A Stepping Stone.

Posted on Sun Dec 17th, 2023 @ 9:12pm by Lieutenant Commander Jaal Jaxom & Commodore Finchley Kerr

1,074 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Investigate the Chintoka Shipyard Buildup
Location: Operations Center, Deck 5
Timeline: Current

Jaal was busy at the main console in the operations center of the Blackeagle. So busy, in fact, that his assistant, T'Priss, was unable to get his attention the first time she called him.

He had a dozen sub-routines and diagnostic protocols searching for any suspicious transmission the Blackeagle might have made recently.

He turned when he realized someone wanted his attention, "Yes?"

"Here is the data you requested on the ship's transmissions for the last ninety days," she handed him a PADD that contained information on the more common communications receipts and transmissions of a starship.

"Oh, thanks," he took the PADD and set it beside another one.

"If I may ask, sir, what are we looking for?"

Jaal drew in a deep breath debating on how much to tell her, or anyone, in fact, about the mole that Captain Kerr was convinced was aboard. "We're looking for unauthorized transmissions and who might be making them."

One of the ensigns eyebrows raised curiously. "If I may, would it also be prudent to look for evidence of deleted data? It is possible that the suspect was smart enough to get rid of any evidence."

Jaal stood up looking at his Vulcan assistant. "I want to rule out the typical stuff that may have a hidden code in it first... and yes, I have thought of that and will do that research next. Thank you."

Finchley entered the Operations Centre, he heard the discussion but didn’t say anything straight away. Stepping forward he said, “Give us the room.”

Once they were alone, Finchley looked at Jaal and said “Nobody is above suspicion Lieutenant Jaxom, current or past crew members. I want every message and transmission in and out of this ship for the last year traced. I want to know where it was sent and I want to know who received it. If the message is classified, and there may be some above your clearance level, bring it to me and I’ll check it because I ‘will’ have the clearance. Somebody betrayed us, somebody put our lives at risk, and I want them!”

He turned to walk away, then turned back, “Oh, one other thing, congratulations, you’re now Executive Officer here, congratulations Lieutenant Commander Jaxom.”

"Captain?" Jaal's mouth dropped open in surprise. It closed, opened again, and closed once more. "Captain," he managed to say once more, "A couple of days ago you told me I hadn't earned Jack," his hands were held out in a pleading manner and a thoroughly confused expression showed on his face, "I… I don’t understand how you made that decision."

“I wanted to see your reaction Mister Jaxom,” Finchley replied, “And you knuckled down and got on with your job, like I knew you would.”

He took a step back towards Jaal, stopped and put his hands behind his back, one palm over the other. “Listen, I don’t usually discuss my past with those I don’t know particularly well, but I’m going to share with you what my CO shared with me many years ago. He told me, ‘Bird, you never judge people by what they do, any idiot can try and be heroic, you judge them on how they react to things’, and I’ve done that ever since. I know I’m not the most charismatic person, and that I’m ruthless to the point of destruction, but what I am is observant. I’ve noted your observant, diligence is a trait I admire, your dutiful, you follow orders without question, your good at your duty, offering suggestions and other options, and you look after your fellow crew members, I’d hasten to add you care for them. These are things I need in an Executive Officer because I don’t have the luxury of having many of those things. However, don’t get me wrong, I won’t have you question my orders or decisions, when I make them, I expect you to follow them without hesitation, even if it goes against your grain. Now, if you accept all of that, we can get on well, making sure we follow our orders from SFIHQ.”

He looked expectantly at Jaal for his answer.

Jaal swallowed and let out a breath. "Thank you sir. I'll do the best I can... but if I take this position on, duty will require me to remind you of certain regulations that most Starfleet captains ignore anyway, so I'm told. I hope you won't hold that against me."

It was a well known fact the Starfleet regulation about flag officers beaming down into hazardous situations was nearly always ignored. Jaal suspected Captain Kerr was one of those captains.

“Oh you can remind me,” Finchley replied, “I won’t hold it against you, all I ask is that you then won’t hold it against me when I tell you to fuck off,” he smiled.

The corners of Jaal's mouth turned up a measure. "Then we have an understanding."

“Your predecessor tried a couple of times to do the same thing, but after a few…explicit suggestions from me, she gave up,” he continued. “The one thing I will never do, never allow, is order anyone to do something I’m not willing to do myself first. I’m the CO of the Blackeagle, but first and foremost, I’m a soldier, I put myself in harms way because I believe that’s what any CO worth their salt should do, they should never put anyone else before themselves.”

"You've proven that to me already," Jaal replied, looking like he'd made his decision, "Okay then, I'm ready. I can't guarantee perfection but I think you know I'll do the best I can."

“Don’t ever believe you can give perfection or anything close to it Commander” Finchley replied “all we can ever do is give our best, that’s all I ever ask. I’m glad you you’ve accepted, all I can say is, this is where things kick up a notch for you, this is your stepping stone to the true life of being in SFI.”

Jaal watched Kerr exit the operations center swallowing. He could not believe this just happened to him. He uttered a few choice 'colorful metaphors' in his native language. Then a thought occurred, would the red uniform clash with his spots?

 

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