Meeting of Kind

Posted on 22 Jan 2013 @ 4:35pm by Lieutenant Theron Rhodes

1,594 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 3 Security Chief's Office
Timeline: MD -01 2130

ON:

Lt. Theron Rhodes entered the Chief's office. He had just experienced a briefing of the department, that seemed to him, where most were in disagreement or disatisfied by the Chief's instruction. Theron had tried to keep his opinions to himself and not give a dissenting vote to the Chief in order to appear to support the Department Head. It was very important for any department to have a unified leadership. This would be difficult, but he was willing to comply and follow the Lieutenant's policies.

Theron walked into the Chiefls office before all of the other personnel had left the meeting area. He stood in front of the Chief's desk and waited. He had no idea how this was going to go down.

Jeremy entered his office and went around Rhodes, sending Sidi to the spot that was quickly becoming 'his' corner. Sidi turned and then laid on the ground, staring at Jeremy in hopes of getting to go play soon.

"That went well," Jeremy said, to Rhodes, "don't you think?" He went to his desk and brought up several screens as well as the live feed system. He also had several notes to help him keep track of this meeting.

Remaining at ease Theron replied, "I'm not sure if everyone is in agreement with you, but they are a good team. They will comply and follow your instructions." He glanced over at the canine laying on the floor, closed his eyes, and rocked his head slightly to the negative. The Tandarian could not believe that a canine was a memeber of the crew.

"Yes," Jeremy answered thinking of Stark's leave without a dismissal and the way he'd seen the department operating. "They will come up to expectations or they will be replaced with those that can perform their assignment adequately. I want it known that when it comes to their off duty behavior, they will not be given any slack. Any officer that covers for them will be held as accountable as the first." He remained standing as he watched the station, knowing no one covered the bridge.

Theron did not agree with all of Stone's plans, but he stated, "You are correct. We have to set the right example and we are responsible for our action on and off duty." He really did not want to touch on the cover for me issue. He himself had done that to help a hurting crewman recover from grief. Theron did not believe that Stone woud find that an acceptable reason to step away from the office.

Jeremy watched Rhodes for a moment. "Petty Officer Smoak has a performance evaluation coming up. It's a promotional review where I need to recommend for a promotion or deny it. Before that happens however, I want you to issue him a reprimand for his actions during the break-in. It'll mean an automatic denial of promotion this time around and maybe get his attention."

Theron pursed his lips visibly, thinking through the situation. Theron understood that the Chief wanted him to reprimand Smoak. Theron did not believe in making determinations up front. With a straight tone, Theron said, "I understand. I will schedule it for tomorrow."

Jeremy shook his head and sat at the station. "Lieutenant Rhodes," he said, sounding disappointed. "One of the changes I'm been considering in the department is the position of assistant security chief. I'm not sure you're the right person to be my assistant. You've got excellent qualifications so if it comes to that, I'll see what I can do to get you moved to another post if you don't wish to remain on the Galileo."

Theron raised his chin slightly, inhaled, looked past the Chief, and thought through his response. Looking directly at the Chief, Theron replied, "I think that it is important for the Galileo to have a security team lead by cohesive leadership. If you feel that someone else is better suited to be your 2nd. I would encourage you to follow that path. I, for myself, would prefer to remain on the Galileo."

"As you wish, that shouldn't be a problem." Jeremy said as he sighed and moved away from the station. "I appreciate cohesive leadership, but, Lieutenant, there is such a thing as too cohesive. I'm..." he shook his head as he pulled out several PADDs and looked at them. "I've got a condition..." he stopped and set the PADDs down. "No, I have problems and I need to have someone who's willing to tell me when I may have gone too far. No," he said, pointing outside the door. "They need someone. That's supposed to be your job as the Sec. You're the buffer between me and them."

"Reprimanding Smoaks to prevent a promotion is wrong. It's a terrible thing to do to someone. I don't know if you're agreeing to do it because you think it's a good idea or because you're unwilling to stand up for others. Either way, if you can't do stand up for them, I need to find someone who will. I need someone to keep me in check and help me understand when I'm being overbearing or inflexible."

Theron glanced down thinking through the words the Chief had said, considering what he truely believed, and what should be said. Theron felt honesty at this time was the best solution. Raising his head, Lt. Rhodes addressed his superior, "Sir, I am not a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or even a therapist, but I think you are mentally unstable." He continued and was not going to let Stone interupt him until he was done. "Many of the decisions you have made since coming on board . . well . . I find questionable. I can not find them going against Star Fleet regulations. Even reprimanding Smoak for his actions is appropriate under certain circumstances. But . . . but as a whole, I think you are not taking a look at the bigger picture and basing your decision making for the betterment of the personnel nor the ship. Neither do I believe, that it is my place to correct your decisions or keeping you from making a bad one. I will let the Captain and the XO do that." There was a moment of silence and he added, "Unless you want me to cover for you."

Jeremy took and held a deep breath while he stared at the station. ...but I think you are mentally unstable. He frowned. Many of the decisions you have made...I find questionable. It hit hard but...

"That is a good start, Lieutenant," he said, quietly, I think you're mentally unstable still ringing in his head. "Would you be able to continue being this honest about what you see me doing?"

Theron was somewhat shocked by this response. It definately was not what he was expecting from Stone after what he had just said. He blinked a couple times and swallowed. His minds was flooded with thoughts and explainationsk but it was just as simple to say, "Yes. Honesty." A slight smile came across his face. "Yes. It is how I can best serve this department."

Jeremy sighed as he noticed the bridge station was now manned. "Then I think we will give that a try and see where it leaves us." He frowned again. "The order to reprimand Smoak was a ruse. Don't actually do it. I'll try to deal with his deficiency through training and guidance. If he can't improve there will bee a clear and ethical record to show why he should be denied his next promotion."

Theron just felt he had been smacked upside the head. The ruse was not expected from his estimation of the Chief. Theron himself had played a ruse many-a-time to establish someone's true intentions. Why he did not see it coming, he was uncertain, but definitely in need of evaluation. Maybe Stone wasn't off his nut as much as Theron thought. "I understand." His mind spun slightly not knowing what to say. Go to square one. So he asked, "How can I help you at this point?"

Jeremy thought about the work he had piling up at the moment - still had to finalize and complete the reports for Holliday, study the manual for his wrist PADD, study and practice his dog handling lessons, work on the various arrest reports regarding the two arrests over the last few days. He sighed. None of which Rhodes could help with. "Nothing right now," he said, making sure his station was shut down. "I'm going off duty. The remainder of the shift is yours."

"Aye, sir," Lt. Rhodes said coming to attention. "I will report to the Bridge."

Jeremy nodded as he called Sidi to his side. "We'll dock at Starbase 185 tomorrow. Depending on what the captain wants for the crew, we may be able to turn some of our duties over to station security in case any of the department has business on the station. Otherwise, I'll be conducting some training in the arboretum or I'll be in my quarters if something comes up." He frowned. "But...you could probably handle it anyway."

"Understood, Sir." Theron replied. "I will see you at 0400 then, if not before." With a nod he turned and walked out of the office.

[OFF]


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

Lt. (jg) Theron Rhodes
Asst. Chief of Security
USS Galileo

Sidious MWD 7223
Security K9 unit
USS Galileo

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