"Executive Concerns"
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Stardate: 60323.1235
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Seeing David back at his post as if everything was back to normal had been a very welcomed sight, but one that the XO knew to be only a momentary illusion. Having her friend and fellow Academy classmate where he was suppose to be, with them on the ANUBIS, made the Romulan/Terran hybrid see with that much more certitude that something had changed about the CEO.
Observing the way that David was interacting with the other members of the bridge's crew, the XO could see that their next mission would hold present them with many challenges, most coming from the outside, but some sideswiping them from the inside.
Looking at the front of the bridge and the seat that had been empty only a few minutes ago, the Romulan/Terran hybrid watched as the ANUBIS' FCO made herself comfortable in her new position while the gigantic Oltharian took over the station of FCO. Watching the colossal giant sitting at the front of the bridge was almost comical, but the eyes of the XO remained fixed on the woman only known as Annie.
During their voyage to and from the TANGIERS ORBITAL, the Romulan/Terran hybrid had observed the woman working on occasion, watching her proficiency with the flight control system with interest. Having taking on the responsibilities of XO, the former COO watched the same woman with even more intensity realizing that the information contained about the woman in her personnel file was lacking to say the least.
Looking at the back of the bridge for a quick glance to see David working and returning her investigating gaze back to where it had been, the Romulan/Terran hybrid questioned the wisdom of having so many unknown factors hanging around them during such a crucial mission. Dealing with the unexpected was by definition the role of Starfleet, and while working for SFI this role was pushed to an extreme, so was it truly necessary to have so many variables *within* their own ship.
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Stardate: 60323.1240
Setting: Conference Lounge
Walking back into the empty room, the Romulan/Terran hybrid found the captain still sitting in her chair looking through the window. Although she had not seemed aware of the XO's return, the CO spoke without looking in the hybrid's direction. "I was just taking a few minutes to let everything that has happened sink in."
Understanding this need through having left the position of COO in favor of taking on the role of XO, the Romulan/Terran hybrid nodded, joining the sitting woman in looking through the window at an unspecified distant object. "There is a lot to get used to, which is why I wanted to speak with you."
Turning to look at her XO, Rikar leaned back into her chair grinning, wondering if this would be another exchange where the CO would be unable to tell if the Romulan/Terran hybrid was joking. Using her best imitation of an ancient boss from the era of EARTH's gangsters, Rikar asked, "What's on your mind Serenna?"
Looking at the sitting woman with an expression of complete seriousness, the XO jumped directly to the point she had come here to make. "You are the CO, and therefore your decisions are final, but it would be irresponsible for me to not voice my concerns."
Appearing a little taken aback, the CO just sat there for a few moments looking back at the standing XO becoming very aware that the relationship between Serenna and her would be completely different than the one she had with James as his 'Number One'. "All right, let me have it. I knew that I would make mistakes along the way, but I never expected them to happen so soon."
Listening to the voice of her CO, the Romulan/Terran hybrid could tell that Sabrina had tried to soften the atmosphere with humor, but the reason that had brought the XO here at this time had nothing to do with anything humorous. "Can we really count on David to be part of this team? The proper functioning of a starship and the success of their mission depends on teamwork, and right now I do not think David is in that mindset."
Sighing in a way that indicated that she agreed, at least in some ways, to the evaluation of Lt. Dawson, the CO stood from her chair to meet the Romulan/Terran hybrid on equal ground. "I think that this mission will do him good and I also believe that we will benefit from his presence and expertise. He needs to be made to see that he is a part of something, and I can't think of any other way to do this. I think the key will be to make sure that he is involved with as many *team* projects as possible, like the one he is currently working on with Maya and Annie."
Agreeing with the logic of her CO, and accepting that part of her concerns had been addressed and dealt with, the Romulan/Terran hybrid jumped in with the second point that she had come here to make. "Speaking of Annie, is it really wise to have her take over Ops? I agree that she is a very capable officer, one who has proven herself extremely knowledgeable in the area of flight control, but to hand over Ops control to her may prove to be a tactical error that could cost us in the end."
Smiling at the woman who had never stopped being a Sec/Tac officer even after her transfer to Ops and more recently to XO, Rikar moved to the computer screen imbedded in the wall of the room behind her seat and called up a secured file. "Apparently James knew about this, and since our mission to the TANGIERS ORBITAL did not require a lengthy interaction with Annie, he decided not to share the information. I suspect that he also thought that she would be returning to NEW ALEXANDRIA following her shakedown cruise, but I think we can make good use of her."
Looking at the CO with scepticism the XO took a moment before turning her eyes onto the information being displayed on the screen. "I knew that there was something strange about her, but I never suspected *this*."
Closing the electronic file and returning the large screen to an inactive status, the CO turned once again to look at the Romulan/Terran hybrid. "That is why Lt. Fairborn is onboard, he is here to supervise her integration into the ship and insure that all goes well. You and I have worked with Elan before and I am sure that you will agree that we can trust that walking mountain implicitly. Annie is learning her way through the ship at an unimaginable rate and I am certain that she will have complete working knowledge of Ops by the time we reach the MERCURY's last known location. Let Elan take care of Annie, we'll inform the rest of the crew about her true nature after this mission if she is meant to stay with us. In the meantime you and I need to concentrate our time and efforts on this mission and on David. Now lets gets back to the bridge before the crew begins to think that we have abandoned them."
Nodding her complete understanding and compliance, the Romulan/Terran hybrid moved out of the way of the CO allowing her to take the lead as they returned to the ANUBIS' command deck and the final preparations for their next mission.
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Serena Switt {serena1141@yahoo.com.au}
Lieutenant Commander Serenna 2005 post #260
Executive Officer
USS ANUBIS
