Posted by Captain Chris Taggart (Captain) in Pre-Sim: Reporting to the Captain

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Michael Sideman (XO/ Navigation Officer) in Pre-Sim: Reporting to the Captain

Posted by Captain Chris Taggart (Captain) in Pre-Sim: Reporting to the Captain
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻
SNIP

“Okay. You all do the tests and report to me of the progress. I and the new XO will be in the Ready room talking. Come on Commander.”

After awhile they were back on the bridge in the Ready room. Chris pointed to a couple of chairs and a table. “Have a seat over there Commander while I get us some coffee. How do you take yours?” That part of the room had a really big clear tank with a chewed up leg and half an arm in it floating around in some kind of liquid.

Captain Chris Taggart CO

Not knowing what to say about the “items” in the tank in the Captain’s ready room the new Executive Officer decided that there would be a better time and place to ask about the items that were not going to be mentioned.

Answering the Captain he responded, “I don’t drink coffee sir, but I could use a cup of tea if you have any.”

Lt. Commander Sideman

Bump

Chris squinted his eye and glared away him at the same time he stopped doing what he was doing. In a long and irritating voice. “First you have no sense of humor and now you tell me you don’t drink coffee? How do you function? I only have coffee here because that’s what I drink. No tea because it would be a waste and just thrown out. Are you trying to sabotage the mojo of this ship with your uppity ideals? I can’t believe what I’m hearing.” He poured himself some coffee and walked over to sit by Sideman.

“Anyway.” He took a slow and deliberate drink from his coffee. “Ahhhh. That’s good. So what is your background and why did you want to be in Command?

Captain Chris Taggart CO

“Sir I have spent most of my time at Star-Fleet Command in one assignment or another. I finally decided that if I did not get out to space soon, I never would. So, I requested a ship posting. Because I have had many assignments where I was in charge, I asked if I could have a second officer assignment. To my surprise I was assigned as your XO. Now please don’t think that my lack of ship board experience will hinder you, just the opposite. I have studied everything I could find about this ship and have even read some of the crews service records. Sir, I will do everything I can to be the best XO possible.”

He took a breath and then continued:

“By the way, I may not drink coffee, but in off hours I do drink a glass of whiskey now and then. I would be happy to share one with you someday, sir…if you wish.”

With all of that said, the Executive Officer waited for a response.

Sideman

“I understand Commander. I want you to remember that there is a huge difference in street smarts and book smarts. I know you know the ship inside and out but to not actually know the nuances is bad, especially one of your rank and position. But you will figure it out. Meaning that you may stay up at night because you do not know that the sound you are hearing is normal. You will most likely stay awake for days on end and even sleep for days on end because you don’t know what time it is or day or night. You will be effectively useless for about a month until you can acclimate to the ship. So take your time and I will give you light duties for a week and then we can put you one the bridge after two weeks. Do not be too eager be the hero and to one up people.”

“I myself was a doctor, surgeon actually before I became the XO of this ship and then after awhile I became the Captain. But I have always been on a ship. That is no fault of your own though. We are all useful in our own ways and we go different paths. There is no shame. But I wish you would have had some ship time before coming here. But wish in one hand and crap in the other right? And whiskey sounds good. Thank you and I look forward to that. Do you have any specialties?” He took another sip of his coffee.

Captain Chris Taggart, CO

Responding to the question Sideman said, “I get along with people very well. It has always been my strength. I can get people to do things that others cannot. I just think I have away with people. In any event, I am here to serve sir and I am glad you will share a drink with me sometime. Also, thank you for giving me the time to adjust to ship life, but I am sure I will be okay.”

XO

“That’s great to hear but I am sure you won’t get used to it as fast as you think you will. You might be able to bullcrap your way top others, but I’m a doctor and can see right through you if you say you’re not feeling sick or getting enough sleep. My order still stands. You will be on light duty for one month until you are ready. Do you have any questions for me or expectations from a Captain that you want to address?”

Captain Chris Taggart CO

Responding to the Captain, he said, “No sir. However, I would like you to help me prepare to have my own command someday. Does not even have to be command of a Starship, I just want my own command. Will you help me sir?”

Lt. Commander Sideman, XO