Wings for a Badge

Posted on Mon Jan 1st, 2018 @ 7:03am by Fleet Admiral Donatella Figueroa & Lieutenant Junior Grade Shras th'Zarath

Mission: S01E02 D-8 With the Devil
Location: USS Musashi

Shras was happy as a clam. Back at his station with his old, familiar seat. Familiar console. The whole nine yards. It wasn't long until his shift ended. To his surprise his relief came early. Eager to get some rest Shras happily surrendered the nav console.

A walk through the ship and an opening of doors later the Andorian was in his quarters. He unzipped his uniform top and just slumped on his couch.

The Captain had some news to break, but she was still contemplating if the move was the right one. She had told of the Vulcan Admiral, reclaimed her time and took charge. This was her starship and she did not appreciate personnel being ripped away from her. She was not going to allow them to fill the hole they made with one of their selections. Donatella Figueroa was determined to ensure this was handled internally. Captain Figueroa walked down the corridor and approached the man's quarters.

After being granted permission to enter, she undoubtedly surprised the Andorain whom was not likely expecting the Captain of all people to show up. "I am sorry to stop by and surprise you like this, Lieutenant. You probably were expecting it to be EJ" she said with a smile. She often saw the two men interact on the Bridge and had spotted them a few times while they were off duty in the recreational hall and in the Roosevelt. She presumed they were becoming close friends. It was something she encouraged aboard the Musashi.

She did not waste much time in breaking the news "Brass has yanked Ensign D'Darrah and have reassigned her to a special assignment. We're losing our Security Chief" she said with a sigh. "I may have used some colorful words and obscenities while addressing an Admiral...a Vulcan one" she said shaking her head.

Shras hurredly made himself presentable. The last thing he saw coming was a visit with the CO."I'm sorry to hear that, Captain." He said. "Won't you sit down?" He said, puzzled as to what that had to do with him.

Figueroa entered the quarters and proceeded as her host directed. She nodded and took a seat, thanking him as she did. "No more sorry than I am to lose such a promising Security Chief. For a Vulcan, she was peculiar and kept me on my feet. I felt comfortable with her aboard...almost a sense of safety. I truly believed that the ensign was proving herself aboard as part of this crew, Lieutenant" the Captain said shaking her head.

"Starfleet Command can have several candidates for me to review by the end of the day if I wanted them to, but to be frank and to the point, I do not want one of their candidates replacing Feth. Being Security Chief means more than carrying a phaser and protecting this crew. It is a position of leadership and strength of character, knowing when to act and when not to. Everything can change in a moments notice and if I have the wrong person in that position, it could very well mean life or death" she stated. "I believe there is someone aboard already among the crew who can makes the decisions necessary to keep myself and this entire crew safe without question."

Me? the Andorian thought to himself. All he could think of was that he really didn't have the formal training for it. "Yes, Captain?" he said, half asking.

"Lieutenant, you have spent your short period of time already proving yourself a capable and adaptable officer. You've sat in the big chair, offered sage advice when I sought it, and have been doing a fine job at navigation" she said pleased as she reflected on his actions. "I have no doubt that Feth wuld have continued to make a fine Security Chief for this starship and this crew. However, if anyone aboard has what I believe it takes to fill those boots, it would have to be you, Lieutenant" she said confidently.

Shras was somewhat floored, but honored at the same time. In truth he didn't know what to say. "Thank you Captain, I'm honored." he managed to get out.

Captain Figueroa looked at the Andorian. "I know that you probably were not expecting to be pulled from navigation and put into this sort of position, Lieutenant. I personally believe that you will do well as Security Chief. However, I do not want to make the same mistakes that Abraham Lincoln made as a President from Earth's history. He was often fondly remembered for being President of his nation, a man with good leadership skills. However, he had men serving the military as leaders who did not believe they were the right person for the job. Lincoln refused to give up on them and encouraged them to continue on" explained Fig.

She shook her head. "I do not want to be the sort of Captain who pushes members of my crew into positions they do not feel they are right for. Though I believe in you, Lieutenant, I do not want you to accept this position unless you believe in yourself. Can you handle the Security Department?"

Shras thought it over for a quick minute. While it was true that he only had training in navigation, he was always anxious to learn more. Added to that was the fact that he had the resource of family to fall back on should the need arise. Then he remembered what she said in "believing in yourself." That made Shras' mind up. "I accept, Captain." he said, with a certain pride he did not show

"Although I'm trained in Navigation, I'll learn whatever I need to."

Fig nodded. "That's all I needed to hear, Lieutenant. Please assemble your security personnel later this week and debrief them on the personnel changes. Any changes that you feel need to be made, make them and let the Second Officer know so that they can be brought to the XO's attention" she stated before dismissing him.