Another Haldeman drops by

Posted on Wed Mar 17th, 2021 @ 9:40pm by Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Lieutenant Allison Haldeman

Mission: The Jungle
Location: Ready Room

{ON}

Allison made her way to speak with Captain Kaylen, she knew that she and Thomas had a prior history but she’d never met Rhenora herself. Pressing the chime on the door she waited for an answer.

"Come in" the Captain called as she looked up at the sound of the chime. She stood and headed to the replicator to order another coffee.

Walking inside Allison offered a polite smile. “Captain Kaylen, I’m Allison Haldeman.i was wondering if I might be able to speak with you for a few moments?”

"Of course" The Rhenora smiled as Allison entered, she recognised the face from the Manchester's crew manifest. "Coffee?"

“Decaf please” Allison smiled warmly. “I need to speak with you regarding what will happen with my husband?”

Rhenora ordered the beverages and returned to her desk, handing over the second cup to Mrs Haldeman.

"Has he spoken to you about it?" She asked, trying to gauge Allison's knowledge was up to. Did she knew Kaylen had already offered Thomas a role?

“To be honest, my husband and I have just reunited after spending the last ten years apart.” Allison took a seat. “After the loss of our son Alex ... well I blamed Thomas, I know now that I was wrong. We’ve decided to give our marriage another chance, beyond that I haven’t pressured my husband for further details.”

"I'm so glad you have decided to give it another try. It's a big adjustment from your life of the last ten years" Rhenora admitted sagely as she sipped her coffee. "Has he mentioned I've negotiated with Starfleet Command to retain his commission? He'll be serving here in strategic operations until his probation period is completed. I will offer commissions to any of the Manchester's crew who wish to stay aboard." The Captain explained.

“We didn’t discuss our careers, but I welcome that news Captain. Thomas is a proud man, at least he was.” She paused. “It will be difficult for him but I think he should accept. I was Assistant Chief of Operations aboard the Manchester before what happened, I know we’re all ten years behind but I’d like to continue working for now.”

" You're welcome to stay aboard if you wish, I could use a good officer in Operations - we lost ours in The Game. We lost good people" Her tone changed a little before she reigned it in. "The Liberty isn't too far ahead of where the Manchester was, we have a few new and upgraded systems but the bones are the same - the role's yours if you want it" Rhenora offered.

Allison nodded “I happily accept Captain, but one thing you should know is that I’m pregnant.” She smiled. “After losing Alex it’ll help bring us closer again.”

" Wow... I see.. umm congratulations?" She offered, hoping that this was indeed a happy situation. Experience had told her to approach such things with caution.

“Thank you” Allison smiled more warmly. “We lived together on the surface but our relationship was ... strained to say the least. I shouldn’t have blamed my husband but I did, now we have a chance to start again I plan to be here to support my husband. Our daughter needs her father.”

"I hope that the stability we can offer will only help to heal things" Rhenora smiled, inwardly relieved that the announcement was a good thing. "Now tell me, you were in Ops?"

“Yes that’s right.” Allison nodded. “I had a natural aptitude for it at the Academy so I made it an area of main study. I’d just made Assistant Chief when the ship was ...” She paused. “I guess I’m ten years behind everyone else now.”

"Nothing that can't be caught up on relatively quickly with some study and guidance. I understand that transitioning back to Starfleet like may be difficult for some of your crew after so long." Rhenora admitted, wondering if she had bitten off more than she could chew in offering the survivors commissions.

“Trust me Captain, having to set up our own camp on the planet gave us plenty to do. We used a lot from the wreckage of our ship, so a lot of skills were put to use constructing and maintaining our homes. Admittedly we didn’t have the technology but we kept our skills as sharp as we could.”

" You'll need them. I won't pretend to say that the ride will be smooth or easy - but I can tell you this - it will be rewarding" Rhenora smiled and took another sip of coffee "And we're big enough to be set up for families but close enough to home to be handy"

“That’s good” Allison smiled. “Right now my husband needs us, I’d hate to have to be separated from him when we’re just getting back together. As for the crew they’re all good people, they’ll do you proud Captain.”

"I'm sure they are good people, they just need to be reminded of that. It's been a rough few years for them." Rhenora admitted "they'll be fine, I trust you and your husband will be leading the way with the crew amalgamation?"

Allison smiled. “We haven’t talked about it but I’d imagine he’ll want to do everything he can for the crew. I’ll help in any way I can.”

"That's all I can ask" the Captain smiled "I've drawn up the preliminary duty roster, and added some training time in. Have a look and let me know if you need anything changed"

Allison nodded. “I will, thank you” she smiled warmly. “I’ll endeavour to be up to scratch in Ops in as short a time as possible.”

"Thank you, I appreciate your efforts" Rhenora acknowledged as the drained the last drags of coffee from her cup. There was never enough coffee these days.

"If there's nothing else, welcome aboard - officially and all that" she rose and extended her hand.

Allison stood as well, shaking Rhenora’s hand. “Thank you Captain.” With that she departed and left Rhenora to get on with her day.