Lieutenant Jack Kessler - Chief of Tactial
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((The Writer's Room, Deck 8, USS Octavia E. Butler))
Jack had not been to the ‘Writer’s Room’ yet and this awards ceremony that the Captain was hosting gave him the opportunity to see a new part of the ship. As he made his way into the room he looked around at all those gathered, nodding to a few and shaking hands with a few more that he knew as well.
Sighting the Security/Tactical table Jack made his way over towards the table converging on it about the same time that Lieutenant Commander Sherlock and Lieutenant Richards arrived as well.
Sherlock: Mister Richards, Mister Kessler. I trust you're both well?
Richards: I’m doing well, thank you.
Kessler: (nodding to both officers) Commander….Anton. Good to see you both.
Sherlock: ::to Kessler:: Is Michele not coming?
Richards: Oh. There's a Michele?
Jack looked from Sherlock to Anton and smirked.
Kessler: There was and (looking to Sherlock) I have not spoken o Michele today.
Sherlock: Either way, she should still be here. If anything, to at least make a good appearance.
oO Good appearance or good show…she might be good at both of those. Oo
Kessler: (looking to Anie) I would agree.
Richards: Wait, you mean Michele Winters? Captain Michele Winters?
Anton appeared to be in a deeper thought for a moment. Had he run into Michele on a bad day as Jack had? Hopefully not but if he had the story would be a good one, assuming the story came out. Jack had decided that his contact with Michele earlier in the week was best forgotten. As best as one could forget a strong right hook to the jaw.
Kessler: One in the same.
Sherlock: I'm ::beat:: going to assume there's something else I don't know.
Richards: Hey guys, I think the ceremony is about to start.
Anton glanced over in what appeared to be a random direction… and there was silence. Jack wanted to chuckle at the apparent divertion of the topic but then realized that the ceremony was about to start, just not in the way either of them thought.
Kessler: Well speak of the…….
Jack was cut off as Michele Winters stepped up and slapped a hand on the top of his right shoulder, gripping down rather firmly.
Winters: (smiling broadly) Watch it Jack….the devil has not entered the room just yet. (looking to Anie and Anton) Commander…Lieutenant.
Sherlock/Richards: Response.
Michele’s hand dropped from Jack’s shoulder and she stepped around to the side of the table closest to Anie.
Winters: Is this seat taken Commander?
Sherlock: Captain.
Richards: Response.
Kessler: Will Max or your other Marines be joining us?
Michele looked to Jack and then back to Sherlock.
Winters: I told them they were free to sit wherever they wanted but I would enjoy them here is they so choose.
Jack eyed Michele, trying to figure out her game. She was overly excited to be here and close to him. Something felt off and he was not entirely comfortable with it. Jack looked to Anton and grinned.
Kessler: Marines in a bar….it is all synthehol right? (grinning ear to ear)
The joke was to break the ice as best as he could and to see if Michele was really in a good mood or if she was playing at something altogether different.
Michele simply grinned back and then threw a look at Sherlock.
Winters: What are we drinking Commander?
Sherlock: Whiskey, neat. ::spying Lia approaching:: Heads up.
Richards: Response.
Jack stood as Captain Rouiancet stepped up to the table. He’d always felt full honors should be respected to all commanding officers regardless of formal or informal situations. It was something that his father had taught him and even to this moment, respected the rank and position of Captain above all else.
Rouiancet: Lieutenant Kessler, it's very good to have you back.
Kessler: Thank you Captain, it’s good to be back.
Winters: Captain.
Richards: Responses,
Rouiancet: (seriously) I'm very glad to see you here tonight especially. I would have sought you out regardless, but a promotion ceremony seems to me an auspicious time to ask if you would agree to service in tactical aboard the Butler. Perhaps, if you're ready, and Michele agrees, as chief of tactical. (to Michele) I don't want to presume, though, that you're ready to leave the position, Michele.
Jack clasped his hands behind his back and looked from Rouiancet to Michele and then back to the ships commanding officer. He didn’t know if this had been discussed with Michele yet and it had not been discussed with him so although he was hoping for reinstatement, he had not totally thought he’d be getting his old job back so quickly. Of all the departments on the ship, Jack did favor Tactical and something about protecting the ship and crew while Tactical seemed the best place for him.
Kessler: I am at your disposal Captain and happy to serve in Tactical again.
Michele might question Promontory or even Sherlock behind closed doors, but she would not ever question the ships commanding officer in a room like this unless lives seriously depended on it. Anie had told Michele she would be watching Jack like a hawk and for the moment that had to be enough for Michele as well. The Captain certainly did not need to get dragged into the drama Michele had created already so she would bide her time and watch as Anie had suggested they do.
Winters: I am ok with the change Captain. It will free up some time for me to really whip the Marines into shape for our upcoming mission.
Sherlock: ::letting out the breath through her nose, trying not to do so loudly:: I'm glad everyone's on-board. oODid I make that sound like a question again? No...Oo
Richards: Responses, if any
Rouiancet: (a nod) Very well. Yes, I'm pleased with that. (another smile) The Butler will be in good hands. Now, then...
Rouiancet: I remember that Commodore V'Airu used to say that "awarding" the Prisoner of War ribbon didn't feel right, that it was more like a (beat) recognition, I suppose, of an especially traumatic element of an officer's service history, one that others should be aware of. That's the spirit in which I present this to you, Aine.
Jack watched as Rouiancet awarded Sherlock the Prisoner of War Ribbon. One that Jack hoped he would not receive himself. Yes he’d been a prisoner, but there was nothing in that, that he felt should be awarded. Yes he knew the thought behind it and the ability to survive and overcome the odds but to him, reinstatement and getting back to his job was award enough and he really hoped that there was not one of those in a box for him.
Sherlock: Thank you, Captain. I'll wear it proudly. oODon't lie!Oo
Kessler: Congratulations Commander. Sorry I was not here to lend a hand.
Michele turned to Anie and lifted the corner of her lip in a smile.
Winters: Let’s not have this become a pattern Commander, I’d hate to have to assign a Marine detail to your away missions. (grin turning into a full smile) Congratulations on getting out of there alive.
Richards: Responses, if any
Anie nodded to each and Jack watched as Captain Rouiancet departed the table. oO Thank god. Oo Anie’s voice turned him back to the group.
Sherlock: How about that drink?
Michele looked to Anie with a wide smile on her face and decided to ignore the situation hanging over the table altogether.
Winters: Sure, sounds good.
Kessler: (unsure of what was going on with Michele) Sure, I think I need a double though.
Richards: response
As Jacked started to step away from the table a familiar face and voice stepped up.
Cabrillo: Kessler! I’d heard you were alive and back aboard.
Michele turned in her spot to see TK Cabrillo behind her. A bit surprised that he had not already seen Jack since he had been hand picked back Jack to go on the mission Michele had been left out of. She smiled and patted him on the chest right where he’d been hit by weapons fire.
Winters: You all healed up TK? Taking a round in the chest for Jack is no short order.
TK looked to Michele and flinched as she patted his chest. Not that it still hurt but he certainly did not welcome the contact and it was a little more forceful of a pat than he thought she meant it to be.
Kessler: TK, I am so happy you are ok.
Cabrillo: Careful Captain, I just had this uniform pressed.
Sherlock/Richards: response
Michele looked to Anie and then back to Cabrillo. Her smile faded and took on a more questionable look.
Winters: (looking to Anie) Excuse me Commander. The Lieutenant and I have something to discuss.
Michele stepped towards Cabrillo and lightly grabbed his upper arm and leaned in close to him while keeping her back to Jack.
Cabrillo: We do?
Winters: Come with me, I need to talk to you right now.
Michele started away from the table and tugged at Cabrillo who turned and followed the Marine away from the group and eventually out of the room completely.
Jack looked to Richards and then Sherlock and then to the exit that Michele and TK had just disappeared through.
Kessler: Excuse me Commander…Lieutenant. I think I need to check on my new posting.
Sherlock/Richards: response
Jack offered a nod to both and hurried out of the room leaving the same way Michele and TK had.
[[End of Scene for Jack Kessler and Michele Winters]]
Lieutenant Jack Kessler
Chief Tactical Officer
USS Octavia E. Butler
T239901JK1
&
Captain Michele Winters
Acting Chief Tactical Officer
USS Octavia E. Butler
T239901JK1