Captain Mathias McGarrett, CO

She glanced at Tenkiller when she had steeled her features once more. “What else do you recommend?” It was partially a query to see what other restrictions he was planning to impose. But it was edged with a bit of frustration and was probably a bit more sarcastic than she intended it to actually come out, regardless of her true feelings on the matter.

Toveka
CSO

“I’m not recommending anything. I stating out loud for the record the minimum that should be used for your trip. What I recommend? Don’t go. Use probes and remote vehicles. That’s my recommendation. But I doubt that will work for you. You have a noticeable emotional investment in this.”

Tenkiller, CoS

Toveka kept her features as blank as she could. Nodding to the Captain, she tried to remain calm. “Yes, Sir. Hopefully we don’t need the aid of the Klingons. But I will agree that perhaps a runabout with weapons capabilities is a wise choice. I see no issue with those stipulations. And I agree we need to be careful out there. It’s why I prefer to go rather than send one of the Junior Officers. I have more shuttle time and believe I can think better in a dire situation.” She glanced at Tenkiller. “And I do not say this to brag, I say it as fact. If I were to get someone in my department with both inquisitive level headedness, and skills in a shuttle or runabout. Or even experience in combat beyond fighting over petre dishes, then I will consider swapping off collection duties with them. Till then, I will be the one taking the escorts,” she looked back at the Captain with reluctance, “and the pilot.”

When Tenkiller mentioned her investment, she lost her cool for a split second as she turned to head to him. The calm, focused, iron exterior cracked. It showed a flash of pain in her eyes and anger in her hitched breath and white knuckles before it faded as quick as it came. “Would you not be emotionally invested if it was Earth that was shattered out there?” She took a couple breaths and looked back at the Captain realizing her tone had risen. “My apologies, Captain.”

Toveka
CSO

Tenkiller looked at her, then the Captain, and then back. His voice was calm, and his words even. “I absolutely would be. But I would also know that taking unnecessary risks for whatever purposes wouldn’t bring it back. And throwing my own life away would just add to the loss.”

Tenkiller, CoS

“Indeed,” added the captain. Mathias may have spent all his time bickering with Ciara and he may have had too large of an age gap between him and Lucy to have had much of a relationship with her, but he still knew the protective, caring concern of a man who had grown up an older brother. It was out of that kind of concern that he spoke to Toveka, who at least in this moment he was viewing like he would have one of his younger sisters. “Miss Brine, you don’t have to apologize for being emotionally invested or reacting like you are. You’re as driven and passionate as any officer that I’ve known and that’s to your credit. But you do need to be aware of the complications being personally invested this deeply bring.”

Captain Mathias McGarrett, CO

She looked at the Captain hard and sincere. It took her a moment to reassess her knee-jerk reaction to be defensive. They were looking out for her. She knew that. She wondered if they knew how hard it was for her to concede to the concessions and rules that were being discussed here. “I understand that, Sir. Duncan and I never took the necessary precautions and we learned out lesson. It’s why I am here trying to find a way to make my needs known and met without causing more issues.” She glanced at Tenkiller. “I agree to the stipulations and regulations we are setting here. I will always remain passionate. But I can also assure you, and Duncan can attest to it, reckless I am not. And I give you my word,” she couldn’t believe she was about to say this, “If I am given leave to search where I need to search, to get the answers we all need, I will allow the pilot or the guards you send, to dictate my actions when things go sideways.”

Toveka turned back to the Captain. “And you as well. I will listen as long as it comes from a protective point of view and not a personal ‘I don’t see why we need to do that’ point of view.” She hoped it was enough. In all her time here, she had never give kind of solemn promise, or this much control, to anyone. She vaguely wondered what Duncan would think if he heard her now.

Toveka
CSO

“I’m satisfied if you are, Commander,” said Mathias to his security chief, a bit relieved that this didn’t seem to be quite as difficult as he had been expecting. “My question to you is if you’re satisfied with using a Runabout for this mission. We have a Pendragon class battle cruiser ready to go if we’re worried that won’t cut it. Though the Lancer wouldn’t go unnoticed as easily.”

Captain Mathias McGarrett, CO

Tenkiller looked at the Captain and said “I think sending in a battle cruiser would send the wrong message, Sir. If we are doing scientific research, then a Runabout would be more appropriate to the task. But having the Lancer on standby to respond while the Runabout is active would be a good idea.”

Tenkiller knew from Toveka’s original reaction that a big ship would only hinder her and make the situation all that more difficult. Compromise… everything starts with compromise.

Tenkiller, CoS

Toveka let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Had they really managed to agree on this?

She nodded and glanced at them both. “That’s acceptable. And I will pray the crew is bored because we never need them.”

She wanted to get out as soon a possible but quietly let her restless mind know it would likely be tomorrow.

Toveka
CSO

Mathias hoped the trip would be uneventful as well, but he had his doubts. “I’m not sure there are any boring trips deep into the center of Romulan space. Commander Tenkiller, you’ll assign the pilot and the security staff. Lieutenant Brine, prepare whatever you need on the scientific end. You will be in charge of the mission, but the ranking security officer will be in command of the Runabout and will have the authority to abort the whole mission or any decision you make that puts the crew at unnecessary risk. Both of you will speak with the Klingon captain and find out whatever he knows about the current situation in Romulan territory. I will ready the Lancer and have a crew ready to man it. The Runabout leaves tomorrow morning if that is enough time to make the necessary preparations. If there’s nothing further to discuss, Commander you are dismissed.”

Captain Mathias McGarrett, CO

Toveka was elated they’d be going in the morning. And she hadn’t even asked.

She was so glad, as she rose saying, “Yes, sir. Plenty of time.” She had been prepared to leave.

But when she wasn’t dismissed as well, she covered her actions as if she had just been adjusting her seating position.

Toveka
CSO

Tenkiller rose and said “I’ll make the arrangements and send you both the roster of who will be on the ship. Lieutenant.” and he nodded to Toveka. “Sir.” and he nodded to the Captain and turned and made his way out.

Tenkiller, CoS

After he heard the door shut, Mathias asked Toveka with a bit of concern, “Are you alright, Lieutenant? There were a couple of moments in that conversation that seemed…difficult for you.”

Captain Mathias McGarrett, CO

“Ye…” Toveka started to say yes, Sir because it was the expected answer. “No, Sir. It brought up memories and shortcomings that I had not been prepared for. I am sorry.” She glanced out the windows a moment. “Duncan went out of his way to take me to the debris center because he understood. Not because he had to.” She glanced at him and straightened up. Her shields were up once more. The stoic Science Chief was before him once more.

“I realize, now that had certain safeguards in place, many things would have been different.” The statement might make one think there was more to what she was thinking of than merely Duncan and her being almost killed, and the shuttle destroyed.

“It’s hard for me to concede I can’t do something on my own. That I need help and the skills of others I don’t possess. And even more difficult because I had argued with the Security Chief earlier this morning that I was fine, had clearance from before and should have just been allowed to go.” It was harder for her to admit than she thought. Her hands were wringing in her lap slightly.

Toveka
CSO

“It’s alright Lieutenant, I’m not going to punish you for thinking of doing something that you didn’t actually do,” said Mathias in an attempt to put her at ease. He could certainly empathize her difficulty of learning she couldn’t do it all on her own. It was a lesson he had been gradually learning himself as he had gotten further into his career. “I have trouble learning that lesson myself as well, that I can’t do it all on my own and that I especially have trouble accepting that I’m not always the one who knows best. We could all have our own little shuttles, being traders and ferrying diplomats to and fro. But we’re in Starfleet and we do things as a team, and that makes us stronger than any one of us would be on our own. And that approach, I hope, will be what helps us on your mission.”

Captain Mathias McGarrett, CO

Toveka listened. It was comforting, in a way, to hear the Captain had had similar lessons to learn. And that he had struggled, and sometimes still did. It warred with her about telling him about the power orb. She weighed the pros and cons. And sadly, at this point, there was no reason to say anything. In her mind, it was destroyed. So telling anyone else about it made little sense.

But then she heard Tenkiller’s voice in her head telling her that things she considered ‘right’ weren’t always so. She took a deep breath and the exhale came out barely the breathy side of a growl. “Captain… I need to ask if I can mention something off the record, please. It’s not a matter of security because it doesn’t exist.” She looked down at her hands then back up at him. “At least, not anymore. But I need to speak to you about it.”

Her mind screamed this was a bad idea. But she had opened the box, she was committed.

Toveka
CSO

Mathias raised his eyebrows, leaned back in his seat, and took a breath. Where this was going he had no idea. But it likely was going to be interesting. “It’s kind of an impossible question, Lieutenant, when I don’t know what you’re talking about. I mean, if you vaporized a Borg I’d probably want to let someone know we’ve got Borg in the area. But yes, if it’s at all possible it’ll be off the record. Good enough?” He didn’t care to make a promise when he wasn’t aware of exactly what he was promising. People tended to make these kinds of requests for reasons he didn’t understand, and he noticed they became more frequent as he had gained more authority.

Captain Mathias McGarrett, CO

Toveka thought about it. He was right, of course. It made her lean back as well and shake her head. “Fair enough. Then I simply ask that you allow me to tell the Security Chief in my time. I promise within the next two days.” It was a lot to demand and she knew it wasn’t necessarily going to be accepted. Instead of waiting for the answer, she simply blurted it out.

“As you wish,” simply stated the captain.

“The last time Duncan and I were out, we discovered a powerful orb that ended destroyed in the firefight. I know, because there is no trace of it or its signature anywhere. And even from here, I’d know.” She let the bomb of information hover between them before sitting back up, and telling it all.

“We had set out because there was a collision in the debris field that had resulted in some readings we didn’t understand. When we got to the location of the energy signature, there was a derelict and half destroyed Romulan warbird. Once inside, we traced it to a large crystalline orb that had an energy reading we couldn’t identify completely. We secured it and headed back to the runabout. Once there, the firefight began. I was knocked out during Duncan’s maneuvers. When I came to, I was in medical having been rescued by the Klingons. They said there had been no time to beam out more than the two of us. And that their destruction field had not only destroyed the Romulans who were after us, but our ship and the derelict one as well.” She looked down at her hands. “I did scans of the area within a couple hours of our rescue and there was no more power trace.”

She looked up. “You said this was meeting to set the parameters to aide in my research. I wanted to let you know that I have believed, since the start, that the white dwarf wasn’t the reason for the destruction of my home. I believe scientists were developing a deep core weapon, disguised as energy research, and something went terribly wrong. I think the star may have been part of it. but not the real, or whole, reason.” She looked at the Captain and fell silent. Mathias was now only the second person on the ship to ever know of her personal hypothesis. Because it fell in line with the rest of their investigative lines, even those in the science lab were unaware why some readings were more important that others to her.

Toveka
CSO

“I don’t see why any of that is something you have to be ashamed of,” began Mathias when it seemed like she was finally to a stopping point. “I don’t know if the orb has anything to do with the destruction of Romulus. And I don’t know if there’s any validity or not to your theory about the planet’s downfall. There is value to Starfleet both in figuring out what this orb was and if there are more of them. That’s incredible that it was powerful enough to be detected from so far away. It’s also in Starfleet’s interest to gain knowledge about what happened to Romulus. Find out what happened, but just be careful not to let your intuition…well, you’re a scientist. You know how important objectivity is.” He hoped he was encouraging her and helping her to keep in mind what she needed to. Part of him wanted to keep her from going on this mission when she was so emotionally invested, but the other part thought that would make her the best person for it.

“One more thing. If you find something that significant this time, report it. You don’t have all the pieces to the puzzle. Maybe your piece to the puzzle will fit in with someone else’s.”

Captain Mathias McGarrett, CO

She nodded. She had expected a reprimand and removal of a good portion of her backside. The acceptance and reminder of how she should behave surprised her. She was grateful for it. “Thank you, Sir. And I promise I will let you know.” She smiled slightly. “Even if I am the only one working on this particular puzzle.” She nodded and sighed. This had been a weight off her back that, while painful in the memory and telling, was probably for the best.

She just hoped when she told Tenkiller, it would go as well.

Toveka
CSO

Looking at her he could tell that she must have felt something heavy getting lifted off of her. Mathias never did have any interest in becoming a counselor and helping people work through their problems. He had spent his career always focusing on himself and eyeing his next promotion. But from time to time he ended up being the one people had to come to in order to sort out their biggest struggle in life or admit something they never had admitted before. He could see the appeal in helping people work through things like this as a primary focus. But he was still grateful he wasn’t the one doing so all the time.

“Good. Is there anything else you need to discuss about your trip tomorrow or any other major secrets you’ve been keeping from me that I probably should know about? If there isn’t then I’m almost ready to let you go prepare.”

Captain Mathias McGarrett, CO