Posted by Lieutenant Commander Kastarak (First Officer / Navigation Officer) in Executive Officer’s Office

Posted by Commander William B. Grey (Chief Science Officer / 2nd Officer) in Executive Officer’s Office

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Kastarak (First Officer / Navigation Officer) in Executive Officer’s Office
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Once cloaking device tests were over and the Chernov was underway to its first rendezvous point William made his way to Kastarak’s office. He had on occasion used that office as his own during his longer stints as acting first officer, mostly for privacy reasons. He tapped on the door chime and waited for a response.

CSO, 2O

“Enter,” ordered Kastarak. The doors opened. Kastarak was sitting by his desk. The room had become more austere since the last time Mr Grey had been there. The cold drink dispenser was gone. The room looked more functional and minimalistic. In the office, there was a desk area with two small chairs in front of the desk. There was also a small conference table to the side of this, being able to sit six to eight people comfortably. Finally, there were two armchairs next to a coffee table by the windows.

Kastarak rose from his chair.

“Mr Grey, please come in. What do you need?”

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

William entered the room, taking the briefest moment to look around before looking back at the Vulcan “We need to have a talk Commander” He spoke in his usual neutral tone, there was nothing different in the way he stood or spoke but his words implied a more serious conversation. He took a seat and crossed his legs, placing his hands on his lap, a relaxed position.

“Earlier today you chose to relieve an officer of duty. That of course is within your purview as first officer and as acting commander of the bridge” William said in the same neutral, non-emotional, tone of voice “However, I am concerned over what you decided to relieve Lieutenant Lovejoy. A singular conversation of a minor emotional dispute is not grounds for suspension of duty. You are not the ship’s medical officer nor are you assigned as a therapist despite your training.” He raised a forestalling hand “I don’t care about the underlying subtext or the interpersonal relationships of the crew, that’s your job not mine, but for those within earshot, it was yourself, not the Lieutenant that escalated the conversation to its Emotional peak by prodding. My concern is that if Lovejoy decides to argue against her suspension short as it is it would not be good for you or your career”

CSO, 2O

There was some logic to what Grey said. Kastarak appreciated that he took this conversation in private rather than undermining Kastarak’s authority.

“Thank you,” Kastarak said calmly. “It is possible, like you say, that I made a mistake. I shall meditate over it. My opinion then was that her heightened emotional state clouded her judgment. It is possible that given that she and I are both of species with telepathic capabilities. That said, our telepathies work in radically different ways. As such, there is a possibility that our emotional states clashed, that I sensed far more emotion from her than I should have, which made have clouded my judgment in that instance. At the same time, it is possible that my emotions, however repressed, in a process of transference were taken on by her.”

Kastarak paused for a few moments.

“How do you advise I proceed from here?”

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

William didn’t hesitate to give his opinion “I suggest that you have a conversation with Miss Lovejoy and a third party, Doctor Symar for example although another Vulcan might not be the best option” He added consideringly “I can’t begin to understand the subtleties of conversing with someone and feeling their emotions but internal and external emotions are quite different which I believe is a core tenant of Vulcan society”

Kastarak listened to his 2O and refrained from speaking. He appreciated the advice he gave, especially the directness of it. Kastarak had long determined Grey trustable and someone whose advice ought to be listened to. because of that, Kastarak was surprised when it was not Grey who was named first officer but he himself was, a junior officer, bypassing all others. Was his appointment perhaps premature? Kastarak could not but help doubt his own leadership, especially the confusing situation with Pawl…

… Pawl… who was ever present inside his mind… in Lovejoy’s…

He tapped his right index finger on his thigh “You can either wait until we return home after this mission and find someone not on the crew or you can find someone here before we go into the thick of it. I don’t know if an apology is necessary but I do suggest that her suspension not be placed on her record, unless of course, it comes to light that she is indeed emotionally unable to perform her duties.

CSO, 2O

“Indeed. It’s recorded simply as a sick day, which we all have. I trust she will be fine at the start of her next shift. Might you be able to head to engineering then and check on her?”

Kastarak paused and then leaned forward.

“I appreciate your candid view and your advice. Leadership in this way is new to me, and most likely there will be more mistakes on the way. I shall speak to the captain, too.”

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

William nodded “I rarely had to deal in interpersonal relationships during my short tenures. I don’t form relationships with members of the crew” He hesitated “I think there might be a need for us to discuss whatever or to be precise whomever is the cause of this issue” He didn’t say the name he’d heard in whispers in regard to the new first officer, the Chief Engineer.

CSO, 2O

Kastarak noted the shift in Grey. Earlier, he was candid and direct with Kastarak. Now, he was speaking vaguely and mincing his words.

“Do you mean Mr Batario? What is there to discuss?”

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

William gave the Vulcan a flat look “Sir, the fact that you need to ask is why there needs to be a discussion.” He said then raised a forestalling hand again “Granted you have no need to speak of this with me, we do not have a personal relationship but the conversation must be had. When I notice that there’s been interpersonal drama that means that the rest of the crew has noticed, and I have noticed” He was being honest, he was always the last to notice such things because he rarely paid attention to such things

He took a moment to sigh before continuing “Before you were stationed here, maybe a year or so before, there was a similar event between the Captain, a rather foul-mannered Medic who was his closest friend, and a woman who was our Chief Engineer. I don’t know the details but it was rough. A few months later she left the ship and he…” William frowned “Well we lost him.” He’d always intended to tell Kastarak about this, knowing about the devastating loss the Captain suffered those years ago was important for the first officer. “I don’t know about whatever is going on but it needs to be resolved, you might need a different perspective and I can offer one”

CSO, 2O

Kastarak hadn’t heard of the incident that Grey alluded to.

“Solomon Kane and Brigette Marshall?” All he knew of these people were their names and service dates. He could be wrong… The captain mentioned Kane a few times, always with pain. But Marshall? She was anonymous in the stories of the ship.

Kastarak knew Grey had raised logical points.

“In either case, I see your point of view. I have caused a mistake. I am keen to continue hearing your perspective.”

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

William hesitated for the second time “Sir, for my perspective to be clear I’d need to know what’s actually going on, not a dozen rumours filtered through several weeks, which is what it takes for me to notice. What is the true story, I’ve heard a dozen tales from a lovers tiff to surprise relations.

CSO, 2O