Reports

Posted on Sat Jan 16th, 2016 @ 11:44pm by Fleet Admiral Sevlek

1,220 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 90 - The Great Relink
Location: Beta Quadrant Command Suite
Timeline: MD2 - 1310 Hours

Sevlek walked out of his office in the Beta Quadrant Command Suite and headed towards Colonel David Andrenicus who was looking over a young ensign's shoulder as he worked.

When Sevlek was close enough, he said, "Colonel, please contact the commanding officer of the U.S.S. Recluse and inform him that a full refit of his ship and its systems will not be authorized."

Andrenicus hadn't spotted Sevlek until he spoke. The Ensign had been missfiling reports for weeks now and he was doing his best to keep his temper while the boy incorrectly labled the security rating of the communiqué. Before he looked to Sevlek he discretely whispered "if I find one more error in your reports you'll be miss-filed undoversewerage technician" understand? He tapped the screen where it displayed the incorrect input.

With great efficiency Andrenicus stood to face the Admiral. "Aye, sir. Shall I give a reason? That's not going to sit too well with Captain zh'Thranas." Andrenicus was already preparing the words he'd use. Long ones like "situational requirements" and "scheduling oversights" Even if Sevlek had deployment plans, he'd probably not share them with him in front of the command suite, let alone to the captain.

Sevlek nodded, "Decommissioning." At Andrenicus curious look, he continued, "Starfleet Command has expressed that they will no longer refit Excelsior Class Starships. A decommissioning assignment list is currently being processed for distribution."

For a moment Andrenicus was stopped dead in his tracks. Having a ship decommissioned under your feet, having to tear up the home you'd you'd lived in for years. He could only imagine how that must feel. The Gladiator had been his first assignment and only one of two since his commission. Then he took another moment and reeled at how the news would be taken. Sevlek might comprehend how this might be taken but Andrenicus was quite sure he'd never quite understand. "Sir, this sort of news might best be received in person. zh'Thranas isn't going to take this well."

Sevlek considered Andrenicus' response. "Perhaps you are right." He paused momentarily, then added, "Inform Captain zh'Thranas to report to Starbase 400 at the completion of her current assignment."

Taking a deep breath, Andrenicus turned back around to the young Ensign "Johnson, stop whatever you're doing and send a message to Captain zh'Thranas aboard the Recluse. She is to report to the starbase at the completion of her mission. And Johnson?"

The clearly nervous ensign looked up at the colonel. "Yes, sir?"

"Make it nice, use words like please and thank you. If zh'Thranas is angry when she gets here I'm sending her to you. The last ensign she tore through is still in the med bay" Andrenicus ordered sternly. Poor Johnson immediately got to work. Andrenicus flashed a smile at Sevlek and continued on "Anything else, Sir?"

The look on the young man's face would be enough to make anyone smile, or laugh, except Sevlek or any other Vulcan. "Yes, my office."

Just once, Andrenicus would get that Vulcan to smile. If it was the last thing he ever did. The thought of Sevlek smiling and how painful it would look made him stifle a smile. "Aye, sir." He gestured to the admiral's office and followed him in.

Andrenicus took a seat briefly after the Admiral did and looked him in the eyes. Every now and again he could catch a glimpse of what was going on inside the incredible poker-faced Vulcan. This was not one of those occasions. "What's going on, old friend?"

Sevlek watched the other man. A man that he considered a friend, a rare thing for a Vulcan to have. "I was informed that you missed your last counseling session."

The Colonel looked Sevlek in the eyes once more. All emotion draining from his face until he matched even his the Vulcan sitting opposite him. His tone grew dark and dangerous. "Sevlek, you asked me to come and do this job. And I'm doing it to the best of my ability. Having some moron who thinks they can fix me by reminding me about the nightmares I have every night doesn't help this."

Sevlek nodded. "As I'm sure those individuals have informed you, keeping your disorder contained within yourself is not healthy." Sevlek sat at his desk. "Our friendship has lasted quite a long time. You are the only individual which I have ever actively called friend. I do not meddle without reason. Doctor Daniels has informed me that she has seen significant improvement in your status over the last 3 months." Sevlek watched the man shift his weight from leg to leg, he'd known him long enough to know that was a sign of being uncomfortable in a discussion about himself.

"I will not order you to resume your visits with the Counseling Department. I will also not intervene if they decide other measures are necessary for your mental health." At Andrenicus' look of surprise, Sevlek continued, "I have noted in your official personnel records that you serve with distinction, efficiency, and skill while in many positions under my command. I stand by those notes an commendations, but I am also aware of the memories that can haunt you."

David audibly sighed and let the building tension release. "Sevlek I know that the only reason you picked me for the job was to help me, and I know that there were many others who wanted the job. Others far more capable and qualified. And I'm thankful for it. Absolutely thankful. But the things I've done, the people I've seen die right before me. That will never leave me." He paused a moment after he realised he was looking straight down to his feet. He looked back up, determination back in his eyes "I'll see the doctor this week. If only to let you gloat" he was goading Sevlek into taking his usual 'Vulcan's do not gloat' route. But he meant it. If he fell apart again it wouldn't just effect him anymore. It would effect his ability to work and in turn Sevlek's ability to work.

"What you say is partially true." Sevlek paused for only a second before continuing, "There were other candidates for the position who had better qualifications in administrative duties and assignments. However, it is only half true that I offered this assignment to you because it would help you."

Sevlek stood and walked around the desk to stand in front of Andrenicus. "I also offered this assignment to you because you have served as my Executive Officer aboard starships and have worked with me extensively. Logically, if I were to choose an individual that would be authorized to give orders and assignments in my name, that the individual in question be someone I trust implicitly." Sevlek paused as David processed his words, then added, "As I do you.

David nodded lightly then swallowed slowly "Yeah you're not wrong old friend." He straightened his back and looked up to Sevlek "Anything else, sir?"

The Vulcan turned his head to the left and back to the right, ever so slightly before he responded, "No. There is nothing else at the moment."

Sevlek watched as Andrenicus left to return to the central control area, then turned on his LCARS terminal and began reading and filing reports from and to Starfleet Command.

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