Posted by Lieutenant Kastarak (First Officer / Navigation Officer) in Sidesim: 9:00 Meeting with the Second Officer

Posted by Commander William B. Grey (Chief Science Officer / 2nd Officer) in Sidesim: 9:00 Meeting with the Second Officer

Posted by Lieutenant Kastarak (XO/Navigation Officer) in Sidesim: 9:00 Meeting with the Second Officer
Posted by… suppressed (6) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Today was the day that Kastarak would have his first one-to-one meetings with the department heads. He would do them in order of seniority. The morning would start with a meeting with the Second Officer, Mr Grey, who, somewhat ironically and dynamically for their relationship and hierarchy, outranked Kastarak, yet would answer to Kastarak. The conversation would hopefully be enlightening and respectful.

As Kastarak waited for Mr Grey to enter, he realised it would be the first time that Mr Grey and he would be alone in a room. How fascinating....

– Lt Kastarak (XO)

The chime to Kastaraks office chimed exactly at 0900 hours, William always prided himself on being punctual but serving on the Chernov had changed that into a necessity. Although he didn’t have experience on other Starfleet Vessels he knew that the Chernov was more militaristic compared to something like a Science cruiser or Diplomatic ship, the Chernov being a battlecruiser. The militaristic nature meant that Military traditions were key and there being on time was late and early was on time so He’d arrived ten minutes before time to stand and go through his PaDD after finishing breakfast.

William entered the room after being let in and took a brief moment to look around “Good morning, sir” He didn’t say the first officers’ rank as a gesture of respect to his station then stood next to the chair hands behind back.

CSO, 2O

Kastarak rose while Mr Grey entered. He noticed Mr Grey’s gesture of respect, appreciated it and saw it as a token also of good will and subordination to the order of command. Mr Grey had always, in Kastarak’s mind, been a man of principles – sometimes difficultly so but mostly it was welcome. Mr Grey was one of few human officers that Kastarak knew of who he would see as predictable in their behaviours and how they dealt with the crew. It did seem promising for their working relationship.

“Good morning, Mr Grey,” he responded, remembering clearly Grey’s advise to him during the conference – only the captain is ‘sir’ to you. “Please sit down, would you like something to drink? I have tea here, but there is also coffee, water and, if I understand it correctly, raktajino.”

William sat down as offered, placing the PaDD that had been in his hands in his lap as he crossed his legs. He blinked in surprise at Raktajino being something Kastarak would offer, he had only heard of the Klingon coffee, he knew that some stations on the Borders offered it but he didn’t think it’d become popular amongst the general staff in Starfleet, then of course he always ate the same things “Tea, any black tea you have, no milk or sugar, thank you”

There was a teapot already steeping on the table, but if Mr Grey would look around he would there was a small hot drink dispenser (where coffee and even –albeit not fully authentic – raktajino among other drinks could be dispensed – a relic Kastarak had surmised of an earlier first officer on board –perhaps even the captain himself).

“I have called this meeting with you to discuss how you see your role as second officer and chief science officer, as well as, how we might lay the foundations for a cooperative leadership of the ship, in supporting the captain, and directing the crew. I should also like to cover your aspirations and wishes for your position, and related matters. But if we should begin with your roles, Mr Grey?”

Kastarak spoke somewhat faster than usual, but not unusually so. This new role was new for him, and he was unsure how to deal with it. This kind of leadership was new to him.

– Lt Kastarak (First Officer)

William blinked again in mild surprise, the rapid speech of the Vulcan first officer surprised him, if he didn’t know better he’d think the man was nervous “Well my duties as Science Chief are simple, on a Battlecruiser there are few things outside Bridge Operations that I am actually required to do so my team and I spend most of our time doing research. Most recently we were working on Romulan Technology we received during our previous Klingon mission, mostly the hand scanner Starfleet allowed us to retain, mostly discovering differences in uses and the like. Other than that we mostly analyse areas we are traveling to to see if there are any potential hazards the ship will face. There’s less to do but always enough to occupy my team as we are not many.” He spoke as if this was a practiced speech or at least something he’d explained often enough.

“Regarding my duties as second officer, technically speaking it doesn’t have any additional duties. Mostly it means that I join away teams and take over the duties of first officer when either the XO or Captain are unavailable” The last was said with no small amount of sarcasm, William had been Acting First officer on many occasions and even acting Captain at times or at least in command of the ship. “My administrative duties are minimal as I’m mostly there to be next in the Chain of Command.” This was less practiced, although he’d been Second Officer for nearly three years now he wasn’t completely used to explaining his work. “Regarding our working together I am at your disposal for whatever you need, especially during this transitionary period. Afterward will entirely depend on what you need from me, I have experience in your role and can assist there, anything else is really dictated by your needs.”

William took a deep breath after that slog of a speech then hesitated for a moment “I went to university at 15 and as soon as I graduated I joined Starfleet where I graduated a full Lieutenant and was assigned to a Battlecruiser after I spent a year at the Academy as a teaching assistant” That was a slight fib, he spent a year teaching physics at the Academy in the guise of a TA as the original Professor was suffering from Dementia and couldn’t for personal reasons retire until a year later “After that I was assigned to the Chernov as Chief Science officer. I had petitioned for a position on a forward research base or a position on an exploration vessel but the Chernov needed a position filled and I was available” At one time there might have been bitterness in his voice but William was glad for the opportunities he’d had on the Chernov “In human terms I am a Genius” He hesitated “Well actually on most species terms I am a genius, even by Vulcan standards I’d be considered exceptionally bright but I was impatient to get out there”

There was a slight pause but not long enough for a reply “I saw the Chernov as a stepping stone for a better position on a Science vessel or one of the Constitution class flagships. Forefront of science and exploration” He spoke simply, although the words might have had an effect if spoken grandiosely that was not his way “I was 24 when Taggart made me second officer and Lieutenant Commander, I’d been in Starfleet for three years and the Chernov for two” That was nearly unheard of, the precedent used was of course Captain Kirk who was promoted to full Captain directly following the destruction of Vulcan which coincided with his graduation from the Academy. “A year later that Taggart promoted me to Commander” He sounded slightly confused about that. Kastarak might only have known the bit about him being promoted to Commander as the rest took place before his arrival to the Chernov, of course, the two officers were the same age, William being older by only three weeks.

“The point is that I don’t really have aspirations, I’m already a Commander on a Battlecruiser, and although my staff is small I have the freedom to research pretty much whatever I want and with my rank, I can request almost anything I need from any starbase. I’ve been avoiding the first officer position because I don’t personally believe that command suits me and I won’t entertain my own command until I’m at least thirty-five” He sighed, an oddly emotional reaction from the generally stoic second officer “I like my job and I like this ship, I’ve been here six years when I expected to be year two at most.” He paused and another odd occurrence, he chuckled “We’ve been working together for three years and I think that’s the most we’ve ever talked, or well most I’ve ever said in one conversation” That was one of the side effects of him having been thrust into his position, he’d not spent time getting to know his crewmates for years now.

CSO, 2O

To the point, thought Kastarak. The second officer had answered all Kastarak’s questions, while Kastarak prepared the English.breakfast blend for Mr Grey.

He poured a cup, adding no milk nor sugar, as instructed, and handed it over to his second officer.

“You answered all that I wished to probe. Is there anything you would like us to discuss, or anything you believe you haven’t covered that would be important or conducive for me to know?”

– Lt Kastarak (First Officer)

William accepted the cup with a polite smile, taking a sip before answering “Regarding my work I have nothing more to add unless there are more details you’d like. However I think you might benefit from some perspective regarding your new job, if you’d care to hear it”

CSO, 2O

Kastarak took a sip too. The tea was remarkably full in flavour, not as bitter as he expected it. He noticed in his gut a surprise, which he quickly suppressed.

“I would appreciate your sharing that,” Kastarak replied, now returned to a serene state of mind. He was, however, curious.

– Lt Kastarak (XO)

“The most important part of your job is managing the Captain” William started in what humans might consider blunt “Captain Taggart is experienced, he’s been on the Chernov for probably a decade now. He is however emotional, so you need to suppress your instincts as a counselor when advising him, he doesn’t let emotions cloud his judgment often but be aware that it can happen. Be very aware of the protocol behind protesting his actions, and never do so in front of the crew, you must at all times seem to be in perfect sync, especially during disagreements.” William emphasized his last statement “Your main job outside your duties is crew morale” He added with a slight frown “Most of the crew are humans and are thusly emotional social creatures”

CSO, 2O

Mr Grey was a welcome human, Kastarak thought. Direct, to the point, and succinct. Most humans were, like Grey had said, emotional social creatures. Grey’s assessment of the captain was similar to his own. The Kastarak–Grey relationship had potentials for being a fruitful working and cooperative relationship.

“I thank you, Mr Grey, for your advice. As I am to be the captain’s advisor in this position, might I rely on you to advise me at times?”

– Lt Kastarak (XO)

William nodded “Of course” William had always preferred working with Vulcans as they didn’t share the human tendency to rely on emotions. “We may be of a similar age but there is a most fitting human saying. It’s not the years it’s the mileage. I’ve had time to grow into my role and you shall have that time but feel free to rely on me whenever you deem it necessary.” William took a moment to consider “I recommend studying the habits of Vulcan members of Starfleet who served as first officers to Human officers. The first would of course be the famed T’Pol and Commander Spock both of Enterprise fame, Taggart shares many traits with former and current Enterprise Captains.”

CSO, 2O