A Casual Conversation

Posted on Sun Nov 1st, 2020 @ 11:57pm by Captain Liarra Von

Mission: Who Watches The Watchers
Location: Admiral S'iraa's Quarters

With everything that had transpired and the score of reports that S'iraa had to read he laid the last upon the table's surface and sighed. The report itself was a positive one but it came after a long, long list of others that were less....stimulating.

S'iraa promised himself that he would not regret his choice to house his flag on board Starbase 332 but there were times when he missed the feel of real ground under his feet. Miranda was out doing some shopping and last he heard getting herself a new cut, which reminded him that he was no doubt due one himself. Still however there were things that needed doing so delaying little longer he wrote a message to Captain Von inviting her at a time of her choosing for an informal meeting, to discuss recent events.

S'iraa elected to allow Von to pick the time for she had a base to command, he did not and so didn't want to interfere with her duties.

As it happened, commanding a starbase consisted of managing many different moving pieces. Life on a starship was straightforward. Very rarely did the needs of one department, with a few exceptions, differ from the needs of the ship. On the starbase, it was a careful balancing act. Each department had very different needs and objectives, often varying significantly depending on the particular visitors to the station. It was a daunting task at the best of times. At the worst of times it left Captain Von feeling like she was being torn in several directions at once. Despite that, she always did her best to stay calm, cool, and collected. So why did this message from Admiral S'iraa give her such a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach?

So far her experience with the Admiral had been nothing but cordial. He stayed out of her way while she was running the station, and she stayed out of his while he coordinated a fleet. But there was just something about a meeting with the boss that made even the most seasoned of officers a little nervous, especially when they wanted to discuss recent events.

He may have left the timing up to her, but Von was not going to make the admiral wait. She had some time this evening that she could meet, though there was an early morning meeting the next day. But that could be easily remedied. Liarra tapped her commbadge. "Von to Talelle."

"Talelle here, Captain. What can I do for you?" asked the yeoman from the other side of the comm channel.

"Keep my schedule clear for this evening, and reschedule my 0700 meeting with Commander Prescott for later in the day." Liarra did not want to have to excuse her self early if S'iraa preferred to talk late.

"It looks like you have some time at 1500. I'll let Commander Prescott know."

"Thank you, Yeoman. Von out." Liarra tapped her commbadge again to close the channel. She typed a response back to Admiral S'iraa. "I will make time to meet with you, Admiral. Would tonight at 1900 be okay with you?" she wrote back.

Replying that it was acceptable S'iraa went about his routine. Later in the evening S'iraa had taken the free time prior to make himself clean and presentable, a suitable and comfortable change of clothing, a tidy of the quarters while Miranda was out with a friend pampering herself with a trim and bite to eat.

All he had do was wait and then his evening could progress.

Liarra too freshened up and changed into something a little more casual. The admiral implied that it was a more casual get together, but she didn't want to take any chances and elected to stay in her variant uniform vest. After what felt like a very long turbolift ride, she arrived at S'iraa's quarters and pressed the chime.

S'iraa had opted for a family colours gold and green three piece set of jacket, coat and pants. His fur was still white but there were hints of his age trickling in forming slightly darker cream or grey strands to appear. He had prepared something to eat, a variety of dishes that were kept warm or hot as the dish required on the table, cutlery with care taken to consider Liarra's smaller hands to his own. Hearing the chime he walked to the door and opened it. "Captain Von." It was hard at times for him to separate the Admiral from the individual. "Please." The noted difference that S'iraa didn't bow to Von like S'er'in'e would have. "Come in."

"Thank you, Admiral." Liarra stepped into the admiral's quarters, noting the change in protocol from what S'er'in'e would have done. But then S'iraa was her superior officer, no matter what other cultural customs he may have. Von could feel her heart beating in her chest, anxious over making a wrong move. She decided to follow S'iraa's lead, not presuming to take a seat if he preferred that they stand. She nodded in his direction. "I hope your day has gone well," she said, cursing herself mentally for the obvious attempt at small talk. It was driving her crazy at how nervous she was feeling.

"May I get you something to drink?" S'iraa offered once the doors had closed behind her. There was much to talk about and as much as he was used to leaping straight into it given the location he thought perhaps it would be easier on Von if he eased into it. He walked to the replicator entering his usual combination which created a clearly Caitian beverage then turned to face her, awaiting her answer. He could see from her composure that Von was uneasy. "You may relax Captain, be at ease, I didn't summon you here to berate you."

Liarra tried to loosen up. "Sorry, Admiral. I know you didn't come Three-Three-Two to watch over me. I just keep making myself think that I have someone looking over my shoulder." She considered the offer for a drink. "How about a hot chocolate? Something smooth and relaxing." She mustered up a grin in S'iraa's direction.

A moment later and with drink in hand S'iraa walked to Von and handed her the drink. He could tell there was an air of unease and that was unavoidable, few seldom enjoyed being around an Admiral and fewer still when they didn't know what it was about. "How are things progressing in Operations?" He asked breaking the ice of silence that seemed to be ever ready to sweep in to fill the void.

Liarra took the offered drink and sipped it, careful not to burn her tongue. Depending on the replicator, the temperature can vary by a few degrees, and she had been caught off guard on a few occasions. "Things are progressing well. Main systems are all back up and running. Most of the repairs still underway are cosmetic, with a few sections of the station still seeing some minor structural repairs. But the main thing is that starbase operations are fully functional. What work still remains is not impacting the flow of traffic. Our friends in the Archan government are a little annoyed that the station left them for so long, but they've seemed to think that we are here at their beck and call ever since the station was built. Or at least since I've been here. For the most part, we're back to business as usual."

"I have been going through the command and logistical reports for the last 2 years of operation, it seems that getting supplies out here can sometimes be an issue. Your lack of fighter resupply left your CAP patrols diminished too long which potentially compromised your operational ability until another vessel transferred its wing to you. Some of your departments are still understaffed, your munitions have yet to be resupplied." S'iraa had clearly done some homework.

"I have myself placed a requisition. 14 transports under a 5 starship escort will be arriving in 11 days. I will provide you with coordinates where you will dispatch your assigned vessels to meet it and escort it the rest of the way while some of the escorts break away and resume other duties. I would like to see how your command crew handle it, with no advanced warning." S'iraa knew that a resupply convoy out of the blue under escort and needing to be unloaded would pose a challenge, one which he wanted to observe himself.

Von was stunned. She wasn't quite sure what to say in response to the admiral's request. She had been submitting requisitions for for more fighters and embarked craft for months with little response. Though she supposed that rank did have its privileges. "Thank you, sir. I know Colonel S'er'in'e will be very happy to hear that. He and I have shared many concerns over the lack of fighter resupply. I can have the Jackal and Montreal underway within a few hours. Probably sooner, if necessary."

"When they arrive I'd like you to notify me so I can attend Operations and observe." S'iraa knew that in itself would pile on the pressure, which is what he wanted. S'iraa wanted to see Von's staff work in a pinch with a convoy inbound and unannounced and a ranking flag office watching. "Please, sit." For once glad that he had chairs instead of his usual much more comfy large bags to sit upon for when he had guests.

"I am aware that since arriving on your station I have not been as present as some might expect with a flag officer on board. My duties keep me busy and while your crew have made every effort to make me feel welcome and comfortable it has however kept me from meeting you more regularly than I have." S'iraa didn't like to be the recluse but often found that his position and rank often made that a requirement when dealing with others.

Liarra took the offered chair and another sip of her drink. The chocolate was helping calm her, much to her own surprise. Maybe it wasn't so much the hot cocoa as it was the admiral's calm demeanor. "That's perfectly understandable, Admiral. You have a lot of ships under your command. I'm hoping the station can be the least of your worries. Recent events notwithstanding."

"Indeed." S'iraa spoke. "I do however have one duty that directly relates to you." He walked to his desk, he returned with a pad and a box. It was a promotion to Fleet Captain. S'iraa didn't want to do the whole formal speech and ceremony elements because this was after all a casual meeting. "Congratulations." S'iraa concluded with.

If Von was stunned before, it was nothing like what she was feeling right now. Confused? Elated? Honored? So many thoughts went through her head as she read over the contents of the PADD. He may not have made much of the occasion, but S'iraa still had enough faith in her to grant her a promotion to Fleet Captain. The small box he handed her contained her fifth pip. "Admiral, I... I don't know what to say. Thank you."

S'iraa smiled or at least what could be viewed as one without the tips of his dominant fangs showing. "Operationally I do not see much changing in light of your new rank though the significance of this station, in this region can not be understated." S'iraa explained. "I will be leaving shortly for a meeting with Admiral Quinn and I wanted to present that before I departed."

Liarra was still stunned. Even if nothing was changing operationally, S'iraa was putting a lot of faith in her. She wasn't sure if she deserved it, but clearly someone in Starfleet seemed to think she was worthy. "I won't let you down, Admiral."

"Be sure you do not, it would make me look bad for when I brief the Admiral about this if you did." S'iraa didn't intend for it to sound cold, but he was looking forward to talking about this with the Admiral to break up the otherwise routine of reports, briefings and updates. The moment was broken when his computer alerted him to an incoming communication and the chime used was known by all command level officers as important.

Von recognized that chime all too well. "I should let you get to that, Admiral," Von said as she rose to her feet. "Thank you again, sir."

---

Fleet Captain Liarra Von
Commanding Officer
Starbase 332

Vice Admiral S'iraa [P: S'er'in'e]
Executive Officer
Eleventh Fleet