RP Log: Guidance Interrupted
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| 2022-08-16 06:35 | |
- Trauma Center <USS Buran NX-96400>
- The trauma center can be a bustle of activity when severe injuries occur. This ward is capable of handling multiple injured personnel simultaneously, with the room separated into six sections, with a biobed in each.
Worthington is seated on one of the biobeds, waiting for the EMH or someone in a medical uniform to tend to him. He spies the door as it opens from his vantage point.
T'Shaav looks Worthington over. But if he's been walking wounded this long, he'll be alright for a moment. She gestures the medical staff to stand away to give them privacy. She walks over and examines him. "Are you feeling unwell?" She asks first. "You mentioned a decompression complication."
Worthington considers. "A bit weaker than usual captain," he replies. "I was initially given triox and sent on my way when I reported in post incident. Sickbay was rather busy, with over half the security department and the bridge crew having been on deck 4 at the time, so they had their hands full. Apparently, I suffered an internal injury of sorts. It's not something I particularly noticed, as I just tend to suffer through any recovery pains I had, but when I had trouble getting out of bed this morning and felt dizzy on my feet, I felt it best to come down here. I'm awaighting a proper prognosis as well sir," he concludes.
T'Shaav nods. "I understand. Doctor Ch'vyran has proven quite capable. I will not keep you long, but this is urgent." She reaches down and snaps on a privacy screen enclosing the bed and the two of you. She regards you quietly after the field goes up.
Worthington nodds. "I understand sir, and I am prepared to make a full accounting of myself, including my logic at the time, and my failings as well sir. I am not used to these types of situations, so sought out advice from admiral Kadn. Dealing with sector commands is beyond what I have been accustomed to sir, and he was able to help me see what I could have done better in the situation at issue."
"Continue," the Vulcan says. She folds her hands behind her back and gives you her attention.
Worthington nodds. "Remember weapons testing sir?" he queries, setting the stage. "The humanist fleet, we were never told that it was still classified, given the rather public battle that took place in Sector 001, and were chastized rightly for mentioning it on comms. This was my thought process. I had just recovered the SS Prosperity, my thoughts being that the ship could still be useful to the Federation, and as it was safely inside Federation space, it would be logical to recover it. How it came to be in our posession though sir, that involved its theft and recovery from a hidden Cardassian military installation, and I was unsure of several things. First, I did not know who I was talking to over subspace. Second, I did not know what they were cleared to know or what was deamed classified or not. Third, I was weary to give out any potentially classified information when I did not know who was listening. I believe, at least up to that point, that my logic was sound. Where I erred was in 2 areas, at least where I could find from the subspace conversations. First, I was unsure what we could gain from the vessel, so initially thought to have the station to repair it so it could be returned to lawful service. I then thought better of this, and this did cause legitimate confusion on the part of station staff." He continues. "Second, what I should have done, is hailed the station on visual, confirmed that I was actually dealing with a sector command admiral, and then been forthright over the viewscreen. I will note, after the admiral came aboard and I actually knew who I was talking to, I offered at a minimum, 4 different times, to personally brief her staff on SS Prosperity. These offers were however refused or ignored sir. I understand where the admiral is coming from as well, and don't think there is much more I could have done at that point. I should have used visual communication prior to this so it didn't get that far. This is ultimately what I concluded after discussing this with admiral Kadn sir."
A beat. "What did Branch Admiral Kadn say concerning this matter?"
Worthington responds. "He basically told me that all I could really do at this point is wait the admiral out. What's done is done," he replies. "What he did advise me of, is that once we discussed Lya Station taking custody of the Prosperity, that they should have been informed, and that I should have used visual comms, the one thing I did not consider at that time sir. I did ask him if there was anything I could do to make this situation right, and he basically said, not really."
Intercom< Branch Admiral deGrut says, "Permission to come aboard?"
Intercom< Captain T'Shaav says, "Permission granted, admiral. I will meet you."
You say, "One moment, Commander."
Intercom< Branch Admiral deGrut says, "I know the way to your ready room."
- Captain's Ready Room <USS Buran NX-96400>
- The Captain's ready room is separated by a low railing and a small step, into two sections. The lower tier, the same level the entry door, is for more formal meetings with the Captain, and includes a wooden desk with a single chair on the far side.
- The raised tier has a long sofa along the outer bulkhead just below a window. A small glass oval coffee table is in front of the sofa. A food replicator is also available along the far bulkhead.
Intercom< Captain T'Shaav says, "Acknowledged."
Branch Admiral deGrut arrives from Deck 3 - Forward Corridor.
T'Shaav is standing near her desk, having returned to her ready room from wherever she was. She turns as the door opens.
deGrut nods simply, "Better, Captain. Much better."
"Thank you, Admiral," the Vulcan says simply. "What may I do for you, sir?"
deGrut looks around and peers at the furniture, "I just wanted to see if our discussion has had any impact, and so far I'm not disappointed. I trust that you will be having a chat with your Lieutenant Commander?"
"I was doing so when you came aboard, sir. I am obligated to consider any disciplinary measures on my part, but did not wish to take measures without speaking to him."
deGrut gives another simple nod, "Try to focus that backbone of his in the right direction and he'll go far. Tell him that I said that the training wheels are off once you're at an O-3 and mistakes made can become serious career effecting mistakes." She looks satisfied by what she sees and turns to T'Shaav, "I've seen in his file that you've already filed a reprimand at least once in the past."
T'Shaav nods. "I am somewhat reluctant to file another," she says. "because a multitude of them can permanently hamper one's career progress. Yet, this was a serious matter with substantial consequences. DO you have any advice about it, sir?"
deGrut sniffs, "If I had wanted to crash his career, I would have done so at the time he got all mulish and argued with me over how to run my sector, Captain. Guide him, not crush him, and he'll have a free pass from me if he improves his outlook on how the Fleet works." She pauses, "But if he does not..."
T'Shaav nods slowly, taking the advice on all levels it was probably meant. "I understand, Admiral."
deGrut nods, "Good. I'll be reinstating the Buran."
"Thank you admiral," she says. "For my part, I will continue considering what you have said. I, too, prefer a Starfleet where exploration and trust, rather than militarism and mistrust, are dominent."
"We can't be shaped by the foolishness of the actions of a few," the Admiral says. "Or we become them. Nor can we forget what you and the others of your crew who survived that time went through, yet that is not the ideals we want, is it?"
"Indeed not," the Vulcan says. "I would much prefer to repose my fullest confidence in my admirals. Not to arrest them or stop retired ones from launching armed insurrections. One may hope those days never come again."
deGrut sniffs, "Only diligence and openness will keep that from coming again." She turns and heads for the door, "I won't keep you, Captain, since you have work to be doing and Buran has already generated far too much paperwork on my desk." She pauses just short of the door, "That science officer of yours, I read through his file. Tell him he needs to grow up and I want to see him in red. You don't earn the Cross for just being an average science officer."
"I will pass that message along, sir," the Vulcan says dryly. She probably will, word for word.
deGrut nods, "I'll see myself out. You have work to do. Live long and prosper, Captain."
You say, "Peace, and long life, admiral."
Branch Admiral deGrut goes Out.
- Trauma Center <USS Buran NX-96400>
- The trauma center can be a bustle of activity when severe injuries occur. This ward is capable of handling multiple injured personnel simultaneously, with the room separated into six sections, with a biobed in each.
[T'Shaav's Commbadge] Incoming communication request from Lieutenant ch'Vyran.
T'Shaav returns from whatever her business was with the admiral. "Almost correct, Commander. There is one thing you can do. Learn. What have you, upon reflection, learned from this episode?" She holds up a finger. "A moment."
[T'Shaav's Commbadge] Opening communications channel from Lieutenant ch'Vyran.
You say, "T'Shaav here"
[T'Shaav's Commbadge] ch'Vyran says, "Nolan. I've got the recovery ward reconfigured to serve Commander Coil and the Doctor's need, am I okay to perform a site to site transport of the two of them?"
You say, "Liaise with ship's operations. And do so."
[T'Shaav's Commbadge] ch'Vyran says, "Aye sir, I'll get it done"
You say, "out"
[T'Shaav's Commbadge] Connection from Lieutenant ch'Vyran terminated.
T'Shaav reinstates the privacy bubble and nods to you to go on.
Worthington nodds to the vulcan superior officer in front of him. "A few things. First, have a good idea of what you want to do before discussing it with someone else. There should have not been any confusion regarding the prosperity," he ticks. "Second, understand the protocols for handling seized or damaged vessels, something I have since learned. Third, when in doubt as to who you're talking to, hail them on visual, confirm who you are talking to and that they are cleared to know what you have to say. And fourth, though really first in terms of priority, don't piss off admirals. It never ends well sir," he concludes.
"And fifth," T'Shaav says, "and most importantly, trust your fellow Starfleet officers. This is a point the admiral and I discussed. Apart from perceived rudeness or impropriety on your part, Commander, the admiral and the station command felt as though you were not displaying the trust that should be an integral part of our service." A beat. "The admiral for her part, and I for mine, understand well that in the past, we have had reasons to distrust some Starfleet officers and to restrict information. But in this case, you had no reason to behave so, Commander. The correct course was to provide the command station of this sector the information they requested. Trust their officers to act professionally. Trust their commander to know his business, and provide sector command posts what they ask for."
Worthington nodds. "I understand sir. I have just been confused in the past about what information is command specific and thus restricted, and what is meant to be shared with the fleet. I've been exposed to both kinds sir, which is why I'm usually hesitant to discuss things on subspace and prefer encrypted visual comms or encrypted personal or departmental mailing systems. I felt sir, that if I gave out information and the person I was talking to wasn't cleared for it, I'd then have to answer to Starfleet security for giving out classified information. You know me well enough to know that my intentions came from that place sir. I will strive to do better in the future, but part of me when dealing with sensative situations will always be security conscious. That has been basically drilled into me for years of dealing with covert missions and classified intelligence, and that's not an easy habit to kick captain," he concludes.
"Do not forget that I am also a former security officer," T'Shaav says. "I know more about classified and restricted information practices than you are likely to learn in your lifetime." A beat and she continues, a bit less severely. "Therefore, I know what you were thinking and what assumptions you made better than most. Next time, you are correct, if in doubt, signal on visual. But do not, repeat, do not, tell the station commanding this sector that what they wish to know is none of their business. Understood?"
Worthington nodds. "Very clearly sir," he replies. "I shal, if you deam it appropriate, submit a formal apology letter to admiral DeGrut's office. She deserves that much from me."
"She may appreciate that gesture," she says. "But she will more appreciate demonstrated behavior indicating that you have learned from this situation, to whit, that you have started reflecting on the trust and sense of comradeship that should characterize the service, even if we have lived through times when it did not." A beat. "To that end, I have cleared the security around the airlock. Sensitive areas are already secure, and we will not exercise paranoia."
Worthington nodds. "Understood sir," he replies. "I must admit, after seeing all the worst that Starfleet had to offer from Jane to Hauser to the other humanists, I have definitely become more guarded. I also, as I expressed to admiral Kadn, did not have a good first impression with Lya Station's comms department, when they mocked our initial query upon arrival. The person running comms at the time simply gave our ship's name, and the station replied, are you sure, or did you just read that off the hull, and that approach I must admit, left a bitter taste with me and did not leave me with a good impression of professionalism. That may have also effected my judgement as well sir. It is good to see Starfleet being what it is meant to be. We have enough adversaries outside the Federation to be worried about people subverting the Federation from within. I truly hope these dark days are over, but having lived through them, and with less age and wisdom, it will take time before I am fully trusting of everyone around me. That comes with time sir, and is not always easy. Still, I shal endeavour to prove myself trustworthy to this sector's command at the very least."
"And to your commanding officer," T'Shaav says. "I was quite disturbed to come on duty and discover my ship suspended from operations and that you were the reason why." A beat. "The admiral points out, correctly, that above the rank of lieutenant junior grade, leniency is less available. In her words," and she quotes, "the training wheels are off once you're at an O-3 and mistakes made can become serious career effecting mistakes." A beat. "Do you understand her meaning?"
Worthington nodds. "Quite clearly sir," he replies. "In her shoes and with her perspective as well, I would probably feel the same way she does about all of this. We're supposed to be role models, seasoned officers, reliable to our superiors and a model of what to be for our juniors sir."
"Remember that," she says. "And because the admiral is more interested in your guidance rather than your dismissal from the service, a perspective I agree with, it is for that reason that you will not soon find a 4th letter of reprimand in your service jacket, though I would have been well within my rights to do so."
Worthington nodds. "Yes sir, you would most certainly have been. I'm rather ashamed of how I handled this whole affair sir, and intend to remember it," he replies.
"Both halves of that statement are appropriate. See that you learn from it." A beat. "The investigation is over and we are reinstated to operations. You are reinstated as executive officer effective immediately. Do not end your career prematurely, Commander."
Worthington nodds, offering a salute from where he is on the biobed. "Yes captain, I shal, and do not intend to end my career prior to retirement sir." he says.