Lt Cmdr. Avander Promontory: I Said 'DISMISSED!'
Avander Promontory
((First Officers Office, Deck 3, USS Octavia E. Butler))
Some of his first official acts as XO weren’t exactly enamoring him to the job. The PADDwork was interrupted by an anxious Jack Kessler, but before he could be sent on his way to get his clearances reinstated, Captain Michele Winters barged in and began issuing orders.
oO She does realize that a Marine Captain doesn’t outrank Lieutenant Commanders, right? Oo Avander’s inner monologue was getting a workout.
The marine wouldn’t even sit down, always a sign that the conversation was going to remain tense, but while the first and second officers put in a valiant effort to remain neutral and noncommittal themselves, it seemed that Mr. Winters wouldn’t be placated.
In the face of her obstinance, Avander was forced to conclude that this matter was, in fact, personal, not just professional. Professional matters could be dealt with in a calm, collected, rational manner. Emotions made people passionate beyond reason.
Avander was anxious to get the woman out of his office and to give the matter some time for reflection. Avander felt he was a patient man, but the insistent attacks on the judgement of leadership was wearing on him.
Promontory: (firmly) I said, we’ll take it under advisement. (beat) Now is there anything else you feel we ought to know?
Winters: Only that you are putting the ship at risk by reinstating him.
oO We’re not reinstating him—not yet at least! Oo It took a significant amount of effort on Avander’s part not to immediately correct the woman.
Sherlock: And we will determine that once he's undergone evaluation.
Promontory: We have had no evidence that Jack is compromised, but rest assured, as the Commander said, he’ll go through all appropriate and necessary checks before he’s reinstated.
Winters: Sir, Jack is compromised whether you want to admit it or not. He convinced you and Commodore V’Airu to allow an unsanctioned mission to rescue supposed Starfleet personnel from Zet forces. A mission that was driven by his desire to find his parents. (beat) What do you think was foremost on his mind?
oO Aren’t junior officers supposed to ask permission to speak freely? Oo It seemed that he would be denied even that perk of the job.
Promontory: As I recall, he was eager to move on actionable intel that could lead to the recovery of a pair of high-ranking Starfleet officers. (beat) I’m sure half a year in a Zet prison has mitigated this drive you speak of.
Avander was hoping to garner a modicum of sympathy for the former Tactical Chief. In that, he failed.
Winters: No sir, that drive is still very much alive in him. Jack does not back off from anything. Especially family. He’ll put more people in danger to go back after them if he found any evidence at all that they are alive.
Promontory: And you’re uncomfortable with people being put in danger to save Starfleet personnel?
If Jack had gone off half-cocked (which, to be fair, he fairly nearly had), these arguments would carry more weight. But a number of high-ranking officers had made a very deliberate cost-benefit analysis, and Avander felt Captain Winters wasn’t acknowledging that.
Sherlock: Is it possible that your personal relationship with him is clouding your judgement?
Winters: With all due respect Commander, I am not sure that it is not you who is not thinking clearly on this matter.
oO I’m not sure that was with all due respect… Oo
Aine, fortunately, took the attack in stride.
Sherlock: ::firmly:: Your concerns are duly noted, ::beat:: Captain.
The woman was still seething and Avander thought it best to warn her off.
Promontory: Mr. Winters, Commander Sherlock oO and I Oo have patiently heard you out, but these continued attacks are out of line.
Winters: Out of line…you bet I am. If a Marine is not out of line in defense of their post then they are not doing their job. Or did you forget what Greaves taught you sir? (beat dropping both hands from her back and placing them on Promontory’s desk) If you want an officer who is going to say ‘yes sir’ and play nice then go ahead and reinstate Jack. I won’t be that officer.
oO Well, that backfired! Oo Avander had to admit, he was a little bit flustered at the ridiculous implications and again at the invoking of Colonel Greaves. And the hands on his desk. Ironically, her description of a good marine officer was oddly similar to the very things she had, a moment ago, been laying as charges against Jack.
Sherlock: Captain Winters! (beat) Stand at ease. ::setting her PADD on the desk and standing next to Winters, she spoke in an affirmative manner:: We hear what you're saying, Captain. But you will maintain your bearing, is that understood?
Avander was glad to have Aine on the command team. Although her size was diminutive, she stood her ground. If Avander had been the recipient of the face-to-face stare that the security officer was giving the marine, he would have been quite intimidated.
Perhaps Avander could be the “nice commander” and Aine could be the “mean commander” going forward…
Winters: response
Avander swallowed a sigh.
Promontory: Once more, we will take everything you’ve said under advisement.
Sherlock: We will make a decision. That decision will be final and it WILL be respected. And regardless of that decision, we will not allow it to affect other departments negatively and cause systemic issues throughout this ship.
Winters: response
Sherlock: Now if there's nothing else ::beat:: you're dismissed.
Winters: response
Promontory: The Commander said you were dismissed.
There was nothing more that would be gained by continuing this conversation with Winters at this time.
Winters/Sherlock: Response
As Winters finally vacated the office, Avander unclenched his muscles, which had, apparently, been all tensed up.
Promontory: I hope that’s not indicative of a typical day for the command team.
Sherlock: Response
Promontory: Agreed. Let’s take up the issue tomorrow, after we get the med, psych, and intel reports.
Sherlock: Response
Avander sighed again and looked at the stack of PADDs. While he wasn’t exactly eager to engage with the staffing issues in engineering or the reports of weird transporter activity, at least those tasks didn’t come with a marine chewing him out.
[END SCENE: Avander]
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