Bias and Expectations
Posted on Wed Feb 21st, 2024 @ 2:10pm by Commodore Tyler Malbrooke & Ensign Daris Wren
Edited on on Wed Feb 21st, 2024 @ 7:34pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 15 - The Evil That Lies Beneath
Location: Poseidon Station and Ready Room - Deck 1 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD001 0700 hrs
Wren finished docking the shuttlecraft that brought himself and several Poseidon Station crew, including the station's new CMO, to the docking clamp.
He glanced at the doctor as he finished the docking procedures and stood, finding it amusing the man could sleep before he grabbed his own duffle from storage and disembarked at the docking platform.
Making his way to the Promenade, Wren took a deep breath and took in the sights, sounds and smells of activity there. He felt the excitement course through his body. "Computer, locate Commodore Malbrooke." he called out. It was best to get the formalities out of the way before he forgot.
Commodore Malbrooke is aboard the USS Pioneer, Deck One, Ready Room., came the crisp reply of the computer.
After a few more directions on where the ship was docked, Wren made his way aboard. He didn't stop by his quarters and instead stepped onto the turbolift, duffle in tow. "Deck One.", he called out before hearing the beep of acknowledgment and feeling the lift moving.
Once deposited on the proper deck, Wren took in the sight of the helm and felt that same eager excitement. He couldn't wait to get underway. With a calming breath, he nodded to the tactical officer as he made his way down to the door of the Commodore's ready room and pressed the chime.
Tyler sat at his desk and read the mission briefing that Starfleet had sent him. If he were totally honest he felt like this was a slap in the face to he and his crew. Investigating a nebula... This is not work for everything that we have been through. Yet here we are... He thought as he sighed heavily and tossed the PADD on the desk. At least this mission would allow him to spend a little more time with his very pregnant wife.
As it often did the door chime snapped Tyler back to the here and now. He took a sip of his rachtijino and rubbed his face to bring some life back into himself. "Come on in, door's open."
Hearing the call to enter, Wren stepped through the threshold and turned towards the commodore as he walked into the ready room. He stood at attention as he presented himself. “Sir, Ensign Daris Wren, reporting for duty.” His voice projecting confidently, despite the nerves he felt.
The smile that was on Tyler's face hid his actual feelings. Since he was given the Pioneer to command Tyler had kept up on anything and everything relating to both the Maquis and the New Maquis. It was one of the reasons he kept Makeba Brown around. However, he never thought that Wren would come to him. He had to tell himself that the sins of the symbiote were not the sins of the host. However, that was a hard sell for someone like Tyler. "Welcome aboard Ensign have a seat. If my memory serves you are here to take over as Lieutenant Michael's Assistant."
Wren smiled at Malbrooke cheerfully, nodding in appreciation. “Yes, Sir. That’s right. I must say I’m very excited. Intrepid class ships are some of the most maneuverable in the fleet. I can’t wait to sit at the controls.”
The fact that he liked the Intrepid Class scored no points with Tyler. Even though the Captain loved the class as well. Hopefully you won't just take the ship and betray us all. Tyler thought. "Indeed our nacelles give us the capability that most other full sized starships cannot do. We can land for example. Have you ever taken a starship atmospheric." Tyler tried, he really tried to make conversation like he would with any new officer. However, at the moment he found it difficult.
Wren got the distinct impression he was being tested. He couldn't place why exactly, but the question struck him as one an academy instructor would ask. "Only in simulations, Sir. The starships I have served on were not capable." Wren paused for a moment and shifted in his chair before taking a chance. "Excuse me, Captain, but have I done something to offend you? You seem....disappointed."
Tyler leaned back and rested his chin on his hand for a moment. He wrestled with how to respond to the question asked. Fact was no, the person present had done nothing to anger Tyler. Yet he still felt antsy and angry. Perhaps it was due to the presence of the Wren symbiote, the same symbiote who betrayed everything Tyler stood for. He decided that it would be best to simply level with the Ensign. "Ensign no... You have done nothing to offend, and I am not disappointed in any way. However, I am worried and perhaps leery. After all was it not you who defied everything that this uniform stands for? So, I think you can understand why I may be a little worried about turning the helm of my ship, the lives of my crew over to you."
Wren looked at first confused and offended at the accusations before he realized what the commodore meant. He had expected this, run into the same biases when he was at the academy. With a heavy sigh, he nodded in understanding. His offense at the man’s assumptions turned into embarrassment and tired frustration. However, he would still maintain protocol. “Permission to speak freely, Sir?”
"I expect nothing less from a member of my crew when in this room." As he spoke Tyler nodded that it would be okay for the Ensign to speak his mind. Tyler may not have wanted Wren on the Pioneer, but the fact was at the moment he was a part of the crew and would be treated as such.
Taking a breath, Wren considered his words carefully. "I believe you are mistaking me for that of the previous host, Rhea Wren. Though she may have been a Maquis, not only was Daris a child when this occurred, but as Daris Wren, I was cleared of any responsibility in the matter. And to be frank, Sir, you should be familiar by now with Starfleet's standing on joined Trills and how they are to be treated by the crews they serve with, including their commanding officers." Wren added, feeling his face grow hot. He was tired of being accused of actions he was not even capable of committing back on the homeworld. At first he had been timid on the subject, but after several months of dealing with people like Malbrooke at the Academy, he had found his voice on the matter and held the Commedore's gaze.
Tyler sipped his coffee and placed the mug on his desk. His eyes were steely and his visage stone. What he was about to say was not something that came easily but nonetheless the Ensign had to know that he meant business. He leaned forward on his desk and began to speak in clipped tones. "Starfleet's position is the reason you are here. However, Starfleet's position is not my position and is not the position of some on this crew. So, I will be equally curt as you were with me. I am aware that the being inside you was part in parcel of the traitor Rhea Wren. That said I know from reading medical logs and eyewitness logs of other Trill officers that those memories, feelings, and motives reside within you. That you make a conscience decision to act as you see fit which could be to overcome those motives or give in to them. The reason you are on this crew is because Starfleet assigned you here and I approved it. Because everyone deserves a fair shake regardless of people's feelings toward them. Do not think for one second that if you do give in to those motives, or what have you that I will not have you locked up." When he finished speaking Tyler allowed what he had said to hang in silence. He wanted Wren to absorb what he had said.
Wren simply set his jaw at the words that would seem like a threat if he couldn’t see in the Commodore’s eyes that he meant it. After a moment, the Trill simply nodded. “Understood. Permission to be excused, Sir?”
Tyler sipped his coffee before he spoke again. The idea that he may have been too harsh on the Ensign occurred to him. After all he did have a former Maquis serving in his Intelligence department. He could here Kat's words in his head and she told him that not everyone is locked into their decisions. He exhaled sharply through his nose. "I truly hope that you will join this community, and like the rest of my crew I will come to call you friend and perhaps family. But, you have to understand that things like that take time. I may have been a little brash. But tough talk brings change." Before Wren could respond Tyler added. "Welcome aboard. You are dismissed." Although the tone of the dismissal was softer and somewhat welcoming.
Wren simply nodded as he got up from his seat and left without a word.
A Joint Post By
Commodore Tyler Malbrooke
Commanding Officer, USS Pioneer
Ensign Daris Wren
Assistant Chief Flight Control Officer, USS Pioneer
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