When conformity isn't the rule.
Posted on Fri Aug 30th, 2024 @ 3:29pm by Commodore Finchley Kerr & Lieutenant Commander Kevin Kilbane
1,137 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
The 'Eagle continues.
Location: Chief Intelligence Office
Timeline: Current.
"Doesn't it feel odd?" Kilbane asked.
"Doesn't what feel odd?" Finchley asked back. onc
"You being in here instead of 'upstairs' on the bridge" Kilbane answered.
"Nope, not in the slightest" Finchley said, and added "I feel very happy here, doing what I was meant to do, carry out Intelligence work."
"Yes, but...you were a Captain here, a CO, now you're just the hired hand" Kilbane replied.
"I'm still a Captain here, in rank, as for being the 'hired hand' as you put it, we all have our assigned duties and I'm happy for once it's not my head on the chopping block. Look, I was offered the Dreadnaught a few weeks back but I refused it, I wasn't ready to go back to the centre seat. You of all people should know about how I feel after the war and what we went through. This is an opportunity to get things back into perspective, get back on an even keel, plus...Yadira is here" he winked.
"Ah yes, Yadira" Kilbane smiled, "no wonder there's a spring back in your step again you sly old dog."
"Well, all that said, I think it's about time we met some of the department, don't you?" Finchley said.
Kilbane nodded, and sitting down on a plinth beside him he tapped his COMM badge and said "Commander Kilbane to Ensign Gallagher, please report to the Chief Intelligence Office."
Nathan wondered why he's being summoned to the intelligence office, it seemed a little unusual to him. But he was told to report there, and he needed that the intelligence department outranked them well it's Chief intelligence officer outranked him. And he'll find out more once he got there. "On my way Commander.
10 minutes later ....
Nathan walked into the intelligence office. "Ensign Nathan Gallagher, reporting as ordered." He said as he waited for answers.
"Ah Ensign, take a load off" Finchley replied, offering the seat in front of his desk.
Nathan sat down, and took a seat as requested. He tried to look confident in the seat. Making sure to sit up straightly. Truth be told, he was nervous.
"I just wanted to touch base with the ships Operations crew, introduce myself, and find out a little about you all seeing as we'll be working together. Are you ok with that?"
"Of course Sir, or do you prefer Captain?" Nathan asked, thinking it was a neat idea that the head of covert operations wanted to meet with him, and others in his department.
"Either or" Finchley replied, "Whichever comes to mind first. So, tell me a little about yourself, who is Nathaniel Gallagher?"
"I am a single child, I grew up in Muskegon, Michigan. After seeing what happened during the Dominion War. I knew I wanted to join Starfleet. Help protect my world, and get a chance to go out into space, and explore the unknown." Nathaniel said hoping that answered his question. He did not realize he made the answer very generic and vague. He was trying to be precise, so he did not waste the Captain's time. He wanted to make a first good impression.
"Yes, the Dominion War took it's toll on everyone, we both served in it" Finchley replied, gesturing between Kilbane and himself. He looked at Nathaniel, forming his next question, "For you personally, what sort of thing would you hope to discover whilst exploring?"
"That is a great question sir, and I thought about this one. I hope to discover in ancient Society. I'm curious to see the parallels between their time and our time and space. Deep down I'm a history lover. I wouldn't say I'm an expert. Just more like an enthusiast." Nathaniel said, hoping that answered his question. He was a history enthusiast but he was definitely no expert.
"Something we have in common Ensign" Finchley replied, "Have you studied anywhere in the subject?" he asked.
"I've done my best sir, in my humble opinion, our current flight path has been explored and over explored. What I really hoping for is at some point will return to exploration and granted an opportunity to discover some new archaeological dig sites." Nathaniel was hoping for an opportunity, however he knew Starfleet's primary mandate was the protection of the Federation.
"Deep space exploration would suit you really well then" Finchley replied, "and to be honest, that's certainly my hope for this ships missions. Sometimes the study of the past reveals answers to questions 'we' are being posed right now. How's about translation work, have you done any of that?"
"I took the basic courses at the Academy, but it's definitely not a focus of mine during that time. However I'd like to believe on my quick learner sir." Nathaniel said, hoping they didn't shake the captain's trust in his abilities.
"To be honest Ensign, it's a skill that's used both in archaeology and Intelligence work" Finchley replied, "but, it doesn't stop there. Being able to decipher and translate can come in handy in any number of situations 'we' as a ship could find ourselves in. It's just a thought, but if you ever wanted to extend your skill base in that respect, you're welcome to come to our department any time and study. We have several learning courses, and it would look good on your personal record."
"I'll take you up on that generous offer." Nathaniel said, anything he could do to improve, he was all for. Nathaniel's ultimate goal one day was to get his own command of a Starship. "I know I'm just starting out in my career, but I'm not afraid to ask what I can do to improve myself. So I thank you captain."
"You're welcome Ensign" Finchley replied, "and good for you, recognising additional attributes enhance your own skill set. The start of a career can be perplexing to some, but if I'm honest, I think it's like a blank page, you're the writer, you're the one who sets the tone and the direction of the story. So, as the writer of your own story, have you got a career plan?"
" A Starship Captain someday." Nathaniel said with the big girl on his face, he nearly had a long ways to get there. But he felt with the right guidance and a good support team that he'd be able to prove himself as an effective leader.
"Well, that's certainly a goal worth going for, I can recommend it" Finchley said. Standing up, he reached out his hand, "I think we're done here, thank you for coming by, I look forward to working alongside you."
"Thank you captain, I appreciate this opportunity to meet you." Nathaniel said is he snapped to the position of attention them doing a direct about face and walking out of the office.
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