Posted by Captain Benjamin Gillespie (Incoming Commanding Officer) in Counsellor’s Office - Boarding Evaluation

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Chandel (Chief Diplomatic Officer) in Counsellor’s Office - Boarding Evaluation

Posted by Captain Benjamin Gillespie (Incoming Commanding Officer) in Counsellor’s Office - Boarding Evaluation
Posted by… suppressed (6) by the Post Ghost! 👻

“Well I’m glad you approve of my programming skills - Assuming the core replicator database wasn’t purged during the refit,” Ben said and sipped his coffee. The familiar bitterness of the blend reminded him of home almost putting him at ease.

“Did you request this position, Captain?” She finally asked as her opening question.

Counselor Chandel

“To be honest. No,” Ben replied as he took a seat, “I never expected to ever be posted back here, but I would never turn it down. Almost all of my pre-command experience has been at outposts, starbases and groundside. Perhaps that is why I’ve only ever been a caretaker of ships.”

Ben sipped his coffee, “Stabases are more like small cities than starships.”

-Ben

“I have found that as well!” Chandel said with a wide smile.”This is my first starbase as all my postings have always been aboard ship and I was raised aboard a freighter. So this is a first for me and I have been very much struck by how similar it is to an actual village or city. It is a very interesting atmosphere that I find interesting. Do crew tend to serve longer at bases then ships do you think?” She asked curiously.

Counselor Chandel

“Crews tend to get closer on a ship, because some missions are months or even years long,” Ben said, “But I’d say that crews tend to serve shorter periods on Starbases. Many do not get the buzz of travelling to new and wonderous places when their workbase simply sits in orbit.”

-Ben

“Hmm true enough. Given that most of us join Starfleet for that reason it makes sense. ” Chandel mused as she studied the Captain. “So you served here before. When was that and in what capacity?” She asked hoping that he was comfortable enough now to touch on a subject that she had the sense might be difficult for him.

Counselor Chandel

“I was a pilot, fresh out of the Academy,” Ben said reminiscing on the good times he had had on the outpost, “Mostly shuttles and runabouts, but that first time I took The Trinidad out for a spin was just… magical.”

-Ben

Chandel smiled glad to see the Captain comfortable enough to reminisce.”How long were you here?”

Counselor Chandel

“Not long,” Ben replied, “Just two and a half, maybe three years. Command thought it best to transfer me to somewhere… How should I say it?”

Ben sipped his coffee and swallowed, “Somewhere that they could keep a close watch over me. It killed my career progression.”

-Ben

Chandel raised an eyebrow,”Why would they have wanted to do that?” She asked curiously.

Counselor Chandel

Ben considerred how he worded his response. He had no doubt that the Counsellor would be aware of what his father had done if she had read through his file.

“It took a long while for my father to be brought to justice,” Ben replied, “That’s the nature of the legal system. Until JAG caught up with him, they were both concerned that I was a target and that I would take matters into my own hands. They didn’t know me well - assumed I am like my father but I am not. If I had taken matters into my own hands, I’d have become him, which I didn’t want.”

-Ben

“Indeed it was not fair to penalize you for his actions. I am glad that you were strong enough to retain your own personality, Captain. It is why you are the man you are today. Do you still have a relationship with your father today?” Chandel asked her deep eyes showing her compassion for what he had gone through.

Counselor Chandel