How the tables have turned

Posted on Sat Aug 31st, 2019 @ 3:59am by Ensign Dana Wakefield
Edited on on Sat Aug 31st, 2019 @ 10:36am

752 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Episode 8 - The Silence
Location: Chief of Operations Office - Deck 6 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD001 - 0900 hrs

It was a short walk from the Turbolift to the Chief of Operations Office on deck six, an office which used to be hers, but this one was one those moments that Dana needed to get over with as quickly but as politely as possible. After all, the last time she and the Lieutenant's paths had crossed, they had actually had a physical altercation and as a result, the tables had been turned. It was a situation that had resulted in her current predicament, Ameri was now the Chief of Operations and Dana, reduced in rank to Ensign, but how would the Lieutenant take the news that Dana was staying aboard, serving in her department. Her transfer to the USS Underwood had been conventionally changed and the Captain had some act of God agreed to let her stay, either way, Dana was a professional, she was going to apologise, report for duty and give it all she had.

Gently pressing the door chime, Dana waited for a response, this was going to be awkward, but she had her orders contained and authorised by the Captain in her hand, one part of Dana could not wait to see the reaction on Ameri's face, but the other part of her was full of remorse and regret, what she had said to the Lieutenant was personal and uncalled for, it was said in the heat of the moment to provoke her. Hearing Ameria shout come, she took a deep breath, focused her mind and entered as the door's slowly opened.

“Hello,” Ameri said simply. She had looked up and wasn’t all that surprised to see Dana. It was probably part of her agreement for release that they speak.

Dana stood there, Ameri was careful to keep a neutral expression on her face. She waited to hear what Wakefield had to say to her.

"Don't worry, I'm not here to pick up where we left off," she said, trying to give Ameri a reassuring smile "And about that, I know I may have said some hurtful things, I just want you to know I didn't mean them, I knew they would push the required buttons. I truly am sorry." she blurted out in a rushed tone, lowering her head in shame a little, her eyes breaking from the Lieutenant's and focusing on the floor.

“I was to blame as well,” Ameri replied quietly. “I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did. I am sorry for my part in it as well.”

Dana nodded, she was more to blame than Ameri but the sentiment seemed genuine and she appreciated it all the same. "That means a lot, thank you, Ma'am," she said as her gaze shifted from the floor back to Ameri "Also congratulations on your promotion," she said with a weak smile, trying to show that she was sincere about it, but in all honesty it was like rubbing salt into an open wound, this used to be her office, her department, it was certainly going to get some getting used to. "Anyway, it wasn't a social call, I know your busy so I shall get to the point, Ensign Dana Wakefield, reporting for duty and as ordered Ma'am," she said extending the PADD out her hand clearly shaking.

Ameri took it and smiled. “I will get you on the schedule. Things will be fine. I won’t be surprised to see you climb quickly up the chain and have a head position of your own on a ship.” She was being honest. Dana has been an excellent ops Chief before this all happened.

"Thank you, Ma'am, if you need anything just give me a yell, I'll fit in wherever I can, I have a lot to atone for within the department and I want you all to know that you can count on me and that the person of the past few weeks isn't the real me."

“Thank you, Dana,” Ameri nodded. “Unless you have something else. Welcome to Ops.”

Dana took the hint and nodded, no doubt the Lieutenant was busy and the situation had certainly gone better than she had thought., "No, nothing else Ma'am, thank you," she said as she turned and headed for the exit.



A joint post by

Lieutenant Ameri Ó Flannagáin

Chief Operations Officer, USS Pioneer



Ensign Dana Wakefield
Operations Officer, USS Pioneer

 

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