Return to Duty
Posted on Sun Oct 11th, 2015 @ 7:03pm by Captain Liarra Von & Colonel S'er'in'e
Mission:
By Dawn's Early Light
Location: Commanding Officer's Office, Starbase 332
S'er'in'e and his new Mate Samanthia had returned from Cait refreshed and encouraged with a new bond between them. The freighter that returned them to the Starbase waited at one of the outer markers since there was no need to dock but instead drop off a cargo. Returning to the Starbase was one of mixed feelings and emotions, already he missed his parents and his world but was early on reminded why he left. He hoped that this relationship between Samanthia and himself would not harm her standing with her duties or the family she is apart of. Part of him wondered where he'd fit in among all of it.
He sifted through the plethora of messages waiting for his attention, notifications of available employment opportunities and the like but nothing of particular note. That was until near the bottom of the list what appeared to be recently there was a communication from Captain Von, she wanted to see him but the message was mum on anything else, just that she wanted to see him. Since he was no longer Starfleet he was unable to wear his uniform so decided on his best attire, formal and well presented was for the best. Leaving a note on the table in case Samanthia should return while he was out he headed for the Captain's office.
"S'er'in'e, the Captain has summoned me." He spoke to security and handed over the message. Once passed he walked the short distance to her office and pressed the chime to announce his presence.
Von had taken the opportunity between reports to enjoy her cappuccino and gaze out into the stars far beyond the station. Her thoughts weren't directed at anything in particular, though the impending threat of a Sojourner attack was weighing the most heavily on her mind. She was interrupted from her thoughts by the chime of her door. "Come in," she called out, stepping away from the window and towards the door.
The the doors opened S'er'in'e saw the Captain standing by the window but her station there was short lived as she walked towards him. "Captain Von." S'er'in'e bowed as customary then stood upright again.
"Ah, Mr. S'er'in'e, please come in. Have a seat." Liarra gestured towards the couch at the far side of her office. It was a bit less formal, but she had been getting tired of sitting at her desk. "I take it you got my message."
"I did." He saw the offered couch and after a few steps and his tail wrapping about his waist he took a seat to one end of the couch. "Has there been news from Command about my request?" He asked softly as his voice took on more feline overtures to it.
"Actually, I haven't submitted it yet," Von replied with a dismissive wave of her hand. "You can call it a clerical error, or just plain selfishness. I understand that you've served as a pilot during your time in the marines." Her tone made it clear that it wasn't a question.
S'er'in'e nodded, his training was extensive thanks in no small part to his Casts's ways and teachings. Training from an early age was intensive and in depth and it had to be. He joined Starfleet to further his experiences and now that he had found a Mate, he could focus on things again. "I understand." It happened that things got delayed especially on a busy starbase. "I have a request, the Overseer of my Caste presented me with my fighter craft which I was unable to collect before joining Starfleet. It is docked on board a freighter at one of the outer markers to the station. With your permission I'd like to stow it on board the station for safe keeping." He doubted very much he'd be allowed to leave it on Cait. To do so would force him to return and once again face the females of his old life.
It was a bit of an unusual request, but then most officers didn't have their own personal fighter craft. "I'm sure we can make some arrangements. I'd suggest bringing it up with the air group commander, but at the moment, we seem to be short one. I've tried to promote one of the squadron leaders, but she doesn't seem to be too interested in the position. But I still need someone to do it, someone who has shown that he is a strong leader. Someone who commands the respect of his forces and can lead them into battle. Unfortunately, the leading candidate for the job recently decided to resign his commission."
It was not hard to figure out she meant him, he was not completely unaware of the subtleties of hidden meaning. "You are suggesting that I fill the role." It would fix the issue with his fighter. He had to think, if Von had yet to file his resignation and it be accepted it would mean technically he was still in Starfleet. "What would happen to my rank and uniform?" Pilots wore a different colour, he was known in green.
Von was delighted that they might be getting somewhere, but she tried not to show it. "That's up to you. One of our squadrons is made up of marines, and even our previous CAG was a marine officer. But if you would prefer red to green, I can submit a transfer request and have you recommissioned at Lt. Commander instead."
S'er'in'e had to think, the chance to change uniform was appealing but the edge came that green was what he was known for, he was a marine at heart and while he served Starfleet for many many years of his life green was the colour of his uniforms cut. The additional point that a positional move was one thing, a rank change was another and he didn't want to promote yet additional work for the Captain. "Captain and Green will suffice, it would feel too much of a change were I to shed one skin for another having worn it for so long."
Liarra shrugged. She wasn't used to people turning down promotions. "The promotion is yours no matter what color you wear, if you want it. But I suppose that's up to you. Does this mean that you are interested in the position?"
S'er'in'e face changed, as if a penny dropped it was clear that he misunderstood earlier. He thought the promotion was only offered if he changed from green to red, Von's explanation just then that the promotion didn't matter what colour was worn shed off any misunderstanding. By staying in green he could keep what he saw as his identity. "I am sorry for not understanding you clearly before. I thought the promotion only applied to if I changed my uniform. I will of course accept the promotion, position and if I can, remain in green." His change of mind also reflected the honour his Caste would see once he updated them, an off worlder doing well for him or herself.
Von grinned out of amusement, but not out of condescension. "Don't worry about it. Misunderstandings happen. And don't worry about me thinking that us 'fleeters are better than the marines. The only difference is that our uniforms are more colorful." Her smile faded away as she grew more serious. "I'm glad to have you back, Major. I'll make sure the paperwork is properly filed this time. For that you have my word. But I will need you to return to duty soon. Lieutenant Mason, the acting CAG and your number one if you still want her there, can brief you on the details. But we fear that an attack may be coming. Starfleet is building a fleet to counter, but I don't know if they'll be ready in time. If the Sojourners decide to attack, we'll be on our own until they arrive. We have a lot of work to do to make sure that we're ready in case that happens. I need someone that can take charge down there and make sure the job gets done."
"I will prepare enhanced CAP patrols around the station and make sure the remaining fighters are prepared to launch." Better to be prepared than not at all. "I am free to return to duty at any time once my access and authorizations are in place." When he put in his resignation it would have voided his access and permissions thus reducing him to a civilian. The new permissions would permit him to visit the Quarter Master for a new uniform, rank insignia, comm badge and more.
"I'll authorize your reinstatement as soon as we're done here. That's the benefit of not filing your resignation; returning to duty takes no time." Liarra started to reach out to shake S'er'in'e's paw, but she retracted. Caitian customs were different than Trill's, but she wasn't sure just how different they were. It was better to be safe. "There's one other thing that I want you to consider. It would be good to place a few reserve fighters inside the main space dock. Call it a hunch, but if the Sojourners breach the hull, I want to be prepared for them."
S'er'in'e noticed the hand. "I will assemble the teams and assignments accordingly and have a squadron on standby." He rose from the chair, his tail started to ache slightly which revealed by the quick unwind from his waist and gentle rub at it's base. "The chair." Revealing the cause. "I noticed your hesitation just now. A male can not touch a female without permission and only if the touch is first offered by the female. I understand Caitian ways are complex at times when it comes to social interaction making it difficult for non Caitians to ."
Liarra rose to her feet as well. The height difference between them was already great, but even more so with her sitting. She nodded at the Caitian's explanation. "I have no desire to offend you or put you in an awkward situation. Just know that if I make a mistake, I mean no disrespect."
"Females are afforded more latitude in such things." S'er'in'e smiled, at least best he could without intimidating the Captain with sharp fangs. "Is there anything else you wish for me to do in my new role?" He asked to make sure he knew everything to conduct himself and his new department accordingly.
The station's commander shook her head. "Not at this time, Major. I suggest you speak with Lieutenant Mason. If she's not in the flight control offices, then she's probably on patrol. She already knows that I was going to offer you the position."
"Understood, I shall head there immediately." He mentally noted Mason's name, he'd meet her soon. "I do not wish to take up more of your time, I am ready to return to duty once I have my uniform."
Liarra nodded. "Very good, Major. You're dismissed."
S'er'in'e smiled again, bowed his head slightly as he always did to females and then after being dismissed he departed her office for his quarters where he would replicate a fresh new uniform.
Captain Liarra Von
Commanding Officer
Major S'er'in'e
Commander, Air Group
