meeting the captain

Posted on Mon Oct 20th, 2025 @ 12:43am by Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels & Captain Xavier Carey & Lieutenant Sky Carey

Mission: Those who are left behind

"I will go with your suggestion then. Are there any officers I should talk to?"

“Perhaps start with the Captain, I think he’d prefer to speak to you as you’re assessing members of the crew. I can call him and see whether he’s available?”

"Yes of course. I was planning to meet him anyway. It would not be polite to be on board and not meet the captain."

Sky nodded and tapped her comm badge. “Carey to Carey” she couldn’t help but grin. “Our guest would like to speak to you Captain.”

"Send him up to my ready room." He replied in a clearly monotone response.

Felix lifted an eyebrow at Sky. "Can you show me the way?"

“By all means” Sky nodded motioning Felix to walk with her, exiting into the corridor they made for the turbolift. “It’s not far just a quick trip to the bridge.” Stepping into the lift they waited as it whisked them to their destination.

"How is he dealing with all this?" He asked as they stood in the lift.

“As a Captain should” Sky answered. “Not that he has to like it.”

Felix decided not to ask anymore. This crew seemed close and it look like it affected them all.

Sky gave Felix a look. “Computer, pause lift.” She turned to face him. “Maybe I’m out of place saying this, but this crew have been through so much none of them deserve this, especially not Toni. If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be here now, after what happened to me she brought me back from the edge of insanity. It’s made me a better counsellor in return. I know you have to do your job, I’m not trying to influence that, I just wanted you to know how I feel that’s all.” She offered a smile before setting them on their way again.

"I will be honest with you as well,Sky." He said. "It does make me understand why I have been sent in to evaluate commander Stoffels. You are too close to her to do it. But I can promise you that I will be fair in my assessment."

Sky nodded. “That’s all I want, and why I didn’t ask to be the one to assess Toni.” She smiled. “Computer, resume”

It didn’t take long before they arrived, as they headed to the ready room Sky entered first. “Captain, this is our guest Felix Voss.”

"Nice to meet you, sir." Felix said. "Although I do appreciate that under the circumstances I am probably not a very welcome face."

"Nothing against you just I know my first officer, she’s right where she’s supposed to be." Xavier replied as he leaned back gesturing towards the replicator. "Please, get yourself something, and lets get this started."

Right, Felix thought to himself, even clearer why the crew could not handle this themselves. He walked to the replicator and got a strong cup of coffee. "your chief counsellor used much the same words, captain. But that is yet to be determined." He sat down opposite the captain.

"What can I say, I have faith in my people, if I can't then they shouldn't be here. Crew needs to know their captain trusts them completely. I trust that Commander Price is doing what he feels is right, and that is his right."

"But you don't agree with him." Felix didn't even make it a question.

Sky sat listening to the conversation she’d already had her say on things.

"Does everyone need to agree with me, hell there were times when the Lt here doesn't agree with me, times when Commander Stoffels doesn't agree with me. Does it mean I need to think less of them as an officer." Xavier replied, "If I didn't let my crew have a voice, what kind of Commanding Officer would I be. Sure I disagree with his view on the Commander. But that doesn't mean I think hes any less of an officer. Maybe I am too close to the situation. Thats where you come in. An outside source."

"Sounds reasonable." Felix said. "I get it. Now is there anything else you need to share with me before I go and schedule sessions with the two officers?"

“Not particularly” Sky shook her head. “Though I do have a suggestion. I’d like to accompany you when you interview Toni if that’s possible? I’m willing to be interviewed myself if it helps to prove that I’m still up to my role here onboard ship.”

"If commander Stoffels agrees to that I have no problem with it. And I am open to having a session with you but only if you truly want it. I am not forcing you to do anything."

“I know” Sky smiled. “But it will clear up any concerns regarding my part in all of this. I know I don’t need to prove my intentions but I feel I should.”

"I have time so I am game." Voss said. 'And I would like to get going as soon as possible."

"By all means." Xavier replied as he looked to the door. "No offense to you but I want to get this over with asap."

“I understand.” felix said. He got to his feet and exited the captain's ready room to get on with what he came to do here followed by the resident counsellor.