A Drink or Two

Posted on Tue Dec 10th, 2024 @ 12:05pm by Commander Lucy Sharpe & Captain Rob Haines

904 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: :\>root
Location: Starbase 312, Officer's Lounge
Timeline: MD 3, 1800

Lucy was wrapping up her official workday when she got a message from SB 312's commanding officer, Admiral Sh'esh Varil.

'Please come have a drink with me in the officer's lounge. I'd like to discuss an opportunity.' - Admiral Varil.

Intrigued the acting Captain tapped a quick reply confirming her attendance before disembarking the docked Athena. Though she and the crew had free rein of the starbase Lucy wanted to remain at her post should the circumstances change abruptly.

Additionally the women realised as she strode through the bustling populated promenade on route to meet the Admiral she valued the flexibility a posting on a starship posed over being left stagnated in one location that attracted unusual characters and invited trouble to your door step

As expected the Officer's lounge was plush and exceptionally quiet when Lucy arrived. Surprisingly it was open by invitation only like an inclusive club, the security officer wave her through clearly obvious he'd been informed of Lucy's arrival.

As Lucy looked around, an Andorian woman got up from a table and approached her. She was short for an Andorian, standing only 5’6”. She was lean though and had the look like she could hold her own in a scrap. As she got closer, Lucy could see she had an Admiral rank insignia on her collar.

The Admiral smiled and extended her hand, “Commander Sharpe, I’m Admiral Varil. A pleasure to meet you. Please come sit with me.”

"Admiral," Lucy returned both the smile and handshake with a firm grasp. "Thank you for the invitation." She guested for the Admiral to take the lead and followed in her wake returning to the table which Varil had arisen from moments before.

Varil sat down and said, "Might I recommend a Denublean comet? Shayira makes a mean one."

She indicated one of the bartenders who looked part Orion.

"Sure," Lucy nodded. "I like my drinks with a hit."

"The reason I wanted to meet with you is that Admiral Krall contacted me", she said. "He told me that the President overturned your recommendation for promotion to Captain and the command of the Athena. This disturbs me, not only because the CINC of Starfleet was overruled, but because the person they put in command doesn't deserve it. I have a proposition for you if you'd like to hear it."

Varil was direct and straight to the point which Lucy liked. "I've not heard great things about him so far," the human replied. "Go on Sir, I'm listening."

"I need a second officer", the Admiral said. "The one I had retired after an accident. Can't say that I blame him. I can make that happen by morning. Then in a month, I am going to need an XO as my current one is taking command of the Ratan. Nice ship, deserving of such a captain. Promotion to my XO, given the size of this base and all that is going on comes with the rank of Captain. With all that is going on in the galaxy and how much Starfleet feels they have to stick their fingers in places, I am sure you will be sitting in the center seat, assuming you don't want to stay. What do you think? You deserve more than working for Captain Haines. Hell of a way to sink a career."

"I'm flattered Admiral," the Commander replied. "It's a very tempting offer, however respectful I decline."

"You do realize that this man has three court-martials on his record and he graduated almost last in our class?", Varil stated. "I was senior cadet that year. I lost count how many times I had to make reports that his name featured prominently in."

"I wasn't much better as a cadet," Lucy smirked. "I've read over his file, or what I've been permitted to behind a heavy wall of redaction therefore know what's coming our way." She stopped as their drinks arrived at this moment. "The crew need some stability after Griffon's death, bringing in an entire new Command team won't help bring cohesion."

The Admiral smiled, took a sip of her drink, and then said, "This is what I am talking about. His attitude would be very different. Very well, I tell you what. I will keep the offer open until after your first mission. I'll check in with you after."

"Thank you Admiral, that's very generous," the human said rather surprised Varil was prepared to do such a thing. "Griffon had the ability to nurture the crew and allow talent to grow, he became my mentor for a time," Lucy sipped her drink and enjoyed it hefty kick momentarily before continuing. "I'm expecting Haines to be stick driven as opposed to Griffon's soft carrot approach. I'm not afraid to stand up for both myself and the crew if he's being unreasonable even if it presents risks."

Varil smiled then finished her drink.

"Well Commander, I need to go prepare for a meeting. I shall leave you to your evening, thank you for the discussion."

Lucy rose respectfully as Varil moved to depart and retook her seat once the Admiral had left. The acting Captain cupped her glass thoughtfully and swirled the contents and wondered if her decision to pass the offer was a mistake. Only time would tell.



A Joint Post By
---
Admiral Sh'esh Varil
Commanding Officer, Starbase 312
(NPC, Captain Haines)

Acting Captain
Lucy Sharpe
USS Athena

 

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