Promotion

Posted on 23 Apr 2020 @ 7:05pm by Commander Kristiana Petrova & Lieutenant Alex Sexton

879 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Changing Faces
Location: Sickbay

Kristiana stepped into sickbay as she had so often done recently, though this time on a positive mission. One of the many who'd fallen in a coma had come out of it, and he was here to check up on the man.

"Lieutenant Sexton?" she asked, approaching his bed.

Alex sat working out a problem on his pad. He had noticed a lack of activity in security and was wondering why! Alex looked up and saw a command shirt heading his way.

“Yes, that would be me. How are you today sir!” Asked Alex

"Ma'am." beat. "Or Petrova or Kris, seeing as we're off duty." she gave a practiced but empty smile. "And doing ok, thanks. You?" she asked, pulling up a chair and taking a seat. "You holding up ok?"

“Actually I’m doing pretty good all things considered. They want me for observation for 24 hours then I’m out of here. As you can see. I’m ready to get back to work.” As he held up the padd he was holding. “Yeah I was trying to get a jump on things so I could hit the ground running.” Said Alex

"Speaking of, we have a bit of a problem." Kris mused, gauging his reactions as she spoke. "There's a bit of a vacuum in Security right now. We're down at least forty percent of personnel, including chief and assistant chief positions. I've been filling in as acting chief," she let the thought linger in the air for him to pick up.

He threw the idea around in his head for a second or two. “So what are we selling here? I mean I’m a team player. If I’m needed, tell me where and let’s do what’s best for the Captain and crew.” Said Sexton not sure where this was going.

"I'm overworked. Between my duties as acting XO, stepping up as acting security chief and just having had to solve a murder case, I'm about falling apart. And you're the best candidate we have for the chief position onboard, if you're willing to take it." Kristiana explained, shoulders slumping a bit, her fatigue evident. "I won't throw you in the deep end without support though, I'll be there to offer support whenever you need it."

He thought again. “You know what. That’s a great idea. I’ll do it. I’ve always wanted to climb that ladder anyway. Better now than never.” Said Alex

Kristiana smiled. "That's good to hear. I'll make sure everything's in order for you. Paperwork all done, department review ready, inventory and armory checked and resupplied if necessary."

“Sounds good. I’ll do my 100% inventory first thing. Will this be done in front of the department like formal and all that?” He asked

"No. Considering the circumstances it'll just be a simple handover, no fuss, no frills." Petrova mused.

That’s good. I don’t go in for all that. I’ll have a in-depth briefing to let them know what I expect and we will go from from there. Quiet as it’s keep. I have learned a few things from my dept heads before me and I’m ready to put them in play. If I over step. Please let me know!” Said Sexton

"Before you do though, before you become too eager to prove yourself, you just came out of a coma. You might be feeling fine now, but we can't be sure you'll still feel that way tomorrow. Please take it easy, at least at first." Kristiana reached a hand out to rest on his forearm as she spoke, her tone of voice uncharacteristically kind. "I have about eleven years of being a security chief behind me and am more than willing to help in any way I can. No sense overworking yourself, and I'd much rather you ease in."

Alex appreciated the concern. “I assure you, though I’ve not been the dept head. I know to come to you when I need help and I’m sure I will. Sooner rather than later. So I give you my solem promise that I will as you say. Ease in. But you have to promise me. That if I take this on, you’ll let me run it. You see I have a set of rules I work and live by. Which is probably why you chosen me in the first place. If not, that’s cool. But let me show you that I can do this. And if I fumble, I know who to call.” Said Sexton fully taking ownership of this new job.

"Yeah, of course," Kris answered easily. "In the end what we need is a dependable, well run department. I'm more interested in the result than the means." Beat. "Long as you stay within the reasonable, of course. I'll be there to lighten your load until you're eased in, not to tell you how to run your department." she mused, rising to her feet again. "I'll let you get back to recovering."

“Thank you so much XO. And I’ll try to make you proud.”replied Sexton as they shook hands and ended the conversation.

"I'm sure you will. See you tomorrow." and with that she headed out again.

 

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