Lt Cmdr. Avander Promontory: Trading One Problem for Another
Avander Promontory
((First Officer's Office, Deck 3, USS Octavia E. Butler))
When Avander had accepted Commander Rouiancet’s invitation to be her new FO, he had felt honored and a little inadequate, or at least under-prepared. Being second-in-command was a big responsibility and involved a lot of important decisions.
However, since he began acting in that capacity, Avander had begun to wonder if that was just the mystique of it all. Most of what he had been tasked to do involved endless amounts of PADDwork and dealing with personnel issues.
Like the one that had interrupted his and Commander Sherlock’s planning session.
No one had been more pleased to see the return of Jack Kesseler, but the anxious man who stood in front of them seemed a bit shook up by his recent imprisonment. oO And understandably so. Oo Avander’s mind hastened to add.
But still, in Avander’s new role he outranked Jack and, if push came to shove, he would have to order the man to counseling.
And not with Counselor Salo. Learning of their amorous entanglement was just another headache that came with command. To say nothing of the fact that their current (acting) chief of tactical was apparently another of Jack’s paramours!
But Jack had assured them both that that wouldn’t be a problem and almost began to beg to be reinstated.
Promontory: We can only do so much. You’re going to need to get an official chit from Medical—physical and psychological. And I think my replacement would also like to have a word before your security clearance is restored. (smiling officiously) But I’m sure that can all be taken care of post haste. It will give you something to do while we get the rosters updated.
Kessler: Very well, to medical and the councilors offices it will be then.
oO And the new Intel Chief... Oo Avander's replacement certainly wouldn't let Jack off easily.
Sherlock: We'll make sure you're back on the bridge before we push off, Lieutenant. Just make sure you get all those boxes checked.
Avander arched an eyebrow at Aine. At least she had made the promise conditional.
Kessler: Thank you sir, that would be nice.
Promontory: It’s good to have you back, Jack. Let’s just make sure you’re ready before we throw you all the way back in.
Sherlock: Is there anything else we can do for you? Anything you need?
Avander could see that Jack had more on his mind. Of course, there was more. oO This job really never ends, does it!? Oo
Kessler: (pausing to reflect on the question) Yes actually. I need access to the communications systems and an encrypted, secured transmission for Commodore V’Airu only. It pertains to my capture and the mission (beat) I mean the outcome of the botched mission.
That set off alarm bells. In his role as an intelligence officer, Avander had been involved in the original sanctioning of the “unsanctioned” mission with the Commodore. Furthermore, he was used to the need for compartmentalization of information. However, something felt off about Jack’s request and he would have felt much better if this request was coming from the Commodore.
Promontory: Can you say more about your need?
Kessler: (looking at both officers) It was a personal request from the Commodore. I am afraid I do not have permission to discuss this with anyone other than her.
Sherlock: ::said suspiciously:: I see.
oO How much more clearance do I need to have to be privy to this!? Oo The former intelligence officer and current first officer kept that thought to himself.
Promontory: I don’t know that personal messages warrant special use of restricted equipment.
Avander knew what Jack was intimating but seized on his use of the phrase ‘personal request’ to try to create a little space for discussion, but Jack was insistent.
Kessler: I can record the message and have it transmitted but I am afraid it must be classified and encrypted only for the Commodore.
Sherlock: You do understand, that for us ::gesturing back and forth with her PADD to Promontory and herself:: this is a difficult request to fulfill. At least, prior to having your clearance reinstated.
Promontory: (nodding) And there’s the rub. Get your clearances or give us some more to work with Jack.
Kessler: (standing as if ready to leave) I am sorry but I cannot say more Commander.
oO Why did I ever agree to this role!? Oo Working with data was vastly simpler to working with people. More of the problems in intelligence work could be solved by the application of a phaser. Avander suspected that their head of security might agree.
Before Jack could make his grand exit and leave the first and second officers to discuss the matter further, the door chimed.
oO Again!? It really never stops, does it!? Oo But aloud, he simply bade them enter.
Promontory: Come!
A marine strode aggressively through the door.
oO Speak of the devil and the devil appears! Oo
It was none other than Michele Winters, Jack’s replacement at Tactical.
Winters: (stepping in and towards Jack) Jack. (beat, looking to each other officer) Commanders.
Kessler: Michele, good to see you.
From the energy Avander sensed between the two, it was not, in fact, good to see her.
Sherlock: Captain Winters. I assume this isn't a social visit?
Promontory: (giving in to the inevitability of a parade of officers needing things) What can we do for you?
Winters: (looking at Jack) I’m sorry Mr. Kessler but this involves official ships business for the XO. I am going to have to ask that you leave.
For a moment the tension was thicker than mulligatawny. Avander silently wished Iljor was here to handle it.
Kessler: I’ll take my leave then sirs.
Sherlock: Thank you, Lieutenant. Just make sure you get your checks.
Promontory: We’ll review the rest of your request after that point.
Avander gave Jack a nod and felt the tension drop (slightly) at the man’s departure. Michele, however, still had something weighing her down.
Sherlock: At ease Captain, have a seat.
Avander considered offering his new guest a beverage, but she didn’t seem to want to be hosted, instead, getting right to the point of her visit.
Winters: response
Sherlock: Tactical is where he's most experienced and his last occupational specialty. Is it a problem?
Winters: response
Promontory: (enunciating his words carefully) We take our acting tactical chief’s opinions on the matter seriously. (beat) This is a professional concern, not a personal one?
Winters/Sherlock: Response
Promontory: I see.
Whether or not Avander actually saw was debatable. But he certainly wasn’t going to make any decision on the spur of the moment—and not one of his first major personnel conflicts in front of one of the parties.
Winters/Sherlock: Response
Promontory: (firmly) I said, we’ll take it under advisement. (beat) Now is there anything else you feel we ought to know?
Winters/Sherlock: Response
Tags/TBC
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