Misconceptions

Posted on Wed Mar 8th, 2023 @ 12:57pm by Lieutenant Commander Isabelle Savette & Commodore Finchley Kerr

918 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Investigate the Chintoka Shipyard Buildup
Location: Bridge/Ready Room
Timeline: After the briefing

Waiting on the bridge Isabelle turned to greet Kerr as he reappeared from the briefing. “Excuse me Captain” She smiled warmly, may I talk with you... in private?”

"Certainly Lieutenant" Finchley replied, heading to his Ready Room.

Following on behind him she waited until the Ready Room doors closed before speaking. “Captain, was the comment regarding Commander Dex’s prior medical problem necessary in-front of other Officers? I always thought that such matters are normally considered private and confidential.”

"I see we're not fucking about with small talk then" Finchley said bluntly "Ok, let's have this dance shall we. You Chief Diplomatic Officer and an Infiltration specialist, Me Commanding Officer of this ship and Senior Starfleet Intelligence Officer. You Lieutenant, Me Captain. I've often found that being open and honest about things and not hiding them works wonders for trust. I'm a drunk off duty, everyone knows that, I've never hidden the fact and have said it on a number of occasions and it's cropped up on every ship and Starbase I've served on. I wanted to see the reaction I'd get from my new Executive Officer on a sensitive subject, would it be action or reaction...I got my answer. Now, I've already spoken to Commander Dex about this and explained all this to them. I'm doing you that courtesy also, and furnishing you with an answer to your prying, but it'll never happen again. And 'why'...because this is the one and only time you're ever going to question me on something I've said or done. I've read your file Lieutenant, and before you say anything, what you 'think' you may have read of mine, you haven't read a third of it because it's classified, I'm a Senior Starfleet Intelligence Officer, you don't and never will have that clearance, but back to your file, it makes for interesting reading. You're outspoken, and it's gotten you into a few tight spots. You think you're entitled to do this because your the Granddaughter of the Matriarch of the First House of Betazed...well you're not. You're under my command, and if I have this again, you'll find I'm not so nice next time round. So, we're done....scoot!" he said, waving her towards the door.

Isabelle stood for a moment, she hadn’t been expecting such a response as this. “Captain, permission to speak freely?”

Finchley sighed then said "Yes."

“It wasn’t my intention to pry Sir, I was simply surprised by the way you spoke to Commander Dex.” Isabelle paused. “Yes, I may be outspoken from time to time, but I am not someone who puts my heritage up as a status flag! I’m trying to make a career for myself away from all that.”

"That's a lie to begin with Lieutenant" Finchley replied "If it wasn't your intention to pry, you wouldn't have asked to speak to me. Yes, you had a question, but none the less, you were prying on why I said what I said, and that was intentional. Allow me to be as straight forward as I can be, you're outspoken nature comes from your background and entitlement. None of us can fully escape our upbringing. You can try and fool yourself as much as you wish, saying you're trying to move away from that and 'forge a career away from all that', I don't believe you. Tell you what, if you're being sincere about that, prove me wrong, do what I tell you and don't ever question me again. Now, you've had your five minutes, time for you to prove me wrong, beginning the moment you walk out that door" pointing the exit, "which is about three seconds from now."

Isabelle nodded, she couldn’t help but wonder just what sort of Commanding Officer she’d been assigned to. “Aye Sir.” With that she departed the office without another word.

Isabelle was waiting for the turbolift to arrive back at the bridge when she was called back to Kerr’s office. Turning around she wondered what she’d done wrong to be summoned back already. Straightening her uniform she pressed the chime, and waited for permission to enter, before walking back in. “You wanted to see me Sir?”

"Sir down" Finchley replied. He re-read what was in the message on his screen then looked at the Lieutenant.

"I've been given an answer from Starfleet HQ on you wanting to move from being Chief Diplomatic Officer to being Chief Counsellor" he said "The gist of it is that the transfer can be completed, but on a trial basis and at my discretion being as how you'll be serving on the Blackeagle. Their recommendation is that it be a six month trial period, after which I'm to send them a review on how you've done. It's then decided there whether the move is a permanent one or not and you refer back to your previous role."

Isabelle paused, she hadn’t been expecting this. “Understood Sir, I have served as Counsellor before so it’s not a position I’m unfamiliar with. I would like to take the position, if you approve?”

"Very good Lieutenant, I'll have the paperwork completed and a copy forwarded to you shortly" Finchley replied "Is there anything else?"

“No Sir.” Isabelle shook her head. “Thank you Sir.”

"Very well, the very best of luck to you in your new role, dismissed" Finchley replied.

 

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