Change of guard
Posted on Tue Mar 2nd, 2021 @ 2:33pm by Captain Bethsabée Leroux & Commander William Gerhard
Mission:
Mission 4 - Eden
Timeline: Day 160 19:00
1376 words - 2.8 OF Standard Post Measure
Beth hated that she was doing this, she felt like she was giving up on Sloan but she knew that the man would never be able to return to having armoury duties anytime soon. She needed to secure the ship and find someone who was willing to take on the duties of armour chief. She had limited choices but now that the whole department was back to health there was only one choice and why she was stood outside his quarter pressing the chime.
William sat at his desk and carefully traced the outline of the deck boards with his small brush he used to add details. The model had proved to be his most challenging to date: HMS Victory . Due to his steady hands, William prided himself on being able to accentuate each model's smallest details, and he had vowed not to let this one beat him since he had had difficulty with the lower deck.
William had been off duty for a few hours, and he wanted to put some work into his model since he believed he wouldn't have many more opportunities based on the mission briefing provided to him. As he was applying a coat of paint to some rigging, the sound of his door chime made him flinch and smear some of the paint.
"Enter," he said loudly as he rubbed his eyes. He felt his temper start to rise since his concentration had been broken.
Beth heard the tone of the command before she entered and grimaced. She knew the man well in a formal setting as she spoke Swedish but it was well known he could be a bit short-tempered.
“Hej Hej!” The Captain greeted him coming into the room. Swedish speakers believed a greeting sounds happier and friendlier if you repeated it twice and she hoped that would de-ice whatever she was walking into. “Apologies for interrupting your evening Lieutenant but I need to talk to you.” She admitted standing in the doorway for a moment before pressing the door release.
William recognized the voice as he turned to see who was entering his quarters. He stood when he saw the captain and let his temper subside as he stood and used a small cloth to wipe his hands.
"Captain, no apologies are necessary. Please excuse my tone earlier, " he said as he gestured to the open chair at his desk.
"We all have off days after the last few months. Especially as part of our Armory team with securing the ship from first the Vrav and now this unknown vessel we are alongside." Beth said smiling at him as she took the offered chair and looked at the desk. She noticed the little model but said nothing, she was impressed he still had anything like that left from when they left Earth, it spoke of his self-control.
William nodded slightly, "That is true I suppose, though I have been trying to work on my temper, especially given our current situation." He placed his hands behind his back and stood at a loose parade rest, "I take it our 'ghost ship' is the reason you wish to speak with me?"
Beth smiled a little. She knew he was trying to work on it, she had been hearing about how he had been trying to change. “I have heard about your attempts. I am glad to hear because yes the ghost ship is the reason I want to talk. Lieutenant Commander Sloan is highly unlikely to ever return to Armory.” She admitted truthfully.
William nodded solemnly as the captain spoke. The scuttlebutt surrounding the former Armory Chief had been working overtime, but William had not let himself get sucked to far into it. William had never had a bad working relationship with his former department head, but prior events had muddied his perception of the man. However, William was willing to give him a second chance. William knew better than anyone that people deserved second chances. His prior enlisted service and commission in Starfleet were a far cry from the gutter his life was going down back on Earth in his youth.
"I understand ma'am. I never had a problem working with Lieutenant Commander Sloan. I assume he wont be staying in the brig given our current situation," Will asked.
“No. He has been assigned quarters on deck G. That has happened already and he has been moved.” Beth quickly assured. It had been arranged with Luis but the man did not want permanent Chief Armoury Officer. It was a waste of personnel and power to have someone quaffing the brig at all times. The people there would be of better use anywhere and everywhere. “The reason I came here and interrupted your evening is I need a new Chief Armoury Officer. I want you Lieutenant.” It was as simple as that.
William's eyebrows perked up when he heard this. As the Assistant Chief Armory Officer, he had already assumed some of the Chief's duties, but he had not been told if he was going to be assigned the role permanently. William was due for his Department Head tour, but he had put his career progression aside since the ship was so far from home.
"I'm honored Captain," he said with a slight bow of his head. "If i'm being honest i had assumed that Major King would assume that role. I know i have the Armory experience, but i wasn't sure i had held my officer's commission long enough."
“Major King is a Marine. The departments are close but I do not think anyone is ready for them to join together fully.” Beth said with a bit of a smirk. It had crossed her mind but then quickly changed when she had sobered up. “This is a brave new world where the length of commission is irrelevant after the last few months. We are going places no one has been before.” She reminded. “So is that a yes you are accepting?”
William nodded his head, "If you want me as Chief Armorer, then I accept. You have my word that I won't let you down, Captain." He felt his excitement start to grow, but he made a promise to himself he wouldn't let it go to his head.
Beth nodded. It was finally coming together to allow the ship to resettle after the Vrav and the initial being thrown across the universe to where ever they had ended up. She had reliable people where she finally needed them and where they would stay for a long time she hoped. The ship needed some luck for fuel issues and stability even with this strange distress call from an unknown ship. "I do so I am relieved to hear you are agreeing to become head of our armoury department." The woman smiled and held out her hand to shake it to seal the deal.
William took her hand in his and shook it. He let a smile come across his face, "Thank you Captain, you wont regret this. You will never get less than my absolute best." He took a moment and added, "And i will be sure to work on my ..... short fuse if you will."
Beth nodded. He would have to work on it quite quickly to avoid alienating his department from himself or ending up in the brig. It would not do for the armoury chief to end up in his own brig though at h TG is stage after Michael Sloan it would almost be a tradition. “Lieutenant I would highly recommend an outlet for the short fuse. Soaring with marines, exercise with myself if you enjoy running or finish your model but whatever you do find it.” Beth said rising from the desk to let him return to his evening.
William made his way over to the door and hit the release button. As he did this he stepped aside to allow her to exit, "Of course Captain. Thank you again for the opportunity. Jag släpper inte dig eller fartyget." William allowed the last sentence to be said in his native tounge as he hoped it would convey his sincerity to the captain " I won't let you, or the ship down."
By Ensign Elegy Nascimento on Tue Mar 9th, 2021 @ 1:46am
Oh my god, I hope William never cures his short fuse. I want someone that cranky pointing the phase cannons. A great introduction for a new character!
By Lieutenant Avira zh'Kenarh M.D. on Wed Mar 10th, 2021 @ 10:48pm
If someone made me mess up my models paint job, they wouldn't have gotten off so lightly!