Dont you want something more?

Posted on Mon Apr 19th, 2021 @ 7:36am by Captain Xavier Carey & Warrant Officer Eitan Tuscadero

Mission: The Mentarin Effect
Location: conference room
Timeline: After briefing

Cameron watched as the rest left the room, they all had their orders, now he sat there. The transporter officer, whose 'longshot' idea, was probably their only idea that would get them what they needed to get the transporters working. Should the need arise. Sat there across from him. He did not say anything, just stood and walked over to the replicator, ordered a coffee. Two coffees with cream and sugar on the side.

"Tell me something Warrant Officer..." He paused a moment, "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

"Hopefully here with you, Sir," replied Tully. "A Galaxy class starship...that's a big assignment even if I just oversee the transporters. Career defining posting even."

The younger man smiled. "And you don't have to address me as Warrant Officer. Please feel free to just say 'Mister Tuscadero' or if you want to to, you can just call me Tully," offered the man. "I would love to be head of a department some day, even if it was just a small starship like a Defiant class."

"Head of a department eh?" Cameron replied as he sat back, "Head of department? Besides the experience, what are you missing to achieve that? What department?"

He paused and handed Tully the sugar, and the cream with his cup.

Tully accepted the items and readied the beverage. He took a sip, but even that single sip brought him to a place in his mind. It was synthetic, that scent, yet it reminded him of his Earth roots.

Tully then gestured to his collar. Specifically his rank pip which was "hollow' instead of 'solid' and then chuckled and shrugged. "The uniform is pretty banging, Sir, but I'm not an academy graduate. It's not commonplace for someone who didn't do four years at the academy or go through officer training school to hold down a department."

Cameron paused a moment, stood back up and walked over to the replicator. He punched a few things into the order, and once it materialized. "Not common place, but not unheard of. Ships need officers like you... Not willing to have something you want go up in smoke due to a hollow pip. If you have ever heard of Ensign Crusher on the Enterprise. He wasnt even enlisted." He placed a box on the table, and slid it over to him. "Dress appropriately next time I see you... Ensign."

Tully nearly choked on the warm coffee, and had the control himself from misting the coffee on the man's face. "Jesus, Joseph, and Mary!"

The young man sat the mug of coffee down as his hands had been trembling trying to keep it held up. "Uh...um, Sir?" Tully cocked his head a bit. "Do you want me to take you down to Sickbay and have them give your head a look over. I think you might have hit it on something."

"I don't believe iin having someone being held back because of something on a collar." Cameron replied, "I expect you to live up to the position. But from what I am hearing from your crewmates, your knowledge of the systems... its clear that you should be an officer. Not that there is something wrong with enlisted. But its where you should be. Your long term goals, will be harder to achieve as an enlisted. Not impossible, the Captain started off as enlisted. But In five years I want to see you in that chair with a few more of those pips..."

Tully didn't know who to respond at first. For the first time in what felt like forever, someone had left him flabbergasted. "Sir, it's not like I am a lowly Crewman or a Petty Officer. I went through the tech academy for two years to get my non-com by warrant."

He had yet to actually accept the solid pip and he avoided touching it as if it had some sort of leprosy. "Do you know what they used to call newly commissioned officers in Earth's military, Sir? Butter bars. They called them that because the rank insignia was a golden looking bar, and the stigma was they were so young and inexperienced that you didn't want to really take their advice. I may not be getting to head a department as a warrant officer, but people see me as an expert in my technical field. They respect me."

"So... this is about losing the respect you have earned as an enlisted. That you will lose your respect you have gained because you would be considered a butter bar." Cameron replied as he ran his hands through his beard. He had to admit, he did have a point. To some extent. He didn't go through enlistment, he went through the full four years, so to say he understood where he was coming from. Simply was not true.

"Look, If you dont mind me saying. Becoming an officer is not losing any respect, if thats what it was about. If there was a n issue about respect. I wouldnt have brought you up, I wouldn't hear about the plan from you to begin with. I wouldn't put you lead in the project when I know there are officers that would be able to run with your idea. Its not about lack of respect." Cameron was hoping he was getting what he was saying. "The fact that you are present in a briefing in itself should show you that you are valuable to the ship. I expect even more, because with what has been discussed, has my mind going around in circles, your files says so much more. With giving you the opportunity to see what lies ahead, there is nothing you cannot do. Officer gives you opportunities that one may not have as enlisted. With your long term plan, not saying its impossible, im just saying you will have more opportunities, and more responsility to help you achieve what you desire career wise."

"You gonna make me take the commission of ensign, Sir?" inquired Tully. "Or do I actually get a say in the matter? No offense, but this is nothing short of a pumpkin stage coach and you are looking awfully like a fairy God mother giving me this pip."

"Some things are thrown on you whether you want it or not." Cameron replied as he reached over and grabbed the box. "Sometimes, whether you lke it or not, things happen that put things in motion for your own good." He opened it up, and placed the pip on the table. "Your metaphor of me being a fairy god mother, and the pip being a stage coach... does not compare. I am much better looking than the fairy godmother, and the pip doesn't turn back."

"Sometimes we are forced to do things we dont want to do, that we feel we aren't ready for. For our own good." He paused, "Promotions aren't usually retractible. Nor do they come when they are expected or sometimes even wanted. Many don't want the responsibility. Others are just complacent. Which one are you?"

"The kind that knows I haven't been here long enough for you to fully know who I am or what I am about," Tully replied. "I appreciate that you see potential in me even though my application to Starfleet Academy was dismissed because of my issues. I respect your opinion, Sir, but how sure of this are you, and what are the caveats and conditions to it?"

"Everyone has issues... how about you tell me about your issues, and I will let you know what my opinion is." Cameron replied. "Caveats to it... do exactly what you do now, along with the added responsibilities that will come with it. Show up on time, do things as you are told. Basically nothing changes. There is no conditions. Am I sure about this... From what I see, I see no reason not to."

"And what happens if command here changes? New Captain comes in and might strip me of your generous gift. Starfleet decides to yank me from the Resolution, and place me elsewhere. Does the rank hold?" Tully shrugged.

The young man looked at Commander Greyson. "I am claustrophobic for starters. I also get space sickness, practically failed zero gravity testing when trying to get into the academy." Tully shook his head. "Trying to save you from buyers remorse, Sir."

"Ranks can be given, and cannot be taken away unless there is a just reason. If command changes, same deal goes. Transfers, once its in the books, there is no changing it." Pausing he smirked. "Space sickness... there are things to deal with that. Speak from experience. Zero G's... Something we can work on, as for your claustrophobia... thats nothing, its usually a deep rooted issue, that can be dealt with if need be with counsel."

"Should I tell Lieutenant Jansen you've taken over as my counselor, Sir?" Tully said firing off a little bit of a wisecrack. "Can I have some time to think this over, Sir? It's a big change and sudden."

"Was going to suggest you talk to her about it." Cameron replied. He looked at his watch. Something old he had ept with him. "Big changes are hardly expected Ensign. If I didn't think you were up to it. It wouldnt have been offered. I expect you to wear your new pip at your next shift. You are welcome."

Tully finished the coffee off he had been nursing, stood from his seat and took the mug back to replicator to use the recycle function. He looked at the Commander. "Your expectations are understood, Sir."

"Very good ensign." Cameron replied as he picked the pip up. Handed it to the newly promoted ensign.

Tully fought off a sigh, and took the pip handed to him, placing it diligently into his pocket. "Dismissed, Sir?"

"Thoughts ensign. I have seen plenty of people not willing to go ahead in their career because of what they become complacent in. Dont want change. For whatever reason." Cameron replied. "I am a big supporter of giving those who deserve a nudge, a push in the right direction. I know in five years, as an enlisted... you can still be exactly where you are now."

"Respectfully, I have climbed. I started at a Crewman working as a navigational electronics technician, and look at me now? I am overseeing the transporters of a Galaxy class starship. I worked hard and proved my technical expertise, Sir. Your nudge is appreciated though."

"Your work, your expertise is exactly why I feel you deserve the commissioned officer status. That is my point I'm trying to make "

Tully nodded. "Noted, Sir. Thanks for believing in me."

"I'm not the only one who believes in you. Lt Jackson does as well. Sticking up for you and your idea."

Tully smiled. "Yeah, Nessa is sweet like that."

"Well how about you talk with her and maybe she can help you decide."

"I will do that, Sir." Tully nodded and continued to the doorway. "Thank you," he added as he let out a strong exhale.

"You have my support in whatever end decision you choose. I just think some people deserve a push." Cameron replied as he got a message from sickbay. He frowned. "Dismissed Ensign."

"Aye, Captain," Tully replied. As far as Tully was concerned with the Captain's current condition and situation, Commander Greyson was Captain.