Let's try that again...

Posted on 01 Jul 2023 @ 6:58pm by Commander Scarlet Blake & Lieutenant JG Rafe Caradec
Edited on on 03 Aug 2023 @ 4:25pm

1,877 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 18 - Cold Station 31
Location: USS Galileo-A - First Officer's Office
Timeline: MD 11, 11:30

ON:

Blake slotted the last ornament - a dagger on a mantle - back on to her office shelf. The place had been a mess after the fight with the Ferengi, but tidying up had given her some time to figure out what she was going to write up in her report. And more importantly, how she was going to write it. She glanced over her shoulder to the door when the chime went. Right on time. "Come in!"

Rafe walked in and stood at attention, immaculately dressed, his body freshly bathed with some Andorian cologne and a fresh shave. "Reporting as ordered, mam.", Rafe said, looking just over her and straight ahead at the wall behind her. If there was one thing he wasn't going to get back, it was a first impression. However, considering the circumstances and having that grotesque appendage in his neck, he could only hope. He wanted to reinforce his good record with a pristine presentation.

"Take a seat," Blake nodded as she motioned to the chair on the other side of her desk. He looked a good deal better, and calmer. She had the feeling she was seeing the real man now. She joined him at the desk, taking her own seat. "How are you feeling, Caradec? You certainly look better."

Rafe took the chair and looked at the Commander, smiling. "Thank you, Commander. Yes, I feel much better after some much needed rest and time to decompress. That was quite a mission I feel like I was thrown into without knowing enough. Don't get me wrong, I don't feel classified information should be shared with me, but fingers growing out of my neck is something I definitely would have liked to have known going in.", Rafe said.

"I think that opinion is more than fair, given the circumstances," Blake agreed, her own feelings strong on the matter. They'd been thrown to the wolves. And quite deliberately too. Her loyalty to Starfleet couldn't be questioned, but it didn't mean she wasn't angry at the decision.

"About that, I would like to say, I believe with my whole heart that I was not myself on that station. Everything about that was a whole other level of exploration that I care not to repeat. With that said, I sincerely apologize for my behavior and not keeping my composure." Rafe continued, "I want you to know that the chain of command is important to me, and I respect it. In fact, I believe in it and its need to be in place, for structure, for survival in difficult times, as we've just seen."

"None of us were at our best in there," Blake replied easily, meeting his eyes so he could see she meant it. "And frankly, it's a miracle we've come out the other side. So...I propose we start again. I'm Commander Blake, First Officer here on the Galileo."

Rafe gave her his big smile. He started, "It's very nice to meet you, Commander. I am Lieutenant Junior Grade Rafe Caradec, at your service." He was going to get along with her really well, he felt. The camaraderie was there, he could feel it. "So Commander, what would you like to know about me. I'm an open book. Whatever you want to know, I'll tell you."

"Why don't you start by telling me a little about your career so far?" she asked, settling back in her chair to give him her full attention. Records were one thing, but the ex psych officer and counsellor always found out something about a person when she asked them to tell her in their own words.

"Well,", Rafe began. "I have always loved flying. It's in my bones. I started out young, real young. I was actually flying frigates by the time I was sixteen, although my record doesn't indicate it. I signed up for Starfleet when I was 18. That was after I had already finished college and received my B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering. Because of my flying, I was able to work very little and focus on studies early. Although, most people I flew had doubts in my abilities due to my age, which was reasonable. I imagine I looked pretty wet behind the ears.

I graduated from Starfleet in 3 years and was assigned to Jupiter station in 2384. That was perfect for me. I got to fly just about everything you could imagine, Starfleet, Vulcan, Risian, etc. But the one I wanted to fly, but never did, was the Enterprise-F. It was soooo sublime. Have you seen the curves on that baby?!?", Rafe asked, clearly enraptured in the vessel.

A half smile came to Blake at seeing his enthusiasm and she watched him with amusement. She admired it, but it wasn't something she related to. "Not personally, but I get your point."

"Sorry, mam. I get excited when talking about flying. I continued working at Jupiter station until my court martial." Rafe could see either she wasn't told or at least wasn't given the broad strokes.

It was the casual way he mentioned it that really struck Blake. She lifted her eyebrows with expectation, crossing her legs as she watched him pointedly. "I think you'd better tell me about that."

"My files have been sealed by Starfleet command.", Rafe said. "Vice-Admiral T'ang and I have the authority to reveal what's inside, but only to my top-tier CO's. I'm afraid you'll have to talk to the captain about that. I can give you, however, a brief overview without getting into the details. I happened onto a member of Starfleet, one of your rank, stealing classified data from Starfleet. A fight ensued and I laid him out, which caused a skull fracture. Turns out, I prevented key information which would have caused Earth's defense grid to be compromised. The culprit was prosecuted and the tribunal ordered the proceedings sealed.

After that,", Rafe continued, "I was transferred to Starbase 137 where I was the Assistant Chief Flight Officer in charge of flight tests for ships after refits. It was much like Jupiter station, but better. This was Jupiter station on steroids because I got to push ships to their limit. I have to say, that has become my specialty. I'm almost bored if I'm not flying by the seat of my pants!", Rafe smiled. He loved flying. The only thing he loved more than flying was flying at ungodly speeds with his hair on fire and his CO's begging him to stop for the love of God!

"We're a science vessel," Blake said lightly, sitting back in her chair, but her posture remained as upright as ever. "We're out here to...explore and discover. But...you'd be surprised how often we need to 'fly by the seat of our pants'," she added, and with more than just a note of wryness to her tone. "As you discovered for yourself."

"Absolutely, Commander.", Rafe said and laughed at the irony. "I imagine there could be times when trying to observe, up close, huge suns about to go supernova, maybe neutrinos at the event horizon of a black hole, etc., and you may need those engines and someone who knows how to get the most out of them, in flight. In those situations, I'm your man. But aside from that, I want to know this vessel as much as possible, how it moves, how it swings, even how it feels to flip end over end, and more importantly, how the artificial gravity works in that situation, with shields on." He saw her expression and figured he better stop while he was ahead. Well, by that expression, maybe he was no longer ahead. Gulp!

"I prefer to keep the ship in one piece, where at all possible," she replied, her head tilted downward as she watched him with an arched eyebrow. "Still, it would be good for you to get to know the ship. We need all hands on deck around here and we're a long way out."

"Understood, mam.", Rafe responded. "I am interested in what shift you want me to work. I noticed the Galileo does not have a Chief Flight Control Officer currently assigned. Is that position to be filled soon or is it currently open?"

"That's...complicated," she replied softly, shaking her head lightly as she considered, relaxing just a touch. "But suffice to say that we could use someone to cover the position."

"Yes, ma'am. Well, if you're looking, then I'm volunteering. I ride for the brand, Commander, lock, stock, and barrel." Rafe cracks a smirk at the Commander. "So, is there anything I should know about you that would help me know what to do, say, in case we are boarded and I have to look for visual cues or some weird stuff like that? Or, are there some dreams you have that haven't come to pass yet that I can help in? I would like to get to know you better."

A small smile of amusement threatened at Blake's lips and she quirked an eyebrow as she leant on one arm of her chair. "It's well known that I used to be a marine. I expect everyone to give their best, to follow orders and most importantly, have the back of the person next to them, no matter what the danger or the cost."

Caradec was loving the words he was hearing. "I look forward to it, mam. I love the feel of unity, or camaraderie. I will put forth my best effort. But I'll also look for other areas to improve. I strongly believe in being able to support other people in their respective jobs. I think it makes us all better, for what that's worth." He hoped he was making a better impression than he did on Cold Station 31. He was eager to meet everyone on the bridge and start getting used to the command structure and personalities. It was important for him to know who he was working with. He didn't like slackers, nor those who thought they knew what they were talking about. Unfortunately, those people usually had a sense of arrogance along with their ignorance. He would be happy to show them to the nearest airlock, figuratively speaking of course.

"It's worth a lot," she agreed with a slow, considered nod. "Do you have any other questions for me? If not, you're free to go," she assured. She'd gotten a much better feel for the man now. Amazing what not being in a horrorscape could do.

"I'm sure I will have questions as we get to know each other, as you will have some for me as well, I'm sure.", Rafe replied. "Thank you, Commander, for meeting with me. I appreciate it." Rafe stood up and exited her office.

Blake sat back in her chair as she watched the door close, letting out a soft breath. She was glad she'd offered him the chance of a clean slate. He was a quirky one, that was for sure, but creative officers were hard to come by and worth their weight in gold.

OFF:

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CMDR Scarlet Blake
First Officer
USS Galileo

Lt. JG Rafe Caradec
Conn Officer
USS Galileo

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