Changes in Command
Posted on Wed Dec 31st, 2014 @ 6:04pm by Captain Liarra Von & Commander Jordan Gunning
Edited on on Wed Dec 31st, 2014 @ 6:05pm
Mission:
Vagrants, Vagabonds, and Thieves
Location: Commanding Officer's Office
The Strategic Operations roundel had been entirely quiet for the last half an hour and therefore it was a blessing when he received the call to cross the void of Ops to visit the Captain in her office.
The double glass paneled doors slid open, allowing Gunning to go inside. Von was standing beside her desk, Ratchford across from her shaking her hand. "Before you go," Liarra was saying as Jordan walked in, "I just wanted to thank you again for all your help. Congratulations."
Ratchford was beaming. "Thank you, Captain. I'm sure I'll be seeing you soon. It's been a pleasure serving with you."
"The pleasure was mine, Captain." Liarra gave another smile as she stressed the last word of that sentence. "Good luck out there."
Ratchford nodded and released her hand, turning to hurry towards the door. He stopped briefly as he met Jordan. "Commander Gunning, it's been great working with you as well. Sorry I can't stay and chat. I've got to run."
"Uhh, thanks Brian. You too." Gunning replied, shaking the man's hand without the quizzical look ever leaving his face. The doors hushed together again as the Commander pointed over his shoulder. "What was all that about?"
Von had an odd expression. She wasn't sure if she should be happy or sad. "Well, Commander, rather I should say Captain, Ratchford has been offered a command of his own, just because fate hadn't given us enough chaos and change lately. He and I had been talking about it for a little while. He wasn't sure if he should take it with everything going on here, but I told him that he should go for it. Someone should at least be able to get away from this mess," she said as she gestured to indicate the starbase. "He didn't have much time to make a decision though. A transport is leaving soon for Cestus, where he'll be taking command of the USS Hyperion."
Jordan let out a sound that was a mixture between surprise and confusion. He had very little love for the fleet these days but they never ceased to amaze him with their propensity for poor timing. "The Hyperion's a good ship, with a good crew as far as memory serves me." He said as he took the still warm seat that Ratchford had vacated. "Still- pretty terrible timing."
"That terrible timing is why he was thinking about turning it down. I know we have a lot going on right now, but I can't tell someone to hold back their career until a time that's more convenient for me." Von returned to the seat behind her desk. "How's the Montreal getting along? Have you been getting to know the crew well enough?"
"Quite." Gunning agreed. He had experienced something similar when the 332 assignment came up and he had to take his leave of the Iapetus. "The crew are a good bunch- Drusus is going to make a fine captain in no time."
"Good to hear," Von replied, nodding. "I know that Commander Ratchford had assigned you as the Montreal's commanding officer amidst all the chaos of these refugees, but I think that I'd like you to continue in that regard, at the very least until you think Drusus is ready for command on his own."
"Not a problem, Captain. We're due to leave for a patrol in twenty four hours time so I'll have them prepared for that." Gunning eyed the Captain cautiously. He didn't know her nearly as well as his brother had but something else seemed to be playing on her mind. "Anything the matter, Sir?"
"There is one more thing, Commander," Von said as she leaned forward, her arms propped up on her desk. "With Ratchford accepting his own command, the station is left in need of a new executive officer. I need someone who knows the station well, but I also need someone who I can trust, and who I know can keep the sector safe. Do you know of anyone that could fill that role?"
Gunning took a minute's thinking time. There weren't many on the station, with it being so under-manned in terms of staff, who could fill the role to any great effect. That would mean bringing someone in from outside with experience of system traffic and the sector's volatile political situation- and there weren't many candidates on that list either. "No-one immediately leaps to mind."
Von shrugged. "That's too bad. If you don't have anyone in mind, then I suppose I should lean back on my fall back. I once served as first officer to a Gunning. Maybe it's only right that a Gunning serves as first officer to me."
"We are wildly unreliable as Executives, Sir." Jordan replied with a wry smile. "My brother stabbed his former commanding officer to ascend to command."
Von returned the smile. "That doesn't surprise me. I'm willing to take the chance though. I have five lifetimes of experience under my belt, including one learning from your brother. So, does that mean that you're not interested?"
"Not at all, it would be my honour." Jordan realised that the Commanding Officer clearly had a lot to deal with and now- so did he. "I'll go and pass the details onto Lieutenant Nvaiden."
"Excellent, Commander," Von said as she extended her hand to Jordan. "I'm looking forward to us working more closely together."
"Thanks, Captain."
Captain Liarra Von
Commanding Officer
Commander Jordan Gunning
Outgoing Strategic Operations Officer, incoming Executive Officer
