Posted by Captain John Tiberius Glen (Captain) in Side Sim - Captain’s Ready Room

=/\= Lance Malone. Please Report to Captain Glen in his Ready Room =/\=

Lance made his way to the CO’s ready room, it felt like his academy days when he got called to the Principals office to explain whatever prank had come out of the labs and gone awry this week.

He brushed off his uniform, righted most of his insignia. He looked as smart as he was going to. Nila used to laugh and call him a scruff bag, she wasn’t wrong, but right now it made him feel self conscious.

He really had no idea what the captain could want with him, other than the secret fungus racing he’d been trying to stay out of trouble.

He hit the door chime and waited till it opened and stepped in.

“You wanted to see me Sir.....” He said stopping himself before he could utter the phrase I can explain everything. That always gave the game away.

“Yes, please,” Glen replied, “Sorry to have taken you away from your free time, but I wanted to get all my problems sorted out before we are given a new mission… Would you like a drink? I have a bottle of a Single Malt Irish Whiskey here that Joe Milligan gave me? I don’t like drinking alone.”

Glen poured himself a glass anyway, and waited for confirmation before pouring a second glass.

Lance looked at the Captain as he apologised for interrupting his down time, “It’s fine Sir, I was just catching up on some reading.” He said and his worries increased when the Captain phrased it as sorting all his problems before their next mission Lance had been referred to a problem more than once, actually most of his life, it was usually because of his behaviour, a prank, or just the fact he’d gotten bored and shenanigans had followed. It was never good when the problems word was used.

Then another potential problem came up, “If it’s strong Sir, it’s probably not a good idea, I’m what my friend calls a colossal light weight, I can’t handle my drink and make exceptionally poor decisions…” He apologised, he wasn’t joking his inability to handle drink became somewhat of legend within his class and his last posting. He deeply didn’t want it to become a thing here, he was happy to leave his karaoke singing, streaking and stealing various mascots, washing, and personal items far behind him. “But feel free to drink yourself sir, I’m happy to nurse an empty glass.”

“You seem a little nervous, and I’m not sure why? You’ve been on the ship for a month or so now, so tell me in your own words what you think you have done for the Merrimack and how much success you were able to drive in the last mission?” Glen asked.

He was asked why he was nervous, clearly it had been a long time since the captain was a junior officer, when you were a junior officer getting called to the captain was always something to be nervous about. “If you don’t mind me being blunt sir, usually people only get called to the Captain’s ready room for a bollocking, and the prospect of a bollocking tends to make people nervous.” Lance mentally winced as his mouth beat his brain to the answer. It wasn’t untrue but probably didn’t need voicing, but saying sorry now probably wouldn’t help.

Captain Glen just laughed.

Lance wasn’t sure if the Captain laughing was a good or bad thing, he hoped it was good surely he’d not been here long enough to drive someone to maniacal laughter just yet.

Being asked about his first month on the ship, maybe he was here for a telling off maybe not. “The last month, well truthfully I was not looking forward to a space draft. I’d been enjoying my last posting until…” There had been drama in how it had ended, one too many pranks, one to many personality clashes and several other issues led to new drafts for him and his best friend. He’d been angry and unsettled, he still was a little miffed even now, he’d told himself he wouldn’t make connections. But whilst he missed being with his best friend the still exchanged Comms almost daily, and he’d started making connections here settling in making friends in the labs, starting fungus racing syndicates. “…Well I’m sure you had my Service record sent to you. I think I’m settling in here, I don’t hate space, there are some interesting opportunities here. I’m not sure what I’ve done for the Merrimack… I’ve not blown it up” he said with a slight smile. That was probably the best he could answer.

“Yes, I have your service record and there are no problems with that,” Glen said. “You even get glowing references from your last Commander… So, I’m not sure why you think that I called you here to give you a dressing you down… and I don’t have a problem with your mycological experiments, whatever they are. As long as it doesn’t endanger the ship, you are free to do what you like. Just as long as there are no Tribbles… And I was very pleased with your input on the Bridge during the last mission…”

The Captain’s first comment stopped Lance before he went in with another random rant on how it wasn’t his fault. His last CO had given him a glowing reference. That couldn’t have been right, the only way it would have glowed was the vitriolic nature of his last.... Then Lance stopped, his last CO had not been a good people manger, excellent with stores and reports but not with people, especially eccentric science nerds. He certainly didn’t get him and he spent way more energy than was worth, yelling at Lance and Nila and several others. This was all starting to make sense. That total git he thought to himself. If you wanted to get rid of someone without people asking questions of course you didn’t tell the truth. Lance would have to make sure he messaged Nila before they left the star base, let her know the news.

“Sorry sir it’s more of a habit, if the CO wants to see a chap it’s probably because you’re in the mire.” He said with a shrug. Then the Captain mentioned the fungi “Ahh yes well the fungi is mostly a study for the NE’s....” and a fantastic betting ring for the crewmen “It’s a pretty harmless species it’s unlikely to go awry, and I can assure you there will be no Tribbles I learnt that lesson at the academy.” He said, shuddering at the thought of Tribbles

“The last mission… wow that was an interesting one, there was a lot that could have gone wrong but in the end we had a good result. I think I ran the science station well, I came up with information and solutions at the right times. Even though the ships computers and library seem non standard I managed to navigate them. The whole bridge team worked well I think I worked well with Lt Xavier he’s a good CSO. Spatial anomalies are not my specialist area, but I managed to wing it, I’m a quick study when I need to be.” He said running through the last mission. He paused “Did I do something wrong Sir?” Lance asked curious why the CO was asking him for a mission debrief and not the CSO.

“Not at all! And I do agree with you that the ship’s Computer takes some getting use to, as well as the secrecy around the Library.” Glen replied. “No, my problem is that Lt Xavier has unexpectedly stepped down as CSO, and rather than cause a drama over it, and to have to look elsewhere for a replacement, I thought I would offer the position to yourself… You don’t need to be familiar with every area of science to be CSO, that’s why you have a team of specialists… It would also mean a promotion for you to full Lieutenant!”

• Glen, CO

Lance nodded “I did notice it’s an.... interesting computer and I did wonder if I could ask what the deal with the library is…” he was curious and if he didn’t ask it would become an itch he’d have to scratch.

The look of disappointment that Lt Xavier was leaving was evident of Lance’s face. “He’d enjoyed working for a boss who was competent and ready to get on with. “Oh that’s a shame…” he started but didn’t get very far before he was hit in the head by the total curve ball that was the Captain’s solution. “What!” He exclaimed before very quickly adding “I mean Sorry what, sir?” He wanted him to step up to be CSO, Lance was confused and speechless. He knew his way around a lab and had worked with and led small teams, but leading a department. And a promotion.... Lance figured he’d be one of these career junior Lt’s. But that wasn’t important to him. “I guess if you think I would be a good fit, I guess I’m game Sir.” He couldn’t believe this, Nila wouldn’t believe this.

• Lt Malone