Special Assignment

Posted on Thu Mar 13th, 2025 @ 9:07pm by Warrant Officer Iryna Voznyuk & Commander William Gerhard

Mission: Remnant
Location: Deck F - Main Armory
Timeline: Day 408
1362 words - 2.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Iryna hated being summoned by Gerhard. It felt like she was 13 being summoned to the headteachers office for the time she shoved snow down the back of Jestka Aervova’s uniform after he tried to shove her in a locker and she got revenge. Why would be wanting her now? They did not have the best working relationship thanks to her own stubbornness but she was trying to act less brash and more Earth Starfleet but it went against a lot of her ingrained training. She pressed the door release and walked into the empty space. “Commander? You requested to see me," she demanded.

William stood at the main targeting console checking that the scanner calibrations were still within spec when he heard the main hatch open and shut. He heard Iryna's tone, but decided not to let it bother him. "Over here Warrant Officer," he called before he turned back to the console and hit a few buttons to make the required adjustments for spatial drift as he heard her approach. "I've got a special assignment for you, One that will at least let you experience some actual sunshine for awhile," he said before closing out the program and turning to face her when she stood next to him. "Captain Leroux wants to go down to the planet surface and take charge of the survey teams, and I'd like you to accompany her as her personal escort," he said.

“Captain does not get a choice in leaving the ship.” The woman said firmly as she realised that she was being sent to keep the woman safe and out of trouble. She frowned seeing the way he was looking at her and bowed her head. “Why me Sir?” She wondered finally. She did not want to baby sit the captain when she had obviously used her position to get off the ship is instead of leaving it to others.

William gave the woman a stern look at her response before he replied, "The captain can chose to do whatever she wishes, Warrant Officer." After she had relented he continued, "I've already tried to convincer her against it, but she was adamant. And to answer your question, because your the senior MACO aboard and I can't accompany her myself." He crossed his arms in front of his chest, "From what our planetary scans have show there's only indigenous wildlife down there, but we can't always be certain. Each survey group will have a MACO detachment, which i want you to coordinate the rosters for, but I want you to keep the captain in sight at all times. I know its hasn't been that long since we left Relea, but we need to stretch our legs every chance we get."

Iryna could not deny getting off the ship was much needed for most of them even after only a couple of months but it would do a lot of good for people’s mental health. “I see Sir.” The woman finally said deciding to be more formal. They would never be friends outside of work, to alike and to stubborn but she did respect him for his position and the fact he could fight. “Fine I’ll babysit the captain.”

"Captain Leroux agreed to let me assign her a personal escort, so she is expecting you anyhow. Just...try to gently guide her against doing anything...reckless," William said trying to avoid sharing that he really wanted Iryna to watch her because Beth was pregnant.

“You want me to gently guide someone?” She raised an eyebrow at the mere thought of her doing that. She was not exactly the gentle type. Maybe that was why he was sending her because that was really not really what he wanted.

William gave her a knowing look, “You know what i mean. Just watch her like a hawk.” He then glanced over at the chronometer on the bulkhead before looking back at her. “Shuttle is scheduled for departure in 2 hours. But knowing the captain as i do, she’s going to want to get down there as quick as she can. Better grab your gear.”

“None of this would be happening if Sloan was still onboard sir.” Iryna commented with a roll of her eyes as she set about collecting her equipment from the armoury thinking on the current situation.

“If Sloan were still in command, he’d be sending a whole squad to watch the captain,” William said letting the comment slide without comment. It was well known that he and Sloan had had a contentious relationship following the revelation that Sloan was a Romulan sleeper agent. But the two had managed to work through their differences, and had a good professional relationship. His decision to leave the ship had come as a surprise to William, but he had understood the man’s reasoning.

“I liked the man. He was very similar to you in that he did not accept my bullshit sir.” She admitted over her shoulder smiling a little.

William glanced at her with an upraised eyebrow, “Are you saying you’d rather his leadership over my own?” He kept his tone light recognizing she was gently teasing. Perhaps their was hope for their relationship yet.

“Oh I prefer you. You aren’t a romulan.” She commented. “And if yunare you are so deep under cover there is no hope in ever retrieving your former persona. Plus I think Ensign O’Connery would kill you for breaking her heart before you became a problem … Sir.” Iryna said with a mischievous glint in her eye as she looked over at him from where she was trying to decide on her weapon.

William laughed slightly before nodding in agreement. “That’s a pretty safe assumption,” he said in agreement. He let her working on gathering her gear while he went back to the targeting console. “I’m sure Staff Sergeant Cusack would also take issue should you turn out to be a Romulan as well,” he said before he turned to look at her when he felt her eyes on him. “You didn’t think I wasn’t aware of you two did you,” he asked.

Iryna paused in her teasing and packing to stare at him. "Da... I mean No Sir. I just did not want to make it common knowledge and people judge me for what we have going on." Iryna explained quickly looking at her pack. She and Nate had not exactly been keeping things secret but they had been avoiding being open as it meant that people would interfere in her opinion. "How did you find out?"

“I have my sources. Plus I have no place passing judgment seeing as how Lexi and I’s relationship technically violates regulations,” he said. “But, we are a long way away from Starfleet JAG corps,” he said with a slight wink.

"I know but still it's a grey area even with us lost in space. I am trying to not throw it around in my experience of relationships the best way to have one is for no one else to know about it." She whispered softly as she finished configuring her power packs properly.

William looked over at her, sympathizing with her feelings. But, he also knew that at this point the captain was willing to look the other way. To be fair, it would be inevitable given their situation. "I won't tell a soul," he said as she glanced over at him before he gave her a reassuring nod.

"Thank you for ... whatever this is Sir," Iryna said quietly sounding a little softer than her tone normally. They had never really just stopped and spoken like this before. He was normally ripping her a new one and her yelling back. Maybe they were both human after all.

"Of course," he sid giving her a slight smile before he turned back to the console. "Carry on, Warrant Officer," he said as he heard her gather her gear and prepare to leave. For once, the were parting on agreeable terms, proving that even the iciest of professional relationships could soften given the right amount of time.