Lieutenant Christopher Caldwell: Expectations
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Chris M
Oct 7, 2024, 5:27:44 PM10/7/24
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((Captain's Ready Room, Deck 1, USS Astraeus))
Mei’konda: Well, Lieutenant, I have a few thoughts on what you’ve told me. You haad a lot to say, and I appreciaate your honesty. Officers who know how and when to speaak their mind are important to me.
He took a moment to study the Caitian's eyes, trying to get a better sense of how his Captain was thinking. He hadn't yelled at him, that was a good sign. So why was he nervous?
oO Because he hasn't answered the question and no is one of the quickest and easiest words there is. Oo
Caldwell: I appreciate that Sir. And... your thoughts?
Mei’konda: Insofar as your questiion is concerned? It is more complicaated than right or wrong.
That wasn't the answer that he was hoping for. in his mind it was that simple. His mind raced as he tried to think of where he'd made an error in explaining his thought process, trying to recall the exact words he had used and the order in which he had used them, running a level four diagnostic on his own communication system and looking for errors. He had hoped he would spot an error that he could correct, he wasn't finding one.
Caldwell: Could you expand on that, Sir?
Mei’konda: You consiidered an action, and offered it to Commander Alentonis, accordiing to your conscience. I can understand and respect thaat, Lieutenant. However, in so doing, you flagraantly ignored the chain of command, and more importaantly, you either consiidered your judgment and experience to be superior to that of the command staff of this ship, or your emotions overwhelmed you in the moment.
He felt his jaw tighten as he bristled at the Captain's words. He allowed himself a moment, taking a breath before replying, yelling at a superior officer was unlikely to make the situation any better. The extra time he gave himself didn't seem to help, he was no less annoyed and no clearer on what he could say, he had to stall for time.
Caldwell: Please continue.
Mei’konda: I assiigned Commander Alentonis to accompaany you and the reset of his team because it diversified your available skillsets on an unprediictable mission. He did not haave time to give you a science lesson. Choosiing away team composiition is my job, or that of the First Officer. As an away team leader, yours is to maake use of the personnel you haave at your disposal.
His chair suddenly felt incredibly uncomfortable, he shifted slightly trying to get more comfortable as he considered what he was being told. He didn't entirely disagree with the Captain but that didn't mean he was in agreement with him. Still, with the power imbalance as a result of rank and position, agreeing to disagree wasn't an option, the Captain's word was law.
Caldwell: You said that I'm not in trouble?
Mei’konda: No. I’m sure that all of us will look baack over the next few years and thiink of decisions we could have made differently that would have led to a better outcome. We’ll leaarn from our mistakes, and do better in the future. Let me tell you what I expect from you in the future, Lieutenant.
oO Let me tell you what your teeth can expect from my fist in the future. Oo
He didn't mean it of course, but he was angry, he just wasn't entirely sure who with yet, the Captain or himself, that uncertainty didn't help matters.
Caldwell: Please do, Sir.
Mei’konda: I expect you to contiinue to live up to the high expectations I set on Astraeus, as you haave been doing all along. I also expect you grow better in crisis situations, to remember that Starfleet regulaations exist for a reason and to maake them a part of who you are, and how you think. In return, Lieutenant, I promiise to keep an open mind, and to listen to your opinion whenever I’m able.
Whilst he was mindful of the fact that the conversation could be going very much worse, he had hoped it would be going a lot better, it was most definitely feeling like a loss.
Mei’konda: Ultimaately, Lieutenant, when I have listened to the experts I staff this ship with and come to a deciision, I expect all of my officers - particularly those more senior amongst this crew - to do their very best to carry them out. Understood?
Caldwell: Yes Sir.
Mei’konda: Now, I don’t waant this to be a dictaation any more than I do any of my other conversations, Lieutenant. What are your thoughts?
He cradled his brow with the thumb and forefinger of his right hand.
Caldwell: Are you sure it's honesty that you want?
Mei'konda: Response.
Caldwell: Well, my thoughts are...
He sighed and took a sip of his tea. Feeling a little weary.
oO Nope, if he wants honesty that's what he is getting. Oo
He locked eyes with the Captain, straightening up.
Caldwell: ::Sternly:: Well, firstly Sir, may I say that I'm not sure about your taste in tea. Secondly, I think I might be starting to understand why it was that the Changeling tried to strangle you to death! ::His expression softened:: Sir.
He'd made the Captain laugh once before, in the Pagati Lounge just after his first mission aboard. It was risky, but he thought the risk to reward ratio was just about in his favour.
Mei'konda: Response.
Caldwell: I do hear what you are saying, I just didn't want to rule out the possibility until I had to, that there might be a way for me to still achieve the mission whilst putting one less life at risk. Maybe I shouldn't have even had the thought and I am genuinely sorry if the existence of the thought and then evaluating that thought in anyway comes across as me thinking I knew better than you did. That isn't my belief and it certainly wasn't my intention... I apologise if that's how it came across.
Mei'konda: Response.
Caldwell: In the spirit of honest feedback, can I ask a question?
Mei'konda: Response.
Caldwell: Why did you put me in command of the away mission? Commander Alentonis was the senior officer assigned and even putting that to one side, there were other senior or just more experienced officers available. Why me?
Mei'konda: Response.
Mei’konda: Well, Lieutenant, I have a few thoughts on what you’ve told me. You haad a lot to say, and I appreciaate your honesty. Officers who know how and when to speaak their mind are important to me.
He took a moment to study the Caitian's eyes, trying to get a better sense of how his Captain was thinking. He hadn't yelled at him, that was a good sign. So why was he nervous?
oO Because he hasn't answered the question and no is one of the quickest and easiest words there is. Oo
Caldwell: I appreciate that Sir. And... your thoughts?
Mei’konda: Insofar as your questiion is concerned? It is more complicaated than right or wrong.
That wasn't the answer that he was hoping for. in his mind it was that simple. His mind raced as he tried to think of where he'd made an error in explaining his thought process, trying to recall the exact words he had used and the order in which he had used them, running a level four diagnostic on his own communication system and looking for errors. He had hoped he would spot an error that he could correct, he wasn't finding one.
Caldwell: Could you expand on that, Sir?
Mei’konda: You consiidered an action, and offered it to Commander Alentonis, accordiing to your conscience. I can understand and respect thaat, Lieutenant. However, in so doing, you flagraantly ignored the chain of command, and more importaantly, you either consiidered your judgment and experience to be superior to that of the command staff of this ship, or your emotions overwhelmed you in the moment.
He felt his jaw tighten as he bristled at the Captain's words. He allowed himself a moment, taking a breath before replying, yelling at a superior officer was unlikely to make the situation any better. The extra time he gave himself didn't seem to help, he was no less annoyed and no clearer on what he could say, he had to stall for time.
Caldwell: Please continue.
Mei’konda: I assiigned Commander Alentonis to accompaany you and the reset of his team because it diversified your available skillsets on an unprediictable mission. He did not haave time to give you a science lesson. Choosiing away team composiition is my job, or that of the First Officer. As an away team leader, yours is to maake use of the personnel you haave at your disposal.
His chair suddenly felt incredibly uncomfortable, he shifted slightly trying to get more comfortable as he considered what he was being told. He didn't entirely disagree with the Captain but that didn't mean he was in agreement with him. Still, with the power imbalance as a result of rank and position, agreeing to disagree wasn't an option, the Captain's word was law.
Caldwell: You said that I'm not in trouble?
Mei’konda: No. I’m sure that all of us will look baack over the next few years and thiink of decisions we could have made differently that would have led to a better outcome. We’ll leaarn from our mistakes, and do better in the future. Let me tell you what I expect from you in the future, Lieutenant.
oO Let me tell you what your teeth can expect from my fist in the future. Oo
He didn't mean it of course, but he was angry, he just wasn't entirely sure who with yet, the Captain or himself, that uncertainty didn't help matters.
Caldwell: Please do, Sir.
Mei’konda: I expect you to contiinue to live up to the high expectations I set on Astraeus, as you haave been doing all along. I also expect you grow better in crisis situations, to remember that Starfleet regulaations exist for a reason and to maake them a part of who you are, and how you think. In return, Lieutenant, I promiise to keep an open mind, and to listen to your opinion whenever I’m able.
Whilst he was mindful of the fact that the conversation could be going very much worse, he had hoped it would be going a lot better, it was most definitely feeling like a loss.
Mei’konda: Ultimaately, Lieutenant, when I have listened to the experts I staff this ship with and come to a deciision, I expect all of my officers - particularly those more senior amongst this crew - to do their very best to carry them out. Understood?
Caldwell: Yes Sir.
Mei’konda: Now, I don’t waant this to be a dictaation any more than I do any of my other conversations, Lieutenant. What are your thoughts?
He cradled his brow with the thumb and forefinger of his right hand.
Caldwell: Are you sure it's honesty that you want?
Mei'konda: Response.
Caldwell: Well, my thoughts are...
He sighed and took a sip of his tea. Feeling a little weary.
oO Nope, if he wants honesty that's what he is getting. Oo
He locked eyes with the Captain, straightening up.
Caldwell: ::Sternly:: Well, firstly Sir, may I say that I'm not sure about your taste in tea. Secondly, I think I might be starting to understand why it was that the Changeling tried to strangle you to death! ::His expression softened:: Sir.
He'd made the Captain laugh once before, in the Pagati Lounge just after his first mission aboard. It was risky, but he thought the risk to reward ratio was just about in his favour.
Mei'konda: Response.
Caldwell: I do hear what you are saying, I just didn't want to rule out the possibility until I had to, that there might be a way for me to still achieve the mission whilst putting one less life at risk. Maybe I shouldn't have even had the thought and I am genuinely sorry if the existence of the thought and then evaluating that thought in anyway comes across as me thinking I knew better than you did. That isn't my belief and it certainly wasn't my intention... I apologise if that's how it came across.
Mei'konda: Response.
Caldwell: In the spirit of honest feedback, can I ask a question?
Mei'konda: Response.
Caldwell: Why did you put me in command of the away mission? Commander Alentonis was the senior officer assigned and even putting that to one side, there were other senior or just more experienced officers available. Why me?
Mei'konda: Response.
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