Face Off

Posted on 03 Aug 2013 @ 1:44pm by Captain Jonathan Holliday & Lieutenant Jared Nicholas

1,869 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 04 - Exodus
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 2 - Ship's Lounge
Timeline: MD-02 0750hrs

[ON]


Jared had spent an interesting evening with Natalie to say the least. They did have a lot in common. He got up the next morning and went to the gym to work out. He then showered and changed into a clean uniform, admiring his new rank pips for a few moments.

He decided to go to the lounge and get some coffee. He didn't have much to do, at least so far on the current mission was concerned and he planned to spend the entire day refining his command of the Ferengi language.

It was going to be somewhat boring and tedious and he needed all the help he could get.

Again the mess hall had become the refuge of the downtrodden and exhausted Comander Holliday. With his Bridge shift due in a few hours, there was not too much time left for him to get his caffeine levels nearer where he would like them, and in true fashion, only Klingon coffee would do.

The mess was still relatively quiet so early in the morning, most of the Beta shift staff were still asleep, and the Gammas wouldn't be seen for some time. After passing through the doorways and heading straight to the replicator, the Commander was drawn to the figure of the newly promoted Mr Nicholas at the adjacent replicator.

"Lieutenant." He nodded courteously as he tapped in his order to the replicator panel, and waited for it to materialise in front of him.


With some effort, Jared was able to keep his eyes focused on Holiday's face and not elsewhere on his body. He'd gotten in trouble with the man for an exercise in poor judgement he wasn't about to exercise even worst judgement by giving his commanding officer the once over. It would have definitely been a bad career move.

"Good morning sir," he said. "Care to join me? I don't like drinking alone."

John was usually against fraternising with his crew outside of duty requirements, however, it would give him better insight into the lives of his team if he did not at least share a cup of coffee with them. With a nod, the commander indicated a vacant table and moved towards it, before taking a seat.

"I'm not much of a morning person...raktajino was made for exactly these moments."


"I'm more of an espresso kind of guy," Jared replied as he took a sip and moved to sit across from the Executive Officer. "I actually enjoy the mornings. I get a lot done before while other people are sleeping. Do you mind if I pick your brain sir?"

In truth John's brain was still in his other uniform - having woken up earlier than he had planned, beyond the almost autopilot-like decision to move to the mess hall and locate coffee he had yet to really fire up his synapses. Taking a swig from his cup, the Commander nodded.

"By all means."

"First of all, I know I didn't exactly get off on the best foot here. I made a serious error in judgement and I know that I am lucky to still be on board. I appreciate the second chance." He paused looking into the Commander's eyes.

"I don't know if you've done something stupid or irresponsible in the past and I really don't expect you to tell me about it if you did. What I would like to know though, is how to be a good officer.

I've always been a pretty independent thinker and I need to know how I curb that without losing my identity, or just becoming someone who blindly follows along.

I don't even know if I explained myself fully. Does what I said make any sense?"

John listened intently to the words of the junior officer, as he would have done with any member of his crew. The XO had taken a dislike to the young man within a few days of him boarding the ship, after what could only be described as a serious error in judgement. He had heard the same questions from officers before, and his answer had always been the same.

"You aren't the first and certainly won't be the last person to ask that question of a superior. There isn't really one straight answer - follow the rules, respect your superiors, remember what you signed up for, those are probably the best bits of advice I can give you."

Young officers were often brash, John was guilty of doing it himself on more than one occasion, leading to some rather uncomfortable standoffs between himself and his then-superiors.

"It's normal to want to make your mark on the Fleet - every young officer wants to be the next Kirk, or the next Janeway, suffice to say, the best officers are the ones that don't try to make a name for themselves. Greatness comes to those who earn it, not those who demand it Lieutenant."

"I understand what you're saying sir and I think it does apply to my situation, but in my particular case I'm not looking to be great, or I guess I should say famous I think any Star Fleet Officer should want to be great.

Frankly I don't care though if I become a household name. As idealistic as it sounds I just want to make a difference in the universe. I know as a linquist that can be a little hard.

Which brings me to another point. I enjoy what I'm doing with languages, but I'm also good with navigation too. I am good at seeing things in my head. I'm not crazy or anything like that, but say I'm playing 3D chess. I picture in my mind several moves ahead or if I'm working on a navigational problem I can picture and the formula in my mind almost like I'm seeing in on a board.

I'm just wondering if you think that talent can be used in some other area?"

It only took John a few moments to ascertain what the Lieutenant was looking for. A lot of officers developed a taste for the helm during their Academy days. The XO himself was quite happy sat at the conn as and when duty called, and could see why it was so appealing.

"If you think navigation is a skill you possess then you could always look at getting some piloting lessons. Nothing fancy - probably just the holodeck, or a shuttle once we get assigned our next R&R tour - at least then you could see how it sits with you?"

Jared's expression turned slightly amused, something between a smile and a smirk. "I appreciate the offer sir and would love to take you up on it and hone my skills in that area. However I was born on my parent's ship and have been flying since I was young though most of that was relief work. Later though I spent a couple of years later, just before I joined I was piloting a ship not much smaller than this one.

I'm not trying to be a smart ass or suggest I'm an expert, I know I'm not, but I'm not a novice either.

"Heh." The XO replied as he took a deep gulp from his coffee mug. His childhood had been spent a little differently to the young Lieutenant, and John could not help but be a little jealous.

"My childhood was spent sat in front of genetics textbooks, tricorder readouts and biological specimens. Suffice to say I joined Starfleet the moment I got the chance. And I'm still no good in a laboratory either for that matter."

"I see," Jared said, Though neither man knew it both were slightly jealous for altogether different reasons. "That does sound like proper motivation to join up. May I ask what motivated you to choose command?"

"I chose it because it was as far away from what I was expected to choose as possible." John replied with a gruff voice.

"My father is a Federation scientist of rather excellent standing. Suffice to say I was expected to spend my life trying to live up to his reputation - so I got out as fast as I could. The most opposite life to a scientist I could find short of joining the Marines was a tactical command officer - so here I am."


Jared nodded, somewhat surprised at his superior officer's frankness. "Thank you for sharing that with me sir. You didn't have to. I hope you and your father were able to work out your differences and I hope he's proud of you now he should be.

I lost my father when I was very young, I don't mean to tell you what to do, it's not my place, but.... well just don't do something you'll regret when he's no longer around."

"Heh, been there and got the tshirt I'm afraid. Up until a short while ago my father and I had nothing to do with one another...things are a little different now. He's even teaching at the Academy - weird to think that he's following in my footsteps rather than the other way around."

John was still getting his head round the idea that his dad was now an Academy lecturer - he had never gotten on with Starfleet, never approved of it's mission, but all that had changed.

"I might even have to make a detour to check in on the old man next time we're on Earth."

"I'd do that if I were you sir," Jared responded. "You don't have to answer this next question, if it's none of my business, but are you dating anyone?"

John was a little confused why someone would be asking that question of the XO. Taking a moment, his mind flickered back to the first time he had met the then-Ensign Nicholas and the somewhat unexpected situation he had been found in.

"Lieutenant that's a little personal don't you think? But..in the interests of open command policies, the answer is no - I'm a Federation Commander, it leaves little room for personal attachments."

Jared held up his hands in mock surrender, he wanted ta ask another question, but if the last one had been precised as personal he knew what he wanted to ask would be far more so. And while he found the older man attractive he wasn't picking up any vibes from him. So instead he said, Sorry sir, but I did say you didn't have to answer it. Just curious nothing more. I understand. Any other advice you care to give?"

"Apart from keep your uniform tidy and don't be late for a duty shift? Nothing comes to mind right now."

Finishing off the remnants of his coffee, John stood up to leave. He had work to be getting on with, and his office was going to be a far more productive place for him than the Mess.

"If you will excuse me Lieutenant?"

Jared nodded and watched the retreating form of Holiday trying to keep his thought those of an officer and a gentleman.

[OFF]

CMDR Jonathan Holliday
Executive Officer
USS Galileo

Lt.(JG) Jared Nicholas
Linguist
USS Galileo

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