Primary Concern

Posted on 05/02/2021 @ 11:43am by Rear Admiral Thomas Rice

1,558 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Mission 21: The Trouble with Technology
Location: Commodore Rice's Office
Timeline: MD 4: Midday

On:

Chief Petty Officer Matilda Marinette Winterbottom has only arrived on the station approximately one hour earlier and already she was making a fast-paced walk towards her next assignment, the office of Commodore Thomas Rice, Sector Commander. She had recently served about the USS Excalibur as the yeoman for Captain Rodney Stone, both being reassigned and promoted after her tenure on the ship. She worked tirelessly and devoted her entire stay on the Excalibur to provide assistance to the Commanding Officer and make his job as easy as possible. The man had a ship to run and very little time to ensure departmental reports or crew and cargo manifests were up to date, that is where her expert managerial and organizational skills came into play.

Now, she would have to apply her years of experience and training to a larger scale. She had read Commodore Rice's service record, although a good portion of it was heavily redacted from his time in the Office of Internal Affairs. One major point she noted was the current dynamic between Commodore Rice and Captain Harrington. Commodore Rice was once outranked by the Captain, whose job Rice was now occupying. She anticipated some sort of animosity between the two and she would have to heed special attention to the pair when the official change in command came about.

That being said, her number one priority was service to Commodore Rice.

As she approached the Commodore's office, she stopped at the door tapping the console. "Commodore Rice, sir. This is Chief Petty Officer Matilda Winterbottom reporting as ordered," she stated into the comm system.

Tom looked up at the door as he pressed a button, "there must be a mistake, Petty Officer. I put in a request for Ensign Jaxo. My apologies," he nodded as he turned his attention back to his work. He didn't want a Yeoman but Starfleet was determined, telling him it was a part of his new position. It was a fancy way of saying that he needed a babysitter.

He picked up the padd in front of him, "computer," he noticed the Enlisted Officer still standing there. "Something else I can do for you?"

Matilda brushed a part of her hair to the side and adjusted her glasses as she approached Rice's desk. She cleared her throat before she spoke. "My apologies, sir, but given the transfer orders in my hand, I suppose Starfleet has denied that request." She held out a PADD to the man.

Tom took the orders and set the padd on the desk, "let's get something out of the way now, upfront. I don't want a babysitter, I don't need a Yeoman. I enjoy keeping my own schedule and I don't see the need for something lingering all day. I requested Jaxo, because I think if I needed to I could tolerate her." He picked up the padd, "you," he read, "Winterbottom," he looked at the name again. "Matilda Winterbottom, what did your parents hate you?"

He set the padd down, "go back to Operations and attempt to find a new billeting." He pointed to his collar, "mine trumps yours."

Matilda rolled her eyes and scoffed slightly, she had been through this song and dance before. "Well sir, with all due respect," she said placing the PADD down on the desk lightly, placing her palms upon the surface as she stared down the Commodore. "I'm fairly certain the Chief of Starfleet Personnel has a set that trumps yours. So my recommendation would be that if you want to keep your shiny new pips, you play nice with the brass."

She paused for a moment to let her words sink in.

"As for me sir, I am not here to be your babysitter. Personally, if you have reached the rank of Commodore and can't wipe your own behind, then I have no time for you. I haven't spent my career wiping the snot off a bunch of hot shots noses. Sir I am here because we have a job to do and from the looks of your service record and this station, we have quite a bit of work to do. If you would like, I can find you some Ensign to fetch your coffee for you and lick your boots clean for a promotion, it will save me at least ten minutes a day grabbing your coffee. I, however, will make sure this station and this sector run the way that YOU want it run.

And if some slick-haired Captain thinks he has a better idea, I will be MORE than happy to kindly remind him how the Chain of Command functions."

Matilda smirked as she rose up and straightened your uniform. "As for my parents, my father is likely kissing some Ambassador behind and my mother is an insufferable shrew. As you can probably tell, I inherited my traits from the better half of my parents."

Tom folded his arms as he laughed, "you are certainly different from the people already serving on this ship," he picked up the padd, "Chief Petty Officer," he gestured to the seat. "being able to hold your own is important here on this station, and being thicked skin is important to me. You will run across a great many things that Starfleet doesn't prepare you for, especially here."

"If this," he gestured between the two of them is to work, and work well a few things. "I don't need reminders, feel free to say what you think in private like this but if there are others here keep your opinion to yourself, and no one gets in here without an appointment save probably the Commanding Officer of the station. I like to keep an orderly schedule and don't need people coming in here messing things up." He looked around their new office.

"You should also know that I am in a relationship with one of the Intel Officers here on the station," he stood up, "if Tyrion should come down here, he doesn't need permission to enter if I am alone, as long as he checks with you first."

His words were music to her ears, organization and schedules, Matilda lived for those. Before stepping on the station, she feared she was being assigned to another cowboy who thought he could change the quadrant with one keystroke. "Of course sir. We cannot expect people to maintain a high level of deportment if a senior enlisted is fighting with a senior officer in a public forum. These conversations remain private as do my opinions. What this station needs right now is order and stability, and if you would like my personal opinion on that matter I think you are the man for that job."

Matilda paused letting out a sigh. "But if I am being frank and honest, I'm not so sure the same can be said for the station Commanding Officer. He seems like a loose cannon and I don't want to see him get you in hot water again, sir. My job is to protect your interests and ensure you are given all the information and opportunities to perform at your best. The dear Captain may turn out to be a wrench, or perhaps a starship-sized thorn in your side."

"Neil isn't one to be bothered with," Tom replied, "he's my task, I suppose. I agree this station could use a bit more order and stability, but there is something to be said for the respect that the former Admiral was able to get from those who served under him. I wouldn't underestimate Captain Harrington, yes he has his faults but he's a good man. He will need our support, and this office will do everything it can to support the Captain in his new role."

"Of course, sir," Matilda said bowing her head. "I meant no offense, but my primary concern is you. I hope you will understand."

"None was taken, Petty Officer," Tom replied. "No matter what happens here the station will need support, that is our job. The appearance from this office can not appear to be undermining the Captain's authority. If the man slips up, it will be reported to me and regrettably, I will handle it."

Matilda nodded obligingly. She retrieved a PADD that had been under her arm and began tapping the screen. She looked up from the PADD to Rice. "In that case sir, where shall we begin?"

"For now, we will keep going here on the station," Tom replied, "even with the Commanding Officer back they will need all the help they can get. With no many extra visitors here and no way to ensure the computer systems are working properly, Harrington and team will need all the extra help possible." Tom looked over his notes, "right now, helping with notification. The Operations department will be releasing an EMP sooner or later. They will need this heavily coordinated, so no one gets stuck after it goes off. Perhaps you can help with notification."

"Of course, sir." she said bowing respectfully. "I will speak with Lieutenant Yoshida at once. Are there any other tasks that need to be attended to?"

Tom looked down at his padd, "nothing at this point," he nodded. "Thank you, Petty Officer."

---

Commodore Thomas Rice
Sector Commander

Chief Petty Officer Maridla Winterbottom
Sector Commander's Yeoman

 

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