Surprise!

Posted on Wed Oct 21st, 2020 @ 9:24pm by Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Lieutenant Aurora Vali

Mission: Diplomatic Masquerade
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: Current

Savar and the rest of the away team had returned to the Liberty with evidence of a civilization on Orias III even though contact had not been made. There was no evidence to show the civilization had died off or been moved.

Now Savar sat in the center seat as Captain Kaylen was holed up in her ready room, going over his report as well as the reports from the rest of the away team. For himself, he felt as he was missing something and that bothered him like an itch he couldn't scratch. So again reviewed his actions as well as those of the away in hopes of uncovering the missing link.

Captain Kaylen read the reports from the away team, taking in the details and recommendations from each member of the team and then forming her own opinions. It seemed there WAS evidence of a recent civilisation there however the team was unable to make contact due to an impending severe weather event. Her door chimed and she looked up, not sure who to expect- there were no meeting scheduled however she always held an open door policy. She was one again behind in her messages so in all probability she was about to get reminded that she needed to keep up.

"Come in" She called, looking up from the reports in front of her. An officer she hadn't seen before entered, making Rhenora wonder just how much else she hadn't read....

"Please take a seat" She offered, diving into her messages and finding a transfer request at the top of her priority list - bless Ronson's cotton socks.

" Lt Vali?" She questioned with a raised eyebrow - beating herself up a little on the inside.

“Yes Captain” Aurora nodded and stood in front of Captain Kaylen’s desk, she was reporting in with her transfer papers leaving her new CO in the unenviable position of uprooting the current Chief Counsellor so she could take over.

" I see you've been assigned our Chief Counsellor position - It seems Starfleet Personnel are working a little ahead of me at the moment" She commented idly - wondering just how she was going to approach Savar on this particular subject.

“From what I understand you have to move someone so that I can take over” Aurora offered an apologetic smile. “It’s not a very nice position for either of us Ma’am.”

" You got that right" Kaylen grumbled to herself. She looked over the transfer papers and found everything in order.

" Command Savar - please report to the ready room" She paged her new XO, hoping that he would be understanding in his new role.

On the bridge Savar heard the Captain's summons. Rising he turned the bridge over to the Ops officer and headed for the Captain's Ready Room. Arriving he pressed the chime and waited entrance.

"Come in Commander" Rhenora called, rising to greet her 2IC. No time like the present to tackle the current situation.

" I'd like to introduce you to our apparent new Counselling Chief. It appears Starfleet Personnel were one step ahead of us in sourcing a replacement since your recent promotion" She explained, taking her seat again and letting the two officers exchange a look.

The new officer was facing away from him so Savar could not see their face. "Excuse me Captain. I did not know we/ you were looking for a replacement. May I ask why this was done? My work has not suffered." Savar pointed out.

Rhenora paused for a moment, considering her words carefully before continuing.

" Whilst I understand you work in both areas has not suffered, it is unfair to ask someone to perform both roles and be 100% on top of them. Your main priority as ships First Officer is the safety, wellbeing and management of the ships crew. I agree with Command in that asking anyone to undertake a secondary position on top of that is unreasonable - even for a Vulcan." The Bajoran explained. " It is standard proceedure for Starfleet Personnel to backfill any role left 'vacant' by a promotion to Executive Officer"

Savar listened in stony silence as Rhenora rattled off the explanation for him being replaced as chief counselor. "I see." He replied even more dryly than usual. "Most illogical, However I will not challenge the decision no matter how much I disagree with it." He finished and lapsed into silence.

" I'm sorry if you feel you are capable of doing both - this goes over my head and was actioned automatically upon your promotion. Moving forward I'm sure I can count on you to ensure a smooth transition for any personnel currently under your care." Kaylen continued, making a few notes on her desktop monitor as she spoke.

"Forgive me Captain. I am capable however the decision was made without my input. Therefore I have nothing else to say on the matter."

"Very well" Rhenora knew when she wasn't going to any further on a particular subject and dropped it for the benefit of their new crewmember.

" Well I'm sorry this was a bit of an awkward beginning. I can assure you both I will do everything in my power to make sure there are no more unexpected speed bumps. Welcome aboard Lt Vali, I look forward to working with you" The Bajoran commanding officer continued, hoping to shift the energy into the room to something more positive.

Savar was about to say more but stopped at hearing the name/ Lieutenant Vali. No it could not be, could it? He turned to look at the new officer.

“Thank you Captain” Aurora smiled politely before looking towards Savar. The moment she’d heard his name and his voice she knew it was her love from their Academy days but she didn’t allow the surprise of seeing him to show. “I hope my arrival hasn’t caused a problem Commander.” She offered a respectful nod, instead of the usual Vulcan greeting.

Savar looked at the Aurora and for a fraction of a second his Vulcan discipline cracked and surprise showed on his face. He quickly recovered as he raised his hand in the Vulcan salute. "Aurora, it is good to see you again."

Aurora smiled and raised her hand too giving him a respectful Vulcan greeting. “It is most ... agreeable to see you again too Savar.”

Rhenora looked from one to the other, wondering what she'd missed in the last minute or so.

" Hang on a second - you two know each other?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. As if things hadn't been awkward enough.

Aurora looked at Rhenora. “We do ma’am” She decided it was best to be discreet at least until she and Savar could talk. “We met at the Academy.”

Rhenora watched as the two explained their history, wondering what curve ball the universe was going to throw at her next.

"I trust this latest issue won't cause any harm on a personal level for either of you." She said carefully, referring back to the promotion and subsequent backfilling of Savar's role.

“Not at all Captain” Aurora smiled. “We’re both professionals.”

"That's all I needed to hear" Kaylen replied with a smile. She had a gut feeling there was more to the two sitting before her but chose not to pry. If they had anything further they wanted to share it was up to them to do so. She was assured of their professionalism and that was enough for her.

“If there’s nothing else Captain, I’d like to get my office sorted out.”

"By all means Lieutenant" Rhenora nodded, effectively ending the meeting and letting the two get on with their new respective jobs. "Once again, welcome aboard"

Aurora nodded and stood ready to leave. “Commander if you don’t mind I’ll box up what things you have in the office and deliver them to you?” She smiled warmly at Savar.

"That will be most satisfactory Lieutenant." Savar replied simply without fanfare.

“In that case I will carry on” With that Aurora nodded and headed on her way.

Rhenora watched the two as they left her office, having the distinct feeling there was something else at play here. Time would tell as it always did. With a sigh she turned back to the reports and continued with her day.