Adding to the ranks of Command

Posted on Thu Aug 17th, 2023 @ 5:07am by Commander Naois Mercy MD & Captain Lukas Fredricks & Lieutenant Amara Naidoo

922 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Mission 1: To Catch a Thief
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: MD1 - 1630 Hours

Lukas reached for his steaming cup of coffee which sat on his desk as he looked at the list of candidates Commander Mercy had put together for the vacant Second Officer position.

"It's a shame Chex, isn't interested in stepping up as he did a marvelous job getting Britannic's repairs sorted and underway." The Captain commented before taking a sip of his coffee.

"Did he not fulfill the role prior to you coming back to command?" The Vulcan sipped his own tea as he regarded his friend. "Unless my memory is failing me of course." He nodded towards the PADD. "Anyone grab your attention?"

"He did but wants to focus on his department for the time being and I can't fault him for that." Lukas replied as he set down his coffee cup. "We actually have a good selection of people to choose from. Any of the senior officers are a good candidate for the position. Any thoughts?"

"I have known Lieutenant Naidoo for a very long time," Naois mused, "would you consider her?"

"Well, she's top of your list and I can see why." Lukas replied reviewing the Lieutenant's file again. "I think she's probably the best candidate."

"So do I. Perhaps we should call her in?"

"By all means, number one." Lukas said with a nod.

The Vulcan tapped his comm badge. "Lieutenant Naidoo, please report to the captain's readyroom."

Within moments Amara was striding through the ready room doors which parted at her approach.
"Yes sirs!"

"At ease, Lieutenant." Fredricks said with a smile. "Take a seat, please." Lukas added gesturing to the other free chair in front of his desk.

'What have I done?' went through her mind as she rounded the closest chair and dropped down into it, plastering a smile on her face when it hit her what it could be.
"The phaser was set to stun I promise so there shouldn't be any lasting damage!"

"I'm sure it was, Lieutenant." Fredricks replied, unsure to what the Lieutenant was referring. "Commander Mercy and myself have called you here as we have been discussing potential candidates for second officer and your name has come up." Lukas paused for a moment and waited to see Amara's response.

"So this has nothing to do with... Oh, well, never mind what I just said, best left unquestioned" she said, backing tracking as quickly as she could before it sank in. He had just advised her she was a candidate for second officer.
"Wait... Is this another one of Commander Mercy's practical jokes?"

Lukas couldn't help but look at his first officer. He hadn't known of Naois to be a practical joker. "This is true, number one?" He asked as a smile grew across his face.

"I was not aware jokes are practical sir," Naois answered -perhaps a little too- innocently.

"A likely story, number one." Fredricks replied with a smirk before turning his attention back to the security chief. "So, Lieutenant, do you think you'd be interested in the second officer position? This will put you on the command track with extra training and gaining extra experience."

"Yes sir. I had always wanted to explore that option however I had thought it would be many years away!"
Amara was beaming from ear to ear like some infant with a new toy but she caught herself, coughed slightly and rearranged her expression to a less comical one. "Yes sir, I would like to accept the offer!"

"Excellent." Lukas said with an approving nod. "Commander Mercy will oversee any training you need. You may have to rejig your departments duty roster as you'll need to take command during certain shift rotations but again that's something Commander Mercy will go through with you."

"I always have a standby on the bridge so that shouldn't be an issue." still trying to take it all in. "I can make time to discuss with the Commander through the shift if you like sirs?"

"Good. Take our travel time to get yourself used to the role, but I think you'll slot right into the Command team." The Captain said with a reassuring smile in the Lieutenants direction.

"Thank you sir... Given my disability I had thought it would take a while for me to finally get this chance. I really do appreciate it. Thank you, both of you!" she was almost having to blink back tears as she had now finished running the full gambit of emotions from the moment the Captain had told her the news.

"Don't be silly, Lieutenant. You are more than capable. Remember I lost my arm and leg in the border wars with the Cardassians. Look where I am now." Lukas replied with a reassuring smile.

"The command staff of disabled people," Naois chuckles, holding up his right hand. His prosthetic hand. "We will make a great team."

"There you go, you're in good company, Lieutenant." Lukas added with a smile.

"It appears so!" still feeling more than elated at the development.

"Well then, if you have no further questions, we'll let you return to you duties. Commander Mercy will draw up the necessary training and new schedule for you." Fredricks said looking towards his first officer.

"I can do that," the XO smiled, "but for now perhaps she should let the news sink in first?" He cast her a very cheeky smile, something only reserved for close friends. "She seems a little perplexed."

"Indeed. There's plenty of time." Lukas agreed. "Well, if there's nothing else, you are dismissed."

 

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