=CO's ready room, Ops area=
=Starbase UNITY=
As Trent reached the door to the ready room, he saw
Mumacik leaving. Trent gave his most polite nod to the
security officer before entering the room. As Trent
entered, the first person he saw was the commodore.
"Sir, I was hoping that I could speak to you ... alone,"
Trent said.
Shane resisted the urge to tell Trent that he's in a hurry
and nodded: "No problem, Captain. Take a seat" he said
and seated himself as well.
"As your XO, I feel it that I have to argue against you
taking the Qashqai into enemy territory," Trent explained.
"Ah" Shane sighed. He did not know Trent well and almost
not noticing, he crossed his arms on his chest. A defensive
manner. "What's the problem, Captain?" Shane asked.
"Well, sir, as this task force's commanding officer, you are
too valuable to be leading this mission," Trent said.
Shane closed his eyes for a moment, knowing what this whole
conversation will lead to. He's been here before … did
the same … but rather in a reverse way. He was the XO …
insisting that his CO will take part on a possibly dangerous
away mission. Till today, he did not have to face this
problem because since he became Chimera's CO … his XO
(Rangi) never attempted to stop him. When he became TF CO
… there were just NO dangerous missions … till now.
"That mission is of great importance, Captain" Shane
said, "that the Qashqai will leave this station in half an
hour is out of question!" he started firmly.
'Great. First day on the job and I'm already in an argument
with my CO,' Trent thought to himself.
"If you need someone to lead this mission, then it should be
me," Trent said. "I have the experience in this sort of
thing and I'm more ... expendable ... should something
happen."
Shane sighed again: "I understand your point, Captain.
I've been XO myself and the same argued with my CO about
him leading away missions. But I tell you the same that I
was told by General Bretam … well Colonel Bretam at that
time … 'It's CO's prerogative'."
"I understand that, sir, being a former ship's captain
myself. It's just that ..."
"Please don't take it wrong, Captain. I value your
opinion and your protests will be noted. Be assured that I
am not the kind of flag officer blindly heading into every
battle, no matter what the odds are. It's just that this
mission is both important for the TF … as well as for me
personally. It's my family out there and the man behind
this is an old … 'friend' of mine. I presume that this
all event is about Tal'shiar revenge on me … me
personally … and I do not want anyone else taking the
risks."
Trent nodded, "I know where you're coming from, sir. If the
roles were reversed and it was my wife and children out
there ... well, I would tell my XO to go do something very
uncomfortable with himself. But I would be wrong."
Trent leaned forward.
"With my training, I would be more valuable to you on this
mission," Trent added.
"Your place is on the station, Captain. I know how hard it
is to be confined to a single station for a ship's CO …
but I need someone to watch over 1st Task Force. I did not
mean for you to have it the hard way … but this is your
opportunity to get know our COs and vessels."
Trent nodded again and leaned back, "I knew before I
stepped in here that I didn't stand a chance of talking you
out of it. But I had to try. I wouldn't be doing my job if I
didn't. Besides, if Admiral Jefferson comes around asking
questions, well ... "
Trent paused for a moment, not really giving a damn how
the admiral may or may not feal about all of this. But Shane
was right, about being confined to a starbase.
"I haven't had a chance to go over current mission reports,
yet. Anything I need to know before you head out," Trent
added.
"There are two major missions at the moment. First is the
Erassian mission under Command of Commander Ohmsford and
second is the Thalaron threat led by Captain Chisulo.
Chisulo should be here in short notice. If I miss him, you
talk to him and if there is anything important, get in touch
with me. Then contact Commander Ohmsford and get a status
report. When the circumstances will be fitting, I'll
contact you from the Qashqai and inquire about that
mission."
"Understood," Trent said as he stood and offered Shane his
hand. "Good luck to you, sir. And if you do need the
calvary ..."
Shane accepted the offered hand and shook it saying:
"Thank you, Captain. I'll surely call when in trouble"
he paused and added: "and its good to know that I can
count on someone back here" He nodded towards his new XO
and said: "Now, if you excuse me, I have to go"
Trent said nothing as he watched Shane leave the room,
preparing for the upcoming mission.
"That went well," Trent muttered to himself before stepping
towards the door.
Commodore Shane Guzman
CO, 1st TF, SSF Command
CO, SB 234: UNITY
and
Captain Trent Rodgers
XO, 1st TF, SSF Command
XO, SB 234: UNITY
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