handing over

Posted on Sat Feb 21st, 2026 @ 10:56am by 1st Lieutenant Kayleigh London & Lieutenant Commander Tony Johnson

Mission: Those who are left behind

Of course Kay had known that she could not stay on as chief of security she was almost the lowest of the low where it came to officers and she had been looked over in the latest round of promotions on the ship. Maybe because she was a marine and a navy captain did not feel right to promote her. Yet it had stung after been shuffled around from department to department as if she did not matter at all. Now she was getting ready to brief her new chief.

Walking into the Security Department, Tony Johnson was eager to get back to running things. His time in strategic operations was an amazing opportunity, but overall security was his first love. And something that was extremely great at. Immediately, he spotted Lieutenant London who had temporarily been running things during the absence of Aalis Renne. "How are you this morning?"

"I am fine, sir." She stood to attention. "I hope you are as well, sir."

"Very eager to get settled," Tony admitted. "It's been a little while since I have been back here and ready to get back into the swing of things. You have been bouncing around between security and counseling. Where is it that you would like to land permanently?"

She shrugged trying not to show her frustration. "I did the best I knew how. I am a junior marines officer and I have never worked in security before. But counselling did not need me anymore, they have enough therapists now. And since there are no marines on board I got shifted here. For some reason I am not allowed to go back to a marine squad somewhere else and make myself really useful." She blushed realising she had let loose. "Sorry sir. Won't happen again."

"Don't be sorry. I understand the frustration. Have you ever considered just switching over to Starfleet security?"

"I don't want to be in the navy." Kay mumbled. "I want to make sure that if I get promoted it is because of what I did."

"Are you implying that promotions in the Fleet are undeserved?"

"Oh no sir." Kay was appaled that he would think she thought that of starfleet officers. "I just know my dad, sir. He knows so many people, I am just afraid he could not help himself. It is the same reason why Toni did not go for the marines."

Johnson simply nodded and smiled. "So, what is it that you want for yourself? You wish not to be in the navy, but you are the sole marine on the Resolution. Which kind of leaves you with the option to transfer to a marine unit."

Kay shrugged. "This is a punishment detail." She blushed. "My previous commander recommended it, to get the wildness out of me." This was still so embarresing. "I have a great record as a combat marine and marine shrink but in my time off... I eh... I brawled in bars... a lot. So he thought a stint with the navy would be good for me. And here I am being tossed around departments. I was supposed to work as counsellor but they don't need me anymore. Demoted me away from assistant chief just because someone navy came in."

"Probably a good reason for you to leave the marines," the Commander suggested. "Or remain a Lieutenant Junior Grade forever. The marines have clearly dumped you."

"I am a first lieutenant." Kay grumbled. "And I don't want to believe that. I have given it my all. Besides the navy hasn't been any better shuffling me around like this. I had expected better of Toni." She thought and then shook her head. "No I take that back. I don't want favoritism so I should not complain when she does the opposite."

"You're being shuffled around because no one has a clue where you truly stand. There needs to be a decision made on your part or you will still be in this shuffling status long after I'm gone."

"Like I said, it is not up to me. It is up to my former commander to decide when I have been punished enough. And captain Carey, so now I guess captain Stoffels. I like being a marine."

Tony simply smiled. "Well, until a decision is eventually made you will remain in security. And I have a special task for you. Which will be to mentor Ensign Gregory Turner."

"Who, me?" Kay was surprised. "Why me?"

"You're a Marine. I have the feeling that you would bring an interesting perspective to his life."

"That's... an interesting thought. I have never been a mentor before." She was mulling it over in her head. "Yeah I guess that is something I would like. Oh and since I am no longer chief or assistant chief, can I fill in with counselling if they would need me?"

Tony raised a curious eyebrow. "You think you can handle it, along with regular duties and mentoring?"

"Do you know how much paperwork it was being acting chief?" She shrugged. "You probably do. And don't worry, it would have to be pretty dire before they need my help."

"If counseling has no issue with it, then neither do I."

"Thank you, sir." Kay said. "Anything else?"

"Nothing else," he responded. "I'll let Turner know to report to you immediately."