Pulling out the Captain's Chair - Part Two

Posted on Sun Mar 8th, 2020 @ 5:49am by Division Admiral Thomas Lasky & Post Captain Tirion Fordring

Mission: Mission 72: T'Would Ring the Bells of Heaven
Location: Various Locations - USS Roanoke
Timeline: Apr 5th 2392

Kumirae looked at the Both of them, starting," Alright, well, first thing's first. "I'm Kumirae, I will be the commander for 1st Division, 1st independent Battlegroup. Pretty soon here, all the ships in your squadron are going to get reorganized, but for now, your squadron will be in my division. But, you ship wont be for much longer, Roanoke is going to be decommissioned, likely within the next 6 months."

Teval was somewhat surprised," Well, I figured she would have lasted a little longer, given they just recently replaced the saucer."

Kumirae nodded. "Yes, the saucer and pod will be recycled for use on other ships. The stardrive, however, will be scrapped."

Lasky raised an eyebrow. "So.. Thats it then?" he let out a soft sigh. "All that work and effort by our R&D guys." he had some surprise on his face. "I'll admit.. I didn't see this coming, at least not this quick... I figured we had more time..."

Teval sighed, then replied," To be honest, it doesn't surprise me all that much. The last two monthly reports given by Ra'vak are damning. The star Drive section suffered irreparable damage due to that hangar deck fire, and the more digging Ra'Vak does, the more he finds he can't fix. I'm sure you have noticed by now, engineering's workload has been doing nothing but growing. On top of that, why do you think I have been spending more time than usual in my office."

Lasky paused as he thought about it. "I didn't know about any of this..." he paused. "I kinda feel somewhat stupid now honestly. However I'm sure I wasn't told any of this for a reason." he paused. "Aww well it's not a large concern anyway. I've gotten more command experience in the last three months then most exec's do in three times that.. So... All in all I'm not going to complain."

Teval didn't comment further on that matter and Kumirae moved on," alright so, first addressing you Mr. Lasky. You have been commander for six years, despite it being, fragmented. I know you haven't been an XO for that long, however I have a few potential options for you. One, we can have you promoted to Captain and give you your own command. Two, you can remain at commander and be an XO for a ship that needs an XO, or three you could go as a department head on a starbase, or you can be sent to one of the new Odin class starships."

Lasky blinked, he did not see any of this coming so he listened until she was finished saying her comments. "I have a very young son. does this change anything in your eyes?" he inquired of her.

Kumirae gave him a look. "That's your decision, take whatever you think you can handle."

She then turned her attention to Teval, and as for you," Your a relatively new captain, but I have options for you as well. The main opening I have is Command of the new Odin class ship, the USS Felman."

"Odin Class," Teval asked." Not familiar with it."

Kumirae nodded," Yeah, they are big ships, crew of nearly 5000, so its a big job, but its the next opening I got, and she will be assigned as the flagship of 1st independent battlegroup as well as 1st division. Volume wise she is as big as an Akurian heavy Battleship."

Teval was a bit surprised that the federation was building such a large ship," Well that's unexpected, what other assignments are there available."

Kumirae looked at her Padd. "There are a few others, one is a champion class carrier, USS Tigers Claw. She is running with a temporary crew right now, the ship is in the midst of its maiden voyage, but it still has a temporary crew onboard. Also if Zuko Omakan accepts a promotion and his XO doesn't, there is USS Dreamcrusher. Alternatively, there is another Century class that is about to be launched and will be paired up with the Spirit of Winter."

Teval didn't immediately respond, unsure of what to say.

"Champion Class... That's the carrier variant of the Guardian.." Lasky responded. "Can I have a little time to consider it?" he inquired of her.
"I'll want to consider my options."

Kumirae looked over at Lasky. "You have until Roanoke is decommissioned." She then turned over to Teval. "However for you, if you decide to take command of the Felman, you will ship out in 3 months, and Lasky will take command of Roanoke until the ship is decommissioned."

Lasky raised an eyebrow. "Felman." Lasky turned to Teval. "Looks like your star is rising.." he paused. "I'll be handling the last days of the USS Roanoke before she ends her life.." he paused. "Thats easy enough while I consider my options... Though commanding my own ship does have a certain appeal."

Kumirae nodded. "If Teval takes the job as her commander."

Teval sat there in silence thinking, before replying," Well I'll have to think about it, though I do have one question."

"Whats that," Kumirae Asked.

"What of Zara Tane," Teval asked.

Kumirae sighed, then commented. "The only reason Zara Tane has remained in starfleet as long as she had, was starfleet has been in a continuous state of expansion in the past 30 years. Unfortunately, I do not have authority over her assignment, that goes to the guy who will be one position above me." She then held up one finger. "However, talking with other relevant Admirals in IFO, Zara Tane has one year to shape up. if she makes one more mistake like with on Niven, she is done."

Lasky nodded, he had been expecting something like this coming his way and in truth, it didn't bother him all that much. "Ohh... shit." he said it quietly as he smiled, it was not a suprise to him.

Teval didn't comment, instead saying, "So Kumirae, do you have anything else for us."

Kumirae shook her head, giving a small smile," Nope, just let me know within the next three months what your decision is." With that Kumirae rose and then she left the room, and Teval then looked at Lasky, saying, "you seem surprisingly unbothered by what she said about Zara."

"Nope.." Lasky responded as he turned to Teval. "Considering my issues with Zara and the trouble she's caused me over the last year. No I am not suprised in the least." he sighed softly. "She is... Many things but she will never change. She's a waste of my effort."

"I take it your relationship with her is over then," Teval inquired.

"Yeah... Its over." Lasky responded, a rather ugly frown on his face. "Well... it was either I keep living a lie and deluding myself regarding various things or do I do something about it... Besides... It'll take time to approve any transfer request I make.. So.. That's... Not really my worry at this point.." Lasky sighed softly. "Either way I'm not going to worry about it... I have other things to deal with... Like raising Kurt and considering that stunt she pulled with Saki... She could pull something with Kurt and actually get him killed."

Teval sighed and thought about it for a moment, then replied. "So, what do you think you will do when this rustbucket is decommissioned then."

"I have no idea to be honest.." Lasky admitted. "Maybe follow you to your next assignment or get a command of my own. I'm good with either one..." he paused. "I mean you aren't exactly hard to deal with, you are consistent in your training and I've gotten lots of valuable command experience with you."

Teval nodded. "Well I have to think about this one, but I know Hakaya would definitely like off this ship. Its a tempting offer, but all I have to say is, you have been a commander long enough, don't hold yourself back on my account."

"Yeah you're right." Lasky responded quietly. "Well for now I'm going to think on it and see what develops between now and then.." he explained. "Besides.. If the Federation is actually building ships the size of the Ryzar's Shield.. Then commanding one of the first would be quite a feather in your cap and mine too..."