Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Pawl Batario (Chief Engineer) in Main Sim: Conference Room

Posted by Commander William B. Grey (Chief Science Officer / 2nd Officer) in Main Sim: Conference Room

Posted by Lieutenant Kastarak (XO/Navigation Officer) in Main Sim: Conference Room
Posted by… suppressed (11) by the Post Ghost! 👻
It was the same afternoon as Kastarak had been promoted to First Officer and full lieutenant. Earlier this morning (actually, in the middle of the night), the captain had surprised him with this promotion while they were working out in the gym. This was the first time in Kastarak’s Starfleet career that he was wearing a golden shirt – the shirt for command, with lieutenant stripes on his sleeves.

Kastarak had been briefed during the day of the matters ot today’s meeting. He had been in calls with Starfleet command with the captain too, and been briefed on their next orders. The time of patrolling Federation space would soon be over. There would be no honeymoon for Kastarak.

Now, Kastarak had decided to go to the conference room early to set up and prepare. He ensured there would be pots of tea and coffee on the table, and cups and other refreshments along the seats. All department heads had been invited, as had Sara Lovejoy.

Only a few more minutes to go, then the meeting would begin. Who would enter first?

– Lt Kastarak (XO)

Pawl got a summons to a staff meeting but it came from Kasarak He was not aware of the command change as he finished getting ready and headed off towards the conference room. His head swimming with thoughts of KAsarak as his commander now. It was nice he got the promotion but was shocked he never mentioned it. Did something happen to the old xo he pondered as he walked down the corridor. As he closed on the door to the conference room he almost ran into a lonely ensign doing some cleaning chores. “Sorry, Ensign.” Pawl spoke quickly almost falling on the officer as he did a graceful sidestep as he avoided the accident. Moments later the doors opened to the conference room and Pawl slid in like he did a dance step as he stopped just inside the door as they closed behind him. As he tried to recompose himself as he moved towards the table as he finally saw an officer there almost not realizing it was the doctor now in a new uniform. “Well hello, Kass… I Mend Commander?” Pawl was in shock. He barely squeaked out “Congratulations sir!”

Lt Jg Pawl Batario

“Thank you, Pawl,” Kastarak said. He decided to be informal with Pawl, at least until others would arrive. After all, they had been intimate with one another before. Kastarak thought that that could never happen again, as he was now in a position of authority over Pawl. This was complicated. But history cannot be changed, and that too, would be difficult to deal with. He needed to speak with Pawl about this, and with the captain, most likely.

“I was promoted 12 hours ago,” he added. “Would you like some tea? Or coffee? I have other beverages too, and snacks.”

– Lt Kastarak (First Officer)

“You’re most welcome. Kasarak.” noticing the informality of the conversation at present. He felt a complex emotions which was not common for him. but was not going to try to address them now. But he knew things were complicated more now with the promotion but that was not going to stop his friendship either they would have to talk to him later. “I had a feeling that something happened during the night. Some iced tea would be nice. thank you.” pawl said with a smile. “What type of snacks? Sir?” Pawl asked quickly. “I’m trying to keep it casual but the rank change is still a surprise for me.” he said with a smile.

Lt JG Pawl Batario - Chief Engineer

Kastarak listened to Pawl. He could sense a shift in Pawl’s emotions too, or could it be transference originally from himself?

“It is still a new change of events that I am trying to accustom myself to,” said Kastarak, wondering how Pawl finds him in the gold uniform instead of the usual medical blue. “The new chef has made some Scandinavian cinnamon buns. There are some uttaberry pies, too, that the chef procured in your honour. I hope they will be to your liking.”

William followed in shortly after the Chernovs Chief Engineer, in his hands was a PaDD and a cup of Coffee as was usual for staff meetings. He stopped by his usual place on the conference room table and placed his PaDD down before removing the lid of his cup and refilling the coffee “Chief, Lieutenant” He gave each officer a slight nod “I understand congratulations are in order Lieutenant” He said as he closed the lid again before continuing. The news had been extremely welcome, the past few weeks serving as acting XO had been excruciatingly dull, and patrolling was possibly the worst assignment he’d experienced so far. More so welcome since it put to rest rumors the crew had been circulating about him taking the position on a permanent basis. Even if he’d still serve as Science Chief it was the administrative work that he found worst of all since he no longer felt insecure about taking the Conn. “Any news on command pushing you up a grade?” He asked mostly out of curiosity, he knew that there would be sticklers for the Chain of Command about a Commander serving under a Lieutenant but William didn’t care, worst came to worst he could just request a special mission assignment to the Chernov.

CSO, 2O

“Thank you, commander,” Kastarak replied, sensing relief in his second officer. “As for your question, I do not yet know. I have only been in this position for twelve hours.”

William nodded. things tended to move fast on the Chernov, he knew from personal experience that the grade increase would appear out of nowhere. He had a suspicion that “the old man” as some of the Crew liked to call Taggart would delay giving out promotions until it personally inconvenienced him… well that or wait until he could host a party but he wasn’t unsure about the former option.

Kastarak pondered Grey’s question. It was indeed odd, but not unheard of, that the first officer was of a lower rank than the second officer. It could potentially cause problems, especially in emergencies. It would need discussion between him, Grey and Taggart.

Dawson had been working to the last on the debrief, making sure that everything that could be done was. Finally, he settled the report and headed to the conference room.

He was again lacking his normal upbeat nature, the gravity of the situation still weighing on him. After the debrief he was planning to talk with Kas, hoping a session with the counselor would ease his mind, especially now that he could share everything with him.

Dawson entered the conference room and practically did a double take. Kas was near the head of the table in a gold shirt rather than his usual blue. Grey seemed to have taken his previously normal seat as CSO.

“Did I miss something?” Dawson asked slowly as he looked from Grey to Kastarak. Clearly, he had, and he hoped someone would enlighten him before the meeting got underway.

LT. Q Dawson, CWO

“Lieutenant Dawson, welcome. As of twelve hours ago, I am the first officer of this ship,” Kastarak replied flatly. Despite that, he noticed in Dawson a lowered basic mood. Kastarak’s psychomedical instincts were activated, and he had a need to prod, see how Dawson was doing. He stopped himself. Now was not the moment. “Please have a seat.”

Kastarak new that he would have to schedule one-to-ones with the department heads quite soon, to iron out any irregularities. Filling T’Aria shoes would be impossible. Kastarak needed to be himself, yet at the same time, earn the respect of his colleagues in a different position.

He was confident the captain would come soon to settle the situation. Kastarak’s notes were well-prepared, he had a lot to fill in on.

– Lt Kastarak (First Officer)

Q blinked a few times taking in the information that Kastarak had just given him. He had just been speaking to Taggart a few hours ago and he hadn’t mentioned anything about Kas stepping up as first officer. Granted, they had other matters that needed to be discussed.

He was happy for him. It also alleviated some of his tensions about the possibility of Kas leaving as T’Aria had. Taking on the XO position was a great responsibility and showed a commitment to the ship.

William raised an eyebrow at Q “You really should start your day by reading the morning briefs in your inbox” he chided him softly, although there was a hint of humor in his voice, something that was becoming more common with him the last few weeks which greatly discomforted his team. Things had been more relaxed recently so getting caught up during the daily briefing was acceptable but he’d come to understand the importance of building rapport over his years narrowly avoiding the gold shirt.

Q felt his face redden slightly at Grey’s chiding. It was true, he had neglected his morning briefings, having devoted his attention to preparing their strategy for the next mission, and with how to explain to the rest of the ship about his sister. He realized he had developed tunnel vision on this and he needed to widen his gaze or he would miss something else.

“Apologies commander,” Q said, “I had been preoccupied and hadn’t time to look over the briefings. But congratulations Lieutenant. I look forward to working with you.”

“Thank you,” Kastarak replied to Q, “I look forward to a fruitful cooperation.”

After the conversation finished. “Excuse me Commander the chef did an amazing job with the pies.” He said with a smile as he took a saucer with a few pies on them along with the cinnamon roll or two. As he took a seat briefly where he normally would sit during the meetings. He got up again then grabbed a large orange juice from the buffet table then returned to his seat. and started to nibble on a pie.

Lt Jg Pawl Batario - Chief Engineer

CSO, 2O

Dawson looked at the confectionaries laid out on the table and quickly decided his stomach was in too many knots for him to try and eat what he was sure were very good desserts. He took his seat and waited for Taggart to arrive so he could try and work through this debrief.

-Lt. Q. Dawson, CWO

In the quiet moments while the officers were waiting for the CO to appear, Symar went over to Kastarak, “Excellent first briefing Lieutenant, we’ll make a Captain of you yet!” He winked good-naturedly.

-Lieutenant Symar: Chief Medical Officer-

“But, sir,” interjected Kastarak, not understanding the doctor’s remarks. “The briefing has not yet started. We’re waiting for the captain.”

William leaned in to whisper in Kastarak’s ear “Your First Officer now, only the Captain is Sir to you” He pointed to his own stripes “Around the brass you might have to defer to me in the meanwhile but during missions and on the ship you outrank even me” He whispered lower than he would with a human, trusting in the Vulcan ears to convey his message.

The commander made a good point. Kastarak had to set example. “Thank you, Mr Grey, for that reminder” he whispered back. ¨

Kastarak looked down on his pad and made some mental notes. He would have to lead most of the meeting. Now he only needed the captain to arrive, and Ms Lovejoy too.

“Mr Batario,” Kastarak looked at Pawl, “Have you heard from Ms Lovejoy? I sent an invitation to her to join us as well. Her expertise is needed.”

– Lt Kastarak (XO)

CSO, 2O

“No, I haven’t heard a thing ? Commander” Pawl said calmly to the commander “I could go and see if she is ok? Commander?” pawl offered

Lt Jg Pawl Batario - Chief Engineer

“There is no need. If she hasn’t come, she is busy elsewhere. Perhaps there is something acute that requires her attention. You should stay, Mr Batario. I must also add, I am not a commander, I am a lieutenant. You may address me as such or as sir. The commander in here is Mr Grey.”

He was still waiting. It was unusual for the captain to be so late. Perhaps he was in last-minute proceedings with Starfleet. If so, Kastarak could not start with the briefing yet. He needed to improvise.

“Colleagues,” he announced, rose from his seat, and signalled all others to sit. “Before we begin with today’s secret briefing, which we will need the captain’s attendance for, I should like to make an announcement.”

Kastatak looked around at his “new” underlings.

“Over the next few days, I will book you in for one-to-one meetings with me as your new first officer. In that meeting, we will go over your personal goals with your position, any challenges you face at work, as well as the status of your junior officers and crewmen. I trust you will come prepared. I will now take your questions on this matter.”

– Lt Kastarak (First Officer)