Lieutenant Commander Josh Herrick: Well then...
Mark P
OOC: Appreciate your patience with me rounding this off Vio! Cue Majel’s Voice: And now the conclusion.
((Chief Engineer’s Office, Deck 20, USS Thor))
Josh hadn’t come down to the Chief Engineer's office looking for a fight, but to check up on the man. Instead, what he got was a bucket of unresolved issues. A chief engineer who was wrestling on the decisions he made that caused innocent loss of life.
Back on the Butler, Josh, Avander, and Lia, -- the Butler’s command team -- had reviewed the events. Rather than condemn the man, they awarded him commendations. He saved so much more pain and suffering in the long run, and while it may feel cold and calculated, Josh felt the action was justified. Particularly given Morro hadn’t set out to cause harm, the situation simply ran away from him.
Josh tried to frame it another way, trying to verbally shake the man into seeing reason.
Herrick: And, if this was one of your engineers who had caused that cascade? That had helped make sure the Butler got home? What would you have done then? What would you do now? Tell me Morro ::leaning back:: I’m all ears.
Caras: I probably would have recommended them for court martial. Reduction in rank at least. Brave? Sure. Thoughtless, yes. Callous? Yes. Possibly not fit for leadership, might need some counselling, might need some guidance.
Herrick: Well, Morro, we’re here now.
He waved his arm, signalling the fact that he was in the ‘chief engineer’s’ office.
Herrick: You either need to stand up or stand down. I’m sorry that you're struggling to see what we see. You need to give real thought to where you want your career to take you.
He paused, judging just how direct he wanted to be with the Orion.
Herrick: I need a leader… and I expect you to execute your duties as such. Is that going to be an issue?
Caras: No, commander, I understand. That doesn’t mean I have to like it, and it doesn’t mean you have to like me not liking it. There is no Starfleet rule that says we have to like our jobs, and that we all have to be friends while doing it. Being in the right place at the right time isn't always an enjoyable experience.
Internally, Josh winced at the comment about friendship. In the command manuals he read, one of the hardest moves was to command. Respect and duty trumped personal relationships, though amicability aided the team’s performance.
It reminded him of a blip he had with their Ops Chief when Josh was temporarily in command of the Butler. They got through the other side, and the first officer hoped it would be the same with the cheng.
Caras: I'm not at any risk of resigning. Not over this. Not anymore. So no worries there. Promontory made his choice. I am still here because it is the number one way to try and right any of my wrongs. It’s quite possible the people that were lost in that explosion are somehow tied to the Tangle. Dead? More than likely. But if there is any possibility that there is life, or memories, or remnants somewhere in the tangle. I’m going to be there, and I’m going to be Chief, so that I have some kind of power, decision making or otherwise, to do something about it.
There was a lot that the commander wanted to say in response to this latest statement. But he was self-aware enough to realize that continuing this conversation could push it too far in the wrong direction.
Herrick: Well, it seems like you’ve made your decision then. ::beat:: I’ll be taking up your suggestion to mandate additional counselling. Perhaps a more neutral party would be appropriate to work through some of these items. I don’t think there’s much more we can productively discuss on the matter.
Caras: (narrowing his eyes) Good. The door is over there.
With a half-frown, Josh gave a half-nod and spun about. As the doors parted and he left the chief engineer behind, he wondered if he was forging metal in the fire or pushing the man off a cliff. Time would tell.
[[End Scene for Herrick]]
OOC: Thank you Vio for being such a good sport. Looking forward to how this arc materializes!