Cmdr Blake, "Truth."

[Deliera Jay]

((XO's office))

Blake: ...so that's it.

On the other end of the com-call, Rairen Caide's dark eyebrows were pulled together, black Trill spots crinkled at his temples. He'd just received ten minutes worth of an information dump. His eyes were contemplative -- that much Blake could see despite the low resolution of the call.

The Trill responded to her dilemma with silence. Blake swallowed, fidgeting at her desk.

Blake: I-- It's crazy. I don't even know where the offer came from. I think I should--

Caide: Take it.

Her chest stuttered. She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. Caide looked back at her (through the display).

Blake: What?

Caide: I think you should take it.

Blake: ...but... ::quietly:: I want to stay with you.

A sympathetic smile tugged at the corners of Caide's mouth. Though she'd said those words, they both knew it wasn't exactly in that context. They hadn't stood in a room together for a little under a month now. Such was usually the case -- Caide was on Esperance, finishing up na-Soldim's trial proceedings. Eventually, he would leave to go back into the Shoals. He wasn't sure where.

Blake, meanwhile, had planned to take that trip with him. Veritas was undergoing a major refit -- technically she was out of a job. And she liked being a ranger. She enjoyed it.

She liked Caide more, though.

Caide: There's nothing that says you can't.

Blake: I'm fairly sure I'd be tied to a desk.

Caide: You're tied to a desk right now, Blake. It just happens to be moving. Besides, I think this is an excellent opportunity for you.

Blake: How so?

Caide: You always talk about how there's no communication between Starfleet and the Marshals until there has to be, and it's often fragile at best. You can facilitate that relationship -- you have experience working with the Marshals while you were a ranger, and you earned Commander while in Starfleet.

He paused and sunk into the back of his chair.

Caide: I think you'd really thrive in that position. You could do a lot of good, for both sides. Especially after Antor's referendum.

Tutoatasi's referendum had resulted in a 70 - 30 split. For a colony so intent on complaining about being part of the Federation, they seemed gung-ho about staying firmly part of the thing that brought them dissatisfaction. 

Caide: But... I must admit, I'm... I'm relieved you asked me first.

She looks up at him.

Blake: What do you mean?

Caide: I know we're taking things slow, on my account... but I was concerned it's too slow for you.

With an open smile, she couldn't help quirking an eyebrow.

Blake: You've been playing hard to get for two years. "Too slow"! ::she scoffed:: I don't even know what that means. Seriously, I've never-- 

The Trill leaned down, pressing a finger to his lips to hide a smile while she continued to ramble.

Blake: Romanticism is new to me. Our-- This relationship, it's different and wonderful, and-- This would be... so much easier if we were in the same room.

Caide: You'll be at Esperance in a few days.

Blake: But I need to have made a decision before then.

Exasperated, she drops her head into her hands. Her thumbs dig into her temples. He hums and goes quiet again.

Blake: I wanted... I told you I wanted to work as an individual. I wanted to work with people like Largew, on meaningful projects or settlements. I wanted to do that with you.

Caide: You can still do that with me while working for CCMS.

Blake: Not in that role.

Caide: We are smart people, Blake -- if you want to be involved, I've no doubt we can find a way. You and I coordinate with marshals frequently for settlements like Kidman. You'd have a significant role in those projects within the Shoals. ::he tilted his head:: Are you trying to talk yourself out of taking this offer? You're using a lot of past tense -- you haven't told me how you feel about this.

Elbows on her desk, Blake's lip quivered. Her throat was tight. And though she felt emotionally uncertain... the prospect was exciting. 

In her mind, the pros outnumbered the cons. But the cons, despite being few, felt like massive hurdles.

Blake:::quiet:: ...I think I want to. I wouldn't be the first Starfleet officer to jump to CCMS.

Though, likely the first to end up in such a high CCMS position. That in itself was daunting.

Blake: But ultimately, it... yeah. I think I want to take it. It would mean retiring, though.

Caide: It would.

Blake: I'm not sure how I'd do that. So much of my life has been ingrained into Veritas.

Caide:::scratching his neck:: Starfleet won't just drop you when you hand in your resignation. There are processes involved, services that can help set you up if you need them. It sounds like Ranjoes is willing to help you with that, too.

Blake: She said I'd be set up on Meridian.

Caide: That's good. Veritas spent a significant amount of time there -- you know the terrain.

oO Yeah, five years ago... Oo

Veritas had hovered around Meridian to deal with the ongoing felicium crisis in the area. She'd been planet-side a dozen times. Blake hadn't connected with Meridian as much as she had Shadow's Edge -- in fact, she felt a little sour at the prospect. Meridian was not the capital of the Colonial Coalition. Antor II was.

...Ranjoes wanted her in the seat. She was going to get Blake in her full opinionated self. 

Blake: Okay.

The Trill brightened.

Caide: Okay?

Blake: Okay. There are still a few things we need to talk about. But... I think you're right. I think this is what I need to do.

Tbc . . . 

Commander Sky Blake

Executive Officer

USS Veritas

C238803SB0

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