Posted by Commander Balfor Kolar (XO/CSO) in XO meets CO

Posted by Captain Daniel “DaVinci” Colter (CO/CIO) in XO meets CO

Posted by Commander Balfor Kolar (XO/CSO) in XO meets CO
Posted by… suppressed (11) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Kolar Balfor stood outside the CO’s ready room. He had been through several check-ins recently but this one was different. He was checking in with his newest other half. The position of executive officer was far more than just second in command. It was the gateway to the Captain. Aside from all his other duties, his discretion on the what, who, and when of issues needing the big man’s approval or acknowledgment was one of those unwritten duties as XO. In order to accomplish this, he needed to get to know the CO. From what he had read of DaVinci Colter, the man had a more relaxed style with his command crew. He hoped that his arrival with a bottle of scotch would not been seen as anything but an ice breaker between them. Reaching up he rang the door chime announcing his arrival to the man on the other side of the door.

Kolar XO

“Come on in,” came a rough gravelly voice from inside the room.

As he entered, Balfor would see a solidly, well-built man sitting behind the desk. If he knew anything about 20th century American football, Balfor could compare the newly promoted captain the perfect size for a linebacker, or perhaps an ancient Roman gladiator.

Hanging on the walls of the office were a number of display cases holding awards and medals of merit from Earth’s late 20th century military. In a picture frame on the desk, was a squad of 5 men in the same century military garb. Balfor would recognize the man standing in the middle as a slightly younger Colter.

Rising from his seat and extending his right hand, Colter said, “Cmdr. Balfor, welcome to the USS Saracen.”

Captain Daniel “DaVinci” Colter
CO/CIO USS Saracen

Making his way across the space, Kolar glanced around the room before extending his right hand to clasp Colters. “Thank you, Sir. I am pleased to be here.” It was a genuine thanks, it was a relief not to need to correct his Captain on the correct way to address him. The Saracen’s Pendragon class is a far cry from the Olinski however not all change is bad. “I started my career way back on one of these for a bit when I was an Ensign fresh out of the academy. It kind of feels like a full circle.”

Once he extricated his hand, Balfor extended his gift. “My grandfather used to state that a nip of scotch was perfect for any occasion except to cure a woman’s wrath. That woman was my grandmother, but I thought it was fitting as a welcome to the big chair. Well actually, he said Springwine instead of scotch… but I didn’t know if you liked red, yellow or white.” The main goal of the XO was to support the CO in his duty of commanding the ship. He was not sure Colter and he would become a legendary command team like Kirk and Spock or Picard and Riker, however, they could be the next names whispered in the hallowed halls of the Academy as where they hoped to be placed upon graduation.

Kolar XO

DaVinci grinned as Kolar offered him scotch. The CO accepted it and nodded in appreciation of the gift. “Thank you, Commander. I’ve got a feeling your grandfather was a very wise man. The scotch is perfect. I’m more of a liquor and beer man than wine, so this is perfect.”

Kolar nodded. “That would not be how my grandmother described him.” He said dryly.

He pulled two tumblers from a desk drawer and filled both halfway with the scotch. “Capt. Parker, you’re former CO on the Olinski, sent a very positive recommendation for this position. I’m hoping his report is accurate and not just a bunch of gloss?”

Captain Daniel “DaVinci” Colter
CO/CIO USS Saracen

“Far be it for to disagree with Captain Parker, especially considering he was so flattering. I would not believe he would intentionally misrepresent his opinion of me. However, my fit-rep reports are consistently in the superior range, as I’m sure you have read.” there was no reason to believe that Colter, or any Captain for that matter, would not pour over the documentation of any unknown potential executive officer.

“No, I wouldn’t think so either. Parker was a well respected captain and officer.”

“It was a blow to see the old girl mothballed. She was a fine ship with a fine crew that is now scattered across the universe.” The dour tone in his voice spoke volumes as to Kolar’s character. It showed Kolar was not a ladder climber using position after position to gain his rank. His recollection of the Olinski showed that if the ship had not been decommed, he would probably still be manning the third seat.

“It’s always hard to see a ship with such a legacy put out to pasture, but she did her job, and did it well. It was time to let the old girl rest.”

“Captain Parker was easy to work with. He was a fine commander who was fair, intelligent, and cunning. He was far more aggressive than I, a perfect Captain for the Big ‘O’. Qualities I have heard when asking about you.” Reaching forward he took one of the tumblers of scotch but waited until the Captain picked up his to drink it. “I also heard the Saracen has had quite a few adventures and a crew that can be rather spirited of which you were the XO during that time.” The tone that once was serious now held a hint of mirth. The exploits of the Saracen were legendary and the man across from him had been a part of each one.

Kolar XO

DaVinci chuckled a bit. “I’d like to think that’s true, thank you.”

He raised his glass. “To the Olinski, and Captain Sidney Parker.”

“Captain Knight was another fine CO, and a good friend. He left me a fine crew as well and I’m hoping to keep the Saracen’s reputation intact, for good or ill. Don’t believe all the stories, though. There are some I will neither confirm nor deny

Captain Daniel “DaVinci” Colter
CO/CIO USS Saracen

Kolar relaxed more into his seat. Whether you were sixteen at your first job with MacDonalds or in the last twenty-five percent of your career, meeting the boss could be a tense situation. Men like Colter took the edge off the nervousness anyone felt making the conversation flow easier. “So you know the crew far better than me. Anyone need more than half an eye on them at all times?”

Kolar was not a micro manager but that did not mean he let his crew run free without any supervision. There were always a few that needed either more or less direction. As he got to know the crew and officers better, Kolar would set his expectations. Until then it did not hurt to have an inside perspective.

Kolar XO

DaVinci shot down half his glass of scotch while he contemplated the question. “No, there really isn’t anyone I’m too concerned with. I’ve got a fine group of department heads. Though, I am excited to see how Lt. Cmdr Sato holds down the engine room. She was just assigned here and has a few young JO’s she’ll need to nurture to get their full potential unleashed. One in particular is Ens. Ynuchausti. She’s a fine engineer and served as acting CE under Capt. Knight. I offered her the position of chief, but she declined, saying she didn’t think she was ready for that position on a permanent basis.”

The beginning of his statement Kolar discarded immediately. No one liked bad mouthing their own crew. The follow up statements carried far more weight with him. He wanted him to keep an eye on engineering and figure out why the Ensign, who was competent as and Chief, declined the job.

The CO emptied his glass and stated in reference to the scotch, “Ah, that there is some good stuff. Thank you. While I appreciate her honestly, I’m a bit concerned about her ambition and lack of self-confidence.”

Captain Daniel “DaVinci” Colter
CO/CIO USS Saracen

Despite giving the gift, Kolar was a moderate, generously speaking, drinker. It was clear that he was just matching the Captains sips, but actually taking very little in.

“i wasn’t particularly aggressive with my career either sir. Some rather be a rebel than a leader, others have the traits you delineated. I will see what I can determine about the matter.” He hadn’t committed all the crew to memory, but since Ynuchausti was still an ensign it was likely she was young. “She just might have a little growing up to do.”

Balfor Kolar the X

“Very true, , but I’m not going to push her. If she feels she’s not ready, she probably isn’t. Everybody’s got their niche on a ship, maybe hers is that supporting role. I think we got lucky with Cmdr. Sato. I’ve got a good feeling about her.”

Captain Daniel “DaVinci” Colter
CO/CIO USS Saracen

“Tell me about the CMO? What do you think of her medical drills with the crew. I am hesitant to say it is an enthusiastic approach to preparedness. She seems to be systematically targeting departments. Started with science first,” Kolar took a sip of his drink. “From what I read of her report I am rather intrigued as to what she has planned for command. Miss Scott appears to be targeting injuries within the scope of one’s duty” A small chuckle left his mouth as a breathy puff of air rather than a true laugh. “I really hope she does not intend to shoot you in a dark corridor or shoot me out into the vacuum of space.” The injuries cliche things an intelligence officer and the command team of a fighter ship would encounter.

Kolar XO