Introspection

Posted on Sat Apr 1st, 2023 @ 6:38pm by Ensign James Wayne & Lieutenant Samuel Carrington

1,887 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 115 - Planting for the Future
Timeline: Shortly after the post sales pitch

James walked into his quarters still deep in thought about his brothers offer. There were many things to consider and so many ways that this could be both good and bad for him personally. On one hand his big brother a man that honestly was still more myth then real was wanting his help running what was by any measure a very successfully shop. On the other hand was his duty to starfleet and the federation he had sworn an oath to defend.

After some internal debate and thinking back to the lessons he had learned from his family he made a decision. He would help his brother if it could be done without impacting his career. After all family was very important but he could better help his family by serving in starfleet then he could working for his brother.

To that end he headed for the flight control offices he needed to talk things over with the chief.

Sam was knees deep into flight operations reports. A lot of ships were coming and going, and keeping them all flying was proving to be a slight challenge. Seemed like he had more flights than actual pilots. He noticed a young ensign walking into his office. A place he was learning to resent, with every ounce of his being. He preferred to be on the USS Falcon. His new home away from home.

"Sir I find myself with a bit of a problem and I was hoping you could give me some advice." Asked James calmly

Sam put down his pad, as he looked over at the young ensign. He wondered what was consuming his attention? Was it a girl? His career? His Family or was it his duty assignment? "Of course, go on." Sam asked, waiting to see what the man had to say.

"You see sir like every other grad from the academy I swore an oath to defend the federation and I firmly believe that is what I was and am called to do. However I was raised that family was sacrocant and should come before just about anything else." Said James.

"While in theory I agree with that principle, however I feel there is more to the story, perhaps tell me what the problem is directly?" Sam asked, hoping he would open up, and not shut down.

"Getting to the problem now. My brother has asked for my help in his shop test flying the shuttles and runabouts he and his team repair. What I am wandering is, is there a way to do both or if not then how do you make the choice between career and family." Said James from his seat as he looked the older officer square in the eye.

"Is your brother assigned to Starbase 400?" Sam asked, he was not sure. He really did not know James or his family. Which made him feel guilty for asking. However he needed to ask, if he was going to help him.

"In a way sir my brother is Cameron Wayne the owner of IGM and holds at least a partial contract with the station to repair shuttles roundabouts and other auxiliary craft." Said James calmly.

"I am familiar with IGM, I did not know that you family connections to them." Samuel said, with a big grin on his face. Prior to this meeting, he barely knew of the young ensign. One could say, he only knew his name, and that was about it. Hopefully that could change now.

"I hope you can see my problem. I just do not see a way forward. If I leave the fleet to help my family I break my oath to starfleet and the federation, however if I don't help then it could be seen as siding with starfleet against my family a no win situation from whatever angle I look at it.". Said James flatly.

"That would be a hard decision to make." Samuel said, with a concerned look on his face. He was contemplating on what to say. "Is there no way to do both?" Samuel asked, wondering if he had any suggestions to solving this particular dilemma.

"There is one way but hell I do not have the seniority to pull it off even though I know I have the skill.". Said James absently " nah better forget the idea the last time that I know of such an assignment was when they were testing the valkery prototype out, but that was several years ago.". He added dismissing the idea almost as soon as it came to him.

Sam knew that he should let it go. He debated for a brief moment, if he was going to let it go. Deep down, he felt a moral conundrum. As an officer, he would prefer that James remain in Starfleet. But as person, and a man that supported families, he knew what he should say.

Sam thought about his response, and after a short delay he finally said. "I know how important family is, and I know how important it is to keep your promises to Starfleet. Now with that said, if there is a way to do both, no matter how slim the chances are, you should try to do it." Sam said, hoping that helped James make a decision. He was doing his best to remain neutral.

"I think I see what your saying and I think the best way to go forward would be for Cameron to contact the chief, and for me to let him know I would be open to taking such an assignment if it happened to come up.". Said James calmly he felt much better then he had when he arrived. " When is the chief due back anyway?". He asked.

Sam had a big grin on his face. He understood his message. "When you do, we can work on achieving your goals, assuming you want my assistance." Sam asked, hoping he was not misunderstanding what level of participation he was to commit to this endeavor.

"I would appreciate any help you can give sir. I think this just might be the best way for everyone. I get to help my family stay in starfleet and who knows something like this should look pretty good on my service record to.". Said James with a grin. "With your permission sir I would like to get things rolling right away.". He added.

Sam thought about his request. Seemed so simple. However it was a little more complicated. Before he could give a full answer, he needed a little more context. He needed to know how James would help his family. He already knew how James could help Starfleet. "What skills do you bring to the table, to assist your family's business?" He asked, hoping that question was not to direct or challenging. He asked in a calm and collected tone.

"Sir you know my service record I hate to boast about myself but at least according to my last Co I am one of the best small craft pilots outside of the fighter jocks. My brother wants me to help with doing check flights on repaired shuttles and runabouts. I consider myself to be damned good at my job and that those same skills can be used outside of starfleet well that is just a bonus. Though I stand by my oath who is to say in 10 years maybe something changes.". Said James calmly though it almost sounded like he was being challenged though surely a Lt would have nothing to fear from an ensign.

"Does your family know, how good of a pilot you are?" Sam asked. He could relate if he said yes. His parents were not very supportive of his call to be a fly boy. They thought he should go into politics.

"The family that matter know what I do and have been very supportive. My brother even went so far as to check me out he talked to my instructors and my last co apparently they all gave a glowing report. My senor instructor even apparently said I flew better the something called red squad. No idea what that meant but it must have been good." Said James calmly but firmly.

"Does the family that does not matter have a lot of pull in your family dynamic?" Sam asked. He knew in some families that they have one member of the family be the head of household for the family. He wondered if they had something similar.

"They used to. My grandfather is the current head my father was the eldest son however he is currently pushing up grass. My uncle is the second in line and will be the family regent until either Cameron decides to take over or Cameron has a son to head the family. Needless to say it is my father and two of my brothers who do not matter to anyone but the worms.". Said James flatly there was certainly no love lost between James and most of the male side of his family.

"Have you tried to talk to your grandfather and your uncle, about you remaining in Starfleet?" Sam asked. He needed to figure out what he has tried to do on his own, to get his family to see why he wants to stay in starfleet, instead of the family business.

"Sir my uncle was the one who arranged for me to take my entrance exams and when he and my grandfather found out I passed them all my grandfather made arrangements for me to get to earth. In other words sir my family knows my wishes.". He did not add that there were other reasons they wanted him away from new Dakota and safe in starfleet.

I understand that, but I am not understanding is why now. They have known about this for a while now. You spent the last four years at the academy before coming to Starbase 400, did you not?" Sam asked, he knew the answer given earlier. But why now? "The question you should be asking yourself is; How long does your brother want you to test pilot ships for him again? And will this bring you any joy?"

James thought about what was being asked, His Brother had not given him a timeline for long he would be needed but at the same time flying was what he loved to do it was why he had actually fought to stay a shuttle pilot rather then take a helm officer slot on some starship. "Sir I am a pilot first and foremost. I think doing test piloting would give me alot of fun, however I have no idea how long the duty would last so I will have to ask my brother about that before I can make a decision." Said James calmly.

"I would suggest giving it some time, when you go on patrol, you will have plenty of time to process this and make a decision." Sam said, hoping this was helpful. He knew James had a tough decision to make, but the silence of deep space will help give him that time to process this all, and to make hopefully a good decision.

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