Everything In A Rush

Posted on Tue May 16th, 2023 @ 4:52pm by Captain Malcom Llwyedd & Commander Cynfor Rees

2,205 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Prelude to Rebirth
Location: USS Firebird Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: 05 August 2396

[ON]

Charles sat next to Cynfor a college that he has grown to call a friend. They had been tasked with finding 4 new security officers to replace the Marines that were no longer stationed with them. The two had close to 400 PADDs all over the table that they were trying to weed through and find some guys to interview. All the candidates were on station and when they were chosen for an interview they were beamed over. Charles put down another cookie-cutter resume and looked at the XO. "Tell me again why HR isn't just assigning these for us. Since when do we have to interview and pick people?"

Rees sighed tossed a PADD onto the table and rubbed his bleary eyes. "As for me, it is since I accepted the role of Executive Officer. Putting a crew together comes with the territory. For you my friend I believe the answer would be Captain's orders." Cynfor let out a loud guffaw at his joke. "At least the Captain gave us his office for the task. We are going to have to cut the list down somehow before we bring people in for interviews. I would tend to want to bring in people who have experience. Seeing as where we are going there is going to be a lot of unknown. What do you think?"

"Don't need much experience when all you're doing is shuttling around supplies and doing boring-ass sector scans," He mumbled louder than he should. "So since the Security department already has its leader and some cadets helping out do we bring in a group of enlisted grunts? I know I saw a few former Marines in the pile." He offered.

Rees disregarded the comment about their assignments. He understood how the Chief felt, hell most of the ship felt that way. "Somehow with this crew, I think that we are going to find a lot more to do than just shuttle supplies. Former Marines would be a great place to start seeing as these extra officers are replacing our former Marine division. Let's look at them first."

Charles picked up a PADD he had placed to the side earlier that was of an ex-marine that had switched over to the fleet side. "I saw this one earlier, younger guy. Says he was a Marine for a few years and then was granted lateral transfer to Starfleet. He has some additional training, and is currently a brig officer." Charles said handing the PADD across the table. "Any objections to calling him in?"

"On paper, he seems like he would be the perfect candidate for our needs." Rees took the PADD and gave it a look. "It does not say why the transfer. Was it a request or was it forced upon them? That is something that I would definitely want to know. Sounds like we have our first interviewee." Cynfor sent the message to have Petty Officer Second Class Bradly Trask beamed over.

The door chimed and someone said to come in. Bradley Trask entered, wearing his still-felt new Starfleet uniform with the traditional yellow of security. "Petty Officer Second Class Bradly Trask, at your service, sirs."

Charles and Cynfor stood as the young PO made his way in.

Rees gave the man one of his trademark broad smiles as Trask walked in. He extended his hand and shook the Petty Officer's hand firmly.

Charles grinned at the greeting. "Welcome Petty Officer, please." He said as he motioned to the chair as everyone took a seat. "So I am sure you know we are looking to round out our security force on the 'Bird and your PADD caught our attention. So my first and only real question is, as you can see we have a plethora of choices." He motioned to the pile of applicants. "Why you?"

Bradly didn't say anything right away. He'd learned a long time ago that speaking without thinking had some really bad effects. He took a deep breath and then began. "Because I'm not like anyone else on that list, sir. I'm thirty years old, which I'm guessing is on the high side of your range," he said with a grin. "I'm also a former Marine. I served for four years in the 32nd Marine Expeditionary Force and then four more in the 2nd Recon. I'm sniper trained, hand-to-hand expert and even though it was a Marine test, I'm told my mental acuity is pretty high too." He paused. "If you pick me for this program, you'll be able to rely on me and never regret it."

Charles nodded along with the answer and gave a side look at Cynfor to see if he had anything he wanted to ask.

Rees thought that the answer the Charles' question was clear and concise. It indicated someone who thought before they spoke. That was something that appealed to Rees, it indicated someone who did not rush into action. Cynfor decided to cut to the point that rattled in his brain since he'd read the PADD. "Petty Officer I am going to have to ask. After serving in the Corps for eight years. Why the change to Fleet? You already had a pretty storied career going for yourself."

It was the question that Bradly had been expecting. It was a question that in some ways, he'd been answering every day since he had left the Corps. "It was a matter of philosophy, sir. Probably not the answer you were expecting but it is the truth. In the Corps, we were honed for one thing, battle. There's no diplomat in the Corps. There's no creative solution to the problem unless it has to do with tactics," he said. "I saw too much of war. Too many empty eyes. Too many of my friends are gone. I still wanted to serve but I wanted it to mean something more."

With everything Rees had been through he certainly understood Bradly's wish to do something more. "My next question is why the Firebird?" As the new XO this ship and its crew were part of Cyn's family. He wanted to know why he should add this man to his family.

"I've been working on a space station for some time now. It has been interesting, sure. But there's a lot of people coming and going. You just don't get the kinds of relationships that I enjoy. I think a smaller ship will be a better fit for me. And I know that you all have been in a lot of interesting situations. Sounds better than rounding up drunks or inspecting cargo ships, sir." Bradly said.

Cynfor chuckled at the other man's joke. Interesting situations. If he only knew the half of it. Rees thought. He looked toward Charles to see if he had anything to add.

Charles liked this one. He saw Cyn defer to him. "Well, Petty Officer we have a few more guys to talk to. We will be in touch by the end of the day as to our decisions." Charles said as he stood and offered his hand to the slightly young Petty Officer.

Bradly shook hands with both of them "Thank you for your time gentlemen. Good luck with your search," he said, came to attention and turned, and walked out of the room.

Once Bradly was clear of the room Cyn turned to Stephens. "Well, Chief I like him. He seems like a stout fellow and a great addition to this ship. Certainly better than most of the files we have read."

"Indeed, one down three to go. I picked that file. Now it's your turn." Charles said with an evil grin as he put Bradley's file off to the side and started going through his short stack.

Rees began to peruse the rest of the PADDS. Silently he tossed them into two piles. One was people that were definite no's and the other were people he wanted to look into some more. After a couple of minutes, he settled on a PADD with a smile. "Now this looks like a right proper fit. Graduated top of his class. Scored high marks at the Academy in marksmanship and ethics. On paper, this guy looks like the model officer. Have a look." Rees handed the PADD to Stephens.

Charles took a quick glance and his gut told him this guy may be too clean for the 'Bird and her usual shenanigans. He put the PADD down and pressed the Comm button to contact Kipp. "Send in applicant 39 please." Charles turned to the XO. "He definitely warrants a sit-down."

A short while later the door swished open and a tall, muscular man with short blonde hair and piercing blue eyes strode into the room. He wore a wide smile, revealing perfect teeth. His uniform had been tailored to perfection and even his ensign's pip shone.

"Ensign Noah Jones, reporting as order, sirs," he said.

Rees smiled broadly, from the look of him the Ensign certainly fit the bill. "Ensign at ease, please. From your file here you certainly could have had your pick of assignments. Care to tell us why you would like to be here on the Firebird?"

Ensign Jones' face took on a serious visage. "Thank you for the question, sir. As you can see in my file, I've served aboard the Kingston for two years. Don't get me wrong, those Intrepid Class ships are good," he said. "But between the three of us, it has been a little... peaceful for my tastes. I like a good stellar anomaly as much as the next officer but maybe there's more to space than that?"

That was not the answer that Rees had hoped for. It caught him a tad by surprise although his face did not betray those feelings. He looked toward Stephens to see if he had anything to add for the moment.

"Well Son, not sure what you thought you heard when you signed up for a transfer here but we are just running supply runs well within Federation space and the chance of us doing anything that isn't 'peaceful' is slim and none," Charles explained using air quotes around peaceful.

"I understand that is certainly a possibility. But I've read all the available material about the Firebird's previous encounters. It seems unlikely that the ship will remain on these supply runs forever," the Ensign said. "I mean, crash landing? Fighting intense ship-to-ship battles? Saving a Cardassian colony? Those are the kinds of things I need on my record if I am ever going to get where I want to be!" Ensign Jones' voice had taken on an almost fanatical pitch as he recited some of the ship's previous adventures. He paused and then continued in a normal voice. "I'm definitely the right candidate for this position. My father is Admiral Jones, perhaps you know about him? He's helped me shape my career and he agrees that this could be a great opportunity for me."

Cyn had heard about all he could take. The general idea of joining Starfleet was supposed to be to explore and keep the peace. Here this gung-ho son of an Admiral thinks he was a Klingon looking for glory. The fact that he name-dropped his father is what took the cake. He smiled to cover up his feelings. "Well, Ensign I believe I have heard all that I need to hear. We have a few more people to interview today and we will let you know about the transfer. Thank you for your time."

Rees placed the PADD which contained the Ensign's duty record on the table. Then he turned back to the Chief to see if Stephens had anything else to add.

"I too want to thank you for your time and interest in our little ship. And once we get done we will be in contact with everyone with our decisions." Charles did his best to hide his distrain for the smug punk. As he rose to shake his hand and walk him out.

When the doors closed Rees let out a sigh. "Well, that goes to show you that paper does not make the man. But, all in all, I would say that one-for-one is not too bad."

"Not bad? Not bad?? He's the kind of officer who gets his crew killed. Let's cut our selections short. We got one good one. They can find us the rest" Chief Stephens said,

"I would agree Chief. I have to say that there is something different about the fleet at the moment. Something I cannot put my finger on. But it just does not feel right." Rees said with a slightly ominous tone. Then just as quickly his demeanor and tone changed, he was back to his jovial self. "But that could be these old bones talking. Now let's go tell Trask where his new home is."

{OFF]

Lieutenant Commander Cynfor Rees
Executive Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298

Chief Petty Officer Charles Stephens Jr.
Chief of the Boat / Assistant Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298

 

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