A Discussion of Duty

Posted on 10 Dec 2023 @ 6:25pm by Lieutenant Aria Rice & Lieutenant JG Zara Ghemora

1,318 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 19 - Tomorrow's Galileo
Location: USS Galileo-A - Deck 3, Security Office
Timeline: MD 01, 1526 hrs

Previously from "Spreading Security Thin (But what is New)"...

"Of course," Aria said before she let out a breath. She watched the others go before she looked at Ghemora. "You wanted to talk?"

Watching the others gradually exit with Mulder and Quil to escort them back to their secured quarters, the deputy didn't speak up until after the door to the office had finally closed and she was sure the others wouldn't hear. "Chief, I..," she started but glanced to the woman's desk, "Perhaps we should take a seat for a moment?" Ghemora wasn't sure how Rice was going to take this particular conversation...

[ON]

With the situation the Security department found itself in, especially with the sudden spreading of assignments thanks to the captain to address their position 'out of time' with their norm, Ghemora had felt the need to bring up an issue from earlier that morning, though knowing it wasn't the most comfortable or appropriate at the moment, but potentially pressing.

"I know you may not want another thing on your plate, to use a human saying, especially as you are due to depart for the Praxis, but I wanted to discuss my Duty Team assignment with you in regards to a request made during my onboarding physical. Could we discuss it now before your departure? I expect it will only take a few minutes." Ghemora asked, unsure of how her new chief might respond.

"As good as any here on the USS Murphy's Law," Aria said as she watched the other woman before she smiled, a gentle one as she gestured for her to sit. Her brain then focused on her words. "What sort of request?" It made her wonder if something had come up during the physical that meant she couldn't work at full capacity.

"Reorganizing officer assignments," Ghemora wasted no time getting to the point as she took the offered seat across the narrow desk from her chief. "During my onboarding exam to be cleared for duty, Commander Warraquim showed an interest in having me join her duty team to act as her Tactical officer, in addition to my Security duties." Unsure how Aria would take the true attitude of the Second Officer, the deputy decided to soften the stance Allyndra had taken.

She continued, "Having looked over the current team assignments given the new duty rotations enacted by the captain, the commander's desire could be fulfilled while providing an advantageous rotation to better spread our limited personnel. As she is on Team 3, you could take Team 1 with the captain, which I find surprising you're not currently assigned, and I could take Team 3 to fulfill Allyndra's wish. Ensign Turell would then shift to Team 2. With these assignments, the commissioned Security officers could work twelve-hour shifts to provide better coverage, if and when required to facilitate Tactical support on the Bridge."

Going silent, Ghemora was watchful of her chief's silent reactions to the proposal in an attempt to gauge her true opinion before hearing opinions, before asking, "Your thoughts, chief?"

Aria listened, a slight frown coming to her as she took it in. "I have carefully spread the teams to ensure that we have well-rounded shifts, with opportunity for everyone to learn. That is why I am not on Team 1, so that Turell has an opportunity for a bit to serve on the same shift as the Captain," she said, a small smile coming to her to soften it. "But let me see if I understand correctly what you are saying. Commander Warraquim wants you to be on the bridge during her shifts, as a Tactical officer?" she asked, wanting to make sure she understood exactly what was being asked. "Reason I ask is that during regular duty shifts, we do not have a tactical officer on the bridge."

Ghemora sighed, knowing very well that what Aria was stating was the usual SOP. "Yes, chief. I don't know why, but the commander wanted to have me available to serve as her Tactical officer should the need arise, or, perhaps, should she decide to do some training for her team." There was a moment of pause where the Cardassian seemed to quarrel within herself as to add more, but seemingly decided to anyway, "The commander was under the impression that Commander Blake would make such determinations, though I know you, as department head, sets the Duty Team assignments."

Aria was still somewhat confused as to what Allyndra was after. She considered calling her in, but...that seemed like a lot at the moment and there was no time if she had to face Kuran. She sat back, taking a deeper breath. "Any training would need to be outside of regular shift hours," she finally said. "We are stretched, as you know. And it is important that all personnel on duty maintain their duty roles. I would not be comfortable with leaving anyone by themselves to do the job of two, with extra hours, which is what you would be asking the non-commissioned officers to do in this case." She frowned, because she was clearly still thinking it over. After a long moment she finally spoke again. "In general, I have no problem with you serving on the same team as Warraquim, as long as it is understood you are Security and won't be on the bridge unless it is an alert situation. That is standard on this ship. I will say that with everything going on right now, I want to wait a little before making any change. We have so much going on right now and...I need my Deputy focused on the job."

'Science ships..,' Ghemora sighed internally at the reply given. She had thought to ask what pressing duties were necessary for the department during normal operations, or how she wouldn't be able to handle both duties, as most Security officers, especially chiefs, often did on Starfleet vessels, but decided against it. Instead, she offered only a curt nod, "Understood, chief," with the implication that any future discussion of the issue would most likely be between Rice and the Second Officer.

Aria let out a breath, giving her a small nod in reply. She felt bone tired right now, but forced a small smile to Ghemora. "Just...give me a few days," she said, wanting to soften it. "I don't want to lose a Security Officer, especially not my deputy, just because Warraquim thinks it would be fun to have a Tactical Officer on the bridge. It isn't that sort of ship." In a way, Aria wished it was. She had liked the tactical station in her time, not minding standing for her entire shift. "I'll talk to her. Maybe I am not understanding exactly what her goal is. Maybe there is a deeper reason I am unaware of."

"Understood, chief," Ghemora repeated, seemingly having already come to the conclusion Aria had before the department head voiced it. Standing up for the chair, Ghemora held a position next to it before eluding, "If there is nothing else, chief, I should be going…"

"Of course," Aria nodded and resisted waving a hand. Because that would be patronising. "Thank you for bringing this to me," she added, quickly, because she realised she hadn't actually said that yet. And wow, that was such a pet peeve for Aria back in the day.

"Thank you for your time, chief," the Cardassian answered with a nod before taking a step backward before turning to make her leave of the Security Office. With Rice 'in the loop', it would allow Ghemora to put the situation out of her though now that it would be handled by the appropriate personnel. Such decisions were above her.

[OFF]

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LTJG Zara Ghemora
Deputy Security Officer
USS Galileo-A

&

Lieutenant Aria Rice
Chief Security Officer
USS Galileo-A

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