Receiving orders

Posted on Thu Mar 10th, 2022 @ 5:24pm by Fleet Admiral William Ross & Captain Xavier Carey & Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels & Lieutenant Commander Diane Doctrine

Mission: Free write
Location: Starbase 375
Timeline: Current

The ship had docked with starbase 375, and Xavier wore his dress uniform, after being called by Admiral Ross, upon learning of a new mission for them. It wasn't every day that the ship would be docked at a starbase, and meeting with an admiral, didn't come all the time. Procedure required uniform. His father taught him go above and beyond. It was probably the only thing he kept from his father.

Tony blinked when she saw the captain in his dress uniform. She had never for one moment thought to do the same. Someone it was hard to see uncle William as 'the admiral.'

"Uhm sir, should I go and change. I did not realise dress regs required dress uniform for something like this."

"Not regulations, just something my father taught me... the only thing I kept that I feel comfortable with regarding anything he taught me."

"My father hates his dress uniform and tries to wear it as little as he can and I don't think uncle W... ehm Admiral Ross is such a stickler for protocol either. But if you give me five minutes."

"Uncle..." He inquired, but dropped the subject

"I will be right back!" Tony ran back to her quarters to change uniforms.

Raising his eyebrow, Xavier watched her running away. "Something I said."

"Given her father and I's close friendship, I am Uncle William, I guess its force of habit, she hasn't had to deal with me officially until now." Admiral Ross replied as he came through the doors.

Diane simply stood and watched with a small, wry grin on her face. She did not have her dress uniform on but she was wearing a clean, freshly pressed duty uniform. She already knew Admiral Ross was close to Commander Stoffel's family.

Tony came hurrying back red in the face and tugging at the damned dress uniform that she hated to wear. "I am here, sorry, for being late. Sorry." Jeez bloody good way to start.

"Relax Commander. Everything is fine." Xavier replied walking towards the door. "Right this way, my office is just down the corridor."

"Thank you, sir. Admiral." She came to attention wanting to do things by the book now.

Diane simply followed wondering why Commander Stoffels seemed so nervous all of a sudden.

"Everything ok Commander, given your closeness to the Admiral, I would have thought you would be calmer than you are now."

"Oh bloody hell." Tony cursed. "I know how to give the man a hug, how to annoy the hell out of him and to make him laugh but I am not so good at being an officer under his command." The Sorrel temper flashed in her eyes followed by a sheepish look. "Sorry."

"Then out with it Commander, we are not officially on duty for another few days."

She gave another sheepish look then turned to the admiral and flung her arms around him. "Missed you, uncle William."

"Well that explains a few things." Xavier replied "We seem to have a hugger."

Ross embraced her as well. "Shes the only one of the Stoffel family to like it, she seems to be making up for the rest."

"Oh shut up, both of you." Tony grumbled.

Both Ross and Xavier laughed as they entered the office. In front of the desk lay three pads.

Picking up the pads, Ross handed one to each of the officers, then sat down. "Now that pleasantries are over, lets get down to business. With the demilitarized zone becoming hostile, we have received word of people wanting to evacuate. The majority refuse, but there are a lot that want to leave. We want to visit these three planets to try and convince the remaining. Those are the main colonist planets, and what they do, the rest will follow."

Tony looked at her Padd and then at the captain. "Do we have a negotiator on board?"

"That's where we come in." Xavier replied

She just raised an eyebrow.

"Actually Commander that's where you come in. The resolution lost its former CO when he tried negotiating last mission." Ross stated with an apologetic look to the Captain

"Oh right." Tony swallowed. "Wow I have to brush up those skills. Is that why you wanted a therapist?" She looked at the admiral.

"For the most part." Ross said. "It does give a unique perspective, however, with being able to read people, and i don't mean to use the word coerce them into changing their mind. But we are talking thousands of people."

"I am not a mindreader." Tony huffed. "I though the two of you had a bit more education to know that fact, gentlemen! I can to an extend read body language and that is mostly the same in any species. But I am not trained as a negotiator. I will do what I can but don't expect any miracles."

"No different than treating patients. Emotions are the best indicators on what will drive them"

"And since when are you a therapist, uncle William?" Tony asked sarcastically.

"I've read your paper 'reading a patients emotions and lean what drives them' article you wrote."

Tony groaned. "Fine. But don't say I did not warn you. Anybody else on board who has at least some official training in negotiations?"

"I will be honest, the ones that want to leave have stated so, those who don't will probably not want to. However we do need to try." Ross replied, "People have made lives there, had families there. They will not want to leave. Whatever the outcome will be will not be on account of not trying. Lieutenant Jenson is part Betazoid, she will probably be best to assist you in reading their emotions more accurately. If you need help with that part."

"Always useful. I think we can use everyone from the counselling department." She turned to Diane. "And from intelligence."

"I already have briefs on the leadership of these places prepared so we have an idea of what types of personalities we'll be dealing with," Diane answered in her usual professional manner. "I can forward them to anyone who wants to read up on them."

"Make it so."

Tony nodded approvingly. "Thank you, commander, great work. I would very much like a copy to catch up."

"Just doing my job," Diane replied.

"Everything you need to know is right there on the padds. This could have been done via com. But I did want to see my god daughter before shipping out."

"It was good seeing you again, uncle William." Tony grinned. "And I am sure you will keep my parents updated.

"Of course Commander."

Tony just groaned.

"Antonia, what's with the groan, you don't like me calling rank?"

"No I don't like you playing spy for my parents and I would not be surprised my grandfather as well."

"I haven't been playing spy since you started on the original crew of the Resolution. They pry, but you are your own officer, and you deserve to be treated as such."

She nodded. "I believe you. Thank you uncle William."

"Anytime Antonia. Now while i let these two depart, I do want to take you out to dinner on the promenade," Ross replied as he stood. Looking at both the Captain and the Intel chief.

Taking his cue to leave, Xavier turned to Commander Doctrine. "If you don't mind Commander, I want you to accompany me with something here on the station."

Diane nodded. "Lead the way Captain."

"What time do you want me to come back for dinner?" Tony asked before leaving.

"Right now, you ship out in a few hours."