Captain Roshanara Rahman: Answering the Call
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Roshanara Rahman
Oct 5, 2024, 2:57:05 AM10/5/24
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((Robert April Pavillion, Starfleet Command, San Francisco, Earth))
Rahman: Rebecca Iko, I am pleased to see the growth you’ve displayed as an officer. At Starfleet’s darkest hour, your actions helped lead others to do their best. Furthermore, Ambassador Vataix notes that your service aboard Amity as acting chief of security has been superb. As such, it is my pleasure on her behalf to not only promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander but also to that of Amity’s official chief of security. Congratulations.
Iko: Thank you, Captain.
Lieutenant Iko's companion looked over at her with a smile before bumping her with his elbow.
Rahman: As a former chief engineer myself, you’ll forgive me if I prefer to assess engineers with my own eyes. And what I’ve seen of you as the Kitty Hawk’s final chief engineer confirms her words. Captain MacKenzie and her first officer Commander Dakora likewise wanted it known how well you carried out your duties on the Artemis. From what I saw, you had your hands just as full as we did once everything went to hell.
N. Richards: It certainly wasn’t easy, ma’am.
Rahman: But from the hottest fires of hell can the strongest steel be forged, and your leadership will no doubt serve as that unbreakable bar that others can hold onto in times of crisis. I’m pleased to promote you on Ambassador Vataix’s behalf to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Congratulations!
N. Richards: Thank you, Captain.
This time, it was Iko who gave a playful tap to Richards, with a pat on the back.
N. Richards: We will make it. We always do.
His smile faded as he sent a question back to the captain.
N. Richards: What’s next for you, Captain?
Rahman: Well, assuming they don't consider Kitty Hawk a total loss and spare the mandatory court martial... I'm not sure yet, Commander.
Iko chimed in without missing a beat.
Iko: We wouldn't mind your presence in the Delta Quadrant. Amity's apparently a bit of a ghost town at the moment.
Rahman: We'll see... I wouldn't be opposed to returning out there. I'd considered taking a sabbatical with the end of Kitty Hawk's mission in the Delta Quadrant, but after what's happened, I'm prepared to go where the fleet needs me.
Iko: Did you ever strive to be captain? Or did it just sort of happen?
Roshanara chuckled at the memory of how she'd found herself on the command track.
Kells: Speaking of, I’d like to reinstate you for active starship duty.
Captain Kells' voice, which had verged a little on the gruff when he recalled without specifics their first meeting, was nevertheless chipper when he suggested her reinstatement.
Roshanara's response was a little more guarded.
Rahman: ...thank you, captain, but I don’t understand the need.
Unless he was planning to replace Tristam.
Rahman: Wait. Captain. While I appreciate the gesture, Commander Core shouldn’t be bumped from his position out of a sense of… loyalty.
It wasn’t fair. Whatever Tristam might think about his abilities, he’d shown since he’d taken the position last year that he had what it takes to lead an engineering department, most notably in his dedication to their safety during the Kindred incident.
Kells: Oh, I’m not thinking of replacing Core. No, I’m thinking much closer to home. ::beat:: You know Egan Manno took Bakari with her.
Of the bridge officers that remained, Mei’konda was the natural choice to succeed him, though he would have been rather young to be given the responsibility of XO. Still, Roshanara had gotten the privilege to witness how much the Caitian had developed from his first days as an ensign straight from the Academy.
But wait. Surely if he already had picked Mei’konda or even Delano, then why had he called to see her--
Oh no.
Kells: I’m assigning you as my first officer.
She just looked back at him for what seemed like the longest moment, blinking once.
Kells: Well, say something!
She hesitated, not exactly sure what there was to say! Maybe she’d heard him incorrectly.
So many thoughts and possible reactions were rushing through her mind to what he’d just said. Shock. Confusion. Fear. Anger.
Oh, to hell with it! If he wanted to know what she thought, then she’d let him know, damn him!
Rahman: Um, permission to speak freely, sir?
Kells: I think I just gave it.
She nodded, taking a deep breath before furrowing her brow.
Rahman: Are you out of your #@%$-ing mind?!
Kells: ...Not that freely.
Rahman: Rebecca Iko, I am pleased to see the growth you’ve displayed as an officer. At Starfleet’s darkest hour, your actions helped lead others to do their best. Furthermore, Ambassador Vataix notes that your service aboard Amity as acting chief of security has been superb. As such, it is my pleasure on her behalf to not only promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander but also to that of Amity’s official chief of security. Congratulations.
Iko: Thank you, Captain.
Lieutenant Iko's companion looked over at her with a smile before bumping her with his elbow.
N. Richards: Good job.
Roshanara then turned to the engineer.
Rahman: Nathan Richards, the Ambassador was *quite* excited to relay to me her praises and assessment of your performance as Amity’s chief of operations.
N. Richards: ::Smirking, playfully rolling his eyes:: Of course she did.
It would seem the three officers all understood just how... cheerful and enthusiastic the blonde Betazoid was compared to the usual Starfleet way of doing things, especially when it came to performance evaluations.
Roshanara then turned to the engineer.
Rahman: Nathan Richards, the Ambassador was *quite* excited to relay to me her praises and assessment of your performance as Amity’s chief of operations.
N. Richards: ::Smirking, playfully rolling his eyes:: Of course she did.
It would seem the three officers all understood just how... cheerful and enthusiastic the blonde Betazoid was compared to the usual Starfleet way of doing things, especially when it came to performance evaluations.
Rahman: As a former chief engineer myself, you’ll forgive me if I prefer to assess engineers with my own eyes. And what I’ve seen of you as the Kitty Hawk’s final chief engineer confirms her words. Captain MacKenzie and her first officer Commander Dakora likewise wanted it known how well you carried out your duties on the Artemis. From what I saw, you had your hands just as full as we did once everything went to hell.
N. Richards: It certainly wasn’t easy, ma’am.
Rahman: But from the hottest fires of hell can the strongest steel be forged, and your leadership will no doubt serve as that unbreakable bar that others can hold onto in times of crisis. I’m pleased to promote you on Ambassador Vataix’s behalf to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Congratulations!
N. Richards: Thank you, Captain.
This time, it was Iko who gave a playful tap to Richards, with a pat on the back.
Iko: You done well, mate.
Rahman: ::nods:: I know it may seem strange to get "rewarded" after such a harrowing ordeal, but this is really about new responsibilities that have been thrust upon both of you.
Rahman: ::nods:: I know it may seem strange to get "rewarded" after such a harrowing ordeal, but this is really about new responsibilities that have been thrust upon both of you.
N. Richards: Things really are going to be different, aren’t they?
Iko: ::slow nod:: Certainly is mate… Certainly is…
Rahman: Yes. And you should note... with three pips on your collars now, you'll be looked at differently by your fellow officers. You won't just be "one of the crew." People will look up to you as role models. Everything you say and do will carry a bit more weight to it--and be taken far more seriously than you may have intended.
Richards for his part simply returned a smile.
Iko: ::slow nod:: Certainly is mate… Certainly is…
Rahman: Yes. And you should note... with three pips on your collars now, you'll be looked at differently by your fellow officers. You won't just be "one of the crew." People will look up to you as role models. Everything you say and do will carry a bit more weight to it--and be taken far more seriously than you may have intended.
Richards for his part simply returned a smile.
N. Richards: We will make it. We always do.
His smile faded as he sent a question back to the captain.
N. Richards: What’s next for you, Captain?
Rahman: Well, assuming they don't consider Kitty Hawk a total loss and spare the mandatory court martial... I'm not sure yet, Commander.
Iko chimed in without missing a beat.
Iko: We wouldn't mind your presence in the Delta Quadrant. Amity's apparently a bit of a ghost town at the moment.
Rahman: We'll see... I wouldn't be opposed to returning out there. I'd considered taking a sabbatical with the end of Kitty Hawk's mission in the Delta Quadrant, but after what's happened, I'm prepared to go where the fleet needs me.
N. Richards: Response
Iko returned a heavy nod.
Iko returned a heavy nod.
Iko: Yes. The Alpha Quadrant needs as many friendly faces as it can get too.
N. Richards: Response
Rahman: But either way, I'm sure you both will play a pivotal part in helping the Ambassador get Amity Outpost get back on its feet.
Iko looked down at the floor for a moment before gazing back up at Roshanara.
N. Richards: Response
Rahman: But either way, I'm sure you both will play a pivotal part in helping the Ambassador get Amity Outpost get back on its feet.
Iko looked down at the floor for a moment before gazing back up at Roshanara.
Iko: Ah… Thank you. Captain. Again. I don't think I ever really planned on getting this far.
The young woman hesitated for a moment before following up with another question.
The young woman hesitated for a moment before following up with another question.
Iko: Did you ever strive to be captain? Or did it just sort of happen?
Roshanara chuckled at the memory of how she'd found herself on the command track.
((FLASHBACK: Ready Room, USS Garuda - Nine Years Ago - 2392))
Kells: Speaking of, I’d like to reinstate you for active starship duty.
Captain Kells' voice, which had verged a little on the gruff when he recalled without specifics their first meeting, was nevertheless chipper when he suggested her reinstatement.
Roshanara's response was a little more guarded.
Rahman: ...thank you, captain, but I don’t understand the need.
Unless he was planning to replace Tristam.
Rahman: Wait. Captain. While I appreciate the gesture, Commander Core shouldn’t be bumped from his position out of a sense of… loyalty.
It wasn’t fair. Whatever Tristam might think about his abilities, he’d shown since he’d taken the position last year that he had what it takes to lead an engineering department, most notably in his dedication to their safety during the Kindred incident.
Kells: Oh, I’m not thinking of replacing Core. No, I’m thinking much closer to home. ::beat:: You know Egan Manno took Bakari with her.
Of the bridge officers that remained, Mei’konda was the natural choice to succeed him, though he would have been rather young to be given the responsibility of XO. Still, Roshanara had gotten the privilege to witness how much the Caitian had developed from his first days as an ensign straight from the Academy.
But wait. Surely if he already had picked Mei’konda or even Delano, then why had he called to see her--
Oh no.
Kells: I’m assigning you as my first officer.
She just looked back at him for what seemed like the longest moment, blinking once.
Kells: Well, say something!
She hesitated, not exactly sure what there was to say! Maybe she’d heard him incorrectly.
So many thoughts and possible reactions were rushing through her mind to what he’d just said. Shock. Confusion. Fear. Anger.
Oh, to hell with it! If he wanted to know what she thought, then she’d let him know, damn him!
Rahman: Um, permission to speak freely, sir?
Kells: I think I just gave it.
She nodded, taking a deep breath before furrowing her brow.
Rahman: Are you out of your #@%$-ing mind?!
Kells: ...Not that freely.
((END FLASHBACK))
Rahman: I went from engineering to command because I was asked to by my captain at the time to serve as his first officer. And he did have to convince me, mind you...
She let a small smile creep up across her face.
Rahman: ...but I'm glad he did. I must admit that I have found it a rather satisfying role to play in the fleet.
N. Richards: Response
Iko: Response
Rahman: Do either of you hold such ambitions?
Iko/N. Richards: Response
Rahman: I see... and perhaps any things else in the short-term?
Iko/N. Richards: Response
She nodded.
Rahman: Well, if you need a letter of recommendation or some appointments set up with the right people, don't hesitate to let me know. I like to think I've earned a favors and connections across the fleet.
Iko/N. Richards: Response
TAG! TBC...
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