Posted by Lieutenant Tandra Mika (Counselor) in Once a Cadet Always a Cadet

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Sharah Fayth (Chief Star Fleet Medical Officer) in Once a Cadet Always a Cadet

Posted by Lieutenant Tandra Mika (Counselor) in Once a Cadet Always a Cadet
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Sharah had never ever done this. Not even in her position as CSO on the Ark Angel. Even when they had openings in the labs she couldn’t fill them because Q had thrown them almost past the edge of the known universe. Sharah had been pouring over personnel files trying to find someone who would be a good fit for the assistant position.

She had narrowed it down to…too many. She had to pick one. She felt unprepared for this. No matter what McBride and Dasca said. She was looking again at a file that looked like a good fit. It didn’t tell her a lot though. Skill wise yes, but Oed wasn’t an easy posting and the number of officers under their care was HUGE, then add the civilian population to that. Then she saw something in the file. Of course! Mika was here. Who better to ask for help than her very first department head? Sharah transferred the files to a PaDD and made her way down to the psychiatry wing. The light was off above Mika’s door and she didn’t feel Mika’s presence. Oh.. she was on the Fleet complex. Alright, she could head over there. Today was devoted to paperwork anyway, and the walk would be a needed break.

Half an hour later, Sharah had made her way onto the complex and to Mika’s office. She pressed the chime.

Fayth, SFCMO

Mika was stressed. Really stressed. And busy. There were too many things to do and what felt like not enough time to do them. She had to keep reminding herself there weren’t really hard time limits to get these caseload reviews and departmental things done.

When the chime rang, she called a quick, “Come in.” She had a PaDD in front of her and her chair was pushed out of the way like she’d been pacing. She looked up and smiled a tired, tense smile at Sharah. “Hey, Fayth. Did you need something?”

~ Lt Mika, CNS

Sharah paused right after she entered the office. Oh Mika was having a rough go of it. Sharah felt the same way, she still did, and she didn’t have the experience that Mika did. “Oh, well, I was honestly going to ask for your help, but it looks like you might need it instead. Overwhelmed by the paperwork?”

Fayth, SFCMO

Mika sighed and nodded. There was no point in telling Fayth any different. “There’s just a lot to do. I mean, a lot.” Then she smiled, trying to seem confident. The confidence wasn’t really there though. “It’ll be fine. What did you need help with?”

~ Lt Mika, CNS

Sharah nodded, “It is a lot, and that us kind of why I am here. Oed is just too massive for one CMO. I am constantly behind. And we have the facilities here and on the Centurion. It was suggested I appoint an AMO.” Sharah looked at Tandra’s desk, it looked just like hers. “Maybe you need one too. Hmmm…or maybe we both need a Yeoman to assist with the administrative stuff. We should ask McBride,” Sharah mused aloud a moment.

Mika smiled. “A Yeoman! That would be helpful. Actually, I think an ACNS would be better but I think that would be harder to find.” Then her smile faded and was replaced by a stressed, upset look. “I’m sure I’ll figure it out myself.” The truth was, she felt like she had to ‘prove’ she could do it on her own.

She held up her PaDD looking overwhelmed. “This is why I am here. I have to pick someone for the AMO position. I’ve never done that. I don’t know how to choose. It’s not just a matter of filling in missing skills, or someone with some administrative experience. The colony has unique needs as well and is very large, and the Star Fleet contingency is huge. I want someone who can handle not just the work but the…culture of Oed. I don’t know how to choose. And you’ve been a department head your whole career.” The more she talked the faster she got, conveying the nervousness and stress she felt over the decision.

Fayth, SFCMO

Mika had been a department head, she had been promoted directly out of Academy into a CMO position. And what had she accomplished since then? Nothing, not really. How had her career gone from so promising to so stagnant? She felt stuck and sad and Sharah had reminded her. She had to shake herself out of it though. Focus on what needed doing. And right now her friend needed help and reassurance.

“Okay, Sharah, Sharah, Sharah, breathe.” Mika said her name a couple of times trying to get her attention and slow her down. “Let’s look at these files and I can show you what to look for. That way you won’t have to ask me every time you have to hire someone new.” She moved one of the spare chairs around to her side of the desk and gestured for Sharah to sit down. “Do you have any specifically you’re thinking about?”

~ Lt Mika, CNS

Sharah took a breath and then felt bad. She hadn’t meant to upset her friend. It was clear just from her face. Sharah thought Mika’s career was quite outstanding. She had seen and dine so much in a short amount of time. Met a lot of people. She would have to stop thinking of her as a mentor. It wasn’t Mika’s job to teach and reassure her.

Sharah sat restraining any further suggestions. She understood that need to prove herself on her own. Sharah would have to keep that in mind from now on. “Well I have narrowed it down to these 7. They all have some experience on the administrative side of medical and/or have skills that fill a need in the medical team. I think you might know one of them. That’s why I thought to come ask you.”

Fayth, SFCMO