"Executive Responsibilities"
Previous Post: "Future"
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Setting: USS ANUBIS, Observation Lounge
Stardate: 60326.1300
Coordinating the efforts of three people into a coherent defence for the ANUBIS' CEO had required more room than the XO's office provided so the Romulan/Terran hybrid had been forced to relocate into the conference room located behind the bridge of the ship. Having laid out all of the PADDs on the elongated table had already begun to formulate the basis for David's defence against the impending court-martial thanks to the information provided to her so far.
Leaning back into the chair she was in the Romulan/Terran hybrid debated on the exact approach she would use to introduce the idea that David had been possessed by the spirit of his dead twin brother Richard without making him and her sound like they had both gone completely crazy. Proving to three command-level officers that the CEO of the ANUBIS had suffered from a temporary lap in judgement would have been easier than to present the data Doctor Summers had uncovered.
Contemplating for a brief moment that all of this work could be for nothing, hoping that the ANUBIS' CO might actually take on the job of defending the CEO against the presumed allegations of any wrong doing the Romulan/Terran hybrid was almost startled when the Avatar's voice reached into the room. =/\= Commander Serenna, Captain Rikar would like to see you in her office. Immediately. =/\=
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Setting: USS ANUBIS, Ready Room
Stardate: 60326.1310
Reporting to the CO as instructed the Romulan/Terran hybrid's hopes that the captain might have been on her side in regards to the defence of Lt. Dawson vanished the moment the XO set foot into the room. Meeting the woman's green eyes with her own and seeing the fire burning deep within had left no doubts in the mind of the First Officer that the CO and XO would once again be on opposite ends of the battlefield. Stepping forward allowing the doors to close behind her, the hybrid remained professional in her deals with the sitting senior-most officer of the ANUBIS. "You wanted to see me Captain?"
Handing over another PADD to the Romulan/Terran hybrid from across the desk the ANUBIS' CO appeared cold and detached from the universe around her. Reading the first line that was being displayed on the small device the XO knew that her job of defending David had just gotten more difficult thanks to the CO's throwing the proverbial book at the CEO for *all* of his misdeeds. Not sugar-coating the issue in any way Capt. Rikar explained what she expected to happen next. "Commander, since I will be involved in the prosecution of Lt. Dawson the task of defending him during the court-martial falls upon you. Of course you have the right to refuse this assignment in which case the JAG will appoint an advocate for the task."
Thinking that maybe David had not been the only one 'possessed' by the spirit of a dead relative, the CO acting remarkably cold and collect given that she was aiming to destroy a man's career with the efficiency of an elite ILO, the Romulan/Terran hybrid shook her head. "No Captain, I will take on the responsibility of David's defence."
Appearing almost relieved for a brief instant the CO lowered her gazed onto another PADD that had been on her desk all along. "Good, I suggest you get ready, you have less than an hour and a half before we reach NEW ALEXANDRIA and since I have already contacted Admiral Koneki about this issue I can only guess that you will be faced with a tremendously difficult uphill battle from this point forth."
Not wanting to reveal that the process of the CEO's defence had already been started, the Romulan/Terran hybrid nodded and came to stand at perfect attention. "I will, but before I leave I would like permission to speak freely and off the record."
Raising her eyes once again to meet those of the XO which were looking directly ahead the CO hesitated for a few seconds wondering as to what the Romulan/Terran hybrid could have been thinking about at that exact instant. Relaxing her posture and leaning back into her chair the redhead officer grinned in a way that the hybrid could only described as 'evil'. "Permission granted."
Stepping out of her stance and taking a step closer to the desk behind which the CO was sitting, the Romulan/Terran hybrid waste no time getting to the point. "I know that you had I have had our differences of opinion during the last mission and I accept this, but do you really believe that bringing up all of these charges against David will solve anything? You are still suffering from the loss of your wife and as much as I admire your drive to continue with your duties I think you should step back and take some personal time. I think you are displacing your anger for Enaii's death onto David and that is not fair, not to him or to anyone else on this ship."
Looking unaffected by the words of the Romulan/Terran hybrid the CO leaned forward meeting the XO half way over the desk. "I appreciate your candor Serenna, but I clearly remember you supporting me on every aspect when dealing with David and his habits of disregarding orders or just exploding in a rage of anger. You always supported my final decisions on this matter because it was for the better, not only for David but for the rest of the crew as well. At least up until now that is. I can appreciate that he has been your friend since the Academy but the facts remain that he is not officer material and letting him believe otherwise is doing no one any good."
Appearing disappointed by the CO's continued harshness towards the CEO, the Romulan/Terran hybrid accepted that this issue would be where the CO and XO would disagree most on. "Captain, I do not think you are being entirely fair but I respect your position. I will do everything in my power to vindicate David from these charges and see him return to full active duty with a clean record."
Seeing a smile appear on the CO's lips, the XO was thrown for a quick trip into the worlds of confusion as the reaction had been the exact opposite of what the Romulan/Terran hybrid had expected from the sitting captain. "I wish you good luck Serenna, and I hope that you will actually succeed because that will be the only way for David to be able to continue on with his career in Starfleet."
Nodding her thanks for the well wishes the XO left the CO's Ready Room and returned to the task of creating a coherent defence for the ship's CEO, his career and even his life hanging in the outcome of the impending court-martial.
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Serena Switt {serena1141@yahoo.com.au}
Lieutenant Commander Serenna 2005 post #402
Executive Officer
USS ANUBIS
