CD - Command

Posted on Sat Sep 19th, 2020 @ 11:14pm by Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Lieutenant JG Sarah Wilson & Chief Petty Officer Ronson Mitchell & Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen

Mission: Welcome Aboard!
Location: Bridge
Timeline: Current

With the Captain in the mist of a reunion with her husband and all that it entailed and Commander Lexington still unaccounted for, Savar was in command of the Liberty. Not that it was saying much. The Liberty was without it's engines both warp and impulse. Luckily it had power so the crew wasn't uncomfortable.

Sitting in the command chair, Savar toggled a switch in it's arm. "Bridge to Sickbay,"

Dr Wilson looked up from the crewman she was treating, placing the bone knitter back on the surgical tray next to the dermal regenerator that had seen some extensive use over the last few hours. Damned Orions. Thankfully they hadn't attempted to enter sickbay.

" Sickbay here, Dr Wilson..."

"Doctor please report to the bridge."

" On my way..Sir" The voice seemed somewhat unfamiliar - both the Captain and XO were female, who was calling from the bridge?


While waiting for the doctor, he looked up the duty roster. Finding what he needed he tapped his combadge. "Mr. Ronson. Report to the bridge."

Ronson paused in reorganising the Captain's 'pending' pile in order of priority, wondering why he was being paged to the bridge. It wasn't the Captain paging him, who was it?

"On my way" He replied professionally, quickly brewing a cup of the Captain's favourite blend just in case she was indeed on the bridge. Impressions were everything.

While he waited for the Doctor and yeoman to arrive he was working on a plan to get the captain to relax even for a short period. However for it to work he needed the Doctor and Yeoman's help.

Ronson arrived first, the coffee wafting in an aromatic trail behind him as he strode purposefully onto the bridge, padds in one hand coffee in the other. He looked around for the Captain, and having not found her, approached the officer in the command chair.

"Sir? Did you page me?" He questioned with a moments hesitation.

Savar looked at the coffee cup, the padds and the yeoman in that order. "I did. You are Mr. Ronson the Captain's yeoman?

" So my office tells me, is there something I can assist you with Sir?" Ronson regarded the Lt Commander in the blue of science sitting in the Captain's chair. He looked vaguely familiar.

"Excellent. I am Lt. Commander Savar, the Liberty's second officer and chief counselor. The Captain is suffering from too much caffeine. So effective immediately, you will bring her decaf coffee and a bran muffin. It is for her own good."

Ronson blanched at the new instruction, was this deceit at the highest level? How did this counsellor know just how much coffee the Captain was consuming? That was something only the ships Doctor and Ronson himself knew.

" I... ahh... have you cleared this with her.. um.. Counsellor Sir?

Savar held him in an unblinking gaze. "I have not. It would be illogical for me to talk with the Captain about a drink she loves but is not good for her in the quantity she drinks. Is that not so Mr. Ronson?"

" But I.. she.... she'll have me scrubbing deckplating in the engine room with a toothbrush when she finds out. She's very particular about her coffee" Ronson protested, the colour having drained from his face.

"Nonsense Mr. Ronson, I believe you are exaggerating. Nonetheless, I will make sure that the captain does not subject you to such a chore." Savar replied. "I will take full responsibility."

" Are you gonna tell her? Or explain it to her afterwards?" Ronson showed a dubious expression. He had become protective of his Captain in the short time he had known her. " Besides, shouldn't she be making decisions about her own well being?"

"Mr. Ronson, I have already said you will not be held responsible. Yes, I will tell her when this is over." Savar tone already formal became glacial at Ronson's question. "Yeoman, who is the doctor here? Captains' make the worst patients. Captain Kaylen is no exception and for that reason, she will not be making any decisions concerning this. Understood?"

" Yes Sir Very good Sir, it's your funeral... toothbrush Sir" Ronson amended quickly bowing towards the Counsellor and nearly spilling the rapidly cooling coffee in the process.

"Yes, Mr. Ronson exactly." Savar replied.

Meanwhile Dr Wilson found her way to the bridge, falling into line beside Mr Ronson and listening with an interested ear to their conversation.

" Reporting as ordered.... Commander" She finished, finally finding the counsellors rank pips on his collar so she could address him properly.

"Doctor. I take it you heard the conversation I had with Mr. Ronson. concerning the captain and her caffeine intake."

" I caught the tail end of toothbrushes and funerals, the start of it I was not present for No Sir. Are you questioning the Captain's nutritional state?" She questioned, wondering if this was a conversation appropriate for the bridge or if it was a giant practical joke.

"I see. Come with me into the Captain's ready room. "Mr. Serling." He said calling to the Flight Control Officer. "You have the bridge."

He rose from the center seat fluidly, "Doctor, if you please." As he headed for the ready room.

Wilson followed the Counsellor towards the ready room, wondering what can of worms was going to be unraveled within. She waited patiently as the counsellor settled himself in the Captains Ready Room, seemly entirely comfortable in the Captains office.

"Doctor please have a seat." Savar said gesturing to one of the chairs in front of the desk. "I was telling Mr. Ronson the Captain's caffeine level is high. She is anxious, jittery all the signs of too much caffeine. Now that is the first step. The next step is I need your help in getting the Captain to relax just for a day or two. In that regard I would like you to program the replicators to a bland diet for her, no matter what she orders. She gets oatmeal or a bran muffin. Next do you have anything in the way of an experiment that is harmless but can keep the Captain occupied with it? Think of it as a practical joke. She needs to relax."

Dr Wilson's eyebrows rose with the counsellor's words. It was common knowledge at the Captain was a bit of a firecracker but no-one had ever associated it with her caffeine intake.
" You do realise she's gonna come after whoever she seems having messed with her routine" The Doctor warned.

"Yes Doctor I do. As I have told Mr. Ronson and I will now tell you. You will not be held responsible. This is my doing. Are you willing to help?" Savar asked.

" I'm willing to do whatever is best for the health and welfare of the crew" Dr Wilson replied almost too quickly. She could see this was going to become a direct order sooner rather than later.

" Now as for this....project...how is it you wish to proceed?"

"The change in coffee is step one, Diet change is step two. I wish to keep the Captain off balance have her mind on other things other than the ship and crew just for a day or so. Is there anything you can suggest to add to this?" Savar asked.

Dr Wilson paused for a while, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. " She cracked a rib when the Orions came on board, I can put her 'unfit for duty' for a day at the most. " The good doctor offered "You know she'd just spend the day chewing through reports though"

"Do that and confine her to bed or her quarters. No reports, no ship business. She is to relax." Savar stressed.

" And just how do you plan on enfocing this? Given I have read the Captains medical file - I don't believe she knows how to 'relax'." The Doctor challenged, not looking forward to having this particular conversation with said Captain.

"I admit that is a problem. So an alternative must be found to get the captain from thinking about work to something else...misdirection." Savar offered.

" Her Husband has just arrived, perhaps this could be used to our advantage. He is also a trained counsellor" Dr Wilson offered again, thinking that there was little else she could do to distract the Captain.

"No. I do not wish him a party to this." Savar answered. "I have it write a rehab or physical fitness program she can do from her quarters."

" You're gonna make me confine her to quarters? Wow...Sure ok - it's your funeral...toothbrush.. whatever" Wilson replied, wondering just how far this was going to go. If ordered to she would comply with the 2IC's requests - it probably WAS in the Captain's best interest to relax for a day or two. Convincing said Captain of that would be the hard part.

" Alright - you've got me, I'll confine her to quarters, remove her access from the ships reporting system and reprogram her replicators. She's gonna have your guts for garters though"

"Very good Doctor. Please implement the changes and I will worry about my guts." Savar answered evenly. Though he knew the Doctor was correct. The Captain was going to be highly perturbed over the changes to her routine.

" As you wish Counsellor" The Doctor nodded " Is there anything else Sir?" She added as she started to turn and head towards her execution...erm... door.

"Not at this time Doctor. I shall keep you apprised if there is any change you need to be aware of." Savar replied calmly. Unaware of the Doctor's dread.

" So you're telling her.. yeah? Great, thanks bye!" The Doctor beat a hasty retreat, walking quickly towards the door and hoping to escape before the Counsellor could say otherwise.

"Doctor...stop. I did not say that at all. You will tell the Captain. Are you actually afraid of her?" Savar asked.

Sarah stopped in her tracked. Yep.. damned straight she was afraid of the Captain. That woman had a history...
" Ahh.. no sir.. maybe Sir...." She stammered.

"Explain your statement Doctor. Why are you afraid of the Captain?" Savar pressed for an answer.


"Aren't you Counsellor? She's like a firecracker in a confined space one minute, then the serenity of a Vulcan the next! No offence intended" Wilson retorted, toeing the line without actually crossing it

"None taken Doctor." Savar replied with implacable calm. I believe you are letting your imagination get the better of you and that is causing your irrational fear of the Captain."

"I am doing no such thing Commander"Sarah replied "I base my illogical fear on fact" She stammered

Savar arched an eyebrow at Sarah "Really Doctor?"

"Yes!"Wilson resisted the urge to stamp her foot in a demonstration of illogical behaviour as the serene Vulcan quite successfully got under her skin.

"Very well Doctor. I will speak with the Captain. You handle what you agreed to. I must confess however that I find your behavior quite illogical."

"Says the moth to the flame. Good luck - you may need it" Wilson replied before hot-tailing out the ready room before anyone could stop her. Phew - she was off the hook for the hard part.

Savar watched as the doctor rushed out of the ready room. "Most illogical." He commented to himself even as he got up to go and meet with the Captain.


The Captain meanwhile was for once almost relaxing in her quarters, she'd shared a meal with Remal and was now curled up on the couch with a stack of padds Ronson had dropped off for her approval. There was always something to be done.

Savar made his way to the captain's quarters and rang the chime. As he waited he reflected on the plan and could see no flaws in it.

"Come in" Rhenora called from her comfortable position, a steaming mug of coffee and a snack on the side table next to her. The pile of completed padds was growing.

Hearing the Captain's voice saying come in, Savar entered to see the Captain on the couch and a mug of coffee on the side table. He made a mental note to have a talk with Ronson after this was all over.

"Greeting Captain, I hope I am not intruding. I wanted to inform you of the change in a member of the crews health status."


"Oh really?" Rhenora's concern was instantly captured, "Please have a seat"She gestured to the vacant chair in the living area. "Please, what are these concerns?"

Savar took a seat opposite her, "It is nothing serious Captain. Said crew member refuses to heed medical advice and Dr. Wilson has no choice but to declare them unfit for duty for a day perhaps two." He replied.

Rhenora sipped her coffee again "Sounds serious, do you need any assistance with this crew member..."She paused, the penny dropped "Hang on...why are you dealing with this and not me?"


"You are said crewmember Captain. Dr. Wilson has declared you unfit for duty due to your cracked rib. Furthermore, you are confined to quarters." He replied totally unruffled.

"What the...."Kaylen shot up to a standing position faster than she had for a very long time. "You can't do that...she cleared me for duty yesterday!" She protested as though someone were taking away a dearly loved possession.

Savar stood as well. "I regret to inform you Captain but I can and have done so. You should be happy, it gives you a chance to relax with your husband."

"But I.... she.... you CAN'T do that!" Her voice rose with her anger and frustration. How did this Vulcan do-gooder know her so well? Ohhhh.... the drinking the night before... oh dear.

"I should be going Captain. Do try to relax and enjoy your time with your husband. The ship is in good hands." He decided not to tell her about the change to her coffee and menu. That would be an added surprise.


"You don't have the right, or the authority to relieve me of command "Kaylen said hotly, her face blushing red with anger as the serene Vulcan rose to leave, his unyielding logic only adding fuel to the fire.

"Actually I do Captain. First you placed me in command while you spend time with your husband. In essence I am the acting Captain. Second as you have been declared unfit for duty I am the next highest ranking officer. Command falls to me. Third as chief counselor, I have seen your recent behavior and with Dr. Wilson have removed you from command for a few days."

"I... you.... that's not fair. You could have talked to me about it first" Rhenora grumbled, unable to fight the logic as it was spelled out to her. She hadn't thought her behaviour was that bad over the last few days, apart from one altercation involving a bottle of spring wine and telling the counsellor things she most probably should have kept to herself.

"I remind you Captain, I talked to you for quite a long time." Savar replied calmly. "This is not punishment Captain, it is to help you to relax and get the proper perspective."

"Proper perspective my ass Savar, I trusted you with my deepest thoughts and concerns and this is how you repay that trust?" The Bajoran scowled, trying a different approach.

Savar's eyes clouded for an instant as Rhenora question his motives. "I have not misplaced your trust Captain. I am sorry you feel I have. I have broken no doctor patient confidence."

"No, you've relieved me of command! Just as bad!" Kaylen stormed back to the couch sat down forcefully "Talk about giving an inch and taking a mile"

"For one, no more than two days. All while the Liberty is being repaired. Perhaps you would prefer being relieved during a mission involving the Romulans?" Savar countered.

"You wouldn't dare "She challenged back hotly. It wasn't the fact that he was forcing her to unwind that was the problem per se - it was the methodology and the lack of consultation behind it.

"Captain, I have no wish to further aggravate you. So I will take my leave. Enjoy your time with your husband." As he turned to the door to leave.

" Fine... whatever...just remember who put you in that chair in the first place" Kaylen grouched as the smug if Vulcan's could even be smug Vulcan left her quarters.

She sighed, heading towards the replicator to recycle the now cold coffee and replicate a new one.

The sound of her voice could apparently be heard for some distance down the corridor a moment later.

"SAVARRRRRRRRR!!!!!!"