Infinity's Arrow - Part One

Posted on Tue Mar 16th, 2021 @ 12:54am by Fleet Captain Heather Walking Bear & Commodore T'Shaamet 'Runt' Antilles & Colonel James "Gryphon" McTaggert & Brigadier General Jerris zh'Fegerro

Mission: Mission 108: Grains of Sand
Location: Various Locations - USS Infinity
Timeline: 0900Hrs - October 21st, 2393

Commodore T'Shaamet held a PADD in her small hands, the PADD was of average size as the Vulcan was small of frame and stature so the PADD looked oversized as she set the PADD down. "So we're looking at loosing at least seven people from this roster... Meslina and Jackson will be moving to other departments and Tressa is heading over to the Valhalla as their new Chief of Clinic." the Vulcan woman explained. "So we'll need new people to replace the transferees," she added.

Walking Bear nodded her head. "Indeed. You'll need a decent ship driver to replace me. I'll admit that I'll miss sitting at your Conn but I've been getting shit on because all my promotions came slower then they should have..." Walking Bear explained with a soft sigh. "I've been told that I'm behind... I should be heading towards Captain rather than sitting at Lt Commander but I know others who have dealt with this same level of absurd too." she shook her head.

"How much leave time do you two have before you take your new postings?" T'Shaamet inquired over the two people sitting before her.

"We both get about one week's leave time between us, it'll be nice to have a few days off." Walking Bear answered.

McTaggert smiled. "Settling into our new home with the kids, getting them used to living on a planet rather than on a small starship." he shook his head. "They will find rain and other weather to be quite interesting, even if the area around Utgarde city is presently entering its normal winter season at present," he added. "Heather and I will have plenty of time for us, and for the kids too," he added with a smile.

"Well, wherever you two go, I wish you both well," T'Shaamet answered. "So who do we select for the new Chief of Conn.?"

"I'd rather promote someone from within the department already but... A lot of them are also leaving for other assignments so this will have to be an outsider." Walking Bear commented evenly. "Plus you'll need a new Exec to replace Sarah..."

"I'll ask you for the new Conn officer Heather," T'Shaamet answered as she handed the other woman a PADD. On it was a list of over sixty candidates. "Wow, this is quite the list," she commented as she went to work. "Let's see... Anyone who is Lieutenant Commander or above... axed," she commented. "Ahh... This is much better... six candidates," she commented.

"Why anyone who is Lt Commander or above.?" T'Shammet inquired, clearly curious with the detail at hand.

"Because they will be getting poached for other assignments or commands of Crusiers or smaller ships." Walking Bear commented. "You want someone who will provide stability and a ready succession of older officers is not what you need or want T'Shaamet." as she smiled at the Vulcan. "You want someone ready to learn what you need to teach them, someone, who is younger and more clear of mind... Not someone who's gone through several assignments and has more time to develop bad habits."

"Ship drivers don't have bad habits... I am shocked, almost too shocked for words." McTaggert couldn't resist taking a poke at his wife as she regarded him with an acidic look in her eye. "I don't recall you complaining about my various habits." she shot back at him.

"That's because you don't have any bad habits," McTaggert answered.

"Honey, I need to look after this... Who do you got in mind?" Walking Bear sighed softly as she regarded her husband.

"Honestly... For my replacement. Ouros Yamaguchi." which honestly was not a surprise to anyone present, the younger woman had performed sterling service during the last mission and had proved herself capable of handling her assignment as part of one of the most unusual missions the Infinity or her crew had ever experienced. Ouros had not only handled it well but she had also excelled at the role she had been assigned to take care of.

"If not her then who?" T'Shaamet interjected.

"You'll want someone older. A Major or even a Lt Colonel. Someone who has the field experience and can make sure that Infinity's marines perform at the top of their game." he paused. "Do you mind if I call General Zh'Fegerro?"

T'Shammet tapped her combadge. "Bridge, this is the Captain, could you contact General Zh'Fegerro on Utgarde please, route it in here when you have her.?"

"Aye Captain." Amakawa's voice came back. "Placing your call now."

A moment later, the screen lit up with the face of an Andorian Zhen. "Colonel. What can I do for you?"

"I'm looking to inquire if there is the possibility of having Captain Ouros Yamaguchi as my successor for the marine unit aboard the Infinity?" McTaggert decided not to waste time with prattle and come right to the point of the conversation, it was something he was well known for.

"I'm afraid not." Zh'Fegerro sighed. "She's doesn't have the rank, the time or the experience needed for the unit on the Infinity, had this been one of the Crusiers like the Century or the Daedalus, I would have said sure and called it a day but... I'm sorry, she's not ready for that level of responsibility." the Andorian sighed softly. "Still having issues with your replacement?" she inquired in a knowing tone of voice.

"I am yes... I have four candidates and I don't like any of them, three for the same reason you mentioned and the last is a malcontent, he's only gotten here because of his connections and he was promoted beyond his useful skillset, he told me himself when I asked him."

"Who is he?" the General asked, McTaggert told her the name as she said she'd look into it. "I have two other names you might like but one of them should be commanding his own unit by now but he's always been stuck in Exec billets and the other has been a star pupil."

"Whos the chronic exec...?" McTaggert answered quietly.

The General turned her attention to a PADD on her deck. "Jose Monroy."

McTaggert paused. "Jose... That's a name I've not heard in a while..." he admitted.

"You know him?" the General asked. "Alright, I'll send him to you and you can see what will happen."

"Please. He's perfect for this assignment." he paused. "Ma'am, do you think its time he had a command?" McTaggert inquired formally.

"Its past time, years past time." the General answered as she paused. "I'll call him and offer Infinity's marine unit to him... I'll get back to you with the answer okay?" and with that, she nodded. "Zh'Fegerro out." and with that, the screen went black.

McTaggert paused. "That was... educational."

"Indeed," T'Shaamet answered. "Tell me of Jose Monroy?"

"He's laid back and not afraid to use initiative when needed, he's not afraid of bucking the rules but he will get results. You'll want to meet him first and see how you feel of the man, he is married with kids so he won't do anything stupid." he paused. "However, she is a civilian and she keeps the kids with her while Jose is in the field. So Heather may not come with him... I'll be suprised if she does..."

T'Shaamet nodded her head. "Alright, so we're waiting to see what happens and then we can go from there once we get the answer."

"Yes," McTaggert answered.