All Along the Watchtowers - Part One

Posted on Sun Oct 31st, 2021 @ 3:44am by Commander Sokanon It'kla & Post Captain Heris Dvald

Mission: Mission 116: All Along the Watchtowers - Part One
Location: Various Locations - Starbase Vanguard
Timeline: 1325Hrs - October 25th, 2393

Commander Sokanon moved into her office, she sighed as she looked around the room that was hers because of her assignment, but all too often recently, she had come to think of it as a trap, a prison from which she needed to escape and now it was past time to plan her exit from medical.

She rounded the desk before she picked up a PADD. The female Caitian breathed in and then back out again as she was sure she had made the right choice.

Sokanon had a little piece of business to attend to today which she wished to keep quiet, at least for now, from everyone she worked with and knew. Now she was going to drop the heavy end of the hammer on Heris Dvald's bald head. Sokanon hoped the other woman would understand why as she gently took a moment to straighten and clean her whiskers while she was at it.

Sokanon made her way to the skipper's ready room and was permitted access a moment later. "Captain, can I have a few minutes of your time?"

"Sure," Dvald answered with a nod of her head. "You can have as many as you want," Dvald answered. "You're my Exec, you're supposed to be taking my time with things of state." as Dvald sat back in her chair. "But I suspect you don't want to be funny... You have something else to bring to me." the Bolian regarded the Caitian as she indicated the chairs across from her.

"Indeed." Sokanon sighed softly, she gently slid her lithe form into a nearby chair, taking care that her tail was not caught up in the chair or that she was sitting on it. "There's no easy way to say it... I want out Heris... I can't do it in medicine anymore." she explained.

"I'd like to stick my name in for reassignment to any ship looking for an Executive Officer..." before she handed her PADD off to Dvald who almost dropped it in surprise.

"Oh..." Dvald paused. "I'm sorry..." The tall Bolian woman answered. Her crestfallen look was something that indicated this was out of the left field and the Bolian woman had not been expecting it either. The look on her face said as much. "Sokanon... I thought you were happy here."

"I am..." the Caitian female explained, raising both hands to stop the other woman in her tracks, she could see that Dvald needed an explanation, this was fine as she was prepared to explain herself and her actions here and now. "But chances to advance on this Starbase simply do not happen and I do not believe you will let me have your job because I want to advance my career..." Sokanon answered with a gentle smile. "This is no slight against you, this base or the people assigned here... While we do have our share of bad apples I want rid of... That's got no part in this choice I made..."

"Oh..." Dvald paused as she decided to solicit details out of the Caitian before her. "So nothing Fordring said about Elizabeth has any part to play in this choice or its timing?" Dvald asked

"The timing, yes... That's got a major part to play in this... I want out Heris... I... I can't take it anymore." she answered softly. "I want to go into command." she paused. "I want a new challenge and command will give m that... I've been in medicine for almost my entire life... It's routine and boring... done to death... Hell, I've nearly died several times wearing this uniform... I want something new..." Sokanon sighed as Dvald raised her hands, to stop the Caitian in her tracks.

"I'll stick this in and see what shakes loose..." the tall Bolian female paused. "But I should tell you that this could take some time." as she suddenly leaned forward in her chair.

"That's fine. I'm in no real rush to leave but... Medicine...It's boring to me now." the Caitian explained.

"Nothing wrong with wanting to move your career along... You've been seeking a new challenge for a while now." Dvald answered with a nod of her head. "You could always go see Admiral Lasky... I know he could use you..."

"I'll do that, and see what he says," Sokanon responded with a nod of her furry head. "I know he's shy on several skippers for ships. Personel for his crews are coming in but he's still shy on skippers..." she added. "So Maybe he will accept me to serve as Exec on one of them or maybe even command one of them."

"Alright, if he agrees... Then I will stick in the paperwork for a new assistant chief medical officer..." Dvald answered. "Who would you recommend from this crowd?" she asked

"Honestly." she paused. "Gail Hobbs is still too new, you will want a new person from outside for this assignment," Sokanon answered quietly.

"Alright. I will take care of it then." Dvald breathed out and then back in as she picked up a PADD. "Thank you for your time Sokanon."

Sokanon rose to her feet. With that, she departed in silence.