To become an officer, but he was no gentleman

Posted on Thu Jan 5th, 2023 @ 10:38pm by Captain Xavier Carey

Mission: Evacuation
Location: CO's Ready Room

Xavier was going over what everyone was doing, it was a zoo, with what seemed like marines taking control of the mission down on the planet, security would deal with the colonists going to the ships. As long as it was done without a physical fight. It was being done.

Finchley paced back and forth outside the Captains Ready Room. He was muttering to himself under his breath, unable to make a clear decision because it was one of those 'one the one hand...but on the other hand' choices he was trying to make. Finally, after kicking the wall, and realising he had almost broken his toe, he was now made up on his choice. Reaching out, he pressed the chime and awaited an answer.

Xavier looked at the officer pacing, seemingly disturbed by something. "Over here Chief." He called from the centre seat.

Finchley closed his eyes and sighed, this wasn't the beginning he'd hoped for with the Resolutions Captain. he thought he was in his Ready Room. To make matters worse, he'd actually crossed the bridge and not noticed the CO sitting in his Command chair...

Walking over to the CO he said "Sir, I have a request to make...I'm looking at sitting the officers exam again, but I require two Command level Officers recommendations...backing if you will. I was wondering if you'd be willing to be one of them please?"

"Taking the officers exam is not an easy exam to take... I have read your file... are you sure its something you want to take. Again?" He asked, it was not every day that someone wanted to take the officers exam. Its one of the reasons, there was so many crewman.

"There were extenuating circumstances when I took the exam last time and failed Sir...but yes, I'd like to take it again" Finchley replied.

"And in what area are you choosing to take should you take the said exam and pass." Xavier replied as he took a padd out and looked at his file.

"Same as before Sir, Security and Tactical" Finchley replied "The fact that I've served in Intelligence may help me out a little as I put all I learned from the Academy into my work there and have learned a lot more since."

Xavier paused. "I would like you to talk to Lt Jenson, and Commander Soran... come up with a plan, and present it to me." Xavier replied, gesturing to the seat next to him. "Why the sudden change... what reasoning do you have?"

"I will do Sir" Finchley replied "As the reason, well, you have no registered Tactical Officer, I have the requisite experience and I feel it's time I tried again."

"You do know that is not just an officer exam, but being a bridge officer, there is also a command officer exam."

"You know Sir, it's the funniest thing" Finchley said sighing, "I'm a no-one, nobody notices if I'm here on the bridge or not and that's because I'm from below decks, I'm an NCO, officers don't fraternise with us. I would hasten to think that they feel it's below them to do so. You see, no-one notices the small things, like how come the daily reports are ready and waiting at their positions when they arrive on shift, that the bridge is spotless, the maintenance of the consoles is kept up so the running of this place is smooth...and a hundred other things you all take for granted and assume will just be right. I watch you all, I listen, I digest and I remember. There's not one position on this bridge or below decks that I couldn't fill in on, yours included...except that I don't have your passwords or clearance codes. So when you say it's not just an Officers exam, it's also a Command Officer exam, you do realise that I'm just as qualified, if not more so, than anyone else here because I know more than just one position or department. I know it's not just about the knowledge but about the experience of said positions and departments, but I'm an Intelligence Operative as well and have more experience than half your current bridge shift put together."

He stood up, looked at the CO and said "Forget I said anything Sir, it's fairly obvious Non-Comms are wanted as 'jolly jump ups', you know, below decks to daring to become an officer. Thank you for your time Captain, I have duties to attend to."

"Sit down chief." He snapped however he did not take his eyes away from what he waa doing. "At any point, have you heard the word non comm out of my mouth. What I ask is not choice but is procedure. Becoming an officer is one thing. But becoming a bridge officer where you may become in a situation where you need to tale control of the ship is a whole different ball game. I don't make the rules I make sure the rules are followed. See the Lt she knows it entails. Visit Commander Stoffels... she will help you out on her end. I will get reports from both, and then take their recommendation. Once I receive their recommendation I will determine the right course of action."

Finchley didn't sit down, instead he just at looked at the Captain "This is a voluntary situation Sir, and as Chief of the Boat, I already know what being a bridge officer entails, it was part of my training to get the position in which I'm serving under your Command. I've been through what's expected of me, what my priorities are should, God forbid it ever happen, that you and the other bridge Command staff become incapacitated or a situation occurs to which I'm given responsibility to take charge of the Resolution. I will speak with Commander Soran and Lieutenant Jenson, not because you just shouted at me to do so, but because it's what's required."

This wasn't how he had wanted this to go, he wished he'd never brought up the subject and he wished he'd never suggested speaking to the Captain now. However, the 'cat was out of the bag' he believed the expression was, so he remained calm and asked "Was there anything else you required Captain?"

"If I was shouting chief you and everyone else would know." He placed the padd down. "You say I only think of the non commissioned officers as jolly jump ups. I have told you what I would need in order for you to go through the exam. It would be for anyone whether they have past experience. The Experience you may help you more."

"No Sir, I was referring to any Non COMM who steps up from those ranks to be coming an commissioned Officer, the slang term used is a 'jolly jump up', meaning some Commissioned Officers believe that it's not correct that this should be allowed to happen" Finchley replied "I've been witness to this happening" he added.

He paused a moment before carrying on "If there's nothing else Sir, I will go and speak with Commander Soran and Lieutenant Jenson."

"My wife started as a noncom... and is now the assistant tactical chief..." Xavier replied as he leaned back, "I have also seen others that have passed and become exemplary officers. I have no doubt that you would make an excellent chief of tactical based on your experience..."

Tal noted the conversation. "Captain... I am required down on deck 7... there is no one to relieve me currently."

Xavier turned, "Understood." Noticing her look, he thought about it, "Chief... if you wish you can relieve the Lt at tactical. If you wish to visit the Commander, and the Lt after the evac has been completed its fine. We will need someone manning tactical."

"I'd be only t happy to Captain, thank you for the opportunity" Finchley replied.

Moving over to the Tactical station he nodded his thanks also to Tal, saying "Thank you Lieutenant Carey, you're relieved."

Tal nodded. "Good luck." She replied as she gave him a glance and then turned to Xavier. "Be easy on him."

Finchley heard the remark from Tal to the CO and said "I don't want him to be easy on me Sir, just fair."

"He is... trust me... this is not him saying no... being his first command. With doubts of HQ, he wants to follow rules. Give him time."

Xavier turned. "Stop ratting me out Tal."

"Sorry Captain. Leaving now."

"It's not my first rodeo" Finchley replied to Tal "I can give as good as I get, but, as with all things, the learning curve can be steep, or it can be shallow, it's how we deal each situation that counts, I'll certainly try to give this my best shot."

Tal turned to Xavier, "I like this one Xavier... lets keep him."

"Very well." Xavier replied, considering. "It takes two senior officers to take the exam Chief... But only one Commanding Officer. I've come to trust her intuition. Not just because she's my wife. I still want you to see those two but I will send you the files for your officers exam, as well as bridge exam. If and when you pass. Given holodeck scenarios... you will be posted as chief tactical officer... My wife will see to it that you pass. As your assistant."

"Very good Sir, I'm at the Officers disposal whenever they wish me to meet them" Finchley replied.

"Very good." He replied as he leaned back in his chair. Now we wait."

Crewman T'Vol turned from the communications. "Sir, another ship just dropped out of warp. Requesting c communication."

"Onscreen"

"Captain this i General Michael Hagee of Starfleet marine corps. I have been instructed to rendezvous with you to pick up the marines you just received. There is a situation that requires them urgently. Given your evacuation, isn't in need of the marine size that you have we will take the majority off your hands."

Xavier paused, "They just arrived General... but then again... given the situation, I am sure they are needed. I will give them a heads up and have them transported over to you immediately."

"Thank you captain. General out."

The screen went black and was replaced once again by the sight of the multiple ships receiving shuttles back and forth from the planet. "Short and sweet." He responded. "Chief... Contact the crew, we can keep most of our civilian population for now, and take some additional civilians."

"Yes Sir" Finchley replied "Captain, may I make a suggestion. If the Marines are moving out, can we use what was their quarters and recreation area to house more civilian evacuees?"

"Get word to the planet about our situation, as well as those in the cargobays... tell them to expect more to be delivered to the ship."

"Aye Sir" Finchley replied, getting right to it. A few minutes later he reported back "Three of the evacuation ships have be re-routed to the Resolution Captain, they'll be here in thirty minutes. Emergency medical help has been arranged to help triage anyone with injuries, bedding and food has also been arranged."

"More ships... well... i guess its better than none. Very well let everyone know." He paused before he leaned back. Sighing, he thought about all the happenings going on.