A Matter of Discipline

Posted on 17 Jan 2013 @ 4:45pm by Captain Jonathan Holliday

797 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: XO's Office - Deck 2 - USS Galileo
Timeline: MD -01 0930hrs

[ON]

John simply could not believe the images that were moving in front of his eyes. A member of his crew acting in a way that spelled almost immediate dismissal from the ship and from Starfleet as a whole, in fact he could barely count how many regulations had been breached in just a few minutes.

Those few minutes of footage from the ship's security logs, being reviewed by the XO for the purpose of ensuring there were no other unexpected guests onboard after the fiasco before leaving Vega had revealed something equally unexpected, and equally unacceptable.

=^=Holliday to Stone - Lieutenant...I would like to call your attention to Security Footage L-755....I believe you and I need to have a little chat with Ensign Nicholas. =^=

Jeremy frowned as he looked up from his PADD and the footage on it. He turned to look around his office, frowning as he looked up at the security feeds in there. Was Holliday watching him now? Looking over his shoulder every minute through the security feeds?

He hit his commbadge. ==^==We're on our way==^== he said. He reattached his wrist PADD as he tapped his thigh. Sidi immediately jumped up and went to the door, prancing in front of it. Apparently he was eager to get out of the office. It took only a moment to attach the lead and they were at Holliday's office within minutes.

He hit the chime and waited for the door to open before he walked in, had Sidi sit and then stood in front of the desk, his hands behind his back. "Commander?" he said, frowning. "You wanted to speak about Ensign Nicholas? After you're finished, I have some information I should bring to your attention regarding that ensign."

Nodding in reply to the Lieutenant's comment, Holliday pulled up the same footage that he had watched only moments ago, and transferred the image to one of the series of screens located behind him, before moving his chair sideways to allow Stone to see exactly what the problem is.

"I have no idea how many regulations that violates...although I assume you could give me a fairly accurate count."

"Seventeen, sir," Jeremy said. "If I wanted to be 'overbearing' and 'inflexible'. However, I retract my statement, Commander. Apparently I do not have anything additional to discuss. I'm in the process of preparing a warrant to take Nicholas into custody."

"I like your thinking Mr Stone. Do you think you could find space in the interview room for me to join you?"

A grin spread across the XO's face as he tried to mask the anger that he felt at a member of his crew throwing so many regulations aside and acting in such an unprofessional and morally undignified way. John knew that officers and crew were free to form relationships with one another but not in such a public fashion.

"I would very much like to nip this in the bud. Shipboard discipline must be maintained before we return to active duty."

"Sir?" Jeremy said honestly confused. "Do you want to be his advocate? You sound more...upset...and that would not bode well for him. Plus, I'm not certain I wish to continue the work to arrest him just to have him summarily released."

He looked at Sidi. Holliday almost sounded like he wanted to throw the book at Nicholas but...that would mean that he and Holliday agreed on something. Finally.

"I wish to remind him that there are rules and regulations aboard this ship that cannot simply be flouted because a hormonal reponse appears. The captain would do the same if she were in my place, and it is my job to ensure that discipline and order are maintained. I trust you agree?"

Jeremy remembered his only meeting with Nicholas - the very same conversation that made him come back and look into the Ensign's past. He looked up at Holliday. "Commander, it will be my extreme pleasure to assist you in that endeavor. With your leave, I will go collect Nicholas." He paused for a moment. "In my very overbearing and callous manner."


"Permission granted Lieutenant. Summon me when you are ready to proceed."

Closing down the images playing on the screen behind him, John made sure to encrypt that particular footage to only unlock at the request of himself, the Captain, or Lieutenant Stone. If there were to be disciplinary proceedings based on that data, it would be remiss of the Commander to not take steps to ensure its protection.

"Computer, locate Ensign Jared Nicholas," Jeremy said, turning with Sidi and leaving Holliday's office.

To be continued...

[OFF]

Cmdr Jonathan Holliday
Executive Officer
USS Galileo

LTjg Jeremy Stone
Chief Security/Tactical Officer/K9
USS Galileo

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