Echos of Coventry - Part One

Posted on Fri Mar 20th, 2020 @ 3:48pm by Captain Tolian Brevik & Commander Malcolm Walters & Master Chief Petty Officer Gwen Adams

Mission: Mission 103: The Rumblings of Discontent
Location: Various Locations - USS Solemn Penance
Timeline: 0800Hrs - August 20th, 2393

Captain Tolian Brevik regarded the long-range display in his ready room. "Well, other than Commodore Korelli McKnight not being subtle in her methodology, all in all, I would consider the exercise a success," he commented. "What's your opinion Commander?" he inquired as he turned to face his Executive Officer who was still rather new to the posting of such a posting, he had earned his posting aboard the USS Solemn Penance only a few weeks earlier and while he and Captain Brevik had had their fair share of concerns, the two men were seemingly able to co-exist and get along.

"It was certainly educational, for everyone involved skipper," Walters answered, he knew it was not the words his skipper would want to hear but he knew he was being asked to speak his mind and thus he would. "It showed us an excellent example of what not to do. We could have avoided that destroyer attack and still taken out their carrier." what he left unsaid was 'had you heeded my warning.'

Brevik regarded his Executive Officer with a look of cool annoyance as Master Chief Petty Officer, Gwen Adams spoke up. "I think you made your point already Malcolm. Yes, mistakes were made but you don't need to keep hammering on about it, it'll change nothing and only annoy others," she explained evenly. "We could not have anticipated the ambush that McKnight threw at us, in addition to her two bomber wings. All In all, it was close but we won."

"We should have won easier," Walters answered.

"Were you expecting a clean sweep?" Brevik inquired bluntly.

"We had the better plan," Walters answered evenly.

"It's unimportant, no battle plan ever survives contact with the enemy, such as the nature of war... you point out a plan that's foolproof and I'll point out someone whos not seen war," Brevik added in a quiet tone of voice. "In any event. We do have other matters to talk about." Brevik added.

Walters nodded his head in agreement. "Yessir," he answered as he adjusted himself in his chair while Adams opted instead to say nothing and let Brevik continue with what he was saying. "Now, we have a new Chief Medical Officer arriving at about fourteen hundred, that's assuming his transport gets here on time. "Solin had stuck in for the reassignment several months ago and it's finally been approved. He wants more classroom time which he feels will help his usefulness in the field. I had chosen to approve the request at the time, I've have always supported the notion that education should be an ongoing process and I'm glad I'm not alone in this assumption." Brevik slowly smiled as he explained. "Solin's replacement will be here on a temporary basis until Solin is finished with his education, then he'll be assigned back here, and will probably have his promotion to Commander at that point."

Adams nodded her head in agreement. "If anything, he's earned it." she paused a moment. "What do we know of his replacement.?"

"A Lieutenant Martin Shkreli." Walters lifted a PADD which he had been keeping hold of on his person. He had called up the information earlier, just for this purpose, he frowned softly as he regarded the information or rather the lack thereof. "This is strange."

"What is it, Malcolm.?" Brevik inquired, he was a man of many things but he had spent a great deal of time learning to trust those around him.

"There's almost nothing here." he handed the PADD to Brevik. Brevik accepted it a moment later. "You think someone is looking to unload a shithead onto us?" he inquired rather bluntly.

"The thought had occurred to me, sir," Walters answered honestly.

Brevik nodded, he knew the other man had a reputation for being blunt at times. Now was clearly one of those times. "Could we refuse him?"

"We would be out a possible Chief Medical Officer and we would need a new one in short order," Adams answered instead. "We would also need a good reason why, and it would have to be more then what we have. It would need to be a solid excuse why skipper," she added.

Brevik nodded. "I don't like the fact that my Chief Medical Officer is a guy who seems to be a nobody, his file looks a little too clean for my liking, no commendations or reprimands, he's been in Starfleet eleven years and he's only been promoted three times, topping out at Lieutenant and that's counting his time at the academy." he turned to the small-framed female before him. "Gwen, I'd like you to look into this new Chief Medical Officer, Maybe I'm overthinking it and maybe I'm being paranoid."

"Maybe your not. Consider the matter handled sir."

"Thank you." he turned to his first officer. "Number one, I'm going to let you handle meeting him. Treat this just as you would any other but if anything comes across wrong then let me know. I don't like this Chief Medical Officer we're getting and maybe I am just too old school, too paranoid... a relic from an older, darker time... But humor me on this... will ya?"

"Well, sir... You the Captain, and for what it's worth... I fully agree with you." Walters answered quietly. "This file is too clean... If it would be helpful, I can ask a few of my buddies about this guy and see what they say..."

"Please do number one, but keep it quiet... I don't want our new Doctor to start assuming things, not in evidence." Brevik commented quietly. "Any questions?"

"No skipper," Adams answered with a nod.

"No sir," Walters answered a moment later.

"Alright, Dismissed." and with that, the meeting ended as Brevik went back to his paperwork while his guests departed.