2LT. Ithri Sh'shelor - "Blunt Honesty"
Amanda Nordstrom
((Gator Deck – Quarter Deck, Deck 12, USS Octavia E. Butler))
Michelle Winters was a fine officer, that Ithri knew. However, she had made a mistake. That mistake very well could have cost her the position she held, perhaps even her Starfleet Commission. Thinking over it, the Andorian suspected the former was true, the latter probably not. Starfleet did not dismiss people so quickly. Instead, they reprimanded and then tried to work with their people. This could be good and bad. In Winters’ case, it was good, because to lose her would be a detriment to them.
That being said, Winters did have a valid point, she had just gone about things the wrong way. In Starfleet, there was a process and one had to work in that process. That didn’t mean Winters had to sit back and accept the decision, but she had to fight it in the right way. Telling off the First Officer was not the right way.
Sh’shelor: I am not saying this. I am saying that if you think he is compromised, then you must prove it yourself. Take the action to protect rather than rage with words.
Winters: Where were you when I was in that room with the XO. (smiling) I could have used a cooler head for sure to reign me in.
Ithri snorted, for she knew full well she was not as cool a head as Winters thought he was, even if she was Andorian.
Sh’shelor: Did they threaten you with the brig?
Winters: (almost laughing) No, I’m pretty sure I was a sentence or two away from a straight jacket.
Ithri blinked and canted her head, her antennae twisting slightly atop her head. She did not understand what she meant by straight jacket. Was it one worn and cut completely straight rather than tailored to the angles of the body? If so, why would that have anything to do with her altercation with the First Officer? It must have, for she would not have mentioned it in such a way. Perhaps it was something they did to punish criminals on Earth.
Sh’shelor: Maybe you deserve that. But they did not do that, even though you were stupid, so you have another chance. Make sure you walk on the thick ice so you don’t fall in.
She paused as she considered a more Terran way to phrase her statement.
Sh’shelor: Don’t blow it.
Winters: This is what I like most about you Ithri. The honesty. No beating around a bush, no soft coating it. Pure, up front honesty. Don’t ever change that about you.
Ithri snorted lightly as Michelle rose. Their conversation was over, and she aimed for the door. The Andorian picked up her PADD and tapped the screen to wake it from its slumber when the other marine stopped and turned back to her with a more solemn expression.
Winters: I’d appreciate it if this could stay between us.
Sh’shelor: I will not chatter this.
Her smile returned, and with that, Winters stepped through the doors. Ithri stared at the panels that now blocked her view for a minute, shook her head, then picked up where she had left off.
[End for Ithri]
-- 2Lt Ithri Sh'shelor Marine Intelligence Officer USS 'Oumuamua M239008AD0
