Last Minute Appeal

Posted on 04 Jun 2013 @ 11:27pm by Lieutenant Theron Rhodes & Petty Officer 1st Class Gabriel Stark

1,108 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo: Deck 3 - Security Office
Timeline: MD 08 1730

ON:

Gabriel cleared his throat as he pressed the chime to Theron's office, frowning. He'd finally booked a few minutes to catch hold of his Chief to talk about Stone's Memorial Service. He hadn't wanted to bring it up at the meeting; it wasn't the time or place, not in front of everyone else. Besides, he didn't want to come across like he was a crusade or anything.

Inventory reports and crew reports seemed endless to Rhodes. Being the department head can definitely be a head ache. When Theron heard the chime to his office, he hoped that it was a helpful distraction. "Come."

Gabriel moved into the utilitarian office, nodding to the Chief. "Thanks for seeing me, Sir. It's about the Service," he said bluntly, not wanting to waste his time. He had to be busy at the moment, and thrust unexpectedly into the position, no less.

Rhodes leaned back away from the desk. He could see that Stark had something to say, and he knew that his ears were the better than someone else's and humor abounding. "Have a seat Mr. Stark. Say what you came to say." The security chief said matter of factly.

Gabriel nodded, taking a slight breath as he sat himself down, pressing his hands onto his knees to lean forward a little. He met his eyes, his own serious. "I don't want to go to Stone's memorial service," he said as matter of factly as his chief's words had been. "I - disliked the man. He offended me. It would be completely hypocritical of me to attend. And frankly, that feels more disrespectful than not going."

Theron understood Stark's opinion. He had his own negative opinions about Stone, but that should not keep any officer or crewman from their loyalty to the fallen. He wanted to hear more of what Stark had to say, but what was the best way? he thought. "Request denied. Dismissed." Rhodes looked down at his desk work again.

Gabriel gave a loud groan, his head tipping back. "Please, Chief," he shook his head, looking to him with dark eyes and a deep frown, trying to keep calm. He hated talking about religion to other people. It didn't fit with what people thought and assumed of the quick tempered young man. "Services mean a lot. To me at least. With what I - believe. I'd be stood there, in the eyes of the power that be, being a hypocrite. I have enough black marks on my book. I promise I won't say anything to anyone, or make a fuss, I won't spoil your united front in Security. I won't even mention the service unless someone mentions it to me first. No one else even has to know - I can throw myself over and break an ankle or something and stay in Sickbay instead if that works better!"

Theron looked up at Gabriel about half way through his rant. He had no desire to be dismissive, but wanted him to state his case, even under pressure. The Chief responded caringly, "I understand your situation as complex, between personal feelings and not wanting to give a false opinion." He interlaced his fingers in front of him on the desk. "My overall goal is to defend this ship and have a cohesive security team. This coming together of the security department would show to the command staff that we live, fight, and die as one." He looked intently at Stark's eyes, waiting for more insight.

"It's not the same," Gabriel sighed, shaking his head with a frown, slumping back in his seat. "You know if, heaven forbid, it was one of you lot, I'd be there. You know that. You do. It's not like I'm just trying to get out of work and skive, it's - it's because of who it's for. It's because if I'm there, at his Service praising a man I never believed in, it makes me a liar, in here," he touched his chest with a frown, not sure how else to explain it. "I can't be a hypocrite in the eyes of God. And that's what I'll be, if I go to a service that is meant for those who cared about Stone. Because I didn't. On the contrary, he was rude and offensive and I was getting just about ready to apply for a transfer. It's just plain wrong to go to a service that should be for good thoughts when all you can think of is bad."

Most of us did not care about Stone, Theron thought to himself, but he knew protocol dictated otherwise. "I understand and do sympathize with your personal feelings." The Chief hesitated a moment, then raising his head slight inhaling. "So, I have a couple choices: letting you off, setting a poor example, possibly adding something to your permanent record. There is the option of you standing at the back of the room . . " He stopped talking and pulled up the current duty roster for bridge tactical officer.

Lt. Rhodes reached over and activated the Comm, looked at Stark, and winked, =^= Petty Officer Christoph, what is your status? =^=

She replied uncertainly, =^= I am on duty at Tactical as requested. =^= She thought it funny, because it was Rhodes who had asked her to fill in while he did paperwork.

=^= Christoph I need you for a detail. Mr. Stark will be replacing you at Tactical for a few hours. Report to me after being relieved. Rhodes out. =^=

Bree felt very confused at the moment since it was Rhodes that he put her here on the bridge. "Lieutenants." She said softly frustrated.

Lt. Rhodes looked at Stark. "Will this solution work for you?"

Gabriel let out a long breath of relief, a smile coming back to his features as he nodded. "Absolutely. It makes sense."

Still looking intently at Stark, "And this will not be the beginning of a trend. Right?"

"Understood," Gabriel said firmly, holding his eyes so he could see he meant it. He didn't want to cause trouble, and he didn't see it ever happening again, not that he wanted to think about them losing anyone else.

"Alright." The Chief said as he leaned back in his chair and said casually, "Get out of here."

"I'm going, I'm going, Sir..." Gabriel said quickly, jumping to his feet with a grateful smile to him, flicking a salute from his temple before virtually running out the door, step and heart feeling lighter.

END:


Lt. Theron Rhodes
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

PO2 Gabriel Stark
Security/Tactical
USS Galileo
(PNPC: Lt. JG. Scarlet Blake)

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