Nice to meet you Mister Beckett

Posted on Tue Nov 20th, 2018 @ 10:51pm by Petty Officer 1st Class Tobias Beckett
Edited on on Wed Nov 21st, 2018 @ 1:34am

967 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Episode 5 - It Would Be Their Pleasure
Location: XO Ready Room
Timeline: MD009 0815 hrs

"Senior Chief Beckett, please have a seat, we only have 15 minutes. So let's make the most of this. I am Commander Quinn Ó Flannagáin, your new first officer." Started off Quinn as he motioned for Tobias to take a seat.

Tobias' life had been flipped over in a matter of days. First there was the journey through time. Then they all got home and Thoran was MIA. Now, Masters got the department instead of him gorramit. So being summoned to the new XO's office was just going to be icing on the cake. He stood there at attention as the XO spoke. "Thank you sir!" he said as he sat.

"I hate to ask this question Senior Chief, I know you were in consideration for the chief intelligence officer position. And your service record is incredible, are you going to be able to work under the guidance and leadership of Warrant Officer Jennifer Masters?" Asked Quinn, hoping the senior chief, would be honest with him. Only way to solve a problem is to address it and over come it.

"Yessir! I believe so. WO Masters is a fine officer..." His voice trailed off as something else occurred to him. "Permission to speak freely sir?"

"Granted." Simply replied Quinn, wondering what was on the mind of Mister Beckett. Quinn straightened his posture, and tried to present a more open and friendly approach, now that requested to speak freely. He wanted Tobias to feel this was a safe environment to do so.

"You asked if I can serve under Masters. The answer to that question is yes as I serve in Starfleet and will do as ordered. However, I truly believe that she is a mistake. She is a fine field agent, but the nuances of data elude her. If you are to run a SCIF you need to be a miner. I mean instead of being one who digs in the ground, you need to be one who digs through all of the data of the universe and comes up with the gold that is needed. If that makes sense. I do not believe that Masters is capable of that." Tobias fidgeted a little as he spoke, he was a jumpy person. What he left unsaid was that Masters carried on a relationship with someone that served under her command. Tobias figured that the man already knew that.

"What are you leaving out Senior Chief, I could tell by the deflection in your voice, you have more to say. If I may speak freely, are you talking about her relationship with Senior Chief Calhoun?" Quinn asked, as he could her the reflections of tension in the voice of Tobias. He hoped that Tobias, would be able to work with her. Like it or not, the Captain chose her.

"Yes sir that is exactly what I am talking about. It is improper and against regulations. But who am I to say anything, I am just a pencil pushing nobody." Tobias fell silent as his self loathing kicked in.

"Regulations can be modified, for the betterment of the crew. Senior Chief, I am married to the new stellar cartographer specialist, and she only bares the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. I am not telling you this, because I do not disagree with your decision. I am telling you this because some times there are always exceptions. In my case we were both Lieutenant Junior Grade's, when we met. Then we had a child and she took some time off to raise Enya, our daughter. Now after a decade absence, she's wants to return to work." Started off Quinn, realizing Ameri's situation was not the same as Jennifer's.

"I plan on looking at the unique situation of Senior Chief Calhoun and Warrant Officer Masters, but while I am looking into that, I expect you to carry out your duties, and respect any decision the command staff makes in regards to this matter." Said Quinn, hoping that Tobias, meant what he said earlier. He did not want to contend with an opportunist. There was a reason why Jennifer Masters was chosen over Tobias Beckett, and Quinn wanted to find out, why?

"Yessir I will do as ordered. As I always do sir." Tobias responded a little meekly.

"Very well, if there is nothing else senior chief?" Asked Quinn, debating about how to handle the Master/Calhoun incident. He knew fraternization was frowned on. Their relationship was not like his relationship with his wife. They started off together, same rank. And due to family commitments, she took a few years off. But Calhoun and Masters were years apart, he was her superior, and now she is his. This was a bad example to set for the crew. The situation needed to be addressed.

Tobias stood and took two steps toward the door, he stopped as something occurred to him. "Sir, if I may add one more thing. Duty, honor and regulations hold no sway over love. So while it may be wrong that they have a relationship, it is not harming the functions of this ship. So perhaps it is best to simply leave it alone." He spoke freely and spoke his mind. When he finished he came to attention as if someone had flipped a switch.

"I will keep that in mind Senior Chief. Thanks for coming. Dismissed." Quinn said, he was not sure what steps, he would take next. There was a lot to take in. And Tobias was right, about love. Quinn knew that.

A Joint Post By

Commander Quinn Ó Flannagáin
Executive Officer, USS Pioneer

Senior Chief Petty Officer Tobias Beckett
Intelligence Specialist, USS Pioneer

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