"Executive Confrontation"
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Stardate: 60324.2110
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Following the exit of the CSciO from the CO's Ready Room, the XO walked without having first been invited. Looking at the expression on the CO's face, the Romulan/Terran hybrid knew that her thoughts about the reason for this private meeting had been correct, so skipping over the preliminaries the hybrid jumped right away with the core question. "What scientifically sound, yet potentially hazardous idea has our CSciO come up with this time?"
Appearing a little stunned, the CO looked around her sparsely decorated office as if searching for something or someone. "How did you know? Did you get David to install some sort of listening device in my office when I wasn't looking?"
Although knowing that the CO had meant those words in a joking way, the Romulan/Terran hybrid still found herself to be a little annoyed by the implication that the XO would need to eavesdrop on the captain in order to know what was happening on the ship. "Knowing the crew is part of the XO's job description as you are well aware, so it was not all that difficult to figure out why Lt. Maya requested a private meeting with you. Sorry if this comes across as my being Vulcan, but the only logical explanation was that she came up with a plan that does not involve us blowing up several decks of the ANUBIS, but instead has a potential of being equally if not more dangerous in its own way."
Looking at the Romulan/Terran hybrid with a partial grin, the CO admitted defeat in this first round by not challenging the XO's theory as to the reason for the CSciO's request. "You know, you should have been a CNS. You have an uncanny ability to read people."
Having gone through Intel training, the Romulan/Terran hybrid had learned skills that far surpassed those of a CNS, but those skills almost made it impossible for her or anyone like her to take on the responsibilities of such a demanding position, a fact that the XO was quick to point out. "I would never have been able to deal with the people on that level, the ability to read and even understand people is not enough to be able to counsel or encourage them as demonstrated by our ILO when she tried."
Grinning a little more than she had while thinking of Enaii's earlier attempts to motivate the crew, the CO took a few seconds before commenting. "Guess you are right, you are more like Enaii than Susan, which I am still trying to figure out if this is a good or bad point."
Dismissing the stab at her character, instead taking it as a compliment, the Romulan/Terran hybrid resumed the conversation that had brought her to this place. "So what did Lt. Maya suggest?"
Having been a CSciO herself, the CO had been able to follow with ease the explanations given by Lt. Maya, but this did not mean that Capt. Rikar had been ready or able to relay all of the information that had been so rapidly provided, yet the CO tried her best by giving the main idea of the CSciO's plan. "Maya wants to implement something similar to the portals those aliens used to gain access to the inside of the ship. Her thoughts is that if we can phase-shift the ship into sub-space we will be able to separate the two ships faster and with less structural damage."
Looking sceptical, the XO immediately moved in on the one major flaw of the idea submitted by the CSciO. "Let's forget for a brief moment that we have really no idea how those things were able to create these dimensional gates and instead just focus on the idea that the portals we did see were only *yards* in size. I think it would be hard to fit any part of the ship, let along the side section of the saucer section in one of those openings."
Nodding her agreement, the CO moved closer to the XO to continue their conversation. "That is why I told Maya to work on a complete danger potential analysis and to have it ready before David finishes the first part of his plan, which is the creation of more Exo-Comps."
Allowing a surprised look to cross over her face for a brief moment, the XO took a moment before going against what her CO had just said. "With all due respect, you cannot be serious about actually contemplating what Maya has suggested? As much as I may not like the plan that our CEO came up with, it is a lot better than placing the entire ship in jeopardy with an experimental solution that I am sure Maya is not even certain would or could work."
Looking a little taken aback by the abruptness of her XO's argument, the CO took a step back. "I agree that there are dangers in what Maya has suggested, but the issue at the moment is *time*. What our CSciO has offered is a solution that would see us be back on top of this situation well before that second Cardassian ship is able to make life difficult for us. As much as the plan may not be *safe*, the advantages it offers cannot be dismissed."
Keeping her disagreement to a professional level, the Romulan/Terran hybrid straightened her posture, displaying clearly that she was at odds with the position taken by her CO. "The ANUBIS is yours to command as you see fit, but it is my responsibility as XO to point out that you are placing the crew in what I consider to be unnecessary risks. I am sure that our CEO will be able to do what he said in time to see us free from that first ship and be ready to deal with whatever either ship can dish out."
Glaring back at the Romulan/Terran hybrid, the CO wasted no time to counter the arguments made by the XO. "What happens if the CEO on that Cardassian ship is as *gifted* as our own? What then? Sensors have provided us with only a general estimate of their repair time, and if they should regain full power before we are able to engage them on some kind of levelled field, we would be nothing more than sitting ducks. As much as I have confidence in Enaii's abilities, I doubt very much that she would be able to stop that destroyer from sending another volley of missiles, these ones directed at *us*."
Seeing the logic of the argument, the Romulan/Terran hybrid still gave no indication of being willing to side with her CO on this particular issue. "You may be right, but I still say that placing the entire ship in danger by using what the CSciO has suggested is unnecessary. We need to look at the pros and cons of the entire situation."
Looking as this would be the last statement made in this conversation, the CO made her way to her seat behind her desk. "I did and still am, that is why I have asked Lt. Maya to provide me with a danger analysis within the next 15 minutes. I have not yet made my decision and am working to keeping all of our options open."
Knowing that this had been the final argument in their discussion, and that in all reality the CO had done the right thing, the XO exited the ready room and returned to the bridge, curious as to what the CSciO's final report would say.
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Serena Switt {serena1141@yahoo.com.au}
Lieutenant Commander Serenna 2005 post #312
Executive Officer
USS ANUBIS
